March Stephenson

Chapter 65

March Stephenson.

Maxieplus

The buzz around town had died down a little, no one questioned me about the photos again. Of course, that may be the result of Brenda announcing that in no uncertain terms will the photos be released early. They are under lock and key at the bank. I knew they wouldn't be, but she's a good bluffer.

I toyed with them and the only one I changed was Jason fighting off the invisible foe. I placed a shadow in the air so now it makes more sense.

I had added color to what used to be an okay local fundraiser, and Brenda, I am sure was so excited I had done so.

I am a man of many talents that don't go unnoticed, and I was asked to do some family portraits which I accepted. I stopped short of two things, making them boring, and not setting up a studio, that would indicate I was in another business. The family ones I did were favors, no money involved, and only when I had some spare time, which I had plenty of nowadays.

I went to the council chambers to have a chat with Brenda, she handed me a check for my services and I made sure Rose had been paid.

"Nicky, pre-sales are through the roof so there are bonuses included. Last year we sold three and a half thousand this year we are already up to two and a half. It looks like we have another winner thanks to you. And may I say a very warm thank you from everyone involved."

"I had fun doing it, I don't know who was more moved March or you." I grinned.

"Well, I do scan them occasionally." She grinned.

"Now, I want to talk about coffee table books."

"What?"

"You know those books that sit on your coffee table and people look through them."

"I know what they are, pitch it to me."

"Well, I have hundreds of photos, all of them nearly just as good as the calendar ones, some very funny, some downright pornographic. Why don't we do a coffee table book with all the rejected photos in it? Of course, we will have to look at legal releases and ownership of the photos. The people involved would have to sign something, but it can be done."

"To what end my friend?"

"To raise money for the rejuvenation of Main Street, with those estates popping up there's going to be plenty of new shoppers around. I have noticed that there are a few old vacant shops that need restoring and some dirt footpaths that need to be done."

"That's the council's business. so any other non council-related ideas?"

"Only the clubs and maybe set up a drop-in centre. I haven't thought much about it. The main thing is the book, it will generate a lot of money if I'm right."

"Well that's a great idea, we will think about it some more. But we can't use the money for council business, and we are fully aware that the estates will generate more traffic in town, it's already busier. When the main road to the city is completed we will start on the business area. But we aren't a rich council, it all has to be done in dribs and drabs."

"Okay, then I will organize the book, and donate all the proceeds to the town historical society."

"We don't have one." She grinned.

"Then we create one. If the council sticks to the roads and footpaths, the historical society can restore the old shops and that small derelict park up near the garage. It's time it was completed don't you think?"

"It's private property, March was the one to try and make it beautiful and peaceful. When he bought the garage that land came with it, but it has always been a little neglected and quite frankly unsafe. It's too close to the road, but the town appreciated his efforts." She smiled.

"I didn't know that. I used to sit in it when I first came here and thought it looked sad and unfinished."

"Well he tried, it's not a failure it's just looking drab and by the time he did what he did, his business had taken off. He ran out of time."

"I will fix it. When will the road works be finished?"

"About three months to go."

"We will need a small volunteer committee and it will need to be registered."

"Leave that to me. Ron knows restoration and so does Joel maybe we can use them."

"Good thinking, now I must go and pick my son up. He will be full of news and I don't like to leave him waiting." I smiled and then kissed her cheek, as I turned to leave she said.

"And Nicky?"

"Yes, Brenda?"

"I will have a look at that pornographic file if you don't mind."

"Thought I wouldn't get that one past you, it's on its way." I laughed my way out of the chambers and into Louise's play school.

March was there waiting for me and Mason jumped up and down because he has always got plenty of news.

"What did she decide?"

"A historical society March, why didn't you tell me you owned that little park next to the garage?"

"I didn't think it was important, but I am sure I told you. I intended to finish it but life got in my way. No one uses it anyway."

"It's too dangerous, it almost sits on the main street. Do you own the land behind it?"

"Yes Nicky, all that land that goes up behind the shops."

"I don't know you anymore March Stephenson. I will have some of that land and you and I will finish that park. It will be good for May's customers and somewhere for the town folks to chill on a hot day."

"Thank you. I didn't know what to do. I started it as a tribute to my parents, but I got busy." He kissed me.

Mason told me how his day went and I agreed with him, he has some good friends at play school. I disagreed once again that 'sheep' wanted to join them.

He had a diced-up hot dog for lunch and March had two with buns, I had one. I was looking at my phone and there is a historical society in the next town. I will go there and pick their brains. They usually are linked to a local museum, which this town needs, there are plenty of photos and local stories to be related for this to happen properly.

I asked May who owned the old shops on our side of the street there were four of them I had counted.

"I don't know Nicky, Brenda can search that at the council someone's paying land tax on them. They are empty because it's hard to get across the road sometimes so no one wants to lease them."

"Okay, a Zebra crossing and maybe a roundabout would be useful down on the corner."

"That will be council business then." She smiled.

"Nicky the old shops are a bit run down, maybe just demolish them." March blushed.

I stared at him, and yes I know, but you're not going to get away with it March Stephenson.

"March, after we eat and if May would do us a favor and look after Mason, we go for a walk Okay?" He looked uneasy, and so he should be.

"Okay Nicky, we go for a walk, where?"

"Up to those run-down shops, you know the ones with the verandahs and lace work still intact, the ones with the awesome glass display case windows. Those old-looking ones. I see there's also one still with its bell tower, was that a church or school May?" She muffled her laugh and said.

"The old school, from years ago, I think our grandfather and mother went there." I glared at March and calmly said to him.

"How could you ever think of pulling those dear old treasures down, what were you going to do, open a car yard?" He shuffled his feet then I heard a very soft.

"Yes."

"Louder March Stephenson, I don't think the town heard what you just said.

"Yes, a car yard."

"Thank you, now we go for a walk, have you got any keys?"

"Yes." I threw my arms in the air, of course, he had them.

I walked my husband across the road and he got an old set of keys off the wall in the office.

"Nicky they were part of the parcel of land I bought with the garage on it, at the time all I could think of was a car yard. The working shops were all on the other side of the street. I'm sorry but I didn't think it was important back then." I closed the office door and held him.

"Thank you for holding off, they may not be worth saving, but we got to have a try don't you think?"

"Yes Nicky, and I think a zebra crossing is very much needed here."

"We leave that to Brenda okay?"

"Yes, Nicky." By this time I had been nipping on his neck and his hips were trying to do the rubbing dance. Dad isn't that far away so we had better not.

I smiled and said.

"Later dude." He then walked up the street with me, (moaning). They are awesome and would have been so majestic when they were built. A drapers store, bakery, school, grain store, I knew this because the very faded names were still showing. March told me it was the same on the other side, but they had been demolished for the newer shops that exist today. I took loads of photos and will look closely at them tonight. Another project and something that I can give back to our town.

We didn't make it to the shed today so March was a tad excited to be going home. I talked to him when we got there and it was decided he would sell half those properties to dad, so they both would own them. With dad's money that would pay for some of the restorations, there would have to be new pipes installed to modernise the kitchens and toilets. He did say the toilets were the outside type ones. We had a coffee and I sent the naughty file to Brenda, certainly none with March or me in them, but she will get a kick out of the Jones boys ones, and a bit of Hank's peeking dick.

Mason was feeding 'sheep' but Sunny wanted to play also. He yapped his head off until Mase gave him a treat. He knows Sunny doesn't like grass to eat.

"Nicky, can you hold back on the shops for a while? I have those two houses to organise first."

"Done, I am going to do a coffee table book with all the unwanted photos in it. That will raise money to open a historical society place, come museum. It all takes time and we are in no hurry."

"Can you open your legs a bit?" I did his bidding and my balls dropped out, he took a deep breath and then said.

"Is Mason tired yet?"

No March, it's too early for bed."

"Tub?"

"I will sit on your lap." I grinned.

"Mason, tub time."

"Okay." He yelled back.

Our tub was as usual a lot of fun, and our bedtime was early. Mason didn't have to be coaxed he was dead tired again.

I was up early and making plans, first and foremost I needed was for Nudge to look at the shops and see what kind of state they were in. A building inspection in other words. The zebra crossing will be a godsend because it is sometimes hard to get across the road, especially during school drop-offs and pickup times. Some older kids walk home so they will make use of it also. I made a list and came up with a tea room, a museum, an antique store, and maybe an ice cream parlor. These things are random except the museum which will be in the old school. I also thought about the little park. If May opens a coffee booth then people wouldn't have to cross the road, or better still Rose could.

I doubt mum would do the tea room but we can open it for discussion. I don't want any opposition to May and mum's businesses.

March's garage stands out after his paint job and renovation, it looks the part and the shops fit in easily.

Now I am getting ahead of myself, and taking over again. I had better pull back a little because March may have some ideas also, and the town, everyone has to be asked for ideas. A simple post on the local page will rally the troops.

March came out with Mason he had his loose-fitting underwear on today, so he flopped nicely as he walked in. I grabbed it when he bent over to kiss me good morning, the he looked at what I had been doing.

"Nicky, I don't want to sell those shops or any land around them."

"No way, the shops will be rented out. The little park will just be beautified I will need around forty feet of the land behind it that's all, and it will be there for the town but you will still own it."

"Good, because I don't want to sell any of it."

"So we don't ask dad to buy into it?"

"Yes, he already owns half the garage in theory. The shops are on separate titles and can be changed. He is the only one I can trust not to stuff up the forest behind Nicky."

"Okay leave it to me, I may have a different plan."

"Please don't go all out on this one, let's leave it to Nudge first, we need to get his opinion on the safety of the buildings, we may have to demolish."

"Never." I smiled at him.

"Now what do you want for breakfast?"

He rubbed his crotch into me and I could see what I was having, but he needed proper food.

The buzz around town is the calendar, Brenda is being pressured to release it early. In light of March's TV appearance, I think we should strike while the irons hot and print it. Brenda resisted because she's always released the calendar on the first of December, so November isn't on her radar, yet.

In the meantime, I have already packaged up the photo shoot excess ones (no rude ones) and will send them off to the appropriate families after the calendar comes out.

March nuzzled my neck after a very steamy shower meeting, he had me up against the tiles and was coming down from his morning fix.

"Don't think for one minute I don't know your little secret Nicky."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"You are a spitfire when you get going, the TV ad and the calendar turned you on."

"You're wrong March, you turn me on."

"I also know that, it's because you're from the city. You will never settle down here, because you need to be occupied all the time."

"I have settled down March, I am almost a local."

"No Nicky, you need this town, and it needs you. You are breathing new life into it. The calendars were just a bit of fun before, but you have turned them into a collector's item, a money-making machine. The shops and park, well you will do well with them. Because you are from the city, you are used to being on the go all the time. As I said you need to be occupied, you need projects."

He nipped my ear again I shivered.

"I love this town, and I want to see it looking at its best, that's all."

"I think you love me first and want me and Mase to have the best town to live in."

"And there's that baby. I know you had good intentions to do this kind of stuff, but as you said, life got in your way. I have plenty of time on my hands I can do this for you, Mason, and our town."

"Good, I was hoping you would, can I slip back in for a second?"

"Yes, I'm about to cum."

He is right, Brenda is council business through and through. One day she would have ridden March's ass to do something about his street holdings. Maybe I was all part of the bigger plan she had for her town, maybe it was destiny I came here to recuperate. In any case, I am here and I am going nowhere.

We dressed and collected our family and things. I didn't run to work today I rode in style.

"Don't get used to it, Nicky." He looked sideways at me.

"Get used to what?"

"Riding in the car, do not neglect your exercise."

I stared at him and then started laughing.

I checked the gym out and then grabbed Nudge who was sweating away on his weights.

"We need four building inspections on those old shops Nudge, when you have time."

"He's going to fix them up isn't he?"

"Yes, and I am helping."

"About bloody time, talk to my wife Jan she's involved with the historical society in the next town. She does it for something to do, but she knows stuff."

"Really? That was my next thing to do. Do you think she will start one up here?"

"No money Nicky." He shrugged.

"There will be plenty coming our way Nudge, give me a few months. In the meantime building inspections."

"Consider it done Nicky, they are great old buildings, solid as rocks but I will get the keys off March and go look-see."

"Thank you, and I will talk to Jan." I grinned.

"Coffee Nicky?" March poked his head in.

"And breakfast March." I grinned.

"About time Stephenson, and while you're at it do something about that eyesore you created next door."

"Yes Nudge, I have my secretary on it."

I grabbed Mason and Sunny and followed my man across the road. Dad was already there having his breakfast rolls and I told March to talk to him about buying into the shops.

"The shops only, Stephenson Park is ours."

He smiled because I just named his new park, which I had guessed he wanted to do when it all started.

"What's up Nicky, there's a buzz in the air today?" Mum said.

"It's all in my head at the moment, we have to have a family meeting at some stage. Those old shops will be restored, the little park extended back off the road, and a zebra crossing installed. March is talking to dad about buying half the shops, and I thought a tea room would go well in one of them. But you have to think about it. Do you want to leave here and start across the road?"

"I doubt that son, I'm quite happy here. I thought they would be more suited to being antique stores, and a local museum maybe. The business side of town is on this side of the street, there's minimal foot traffic over there."

"I know you're right mum, but we have to lure more people over to that side."

"Antique shops son, tourist stuff, maybe a tourist information center. I'm sure the government sets them up. You could also buy a small bus to do guided tours of the area." I looked at her and smiled, she's always on the money. I grabbed three burgers and a small bag of nuggets for Mason then went back outside.

"It's all over the local page Nicky."

"What is?"

"Coffee table book, calendars early release, new shops all of it." May smiled.

"I see, so Brenda's been at it again?"

"Public pressure I think."

She giggled and I took little Rosie off her. A gorgeous smile was plastered on her face as I kissed her many times.

"What did you decide dad?"

"Yes son I would be happy to invest, have you any thoughts on what you will be placing in those shops as tenants?"

"A tourist center for one, a museum historical society for two. I don't know about the rest maybe a herbal shop." I looked sideways at May.

"March he's picking on me again," May yelled.

"Nicky, leave May alone, but it is a good idea May." He chuckled.

He then quickly grabbed his burger and started eating. I perused the local page and then made an announcement myself.

'We have a tourist information centre, a museum, and two shops begging. Suggestions are gratefully needed. It's your town so you have a say.'

It almost started immediately, some ridiculous comments but some very good ones were being posted.

I will collate them and see what's at the top of the list tonight.

'Talk to May.' May commented. I looked over to her and she pursed her lips.

"What?" I said.

"I will take one."

"And?"

"I have an idea but not here."

"Okay, any hints?"

"Something I don't cater much to here, but I know there's money in it."

"One shop for May, done."

It was about that time I saw one suggestion on the page.

'Town and country tackle, hats and boots general store repair shop.'

"All shops taken." I smiled. It was a Town and country sales manager that posted the suggestion, with his phone number.

"What?"

"Yes March all rented, Mays will be the highest rent."

"March?" Poor May.

"You have been asking for it all morning May, suck it up."

I couldn't stop laughing it was so funny.

When everyone had eaten we all started off to work, March and dad took Sunny and Mason. I held back because May had a hold of my wrist.

"And?" I looked at her.

"Think tourist trade Nicky, I open an old-fashioned milk bar, ice creams, old-world homemade sweets, milkshakes, hot dogs. I will keep the ready-made icy poles and milkshakes here still, but over there they will be original. Booths, stripy uniforms, and candy bars that will knock your socks off."

"Well done May Beth Stephenson Atkins. Well done." I smiled as I nodded.

"I should have kept some of mum's furniture to put in it."

"No, keep it chrome deco and mirrors."

"Thank you."

"You will need and rather nice vintage jukebox. I may have kept one or two behind in the gym's storage room." I grinned.

"I will get Rose to run it, it's right up her alley."

"Excellent"

I will now go and ring Town and Country.

I walked back over the road and as soon as I sat down my phone rang.

"Are they all rented?"

"Yes thank you, Brenda. Have they started at the printers?"

"Yesterday, first edition coming soon, coffee table book to follow."

"Good, you did very well." I hung up.

Town and Country had been scouring our area for a suitable shop, and they insisted they get first dibs on the old grain store. Rent wasn't an issue and I told the guy I would get back to him about it. I have to talk to dad and March, and soon.

Mason had a mishap with a greasy slip, his knee wasn't that bad but a good cleanup and a plaster saw him skipping around on 'Hank' again.

"I missed it when I cleaned up, sorry." March was bushing.

"He's tired that's all."

"Okay." He kissed me.

"We need to talk about rent March, all the shops are gone except the tourist center, and I think the council will take that for the government."

"Dad, what do you think?"

"I have no idea Nick, better talk to a real estate agent."

"I am onto it," March said and he took his phone out. I could hear him talking to Michelle's mum.

"I don't want to rip big companies off, I only want a ballpark figure."

He hung up.

"She wants to charge the big company a lot more than May's and the museum, I don't think that is fair."

"It's not March but expected. If we make them all the same then nobody loses out"

"What do you think Nicky?"

"Three grand a month, one-year leases."

"Dad?"

"About the same son, we can't overprice them they may not be able to afford it. We may cripple them with overheads. It's a big gamble but I think Town and Country is a big asset for this town, and the government will pay much the same as them. I would like to think May and the museum would get a discounted rent. If we leave it at the agreed price for now and see how we go."

"Okay, we settle with that. Everyone gets the same price Nicky, including May." He grinned.

"May he's picking on you," I shouted through the doorway.

My son came into the gym and parked his pony, he looked up at me and I placed him in the playpen.

"Just ten minutes baby, sleep tight, daddy will be watching you."

Dad went back to work, March rang Valma the real estate lady to let her know to hold off doing anything for the moment, and I went to check the duke boxes were still there.

I know May was into healthy stuff, but she can spot a dollar from ten paces. If homemade ice cream is going to happen then I know it will be healthy at least.

Nudge came by just as we were closing up for the day, his man had surveyed the buildings and they were right to go. I told him to manage it and make sure they were all compliant, inside men's, and lady's toilets and bathrooms, a staff tea room area in each. The rest we will talk about.

"They are solid Nicky, but I have to tell you there are boxes and boxes of old paperwork in the attic of the old school building. It might be worth a look."

"Can you get Jan onto it, she will know what to keep and what to chuck."

"Have you rung her yet?"

"Is she expecting a call?" He blushed.

"Yes, sort of."

"Then she knows already, but I will call as soon as I get home." I laughed.

"Thank you, Nicky, it's always nice to be polite." He flexed, he bloody flexed at me. I heard March growl behind me.

"Keep your shirt on Stephenson, if it wasn't for Jan I would be right into having Nick as my current partner."

"What?" March screamed.

"Just kidding." Nudge went over to do some weights, I could almost hear him laughing under his breath.

By The time we got home, March was laughing and he did say that Nudge wouldn't know what to do with me.

"I am a good teacher March."

He shut up because he knew I was an expert in such matters.

Mason didn't ride 'Hank' he placed him in the cubby house and then went to greet 'Sheep' so much to do so little time for him.

I rang Jan and she said Michelle Joels wife would be helping her, she was excited to see the attic and what it has to offer and thought it might be the old-school records.

I told her not to chuck anything, it was kept for a reason and it all should be identified. She was more than happy to be doing something for the town and she gave me a quick rundown on what we will need to get the historical society off and running. I had already decided to make her head girl and she was more than happy with that. We also have to have another meeting to decide pay rates, we can't expect them to work for nothing.

March was grinning at me while I talked to her, and when I hung up I asked him what was with the grin.

"You are so good to me Nicky, thank you for doing all this."

"You could have done it March, but I understand why you lost interest."

"Well, I couldn't have done a thorough job of it like you are doing."

"All my pleasure March Stephenson, do you think your parent's old school records are in those boxes?"

"They will be, although they didn't go to the old school, some of them date to when they would have been at school I heard."

"So the new school kept their records there too."

"We will wait and see, move over here."

"Why?"

"I want to kiss you, but I am too tired to move." I did his bidding.

"Early night for you again I think."

I had no idea why March was tired lately, maybe it's because a load has been taken off his shoulders and he's starting to relax some more.

We took our coffee out to the back verandah and watched our son play. 'Sheep' was slowly becoming his friend as he chased her around, then she chased him.

"May will do good over there, I am glad she decided to be involved."

"She sure will, I think you will find she smelt money to be made."

"She's always had a good business head on her shoulders Nicky. Do you think she will make peppermint ice cream?"

"Is that your favorite?"

"Yes."

"Then we will insist she makes it."

"I think she will order it in."

"Don't be so sure of that March, she might, but she also might go healthy scoops and make it herself."

"Whatever she does it will be healthy." He chuckled.

"What do you want for dinner?"

"I don't know what have we got?"

"Hamburgers, hot dogs, or pies."

"Pies Nicky, can I have two?"

"Of course you can." I smiled.

I always keep a half dozen of Mays pies in the freezer, they are good for quick meals and lazy cooks.

I looked at the local page and yes, Brenda has posted the new release date. Our calendars will start hitting the streets next week. I had better brace myself for what is to come, March won't be happy, but he will see my point when he wins the most popular spunk in it. I took the pies out and a small sausage roll for Mason, he likes them. There was no talk of the tub tonight because I was knee-deep into looking at old buildings that had been done up.

"March what are your thoughts on the walking track?"

"What walking track?"

"On your land, from the small park up behind the shops to the bridge, over to the forest beside the new estates, then down behind May's and the gully."

"Like a big circle?"

"Yes, it will all be on your land. We will probably have to maintain it with the council's help. I can't work out if there's any money in it, but it won't be expensive to do, just maintain."

"Can I think about it Nicky?"

"Place it on your thinking list baby."

"I will let you know, but at the moment it's a no. I don't want to hand over land to day trippers. There will have to be some sort of public insurance, and the forest might not like it."

"Delete that thought March, we just do a nice shady park with a few seats and rubbish bins."

He smiled, I will give him this one, and I agree. Mason March and I sat at the table and discussed for the fiftieth time sending 'sheep' to play school. He argued that the kids would like him there, and she liked playing with him. I shut him up by feeding him. March fed Sunny his treats under the table and when I wasn't looking Mason dropped most of his roll for him too.

I cleaned up then Mase yelled.

"Spa?"

"Not tonight baby, how about you watch some TV instead?"

"Okays."

He ran over to the sofa and changed the channel to his cartoons.

I was sick of looking on the internet so I closed it down for the night.

I then went and sat on the sofa with my son and husband, they were both asleep. I leaned back and the next thing I knew March was gathering up Mase to put him to bed. He then placed me on our bed and locked up for the night.

As usual, because it was an early night, it became an early morning, when I peeled myself away from March's arms I went to the toilet then to look for my baby. He and Sunny were watching cartoons, one looked at me the other snored on. As soon as I put the coffee pot on he was behind me, I let him outside and I guess he was very relieved.

I sat waiting and decided the laptop needed to be fired up. The local page was still lighting up with suggestions, so I made a post that named the four shops and what sort of businesses they would be. Town and Country have the most likes, we have to travel nearly a hundred miles to the next one, and this is so needed in our area. Many messages for more info on the museum and cafe, the information center, although not confirmed as yet got the least interest.

I posted a photo of the small park and requested ideas for its beautification. I also thanked the Stephenson family for donating the small parcel of land to the town.

'I hope it's safer than the one that's there'

'You won't see me taking my kids there, it's a death trap'

I thought I had better delete the post, not everyone agrees with what we are trying to do. I don't blame them it is a dangerous place at the moment, making it worse it's on a blind corner.

'We appreciate your generosity March, but it's too far up the street to go to, and us oldies are not as nimble as we were.'

Yes, there were plenty of positives, and although I was a little bit miffed it was good that people could speak their minds openly. I left it on, maybe we won't do the park, maybe we had better demolish what's there and put in safety barriers instead.

Donations are greatly appreciated at Nifty