Chapter 5 The Duckstein
"Would you hold still, Asher. Do you ever sit?" Amanda questioned her nineteen year old son who seemed in a hurry to leave her presence.
"What do you want ma? I am eating already." He replied her, stuffing scrambled eggs in his mouth.
The Mayor of Titusville, Fred Duckstein chuckled to himself at his son’s attitude. Asher had always been a handful and being the only child it only made his mother dot more on him. However, he wasn't one to be camped and wouldn't let anyone control him. He is so free spirited. Everyone says Asher looks like his father when he was his exact age. Fred Duckstein’s mother, Eunice also affirmed it.
Asher had gotten into the college in Titusville rejecting his admission into Harvard, saying he wants to live within the community and understand the grassroots that would enable him help the people with whatever he can when he understands them. He had been away since his father got the post of a Mayor when he was about seven. To protect Asher from the troubles his father's involvement in politics might cause, he had been taken away to live with his maternal grandparents in New York. He only returned few weeks ago to apply for college at Titusville.
Secretly, Fred was extremely glad that he had his only son next to him. Although his wife grumbled about their son rejecting the Harvard offer but she still was happy her son was home to stay for long eventually.
"Leave him be Amanda, he would grab something bigger if he gets hungry. You worry too much." Fred told her and almost regretted it cause tears welled up in his wife eyes and he almost choked on his tea. “I didn't mean it like that Amanda baby."
Asher looked up from the phone he had been scrolling through to see his mother wiping a tear away. He stood up from his position and moved around her. He held her hand. "Hey, mom." He called out in a soothing voice pulling her to himself. "I am sorry mom, I didn't mean it like that. Ok I would eat and won’t go anywhere until I am done. Ok mom?" He asked her.
Amanda shook her head with a smile on her face. "Thanks son, now let me fill up your plate." She said to him, piling his plate with more food and she sat down to watch him eat.
Amanda’s heart fluttered at the sight. The last time she saw him eat this up close was when he was way too young. Whenever she went visiting in New York, he was always preoccupied with his friends and never really had time for her. Not being able to birth other children, Asher meant the whole world to her. They had to keep him safe and far from harm when his father became a Mayor and she had to stay back to support her husband. That’s the reason for the not so deep connection between them.
As if reading her thoughts, Fred pulled her hand into his while smiling at her. "So tell me son, are you sure you are cool with your choice of study?” Fred asked Asher while chewing on a sausage. He feigned an oblivious look.
Asher looked up, a bright beam on his expression. “Really dad? Don't think I don't know what you are doing. I am still not studying political science. I already told you architecture and design is what I want. You do know I do well with drawings."
Amanda giggled sweetly. "Ignore your father son, he is only teasing you." She said.
"Well if I do not tease my son, who else would I tease?" Fred laughed at his own joke with the others joining in. "Where is Adam?"
"He said he is on his way." Asher replied, swallowing the last bite of his toast.
Adam was his childhood friend. Despite the fact that they were distant from each other, they always ensured to keep in touch with one another and both of them were most times mistaken to be siblings. Adam always went for summer holidays in New York to be with him.
"He is here dad. See you later mom." He stood up to peck his mother. “Bye dad.” He fist bumped his father on his way out.
Amanda laughed. “It’s a good thing he is home."
"It couldn't have been a more better timing." Fred agreed.
“And here comes my best buddy! Asher!" Adam called out dropping off the car bonnet he had been sitting on.
Asher ran towards him as they fist bumped and hugged. "You look good bro!" He complimented.
"I could say the same for you, but I know I have always been the good looking one." Adam boasted flying his collar.
Stepping back a little Asher squinted his eye, "Please is it dark already? Cause I can't seem to see what you driving at." He grinned.
Adam hit his shoulder. “Shut up man! Give me a break and admit I do look good."
"I never said you didn't, you messed up when you said you looked better than I did. Like come on man, just check me out." Asher chuckled, turning round for his friend to see.
Adam burst out laughing. "I am so not doing this with you. Let's get to school and do whatever is needed please."
"Your call man, whatever it is you need me to do I am on." Asher raised his hand in surrender.
"By the way Asher, I ain't gonna chauffeur you around so you had better get your car ready."
Asher scoffed. “You are so proud man.”
"Say what you like, me driving you around would ruin my chance of getting a girl to bang at the backseat."
"Ewwww! You are so cheap, Adam. How costly is a goddamn motel?!”
"You tell me. I am sure before you figure it out by then I would have laid out about two for a day." Adam replied.
“You are super full of yourself!” Asher laughed.
"Say what you like man. Get in the car and let's go." Adam got into the driver seat.
They both laugh at each other while Adam settled to drive towards the college.
Chapter 6 He played meThe perks of schooling next to home is one being able to run to the arms of one’s family when troubled. Such was the case of Mia, she couldn't wait to get home to see her grandaunt and mother cause they knew just the right thing to do to console her.Mia stared at Cheryl's hand in hers as she drove. What would she have done if Cheryl wasn't there? She might have lost it and might be forced to commit suicide due to the embarrassment. She had known Cheryl all her life, although wild and very outspoken she was a good company for Mia. She was glad for the first time since they applied for college that Cheryl had decided to stay back and not left for other college.Cheryl stopped the car in front of her mother's pastry shop, M&A pastries and coffee. The shop name had been gotten from the first letters of her name and her mother’s name. The shop was filled up to the brim, it was lunch hour obviously and people needed to have a refill. Mia didn't think her mother would
Chapter 7 Coincidence or Fate?“Try throwing the ball high and watch me catch it...oomph." Asher had been calling out to Adam to pass him the ball in his hand with his back turned to where he was headed until had bumped into someone unknowingly."What idiot plays games on the walkway?” The lady he had bumped into murmured angrily.Asher turned to look down at the person he had bumped into. Her books had dropped to the ground which she was bending over to pick up. "I am really sorry miss…it wasn't intentional." He pleaded. She slapped his hands when he tried to help her pick up the books. “I am so sorry.”She stood up, glared at him and realization dawned on both of them. They both yelled. "You?!”Mia scoffed. “I can't believe this! Mr oh bow down at my feet! You school here?""I could say the same for you Miss Snooty. Yes I school here. And you do owe me an apology." Asher responded.Mia snickered before walking away. "Like I ever will! Go to hell Mister Oh bow at my feet!”"This is o
Chapter 8 Dinner with the WaltersFred Duckstein took a swift glance at the window facing the car park of his office. He clanked his tongue after seeing the person who highlighted from the car. It was his long time but not so close friend George Walter and the man got on his nerves every time. Staying clear of him had been the best option, since Fred noticed how pushy he can be and his greediness to earn too much was very glaring.George owned the classiest hotel in Titusville and had branches every corner of Pennsylvania, still he was never satisfied, he eyed so many landed properties in the area wanting to claim it as his and at a very unattractive price. It had gotten worse when he became Mayor. George Walter visited almost every week trying to seek for contracts and it annoyed Fred to the extreme. But being the Mayor he had to be polite to avoid being tagged as unconcerned of the people's welfare.Fred heard a knock on the door and without bothering to ask who it was he told him t
Chapter 9 An old blockThe noise from the hammer had Arabella’s head spinning. Her daughter was at it again, if only Arabella knew Mia would keep doing this whenever she was upset then she wouldn't have opened the workshop for her."Is it morning yet?” Arabella asked Harriett who sipped gently at the juice in her hand and she rubbed her head slightly. "And isn't it too late for such merriment?" She rebuked her.Harriett shook her head in disagreement. "As long as that noise keeps coming in, I don't think it's too late for even a glass of whiskey." Standing up from the stool in the kitchen, she moved to the living room and settled on the couch as she put the TV on. "I don't think sleep would come in easy for me tonight, I would just rather do this. Thank God it's Friday anyways."Arabella snorted. “How old do you think you are aunt?""Young enough to know Fridays are for Netflix and chill. Also please go talk to her, she needs you more than she needs that hammer right now. And do that
Chapter 10 M&A Pastries and Coffee‘I can't believe you would do this to me Adam. This is the moment I need you the most in my life and you can't even come through.’ Asher glared at the phone, wishing he could get hold of Adam.‘You do know there would still be many times I would have to come through for you, so do not suck over this.’ Adam commented on the other line.‘What the hell is keeping you from hanging out on a bloody Saturday Adam?’ He sounded frustrated.‘Well, at this point I would try to be sincere. I am getting some free booty and I am not missing it for anything.’ Adam laughed.‘Not even when your dad slumps down due to heart attack?’‘The hospital should hold on to him till I am done.’ Adam retorted with a tone of finality.Asher barked out a laugh. ‘You, my man is a crazy human. Get off my phone! I know how to get back at you.’‘Do that when my dick isn't thinking for me. My cue is here, bye bro and don't miss me too much. Muah!’‘Fuck off man.’ Asher disconnected the
Chapter 11 An interesting profileMia had woken up late to discover she was the only one left in the house, her mother had left a note informing her, aunt Harriett was out with a friend something like a spa treatment and she was at the shop as usual.Breakfast had been made and kept for her. Mia got dressed and tried working on a design she drew out at the workshop but she didn't really feel like it. Watching a movie or pressing her phone wasn't an option either cause they all seemed to add to her moody state. Instead she dialed the one person she could think of, Cheryl.‘To what do I owe this early morning call on a Saturday, Mon Cheri?’ Cheryl bellowed on the line.‘Cut your tone down young lady. You are making my ear ache and I can feel pus drooling out of it.’ Mia replied with an eye roll.Cheryl smacked her lips. ‘Yeah right, what do you want?’‘Why are you in so much hurry to get rid of me?’‘Cause I have got plans and your call tells me you need company.’‘And what makes you th
Chapter 12 Getting to know each other"Your mom is really fun to be with." Asher complimented as they strolled towards the town park."She could be too much sometimes." Mia replied.Asher laughed. “Maybe. Mothers are just that way. So, I heard you make furniture’s. And I must say I have never come across such raw talent.”Her face beamed with pride at the compliment. "Yeah I do. And I draw out designs of them before putting out the practical.""Wow, that’s really nice. I would love to see them sometime.""I would love to show you.""So what got you interested in furniture? They aren't really a ladies thing.""Maybe…but mom always say I got the talent from Dad. He loves wood and could frame them into anything. She said he had singlehandedly built the house I was born into.""I would love to meet him.""He is dead.” She announced.Asher’s smile dropped. “I am so sorry…I didn't know. Your mom didn't mention it to me.""It must have slipped her mind, I guess.""Pardon me please. Here we a
Chapter 13 Prince Charming and the maid"When did you guys meet and I didn't get to know?" Mia questioned her friend as they both laid down in Mia's room."You were mopping over Collins. I couldn't tell you, I had a new catch." Cheryl replied."Oh that's bad, here I was thinking it would be that Dan guy."Cheryl rubbed at her lip. "Oh please, he is just too dumb for my liking."Mia elbowed her by the rib and flashed her a wink. "So tell me, how is he? Seems like a hunk and way hotter than your ex."Cheryl blushed. “You did get that right…yeah he is so hot!" She sat up. "He has been really sweet and I can't wait to sit on his face respectfully.""Ewww Cheryl! You are so gross.""I tell you girl, you need your coochieeeee licked." She pulled out her tongue and wiggled it.Mia slapped her back gently. “You are so annoying babes. Just move out of my way.""I wasn't standing in it. Now tell me what were you doing with Mr universe?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows."Do you have much hots f