Escaping the Dorms (closed for JonathanBair)

[deluciddreamgirl]

End of my freshman year of college, I knew two things: I needed to save money next year. And I could save money by moving off campus.

Everyone left the dorms after their first year, so I had my pick of future-housemates. In theory! Unfortunately, I’d made friends with people who had… spendier tastes than me. I was left alone to find an affordable spot.

I looked online. I looked on bulletin boards. I finally found an offer from a homeowner looking for someone to help supplement the mortgage. The price was on budget for me, the location was great, and the house looked nice. And best of all: he was open to me moving in later in the summer; I’d be able to save a few months of rent.

My friends thought I was crazy for moving in with some 40-something dude. But he didn’t raise any red flags for me. Not that I had a ton of experience with men… or boys, even. But he reminded me of my old history teacher… Authentic and generous.

I was just making the best of an imperfect situation!

 

[JonathanBair]

I am a 41 year old handy man who is dreaming to stop working on someones payrole to make them rich, and start to focus my time and energy on starting my own handy man/construction company. With that I dread going back to school, and starting normal college taking classes on how to run a company. With that major capital I found my self stretched a bit to thin for my liking of fiances. I do what the logical thing would be to offer to rent out my spare bedroom. The extra income should give me a good buffer....

In my post online I put "Bedroom for rent joint bathroom each bedroom has it's own door. Single floor house with driveway and garage parking. Privacy fence around back yard where pool and deck is. Looking for mellow renter not looking to party. I work full time then have class. Good collection of DVD and VHS movies with a good sized tv in livingroom. Cozy seating. E-mail me with questions at JonGordenson@e-mail.com.

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

okay, so was sharing a bathroom ideal? No. But a pool, movie collection, AND guy-who-works-full-time-and-probably-won’t-be-around-much-anyway? I could do worse!

My email was pretty straight forward:

“Hey Jon! My name is Lucy. I’m about to finish my first year here at the university and need a place to live, starting next semester. I know you might have reservations about renting out to a student, but I promise I’m mature for my age, quiet, clean, and considerate! I’m just a nerdy girl who loves movie nights! Would love the opportunity to meet you and see if I pass the vibe check. If possible, I’d love to move in later in the summer. Early August?”

 

[JonathanBair]

On my lunch brake I check my e-mail that I made for the notice. There was a few, but the last one caught my eye. I had to re-read it as I questioned my self, Lucy a girl *shrugs to him self* about to finish first year must put her 19 or so years old. I smile as I try to see my self living with a woman that if I had any kids should be about her age. Tho the part that really caught my eye was "mature for my age, quiet, clean, and considerate! I’m just a nerdy girl who loves movie nights!" This has me rubbing my chin as I give it real though... I smirk at "see if I pass the vibe check." and I mutter to my self amused saying "Kids now a days, I would say how we mesh or get alone." Just one more thing to make life interesting.

I find my self responding "Are you free to pop over and hang out to see how we mesh? I should be home about 7:30pm, you may want to bring a snack as I will be having dinner then, here is my address." I smile and shrug not sure how she will respond. If not I can check my e-mail and see if any other e-mails come in sounding like they may fit.

I start to eat my lunch by having a sub and after that I check my e-mail again this time looking to see if Lucy responded.

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

“Happy to stop by for a while! Send me the address and I’ll see you tonight!”

This was maybe a crazy first meeting idea, but I’d let a few friends know and send them the address too.

With the rest of my afternoon free, I put an outfit together. A simple floral sundress, sneakers, and a bunch of chunky bracelets. My thick brown waves up in a messy bun.

 

[JonathanBair]

That night after I got off work, I had on the normal work outfit, a company polo shirt, with pants then a jump suit I could slip into if the jobs needed it. The jump suit stuffed in a plastic bag in the right hand with his keys, while the left had a bag from subway that had his food. His company work van pulled into the far left side of the drive way with a car with and a half for a second car to pull into the drive way and have a good bit of room to get the driver door open with out hitting his van. I am a normal high 5'10 with blue eyes and short brown hair, bit on the heavy but solid frame with a weight of 200 pounds.

As I looked at my watch I noticed I was 10 minutes early. A smile on my face as more often then not jobs taken longer to finish then shorter time. Also helped subway did not have much of a line so he got in and out much faster. I put my food on the table and went to the coffee maker to start a big pot of coffee. I also had a little serving cup that had some sugar and one of powdered creamer sitting on the table ready for use in the coffee with there own little scoops inside there containers.

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

I grab an “adult lunchable” (one of those pre-packaged meat and cheese things), hop in my car and drive to the house. It wasn’t too terribly far from campus—maybe 15 minutes.

My heart started to pick up speed as I drove. I was equally scared and excited. On the one hand, my housing and budget problems were maybe about to be solved. On the other… I was about to meet a stranger at his house.

I pulled up and parked next to his truck, and made my way to the door. I straightened out my dress—the loose skirt was just above the knee. At 5’3, I wasn’t worried about “showing too much leg” but I did have a last second twinge of anxiety… was this dress too… cleavage-y?

Too late to change.

I ring the doorbell.

 

[JonathanBair]

I was sat at the coffee table waiting for the sound of the coffee maker to stop the sound it makes as it heats up the water. I am kinda socked the doorbell rang before the coffee was done, but the doorbell was a expected sound I was waiting for. I call out "One sec" as I get up and head to the door. I peak out the eye hole and see a young female, I have a feeling this must be Lucy and open the door showing my full body while asking in a friendly tone "You must be Lucy?" then move a side guesting you to come in, not really waiting for you to confirm that you are her...This is not the kind of girl I was expecting. While I was at work I was thinking of a skinny girl that would look be at risk of him viewing her as a daughter kind bond later on. This is a woman at his doorstep, sure she is young but still a woman!

I do notice the outfit of a simple floral sundress, sneakers, and a bunch of chunky bracelets. Her thick brown waves up in a messy bun... Looks rather comfortable and a outfit I would approve.

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

As you fill the door frame, I’m a bit taken aback by your size. You’re a bear of a man; built by a blue collar lifestyle. But in a comforting way. Friendliness radiates off of you.

“That’s me!” I smile wide and step inside as you step aside. I take in the home.

Obviously a bachelor pad, at first glance. But clean and well kept. The living room was clearly the crown jewel: primed for movie nights and marathons.

“You weren’t kidding about the setup!”

Then I turn—my skirt flicking slightly, showing off a bit more thigh than I’d like.

“You said you’d be eating dinner. Should we move to the kitchen? I brought a snack!”

 

[JonathanBair]

I smile as I say "Please make your self conferable at the table, sounds like the coffee is ready. Would you like a cup? And yes I just got off work so I am going to have dinner from subway." My eyes notice your large breast and wide hips and oh so sexy legs, but your body hints you lost allot of weight.

As I get the coffee pot from the coffee maker to bring it to the table I ask "So tell me a bit about your self, do you like to work out, do yoga or like to swim? Anything to give me a bit more about your personality to how did you say it do a vibe check? Would you like some coffee? I got cream and sugar on the table there. Is there anything you want to know about me?"

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

I sit down at the table.

“Oh sure, I’ll take a cup, thank you. Black is good!”

I used to drink lattes and crazy Starbucks drinks. But since I got to college, I drank straight black coffee to save money. Helped me lose some weight too.

“Oh yeah, I go to the gym a few times a week. Stair-steppers, some weights… plus I walk around campus a lot.”

I pull out my snack pack and eat a cracker with some cheese.

“I guess I’d love to know more about your work and why you’re heading back to school!”

 

[JonathanBair]

I fill the cups up. Both coffee cups black coffee as I say "Sorry I do not have decaf, hope it is alright..." *I let out a sigh* "I work as a handyman or general contractor. I been working for companies for 20 years. I am going to college to learn office skills, so I will be better educated to start my own company. I got the work history, so it is time for me to bust out on my own." *I eye the crackers* "Is that your basic dinner? I have a spare 6 inch club if you want to swap the snack for the sub that would have been lunch tomorrow. Your lunchable might be better to be my work truck then the sub." *shrugs*

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

The cup is delightfully warm—but the first sip is scalding. Tastes fine though. Ive acquired the taste for coffee, but I wouldn’t say I’m a connoisseur.

“Oh caffeine is fine. I still need to drive home, and I’ll probably be up late anyway.”

I listen to your story, eyeing those rough mitts you call hands as you speak. I like your ambition! It’s… the wholesome kind. There’s no anger or bitterness in your voice as you talk about your time working for others. Bitter old men are the worst kind.

I smile. You remind me of an old history teacher of mine. Another big, kind man. He played football, but didn’t have the skills to go pro. So he taught and he coached and he never let an ounce of bitterness show.

“Oh, really this is fine! I ate dinner earlier. I brought a snack so you wouldn’t have to eat alone.”

 

[JonathanBair]

I ask "So you will be a second year, what are you going to school for? Um college I mean." When I hear you say “Oh, really this is fine! I ate dinner earlier. I brought a snack so you wouldn’t have to eat alone.” You can see a smile and a nod as you seam to be happy with your snack. I smile and say "I might need to keep a few of them packs in my work truck, will save some time if I do not need to wait in line to eat."

I unwrap my club that kinds of deli cut meats, Turkey, Ham, and Beef with cheese, and lots of veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, spinach, cucumbers, green peppers that can be clearly seen.

I say, "I do try to eat healthy, even tho so much of my day is on the road so fast food is really the only option till I get home and up to when I head out for work. Tho it wouldn't hurt if I hit the gym now and then if I could find time. I hope as a college student I might slip into the gym for a bit of a work once or so week if I can fit it in with work and class work. Do you cook or what is your meal like for most days?" I take a drink of my coffee before biting into my sub.

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

I thought I was busy as a student with a part time job in the dining hall. I couldn’t imagine doing classes while working FULL time.

“I’m uh… not quite sure yet…” I say as I pick out a slice of meat. “I think marketing? I really love history, so I’m taking some classes. But I don’t think that’s what I’ll major in.”

I look up. “You know, I’ll be taking some classes in the business school next semester—maybe we’ll be in some together!”

I take the piece of cheap charcuterie in two bites.

“I eat in the dining hall, though I love to cook at home. Not that I’m a GREAT cook. I like trying recipes off the internet. I actually work in the dining hall part time, so I get discounted meals.”

Working in the dining hall was interesting. Not the hardest job in the world. An odd mix of students working for beer money and adults working full time. The customers could be assholes, but I was used to being looked down on.

 

[JonathanBair]

I nod in understanding about work and class load. Jon's head cocked sideways as he thinks about what she said she would be doing marketing, I was sure that was one of the many classes I would have. After all I knew I would need to know the basics, but not master it.

I smile as you say “You know, I’ll be taking some classes in the business school next semester—maybe we’ll be in some together!” I nod and say "Possible, I doubt they would have 2 or 3 classes teaching the same subject in the same quarter or semester. "

Hearing she works in the dining hall and likes to try recipes off the internet sounds like it could open up some doors for her in his head. Maybe he could get her a part time job cooking some healthy meals for him. I know working full time my diet suffers, and if I can pay her to make some healthy meals that job could be a perk for her likes. Odds are if I did not eat out so much her cooking might be cheaper, and be better health wise. As I am thinking that I also am listing to her talking about working in the dining hall...

I ask "If you move in here, and I give you a set budget for healthy food. Would you be willing to make some meals for us each week day anyways? I work full time now, it will be cutting into my work hours with class time. Tho I may pick up extra shifts after class to try and keep the income the same." The question/statement kinda shocking me as I asked it, but shows no signs of regret asking it.

I think to my self I was planning on putting the rent money into the extra fast food fund. Asking my roommate to cook was not really something I though of asking.

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

I can’t help but give you a shocked looked. My friends warned me about this. The word “bangmaid” was thrown around. But your tone is so… practical.

And frankly, I’m here for practical reasons too. In a split second I think about it: you’re basically offering to pay for my food as long as I cook it. Which, living off campus, I was planning to do more of anyway.

“Hmm… I mean, I was planning on cooking for myself anyway…”

I lean back, cross my arms under my bust and smile.

“Making bigger meals shouldn’t be that big of a deal.”

Cheap rent, free food, and a pool. What more could a girl want?

 

[JonathanBair]

I smile and shrug saying "Was just a idea as you like to try cooking stuff from online, if I was to pay for some or most of the food, then you get a bit pocket money on top of doing something you enjoy, but it is not a need. I was planning on eating out more and maybe grabbing some food in the food court on campus. And like you say making a bigger meal shouldn't be that big of a deal anyways if you agree to do it... Oh by the way if you think of anything, feel free to ask as I am the open book kinda guy."

I keep eating my sub

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

I think about other questions to ask as I eat my charcuterie.

“Between school and work, it sounds like you’re going to be busy. What else do you do for fun aside from watch movies? Hangout with friends? Pool parties?”

I wanted to get a better sense for you as a person, but I also wanted to get a sense for the house rules, here.

 

[JonathanBair]

I let out a deep laughter for about a good solid seconds. I say "Lucy my day is eat, get up work my butt off, maybe get lunch on a good day, work some more, get some fast food, watch a movie while I eat then go to bed. Now when school starts up I will have to fit class and homework into the mix. On my rare day off I do like to swim or just hang out and really float/soak in the pool. I lost touch with most of my high school friends as are life's all went different paths 23 to 20 years ago. For the house rules, keep it quiet like have the tv on but only hear it in the room same with music. Clean up after your self, and your friends. As we share a joint bathroom, the bathroom door is to stay open unless you need privacy in there then close my door, as I would close yours. If you want privacy in your room you can close your bathroom door. Tho keeping it open as much as possible will limit the risk of you popping in while I am in there getting ready for a shower or something like that. You are free to do what you want, just please keep mindful when I am home I will be doing homework or sleeping. When at home do not be shocked if I like to just have me time or maybe hang out with you watching a movie or two, as all day long I work with people so the bit of off time I try to be anti social even tho I am a social person. Working in the college kitchen I am sure you can understand when dealing with people all day it is nice just to have some time alone for the quite time. I do have a laundry room I forgot to mention in the posting. It is in the garage with sound dampening walls so we should not really hear it in the house if it is running. You will want to set a timer for it odds are. I like to do a few small loads a per week as needed for when my work jump suit needs it. My one rule of the house really is be chill and enjoy your self while not bothering others. *shrugs* Sorry if that makes me sounds like a grumpy old man, I do not try to sound like that. I just work all day on the go kinda thing nice to get home and relax in the bit of free time." After a moment I add in "When I work for my self, I hope I can cut my work load down to have more of a social life, right now I am slaving away making money for the company rather then making money for my self. Tho college will get me in a better footing to make money for my self. Sure I expect to take a few calls now and then, but I hope my staff handles most of them."

 

[deluciddreamgirl]

I take in the house rules, nodding with a smile on my face.

“That all sounds good! I’m pretty quiet and clean, as I said in my email.”

I was happy I wouldn’t have to worry about… boys’ poker night or something. One older man was enough for me.

“Hey, when you’re done eating, can you give me a tour of the place?”

 

[JonathanBair]

I smile and say well as you can see the house is a open layout so the living-room to the right of the front door, the kitchen is over there *points to the wall behind me*. Left of the kitchen is the door to the garage, right of the kitchen is the bedroom you have. The wall in the middle is where the bathroom is. To the back of the house is my bedroom door on the side wall and also the door to the back yard where the deck and pool is on the back wall there.

I ask "Do you want to see the deck and pool first, or the room you would be renting?"