Mary Ellen

I woke up in the morning to voices outside my window. Being that I slept in a tank and underwear, I hopped up and grabbed my robe before looking out my window.

"What?"

I opened my window and stuck my head outside, but I couldn't see a damn thing, so I ran over and put in some contacts, and ran back to my window.

"Grayson?" I yelled out, and he looked up at me.

"Good morning, Mary Ellen! I brought coffee and donuts from the diner." He said, and I saw two little kids and someone else.

"Doug?"

"Yeah, morning Mary Ellen! The donuts are really good, you better come get some before these two rascals eat them all!"

I saw the two little blonde kids look at me and smile, then wave.

"What are you doing?" I'm totally confused.

I saw Grayson pull out a ladder. "What does it look like?" He asked.

I held up a finger. "Wait!" I threw on some shorts and brushed my hair and teeth, then ran downstairs, mom's not home, thank God!

I walked out the front door. "What are you doing?" I asked Grayson, as he pulled out a toolbox from a truck. He turned and looked at me, and his eyes went south.

"Shit!"

He laughed. "What?" He questioned.

He knows what, I forgot my bra!

I crossed my arms and looked at him. "What are you doing?"

He reached back into the truck and pulled out a toolbelt. "A little home maintenance." He looked up at the house, and then bent over to pick up the toolbox.

He leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Go put a bra on before Doug has a seizure or something." He whispered in my ear, and I turned to see Doug's jaw drop.

"I can't pay you, or anyone for that matter." He stopped and turned to me.

He walked back toward me. "The shingles seem to be in good shape, but you need a lot of work. The shudders need to be put back on straight and painted, along with the whole house, and where's your dad's ramp?" He looked around.

"Grayson stop! I can't afford this, none of it." What is he thinking?

He leaned in and whispered. "You can when your boyfriend is doing the work. Oh, the supplies come from Doug's dad, it's stuff he had in storage for forever at the hardware store." He went to walk away.

"My boyfriend?" I questioned.

He stopped and turned toward me, and flashed me that gorgeous smile. "Oh, right I forgot to tell you." He pointed at himself. "I'm your boyfriend." He smirked and winked as he walked away.

I threw my hands up on the air, but noticed Doug still staring. I ran into the house to cover myself better.

I then checked on dad, I'm not sure why, since there's never a change, and he has his aide with him.

"What's going on out there?" Shannon, his aide asked.

I threw up my hands. "Apparently, I have a boyfriend, and apparently he's a regular handyman."

She laughed. "Honey, you finally let your guard down." She shook her head, and laughed as she walked away.

My guard?

I pinched myself to make sure this is really happening.

I groaned at my embarrassment, and went back outside.

"Hi!" A little girl looks up at me.

"Hi, who are you?"

She turned and pointed at Doug.

"I'm Amanda, and that's my big brother."

A little boy ran over and looked up at me. "That's Oliver, and Grayson is his big brother." She said.

The little boy shook his head, before he skipped over and held the ladder Grayson is standing on. "I'm a big helper!" He yelled, and I just nodded.

"I'm in charge of the donuts." She smiled up at me.

"Okay, I'll have one." I had to laugh, she's adorable.

We sat and watched the guys work and ate donuts. I actually have a busy day planned. I was supposed to work this afternoon, and go help Val at the studio. I called Val first and told her what's going on, then called work and talked to Gary. They were fine letting me cancel, because I've never canceled.

Val, Gary, Mrs. Louder, Mr. Tucker all suddenly showed up, and I was in shock.

I worked on the landscaping with Mrs. Louder and Val, while various people including Doug's and Grayson's dads arrived.

Grayson's mother came and served everyone lunch, and this whole day has turned out to be great, but stressful. I could never pay for the work they are providing, and half the town ended up outside my house working.

I came to understand Gary made a radio announcement.