Chapter 50

"‏Reverend Archer, this is Jennifer, Max's friend. I was curious to know, if you had anyone to help you through that grant process?" I said into the phone.

"‏No Mr. Thompson offered advice, and he gave me his word that he would push the application through, if he gets elected. It seems that the nuts and bolts of the application are going to be up to me and my people. "

"Do you have anyone who has done that kind of thing?" ‏I asked.

"‏No Jennifer, my people are mostly recovering substance abusers. None of the ones in my programs have that kind of experience. "

"I do have that kind of experience. ‏I would also be willing to help you prepare it. I don't have time to prepare it myself, but we could meet and I could walk you through the applications. If you get correspondence from the government, I could most likely make sense of it. "

"That is terrific news. ‏I have been very worried about all the paperwork involved. I have an application now for a grant, but I can't make heads or tails of it. "

"If you would like to bring it by the office, ‏I will be happy to take a look at it. "

"I would love to, ‏but my time is really tight these days. I have so many things that need doing all at once. I'm sure you know how that is?"

"Oh yes, ‏that's why the meeting had to be on Saturday. No one could agree on any other time. "

"As you might guess, ‏almost all my time on the weekends is planned. I do have to eat dinner though. Do you like Chinese?"

"I adore Chinese," ‏I replied. It was almost the truth. I could eat the fried rice and stir fried veggies. Most of the meat dishes didn't appeal to me, too many dog and cat stories, I guess.

"‏Then why don't I take you to dinner. We can eat while we discuss the application. If we think hard enough, we might find a convenient time to sit down and fill in the blanks. "

"I'll have to call my husband, ‏but I'm sure I can make dinner, " I replied.

"‏Good, you obviously have my number. Call me when you know. I will be at the China Palace at 7:30 this evening. I do hope you can join me. "

"I will check with Bob and get back with you before seven." ‏I replied.

I didn't really have to ask Bob anything, all I really had to do was not appear to be too anxious. I wanted the Reverend to think that it was all his idea. I could justify my actions, to myself at least, if I just succumb to his advances. It would be hard for me to justify having chased him to the ground. I still didn't know how Maxine would take it, if she ever found out.

"‏Gus damn it it's me Max. I'm on my way over there, you better not be out to lunch without me. "‬ I hung up the phone with a big grin. In the back of my van I had Gus's surprise. Marty must have had his man up all night on it. He couldn't have had more than a day to finish it,

Marty went over the installation instructions with me at least three complete times and several more bits and pieces of information that he remembered as he went along. I couldn't wait to see the motor, or to see Gus's face. He might hate the idea of a motor for his bike, since he was a fitness nut, which is why it had to be specially made.

Unlike the motors Marty and I had used, Gus's motor was not super powerful. It also was totally portable. It came in a canvas storage bag. The bag was something like the half duffel bag I used for out of town trips. Not that I made many of those.

Anyway the whole thing weighed about twelve pounds. The engine had a centrifugal clutch, so it ran free until one hit the gas. That saved wear on the engine, I was told. The whole thing could be lifted from the wheel, so that Gus could pedal the bike home. I hoped he never ran out of gas, or had the damn thing break, but they all broke down now and then. I knew that from experience. Of course he didn't even have to use the thing ;‬ it was totally up to him. Best of all, he could take it off when not in use just by loosening a couple of wing nuts. Then he could carry it to his apartment until he needed it again. The bag was weather proof, so he could store the motor on the patio.

I had no idea how mechanical Gus was, so I had also given the preacher notice that his bike shop might be paying back one of the favors he owed me. "Max there is nothing the bike shop can do, that they won't do for you. You didn't have to call in your favor for that. "

Gus's bike was locked to the post under an awning. I wanted to see if I could install the motor, but I decided not to do it. Gus should be the first one to touch his new toy. I parked the van near the bike, so that we wouldn't have to carry it far, then I walked into the lobby.

I recognized the old guy on the security desk, though I couldn't remember his name. "Well hello how is it going?" I asked.

"‏It's going just fine Max, how about you?"

"I've been better, ‏but I have sure as hell been worse. " I replied. "Is Gus home?" Everybody knew Gus, so I didn't need to go any big explanation.

"‏Not sure about Gus, but his daughter is up there, " the old man said.

"‏Ah do you think she will kick my butt, if I go up?"

"Max, ‏I'm not sure Gus could do that, let alone his light in the ass daughter. "

"Oh you silver tongue devil," ‏I said it as I walked to the elevator. I had been wanting to meet Chris, so it seemed like as good a day to do it, as any other.

I knocked on Gus's door then waited. I had no idea which one of them would answer.