The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 44 - Matt's Idea

"Are we going to work on the garage tonight?" Matt asked a short time later, when they were half way through the popcorn and the homework and everyone was examining Jessie's picture.

"We may," Greg said. "Why? Do you have plans?"

"I sort of wanted to get together with Ashley tonight," Matt told him. "She knows we're really busy so we may not have time to do much, but I do want to see her."

"Have you asked her out?" Susan wondered.

"No. She asked me to go to a football game with her at her school ... unless we were busy doing something. I told her I'd ask," Matt explained.

"When does the game start?" Susan wondered.

"At seven," Matt told her.

Susan glanced at the clock. It was nearing five o'clock.

"That's only two hours from now," she commented. "Do you have much more to do on your homework?"

"No, I'm done. That's why I've been helping Zack," Matt said.

"How about you? Are you done?"

"Do I have to finish?" Zackary asked.

"No. You can finish either tonight or tomorrow," Susan said. "How about if we all help in the garage for the next half-hour to forty-five minutes. We could probably get it done if we're all helping, then come back and do dinner together too. That way we could probably eat by six, so you would have time to go."

"Or, how about if the boys and I work in the garage while you and Jessie work on dinner, and whatever we don't finish this afternoon, we can do tomorrow," Greg suggested.

"That would work too," Susan agreed. "And we're more likely to be ready to eat on time."

Matt grinned when he realized how they were both helping him ensure he had the time to go with Ashley to the game while at the same time he was helping them too.

"Thanks Mom. That should work," Matt agreed as he got up from the table, eager to help in the garage so they could finish on time.

"Were there any other plans you have or things you were hoping to do this weekend?" Greg asked.

"Ash and I are going to church in the morning ... the early service. I promised her breakfast out afterwards," Matt said. "And I was hoping ... Mom, do you have to work on Monday?"

"Not necessarily, why?" Susan asked.

"I was hoping you could take me to see a college before I have to go to the airport," Matt explained.

"Which one?" Susan asked.

"U.C.L.A. That's pretty close, right?" Matt asked.

"It is indeed. I used to teach there once upon a time, many years ago," Greg told him.

"And isn't that where Neil went to college?" Matt checked.

"Yes, it is," Greg confirmed. "Did he talk you about it?"

"Yeah ... the last time I saw him ... last month when I was here. We were talking about colleges," Matt said.

"I think I could do that," Susan told him. "It's more or less on the way to the airport."

Matt smiled tentatively at her before looking at Greg. "I don't suppose you'd have time to show me around?"

"I'd be honored, provided we go in the morning. I have to be at the studio by noon for a meeting and much of the afternoon, however I would be happy to show you around," Greg said with a smile. "Are there any other schools you wanted to visit this year?"