19
We awaken to the sound of my cell phone.
They closed on a 2-story fixer upper.
I text Ben: I have a house to renovate, 437 River Street. Please meet me.
Reply: pick me up after class, or should I take the bus.
I text Ben: Get an uber I'll pay.
Chantelle and I go for a leisurely breakfast then to the house to begin restoration plans.
We're slowly making our way through the gorgeous Victorian home, compiling 2 lists of requirements; structural, and cosmetic.
Ben arrives, he hollers.
"Hey Dad, I'm here."
We meet him in the front foyer.
"Ben, this is my girlfriend, Chantelle. Chantelle, my son Ben." They nod and shake hands.
"I paid the uber. You owe me $12."
"Don't you own a car, Ben?" Chantelle asks.
"No, I walk to school, bus sometimes when the weather's inclement; it's ok, it's not as bad as dad had it when he was young." Ben chuckles.
"It's only uphill one way, and I guess we don't get as much snow these days." He taps Brian on the shoulder. It's obvious they have a great relationship.
"I plan my dates around mom's schedule and use her car. I'm hoping to make enough money this summer to buy a reliable one."
As we wander through carefully inspecting everything.
"Well, it's mostly cosmetic Ben, you interested in working the majority of your summer here."
"Dad, restoring old houses is awesome. I'm in."
"I bought it under the new company, 'BenBri Homes'. I'd like you to become my partner."
Ben smiles and nods, looks like he's fighting back tears, as they do the quick man hug, with a fist bump on each other's back.
"This became possible because of a loan from Chantelle's company."
Ben and Chantelle seem to be getting along well; I wouldn't expect any less, they're both very sociable. Whenever I'm preoccupied in thought, or writing, their chatting about life. I always envied people who could multitask like that; being able to flip a switch back and forth, being 100% focused on more than 1 thing.
We meander through discussing options, sharing ideas; after a couple hours, we pretty much settle on a plan.
"Will you join us for supper tonight, Ben?" Chantelle asks.
"Sure, I'll text mom."
On route to Chantelle's, I ask.
"How's things going with you and Maureen, Ben?"
"Getting serious Dad, I'm pretty sure she's the one; we're so happy being together all the time. That's gonna be the biggest change come summer, not being with her every day."
"Well, maybe you can, if she wants to work, we'll have plenty of cleaning, painting, lots of stuff she could do, working with us on the house."
"I'm done exams Wednesday, she's done tomorrow, Grad is on Thursday."
"Great, I'm staying at Chantelle's now, so you have a choice where to sleep, your mom's or my apartment."
"Mom and Cassie aren't getting along; it's really bad these last couple days, fighting all the time; your name has come up often; I think I'd like to move out."
"Guess we might be to blame for that." I look at Chantelle we exchange knowing smiles.
"Ya we recently crossed paths; Sharon expressed an interest in us hooking up, I refused, Cassie got jealous." I embrace and kiss Chantelle.
"We're serious about exploring our relationship."
Chantelle gets a text. She sighs.
"Cliff saw the Dr. it's not his, he broke up with Becky and needs a place to stay."
"I'll get him a hotel room, and sort this out tomorrow."
Chantelle true to her word, she books a hotel room and texts him back.
I pull in the drive, pushing the remote, opening the garage.
"Wow, who's vehicles?"
"There mine Ben, you're welcome to use the Jeep, Brian's claimed the 'Vette, when not needing his truck; the Benz convertible is my favorite, the Mustang was Cliff's."
"Really, for real, I can drive it?" I nod, he's got a huge smile.
"So cool." Ben jumps in.
"Wow."