Chapter 2

Two months after my meeting with Paul, I was bored out of my mind for I hadn’t found anything that I wanted to do as a hobby. I needed inspiration, so I invited my girls over to the house for dinner. We shared some pleasant conversation as we ate. After stacking the dishes, we adjourned to the living room to relax with our after-dinner drinks. I had waited until then to ask my question.

“Girls, I haven’t found a hobby and I don’t want to start a business, but I’m bored to death. Do either of you have an idea of what I could do to fill in my time that I would enjoy doing?”

After a few moments, Karen, my twenty year old blond bombshell of a Granddaughter, said, “Grandpa, this may sound silly, but why don’t you become a professional student? You’re retired, so you don’t have to pursue a degree to get a job, unless you wanted to. Err ... I mean unless you want to get a degree, not a job. You can take any course that appeals to you.”

My daughter Nancy, a forty three year old redhead, said, “Now that is the best idea I’ve heard so far to keep you busy, Dad. What about doing that?”

I considered Karen’s suggestion, and then said, “I guess I could try it for a while.”

Wednesday morning found me in the Admissions Office of the University of Mission Bay (UMB) talking to a counselor. I described my past education to the counselor, and she talked with me about returning to school during the next quarter, which would start in about five weeks.

She asked what I might want to study. In reply, I described last night’s conversation with my girls. The counselor said, “I suggest that you go to the book store and buy a class catalog that describes the university’s classes. If you want to eat or drink something while you’re reading, go sit in the cafeteria. The library is a better place for reading, but food or drink is not allowed. When you decide on the classes that interest you come back and we will talk some more.”

She also told me to return and talk with her, if I had any questions. I did remember to ask her for directions to the bookstore and cafeteria before I left, and then I followed her advice.

In the bookstore, a sales assistant help me find the class catalog. I was heading to the cash register to pay for it, when I detoured to get a couple of pads of Post-it flags for marking the catalogues’ pages. While doing that, I got to thinking about buying a nice pen and a portfolio for taking notes. I looked at what was available, but nothing appealed to me. I settled on buying a good retractable pen that fit my hand and a spiral notebook. After paying for my purchases, I headed to the cafeteria.

Before I retired, I had considered buying a nice leather portfolio-organizer and a really nice pen like a Mont Blanc. I never bought either of those items for they seemed too ostentatious to me, not to mention expensive. I didn’t consider myself a skin flint, but I wasn’t one to spend money needlessly, either.

At this point in my life, I didn’t care what people thought about my buying something like those items and I decided to go shopping at a high-end stationary store. I wanted to examine, touch, and handle the item I was going to buy, so on-line shopping was out for me.

When I entered the cafeteria, I stepped to the side and stopped. It was close to half full of students even though it wasn’t lunch time yet. I looked closer and noticed that close to two thirds of those students were reasonably attractive young women. Unfortunately, the majority of those young women looked as if they were just out of high school. Although, I did notice a few who seemed to be over thirty. No, I wasn’t at the university to find someone to replace Betty. However, I wouldn’t object to forming a few casual friendships with some of the women who were closer to my age group.

I spotted a cluster of unoccupied tables against the far wall, and headed that way. I wanted a place out of the way with no one nearby to distract me. I found a table where I could sit with my back to the wall and see anyone who approached me.

Sitting with my back to a wall was a habit that I consciously formed many years ago due to a newspaper article I read. The article stated that a man was in a restaurant and had been sitting with his back to the front door. A second man, a stranger, entered and approached him from the rear. For reasons unknown, the second man caved in the seated man’s skull with a hammer. It seemed obvious to me that sitting with your back to the entrance of an establishment was a bad idea.

After about fifteen minutes of uninterrupted flipping through the class catalogue, I notice an extremely pretty, short, petite young redheaded woman moving toward my cluster of tables. As she got closer, I estimated her age at nineteen, or possibly twenty, and it was easy to see that she was very worried about something.

She took a seat two tables away from me with her right side facing me. For some reason, I kept glancing at her. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I felt an extreme sense of attraction to her. I didn’t understand why, but it felt like an emotional attraction rather than a physical attraction. I did recognize that a small part of the attraction was physical, but it was predominantly an emotional attraction. If I had the opportunity, I wouldn’t mind talking with her, but I didn’t want to approach her.

After about five minutes of watching the two entrances to the cafeteria, she raised her arm and waved at someone. A fairly handsome athletic young man, who appeared to be a few years older than the young lady, was approaching her table. He stopped without sitting down and asked, “What did you want to see me about, Bren?”

“I want a favor, Frank. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hide my pregnancy from my parents for long because I live at home. So last night, I told them about you impregnating me and dumping me. Because of their religious beliefs, they told me to get out and don’t come back. I got in my car and left. I have nowhere to go and no money. Can I stay with you at your apartment for a couple of days?”

In a raised, aggravated tone, he said, “Listen, bitch. I told you we were through when you messed up and got pregnant. I wanted nothing further to do with you or your brat then, and that hasn’t changed. Besides, I replaced you with another woman who wants me to be her man. So get lost and don’t bother me again.”

He turned and started to leave.

That is what I consider to be a totally arrogant little boy who refused to accept any responsibility for his actions. I immediately hated him for what he had done to this young woman’s life and the way he was treating and talking to her.

As he walked away, he shook his head and turned it to say, “Bye, bitch, and good riddance.”

The young lady broke down and sobbed in despair. I looked at her crying her eyes out with her head on the table cushioned by her arms. I just knew that I had to do something to help her, but what. The only thing I could think of was to talk with her, so I gathered my things and walked to her table.

Without sitting down, I said, “I couldn’t help overhearing what that asshole said to you. It seems that you need an understanding person to talk to. I decided to listen if you want to talk. I’m going to sit down next to you. You don’t have to look at me, talk to me, or anything, unless you want to. You can even tell me to get lost.”

I sat down, placed my things on one corner of the table, and remained silent. She continued to cry and sob, but it seemed like she was running out of tears and sobs. When her tears and sobs ended, I asked, “What’s your name?”

She pushed herself to an upward position, and turned her face to look at me. She finally said, “Brenda Scott.”

While waiting for her response, I was able to get a better look at her face. She was a redhead like my wife Betty, but the color was a more vibrant red. I had always been attracted to redheaded women, so I wasn’t surprised that I was attracted to her. Her face fit with her short slender petite body. Her chin was rounded, rather than square or pointed, and her nose was not overly large. Her ears were a bit small for her face, my personal opinion, and flat against her head. Her eyebrows were nicely shaped. The only feature that was not perfect was her green eyes, which were swollen and red from crying.

I said, “I heard the asshole call you Bren. Is that a nickname?”

“Yeah, that’s what everyone calls me.”

“I like it, my friends call me Ken, but my name is Kenneth Hawk. I’ll call you Bren, if you don’t mind.”

“Go ahead. What do you want with me?”

“Nothing, Bren. As I said, I heard what the two of you said to each other. I knew it upset you and it seemed to me that you might like someone to talk to, so I decided to volunteer myself.”

“Thanks, but there is nothing you can do. It’s my problem now and I will have to find a way to deal with it.”

“I guess it is your problem now, but you don’t have to deal with it alone.”

“What are you going to do? Ride in on your white charger to save the day.”

“I don’t own a horse, Bren, and I don’t know how to ride, so No. However, I may be able to make a few suggestions to get you through the next few days.

The tone of her voice was angry when she asked, “Oh, what do you have in mind? Do you plan to have me move in with you and have me be your fuck toy?”

I replied, “No! I have never stooped that low and I don’t plan to start now.

“You said you had no money, so getting a cheap motel is out. Do you have a female friend who could put you up for a few days?”

“Maybe, but most of my friends have studio apartments and roommates, and they don’t have room for a third person. A few of my friends live with their boyfriends, and I doubt the guys would take me in, unless I’m willing to roll over onto my back and spread my legs for him. I’m not a whore, and I don’t plan on becoming one if I can avoid it.”

“Well I’m down to two final options, Bren. What if I give you a long-term no-interest loan?”

“That seems like charity to me. I may have to go that route, but it is against my principles. What is your second option?

“My wife passed away about a year ago, and I have been a bachelor since then. I hate housework. I can cook, but I’m tired of eating my own cooking. I get lonely at times, so I would enjoy someone’s company. I guess I’m trying to say that I could hire you to be my cook and housekeeper. You would have a salary, your own room, and I won’t expect any personal services from you to keep your job. Take a few moments to think about it.

I lied and said, “I was about to go get myself something for lunch. Would you like to join me in something?

“That sounds good; I am a bit hungry and could do with a snack.”

“I’ll be right back.”

I left my things on the table, and headed for the food line. If I were to guess, Bren had slept in her car last night and skipped breakfast. I grabbed two trays, silverware, and napkins. I had a light meal, a dessert, and a large bottle of water on my tray. On Bren’s tray I had a full hot meal, two small desserts, and a large bottle of water. After paying the cashier, I took the trays back to the table and set Bren’s tray in front of her.

She said, “This is too much. I can’t eat all of this and I can’t repay you.”

In a firm voice, I replied, “Shut up, Bren. I can’t have my housekeeper fainting from a lack of food. It would impinge on my reputation as an employer. Consider it an advance on your salary. Now eat before your food gets cold.”

Bren started eating, but she kept glancing at me. I was eating my meal and trying to ignore her. I was doing a poor job of ignoring her.

Bren finally said, “You keep looking at me. Why is that?”

I said, “I should probably not say this, Bren, for I don’t want to scare you. You are probably the most beautiful woman that I have ever met and I feel a strong emotional attraction to you. I want to take you in my arms and protect you.”

“Oh!”

Bren went back to eating, but continued to glance at me. She smiled and finally said, “I think I can trust you. Do you have any references?”

“A daughter and a granddaughter. Would you like to talk with them about me?”

“No, I don’t think that will be necessary.”

“If you are finished eating, I think we need to leave, so you can get settled in your new home.”

“But, I haven’t accepted your offer.”

“In a way you did, but it doesn’t matter. You’re hired, so unless you want to quit, let’s leave.”

I got up and started to leave. I could hear Bren’s footsteps as she hurried to catch up with me.

As we walked beside each other to her car, I said, “We are going to have to spend some time together getting to know each other.

“My wife, Betty, and I were married for almost fifty years until she passed away last year of heart failure. My daughter Nancy, my granddaughter Karen, and I were devastated. I think the three of us have reached the state of grief known as acceptance, but we all miss her a lot. I think you and my girls will get along fine. My granddaughter Karen is twenty and goes to school here, she’s a junior. How old are you, Bren?”

“I just turned nineteen, and I’m a freshman this year. Why were you in the cafeteria today? Were you waiting for your granddaughter?”

I laughed and said, “No, I got bored rattling around my house all by myself. I had Nancy and Karen over to eat last night to see if they had any idea to cure my boredom. Karen suggested that I take some classes here at UMB. So I came here this morning to find out about going back to school. I bought a class schedule and was looking through it, when I saw you coming toward me. I tried to ignore you, but couldn’t. However, I think I succeeded in not staring at you.”

“Men! I’m a wreck. I slept in these clothes, have no makeup on, and my hair must be a mess, and you think I’m beautiful. What am I to do with you?”

“I’m hoping you will accept me as your friend and let me take care of you, until you can take care of yourself.”

“What about my baby?”

“We can talk about the baby later. If you want to keep the baby, that won’t bother me. Just don’t plan on me getting up every night to change the baby and feed it.”

Bren gave me an odd look, and then said, “I think you mean that. Do you plan to keep me with you for that long?”

“I’m not planning anything, Bren. You can stay for as long as you like as long as we are both okay with living in the same house.”

“That almost sounds like a relationship. Is that what you want with me, Ken?”

“You’re right. It does sound like a relationship. I didn’t mean it that way, Bren. However, I do have a feeling that we may drift into a relationship as at least friends, and possibly as more than friends. But for now, let’s just get to know a bit about each other.”

I was parked in a different parking lot than Bren, so she gave me a ride to my car. On the way, a worried look crossed her face. I asked, “What’s wrong?”

“My gas warning light just came on.”

“No sense taking chances, where is the nearest gas station?”

“Just down the street to the right when we exit the lot. But, I don’t have that much money.”

“Just consider it another advance on your salary.”

It was actually a Stop N’ Shop and the outside credit card machine was out of order. I had to go inside and pay in advance for the gas. Bren joined me inside. I told the cashier to put fifty dollars on pump 2, and gave her my credit card. She looked at it with a quizzical look on her face and asked, “I’ve never seen a card like this before. What is it, one of those no limit cards?”

In what I thought was close to a whisper, I said, “Yeah.”

When I glanced to my right, Bren was standing beside me with a contemplative look on her face. We went outside and she started filling her tank.

“Ken, I’ve heard of no-limit credit cards. You have to be wealthy to get one from what I’ve heard.”

It was an open statement, so I replied, “My net worth is higher than that of the average person. A few good investments give me a good income.”

Bren nodded and simply said, “Okay.”

The clerk ran the card and the charge was accepted. I returned it to my wallet and we left to fill her car. The high price of gas meant fifty dollars of gas didn’t fill her tank.

I got the impression that Bren had thought that all retired people were on a low-income budget. That sort of explained her wanting to pay me back and her reluctance concerning me spending money on her. I decided that if true, she was definitely not a gold-digger and a nice person.

She followed me to my home and pulled into the driveway beside me. I helped her carry her few belongings into the house and upstairs to what would be her bedroom. I had the master bedroom, which was on the ground floor. I put Bren in what had been Nancy’s bedroom on the second floor.

When Betty and I had bought the house, we already had Nancy. We had planned to have a total of three or four children, but it just didn’t happen. There were four bedrooms, a small office and two bathrooms on the second floor. So after Nancy’s divorce, Nancy and Karen moved in with us and they took the two largest bedrooms. The two bedrooms shared a private bathroom. Since the other two bedrooms weren’t occupied, Karen used the second bathroom as her private bathroom. After they moved out, Betty and I remodeled the rooms and replaced the furniture so the girls could use the bedrooms if they stayed with us overnight.

Once Bren had put her things away, she joined me in the living room. I had noticed that she had very little clothing with her.

I asked, “Did your parents say you could return to get your clothes and other belongings?”

“No. I forget their exact words, but I had to leave with just the clothes on my back. I was lucky that I still had a few clothes in the car that I gathered when Frank kicked me out of his place.”

“Okay, Bren. As I said, I like you and would like to take care of you until you are back on your feet. I normally don’t talk about my finances with other people, but you seem worried about me spending money on you. I came into over five million dollars a while back. I have far more money than I need to live on and I can easily provide for you until you are back on your feet financially. So don’t worry about it if I decide to buy you a few things. You won’t leave me penniless.