At seven-thirty I was shaved and showered, standing in the lobby of Delta and Trish's dorm. They came down in jeans and we went to breakfast where there was a pretty big contingent of our regulars. Misty and Cherry even showed up but stayed pretty far away from me. Oh well.
After breakfast I gave the girls my stuff wrapped up in my sheets. I helped them carry everything to Trish's car then walked over to the locker room. I got ready and went out to jog and warm up. A couple of guys were already there and as soon as I was warmed up, I cornered the batting coach for some instruction and inspiration.
He worked on my stance and my swing. Seems he noticed I was not swinging level but always trying to lift the ball. I did lift it, right into an outfielder's glove. He bugged me about stepping into the ball as I usually was on my toes when I hit. I did about an hour with him and got a promise out of him to work with me some more the coming week.
The rest of practice was pretty mellow. We finished closer to one than before noon so I was glad I had not promised anyone that I would go to church with them.
I walked back to the dinning hall to find Delta and Trish sitting with Misty and Cherry. They seemed to be getting along but Misty acted skittish as soon as I came over with my tray.
"We'll go," Misty said beginning to stand.
"Did I forget my deodorant?" I said grinning.
Cherry said, "we know you're mad at us, so we'll leave."
"Cherry, Misty, I'm not mad at you guys," I said hurriedly. "You guys can do anything you want to do. We were friends and I hope we can stay friends. We don't have leashes on each other and we don't control each other. Please stay and eat with us. I would enjoy that."
They sat back down and we all ate talking about classes and stuff that was going on. When I was finished, I told everyone that I needed to go to the library and study as I had a paper to write plus some research for another paper. The four girls all wanted to come too so we left to get ready. I went with the Delta and Trish to the parking lot to get my laundry from Trish's car. After putting my clean clothes away, I grabbed my study stuff and headed out. I stopped by the dorm next door to see if Misty and Cherry were ready. They were sitting in the lobby and got very excited that I had stopped for them. We went as a group to get Delta and Trish then walked to the library.
Three hours later we were all tired of the books and decided to go get something to eat. The choices were usually the student union, Macdonald's, Burger Chef, or if we had enough money, a pizza. We decided to pool our cash and get pizza. Hell yes, I'd saved a couple of bucks on laundry and tomorrow I would get my allowance so let's go.
The pizzas were big and good. The price was right too. We ate our fill, which meant we scraped the platter then headed back to campus. I walked Delta and Trish into the lobby and got a kiss and hug from each along with the promise to meet me for breakfast then went back out to where Misty and Cherry were waiting to walk them to their dorm. I walked in with them and they pulled me into the parlor and sat me on their favorite loveseat. They sat beside me each hugging an arm.
"Chuck, I'm sorry I'm so flighty and squirrelly," Misty said "I know I had no right to be jealous of you while I was mooning over some other guy. I just didn't want to give you up while I tried out or found out about somebody else."
Cherry was sort of kneeling on the loveseat facing me, "that didn't come out right Misty. She's really trying to say that she wants to check out what's on the menu without having to commit to someone else while she stays hooked up with you. I think that's what she means."
Misty was looking down and shaking her head, "you're always such a gentleman Chuck. You always treat Cherry and I really nice and try to make us feel good. You are always fun to be with and you influence us to study regularly and generally be good people. Please forgive me for wanting to go out with someone else. I know that's what broke you and Sarah up and then I went and did it too."
Cherry tugged my arm, "we didn't play with the guy. We almost did but Susie came in the room and threw him out. Now he's afraid to even come around. Susie said we were going to be watched and she would make sure we didn't have anyone come into our room again. Sorry you can't come in so we could show you that we missed you." She leaned over and gave me a very nice kiss while letting her hand wander down to my zipper.
"It's my fault, Chuck," Misty said "I got hot pants for that guy and wanted to try him out. That's the truth of it. I'm like that sometimes. I've never denied myself much so I've been spoiled. Most guys seem to fall at my feet, willing to do anything for me if I'll go with him. You're different though. You tell me off when I act stupid. I'm glad you did. It woke me up."
Misty didn't kiss me but hugged my arm and lay her head on my shoulder for a minute then got up, "well time for bed. Another crazy day tomorrow." When I got up to leave, Cherry gave me another toe curler then left through the alcove.
Misty said, "hold me a second, give me a hug, okay?"
I wrapped my arms around Misty and held her to me gently. She hugged me back firmly then turned her head to look me in the eye, "I really do like you a lot. I'll try to be better about the way I act, I promise." She gave me a soft, slow kiss with a ton of meaning.
"Night Chuck."
"Night Misty."
Breakfast the next day was loud and rowdy again. A welcome revelry to start the new week with. When everyone is happy like that, it starts the day great.
Trish walked a little way with me on my way to class, "want a real meal tonight?" She asked.
"And what would a real meal be?" I answered with a question.
"One of mom's home cooked pans of lasagna," Trish grinned "she called this morning and asked us to come for dinner if you want. She's got a thing for you, you know. Better watch out or dad's going to be jealous."
"Dinner sounds great and I don't think your dad has anything to worry about. I don't think I'm your mom's type," I laughed.
Trish laughed with me but adding, "it's not just my mom. Delta's mother and my mom are in some kind of friendly competition to see which daughter lands you."
"Lands me?" I questioned.
"You know how parents all think the reason girls go to school is to get their M.R.S. degree," Trish was chuckling "they think Delta and I should make you a prime target."
"Why do I get the impression that you and Delta don't feel like making me marriage material at this point in your life," I said laughing equally.
Trish looked at me seriously, squinted at me and said, "we both like you a lot. But you're a freshman and we are juniors. We're probably going to be long gone before you are halfway through. That's not going to work very well. Delta and I have talked about this a lot and feel all of us are too young to talk about a permanent relationship. We want us three to be buddies without any strings attached. We both know you may or may not have a relationship with Misty and perhaps Cherry too and then there is the amazon Sarah if she comes back to school. So how about we just enjoy each other and not let any of this get too serious. Can you do that?"
"Trish, you and Delta are really special to me. If I had to choose between you two right now, I would be stumped. If either of you told me that we had to get married, I'd be finding a way to buy a ring. You two are one of the best things to ever happen to me. I value your friendship and want us to stay close. Do I love you two, damn right? Do I want to get married already? Hell no, I'm too young and dumb to be a husband yet. I'm with you, let's just keep having fun and enjoy each other."
"You'll never have to choose between us. I think we are a package deal," she said with a smile in her voice.
Trish and Delta were not very demonstrative in public but Trish wrapped herself around me and gave me a kiss that made me dizzy.
"So are you coming to supper?" she said panting a little.
"Wouldn't miss it. See you guys after practice," I said and staggered off to my class.
Practice was intense, as there was a game tomorrow. We were going to have simultaneous junior varsity and varsity games so we were being divided up to play at whatever levels the coaches decided. The assistant manager told me to be ready to play on the JV team. Five minutes later the coach/manager told me that he wanted me to be a reserve on the varsity. The assistant manager/coach was standing right there and gave me a dirty look. Personally I would rather go with the JV, as there I would play instead of riding the pine. I couldn't say anything so I just shrugged and went out to warm up. That's why it's best to have the JV game first then the varsity game. If they want to use you in the varsity they can but at least you get some game experience as well as game fun with the JV.
Practice ended up being pretty much what the game was going to be. I had batting practice then some light fielding practice. After that I got to sit and watch the varsity work out on the main field and see the JV having a good time practicing on the other field.
Since I had not worked up much of a sweat, I changed into my street clothes and jogged back to the dorm where I showered, shaved and put on some fresh clothes and shined my shoes. In anticipation of getting some studying done, I packed my books and study materials in my backpack and went to the girl's dorm.
Trish and Delta were waiting for me in the lobby also carrying their books. We walked to the dorm parking lot to get the car. Trish drove the short distance to her home. When we walked in Trish's house, the smell of garlic and Italian spices made me weak in the knees. We walked through the house to the kitchen then watched Delta dart out the back door to go to her home.
Trish's mom, Cecile was happy to see us and gave Trish and I a hug. She advised that George, Trish's Dad, should be home within twenty to thirty minutes so we would eat then. Cecile said that we could set the big table and for me to open a few bottles of wine to let them breath.
"Breath?" I asked.
Cecile replied, "with good wine, especially reds, you should open them and let them breath or air out before serving them. Oh, and Chuck, be sure to sniff the cork to make sure the wine hasn't turned."
"Turned?" again I was perplexed.
"Oh you know," Cecile said "turned to vinegar. Some times wine will not set correctly and turns to vinegar."
Trish was grinning at me, as she understood that as a farm boy from out in the country, I wasn't familiar with wines and what to do with them. She just said, "you'll learn in time."
Trish showed me how to use a very neat corkscrew. It had handles on it that you pulled down on after you had screwed the screw into the cork. The contraption lifted the cork out easily and in one piece.
Delta came through the door with her mom and dad, Carol and Dan Hawthorne, carrying two more bottles of wine. They all exchanged hugs and kisses including me except all I got was a handshake from Dan.
Dan poured some of the wine I had opened and gave everyone a glass saying we needed to toast our first dinner with the girl's new guy. They all laughed and raised their glasses to me. Delta came over to me and hugged my arm, which prompted Trish to do the same on the other side.
Carol was shaking her head and commented, "those two are going to keep you busy. I think you have more than two hands full trying to keep up with them."
Cecile added, "he doesn't seem to mind being around two of cutest girls in school does he?"
"Every guys dream," Dan Said.
George McPherson, Trish's dad walked in the back door and gave Cecile a hug and kiss then did the same with Trish and Carol. He gave Dan a handshake then stuck his hand out to me, "good to see you again Chuck. Seems as soon as Celle knew I was going to be in town today she gathered everybody for one her parties." Turning to Dan he said, "pour me a glass of that Dan, I'm ready."
George came over to me and kind of pushed me towards Dan. When we three were all together George said, "Dan and I are going to have some fun with the girls. It's about you. Hope it isn't too much for you. We did some research on you and thought it would be fun to tease the girls a little and let their Mom's know all about you. We aren't going to say anything bad about you so don't worry about us embarrassing you. Just go along with us and watch the girls squirm, okay?"
I just smiled and nodded which got me a slap on the back by each of them.
Carol, Trish and Delta were helping Cecile by getting salads ready putting various breads on the table. Cecile pulled a huge tray from the oven full of steaming lasagna that was at least three inches high. She told us all to go wash our hands and be seated, as dinner was ready.
The two girls and I went to the kitchen powder room and crowded around the small sink. When I am in close contact with the two beauties, I'm nearly overcome with their scents and their beauty. It is overpowering. I came out of the little bathroom shaking my head to clear it. Cecile was watching me grinning. She winked at me and told me to go sit.
The girls and I sat on one side of the table while Delta's mom and dad sat on the other. The ends of the table had Trish's mom and dad presiding. White wine had appeared in our wineglasses on the table with the salad. The Italian dressing was over lettuce that had been sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese making even the salad a taste treat.
The girls cleared the salad bowls and plates as soon as we were all finished then started serving us plates of lasagna, again sprinkled with Parmesan cheese with some tomato sauce pooled around the chunk of lasagna. Next they brought in smaller plates that had a few stalks of asparagus, a couple pieces of broccoli, a couple pieces of cauliflower, and some long string beans all covered with a creamy sauce. When that was done the girls brought in new glasses then poured everyone a pale red wine. Delta commented to her dad that she was glad he brought the two bottles, as we would need them.
"Don't be shy honey," Cecile said "eat up and remember that seconds and thirds are required."
"If I didn't travel and have to eat plain food away from home, I'd weigh three hundred pounds," George said gesturing toward Cecile "she loves to cook and loves to watch people eat her food."
I ate everything on my plate then ate a second then third plate full complete with more vegetables and Italian bread. The wine was making me hungrier I think or maybe just less inhibited. That is any inhibitions I may have had caused by eating at someone's home.
After everyone was stuffed, the dishes were cleared and the girls once again were serving us. This time they brought out coffee.
We were all sitting in the afterglow of a great meal when George opened with, "you all may wonder why we called this meeting."
Trish groaned, "oh no, now we're in for it."
Delta then moaned with her, "jeez, they are going to do it Trish, look out."
The girls were both blushing but patting my hands that were on the table in front of me.
Dan grinned at the girls, "you know George and I have an interest in the welfare of you two girls. Because we care for the two of you so much, we decided to find out a little more about Mr. Johnson here. Tell them what we know George."
George took a small notebook from his pocket, flipped it open and began, "first, Charles Lee Johnson isn't a Florida native, he's a Texan, or at least was born in Texas. His folks moved to Florida in 1946 when the war was over. Chuck's Dad was a rancher in Texas before the war but wanted to have a better growing season so he chose Florida. Seems Lee Johnson, Chuck's Dad, has done well down there. He has some groves, oranges and grapefruit but mostly lemons, he also raises vegetables and his late fall or winter crop is strawberries.
According to the locals, the Johnson farm and ranch raises beef stock and have cows for milk. They raise their own grain and hay for their stock too. Lee must be a good businessman as well as farmer."
Dan had a similar notebook and said, "the first Chuck here made any waves in his community was playing baseball. At his grade school, what we call junior high here, he was a star infielder with a pretty good bat. Then in high school he continued to be a baseball standout until he graduated. He was solicited to be in the baseball draft this past year but passed it up to go to college."
George's turn, "Chuck came here to school on a scholarship. He came on an athletic scholarship that was not baseball. While in high school, Chuck was a pretty good basketball player. He was good enough to be recruited by several schools. One Florida school offered Chuck a full ride but he didn't' want to go to Miami. One of his favorite Florida schools offered tuition assistance but not a full scholarship. That's how Chuck came here. According to Chuck's high school coach, Chuck was easy to work with, easy to coach and always gave everything he had for the team."
Dan flipped another page of his notebook and continued, "I think it is worth commenting that Chuck graduated third in his class. The first and second in his class are now in Harvard on full academic scholarships. Chuck was also offered an academic scholarship from the University of Florida but again it did not include housing."
George then said while studying his notebook, "here's something I bet you two don't know, Chuck wanted to come here as a music major."
The girls' mouth dropped open and they turned to look at me.
"Yes sir," George continued "Chuck is not only a drummer or percussionists, but he plays piano, guitar and according to some, just about any instrument that comes along. Seems that during high school Chuck earned money playing in a couple of different bands. He played in a group called the "Melody Four" which played older dance music. Then there was the group called the "Balers" that played pure country. Last is the group that was very popular till Chuck moved here, "The Dawn Capris." This group played rock 'n roll and top 40 music. Dan and I even were able to get a copy of an album the Dawn Capris recorded last year. We were also able to find a radio station that had a couple of 45 releases from the Balers. We'll have to have Chuck play for us."
Trish spoke up, "we know Chuck's a musician. When we stopped at his house his whole family played for us. We didn't really know he was in a band that had recorded. He didn't tell us that."
The girls were now holding my hands below the table squeezing them and smiling at me with every revelation their Dad's were making.
It was Dan's turn, "now the bad stuff." Dan had taken out a pair of glasses and put them on. He had them perched way down on his nose. He was looking over the top of his glasses at us when he continued, "Chuck here is fast. That worries George and I. We might be a little afraid of a guy that's too fast with our girls."
Dan looked directly at me and smiled to relax me, "let's see, Chuck was stopped for driving thirty miles an hour over the speed limit a while back but was never ticketed. The state trooper, who is also a neighbor of Chuck 's, couldn't put anything on Chuck's license because he was only thirteen and didn't have a license yet. He was also warned several times before he was sixteen to drive slower on his motorcycle as well as in his old cars. When Chuck finally did get a full license at sixteen it took him a whole week before he got his first ticket for speeding. He got another two months later. Amazingly he hasn't had anymore tickets. It probably had something to do with his dad not letting him drive for anything other than farm work for a couple of months."
George then said, "we checked with the University and found out Chuck has had perfect attendance and has perfect grades his first semester here."
"So girls," Dan said, "do you know a little more about this kid you're dragging around?"
George was grinning, "should we give Chuck the run down on you two now?"
"You better not Daddy. Chuck might run away from us if you do," Trish said.
Delta squeezed my arm and said, "I'm sorry Chuck. They always try to embarrass us with their knowledge of everyone we do anything with. I should have warned you about them."
"Well you two sure did do your homework," Cecile said reaching over to pat Carol's hand.
"Makes you wonder doesn't it Celle?" Carol said "both of them are traveling around the country doing business all over the place but still have time to track down all that knowledge about someone. How do they do that."
I was smiling, "I'll tell you how they did it. They talked to my Dad. He's the one that knows all about my bad driving and the restriction he put on me. That wasn't public knowledge so it had to be him. He would fit in with your dads very well. Always way ahead of me."
"So Chuck," Dan was looking at me with questioning look, "just what are intentions with my daughter, or should that be our daughters."
Both the girls exclaimed, "Daddy!"
George said with a down home Texas drawl, "we do want to know. Is he gonna jus' cut one of you heifers out for his own or is he gonna rustle both of you?"
Everyone laughed at that with Delta speaking up, "Trish and I have another year in school. Chuck has three more years even if he says he can finish in two more. None of us are ready to make in any permanent long-term plans. We're all just good friends having a great time together. That's what we have and that's what we want for right now."
I was nodding my head in agreement. When Carol spoke up, "well you two should think long term here and perhaps make Chuck an offer he can't refuse."
"Mom! What are you saying," Delta exclaimed.
"We're just saying you two don't date very much and since Chuck is such a nice boy, you should help him think of you for his future," Cecile said.
"Ladies!" George exclaimed "leave the kids be. They seem to have good heads on their shoulders. Don't muddy up the works for poor Chuck. All you two have to do is keep feeding this kid the way you did tonight and he'll stick around long enough for all of them to make up their minds."
"We don't want to ruin a potential golf buddy before we even get to teach him how to play. Have a good time and enjoy yourselves," Dan said then looking at me with a stern look, "just don't have too good a time. There are no mulligans with our daughters.
"I promise to be good," I said smiling.
"I'll bet you will be good," Carol said under her breath.
"Mom! Stop that," Delta said loudly.
"We need to study so we either study here after we clean up or we clean up and go to the library. What do you want to do?" I asked getting ready to stand.
Trish answered standing up; "lets clean up real quick then study here for a while."
Thirty minutes later, while the parents were enjoying some after dinner port, the three of us had everything washed and put away. We grabbed our stuff and spread out on the kitchen table. We worked for little over two hours then it seemed as if we all reached our limit for the evening as we all pushed back from the table at once.
"Whew, I'm done. That's enough for right now. The only thing I have left is another chapter for history. I can do that at the dorm before bed," I said standing, stretching.
The girls were putting their stuff away when Cecile came in the kitchen.
"Chuck how about I fix some desert. While I'm doing that Trish will show you our piano. Maybe you could play something for us."
"Oh Mom, Chuck doesn't want to play for us," Trish said.
Carol walked into the kitchen listening to the conversation, "come on Chuck, play one of the tunes you recorded. I like country so you could play one of your country tunes."
"You're not going to get out of it Chuck, might as well do it," Delta said "Come on Trish, let's show him your music room."
We went through the living room to a large room with several couches and big chairs with ottomans. The walls had tons of books on shelves. In the middle of the room was a beautiful grand piano, a full size Steinway. Trish opened the lid on the soundboard then flipped up the keyboard cover. She pulled out the bench then sat on it and pulled me down to sit next to her.
"Move over," Delta said and sat on the other side of me. You can't do anything with one without the other being right there.
I gently played a few full cords to hear the sound quality of the piano; it was beautiful. I had grown up learning how to play on an ancient upright piano that you could play rolls of music on. You pumped with your feet and the piano read the punched out holes in the rolls and played. The sound quality for that piano was less than good.
I was trying to remember some of the music that we had played so regularly less than nine months before. The first thing that came to mind was a Hank Williams's country song; "I'm sending you a big bouquet of roses." As soon as I had played the entrance through Carol and Cecile came running in saying, "play that again."
I played as the two ladies sang and their daughters rolled their eyes. When that was done and the two men had joined us with drinks in their hands, I told the girls, "here's a boogie just for you." I did the heavy base beat with my left hand then did the traditional boogie with the right. Trish scooted around and pushed my right hand out of the way and picked up where I had been but with two hands. Delta was giggling as she pushed my left hand off the keys and started up keeping the same base line going. I tried to join whenever I could get a hand in until we all broke up in laughter.
"Now I've learned something about you two," I said reaching around and hugging them both at the same time.
"We used to do this for hours at a time," Trish said "When my mom couldn't stand it anymore we would just go to Delta's and play there."
"Play something from your Dawn Capri band," Trish asked.
My mind was blank but looked out the window at the pool and patio then had an inspiration. I did the five-cord intro then began playing and singing, "Splish, splash I was taking a bath, long about a Saturday night." Before I got to 'bath' the other six people in the room were singing along to the Bobby Darien classic.
I played and sang "Harbor Lights" accompanied by all then said it was time for me to get back to the dorm.
I shook hands with the dads, got hugs from the moms then we were sent off with a wrapped up piece of pie and a wooden picnic fork for each of us.
The girls were in a good mood and gave me some serious smooching before I left them to finish my history chapter and go to bed.