Fitting In Part 2

Chapter 219-1

Fitting In

Part 2

 

Not a lot to say regarding school, considering High School was High School and Heber High wasn’t anything different. Well mostly? After all, I was Nate Carrion, nothing is exactly normal for me compared to other students. For one I was married as I was personally taken to my first class by the principle with Jenny and Tony right behind me with our wives and my two husbands by my side. The principle had agreed that we would stay together with the same teachers and classes.

Everyone else however it was just another normal day and was considered lucky or unlucky to have the same classes as us. Even our lockers were sided by side or close enough that was easy to tell that we had played the power card as a few the students that owned them were told to empty them and assigned new ones. Mom asked before leaving if I was going to be alright, knowing how I hated to be in the spotlight, but the problem was I was always in the spotlight, more so as Nate Carrion. There was no getting around it as we were made to stand in front of the class and introduce ourselves before taking a seat. It was already all over the school that we were rich, and it was more clear when we all arrived by limo.

I hated playing twenty questions, but there was nothing I could do about it, considering as Nate Carrion I had to do it because we were different than most kids. Yet I also knew that once we have done so school life would go back to normal and the newness would wear off quickly then the teasing and harassing would begin.

Yet unlike most students that were given the old text books for the class, we were given new ones, mostly because we paid for them. It didn’t matter that I preferred the used ones over new ones because they were cheaper. Nate Carrion and pals were made of money and we had power and influence. We didn’t ask for special favors, but we were given it regardless if had asked to be treated like other students.

I cringed when it was lunch time finding all our parents inside the lunch room in the far corner with tons of bags to hand out to the student body. Jared, Tony and I being as we were in wheelchairs, didn’t have to help because it was difficult enough to wheel down the aisles of the lunch room tables, and once again we got special accommodation with extra food on our trays as we were given tables that were already reserved for us. Talk about being in the spotlight as our wives and friends made sure everyone got one including the lunch ladies and the teachers, regardless if they were male or female.

Dad and Mr. Vincent had created bags for all the males, which included a box of condoms, and sample tea packages, plus everything males use on daily bases, like combs, pencils and pens and school note books as well as other male grooming aids. Plus a flyer to redeem a coupon in each of the stores and announcing the big give away. Not mention an invitation to the Night Owls club as well as Garden club for their parents.

The bags were marked with blue tags for the boys and pink ribbon tags for the girls. We liked the idea of free PR marketing. I hated to even guess how much each of these bags was costing us, then again if it brought them to our stores we would easily make up the costs.

Everyone was excited to receive free stuff more so than girls, yet boys it was a little embarrassing as they dug through their bags seeing two boxes of condoms one for regular guys and the other one for guys that very well equipped. Noticing that most of them if not all of them left theirs inside the bag, and then there were those special class clowns like Kirk and his pals that opened them and making balloons out of them to impress their classmates. 

Once they were all handed out our parents left to visit the other schools like Jason’s and the Jr. High Schools so they too could get their business. Eli and I stuffed ours inside our backpacks as the girls did; even though we had the supper sized products at home everyone got one.

Kirk stopped at my table with his three friends Mark, Randy, and Erik. Taking a seat next too me. Kirk said that his Mom said that he could come over tomorrow, but was curious to know why not today. I racked my brains for the reason why not wanting them to know the real reason why because I had to work. Martin said opening his big mouth that was because we had to work. I watched as Martin cringed in pain as Ricky kicked him under the table because that was supposed to be secret.

Ricky covered it stating I was training to be a bookkeeper, that worked on the bills and purchase orders for his Dad and Mr. Stringum and Eli and Greg were hired as dishwashers and janitorial crew and sometimes prep cooks. That we worked from 3 to 7 Mondays and Tuesday and 3 to 10 on Fridays and 5 to 3 on Saturdays… that Sunday Tuesdays and Thursday are the only days of the week we didn’t have to work. Then reminded them they owed us weeks worth of work. Eli said. “Unless you’re afraid of a little hard work and chickening out of our agreement.”

Kirk said. “Hell no, a deal is a deal, but does it include free food.” Causing us all to laugh as we nodded that it did, knowing most boys would do anything for free food.

Kirk mentioned his Mom really liked the free samples said she couldn’t wait to try them when she gets home from work today, He then whispered real low so only we could hear as he stated he and his friends really enjoyed tasting them on us last night as he moved his hand to my crotch area letting it linger there, then said. “I’ll call my Mom telling her I am going to your house after school to work on our homework. She won’t be home anyways because she won’t get off work until 8 or 9.”

I didn’t say anything regarding it because I didn’t want to embarrass him by asking about his father or what kind of work his mothers does. I knew he had a brother who was Jason’s age and an older sister, but she wasn’t living at home while she was attending college at UVSC like Jody and my mother, knowing that most likely because BYU was three times expensive then UVSC.

I also thought it was strange that I didn’t meet her last night at the social, not even his three best friend’s parents. Then again it shouldn’t have surprised me because the only ones that had invited me to their homes were either other boys or their fathers. Which was strange in its self, but then again the church had this thing about women unless they hold high positions in the church, they were never seen or allowed to mingle other than their own social clubs?

He soon left said he and his friends would meet us in Gym class. I had yet to even talk to Couch Brady, but I did see him in the lunch room with Mrs. Hothner and Adams Dad Mr. Tomas. I didn’t have any classes with them this time, except for Couch Brady; who was doing double duty as our Drivers Ed teacher and our head Couch and PE instructor. Dad didn’t sign me and Jared up for any sports activities until we no longer needed to play the injured card. Instead would let Couch Brady torture us as he sees fits.

I don’t know what it is about having lunch and PE right after that makes you feel sluggish to the point all you want to do is take a nice long nap, the only good thing about being in a wheelchair was we didn’t have to run laps. But then again I never really cared about running laps, even though it helped me stay in shape. Once class started Couch Brady introduced himself as the new Head Couch. That one they had previously had decided to take an earlier retirement.

Many of the boys grumbled about it because Couch Brady said all the members of the football team and basketball including the Wrestling team would have to re-tryout if they wanted to keep their spots. He pretends not to look at me and our small group, not wanting to give away that he knew us all on a more personal basis. Which was smart on his part because it would be bad to be buddy, buddy with us, which stated he knew us and had moved down here because of us, which was true. He blew his whistle telling everyone too ran laps around the gym why he puts us, weaklings, too work.

He had put together some exercises equipment like double walking bars. And several hands and leg weights for Jared and I, handing the whistle to Tony stating he would be his special assistant couch. Considering he couldn’t do anything being paralyzed from the waist down in this form.

Jenny was busy with the girls cheerleading squad as well as our wives. I had to admit they looked hot in a pair of shorts and tight t-shirt showing off those beautiful breasts we like so much; watching the boys foaming at the mouth when they eyed them bouncing up and down. Man, I was a horny teenager as my package seemed restricted under my gym shorts.

Even though we belonged to the satanic church, we still had to go seminary, but for us, it was the cover story that even though we belonged to both churches, we were playing possum just like the other kids, but for a different reason. Even Kirk and his pals went too seminary, mostly because they were playing possum to hide the fact they belonged to the satanic church as they did their best to remain friends with members of the LDS church so they could steal them away from them.

I questioned how many other churches do the same thing. I was just glad it was my last class because I was dying to get out of the wheelchair, hoping that Kirk’s Mom and his Pal’s parents said no, but as luck would have it. That wasn’t the cases, as they found me as I was just stuffing my backpack with all my homework and the books I have received today. Eli said, "this should be fun."

I questioned fun for whom? As Landon met us outside opening the limo doors; he asked how our day went, I said. "don’t even ask." Having him tell me it would get better, which I doubted as my new friends piled into the limo with me.

I noticed right away I noticed that my manual wheelchair was already inside the limo, which said Landon was already on top of things, how he knew I would be needing it was beyond me as I scooted over for everyone one else while the normal kids got on the bus. Kirk and his pals said this was so cool as he and they stood up and waved through the roof of the limo like they were movie stars. For us, the newness of riding in the limo had long lost its coolness.

Landon didn’t ask where too instead he just drove as the boys played with all the buttons as if it was a new toy. Kirk asked if we rode in a limo all the time. I nodded that we did, which was a lie, mostly? And I prayed that wouldn’t last.

Landon pulled around back of the building where the main kitchen was. I watched as the High Bishop was just finishing his conversation with Chef Mack as he gave us a hard angry stare that said he wasn’t happy with what the High Bishop was telling him. Then he smiled and that smile really, really creep me out as his eyes narrowed on Kirk and his pals.

As we were getting out, I gave Jared, Tony and my other friends a fist bump and our wives gave us each a kiss. Telling us they will be home late with the opening of the new store. They didn’t say how late and I didn’t ask because I had a butt load of homework to do. Well mostly reading, nothing too serious considering it was just the first day of the new term.

Chef Mack shook hands with Kirk and his three friends telling Martin, Ricky, and Eli to give them the grand tour so he could get me settled in. That creepy smile was for them, not me as his face turned a blank ashen look as he helped me up the delivery ramp. He said in my ear that we are going to have such fun as he gave a directional nod to the other boys.

No one said anything as they saw me coming in the door, as I was taken to the main office as Chef Mack closed the door. He took a seat at the desk and swiveled it around to face me, he said. “So, we got us a little problem. I hate problems because it means I have to work harder, but it doesn’t mean you will be getting a free ride while our new little mice are running around in our cage. 

"Yet doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun either after all you did us all proud by beating the pants off that superstar jock. In fact, we were all impressed when we saw you fight. Chef Phillips and Stringum didn’t give you justice on how good you actually were… that we should never estimate anyone in a wheelchair ever again.

“So today you will learn the business side of what a real Chef does when you aren’t cooking. I haven’t had a chance to clean this office and sorta week’s worth of purchase orders and billing statements and other things that keep us up and running. Plus it will give you the chance to take charge of our little mice and see what it's like to be the big boss. You may think it’s easy, but after this week you will kiss that idea out the window. Now get in there and change your clothes.” I nodded and he opened the door for me and yelled. “Greg, get sorry butt over here!” Greg looked at me and I shrugged my shoulders and headed for the locker room.

Greg soon followed me as he was told to stand right at door were they keep all the uniforms. I opened my locker and gasped seeing brand new Chef Jackets, with my name on the front pocket. They were gray instead of the bright red ones I was given on Saturday, with black chef pants. Mack smiled at me as told me I had earned it. That now I was top mouse… there was even slick black apron to work in the dish room to keep my clothes dry. Eli smiled at me as he noticed he had gotten apron too as he quickly put on his brown jacket with a white strip and brown pants. He and I were smarter this time as we had brought extra pairs of socks, so when they got wet we had dry ones to put on.

Once we were changed Greg was ordered to wait by the main office. He wore the same uniform as Eli minus the apron, but because he was newbie it was only fair not to inform him that he would need extra socks, nor would he get a slick water-resistant apron on his first day of work. However, Kirk and his three pals were only given one brown jacket with the white strip and a pair of work shoes. I knew it was out of the kindness of Mack’s heart that they should be considered lucky they even got that much, but he wasn’t about to fill out an accident report if they fell or slipped breaking their bones or twisting their ankles.

The jackets were to keep from getting their shirts ruined and so we could identify them as employees. But for the rest of their clothes, he didn’t care, considering they weren’t getting paid nor were they employees. They were lower life forms than little brown mice, and was our job to torture them, hell they didn’t even get a locker just an empty box to share between them to put their clothes in.

Mack patted them hard on the back and told Martin to put them to work as he whispered in his ear, he smiled and said. “Yes, Chef. Eli, Kirk, Mark. The bathrooms and dining room needs to be cleaned.”

He gave Eli a wink and Eli eyes widen realizing he was just getting some well-earned payback. Ricky took Erik, Randy, into the dish room. I heard “Holly S**t! You want me to do all of these dishes?”

Ricky said, “Yes, and we don’t have all day to lollygag. We have truck duty today and tons of prep work.” Mack smiled as he made his way around the kitchen as he visited with each person as he nodded in my direction.

Once he had everything under control he said. “Greg, Nate here will go over the paperwork with you, as you explain to me and him why you think you deserve to work here.” Greg nodded and Mack got in his face and said. “Lesson number one, answer me with a Yes Chef, not sir but Chef. I have paid my dues to get where I am today. I have earned this Jacket; I have earned your respect. Do I make myself clear?” He placed his hand over his right ear and leaned in waiting for his respect.

Greg said. “Yes, Chef.” Mac nodded and had him take to create on the floor while he and I sat above him. Greg sweated as he was to tell us his life story in regards to his working history. Which pretty much-matched mine, except he hadn’t taken any cooking classes, just helped his Mom in the kitchen? Mack nodded as he wrote it down as I looked over at his notebook as he was drawing a picture of hangman with Greg’s name underneath it.

The paperwork was easy because it was everything I had filled out several times over my young working life. Yet this time I was the one explaining it to Greg as I made copies of his Social and Drivers permit. Unlike me, he had already completed his book work and the driving test. He just needed to complete his hours on the road before he could have the real thing. Once he was done Mack sent him to the dish room to help square things away before the trucks arrived.

Then he went over what he wanted to do in the office until those trucks arrived telling me it will be my job today to make sure everything they had ordered was on those trucks and sign for it. Stating if it isn’t there I should ask why because once I sign for it we paid for those items and if that item is missing it comes out of our paycheck. Stating it was there when it really wasn’t; the moment he said that I felt the chain on my shoulders getting heavier.

We Both smiled when Kirk and Mark came back wet and telling their friend that restrooms were the most disgusting thing they had ever seen, that someone had stuffed great big wads of toilet paper down each of the toilets and flushed them. Mack gave Eli a fist bump as Eli face lit up stating he was the happiest guy on earth.