Chapter 3

I was used to setting the table for the meals I had with my mom. I saw the table already set. Michael must be trainable ... that's a good omen!

I pulled out the chair for Stacy, Michael did the same for Mom after she brought her famous meatloaf to the table. "Michael made the salad," she remarked.

"I figured everyone liked it differently, so I didn't add any vinaigrette to it," Michael said looking proud of himself.

"Aren't those some of Dad's clothes?" I asked.

"Michael had to change, he got everything ... wet while we splashed in the pool," Mom said.

"I hadn't been in a ... pool in a very long time. That was great. Our place doesn't have a pool. It's the large apartment complex off of Pierce Road," Michael said.

"Oh, you two live in an apartment?" I asked.

"We own the complex. I own about a dozen apartment complexes in Henderson. The Pierce Apartments are the ones that need the most work right now, so that's where we live," he said.

"Need somebody to help?" I asked.

I saw Mom and Michael look at each other.

"I could use a young back a couple of times a week. I can pay a wage," he said.

"I could collect a wage, now that I have a girl to spend money on," I said.

We collectively laughed at that. We ate in relative quiet for the most part. Stacy and I fed each other, just to be as sickeningly in love as our parents were. They were drinking alcohol with the meal, so there was a fair share of giggling and glasses tinkling while they talked.

"How soon would you need me Michael? Stacy and I want to go out this week. I don't want work to get in the way of life ... or vice versa," I said.

"Well said, son ... sorry Danny—I didn't mean son but ... you understand don't you?"

"Sure don't be so worried about how you talk to me when we're all together. When Stacy and I pick a date to be married ... why don't you two double with us?"

I think Mom coughed up a crouton, in reaction to that. She smiled and said, "That's ... something to think about—have you talked about that?"

"Not really, June," Stacy said. "It'll be next summer, maybe sometime in July?"

"Now that ... is a marvelous idea!" Michael said. "A double wedding—a really great idea. Danny, maybe instead of using your back working for me, you could help me decide which apartments we should purchase next. I can hire day laborers for the grunt work, but you seem to have a quick mind as well as a quick wit."

"Thank you, Sir—I appreciate that. I will do my best to make you proud of me!" I said.

"I already am, Danny—I already am," he said.

"Excuse me for a moment, Michael. Did you say a dozen apartments ... are you rich?"

Stacy just giggled.

"Daniel, what an obtrusive question to ask someone you just met," mom said.

"Sorry, Mom!"

"Danny, I am!" Michael said grabbing June's hand as I gave my girl a kiss.

We finished dinner; Stacy and I cleared the plates, putting them directly into the dishwasher. When finished, we found Mom and Michael sitting next to each other on the sofa.

"So, Michael—Which apartments do you own?" I asked.

"OK, gonna make me work for my dinner, aren't you?" he said. "Let me see, Camden Legends, formerly Oasis Glen—Alexan Black Mountain—Camden Summit, formerly known as Oasis Summit—Camden Fairways, used to be called Oasis Club..."