Marriage

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Richard and Janice woke up to hear someone snoring on their couch. It couldn't be Miranda, they thought to themselves. Miranda doesn't snore. They went downstairs and were shocked to find a young man asleep on the couch.

Miranda, who had been awake, came downstairs. Richard and Janice looked at her. "Miranda, go back upstairs, honey," Janice whispered. "There's a stranger here."

"He's not a stranger, Mom," Miranda assured her. "This is Trevor Gaynes. He's been having problems at home and wanted to stay here to sort things out and think stuff over."

Richard and Janice were shocked. "That's little Trevor?" Richard asked. "He's sure changed." Then, noticing Trevor's good looks and physique, he said, "I'll be keeping my eye on him with you, young lady."

Miranda smiled and rolled her eyes. "Dad,' she said, "Trevor's a gentleman. We chatted for a long time last night, and nothing happened. Nothing at all."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. We've known Trevor and his parents for years. He's a nice kid," Janice put in.

"Well, all right," Richard said.

Just then Trevor woke up. He embraced Richard and Janice, and then Richard asked, "What brings you here?"

Trevor sighed sadly and paused for a minute before saying, "Mom and Dad...uh, split up."

"What?" Janice asked, shocked.

"I thought they'd be together forever. They were always so happy."

"For the past few years all they did was fight. They didn't keep in touch with anyone, because they didn't feel like discussing their problems. It was too hard for them."

'If you don't mind my asking, what happened?" Miranda asked, taking his hand in sympathy.

Trevor felt tremendous excitement at having Miranda hold his hand, but then he remembered his vow to never get involved with a woman, so he quickly pulled away. Miranda frowned, hurt and confused. Trevor felt bad for having made her feel bad, but he didn't want to concentrate on his feelings of regret. He needed to answer her question. 'They just started fighting about stuff like Dad always being at work and he thought Mom was always criticizing him. I lived with my mom for a few months after the divorce, but living in a broken home got too painful, so if you don't mind, may I stay with you for a while?"

Janice smiled and hugged him. "Of course you can," she said.

"Stay as long as you like," Richard said.

Trevor hugged him, too. "Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Parker," he said.

"No problem, and please call us Richard and Janice. You're like family."

"I need a job," Trevor told them. "Do you know if anyone around here is hiring?"

"What kind of work are you looking for, son?" Richard asked.

"Well, preferably a hospital. I'd like to be a doctor one day, particularly a surgeon," Trevor replied.

"No problem. Ed James, a bowling buddy of mine, is a doctor, and his hospital is in search of an orderly. I'll put in a good word for you," Richard offered.

"Thanks, Mr. Par--I mean, Richard!" Trevor exclaimed. He hugged all of the Parkers. "Thank you all. This means a lot. You guys are great."

Miranda smiled. If he gets that job, he could be here for a long time, she thought.

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