Timothy - 25. Chapter 25

I enjoyed spending the day with my family. Dad told stories about me and then compared them with Randy. I could see the bond between Dad and Randy develop. I was glad for Randy. Dad will guide him as he did me.

“Randy seems to be doing well.”

“Yes, he has changed from the first time I saw him on the streets begging. I think Dad has a devotee.”

“I know he has, and I think the admiration is a two-way street. I’m glad that Randy has someone to help him in the manly arts.”

‘If your dad treats him as he treated you, then I’m confident Randy will turn out to be a great young man.”

“Okay, you are overdoing it. I’ll sleep with you tonight.”

We laughed, and I hope we will laugh a lot in our lives.

Sunday morning, I didn’t want to get up. I was comfortably nestled in Stephan’s arms. I could spend eternity like this, but there is always something to disturb this mood as usual. Nature called, and I had to use the bathroom.

I satisfied nature’s request and decided to take a shower. I think Stephen has the shower wired. As soon as I turned on the water, someone was behind me. Most people have a special place to show their love for each other. We have the usual and the unusual.

I’m kind of sneaky, we hadn’t our morning run, and we usually don’t shower until after our run. This morning I wanted some additional attention, and the shower rue worked.

We made our run to the high school and back. This has become a part of our day. And, being sweaty, we had to take another shower.

Sitting at the kitchen table, eating our breakfast, “Stephen, should we take a bouquet of flowers with us?”

“Are you trying to get my mother to like you.?”

“It would be nice, but I’ll settle for the fact that she has accepted me.”

We stopped at a flower shop, and I told Stephen to pick out a bouquet. I figured he would know which kind she liked.

We arrived a little before noon. Stephen’s home wasn’t that far away. We probably could have run there.

Walking in the back door, I could smell something roasting in the oven. Stephen went and brought us a cup of coffee. I followed Stephen into the living room, and sitting there drinking coffee was Gramps and Dad.

“Tim, I know today is Sunday, but I brought a few contracts over, and I wonder if you would review them?”

“What sort of contracts are they.?

“Some are standard rental contracts that I paid a lawyer to write. But I need someone to review them. I found a clause that would let a smart tenet cancel the contract. I’m also installing electrical backup systems in several business rentals. I want to be sure those contracts will allow me a fair return on any electricity I’ll be able to sell back to the electric grid.”

“Dad, do you mind if I take these home and review them. I have a new system that will allow me to review these very quickly.” I was a little upset about this. It seemed like a trap, invitation to dinner and then doing favors that would cost him a few hundred dollars if he used an outside firm. Then I looked at Stephen, and he had a big smile on his face. I shouldn’t complain. I knew he was proud of me, thinking his father had a lot of trust in me. I’d do it and anything else he would ask for me to review or write a contract to cover.

Dinner was roast beef with various roasted vegetables (those I really enjoyed). A fresh lettuce salad was served before the dessert of apple pie. Mom and Dad had a glass of red wine, Stephen and I had water. After dinner, we had a coffee.

The dinner was standard for Stephen but not for me. My plate was prepared and placed before me. If I wanted seconds, I’d probably have to go to the kitchen.

The home meals I was use to involved putting a plate with cut meat, a bowl of vegetables, and a salad bowl on the table. It was a help yourself deal as the bowl and dishes were circulated. That was the way we ate lunch on Saturday.

We eat something like that at dinner. Only the food never makes it to the table. We take our plates to the stove, loading directly from the pans. Since it is only us, I told Stephen we would have fewer dishes to wash. In reality, it was easier.

Our after-dinner coffee was served in the conservatory.

Going home, I chuckled, “What?”

“Our dinner was very formal for a family dinner.”

“I think Mom was trying to empress you.”

“She reminded me of high society in those old English movies where the butler serves you at the table. Then the gentlemen withdraw to a smoking room for cigars and the ladies to a room for tea.”

We laughed, “Mom cooks, she said it is easier to serve our food that way than pass around serving plates and bowls.”

“What if you want seconds?”

“Why would you want seconds? There was enough food on the plate you were served.”

“Yes, but maybe I would want more of those roasted vegetables. I really liked them.”

“Be sure you tell Mom that. If you are still hungry, you can have a snack at home.”

“The snack I will have at home will be served in bed in a very unique container.”

That got me a kiss, “Stephen, not while I’m driving.” We laughed. We were sitting in Gramps parking lot.

We jogged home to offset the calories in our dessert, so we said.