My first, and maybe only, Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends story. A man comes to the home, offering to be an extra hand in taking care of things. With the increasing number of imaginary friends coming to the home, Madam Foster agrees. But what happens when this man's past begins to catch up with him?
Chapter one.
The Extra Body.
Frankie Foster finally found a chance to sit down and take a breather. This job certainly was getting to be more stressful, what with all the new friends coming in, but she loved her grandmother too much to quit. Plus, where else could she go? And who else to drive the Foster bus? Besides, some of these Imaginary friends had grown on her, and some under her skin. This job certainly had its stressful days, but no job was perfect, she figured. As she watched TV, the doorbell rang. She sighed, before getting up and putting on a face that didn't suggest she was already tense.
She opened the door, and looking back at her was another person. He was a bit taller than her, with brown hair. He looked to be about her age, and he wore a white button down shirt. Also, he wore a black belt, with khaki pants and black shoes. His face was bearing a pair of glasses, and his eyes were green.
"No," he said, "I'm no imaginary friend, but before you shut the door in my face, I'd like you to hear me out." What boldness. He didn't try to pretend to be an imaginary friend, but still wanted to talk to Frankie. She found herself unable to shut the door in his face, as much as Mr. Herriman would have urged it upon her. She leaned against the doorway, and gestured for him to continue.
"I know this place is family owned and ran," he began, "but maybe you might need an extra hand around here." That made Frankie think. This job was getting more stressful, so maybe an extra hand may not be a bad thing. Of course, Madame Foster ran the place, so she made the choices. She didn't know what her granny would say, but the worst of it would be no.
"Follow me," said Frankie. She led the man into the house, and to Madame Foster's office. She could hear Mr. Herriman talking to her, but she knocked anyway.
"Who is it?" came her grandmother's voice.
"Frankie," she called, "you got a minute?"
"Silly girl," said Foster, "I always have time for you, come in." She opened the door, and told her companion to follow in. Their eyes went straight to him.
"Ms. Frances," said Herriman, "If he's not an imaginary friend, he has to leave."
"He isn't," said Frankie, "but he wants to be hired."
"Now hang on," said Madame Foster, "I don't just hire anyone with a face. You gotta convince me why you're special, son."
"To do that," he said, "I'd have to tell you a bit of my life story."
"I love stories," said Foster, "take a seat and tell me." He sat down in one of the chairs in front of Madame's desk.
"You see," he stated, "it all began when I was a young lad. I had no friends, and my Mom had to work two jobs to keep me alive. I had no father, and got picked on a lot at school. When I imagined my imaginary friend, named Joe, who was strong, kind, and smart, all that turned around.
"I started having more friends, and got picked on less, because Joe would come to my rescue. He even helped my Mom meet the man that soon became my step father, and he pulled us out of our bare hover over poverty. Joe had helped us all.
"So I grew up, and Joe would have moved with me. Then I saw a young boy, who was being picked on by some bullies. I saw myself in this boy, and I looked to Joe. 'You helped me,' I said, 'now help someone else.' He was sad, but understood. He chased away the bullies, and right away, he and the boy clicked.
"So I'd like to find imaginary friends for other kids who need one." It took a moment for the story to sink in.
"Well," said Foster, after a few minutes, "we'd normally turn you away. But since we're having a lot more friends lately, we need an extra hand. Welcome aboard." She looked to her grand daughter, "Frankie, show this young man around." Frankie nodded, and led the man through the house.
"My name is Frankie," she said, extending her hand toward him, "and you are?"
"Name's Bob." He said, shaking her hand, and together they explored the house.