Joshua Reynolds lived a pretty healthy life. He had stopped smoking for almost 20 years, and stopped drinking for the past couple of years. Although the drinking came back after his son died a few months earlier. He struggled, but he was coping with it in his own way. He kept in shape and at 58 years old, he still looked like the Hollywood star that he is.
A fedora hat hung above his blonde hair that he kept longer than how he used to in his younger days. The grey blended nicely with his very light yellow hair. While his peer resorted to plastic surgery to make their face look tight, Josh let his wrinkles flourished every time he showed his million dollar smile from his signature pouty lips.
Expensive sunglasses helped cover the upper side of his face, and he looked good in any type of shades he can afford to put on his face. He was wearing casual outfit, nothing fancy, but Josh Reynolds had an aura about him that when he walked into a room people would notice and knew that he didn’t belong in the general population.
“Can you tell me which way is the Principal’s office?” he asked a student who recognized him immediately and was dumbstruck by who she was looking at.
He smiled, very friendly and said thank you after the friend of that student finally pointed the way for him.
He spent at least an hour at Mr. Edgerton’s office before someone called Hazel to join the meeting with Marlon.
“The Principal wants to see you,” her English teacher told her.
Her heart was pumping, she knew Josh Reynolds was in Mr. Edgerton’s office. This would be the first time she would meet with her mom’s ultimate celebrity crush and she was hoping that it won’t be like how she met Belinda Mayhew.
“Oh … here she is, Hazel … Mr. Reynolds had asked to meet you,” Mr. Edgerton said.
Joshua Reynolds was sitting across from the principal, he turned to Hazel with a wide smile on his face. His shades was hanging in the collar of his shirt. He stood up and extended his arm for a handshake.
“Hello, Hazel … I’ve heard so much about you, it’s good to finally meet you,” his handshake was firm, his light blue eyes looked directly at hers. He was unbelievably friendly.
Marlon was sitting on the chair next to him, he was quiet and unimpressed. He kept his head down and only glanced at Hazel to acknowledge her arrival.
“Please, sit down, we just had a discussion about Marlon’s progress and I have to say … I’m very impressed,” Josh gave his seat to Hazel.
“Oh, please, sit down, I’m fine,” Hazel declined.
“No, no, please, I’ve been sitting for over an hour,” he rested his palm on Hazel’s shoulder and led her to the chair.
“I just want to say thank you for spending so much time to help Marlon here,” Josh patted his son’s knee. The boy forced a smile.
“I said to Mr. Edgerton to make sure that you will get a recommendation letter from the school and from me personally … and also if you want to add to your portfolio, you can come and volunteer at one of the charity organization that I support.”
Hazel’s face bloomed into an ear to ear smile, “Really?”
Josh nodded, bit his lower lip while returning her smile. “Yeah, come by anytime, let me know when you decide to do some work and we’ll work something out … Marlon here will give you the details, maybe he can join you and do some charity work too.”
“I would love to … I will definitely look into it, thank you for the offer Mr. Reynolds,” Hazel was so excited that she touched Marlon’s knee and smiled at him with glee. He gave her a half nod and a half smile.
“Not at all … just let me know what I can do for you, have you applied for college yet? Or do you have any University preference?”
“I haven’t actually … I was thinking UOG but it’s a bit pricy and I’m not sure if I can get a scholarship there … there’s just too many competition.”
“Oh Gastonburry?” Josh nodded, he looked up as if trying to remember something. “That’s a good college … not that I know anything about college … I’ve never been,” he chuckled. “You know what, if we’re done here … why don’t you two walk me to my car and we’ll talk some more?”
“Sure, yes, I think we’re done here … just keep at it Marlon, with this rate you will have no problem applying for University,” Mr. Edgerton said and escorted them to the door. “Thank you for coming Mr. Reynolds, as you know, parental guidance is very important for a student’s progress … I hope we can keep the communication flowing so we can update you further.”
“Yeah … absolutely, thank you, Sir …” Josh shook Mr. Edgerton’s hand, “See you in the next meeting.”
They were turning heads when they walked down the corridors toward the door. They even passed Lee’s classroom and she waved at him with an excited expression on her face. But he was stunned at the sight, and immediately the classroom was buzzing with students’ chatter.
“You know … I have a friend who works in UOG … I will have a chat with him and ask what the situation is like over there, of course if Marlon would like to apply there, it would be much easier for the both of you to enter … ” Josh looked at his son whose head was down and not the least bit interested in joining the conversation. “What do you say, Marlon?”
He sighed, “Sure.”
Hazel grabbed Marlon’s lower arm and squeezed in excitement, “Really? You can do that?”
Her naivete amused Josh, he laughed lightly, “Yeah … well …” he cocked his head to one side, “It’s not exactly the right way to enter college, but I can bend some rules if my friend will comply …”
Hazel just realized how powerful fame can be, she was gleaming as they approach the parking lot. A shiny black Corvette parked next to Marlon’s car, he was driving the Tesla that day. Looking at how posh the car was, Hazel knew it was Josh’s ride.
“Well, this is me … I will make a few phone calls and let Marlon know how it goes,” Josh pulled out his car key and pressed a button. “It’s really nice meeting you, Hazel,” he added.
“Nice meeting you too, Mr. Reynolds.”
“Oh call me Josh … please … no need for formalities,” he winked. He was a very charming man, and she could see the resemblance with Marlon, he looked a lot more like his dad with some features of his mom.
“My mom is a very big fan of yours, by the way,” she couldn’t let him go without telling him that.
Josh laughed, “Oh, do say ‘hi’ to your mom for me … and since we’re neighbors now, maybe we’ll have barbeque some time.”
“Are you coming home?” Marlon finally said something.
Josh’s smile faded, “Oh sorry son, not today … I have to go back to Goldstone, I still have some work to do.”
Marlon looked disappointed, he had been moping the entirety of the meeting and now he looked even worse. “You haven’t come home for a long time.”
His dad seemed uncomfortable with his statement, maybe because Hazel was there, or maybe he didn’t want to be the cause of his son’s disappointment, yet again. He sighed, “I’ll be back as soon as I’m done … I promise.” He looked at Marlon who wouldn’t look at him in the eyes.
“But … mom …” he didn’t finish his sentence.
Hazel looked away and took a few steps back, she knew it was too private for her to be listening in.
“I’ll call Dr. Seymour to visit her tomorrow, okay? Is she okay?”
Marlon didn’t know how to answer that.
“Never mind, I’ll call Dr. Seymour … ” he waved his phone so Marlon could see. “He’ll give her something for the mean time … I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?” he grabbed Marlon by the back of his neck and kissed the top of his head. “Hang in there champ … call me whenever … you hear me?”
Marlon nodded. He was reluctant to look up as his dad drove away in his Corvette and waved his hand at the both of them.