The Christmas Eve Install That'll Change Everything

Toby had to laugh at Louise's expression as she opened the door. Escorting them he could see she was itching to hold him. He was awake and the cold wind woke him quickly. He was looking around at the decorations and lights. 

"Ok, start explaining," Louise demanded, reaching to release him from the car seat. She fawned all over him as Toby explained how he ended up with his son. 

"She must have been desperate to find you." 

"Yeah, she said she was looking for me at the club we met at, but I never went back. She only wanted to find me to sign papers to give him away. That is not going to happen," he told her, "what I do need is help. I know how to change a diaper and feed him but nothing else."

Louise looked at Regina and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know either. I have never changed a diaper," she said, sitting on Toby's hip looking scared to death. She had never been in a home like this one. Everywhere she looked were fancy decorations. The house was beautiful and overwhelming. This woman looked at her like she should know what to do with a baby. She was looking at the wrong woman. She never planned to have children or care for one.

Louise patted her hand she had perched on her knee. She was a pretty enough girl. Toby described her as having long hair, but it looks like she has cut that off recently. Too bad for her he seemed to be enamored with her hair as he described her. 

"So, you took a piece of paper to the hospital on Christmas Eve and the nurses just handed over this baby to you?"

"Sure, can't you tell by looking at him, that he is mine?" Toby asked, taking in a deep breath the turkey smelled wonderful.

"Ok, I hear you, Frank will be here any minute, so dinner won't be long," Louise said as she handed Travis back to Toby. "Nice shirt by the way," she teased. That one fit like she wanted his Polo for work to fit him.

"Thanks, Regina gave it to me for Christmas, she was upset it was too small." He looked at his arms and said, "But I think it's fine."

"Nah, it works for you, shows off all the muscles you seem to think you're losing," she teased as Toby followed her to the kitchen and the food. Visions of him doing pull-ups popped into her head; he recently added leg lifts to the workout to help with his core. He picked that up from an infomercial selling gym equipment. They went on and on about building your core and had all his attention. A sea of goodies filled her counters. He knew she would be the best mom ever and wished she could have been his. 

With Travis in the crook of his arm, he grazed the counter as they talked about his options. She hit on the one option he was hoping for and dove in. Keeping him at the store until he was older was Toby's best bet. The nurses told him to try and keep him away from other kids if possible, and he told her about him being a preemie. He picked up on that one fast and they discussed what he would need at the store. Louise got paper and started writing and basting waiting for her wayward son who should have been there an hour ago. 

 "Maybe that is why his wife is divorcing him, she couldn't trust him," Louise declared and fumed as her dinner was being ruined. "Inconsiderate jerk," she mumbled. 

As usual, Toby was where he was supposed to be. She knew she raised brats but come on Frank needs to stop pushing her. 

Regina helped set the table while Toby changed a diaper. After he showed them his impressive package, to Louise he washed up and they sat down to eat. Louise didn't want to upset him, but all little boys have impressive packages when they are born. She was impressed with him and how well he handled his son in just one day. 

Her son acted like a spaz, even when his son was ten months old. His wife had to be out of her mind to expect him to hold his child. Josh is now three and she hasn't seen his father hold him once. She doesn't understand why, their father was a loving man in his own way, all business, but loving. Toby was trying everything on the table, he didn't know what most of it was, but he was excited to eat it. 

Regina mostly ate salad and picked at the rest. That was Ok, she could hold down a conversation and most of what they talked about was news to Toby. He acted like he hadn't heard any of the conversation. Regina seems to shut down when he talks, all she wants to do is look at him. Louise thinks it is cute, but it does nothing to keep the conversation going. 

Louise gave Toby the next day off so he could collect the list of things they thought up at dinner. Toby thought it was nice of her, being it was Sunday, and the store was closed anyway. When he asked Regina to go with him, she just about fell out of the chair. He knew he would need help with the baby and collecting all the things Louise says he needs.

*

Travis spent most of his time in his daddy's arms. They had not realized what a woman magnet a man with a baby could be. Especially a tiny one. 

Business was not brisk after the holidays but still not bad. Several people came in with gift cards. They used them to lower the price of one of her systems. Travis stayed with the ladies when Toby did the installation. Louise scheduled the installs, so he was only out of the store two days a week unless a request was made for something special. This was working out for everyone. Travis was well-loved all day long. His body barely left someone's arms.

*

The only glitch was Candace's father came after the New Year to find out what Toby planned to do with the baby. Finding him cuddled in his father's arms answered his question fast. Louise stormed out of her office a minute after he walked in and started talking to Toby. She put two and two together fast. Much to her relief Toby had the man eating out of his hand. 

He also seemed interested in seeing this baby they all ignored from birth. That is what brought Louise out of her office. She was going to put a stop to this. No way was he taking her grandson away. Scooping him up, she took him back to her office as they both stood dumbfounded at her actions. 

"As you can see, he has plenty of people in his life that love him. Sir, I won't be looking for anything from Candace. She has already shown how little she cared about him," Toby told Dr. Masters as he led him to the door. "Is your system working for you?" He asked at the door.

"Yes, it is exactly what I wanted."

"I'm glad we want you entertained," Toby said and let the door close. "What an arrogant prick," he called out in the empty store. If he had come in twenty minutes earlier, he would have met with a family of seven and a woman who was fawning all over Travis. Her husband kept rolling his eyes at her demands for more babies. They bought a seven-thousand-dollar system from him as his wife held Travis. He was not concerned she looked like she had plenty of practice with her well-behaved brood of five. They had just finished discussing that he needed someone like her to watch Travis until he was old enough to walk. His self-proclaimed Grandma agreed he may need someone to watch him when he is much older and mobile. But for now, he is to stay with them.

This was their life now. Travis had five people's attention all the time and slept in a portable crib in Louise's office sometimes. At home, Regina was there before he could close his door. That was Ok with him all she wanted to do was sit and hold Travis, looking him over the whole time. It gives Toby a chance to cook his dinner and do the never-ending wash he seems to have now. Spit up on his work shirts and kept them in the wash daily. He always kept three shirts at the store for change. 

He spoke to the pediatrician about his spitting up and he assured him it was normal. The nurse gave him information to receive free formula, which is expensive, so he was thrilled. What he didn't know was he had to sit in a room full of new mothers and hear a lecture and films about nutrition and child-rearing. He had to admit he did learn a few things and the cases of formula were greatly appreciated monthly. They will keep a close eye on Travis's weight and that eases Toby's mind. To him, he was packing on the pounds turning into a regular little man in a matter of weeks.

Once he told them how he became a single father, they bent over backward for him. They were impressed with how he stepped up to the challenge. Of course, his being so cute helped too. They stocked him up with diapers and clothes, lots of clothes that had been donated by the rich in the area. 

He and Regina sorted them that night by size and quality. Some were tossed, but most were good. The next morning Travis looked like a little boy instead of an infant for the first time. He was weighing eight and a half pounds at five weeks everyone thought that was good for the little guy. He drank six full bottles a day, so he was packing on the pounds. 

Marcus called while Travis was in freak-out mode to see if his old friend wanted to go out the following weekend. After Toby told his story to Marcus all he could say was, "You're kidding." Toby hoped Marcus learned a lesson from his story. Most likely he will be out this weekend hunting tail as usual. The best thing for him was to find someone who wanted to hang on to him. Toby started thinking that was what he needed too.

Travis was on a blanket behind the counter chewing on a teething ring. A frazzled-looking young man came in and Alli approached him. He scanned the showroom and pointed out a system on one of the bigger screens, handed her a platinum credit card, and set up an install time the following week. Alli knew that neighborhood, and they were multimillion-dollar homes. Liz looked up the specifics of the home as Alli brought the sales receipt to Louise and began to push Louise to let her help with the installation on this one. 

"I could wear jeans and a store polo too," she offered with a big hopeful smile. 

This was a first for Louise as she looked over the paperwork, she saw they bought one of the biggest TVs they offered. She knew it wasn't that heavy for her muscle man, but it was awkward to handle on your own. She watched Toby wrangle it into place in the showroom when the new products came in. 

"Ok, but only this time," Louise told her and watched a smile spread across her face. She has been jealous hearing Toby tell them about the beautiful homes he has been in and now she is going to go to one of the fanciest. She left the office, boasting to Liz, that she was going with Toby as they looked at what she could find out about the house. 

*

Summer had engulfed them, and Toby realized he had been there over a year, and what a year it had been. Travis was now nineteen pounds and if you hold his hands, he can walk on his tiptoes all over the showroom grinning the whole time. He is a very happy boy and doesn't know a stranger. Women who work in the other stores close by come during breaks and get their baby fix and visit with the others. Most ended up on the floor with Travis on his pallet and he was crawling all over them with their ticking clocks screaming. Making them giggle and smile, Travis was learning early how to work with women. Toby pointed that out often as the women smiled up at him holding his son. 

Toby loaded up the screen and had to put it at an angle to fit it in the van. They had every bell and whistle for this set-up. Alli sat in the passenger seat grinning like a loon. She pointed directions out as they drove down Forest Lane to where they were going. There is a little enclave of huge homes that towered above the others in the area. 

The guard at the gate waved them on as Alli pointed out the street. A furniture truck was pulling out as they drove up. Alli squealed as a woman came out the front door. Toby looked at her as if she was crazy and wondered what was wrong with her. She has been acting crazy the whole way over here. Toby stepped out of the van Alli was right this place was impressive. He needs to buy another lottery ticket so he can afford something like this someday.

"It's Missy Collins, the actress. She won an Oscar last year," Alli said, trying to calm down, she didn't want to sound like a Twitter-patted freak. 

"Wow, looks like everyone is coming at once," Missy said as she approached the van. Her grin faded as she took in Toby. Alli had seen that look a dozen times with the trophy wives that came into the store. You could see in their eyes the question was whether he was worth losing their comfortable life over.

 She appraised him as he moved around the van. Alli thought whoa girl, don't attack him, he doesn't do well with aggressive women. 

Toby had gone from the sexiest man she had ever seen to a much-loved brother in a matter of months. Now with Travis, he was her hero. She judged every man she met. She just hoped she could find a man like him when she wanted to settle down. But right now, that actress was too interested in Toby. He passed her; his I am sexy smile that usually gets the women to back away. Alli knew it had worked with her. It was a feeling like 'what would I do with this man?' But Missy Collins kept coming on to him. She was a movie star and had dealt with many good-looking men. Once he stood still there was no stopping her, she was all up in his face even as tiny as she was, she wanted his attention. Alli decided to help and went to Toby's rescue. She quickly came around the van and took his arm wrapping it tightly against her side. 

"Yeah, we have your system to install if you could show us where you want it set up," Alli told her as she looped her arm around Toby's arm. She hoped she saw he was taken. He did one better and put his arm around her shoulder. That produced a smile from Missy, and she backed away. She knew she could be pushy but Lord this man was handsome. She wondered if this was a Texas thing. Were they all handsome she would have to keep an eye out. 

"Sure, follow me," she said, and as they entered the house a man who looked familiar to Alli approached. She had seen him on some awards show just recently. Alli was a celebrity hound. The shelves behind the counter at the store were littered with old and new celebrity magazines. She scoured them daily to fill the down times living vicariously through the stars. Finding his name in her scrambled mind was difficult now.

Missy approached the man and looped her hand around his arm and led him away. As she spoke quietly to him, he turned to look at Toby as they collected up the system. He and Alli stood in the entry taking in the home. He had no idea where to go to install the only install of the day, so they waited. 

Toby smiled and hoped they realized they were waiting. The man quickly turned back to Missy, and they started whispering again. 

"Could you tell us where to go, we have other places to be," Toby called out.

"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry at the top of the stairs to the right is a big room you'll see the chairs facing the wall we want it on," Missy told them and went back to talking to the man as they watched Toby's every move. They were making him nervous, so he threw them a smile and kept working taking the items up the stairs. 

Alli was racking her brain for who he was. It finally popped into her brain. He was the director who did those vampire movies. He was getting a divorce because he was messing with the star. Maybe he is directing a movie with Missy now. She was so beautiful and seemed to be taken with Toby. They both seemed interested. Hollywood people, Alli thought with disgust. 

Making their way up the stairs the room was filled with the soft leather recliners Toby so loved, and in the very back of the room sat a popcorn machine, a refrigerator, a beer keg stand, and a wine cooler. A perfect set-up for TV viewing. 

Toby said, "Nice set-up," and went to the wall getting the lay of the land. "Ok, let's get this installed done. Have I seen enough of this freak show?" He was ready to get out of here and they made him nervous. Travis had not been thrilled he was leaving today. The ladies at the WIC office told him last time he was there that Travis would be going into a phase of only wanting him and it has just started. It was him or Louise otherwise he begrudgingly went to someone else. 

After three trips in, Alli was bringing in the last box, the soundbar. Toby put the bass in the back of the room near the beer keg fridge so it would reverberate off the walls better. He sat up, his gismo to hold the TV, and had Alli steaded it as he worked. He was glad they didn't sell too many of these outfits. They were great for percentages, but difficult to handle. He looked at the door and both of those people were watching them again. 

"Almost done," he told them, "What system are you going to use for watching TV?" Toby asked. 

"None, it is for screening only, we are making a movie in town and a number of us are living here while we do," the man informed him.

"But it is a secret so don't tell," Missy said and smiled at Toby.

"Not a problem," Toby told her, collecting up his tools. He didn't know who she was anyway. As he picked up his tool bag the man approached.

"Have you ever done any acting before," he asked, still looking Toby over.

"Every day of my life. I try to act like I'm normal," Toby told them. He always wanted to say that. He had seen it in a movie and remembered it. Apparently, the man had also because he smiled and began to laugh. "That is a good one. No, really, have you ever done any acting."

"No, sir, I danced at La Bares for two days. That was the best acting I ever did. I was trying to convince the women I was enjoying making a fool of myself," he offered as Alli looked at him, this was news to her. Toby shoved her arm, "Don't you tell anyone," he told her with a cheesy smile.

"Oh, hell no, the second I walk into the store," she teased and scurried down the stairs to escape his grasp. 

 "Well, we are looking for men to be in our movie and we were wondering if you would be interested. What is your name?"

"I'm Toby McBride and no, not really. I have my hands full already." He slipped by them and met up with Alli at the door. Feeling like he was making 'the great escape', they jumped in the van and drove away. 

Missy watched him walk away, "he is perfect, can't you see him as Hank? Toby McBride as Hank Parker the sexy as hell Navy Seal," Missy said as if she was a TV announcer. 

 "Yeah, and we don't even have to wait for him to buff up. I know women will line up for the movie just to look at him. Good eye Missy," Rob Stringer said and watched him drive away. "You know where that place he works for is right."

"Sure, the invoice is under the screen," She told him after seeing where he left it. Rob is a great director, but he seems to be in another world most of the time.

* 

"That was strange, they both looked like they wanted you. Do you get this everywhere you go?" Alli teased.

"No, not like that. I had a couple of gay men watching me every second, but he wanted to know if I had ever acted." 

"Maybe he wanted to make you a movie star," Alli teased. "You know the first time I saw you; I thought a movie star was coming into the showroom to buy a system."

"You are so full of it," Toby said, smiling at her silliness. 

"It is true, I would pay to see you walk around without a shirt, and oh yeah, a nice butt shot would be the best." Alli teased cupping her hands as if to grab his butt to tease him. She loved the red glow she could make cover his face so easily as she rode along back to the store. 

Toby shook his head and wondered what was wrong with women and their obsession with him. 

"So, if the man wanted to pay you ten million dollars to be some stud in his movie you would say NO?"

"First of all, you have been crazy ever since we left the store. Second, it is not going to happen so you can stop now," he said, and she could tell he wasn't finding her funny. Who did she think he was that he would do porn? He doesn't even watch it on his computer, especially now that he has Travis. He only looked at the plus-size girls, not fat people, and not fat people having sex. That was porn to him. A cold chill shook his body as Alli laughed.

*

The shrill squeal told Toby his son knew he was back. Alli was giving everyone the rundown of their day. She was picking on Toby as he danced Travis around the showroom to some song on the country music channel. Liz kept it on this station most days playing softly for background noise. 

Their sales lately were not great. Louise expects it to pick up when school lets out. "Kids needing distractions. It is easier to turn on a TV than to drag them around town to entertain them," she explains sarcastically. She just found out Frank was getting a divorce for sure now it kind of threw her. He stopped by while Alli and Toby were gone, he wanted to explain why he didn't come for Christmas seven months later. "His wife wanted to spend the holiday with him to give it one more chance. He came in complaining she called him an inconsiderate jerk," Louise explained and apparently, he was still angry. How could she say that about him? 

Toby had to turn his back to keep her from seeing him smile. He wanted to burst out laughing because she had called him the same thing at their Christmas dinner. He almost ruined the meal for all of them and never called to apologize. Toby's father would have kicked his ass if he behaved that way. Maybe that is why her sons are jerks. They don't look like they had their ass kicked ever. He hopes his son learns to be considerate without him having to kick his ass. 

Louise was right and as soon as summer hit, they were swamped with sales. 'So, and so saw the setup you put in, at Johnny's and we want one.' Or some version of that tale kept sales coming. Toby took a chance and bought a new truck with a back seat. Travis needs to be in the back seat in a front-facing car seat everyone kept telling him. When he pulled up in it, he made everyone happy. He is also seriously thinking about moving again, Regina was becoming a major problem. She is at his apartment every day spending the evening with them, he never gets a break. She can't take a hint, and he hates being rude to her because she is helpful at times. 

Toby was holding Travis as he and Liz searched an apartment in the area on the computer. A few miles radius was good for him, he was telling her as those movie people walked in along with three other new people following. 

"Hey Toby, right?" that director guy called out sounding so friendly catching everyone's attention. His hand was extended, wanting to shake immediately. 

"Yes, Sir, are you having a problem with your setup," Toby asked and walked out from behind the counter. The three other men with them started whispering to one another as he approached.

"No, we have come to talk to you," he said and looked at the others with a nod of their heads as if permitting him to proceed. "I know you thought I was kidding about acting, but we have been looking for someone to play an ex-Navy Seal in our current production. We can't find even an ex-Seal we like better than you."

"It is as if the part was written for you and we can't replace you," Missy told him.

Toby turned red and shook his head and embarrassingly turned away from them. "I told you before I'm not interested. As you can see, I have my hands full already," he said and turned to walk away, putting the service counter between them. Louise came out of her office; he was sure she was wondering what was going on. Her showroom was full of people, and they were all paying attention to Toby, and she wanted to know why. 

"Is there a problem," she asked as she entered the showroom, no one looked upset about what was going on. 

"They want him to be in a movie. That is Missy Collins and Rob Stringer," Alli announced excitedly pointing from the customer service area. Louise turned quickly to see if she was kidding.

"My, this is interesting," she said, seeing her world being turned upside down. She was very happy with how her life had been going. She thought they would work like this until she was too old to come in and the three of them would take over and keep the place going. All she needed to buy was a calculator. She now knows how stupid that idea was. 

Passing Travis to Liz over the counter Toby pulled out a chair for Louise. She looked like she was going to drop. The group who had come to mess up her life, crowded around her to make sure she was Ok. Toby crouched in front of her. 

"So, tell me about this offer for my boy here," she asked as she cupped his cheek lovingly. 

Rob stepped forward. "We are casting a movie that is based here in Dallas the male lead is an ex-Seal. He had been in Afghanistan and came home to find his wife had moved on without him. He is trying to start his life over. He gets a job with a security firm and falls for the beautiful star he has been hired to protect."

 Missy did a cheerleader move with a bent knee and her hand-held high catching everyone's attention indicating she was the star. 

"He is trying to deal with her fame and the hours she works, it is so different from what he is used to. And we can't find anyone who can fill the part like we feel Toby could. As far as acting we will have the best help to make sure it is convincing. As for your wife and son, we can make arrangements for them easily."

"I don't have a wife, it's only me and my son. How long are you talking about here? I can't leave Louise here in a lurch," Toby said concerned for Louise, actually the whole place, which was evident. Do they want him to just walk away from them? They had become his family and they all knew it. Louise was mom to him and grandma to Travis, Liz and Alli were like sisters. He was not ready to walk away from them and turn his life upside down. 

"Once all the casting is done, we have scheduled four to six months to complete the filming. After that we may have to do a few retakes so at the most six months off and on," Rob said trying to make it sound like no big deal. 

"What is the budget for this film?" Louise asked, shocking Toby she was even thinking along those lines. He turned to look at her and then back at them. Yes, is it a cheap or an expensive one he wanted to know too. Alli already explained that this director doesn't make porn back when he asked the first time. She got a big kick out of him thinking he was porn star material. 

"We have a hundred and twenty million in production budgets. We have most of the parts cast, but we really want to try to work with you, Mr. McBride. We think you would make a perfect Hank Parker, Navy Seal." 

 Louise stood and Toby stepped back to let Louis handle this. "Do you have a business card?" 

"Yes Ma'am, I do, it has my personal cell number on it," he said, pulling them from his suit jacket and handing one to Toby and one to Louise. 

Taking it from him she could see Toby had no idea what to do, his loyalty was so endearing. Her sons would have walked over her live body for this chance. 

"Thank you. Let's give Toby a day or two to think about this. If you can't tell he is a private and shy man and this is a lot for him to take in," she said and flicked her finger against the card indicating this discussion was over. A couple of customers were standing at the door shocked to see Missy Collins there.

Taking the opportunity to plug the store, she said. "Well, thank you again we love our setup the picture is perfect." The group followed her out. The conversation was hot and heavy as they entered the SUV the man who bought the set-up was driving them. Louise signaled for Toby to follow. He collected Travis as Alli approached the new customers. 

"Well, now you know they weren't joking. The first thing you need to do is find an Agent. We have some big-time talent that comes from Dallas so there has to be an Agency here," she said and sat in front of her computer typing away.

"So, are you telling me you want me to do this movie?" Toby asked, putting Travis down, he was learning to crawl, and Louise's carpeted floor was great for him. 

"I want what is best for you. I think you should try. You know, at least give it a chance. You know you're loved here, and you will always have a job. Toby, you would make a great actor. Your looks alone will draw women to the movie. Why not try, most actors are shy people. They just act like they aren't. Just think how pissed your father would be if you become famous. Have that handsome face on the big screen," Louise threw in, "You could prove how wrong he was about you. Isn't that the best revenge?" Louise asked as she looked up talent agencies. 

Toby sat in the same chair he sat in last year hoping he had this job and now she was trying to talk him out of it. 

"If I take this job you will have to hire a new installer."

"I know and it will be hard to replace you, but I have done it before." Toby will be missed. He has raised sales by 15% over the last year when he is in the building. Men and women all are dreamy-eyed over him. 

*

The next day Toby sat in Louise's office talking to a young man from the best-rated talent agency in Dallas. They made all kinds of claims on their web page, so they were taking a chance with them. They could see on the monitors that Liz had Travis and she was dancing around the showroom floor with him trying to entertain him. She knew this meeting was important for Toby.

"So, I was approached by Rob Stringer and Missy Collins. They are in town to film a movie and they want me to play the lead male as I understand," Toby told him after all the niceties were over. Looking at Louise to make sure he was not overstating the part.

"And you have never acted before," Michael Shelton asked, he couldn't believe they approached him. He has dozens of men under contract, sure none looked like he does but they could act. Ok, he had to let that go. Maybe they will need extras, he thought quickly. He wondered why they hadn't been contacted, letting them know they were filming in town. Normally they do it for extras if nothing else. Their clients would be thrilled to be extras in anything. 

"So, do you want me to contact them for you and work out a good contract for the film? Please call me Mike," he said, sounding a whole lot friendlier. At first, he was thinking why am I here? He thought he was sent out on another random cold call, but that was turning around quickly into a net positive. 

Louise thought maybe the big shots thought she had been joking and sent this young kid to take this meeting. 

"First, let's discuss your percentage of the cut and what we are going to do for Toby. I do believe this director's last two films grossed over five hundred million and counting. And everything Missy is in makes box office gold. With Toby's looks women will come just in hopes he will take his shirt off. You need to ask for points for him too," Louise said. 

Toby was impressed she knew all this. He needed to hang on to her. Maybe call her his business manager. He had no idea she knew about this stuff, and he let her keep talking. Apparently, she is reading Alli's celebrity magazines too. 

"Yes, we receive the standard ten percent, and I will ask for points on anything he does from this point on." He pulled out a contract from his briefcase. Handing it to Louise, Toby smiled, he knew who was in charge. Toby noticed Travis was throwing a pretty good fit and left the room to collect him. Louise watched him dancing him back to the office. "He is a good man, don't try to screw around with him," Louise warned. 

"Yes, ma'am, I understand. If I screwed a client all I'm doing is hurting the company."

"Good I'm glad you know it. This may lead nowhere but I want him to try."

"Are you his manager?" Mike asked.

"No, he works for me here, he installed a big screen in their home and that is where they saw him. Apparently, they couldn't find anyone they like better than Toby."

"He is handsome," Mike said looking at the monitors, he was smiling at the girls as he danced.

"Understatement, women want to eat him up and he doesn't understand why," she said as Toby came back into the room. 

She continued to read the contract. She made sure there wasn't any small print, but it seemed to be a straightforward contract. Passing it to Toby she smiled. 

He started reading and looked up at Louise. "You know, if I sign this, my life is going to change. Am I ready for that?"

"All you can do is your best, my boy. I'm proud of you either way, but revenge is so sweet," she said, knowing how angry he was with the way his father treated him all his life. He told her about his childhood Christmas night as they sat around enjoying the baby and the night. Not a great time for the conversation but he seemed to need to tell her. Holding his child seemed to spur him on. His son would know a different life. 

He signed the contract, handed him the business card for Rob Stringer, and sent Mike out to battle windmills for him. He found Travis asleep on the floor sucking his thumb. Picking him up he put him in the crib and went back out to the sales floor. He hasn't made a penny yet with this new job. 

"So are you going to do it," Alli asked as he came out.

"If I can act, I guess so. Louise told me not to pass up the opportunity."

"She is right. You want me to sit on your back while you do push-ups?" Alli teased. Her big grin told him she would love to do it. He was going to miss this. Working with Alli and Liz has made him a better man. They pulled him out of his solitary world where women were only for sexual gratification. He has learned how to act around women, to treat them with respect, and most of all not to flirt because he couldn't think of anything to say. He knew if he flirted, most women would become flustered, and he wouldn't have to talk to them. Plus, they are filming in Dallas, so he doesn't even have to move if he doesn't want to. That reminded him Liz was looking for an apartment for him. He realized too much how much he depended on them. He is afraid he is going to be lost without them.

The front door dinged and in walked Missy smiling at them all. "Your Agent is working a deal with Rob and the moneymen. I thought I would come back and visit. I know this all sounds so overwhelming, but it isn't that difficult. The only acting experience I had ever was in high school plays," she said and approached Toby. "I was picked out because of my looks too. They learned quickly I wasn't some dumb blonde with perfect boobs. You will show them you're not a pushover. I must admit your agent is pushy and it sounded like he was getting good points and a good base pay. Reminding them they came after you, not the other way around so good for him." 

"I am getting tired of people only seeing a handsome face. I do have brains. You're right this is outside of my comfort zone," Toby told her not very excited to see her back so soon. It is her fault this was all happening. 

Missy saw that immediately and said, "Please at least give it a try. Rob and I both tried to find someone to fit the character, but we always came back to you. The moneymen agreed you are perfect. That smile you flashed was all it took for them, and all they could see were dollar signs. It looks like your agent knows it too. This will be fun, you may have to cut your hair short at some point, but you have a good head of hair it will grow back quickly," she said and ran her fingers through the side of his hair. 

"Where is that adorable son of yours?" She asked.

"Down for a nap," he told her.

"So, you're a widower, divorced, or what."

"None of the above, his mother wanted to be a doctor, not a mother, so I took him. I have had him since he was five days old, and he was my Christmas present."

"Oh, the best, ever right?" She asked, smiling brightly. "Was he born on Christmas day," she asked and took the chair next to Toby to continue the conversation. 

"No, the nineteenth. I didn't even know he existed until Christmas Eve when I installed a system at her parent's home. She informed me she had left him at the hospital for the state to pick up. I went down and got him. That is my son, the love of my life."

"I could tell, and he is a cutie, she must be awfully cold to do that. She wants to be a doctor. How is that going to work?" Missy asked as Liz and Alli listened to the conversation. They weren't learning anything new; he spilled all this the first day he came to work with them. 

"I'm not sure, I know she won't be my doctor, that's for sure. She is a first-year intern right now. Her father is a fancy heart doctor around here."

"So, Travis is going to have your looks and her brains, and I hope your loving personality. I saw how Alli came to your rescue. I was just seeing the face of the man I had been reading about for months learning my parts," She said and saw fear race across his face at the thought of memorizing lines hit him. 

With a soft laugh, she patted his hand, "Don't worry, it is not that bad for most people. I have dyslexia and reading my lines is hard for me, so I must go over them a lot. They really don't care what you say if it is close to what the script says, and you get the names right. I have done some movies where we ad-libbed half the script, and I won an Oscar for that one. You had to improvise with some people. I never knew what would come out of those people's mouths. So, like I said, if you know the storyline, plot, and where we are that day, you'll be fine. What I have read so far is good and I think it will do well at the box office. It is dramatic and funny, and they will have a few good shots of you and the women will come just to see you."

"Right just to see if he takes his shirt off," Alli added to the conversation.

Missy laughed, "So true the same with me, they may see a boob shot."

"See I hate that, I'm more than my looks," Toby complained.

"We all are but I learned to use what God gave me while it lasts. My looks will be gone before I know it and I will have my money to enjoy in my ugly solitude." 

This time Toby laughed; she was right. Maybe this was his lottery ticket, and he may hit big and be able to afford a decent home for his son. That was all he was concerned about was his son having a good life. He will have something he never had, to help with his future.

*

Louise came out with Travis, he was grinning. She had a diaper and wipes in her hand. He knew what that meant. She would watch him, but not change that it was his job. "I suggest you take him out back. This one is bad." She placed him in Toby's hands and turned her attention to, "Hello Missy, how have you been."

"I'm great and I'm truly enjoying that big screen he installed, it is wonderful. I'm just glad I have small pores. The picture is so clear and big everything shows." 

Toby turned back and looked mortified again. "Give it up Toby you're gorgeous, there's no way can you look bad, even up close." She looked at Liz and Alli and asked, "He really doesn't know how handsome he is?"

"No, and it may be better that he doesn't. He may be a problem if he did."

All three girls laughed. Toby took his stinky son out back. 

Missy liked being able to visit them like a normal person at the store. She liked these people and could see why Toby wasn't jumping at the chance to leave them.