Chap 7 Laundry

After Tom left, Phineas retrieved a sheet out of the closet and spread it over his own bed. "Come and lay down here so we can air out your bed and wash those sheets," he told Jeff.

Jeff moved over to the other bed and watched as Bogg pulled the sheets off his and put them together with several towels that lay in a pile on the floor in the corner. Suddenly Jeff knew who had cleaned up the bathroom after he'd been sick. He lay down on his side on Bogg's bed and watched his partner gathering the laundry into a pile. His mind wandered. He wondered if another Voyager had landed in his bedroom back in New York, whether they would be so willing to do such an unpleasant task now? And how come Bogg had never mentioned a Partnership Agreement?

"I'm gonna start this laundry, you stay put, okay?"

Jeff nodded, "okay."

Phineas picked up the laundry basket and headed toward the stairs. He passed several female voyagers in the living room as he made his way to the laundry facilities.

"Hey Phineas," one of them called out as the others looked on.

"Hi Silvia," Bogg said and turned to face her as he paused in the doorway of the laundry room.

"You look terrible, what happened?" she said bluntly.

He smiled awkwardly, "I didn't get too much sleep."

"Is it true you've got a kid up there?" and Silvia moved her head in the direction of the stairs.

"Yeah, it's true," he answered, continuing into the room. On his way out he passed them again and he noticed there were 6 women, all staring at him. "You aren't all part of my class reunion, how come you're here?" he asked.

Silvia answered first, "so you really missed the opening ceremony last night because of a kid? Stan wasn't joking?" she paused and Bogg sighed.

"His name is Jeffrey, and it wasn't his fault." Long ago he had been attracted to Silvia, but now he couldn't imagine what he'd seen in her.

"There are 3 reunions going on at the same time," she explained. "The competitions and activities are combined."

Bogg nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow then," and he started to walk away.

"What about tonight? There's a dance you know."

Bogg paused and stared at them, "I guess I'll have to pass," he shrugged and walked away.

ooOoo

When Bogg got back to the room, Jeffrey was wrapped in a blanket, asleep. He felt his forehead, it was still a little warm. Then he got some clean sheets from the closet and made his bed. An hour later he headed back down to switch the laundry to the dryer.

"Hi Phineas," he was greeted by a friendly voice as he passed through the living room again.

Bogg stopped and stared at the woman, "do I know you?" he asked. She was tall and thin, with light red hair that was pulled back into a pony tail. She looked several years older than he did, definitely from one of the other classes.

"Jane Marshall," she said extending her hand.

"You don't wanna shake my hand today, trust me on that," he told her with a smile, and she lowered her arm.

She smiled, "how is Jeffrey? That's his name, isn't it?"

Bogg nodded, was it his imagination or was she flirting with him? "Yeah," he answered.

"So how is he?"

"He's getting there, thanks."

"I can stop up later if you want, to see if you need anything."

"Uh, I think we're fine, thanks," he was caught off guard. Who would want to stop into a room where there was a sick kid? Well, besides Tom and Olivia that is, and he suddenly realized how lucky he was to have them. "I'll see you around," and he turned and continued into the laundry room.

As he was bending down put the laundry into the dryer, he heard another woman's voice.

"Hi."

Phineas straightened up, turned and caught his breath. He was staring into the bright blue eyes of the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. His heart sped up and his mouth suddenly felt dry. He paused to give himself time to recover, "hi," he answered.

They exchanged a few pleasantries and she started to leave.

"What's your name?" Phineas asked as she reached the door.

"Jennifer Tracy."

"I'm Phineas Bogg."

"I know who you are."

"How do you know me?"

She stared at him in astonishment. "You're the only one here with a kid."

"Oh," Phineas could hear the disappointment in his voice, and was glad Jeff wasn't around to hear it too. Being with Jeff did have its disadvantages where women were concerned.

"Well it does set you apart just a bit," Jennifer said, amused at his reaction. She pointed to the laundry basket, "most voyagers wouldn't be washing sheets right now."

Phineas smiled crookedly, feeling embarrassed, "tomorrow I won't be washing sheets, maybe we could meet up?"

She smiled and started to walk out, "I'll be at the lake," she said over her shoulder as she left.

Phineas stood staring at the door for a few seconds after she left. He didn't think he'd made a very good first impression. He vowed that tomorrow he would definitely not be doing laundry when he saw her.

He put the empty basket on top of the dryer and started back to the room. At the door he met another women, who smiled at him.

"Hi Phineas, I'm Ellen," she said, stepping aside so he could pass.

"Hi."

"Will we see you tonight at supper?"

Bogg shook his head, "I'd like to, but I don't think so." Again, he had the distinct feeling that she was flirting with him. Her expression had that gentle romantic quality he'd come to know so well. He'd always gotten along well with women, but three in a row just seemed strange. He turned away from her, "gotta get back."

Half way up the stairs, he met another woman who was walking down. She backed up, giving him a big smile, "here, I'll make room," she said in a friendly tone.

"Thanks," Phineas whispered as he passed her, and he again had that feeling, that she was being just a little more than nice. When he reached the room, he breathed a sigh of relief. Normally, he would have enjoyed all the banter and attention, but right now, he just felt confused. Jeff was sick and he felt distracted and unable to turn on his considerable charms. Yet, these women were giving him a lot of attention, and apparently they all knew he was up to his elbows in sickness up here. It was just confusing.