Done Rubbed Out

by Jeffery Craig

  Toby and Geri did as directed by Grams and completed their research. They set off to visit a school in the upstate and returned disappointed. Although they liked the city and the surrounding area, the school didn’t fit their needs. There were limited physical therapy classes offered and there wasn’t a single massage school in the city that could adequately prepare them for their state certification exams. Dejected, they headed back home. Toby drove while Geri slept in the front seat. “One day wasted,” he thought.

  They ruled out a school the next state over after talking to the admissions office. The tuition was exorbitantly high because neither of them met the residency requirements. The only remaining viable option was located in the state capital. As they made appointments for their visit to the admissions office and for a discussion and tour with a facility advisor, Grams suggested they make a long weekend of it.

  “I know it is not more than an hour and a half away, but it is a shame to go there and not see the sights,” she said from her usual place by the kitchen sink. Today she was husking corn from the garden. “There’s a lot to see and I’m sure things have changed a lot since you went there on that field trip during your sophomore year. Why don’t you boys stay a couple of days? Your appointments are set for Thursday, so you could see the city, take in the sights and be back here Sunday evening in time for dinner.”

  “Really, Grams?” Toby was warming up to the idea.

  “Yes. I think you’d both enjoy it. I’ll call around tomorrow and see about making a hotel reservation.”

  “Thanks, Grams! What time is dinner?”

  “I don’t know – it’s your night to cook. This corn is for tomorrow. What are you planning?’

  “To tell you the truth, I kind of forgot.” Toby thought for a minute. “How about spaghetti with meat sauce? I think we have all of the stuff.”

  “Yes we do, and your spaghetti’s almost edible.” Gram teased.

  “You said it was good last time!”

  “I was really hungry that night.” She turned to the other boy in the kitchen. “Geri, Toby may not be a master chef, but he is very creative with some of his concoctions.” They all three had a good laugh at that.

  “Yeah, I’ve had some of his creations at this very table.”

  Toby crossed his arms and thrust out his lower lip. Catching sight of him, Grams exclaimed. “Toby Bailey, that reminds me of something! You boys wait right here. Geri come and finish up this corn, there are just a couple of ears left to do.” Grams hurried from the room and Geri went to the sink to finish the shucking.

  “Maybe after dinner we can do a little research about what we want to see this weekend.”

  “That’d be great, Toby. We just have to watch what we spend though.”

  “Yeah, I know. We’ll do as much free stuff as we can fit in and I’m sure there are plenty of reasonable places to eat since students like to eat cheap.” Before Geri could respond, Grams came back into the kitchen carrying a large cardboard tube which she handed to Toby. Geri finished up the last piece of corn and rinsed off his hands.

  “Open it, Toby,” she instructed.

  They all gathered around the table and Toby uncapped the plastic end of the tube. He lifted it up and peered inside. “It looks like some kind of rolled up paper.” He reached his fingers inside and slid it out of the tube, laying it in the middle of the table and carefully unrolling it.

  As soon as it was flat and its corners were held down with a couple of spoons, Geri started laughing. “That looks just like Toby did a minute ago.”

  “Yes, it does. That’s because it is Toby.” Grams looked at her grandson as he bent to examine the photo, hair falling into his eyes. “Your momma took that picture when you were just a little boy. She said it was her favorite picture of you.”

  “I remember, Grams.” Toby’s voice was very quiet and his eyes were suspiciously damp. “She said I’d appreciate it one day.” He carefully rolled the photo up and placed it back in the tube, replacing the plastic cap. He held it carefully in both arms. “I will appreciate it one day, Grams, the way she would’ve wanted me to. But until then, will you keep it for me?”

  “Yes, I’ll be honored to keep it safe for until you want it.” She walked to his side and gave his shoulder a little squeeze and then took the tube from him. “I’ll just go put this away again.”

  “You okay, Toby?”

  “Yeah Geri. I just wasn’t prepared to see that picture again, that’s all.” Toby rubbed one eye with the back of his hand. “Hey, you ready to learn how to make my world famous spaghetti?”

  “Sure. Maybe if I supervise we’ll all be able to eat it without getting sick.”

  The next afternoon Grams announced she’d secured them a hotel reservation and then left on an errand. Toby and Geri spent the afternoon making plans for their trip and making a list of things to pack. Grams got back home around five thirty, and was pleased that one of the boys had remembered to put the casserole she’d made that morning into the oven. She put the corn on to cook and hollered for them to set the table. As she listened to their chatter and the clank of forks and knives and spoons being laid in their proper places, she asked “What time are you boys thinking of leaving in the morning?”

  Toby answered from the table where he was putting down the big dinner plates. “I think about 9 in the morning. Right, Geri?”

  “Yeah, that’s right.”

  “That should give you plenty of time to make your appointments even if you do get lost,” Gram approved. “Everything packed?”

  “I’m all packed, except for a few things. Geri can do his when he goes back his cousin’s house after dinner.” Toby surveyed the table and decided they were done. “Geri, I was thinking I would pick you up at about a quarter ‘till. Is that okay?

  Grams quickly interjected, “Geri, why don’t you come over here around 8 instead? I’ll put together a big breakfast to send you boys off properly.”

  They shared their plans with Grams and cheerfully adjusted them to add a few things she suggested. They’d never thought of the zoo and looked forward to seeing the new gorilla exhibit. The food went down fast, as did the vanilla ice cream from the freezer. Pretty soon the dishes were done and Geri was out the door.

  “Need any more help, old woman?” Toby sassed.

  “I am not an old woman!”

  “You’re older than I am.”

  “Pretty much everybody with a lick of good sense is older than you. Toby Bailey.”

  “You’re right, Grams. Maybe I’ll get some sense someday.”

  “Maybe you will.”

  Toby gave her a good night kiss and went to check he hadn’t forgotten anything he wanted to take. Grams finished up her tidying and looked out of the window over the sink. “You better be careful out there, Toby Bailey,” she whispered to the night sky. She folded her towel and hung up her apron, before turning off the lights and going on to bed.

  Geri showed up a few minutes before eight the following morning and knocked on the door before opening it. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, Geri. Sit that bag down over there. Bacon will be done in a minute.”

  “Smells good.”

  “I don’t think there is anything in the world that smells as good as bacon frying.”

  “Good morning, Grams. ‘Morning’, Geri,” Toby said with his voice still full of sleep. He went to the refrigerator and grabbed a pitcher of orange juice. “Anyone besides me want juice?” When they all agreed they did, Geri pulled three small glasses for the cabinet and carried them to the table, where Toby poured a glass for each of them. Grams dished up some eggs and placed the strips of crispy bacon on a dished lined with paper towels, and Toby carried the food to the table. Geri grabbed the plates and forks and soon breakfast was on the table. They all took their seats, and Grams said a simple grace. Then they all dug in.

  They weren’t as talkative this morning, concentrating on the food and their private thoughts about the day ahead. After bre
akfast was done, they carried the plates and other table items to the sink where they rinsed them and loaded the dishwasher. Grams wiped down the vinyl tablecloth while they washed the platter and the bowl. Geri reached for a towel, brushing against Toby’s chest. Toby looked up, ready to make some remark about how clumsy Geri was, and their eyes caught and locked. Toby felt a shiver go through his entire body.

  ”Sorry,” Geri apologized, whispering for some reason.

  “No problem,” Toby whispered back, confused by what he was feeling.

  “You two about done?”

  “I think so, Grams.”

  “Good, come over here and sit back down at the table.”

  They dried off their hands, getting in each other’s way – which they’d never done before. For some reason, it made Toby nervous.

  Once they were seated around the table, Gram asked, “Toby, you got your checkbook packed, along with the rest of your things? And the reservation information for the hotel?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I have it all.”

  “Geri, you got everything you need in that bag?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good. Now, I’ve have one more thing for the both of you.” She reached into her apron pocket and withdrew two small rectangular items and laid one in from of the each of them.

  “What are these, Grams?”

  “Those are credit cards. One for each of you, tied to mine. They’re for emergencies only, you hear?”

  “But, Grams, we have money. I have my checkbook, that debit card they gave me at the bank, and some cash. I think we’re set.”

  “Listen to me, Toby Bailey. There may be an instance where you need this. One of you might be hurt or stranded. This might be the only way to get out of a jam. I’ll rest better knowing you boys have these. Like I said, you shouldn’t use them unless needed. The bill will come directly to me and I don’t want to have to pay for a lot of unexpected charges at the end of the month. Understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Toby answered. Grams brushed a lock of hair away from his face. “Go get your stuff, Toby. It’s almost time for you to hit the road.”

  Toby picked up the credit card and put it in his wallet. “Thanks, Grams,” he said and kissed her cheek.

  As soon as they were alone, Geri pushed the card slowly across the table until it was sitting in front of her. “I can’t take this. It wouldn’t be right.”

  Gram sat still in her chair, looking at him intently. “Geri, I want you to listen to me with everything you’ve got. In all ways that matter, you’ve become another grandson to me. You matter. Not because of Toby – not wholly – but because of you. This is your home now and don’t you forget it. There’ll always be a place for you here. Now, you pick that card up and put it in your wallet. If not for yourself, do it for my Toby. He might be in need some time and I have to trust you to see that he never wants for everything because of your pride and hardheadedness. Don’t let that happen if you can help it. Do you hear me, son?”

  Geri didn’t trust himself to speak. He picked the card up and put it into his wallet. He walked over to her and gave her a hug. She held him tight for a second, giving his arms a tight squeeze before letting go. Then she yelled out, “Toby Bailey you’re going to be late. Get this show on the road!”

  While Geri and Grams were sitting in the kitchen, Toby made a quick check of his bags, making sure he had everything he needed. Thinking back to that moment in the kitchen when he’d thought he was going to shiver apart, he opened his nightstand drawer and pulled out the pack of condoms Grams had placed on his bed earlier in the summer. It hadn’t been opened because there’d never a time to even explore much. Besides, he didn’t want his first time with someone to be in Grams’ house. It didn’t seem right.

  After a moment’s more thought, he unzipped his bag and shoved the box in between some extra clothes and things. “Better to have something not needed, than to need something and not have it,” his Gramps had always told him. He lifted up his bag and looked around his room as if saying goodbye to something he couldn’t quite name. “I’m on my way!” he shouted when he heard Grams yelling for him to get the show on the road.

  They made good time, following the directions on the phone. They only got lost once, when Toby made a wrong turn after stopping to get something to drink. When they pulled into the visitor parking section of Mid State Vocational and Trade School they realized that they were about 30 minutes early.

  “I guess we can just walk around and look at things, until our appointments.” Toby unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car. When Geri didn’t get move, Toby walked to the other side of the car. He knocked on the window until Geri looked up and opened his door. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Just a little jittery I guess.”

  “I’m jittery too. But I have a good feeling about this. Get out of the car and let’s go look around.”

  They walked around taking in the campus and, after asking for directions, they found the admissions and administration building. They presented themselves right on time and with some help from the admissions clerk, they filled out all of the basic forms. There seemed to be a whole lot of them. The clerk looked the completed forms over and asked if they knew what courses they wanted to take. “Usually first semester students focus on the prerequisites,” she advised. “Here’s what I’d recommend.” She pulled out a double-sided piece of paper and used a yellow highlighter to mark the ones that they had to take some time over the next two years. She helped them complete their selections and Toby wrote at his first big check to pay for their schooling.

  “Can you direct us to where we can find Dr. Nelson?”

  “Do you have an appointment with him?”

  “Yes, ma’am. We’re supposed to meet him in about ten minutes,” Geri replied after checking the time on his phone.

  “Why don’t you have a seat over there at the tables and I’ll call him and tell him you’re here. He can meet you here instead of having you wander all over the place and chance getting lost. Will that work?”

  An hour later they had seen about all there was to see. After thanking Dr. Nelson, they headed back to the car. Once they’d buckled up, Geri turned and asked “What did you think Toby?”

  “I think I liked it. Everyone seems to be very nice and they went out of their way to be helpful and welcoming.”

  “Especially Dr. Nelson,” laughed Geri. “He thought you were hot. I saw him looking at you like you were something yummy.”

  “You think so? I didn’t notice.”

  “You dweeb! Sometimes I think you wouldn’t notice anything if I wasn’t around to point it out. Come on, let’s head to the hotel. I’m getting hungry.”

  Geri plugged the address from the reservation confirmation into his phone and read the directions while Toby drove them to their hotel. Once there and standing in front of the reception desk they discovered that they did in fact, need a credit card.

  “But we don’t have–” Toby began, but before he could get any further, Geri had fished out the new card.

  “Here,” he said handing it to desk clerk.

  She took it from him and looked it over. She turned it over and handed it back. “You forgot to sign it. You need to do that before I can accept it.”

  “Do you have a pen I can use?”

  “Sure do, Mr. Guzman,” she replied, reading his name from the front of the card. She handed him a felt-tipped pen and watched as he signed it in green ink. “It’s supposed to be lucky to write in green ink,” she informed him as she took back the card and the pen.

  “Wow, that was a close call,” Toby said as they made their way to the elevators. “Good thing you thought fast and remembered about the card. For a minute there I thought we would have to just go on back home.”

  “I was just looking out for us, Toby.”

  The room they had been given was very nice to their young and inexperienced eyes. The beds had bright spreads on them and the bathroom was the most mo
dern either of them had ever seen. They hung up their few shirts and stowed most of the rest of their stuff in the drawers of the dresser which had a TV on top. They put their duffle bags on the little folding stands at the foot of each double bed. Toby flopped on the bed closest to the window. “What do you want to do now?”

  “We could go find something to eat. It’s been a long time since breakfast!” Geri eyed the basket of candy bars and crackers by the small coffee pot. He picked up the list next to it and scanned it. “You won’t believe this, Toby! These candy bars are $5.00 a piece! I could buy five of them for that price back at the gas station at home.”

  “Whoa – don’t eat any of those! That would be like eating pure, solid gold.”

  After some discussion they decided to go down and ask the front desk clerk where they could find a reasonably priced place to eat. She provided directions to a couple of places within walking distance. They found a place that looked good and had dinner, then walked around and saw some of the sights. They stopped and bought some ice cream, watching in fascination while the shop assistant pounded the scopes out on a marble slab, added some fruit and bits of chocolate, and arranged it in cups.

  “This was a good day!” Toby announced as he toed off his shoes back in the room.

  “Yeah, it was. You want to shower first, or should I?”

  “You go ahead. I’ll shower after you’re done”

  “Okay”. Geri gathered up a few things and went into the bathroom, closing the door. Toby stretched out on the bed with his hands behind his head. After a while he heard the shower water running, and then a while later, the sound of Geri brushing his teeth. Geri came out of the steamy room, wearing a bathrobe he had found hanging on a hook. He dropped his dirty clothes on the closet floor and went to the dresser where he pulled out a pair of briefs. Turning his back slightly, he put one foot in then another and pulled them up his strong, muscular legs.

  Toby caught a glimpse of his body in the reflection of the closet door mirrors and felt his body respond.