Cheddar's, Chapter 27
As the major project for his advertising class, Adam needed to do a simulated ad campaign. While he was casting about for an idea, he stopped by Baxter Motors to see if something would click.
He found Terry Bartlett in his little glass cubical looking forlorn.
"What's up, Dude; did your pet goldfish die?" he greeted him, in an attempt to lighten his mood.
"I really blew it! I took a small camping vehicle in trade that we're gonna be stuck with. I'm partially color-blind, and I thought it was a nice shade of gray. Just look at it out there!"
There was no missing which vehicle he was talking about. There in the lot sat a shiny purple camper that some macho males wouldn't be caught dead driving.
"It looks almost new," Adam commented, trying to put a positive spin on the situation.
"Yeah, it's perfect but for the color! The man bought it for his wife and him several years ago, when she was terminally ill. Evidently, it was her favorite color, and he indulged her final wishes. I guess it must not be an attractive hue; though, as I said, I can't tell."
"So, what becomes of it now?"
"I suppose we'll have to send it to the auction and hope someone will like it. I know we'll lose money on it, but we couldn't recoup the expense of having it painted."
"Hmm... I think we might be able to stir up interest with some inter-school rivalry. Do you have any Hawkeye gold vehicles?"
"Uh, there's one in the shop getting a new front bumper that I'm told is that color. We could take a look."
Since Terry didn't have a potential customer at the moment, the two young men went into the body-shop to check it out.
Adam saw that the color of the van was pretty close to that which the U of I teams used. The front bumper was being prepped to paint, but had only a primer coat so far.
"Hey, guys, can you hold off with the finish coat until I talk to Kyle? I think we should paint the bumper black, and do the same to the rear one. Then we might do the side mirrors black too, and add some Hawkeye decals."
"What's it to you, kid?" the painter asked.
"Lance, this `kid' is the owner of the company. He's your boss; you might show him a little respect!"
"Are you kidding me, Terry?"
"Nope. This is Mr. Adam Baxter. I should have introduced him right away, but I assumed you knew who he was."
"Shit! Um, I mean shoot, I'm really sorry, Mr. Baxter. What can I do to save my job?"
"Give me five, and you're absolved," Adam grinned as he put his hand up to slap. "You had no idea who the hell I was."
"Thanks! Now, what was it you had in mind, Sir?"
"The first thing I have in mind is that I don't want to be called `sir.' Next, I'd like you to hold off just a bit on the painting while I talk to Kyle about turning this into a Hawkeye-mobile. We have a purple one out there that would be perfect for the UNI Panthers. If we could find a bright red vehicle for the Cyclones, we'd have the three state universities represented. I just had a vision of a sales event that would involve a tailgate party and possibly attract a bunch of football fans."
"That's brilliant!" Terry exclaimed. "If you could pull it off, I won't be in the dog house for acquiring that camper."
Kyle's smile widened as Adam explained his idea. It was fun to see the youthful enthusiasm that he exuded, and to watch Terry's reaction as well.
"I'm all for it," he agreed. "The person who usually helps think up sales events moved away last month because her husband was transferred. I was just going to put up the tent and run the usual strings of banners, but this will stir up a lot more interest.
"We happen to have a red van that came in recently. I'll put a hold on it. What else do you have in mind?"
"Well, this is really out of left field, but do you think we could get part of the football team to scrimmage on the front lawn on a Saturday when they don't have a game?"
"I'd be willing to find out. The dealership still purchases the season tickets your father always bought, and he made sizeable donations to the team. I think I might be able to pull in a marker or two."
"That would be awesome! I can see my class assignment becoming a reality instead of just a mockup. Wow! I should get an `A' for sure.
"Could we also have a few large-screen TV's set up for showing whatever major college games are playing that weekend?"
"Sure. We could do the traditional stadium hotdogs too. I'm afraid we can't serve beer without a license, but we can set up a soda fountain."
The more they talked, the more excited everyone became. Kyle accompanied Adam and Terry out to the body-shop, and discussed ideas with the painter. Lance pulled up samples of team logo decals on his computer, and the three of them discussed which ones would look best on the vehicles they had in mind.
In late September, some changes came into the lives of the guys residing in Adam's house. Phil and Austin were accepted into their fraternity of choice toward the end of the month, and moved out within the week. Adam wasn't terribly sorry to see them go. Not being a part of the house food-co-op, they'd not bonded as closely. Adam suspected that his house-rule of no "alcohol" on the premises might have chafed them as well. They weren't yet 21, but both had high-quality fake Id's and would come home tipsy at times, and occasionally wouldn't come home until the next day, on weekends. While Adam and Parker weren't exactly teetotalers themselves, they didn't want to chance being raided by the cops, so other than a couple of bottles of wine for visiting family, they'd banned alcohol from the house.
Adam and Parker felt they had done their duty in seeing to it that no one from the old house had gone without shelter due to the fire. Since that time, they'd taken in Rob, Darrin, and Toby after others had left. The five of them had become like a family unit. There was no need to fill up the other empty bedroom. It would be great to have it free when they had company from out of town, like Parker's dads or his grandparents.
It appeared that the extra bedroom would be put into use rather quickly when Toby's parents and younger brother came to town for Parents' Day. The minute Toby mentioned the possibility of their coming, Adam insisted that his family stay in the house instead of renting a motel room.
"If they've booked one already, tell them to cancel it. Everything for miles around will be taken, and they'll have no problem getting out of the reservation. Some other family will be thrilled that it's opened up."
Toby's parents were very pleased at the prospect of saving money, and looked forward to meeting the boys who had rescued their son from living in a flea-bag motel. Toby's brother, Rick, would be happy to share a room with his older bro instead of the `rents. They both snored, and, at 15, he didn't like the idea of going the whole weekend without a chance to release some jizz. Toby had taught him the art of self-pleasure a couple of years before when Rick had unexpectedly walked in on him as he was in the throes of a fantastic orgasm.
Rick had pled with him to show him the ropes, and Toby had, somewhat guiltily, consented. From that time on, the brothers had occasionally jacked together without feeling embarrassed. Rick wouldn't worry about getting off in the same room with Toby.
Interestingly, with Parents' Day coming up, the university housing system suddenly found a room for Toby in one of the dorms. Toby thought it ironic that it happened just before his parents would be on campus. In all fairness, it was the time of the year when students pledged to frats, and a few freshmen began to realize that they were homesick and overwhelmed on a big university campus. Most of those would go back to community colleges closer to home where they wouldn't feel lost.
The dean who oversaw housing called Toby to try to make amends for the problems he'd had earlier. The university now had a corner room available which was designed to house three, but would have only one other resident in it. The boy, who would be his roommate, was majoring in computer programming too, and they should hit it off well.
Toby wasn't impressed by the offer, and didn't want to leave Adam's house. He'd become quite attached to everyone there, and they wanted him to stay as well.
Having learned a thing or two from watching Adam negotiate with the motel manager, Toby was adamant that he wished to remain where he was, and that in addition to a full refund of his fall-semester room rent, he expected compensation for having to spend money out-of-pocket for the lousy place he'd had to live in before Adam had insisted he move in with them. He related how stressed he'd been when he had to find employment to keep a roof over his head while the university held his rent payment.
When the dean got a bit testy about his demands for compensation, Toby gave him Carl Novotny's number, saying that he was retaining a lawyer to handle it if his wishes weren't granted.
Carl had a reputation for helping students in disputes with the school, and for often taking the cases pro bono. This was a man not to be trifled with. The university would ultimately lose, and have legal fees to pay, if not a fine on top of them. It would be better to mollify the kid than to face the bad PR which could result.
The dean was still resistant, and sent out an inspector from the university to make sure the house "met the standards" for student habitation. To Toby, it looked like an attempt to put up a roadblock.
The inspector was highly impressed with Toby's accommodations and put her stamp of approval on the request immediately. It didn't hurt that Parker was home at the time to serve cookies and iced tea.
Toby was a bit pissed that he had to make a formal request in the first place, but didn't make an issue of it when he was handed a refund for the full amount plus the money he'd spent for the motel. He put it into his bank account immediately to make sure no one changed their minds before it was negotiated.
When the Gustins arrived on Friday evening, Adam made sure to ask if they'd had dinner. He would order pizza in from Pagliai's if they hadn't. Since they'd eaten on the road, he said the guys would provide a snack later.
Once Toby's family had been introduced to the rest of the household, Rob and Darrin went out to the car to help with their luggage while Adam ushered them into the master bedroom suite.
"Oh my, this is luxurious!" Jane Gustin exclaimed. "We need to pay you at least what we'd have spent at the motel."
"Nope, that's not gonna happen!" Adam responded. "Toby's family, so his relatives are always welcome just as ours are."
"I can see why he didn't want to go to the dorm after living here," she continued. "His glowing reports didn't do justice to this house."
"Mr. Gustin, you might want to pull your car into the first stall of the garage. We don't ordinarily have vandalism in this neighborhood, but better safe than sorry."
"Please call me, Larry, and I don't want you to put one of your cars out on my account."
"We currently have only three vehicles, and there are four stalls, so I'll get you an opener for your car so you may come and go as you please. May I assume you'll all be here for breakfast?"
"We're not planning to impose," Jane said quickly. "We can go somewhere."
"It's not an imposition, if you can eat our cooking," Parker smiled.
"Mom, don't let them fool you; these guys all make delicious meals. I'm even learning to cook too."
About 9:00, Adam sensed that their guests would probably like to retire early to rest up from their drive. Parker and he quickly set out a veggie tray with dip, crackers and cheese, and iced tea, water, and a few soft drinks.
Rick was very pleased to see the spread. Being a growing teenager, he was almost always hungry. His mother sidled up to him, quietly reminding him not to appear greedy. Parker got the gist of what she was telling him, and shook his head.
"I have a cousin Rick's age, and I know how he can eat. We have more food in the fridge if he doesn't get filled up. Please don't hold him back."
Rick grinned, and high-fived him.
The guys didn't see Toby or his family from after breakfast on Saturday until early evening. There were many activities for visiting parents, including a buffet lunch which included foods not ordinarily seen by students when no one else was around. That was followed by the football game, and a tour of the state-of-the-art exercising complex.
When the family arrived back at the house around 5:00, Jane said they would treat everyone to dinner someplace nice.
Parker told her that dinner was already in the oven, and that two of their housemates were working through the supper hour. (Darrin had hired on at Cheddar's because they offered him a more flexible schedule than the hardware store had, and he didn't mind working alongside his boyfriend, even when they didn't have time to socialize.)
To make a festive, and easy, dinner, the guys had halved 10 Cornish hens to roast in the oven. They were accompanied by a large salad, a big bowl of wild and white rice, and a couple of loaves of ciabatta bread. There was also a dish of jellied cranberry sauce, so it felt almost like a holiday meal.
It was a lot of food, but the guys had assumed there would be leftovers so Darrin and Rob could warm them up later, if they didn't eat at work. There might even be enough for a lunch or another dinner.
"Toby wasn't exaggerating," Larry said as he patted his stomach at the end of the meal. "You guys are awesome chefs! I could live on that bread alone. Where did you find it?"
"I'll share the recipe, if you want," Parker blushed.
"You made it?" Jane exclaimed.
"Yup, it's not all that difficult once you get your start made."
"I think I'll send Toby home, and stay here in his place!" she said.
"You might get tired of being around a bunch of half-dressed teenagers," Parker warned. "I hope you have room for dessert."
The tiramisu was over the top. Toby's family couldn't stop raving.
"We are taking you boys all to lunch tomorrow!" Larry insisted. "Choose the place, and we're on it. We won't take `no' for an answer."
"Thank you. I'll call Cheddar's and make a reservation," Adam said. "With all the extra people in town, we could wait forever for a table. I have a little pull there."
"Toby, are you gay?" Rick asked as they got ready for bed.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, you told me everyone else in the house is, and you seem to fit in fine."
"Would you be upset if I am?"
"Nope.
"Mom and Dad think you might be."
"Shit! Were you all discussing my orientation?"
"I wasn't. I just happened to overhear them."
"Do you think they'd be upset if I were?"
"Not really; they say that if you are, you are. They've never said anything against the idea."
"Honest? Cross your heart and hope to die?"
"Honest, and I'm not looking to kick the bucket anytime soon."
"Wow!"
"So, is that a yes' or a no'?"
"It's an `I'm not sure,' I guess."
"So, why aren't you sure? Didn't you like the stuff we did together?"
"Yeah, it was fun, but we only jerked off. I've never kissed a guy or been given a blow job; not even a hand job, Toby said. "Do you think what we did together was gay?"
"Nope, I think it's just what guys do growing up."
"Are you gay, Rick?"
"I'm pretty sure I'm not. When I made out with Mia Baker after the dance last week, I nearly creamed my jeans! Seriously, my underwear was sticky."
After lunch on Sunday, Toby's family headed back to western Iowa. They left with a favorable impression of the guys he was living with. If he were, indeed, gay, he couldn't have picked a better group of mentors to help him negotiate the restrictions that society seemed bent on imposing. They were happy to have him in Iowa City which was much more open-minded then where they lived. Whatever his destiny, they felt he had a promising future.
Adam's tailgating sales-event took place the following weekend. Saturday dawned cool, cloudless, and beautiful. The Hawkeyes were off that day, having played the night before. Some of them had studies to catch up on, and a few were nursing bruises from the game, but a fair number of the team showed up to scrimmage in the morning around 11:00. They didn't usually participate in events of this kind, but their record thus far in the season wasn't exactly stellar. Their coach felt it would be a good opportunity for them to meet and greet their loyal fan-base, and possibly generate more support.
Kirk had authorized an ample amount of money for the promotional spots on TV and local newspapers (which Adam had designed) during the past week and a half. Those resulted in a big crowd right from the start.
To Terry's great surprise, and joy, the purple camper was the first featured vehicle to sell. Not only did it go quickly, it sold high enough to make a tidy profit! He was thrilled.
Adam sensed that the two young men who purchased it were about a number 6 on the Kinsey scale. He suspected that they loved the color, and were happy that it was decked out as a UNI vehicle with team logos, making it less likely to look like a "gay" statement, and therefore not as apt to be vandalized by some hater.
He reflected on the sad reality of not being able to openly show one's true colors without fear of reprisal.
Adam expected to be busy making sure all the details were seen to, but he really didn't need to. Kyle had everything under control. So, Adam spent most of his time documenting the event on camera. He wanted to have visuals to show when he made his presentation to the class the following week.
By the end of the day, all three of the college-themed vehicles had sold, as well as a number of other cars and trucks. Kyle was happy he'd trusted the vision of his young boss.
Adam's instructor had okayed his plans for the sales event as his major project for the term. He had, however, felt it was rather ambitious, and had questioned whether Adam could pull it off that early in the semester, before they had covered some vital topics which would come up later.
Adam had worked hard, reading ahead, to get the background he felt might be essential. When he was asked to present on Wednesday morning, he was ready.
As he explained his sales campaign and its execution, he referenced some of the upcoming class topics which had helped him succeed.
Not only was his presentation a success; he received praise from the teacher for anticipating the additional knowledge he'd need, and acquiring it by reading ahead.
"Adam has set the bar high. He's gone way above and beyond the usual submissions for this assignment by turning it into a real-life project. Obviously, since his name is Baxter, he has a connection with a local business by that name which most of you won't have. So, rest assured that I won't be judging your efforts against his," the professor told the class.
Adam was happy for his success, and he was relieved that the teacher had defused the possibility of his peers resenting him for it. He didn't want to make enemies of anyone.
Author's notes: Thanks to all who emailed since last posting. If you check the names, you'll see a few new ones. This list includes: Mendy D, Wayne, Tony C, John L, Ott H, Bill K, Douglas and Lawrence, Walter Sz, Charles G, Joe W, Robert L, Bill T, James M, Skip M, Avid R, Lance C, Roger V, Frank K, Tom A, Randy McM, Jim W, Allen B, JJP, Steve C, Jeremy R, Owen L, Walt S and Paul F.
Please keep Steve C and Dick M in your thoughts and/or prayers. Steve is recovering from a heart attack and Dick will be having surgery on June 6, as I recall.
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Thanks to Tom and David for editing.
Love and Peace,
David