Household Help 1

By brhmsj

berlioz53@yahoo.com

Copyright 2025 by brhmsj, all rights reserved

[3,662 words]

Household Help, Chapter One

A high school sophomore in search of a summer job answers an ad for household help. He is given the job which appears to be just what the ad said – general housework and some yard work as needed. It would prove to have an aspect to it was nothing that the boy ever had imagined.



Help needed for man with mild mobility issues. Housework, laundry, garden and lawn care. Generous compensation. The Craigslist ad ended with a phone number to call. Henry McDougall was intrigued. He was sixteen, finishing up his sophomore year in high school. Dad had not put any pressure on him but had said that a summer job might be a good idea. Henry hadn’t really started a search but if he responded to the ad he could at least tell Dad that he was looking.

The phone was answered by a man with a warm voice. Henry introduced himself, said that he had read the ad, and asked if the job still was open.

“As a matter of fact, you are the first to respond,” the man told him. He asked a few questions such as Henry’s age, work experience (if any), where he lived.

“I help with chores around the house,” Henry told him, “and sometimes the lawn and stuff for my father.”

“Well, it certainly sounds like you can deal with what I need. You don’t live far away, either. Do you have a bike? It’s an easy bike ride, I think.” Henry did have a bike, of course. He knew generally the area where the man lived. “Could you come over today? Now, perhaps?”

“Ah, I don’t see why not,” Henry answered, speaking a bit slower. He’d never done anything like this so naturally had some hesitation.

The man picked up on the slight hesitation. “It’s quite safe,” he said, his voice assuring. Henry said “ok” and was given the address. He told his mother what he was doing and where he was going. Better to be safe, just in case. That done, he was off on his bike.

The house was one of the larger ones in town but hardly a mansion. Henry could see how a single person might want some help. He parked his bike by the garage and rang the front doorbell. A man of average build who appeared to be in his fifties opened the door.

“You must be Henry,” the man said.

“Yes, sir.”

The man appraised the boy before him. “Please come in,” he said after a moment. “My name is Martin Ordway. Come in here,” he said, indicating a pleasantly appointed living room. Mr. Ordway indicated a chair for Henry. When they were seated he said “while I look quite able I have developed some mobility issues which make housework taxing, though not impossible. All this shortly after I turned fifty. I’ve admitted to myself that I do need some help, much as I’d prefer to remain independent.” Henry nodded his understanding.

“I’m still working out in my mind just how things would work. Cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, beds, that sort of thing. I’ve hired a company to do my yardwork but if whoever I hire for this job is willing, I’d add those chores. That can be discussed when appropriate. How does this sound to you?”

“I’ve done all those things at home, sir. I guess I could do whatever is needed.”

“You guess?” Mr. Ordway was smiling. Henry understood.

“No, I’m sure I could.”

“Good. That’s what I like to hear. When does school get out for the summer?”

“In a month.”

“Hm. Could you come by after school for a couple of days and maybe one day on the weekend for a start?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Good. You need to talk it over with your parents but if they approve I’d like you to come by at three o’clock on Tuesday. Does that work?”

“Yes, sir.” Mr. Ordway seemed amused by being called “sir” but said nothing. After a few minutes of casual chat they shook hands and Henry returned home,.

As he hoped, his parents were pleased with his initiative. “Martin Ordway,” his father mused. “They’re an old family in town, quite wealthy from all reports. I’ve met him but it seems he’s had some physical issues and doesn’t get out much anymore.”

“Yes. He looks fine but said he has some mobility issues,” Henry said.

“I’ve never heard anything that would cause concern about you being underage and working alone with him. You think it’s a good idea, dear?” he asked his wife.

“Definitely,” she replied with a smile. “But Henry, if he does anything that makes you uncomfortable you need to tell us right away.” Henry promised he would.

“I can’t hang with you Tuesday afternoon,” Henry told his buddies on Monday at school. “I’ve got a summer job. At least, it could be. He wants me to do a couple of afternoons first to see how it goes.” He gave a quick overview of the potential job. As he expected, his friends twitted him but he could tell they were impressed that he’d have some income.

Promptly at three on Tuesday Henry rang the bell. “Right on time. I like that,” Mr. Ordway said when he opened the door. “Do come in.” Again they sat in the living room. “I won’t give you anything onerous to do today. That can come later,” he added with a smile. Henry took it in the right spirit. “The kitchen needs cleaning, dishes put in the dishwasher, run the dishwasher. I’ll show you the laundry room. I have things in the hamper that need to be washed and dried. How does that sound?”

“Fine.” Mr. Ordway nodded his approval and stood. Henry followed him into the kitchen. Breakfast and lunch dishes were on the table, some pots and pans were on the stove and counter. Not particularly messy and it didn’t look like a difficult task to get things in order.

“Here’s the laundry room,” Mr. Ordway said, indicating a door off the kitchen. Henry was impressed with it, quite a contrast to his mother’s. “That hamper has two loads, I’d say. If there is time, the other hamper has towels of various kinds but are low priority. Why don’t you start the first load of wash, then work on the kitchen.”

“Okay,” Henry said. He started the washer, put in the soap, and began to sort clothes from the hamper. He knew that whites and colors needed to be separate. He also separated underclothes from outerwear. Mr. Ordway watched for a few minutes. He gave Henry his approval and said he was going back to the living room to read. Henry never had seen quite such an assortment of underwear. Apparently Mr. Ordway only wore briefs. However, not only did they come in a wide variety of colors but were in various sizes, some quite skimpy. Henry had colored briefs like most boys his age, but they were sensible y-front types. He didn’t want to waste time inspecting so got the washer full and going, then into the kitchen.

Nothing in the kitchen was in need of any special attention, it was just that there was a lot to deal with. Before he finished he had put the first load of wash in the dryer and started the second. When all the dishes were cleared the dishwasher was quite full. Soap was easy to find and soon the machine was purring away. Henry wiped down the table, the counters, and made sure the stove and sink sparkled. He felt good when it was done.

There was time before the laundry needed attention again. He sat at the kitchen table and took in his surroundings. This was an older house with furniture which reflected that. After a few minutes he heard Mr. Ordway approaching.

“The kitchen hasn’t looked this good in a long time,” he said when he had entered. Henry beamed. Mr. Ordway took a chair. “While the laundry is going we have some time to chat and get to know each other better.” For the moment that meant Henry doing his personal history, which naturally was limited. Mr. Ordway showed every sign of interest and Henry easily shared his interests, bits about home and school, friends, and typical teen boy sorts of things.

Mr. Ordway talked some more about the help he needed. For the most part, as far as indoor help went, it was making sure chores were done if he was unable to do it himself or needed assistance. Outside was a different matter.

“I’ve let my gardens go, unfortunately. My landscaping service keeps the weeds back but not much more. We can talk about that if you have any interest but that can wait until school is over. I would like it if you could take over the mowing, however. Could you mow this Saturday?”

“I think I should be able to. I’ll check with my parents.”

That satisfied the man. “You’ll see that I have swimming pool in back. I haven’t felt up to maintaining it but I’d like to add that to your duties when the weather is warmer.” Henry thought that sounded great. What the man said next struck Henry as strange. “I know that boys your age tend to be overly concerned about modesty, something I’ve never understood. I hope you will wear appropriate clothing for yardwork when the weather is warm. No need to have baggy long shorts or baggy sleeve t-shirts, especially for taking care of the pool.”

Henry was taken a bit but after some thought decided that this was harmless. In any case, it could be dealt with quite a bit later. “Uh, yeah, sure. I mean, I do want to be comfortable.” That seemed an appropriate response. He had no idea what would be considered “appropriate” and figured he learn eventually.

“You’re a fine young man and no need to hide it.” Henry took a moment to empty the dryer and put the second load of wash into it, glad of a moment to try to process what he assumed was a compliment. “You can fold the laundry when you’re here again,” Mr. Ordway said. Now, come into my office and I’ll give you your pay for today.” In the office Henry was given what was indeed a generous salary.

“Wow! Thank you, sir.”

“Not at all. You earned it. Can you come back on Thursday, same time?”

“Definitely! Thank you!” Henry was escorted out. He got on his bike and started pedaling hard in his excitement. After a few minutes he slowed down. Mr. Ordway’s comments about clothing and not needing to hide that he was a “fine young man” had Henry thinking. Just what was that about? Should he be concerned? Should he tell Mom and Dad? By the time he was home he had decided to keep it to himself and see how things developed. Mr. Ordway did seem harmless. Maybe a bit different, but that was no problem.

Thursday he concentrated on laundry. When everything was dry, folded, and in laundry baskets, Mr. Ordway took him upstairs to the linen closet. A lot bigger than the one at home! He showed Henry where the various towels went. “Now, if you would, take the clothes into my bedroom. I’ll put them away later.”

To Henry’s eyes the bedroom was palatial. The bed looked huge, too. “Just put the basket there,” Mr. Ordway instructed, indicating a bureau. Once Henry had placed it they went back downstairs.

“Another fine day’s work,” Mr. Ordway said as they went into his office. Again, the boy was handed what, to him, was a very generous amount of money for not a lot of effort on his part. He wasn’t about to complain!

As he pedaled home Henry thought about the afternoon’s work, especially Mr. Ordway’s impressive bedroom. Then it hit him that while he had only glanced around the room, he remembered some drawings of male torsos. Naked. He wasn’t shocked; he’d never seen such things, however. Oh well, we all have different tastes, he thought.

Saturday he arrived after lunch. “The lawn does need mowing,” he said to Mr. Ordway when he was in the house.

“Yes, it does. Let me show you where things are in the garage.” The garage also was spacious. There were two cars, one a sedan typical of suburbia, the other a sports car. “If you’re a good boy you can get a ride in the sports car sometime,” Mr. Ordway said. A rather odd way to put it, Henry thought but didn’t dwell on it. In one section of the garage was a power mower and other equipment for maintaining lawns and gardens.

“There’s the gas can. I don’t think the mower is full of gas yet. It may take a few minutes to get it started as it hasn’t been used in a few months but it should run smoothly. Just don’t mow down the flowers,” he added with a smile.

Mr. Ordway opened one of the garage doors, then watched as Henry got the mower ready and organized the things he needed. He was dressed in typical style for a boy his age. That is, loose t-shirt, loose shorts which went to about his knees, and sneakers. He didn’t see but Mr. Ordway was taking in Henry’s appearance as well as his work. In the man’s opinion some things had to change before too long if Henry were to be here all summer.

The mowing went smoothly and, to Henry’s surprise, not all that long considering how much there was to mow. By the time he was done he had worked up a sweat. He put the mower and other things away, then let himself into the kitchen from the garage. He didn’t go beyond a step from the door. “I’m done!” he called out.

When Mr. Ordway appeared Henry said “I’m all sweaty and don’t think I should be coming into the house like this.”

“Yes, it’s just as well that you don’t. There is a shower off the kitchen should you ever want to use it. From what I see you’ve done a fine job with the lawn. Let me get your pay and you can go home and clean up.” Henry didn’t wait long for the man’s return, again with a generous amount of cash.

“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it.”

“And I appreciate what you’re doing for me. Now, off with you! If you go much longer without a shower you’ll smell like a goat.” They both laughed at that. Henry went home quickly and was glad to get into the shower.

After dinner he got together with his friends Scott and Jim at Scott’s house, their usual Saturday night hangout. The three boys were the same age and had known each other for years.

“So what’s with this job?” Scott asked when they were settled in the cellar “man cave.”

“I’m just helping this guy around the house and stuff. He says he can’t do a lot anymore and needs the help. I really can’t tell what his problems are but he pays a lot, I mean a lot, so I don’t pry. The house is amazing and so far I haven’t seen much of it. I’m guessing he’ll have jobs for me all over the place at some point.”

“What’s he like?” Jim asked. “I know they’re an old family in town and he’s the only one left here, the others have moved away.”

“He’s nice, kinda quiet I guess. He hasn’t told me much about himself though he’s always interested in what I’m doing. I don’t mind, I just don’t tell him any secrets.”

“Better not!” Scott said with a chuckle. The three boys, like most teen boys, had done some jerkoff sessions together. Nothing sexual, just a teen’s needed release. They weren’t embarrassed about it but didn’t want it known beyond the three of them.

“C’mon, how stupid do you think I am?” Henry said, then added the standard “don’t answer that!” All three laughed. The rest of the evening was taken up with computer games. Henry and Jim were home by their eleven o’clock curfews.

In his free time on Sunday Henry did some online research on the Ordways. They were among the town’s founders, farmers like everyone at that time. Over the years they had branched out into other endeavors and became quite rich. Martin had an older brother and sister, both of whom lived in other states. Apparently he had never married. What little there was about him ended with the cryptic comment that he “was involved in business until health issues led to an early retirement.” Henry figured that Mr. Ordway would tell him if he wanted to.

Tuesday was set for another afternoon of housework. The major job was vacuuming all of the main floor rooms, and there were a few. Henry had to discipline himself not to be checking out everything while he was working. He wondered if someday he could be allowed time to look at things.

“How are you at making beds?” Mr. Ordway asked when the vacuum had been put away.

“I know how,” Henry answered.

“Hm, well we’ll find out. My bed needs to be stripped and fresh sheets put on. Come with me.” They went upstairs, first to the linen closet. Mr. Ordway took down a set of sheets in a pale blue color, then led the boy to the master bedroom. “Go to it.”

As Henry worked Mr. Ordway watched. Fortunately the bottom sheet was a fitted one, so that helped the project easier. He knew how to do hospital corners for the top sheet. When the bed was in order he looked to Mr. Ordway for any instructions. “Put the counterpane on and you’ll be done.” This was new but he’d seen how his mother made his parents’ bed so imitated that. “Not bad, young man,” Mr. Ordway said. Henry gathered up the soiled sheets, took them to the laundry room, and put them in the washer.

“Should I stay until the sheets are done?” he asked.

“I’d like that if you wish. We can chat.” They went into the living room. Henry already had a chair he liked because he could sort of snuggle up onto it. Mr. Ordway smiled as Henry tucked himself in, as it were.

“How are you feeling about the work, my boy?”

“It’s fine. I’m glad to be of help. When will you be getting the pool ready?”

“It is time. Maybe next Saturday. If you can give me the whole day, we can take care of that.”

“I’d like that!”

“Good. The lawn should be mowed before we start on the pool, though. Would you be willing to mow on Friday and stay overnight? That would make things go quite smoothly.”

“I’ll ask my parents. I guess they’ll be fine with it.” Henry liked the idea of staying in this house.

“We need to get you some better clothes. You boys these days look like you’re wearing potato sacks. Baggy shirts, baggy shorts. I can tell that you have a good build. You should be proud of it.”

Henry had never thought of himself this way. He dressed the way everyone else did, didn’t seem different from most guys his age in terms of body type. He didn’t know what to say. Mr. Ordway kept bringing up the topic of teen clothing.

“Thirty inch waist, I’d say,” Mr. Ordway continued. Henry stuttered a “yes.” The dryer buzzed and Henry walked quickly to the laundry room. He folded the sheets, wrestling with the fitted sheet as everyone does.

With the sheets in his arms he stopped at the living room door and said “I’ll take these upstairs and then I think I should go home.”

“I’ll be in the office with your pay.” Henry was there quickly. “As you’ll be here on Friday we can skip Thursday this week. Not much needs to be done at the moment.”

Henry was given cash as always. By now he knew what to expect so after a “thank you” just tucked the bills into his pocket. It wasn’t until he got home that he counted the money and saw that he’d received more than usual. He was a bit taken aback. After some thought he decided he would make sure to thank Mr. Ordway when he arrived later in the week and say nothing further.

The overnight was approved though Henry’s parents felt they should call Mr. Ordway to discuss it, not that they would change their minds. As parents, it felt good to know who their boy was with. It also gave them their first chance to have a good conversation with the man after all these years living in the same town.

In bed that night Henry pondered some things about Mr. Ordway. More than once he’d been critical of how Henry, and boys in general, dressed. Henry saw nothing wrong with how he dressed. He was comfortable. It seemed odd that someone who didn’t really know him would feel it appropriate to make such comments, not that there was any harm in them. Then he remembered the pictures in the bedroom. He’d been able to get a better look at them when he changed the bed. He guessed that they were what would be called artistic. He hadn’t found them provocative but did think they were attractive. Were there naked women to balance them elsewhere in the house?

What did not occur to him was the possibility that he might end up being living naked art, himself. He didn’t know any nudists and certainly all the boys at school were modest. From his point of view it was only natural, so he’d never given nudity any thought beyond taking showers.