Jimmy & Richie - 10. Chapter 10

When I woke in the morning, we were all in the same position. I carefully extracted myself. I had to get ready for work. I took my morning shower and got ready. By now it was becoming routine. Breakfast was a toasted cheese sandwich and coffee. Just as I was heading toward the door, Rich came into the kitchen.

“Hey, good morning, I'm sorry if I woke you.”

"You didn't wake me. I just missed my pillow.”

"There some coffee and I had a toasted cheese sandwich. If you're going to stay up you don't mind fixing your breakfast, I hope?”

"No, I don't mind. I did it at home all the time as well. Dad was usually gone by the time I got out of bed.”

"Just tell Nick the same thing when he gets up. I'll see you guys tonight."

As I headed to the door, Rich grabbed me and kissed me. I must have looked surprised, "That's for good luck today.”

I smiled as I open the door and left. I waved as Gramps was about to get into his car. I followed him through the gate, but I had to stop and get gas before I reached the plant.

As I pulled into the gate, the guard came out to check my ID, "Your grandfather beat you this morning”

"I had to stop for gas. If I'm late I'll tell him that you held me up." The expression on the guards face, said 'panic'. "I'm kidding, I'd never say that."

He smile and waved me through. I parked in my usual spot and headed to security.

"Good morning, your grandfather wants you to stop at his office before you go to your station.”

As I took the elevator I wondered if this was going to become a habit. Getting off the elevator, I was greeted by Gramps secretary, she handed me a cup of coffee and said to go right in.

"Good morning Grandfather, I was a little late this morning I had to stop for gas. The security said you wanted to see me.”

Yes, sit down James, enjoy your coffee. You weren't late. You were about ten minutes early. It seems that you shocked Mr. Chester with the monitors. You weren't expected to assemble all of them.”

"It wasn't hard once I got them lined up. It would’ve taken longer if I left them as Mr.Chester set them on my desk."

"Well, today you’re going to work in accounting with Mrs. Weaver. I want you to understand how we keep our books. So as soon as you finish your coffee, I'll have someone escort you to her office.”

"I don't need an escort, Grandfather. I was in her office the first day I started here."

Gramps just smiled, “Good.” I finished the coffee, said goodbye to Gramps and headed to Mrs. Weaver's office.

"Good morning Mrs Weaver, I was told to report to you this morning.”

"Good morning James, this morning I want you to organize these invoices. They need to be sorted by company and date."

I sat at the desk she indicated and noted that the pile of invoices were totally disorganized. They looked like they were dumped into a tray. Supposedly, they were placed in the tray when they arrived. I decided that I’d separate them by company first and then deal with the date. I started to set up piles on the table sorting by company name. As it turned out, I had thirteen piles representing the thirteen companies. I sorted each company by date of receipt. I noticed several were duplicates. These I put in to a separate pile. It seemed that the company doubled-bill. By lunch time, Mrs. Weaver came to check on me.

"There were a few duplicated invoices, I separated them so you could determine if they were current or not. They all had a different date, but the description and amounts were the same.”

"I'll look them over while you go to lunch.” I left to go to lunch.

Finishing lunch, I returned to accounting. "James, this is the computer run on outstanding invoices, I need you to verify the computer run against the invoices.”

By the end of the day, I finished. Separating the invoices in piles helped a lot, I could focus on one company at a time. I marked the computer run to indicate duplication, turned the completed run over to Mrs. Weaver, told her I was finished. I checked out and headed home.

When I entered the apartment, Rich was waiting for me. "Where's Nick?”

"He went to the house to talk with his brother. I think he might look at Ohio State for his undergraduate degree.”

"Does that mean he'd like to stay here?”

"Probably, I'm not sure why he's thinking about Ohio State. He just talked about how he liked the campus and could see himself here.”

"I'm going to change, then we can go over to Grams." As I headed to the bedroom, Rich followed me. He sat on the bed and watched me undress.

"Jimmy, do you exercise or just run?”

"I just run, but any activity will keep you in shape. I like running because it's a sport that isn't team oriented. I haven't run since I moved here. I need to get back to running.”

"Could I run with you?”

"Sure, I think I'd like that.” I finished dressing, we headed to Grams.

"Hi Miss Marie, is everyone in the drawing-room?”

"Yes, James, Brandon and Charles went for a walk and should be back soon."

Entering the drawing room I saw Nick and Gram in a close conversation. "What are you two up to?”

Nick smiled, "Gram and I where talking about living in Ohio. I think I like it here as compared to Iowa. Iowa can be a little isolated. Most of the area is farm acreage. I think that living here would be a great experience.”

"Won't your family have a say in that?”

"Probably, but maybe I can have them open an office here. After all, Ohio is considered a key state for political purposes.”

"Gram, are you encouraging this young man? I know you like to have young people around.”

"James, you know me all too well. Ohio State would be a good school for an undergraduate degree if you're going to pursue a career as an attorney." Nick just had a shit eating grin on his face when Gram said that.

"What will Charles say if you told him that?”

"What would I say about what?”

"I didn't realize you were back. You're going to have show me where you walk. Nick has something he wants to discuss with you but it can wait.”

I gave Brand and Charles a hug. Sitting on the sofa, I noticed Rich sat beside me. "Move over Rich, I want to sit there also.”

That required Rich to practically sit on my lap as Brand sat down next to him. I didn't mind, but I wondered what game was being played. I remembered Mike's comment on Skype last night. I looked at Rich. He had a smile on his face. I could fall in love with that smile. I looked at Brand, he winked at me. Now I knew something was up.

Dinner met all of my expectations, Gramps patted me on my back as he went past on his way to his seat. Miss Marie continues to cook fantastic meals.

“Brand, when are you and Charles leaving to go home?”

"We were thinking about leaving this weekend. I only took a week off. Maybe we'll come back again before summer is over.”

"If you’re planning on coming back, maybe I could stay and then return with you later.”

"It would be ok, except I'm not sure if we’re coming back. If we don’t, how would you get home?"

"I could fly back if you paid the fare.”

"I'll think about it, but you need Jimmy's agreement to share his apartment with you. Seems to me it's a little crowded on that bed with the three of you.”

"No, it isn’t. I’ve never slept so well. Jimmy, it’d be ok if I stayed, right?”

"Well, you'll need Rich's agreement as well, and promise to stop snoring.” That did it. Everyone started to laugh at the expression Nick had on his face.

Nick was the topic at dinner that night and him going to Ohio State for his undergraduate degree. Charles commented that his dad would have to agree to it before it became a reality. Nick said he was going to call his dad tonight and talk to him.

"Nick, before you make a lot of plans, you should check with Gram and Gramps if they would allow you to stay. If they say yes, you should find a way to thank them for their hospitality."

After dinner, back in the apartment, you can bet what the topic was. “Jimmy, would you mind if I stayed this summer?”

"No, Nick, I wouldn't mind for the summer, but once I start school, I'll need my quiet. I expect to maintain the grades that I achieved in high school. You would have to commit to doing some serious studying.”

"If my parents allow me to come here, I could only stay if I keep my grades up. If they think I'm goofing off, they'll yank me back home.”

"In that case, you have my vote. Now you need to get Rich's vote.” I watched Nick look at Rich with puppy dog eyes.

"What do you say Rich?”

"I have to think about it. You may cramp my style.” That caused us to laugh.

We watched TV for a while, "I'm going to bed guys. See you in the morning if you're awake.”

I went and took my shower. As soon as my head hit my pillow, I was a sleep. I never felt Rich, or Nick get in bed.