Don't own anything, just playing.
Thank you so much for your reviews and encouragement.
The places mentioned exist and I have Ranger living in the Versace mansion on South Beach.
Cursive text - in their head.
HOME WORK - 2nd WEDNESDAY
"Daddy, I need you to sign this."
"What is it? You know, I won't be signing any notes that say you have an appointment anywhere if you want to skip school. Lets make that clear from the beginning."
"I know daddy, it's the new lesson plan we got for Home Economics, Mickie said she wanted it returned with a signature."
"Why?"
"She said cause this term is going to be a bit more comprehensive than a regular HE class and we should discuss it at home. It's actually awesome."
"And why am I just getting this now? When we've got five minutes before we have to leave?"
"I'm really sorry, I got so absorbed in my planning I forgot. I've done the first assignment already."
"The laundry?"
"No, not the laundry wasn't the assignment,that was home work. Read the plan and you'll understand. Meanwhile I'll go grab the bags."
HOME ECONOMICS PROJECT 9th GRADE 2nd TERM by Stephanie Plum
1) Find a job. Research the qualifications. Interview someone in that field. This includes salary, benefits, vacation, maternity leave, pension etc.
2) Find somewhere to live. By or rent - house or condo - pros and cons. Living costs like insurance, heating, water, gas, maintenance and transportation. Do domestic chores at home. Try to be as ecological as possible.
3) "Live a year" plan calendar holidays, birthdays, Christmas, vacations.
4) Have an "accident". FA1 included.
5) Presentation of project, complete with facts and figures for a minimum of 20 minutes and an essay of no less than 1500 words.
Date and name 29.07.2019 Ricardo Carlos Mañoso
Wow, this is nothing like HE in my days. This looks more like an extensive life plan. Does a 16 year old need this? The more I think about it, the more I think it's brilliant. Julie was right, it is awesome. Why hasn't anybody thought of this before? I wonder what my life would look like if I had a plan like this? Probably a car salesman with six kids and a nagging wife. House in the suburbs, new car every year. Barbeque with the guys on weekends. Beer belly. I shiver at the mere thought. I'm content with the life I live. Especially now when Julie's in it. My life is far too hectic for romantic relationships.
"Daddy, I'm ready, lets go already! We'll be late. Did you sign it?"
"I did. This is really interesting and you're totally in to this?"
"Duh, I told you, it's awesome."
"So what kind of job did you choose?"
"I thought about being a lawyer like aunt Alina or a doctor like aunt Lucia. But for this I can't do those. We're not supposed to pick a profession a relative or a classmates parent has."
"Why not? It would help if you got some guidance, like pros and cons. I think Alina and Lucia would both love to help you out."
"Well, that's just it, don't you see. It would be like picking strawberries in a field where someone drove you and picked them already. We have to make our own way to the field."
"Ok, so what did you pick?"
"Marine biologist."
"A marine biologist huh? Is that something you're really interested in?"
"Yeah, it is. I love diving, so there's that, I love watching the dolphins interact and I would love to find a way to help prevent the pollution in the oceans."
"And this you could do as a marine biologist?"
"Yes."
"It seems you've really given this some thought."
"Yes."
"Well then ok. Lets go."
The drive to school took about 15 minutes with traffic and Julie happily chatted the whole way. I tried to find my zone, but found my self contemplating the choices I've made. Or rather the choices made for me. Moving to Newark and leaving all my friends at 10, not my choice. Being shipped to Abuela in my teens, not my choice. Being sent to juvie, not my choice. Going to the Army, that was my choice and I don't regret a day of it. Having sex with Rachel, my choice. Having a baby and getting married at 18, not my choice. Divorcing Rachel, my choice. Giving up my rights to Julie, was also my choice. That's the one choice I do regret. I'm so damn lucky Rachel and Ron let me be a part of her life now. The amount of trust they put in me to take care of her when they left on that cruise is tremendous. Little do they know that it wasn't a contest price, I bought them the six month cruise as a 35th birthday present to Rachel. I actually want to get to know my daughter and not just for short visits on birthdays and holidays. This is my choice.
"Do you mind if I go in with you? I'd like to meet this Ms. Stephanie Plum with the awesome lesson plan."
"If you must. We're in the first separate building of the parking lot. I've got to find Michael and see what he's done."
"Why do you need to know what this Michael has done?"
"He's my partner in this. We were paired up and I got him. He's ok, does his home work, mostly. Now I just have to emphasize the importance of this home work. It's pass or fail and I do not intend to fail. See you."
"Yeah, see you. First of the parking lot you said?"
"Yeah."
I reach the building and there's a sky blue-silver metallic Harley Davidson Touring Road King with grey leather seats parked outside. Wow, that almost got me a hard on. She rides? It's a custom job and an expensive one. I might even know who's built it. It could of course belong to some one else, but I don't think so. Julie said she had a new Spanish teacher named Hector Moralez. This looks just like Hectors handy work.
"Admiring the bike?"
"Yeah I am. Yours?"
"I wish, it belongs to my house mate. He lets me borrow it from time to time."
"Quite feminine to be a mans bike."
"Well, Hector built it with my input. We do like our blues and greys."
"I like your blues as well." She had the bluest eyes I've ever seen. Dressed in a modest denim shirt dress and denim wedge sandals she was the most beautiful woman I've seen in a long time. And living in South Beach that is saying a lot. She had short curly brown hair with blond sun kissed high lights and a tan to match. "I'm Carlos Mañoso, Julies dad."
"Pleased to meet you Mr. Mañoso, I'm Stepahie Plum, but everyone calls me Mickie." The resemblance with Enrique was astonishing and Julie looked just like him. Skin a shade or two lighter, but the eyes and hair she definitely got from her father. I didn't want to let go of the hand I was shaking, it sent sparks all the way to my toes.
"Why?"
"My middle name is Michelle."
"Ok, Mickie, call me Ranger."
"Why?"
"It's a moniker I've acquired during my years in the army. It stuck."
"It was really nice meeting you Ranger, is there anything I can do for you?"
"No, I just wanted to return the signed project paper. I have to say, if HE had been like this in my day, maybe I would've been more attentive in class."
"You and me both. I wanted to do something different. Maybe this will be my in for a permanent position here."
"Julie mentioned you were new. Did you just graduate as a teacher?" I found my self unwilling to let go of her hand.
"Heavens no, but this is my first real teaching job for high school. I've done some temping, mostly middle school and pre- school. I was at the MIKG for three years."
"The mikki gee?"
"Miami International Kinder Garden."
"That's affiliated with University of Miami?"
"Yes, and Florida International. Most of those ideas came from international students and curriculums. We need to broaden our horizons. Especially the youth of our country. They need to know there is a whole world out there that is completely different from the way we live here."
"I agree on that. I would very much like to see Julie as a an independent young lady who knows what she wants and how to accomplish that. I think this project will open her eyes, it certainly opened mine. Thank you."
"Thank you for those words, I'll try my best not to let you down. Now I have to go, class starts in a minute and I don't want to be late."
"It was a pleasure, and I hope to see you again." I was still holding her hand, but now it was justified, we were saying goodbye. Right.
"The pleasure was all mine, believe me the pleasure was all mine, hope to see you too."