Full house of strangers

“The college is closing down and sending students from New Orleans for the duration of the hurricane heading this way.”
My son was calling from the college. “Some of my friends are going to El Dorado. Could they stay with you if there aren’t enough beds where they’re going?”
“Probably. How many are coming? When will you be here?”
“I’m going to Baton Rouge with my other friends. They’ll be there tomorrow.”
We hung up and I began preparing for some college students who might stay a while.
They came. Three guys and two girls. The girls took over the bunks in the boys’ bedroom. Our boy sleep on the cot in the laundry room. Little sister stayed in her own room. The college guys took over the hide-a-bed couch, love seat and uncomfortable couch in the living room as well as the Nintendo, the TV and the wee hours of our nights.
I walked out to the kitchen in the early hours that first morning and encountered a strange young adult male.
“And who are you?” I smiled.
“I’m your son’s roommate.”
“Nice to meet you, next time bring your roommate home.” I also met a young woman my son later dated and a couple other guys who were his suite mates. But I did not see or hear from my son until he was back at college.
And truthfully, I saw little of my guests. Night times while I slept, the collegiate types stayed up to play Nintendo and watch TV. The girls who had not known each other before that trip, talked late into the night in their borrowed bedroom. Mornings, we tiptoed past bodies draped over couches and chairs as we went off to work, school or meetings. With such an upside-down schedule, I invited my guests to help themselves to the refrigerator, freezer, stove and microwave and I went to bed.
For days, while my son slept on a couch somewhere in southern Louisiana, we tripped over bedding in the living room, suitcases in hall and infrequently his friends. Then suddenly one afternoon we came home to floor space and silence. We swept, stripped beds and put away the extra blankets and pillows for the next time.
As I write this the next time is closing in fast. Both college sons are coming home for Thanksgiving and my son and his wife are driving in from Austin.
After a few days of family togetherness with everyone helping cook, clean and do laundry, we will strip the beds and prepare for an overnight visit of performers from Up With People.
I was actually asked ahead of time, “Do you want male or female?” “Smoking or non-smoking?” We have some who are vegetarians, is that a problem?
“No. I am sure we will manage,” I answered. After all I have my back-up plan, “There’s the refrigerator and stove, help yourself.”
With some 150-plus people needing sleeping quarters in conjunction with Up With People program matching guest with hosts and ensuring bed space, is a good idea. I don’t have that many extra beds. But compared to my son’s friends’ invasion, this is a piece of cake. I am looking forward to seeing my guests awake and performing for me at 7:30 tonight at the municipal auditorium.


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