Eight: Just Getting By

     John waited outside the school patiently. He was picking Ruth up, his schedule was running smoothly. Kate wanted him to have dinner with the family. He was two weeks into his new job , and he liked the fast pace.....he was use to it.

     Every weekday after finishing up his duties at the university he would pick up Ruth . They would sing Disney songs in the car, and go get ice cream together. She was a sweet girl indeed,  they would go and do homework before watching cartoons. Ruth loved to paint she was very proud of her work. Kate would always come in around ten sometimes eleven. By that time Ruth would be asleep.

     John was grateful for the Shermans help and hospitality. Ruth hopped inside the car as they drove away. Kate was preparing her favorite dish, meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes.

     "I hope your hungry John" she said.

     "I am thank you again." They sat at the table , Cameron joined them fresh from work. He was still in his suit and tie. John had only seen him maybe.... twice since he took his new job. He understood he was a hardworking man,  he provided for his family.  But of course there was something more.

    "It's good to see you again John" Cameron said. He gave Kate and Ruth a kiss before taking a seat.

   "It's a pleasure to have dinner with you all."

   "How are things going around the house ?"Cameron asked.

   "Everything is just fine."

   "I know it can be hectic trust me."

   "I'm use to the fast pace schedule " John said.

   "So John tell us more yourself, where are you from ?"Kate asked. John felt a little nervous. He never was asked much about his personal life.

He came from a modest household, his family was from Colorado. He grew up there, everything he ever knew was there his friends, schools, he was born to Nancy and Drew Kelsing. The only child , his parents were hardworking they made sure bills were paid and needs met. His father was a mechanic and mother a nurse.

He graduated high school and attended college where he studied psychology. That was his passion, he loved to study the human mind. Those were his trying times. After his father died of a heart attack he moved back home to help take care of his mother. She suffered from depression, in some ways John felt guilty. He wasn't there to comfort his mother completely. After all her sacrifices for him. How could he fail her? After she passed away he set out on his own at age thirty two, he worked as a grocery store clerk, then as a retail store worker, before settling as a mechanic. He found out he was gifted in working on cars. He found joy in the work often spending long hours studying.

John figured he wouldn't spend his life just doing one thing until he died. There wasn't any satisfaction in it, he wanted adventure he wanted to help people. That's why psychology was his first love. He worked as a substitute teacher teaching psychology for three years. Those were the best years of his life.

Extraordinary Gifts Of John Kelsing