Chapter 10

The next day I needed to pick up my supplies. Canadian Tire was closer to the school but I drove home with Paige because of my after school class. It used to be our time but now she remained quiet in the car. Jane knew of my shopping expedition and I took enough money to cover our purchases.

I was home an hour later. I put the supplies aside and cleaned up. Susan carried the stew next door because of the weight. The girls and Jane were quizzed as to how much they had done for the meal. I was given some compliments back now for my own cooking. The pot was empty for the return trip, I was happy they enjoyed my cooking.

Someone called about the television later that night but they didn't sound enthusiastic to be buying from someone with my voice.

On Wednesday we had a non-dry run on our auto cleaning enterprise. The Vachone's had either driven or loaned their car to us many times. Jane had done favours in return; still we were indebted to them and would occasionally need to borrow the car.

Karen and Faith assisted us this time and didn't feel too bad about exposing themselves as long as they were with three other girls. I went over what had to be done and why it had to be done in this order. The types of cleaning were also listed on a chart with the price.

Jane said, "Jeff, you don't expect people to pay these kinds of prices, do you?"

"Jane, they will pay gladly. You could even rent chairs if they could get close enough to the girls to see their backsides better."

Nora stood with us as the girls worked and when Jack came home Susan got him to bring his car close so he could get a complimentary cleaning. People had stopped to watch the girls work. Neighbours came out not only to see the girls but to be in the growing crowd.

Young boys came then fled only to return with more of their kind. Young girls came to see what the competition was like. It took a long time to do one car but the five girls didn't mind when they could work together.

Old man Vachone was out inspecting his car and his wife was making sure his false teeth didn't fall out when he stared. Nora and Jack started to circulate and talk to the more vocal of our neighbours. The idea was to guide the crowd before they started to come to a different opinion than what I wanted.

The girls too took breaks and talked to the neighbours to show that they were just healthy young girls.

The boys drooled and my girls giggled but not too loudly at the boys' antics. The girls were seeing that what I said, was true. I couldn't explain that I had forty years of advertising experience but apparently I didn't have to.

When the first car was done Susan bent at the hips to clean nothing. She was right in front of old man Vachone. He didn't have a heart attack and that was only because she stood up fairly quickly pretending to wipe something from her fingers.

I went forward as the straw boss and asked the Vachone's if they liked the job. They spoke poor English so I spoke in French. They were indeed happy with the job because the girls had cleaned the entire car and even put a coat of wax on.

Jack's car was done fifteen minutes later and it looked immaculate. The girls were very proud of what they had done and so was I. Jack gave his own thanks and I knew he meant every word of it.

In a loud voice I called to everybody within earshot. "Hello neighbours. These beautiful girls and three more of their friends have formed a small company to make money for their education. You all saw how hard they worked. The quality of their efforts is very high. Anybody would be proud to have a car prepared by these angels. For the next two days we are having a reduced rate for the services offered. You might have noticed that the prices are high but you will not be able to get a better job done anywhere."

Still talking loudly, I said, "Good job my angels," and started to clap my hands. Jane, Nora and Jack clapped too then everybody did. The girls smiled widely, blushed deeply and looked at their feet.

The girls started to put things away; but the young boys wanted to help. The girls caressed the boy's heads and the lads ran to do their bidding. I knew that if the boys were older they would have a wet spot in their pants.

The girls were very excited when they got inside. I also knew what they needed. "Girls, go upstairs and have a quick shower and rest in the bedroom for an hour or so."

Jane smiled at me. "You know what they are going to be doing?"

"That was why I sent them. They were ready to explode they were so excited. You better make some tea because there is a fair chance we will get some visitors."

"You better tell the girls to be quiet and close their door too."

"I better call out. If I go up there I may not be able to get away."

Jane laughed so much she had to sit and she still laughed. When I called from the bottom of the steps, "Girls, we may have visitors. Please keep it down until they leave."

In a second I heard all five say "Yes Jeffery," in unison.

The Vachone's came in and offered some money for our work. I turned on the charm and kissed the missus and said to both, "I am thanking you for all the times you have helped us. I even came home a while ago from the hospital in your car."

Soon they had a cup of tea and then more neighbours came in. One was Nora and she looked around for her daughter and I pointed up and whispered, "Hen party."

With more people coming, I put more water on and then washed the cups of those that had left. Paige and Nora's cookies were offered and duly complimented.

Most of our guests were women and it became a much larger gathering than I had anticipated. I took a break from playing host and hurried upstairs as quick as possible. I tapped on the door and whispered, "It's me."

The door was opened and once Susan saw that it was only me she pulled me in and kissed me. When I caught my breath I said, "Hmmmm that was nice but I have an idea."

I looked around and there were all my girls and they had not bothered to hide. I rubbed my pecker even though it wasn't hard and said, "You guys are going to give me that problem again." This was good for a laugh and a few giggles. "There are a lot of old ladies downstairs, it would be good public relations if all of you came down and put on your best behaviour. Talk to them and ask their opinion on things and basically butter them up. If we get problems later they will be our front line troops."

I was only kissed by each one once but them made a production out of it and I had to reach inside my pants to now move a small protrusion.

When I got downstairs Nora smiled and straightened out my hair. In a whisper she asked in a phoney sympathetic voice, "Were they nasty to you?"

I stuck out my lower lip and tried to look like I was going to cry. "You don't know what the sacrifices I have to make."

Nora laughed so loud that she had to hold the counter. The rest stopped their conversations to look at her.

I went back to circulating and mentioning that this was partially done to help the girls pay for college. Plugs were put in about gardening, grass cutting and even window washing.

To one group of old ladies I said, "Did you know that the girls made their own outfits. They even purchased the material and patterns. They had me carry them home. Not that many girls these days do things like that." The women readily agreed; and they would really be appalled at what it would be like in the future.

The girls came down dressed very demurely. They split up and spent time with the various groups of women. Susan, Maggie and Paige introduced Karen and Faith then went looking for targets themselves. The two men in attendance hightailed it when they saw the girls were not in their uniforms.

Nora went home for more cookies and some purchased deserts.

Jane mentioned to the ladies she was standing with, "Did you know that Jeff can fix televisions and radios? He does a great job. He even gives a two-month warranty when other places only give thirty days. He has one used television for sale now."

The women now asked how good I was and Jane gave the biased answers that were expected of her.

I was running all over fetching tea and snacks when Nora returned. She had a selection of different pastries and two homemade pies. I did dishes as quick as I could because flatware was in constant demand. The girls were dressed as if going to church and I couldn't expect them to help. One of the older women pushed me aside and made a quick job of what I had been struggling with.

Mrs Cooper came over and helped me with another load. "My son tells me you are doing difficult mathematics at school. He tells me the teachers sit in so they can learn."

"They are sitting in to learn but they want to learn what I can build. I can't explain it without mathematics. It's similar to the new math being introduced, except it is more advanced."

"What are you working on?"

"The thing I want to make first can be used for the telephone. It will allow the same system to carry more calls and be quicker too. I can finish washing. I think we may have to get more cups. Mom likes her friends to come over. It makes her feel good. She hasn't been very well since I got hurt."

"The poor woman. I know just how she feels." In another minute she was done and dried her hands. She patted my head and said, "You are a good son."

The women left slowly and the girls stayed to act like true ladies. As soon as they could they ran upstairs probably to resume their interrupted activities.

They stayed up there until it was time to leave then they trooped down the stairs, kissed me and left. This was much more abrupt than usual but I was still happy for them. Even Paige hurried home but not before a kiss for both her new mom and me.

Jane was happy enough with the evening that and she was even humming to herself. I wasn't sure if it was from Paige's kiss or the fact that she had just hosted an impromptu party. Susan and Maggie were closeted in their room. They came out later and wanted me to tuck them in. I did so in one bed and said, "You girls were fabulous today. You worked exceptionally hard at doing the cleaning then you came across as very sophisticated ladies that would make any man proud. I know because I was and so was everyone else that was here."

Susan said, "I love you too Jeff."

Maggie pulled me close and after a kiss said, "I love you too."

Later I said the same to Jane but I knew she still needed her pacifier. I slept very well.

It was drizzling the next morning but not much. Mom was up and I gave her a breakfast that made us both need to relax for a while. I ate some eggs and toast before the girls wandered down. They were ladies last night. I loved them all the more for it. When they took their lunch they found a quarter each in front of their lunch bags. A small bottle of Coke cost five cents and this money would last them for a few days. I got a big hug then so did Jane.

Next door I had a small coffee and got back into my raincoat so Paige and I could walk to school. The light rain and a stiff breeze gave us a good reason to cuddle.

The rain cleared up by recess and it turned out to be a beautiful day by lunch.

My math class didn't have Mr Flaherty but I didn't expect him. The class had enough math by now and I could start teaching them physics. None of the physics was taught in university because they didn't know about coherent light. It had yet to be postulated, let alone described much less described mathematically.

On the way home I told Mr Collins, "We have our carwash business started. Today and tomorrow we are having an introductory special. The price is still not cheap but our service is actually the best. I guarantee that nobody does better."

I explained about the two cars yesterday and the reaction of the crowd. The uniform was not emphasised but it was mentioned. Mr Collins slowed down and had to laugh at my verbal imaging. Paige was getting red and I said, "The one that made me breathe faster was Paige. There is something about girls that I don't understand but it is interesting."

Paige's home was visited first and I said to Nora as I slipped up beside her and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you Mom for helping out so much yesterday. I know we couldn't have done nearly as well without you and your husband's help."

She gave me a kiss back on the cheek too and said, "You need your start. If my daughter wants to keep you then this will help her. If she doesn't then it will help you. Sit down, I made some more cookies."

Ten minutes later Jane got her snack and we rested on the bed. "Do you still like me Jeff? I am a whore — "

I slapped her face. "You are my woman. I will tell you if you are a whore or not. You are a passionate woman that needs something that a young son cannot give to you yet. When you have sex unprotected or do it without my permission I will be very angry with you. I don't want you coming home with a disease or a baby growing in your womb. You are learning again how to be a good mother. Don't make me angry by calling yourself a whore."