Page 14 of Throuple Next Door

“I know. I worry about him too,” Randy said as Austin hung up and came back inside. Randy cleared his throat as though to banish their earlier conversation. “The server will be right back.”

“Thanks,” Austin said gently.

Weaver leaned forward. “So what did they say?” He was too curious for words.

“That they need plenty of volunteers and she would be happy to have me help. They are meeting tomorrow at ten for a planning session, and I said I’d be there.” Austin actually looked excited, his eyes bright and a smile on his lips.

“Did you tell her your background?” Weaver asked. “There can’t be many people around here with your kind of experience and expertise.” Damn, he wanted this to work out for Austin.

“Yes. She seemed really excited. But I’ll have to see how things really are.” He was still smiling as the server returned, and they placed their orders. Just as the food arrived, Austin’s phone rang. He crinkled his eyebrows and answered it, speaking softly. “Yes. … Yes, my family and I are at the cidery a few doors down. … Sure, if you want.” He hung up and seemed confused. “That was Chris, the lady from the theater. It seems she looked me up and asked if she could speak with me.” Now, Austin’s smile was radiant.

Weaver grinned and took Austin’s hand, squeezing it lightly.

Randy stood the way his mother taught him when a lady entered the room, and Chris was most definitely that. Dressed for business with a professional air that seemed to say “take me seriously” and “keep your distance” at the same time.

“Austin,” she said with a genuine smile. “Chris Weathers.” They shook hands, and Randy offered her a seat, asking if she’d like anything.

“We were just having lunch,” he said, sitting back down himself.

“These are my partners, Randy and Weaver,” Austin said with a touch of nerves. Randy rested his hand on Austin’s bouncy leg under the table, hoping to signal support.

“Let me come right to the point. The theater fashion show, the first we’ve ever done, is scheduled for two weeks from now, and the organizer backed out because of a health issue. We support her and wish her well, but for the last two weeks, I have been trying to steer the ship, and it’s about to run aground.”

Randy quietly asked the server to bring her some water once she delivered their drinks.

“All right.”

“We have volunteer models who know nothing about walking a runway. Local stores have agreed to donate the clothes, and they paid for each slot in the show. But we need someone to run this thing. I know it’s a lot, but if you’d be willing to help me….”

Austin’s leg stilled. “Who has chosen the clothes?”

Chris sighed. “That’s just it. Each store has looks they want to feature.”

“But there’s no direction, so everyone is choosing the items that they want to push, and there isn’t anyone giving any sort of guidance on the overall look or telling them that this is not a clearance sale.” Austin grinned, and Chris looked relieved. “Yes, I think I can help you. I have never run a charity fashion show, but I have attended them, and I know how to walk a runway and how a show should flow. You said your planning meeting is tomorrow. Can you get as many of the store reps there as possible, along with their potential looks? Tell them to each bring six and give them the heads-up that I can be a real pain in the ass. Make them think twice about what they choose.” He grinned, and Chris actually laughed softly.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow?” Chris asked Austin.

“Yes. I think this is going to be fun.”

Randy sat back in his chair, pleased that Austin seemed excited and that something was happening for him. This was just a local charity fashion show, and it wasn’t like there was going to be a regular thing, but it was a start and a chance for Austin to shine and to meet people in town.

“Thank you,” Chris said as she stood, then shook Austin’s hand. “I appreciate this more than you know.” She left the restaurant, and Randy patted both Austin and Weaver on the back.

“That was awesome,” he said as their server brought their food.

“Yeah, it was,” Austin said. “We’ll have to see what kind of mess this whole thing is, but there is potential.”

“And if anyone can figure it out, it’s you,” Randy told Austin before digging into his pizza. He had full faith that Austin could do anything he set his mind to.

“Thanks,” Austin said, looking deep into his eyes. “Now, what is it that is getting to you? Every time you get yourself in those books, you grind your teeth and mutter under your breath.”

He should have known Austin would pick up on his frustration. “It’s nothing to worry about.” The politics at the college were beyond irritating. He wasn’t used to that kind of childishness. Everyone there seemed to be more interested in protecting their own little fiefdom than anything else. At least some of them were, and they made it ridiculously hard on everyone else. “I have a curriculum meeting coming up, and it’s driving me crazy.” He took another bite and set down the piece of flatbread.

“And of course you stepped into it and now you can’t figure a way out of the mess,” Austin said.

“That’s about it. The chairman of the committee stepped down, and a new one took his place. That’s a good change, but the old coot is still on the committee, and he’s trying to whip up the other members against any sort of changes, even though what we are teaching is out of date.”

“And why is he doing that?” Weaver asked.

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