Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2024 15:00:50 -0500 From: JJ Rockwood Subject: Zachary All Grown Up Chapter 106 Zachary All Grown Up Chapter 106 By JJ [ jjrockwood000@gmail.com ] SINCE 1993 NIFTY HAS BEEN GIVING ALL OF US COUNTLESS HOURS OF ENTERTAIMENT. GIVE WHAT YOU CAN SO IT CAN CONTINUE!!! Chapter 106 It was a great day, weather-wise, traffic-wise, and being alone with Zachary. For most of the way he either held my hand or thigh giving them a squeeze every so often. Our conversation was mostly about the food and our families. It took us a little under two hours to get to Quakertown. The check in at Jerome's wasn't until 2pm but he texted that if we made good time to come right over. Zachary whispered 'Holy crap look at this place' when we arrived. He was totally right it was something we never expected. It was a combination of the Shady Rest Hotel and the Addams Family mansion but in immaculate shape. Jerome met us outside as soon as we pulled up. I say 'Jerome this place is beautiful. Congratulations!' Zachary says 'Wow it is perfect. Good Luck with it.' Jerome with his cheeks reddening answers 'Thank you. But Congratulations also to you two. Come in let me show you around.' There are three floors with a total of ten good size bedrooms. The first floor has a dining room, living room, and three private rooms that are basically where Jerome lives. The entranceway has check in counter and a small visiting or social area. I was impressed by the kitchen it was restaurant style which would handle a full house of guests. The second floor had eight bedrooms they were all good size with either a queen size beds or two doubles. There were two communal bathrooms and four rooms had a toilet, sink, and shower. The third floor had two bedrooms with their own bath and a small sitting room. Jerome says 'Take your pick of these two the second floor is booked already for the weekend.' I let Zachary choose since he was paying. Zachary chose the one facing west so we would get the afternoon sun. We unpacked the few clothes we brought and decided to go and look around the grounds. Jerome says 'If you guys can wait a few minutes I will show you around.' The two of us told him to take his time we would wait. The grounds were beautiful and well kept. There were half dozen tables with umbrellas on a flagstone patio. I noticed a huge garden that was fenced in. Jerome says 'I have hired a cook that likes to use fresh vegetables, the garden is his doing. The page fence has cost the most but has already paid for itself.' Zachary asked 'Why so high?' Jerome laughed 'It is a little over six feet but deer can jump over anything smaller and there is a chance they may jump this. Plus we have other animals out here.' I asked 'How big of a staff do you have?' Jerome replied 'There is the cook plus two other kitchen staff to do the other work. I have three people for housekeeping, one full time and two part-time depending on guests. Also part-time wait staff. I don't provide room service but the dining room always has coffee, tea, beverages, fruit and snacks available. Right now the meals are buffet style.' 'That makes sense.' I say and add 'Until you get rolling you don't need to bother with a big menu more wait staff, etc.' Jerome says 'I want to keep it simple and keep the price low hopefully forever. Now tell me about the wedding.' Zachary shows him all the pics that Stuart sent him so far. Jerome saw a photo of Charlie and asked about him. Zachary filled him in on basic stuff. We both noticed he seemed interested. I got ballsy and asked 'Are you seeing anyone?' Jerome laughed 'No not with starting the business. Most of the staff is gay but I learned from working in the Plaza for years you don't shit where you eat.' The three of us all laughed hard at that answer. We went back to the room to take a nap and fool around a little before dinner. At dinner I asked Jerome to join us which he did. The buffet consisted of a couple of meat dishes and a couple of fish entrees seeing that it was Friday. The two of us had the shrimp with pasta dish. It was excellent. There were about six choices of sides suitable for every main dish. Dessert was simple there were pies, cookies, and brownies. I told Jerome he made a great choice with his chef. Jerome blushed and said 'Thank you.' Zachary asked 'What is the style of furniture you have throughout the place?' Jerome answered 'Arts and Craft and Mission style. It was very popular during the period this place was built. Basically plain not ornate the most ornate thing is the gingerbread molding throughout the place. The tiffany lamps and gone with the wind lamps were most popular.' Zachary says 'You did an excellent job everything fits and makes the place homey.' I ask 'What do you suggest we do tomorrow?' Jerome laughs 'Well there is a nature reserve, hiking trails, but we have a huge mall that has all unique one of kind stores. I think you would like that.' We said our goodnights and headed off to bed. We showered and of course got off and were both asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows. I looked at the clock and it was 6am. I haven't slept this late in I don't know how long. I got up and washed and dressed and went down for coffee. Zachary just mumbled and buried himself under the covers. The coffee was just finishing brewing when I hit the dining room. Jerome came out of the kitchen to grab a cup for himself. We sat at a table and I told him about the good sleep I had. He was pleased and asked if I was ready for breakfast. I replied 'I am just going to have some fruit now and wait for Zachary.' I asked 'How were the reservations for Christmas?' I explained 'We are only going to the Plaza for 2-3 days this year, part of the reason it is too hectic with work, Zachary doesn't get that much vacation time yet and you aren't there. I'm sure the service will be good but it won't be the same.' Jerome blushed again and said 'Thank you I appreciate that. I decided I will close from December 21 till December 26. This way my staff can spend time with their families, etc. We may close a little earlier right now we are booked solid from the week after Labor Day till December 15.' I answer 'Holy cow, that is great. What do you attribute it too?' Jerome says 'The fall foliage plus that mall you are going to does a lot for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.' I tell him again it couldn't happen to a better guy. I ask 'Listen, can you have our bill ready after dinner tonight so we can settle up? I'm pretty sure we will be on the by six or so tomorrow.' Jerome smiles 'Not a problem at all.' He gets up to go back to the kitchen and I finish my orange and coffee and head upstairs. I am actually surprised Zachary is up and getting dressed. Zachary laughs 'I figure we can check out the area and all the stores in that mall open up at 9am.' In the dining room I grab another cup of coffee to go and Zachary gets some orange juice. We say 'Hi to a few couples that are there having their breakfast. We are both shocked at the mall there are no chain stores. There is a general store, pharmacy; bakery but all the rest are one of kind. The two of us get hand-knitted winter hats for the boys. Zachary buys two sweaters for Stephen. The older boys just got hats; these sweaters are too expensive to sit in a draw if they don't like them. I picked out two sweaters for the two of us. There were three antique stores we wandered through but nothing on our want lists were there. By the time we finished it was after twelve and decided to go back for lunch after we looked in the bakery which was our last stop. There was nothing that caught our eye but Zachary did have to try their sugar cookies. LOL. Back at Jerome's lunch was being set up. On the table were chicken salad, tuna salad, and egg salad, yogurts fresh fruit and green salad with veggies. I opted for chicken salad over my green salad. Zachary had yogurt and fruit and a half tuna sandwich. All of the other guests were there having lunch and everyone seemed to be in deep conversations. Up in our room I sat in a big winged chair and Zachary climbed on my lap. I asked 'How does it feel being married? Are you happy? We really haven't talked since we got here.' Zachary smiled 'Of course I am happy and it doesn't really feel any different. Let's face it since we have gotten here we haven't been alone long enough to talk. I am as content as a fattened calf there isn't much to say. I'm happy just to be here with you.' I laughed 'I'm glad to hear that because I feel the same.' Zachary says 'It has been a good hour since we ate, let's take a nap.' I answered 'You won't get a fight out of me.' We headed toward the bed and spooned. Zachary says 'The only sad thing is when we get back to work we won't be able to wear our rings.' I say 'But not only for the reason you think.' He turns and looks at me and says 'Huh?' I laugh 'Hell-o did you ever read the handbook you were given?' Zachary guiltily replies 'Not really; I figured I had you to warn me if I was doing something wrong.' I continue 'Anyone working in manufacturing cannot wear rings, bracelets or necklaces that will cause an accident. Also of course we are not ready to go public yet anyway.' Zachary says 'Wow I never thought of that.' The dinner menu consisted of meatloaf, baked chicken, and spaghetti and meatballs. There were plenty of sides also. We decided on the meatloaf, neither one of us wanted the other two selections especially the pasta but that was a big hit with the other guests. Jerome again joined us for the meal. He laughed 'You didn't want to try the pasta? I don't blame you, the sauce isn't my favorite but the guests seem to scoff it up whenever it is on the menu.' I asked 'Did you bring the bill?' He hands me the bill and I ask 'Where can I tip on here?' Jerome answers 'Here' and he hands me envelopes for the dining room and housekeeping staff. I ask 'Where can I tip the management?' He replies 'That's all included in the price. But you can leave a review on Yelp and our website.' I say 'Okay consider it done.' While he goes with Zachary's credit card to process the bill, he and I fill the two envelopes. Jerome comes back with the receipt and his card and I hand him the two envelopes. Jerome says 'Even though I am booked for most of the remainder of the year; after all there are cancellations. Tell your families to mention your name when they call. I always plan on keeping a room open just in case.' I thanked him and we said goodnight. Jerome told us to have a safe trip back home. The next morning we hit the road at 5:30am. We wanted to avoid the weekend traffic and were excited to get back home. Jerome was up and had packed us a breakfast to take with us. Zachary says 'He really is a great guy to bad Charlie wasn't closer.' I laughed at that telling him not become a matchmaker. We arrived home a little after nine to find my grandsons Stephen and Eric watering the garden. Stephen ran up to us and says 'Papa I missed you guys.' Eric hugged us both. Stephen says 'Papa everyone is coming over for dinner this afternoon.' I say 'I know Pup.' Stephen giggled 'You called me Pup.' I call Zachary that at times.' Stephen says 'I like it.' Zachary asks 'How are the grandparents; the gardens?' Stephen says 'I think Noni missed you.' Eric answers 'The gardens are going well; some of the tomato plants are starting to flower.' Just then Eric gets a text; he turns to Stephen and says 'Let's go Mom says breakfast is ready.' Stephen looks disappointed and I say 'Go I have nothing here to make breakfast in fact once we unpack we are going shopping.' They both hug us and leave. Inside we unpack Zachary starts laundry while I do an assessment as far as what we need for the week. JJ I want to thank all of you who have written looking for the next chapter. I apologize for taking so long but life sometime gets in the way. Hopefully the next chapter will be longer and juicier. LOL PLEASE DONATE TO NIFTY EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!!!