Don't Let Go

Celebration Cookout

ELLIOT POV

I jogged down the main staircase with a grin while Alfred welcomed Ethan into the Townsend estate.  My first week went really well but I was excited to see my previous roommate again, especially considering the festivities.

"Hey, man!" I said, giving him a bro hug as he stared slack jawed around the foyer. "Thanks, Alfred."

"Of course, Elliot," the older man said with a kind smile. "I will see you two at the cookout in about an hour.  I am going to run out to pick up my wife so she can join us but Hector will keep watch over anyone joining us."

The Townsend's decided to have a cookout on my first weekend as an employee as a way to welcome me as well as thank the entire staff.  Friends and family were welcome so Cordy encouraged me to ask Ethan if he wanted to come by.  Her consideration made my stomach flip, especially since it was so earnest.  For a woman that was heir to an estate worth over 30 billion dollars according to Bloomberg, that was a welcome surprise.

It was a breezy 55 degrees so a bit too cold for using the pool but Lewis and I set up croquet, horseshoes, and other lawn games near the patio in case anyone wanted to hang out.

"Want a quick tour?" I asked my buddy.

He nodded, then leaned closer, "Dude, the butler is named Alfred?"

"His real name is Pat but they asked him to change it when he was hired," I responded with a deadpan expression in an attempt to prank him just like Cordy did to me.

Ethan rolled his eyes, "Liar. Come on, bro."

I cracked up laughing while shaking my head, "Damnit. I fell for that joke when Cordy gave me a tour on my first day here."

"You've always been gullible. Where is the caged bird?" he asked with eyebrows raised, peeking around the foyer as though Cordy would jump out to surprise him.

"She's helping in the kitchen. They have a lot of sides they're making so she is giving the staff a hand." I gestured toward the stairs, "How about I show you the staff quarters and library then we can come back down here and grab a couple beers outside. Aidan, the head security guard, is handling the grill for now but George will jump in there soon."

Ethan oohed and aahed at everything he saw, from chandeliers to the authentic paintings as well as their incredible library. "You said Cordy has a sitting room in one of the turrets? That's so sick.  What a cool way to use the space, too."

"Right? She is happy to show you around after we eat.  The spiral staircase to get up there is a bit brutal after some of our workouts but the couch she has is so comfy.  Her Dad got it moved in while doing renovations so a crane swung it into the room along with a big comfy chair she uses every day."

He chuckled as I showed him my room, amazed at how nice everything was. "Think they're hiring?"

"Honestly, yeah. They need another full time kitchen worker. One of the housekeepers that helps a lot is moving with her family soon so I know George has been looking." I nudged him with my elbow, "The Townsend's are just really good people, Ethan.  We talked about this over text but I've been so happy seeing people with a lot of privilege and resources use those things to help others consistently.  I can put a good word in for you if you're interested."

"That would be amazing. I like being a sous chef but the steakhouse has been a bit intense lately. This seems like a well run place that has good leadership.  And if they like having cookouts, I can definitely help with the grill."

"They really do. George has made it a point to treat his workers well so you wouldn't be able to tell Cordy from the hired staff based on how she acts. The girl jumps in to cook, clean, organize, whatever is needed. Alfred was on a call yesterday so she signed for some packages after running them under the scanner wand. It's really cool to see someone willing to handle anything that's needed."