The Man with the Violin (Part 3)

"Wow," thought Thomas, "I feel like I'm going to meet a queen! I've only taken a shower several times at Mr. Lovni's house in my life, and I've combed my hair just as much. And these are really the only clothes I've ever owned!"

He got in the shower, and Mr. Hutchison helped him wash his hair and his face and then his arms and legs. He got out of the shower and put on the clothes Mr. Hutchison had brought him. Then he combed his hair and looked at himself in the mirror. As soon as he saw himself, he gasped. He had never seen himself really *clean* before! He liked his dirty brown hair now. And his light blue eyes looked great with this dark blue shirt of Nathan's. He had on son nice tan pants that were a little big around the waist (he assumed it was because he was not as well fed as Nathan), but worked fine for now.

"You look great!" said Mr. Hutchison and he pulled Thomas out into the hall to look into the full-length mirror. "And this is even better! My wife is in the kitchen. Come on, I know you're ready to meet her." Thomas followed him through the narrow hallway with many pictures of Mr. Hutchison and of their kids. They finally arrived at a doorway which apparently led to the kitchen.

"I'll follow you in," whispered Mr. Hutchison, "Go ahead!" Thomas took a deep breath and walked in, with Mr. Hutchison right on his heels. Thomas felt a lot better with Mr. Hutchison there, which eased his nervousness.

As soon as he walked in, he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The slender figure looked at them when she heard the footsteps and smiled a clean smile that showed her teeth and the lipstick shone bright under the lights.

"Hey, darling! Who is this?" she asked. Her voice came out clear and smooth.

"This is Thomas. He is thirteen years old and I thought he'd make a nice playmate for Nathan and Susie," her husband replied, "he also likes violins," he added. He grinned at that one.

"Really? Well, welcome, Thomas. Where do you live?" she asked him pleasantly. Thomas didn't know what to think.

"He lives with his uncle," said Mr. Hutchison. Thomas let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Mr. Hutchison had saved him from eternal embarrasment. "They came to spend Christmas with his grandmother," he continued, "And when I found out, I decided to let his uncle and grandmother have a fun-time alone, so they wouldn't have to be worried about him. I offered to let him stay here for awhile, and they gladly accepted."

"Wow, I sure would like to meet them. But for now, you can stay for a bit," said Mrs. Hutchison. On sudden thought, she added, "How long will you be here? This time, let the boy speak for himself." Thomas looked at Mr. Hutchison pleadingly, but Mr. Hutchison said nothing.

"I-umm, will be here for-umm, a-a couple of days, ma'am. I should be staying with them for Christmas." he studdered. Mr. Hutchison gave him a slight nod, unnoticable to anyone who was not looking for it.

"Very, well, then. You can stay in the guest room. Where are your things?" she asked. This time, Mr. Hutchison *did* cut in.

"Oh! I forgot to get them out of the car when they dropped him off! He'll have to use some of Nathan's old clothes, I guess," he answered. Mr. Hutchison sure was good at covering up for him!

"Okay. Honey, why don't you go up and show him the guest room while I set an extra plate for Thomas. Then we can sit down to eat. So Thomas followed Mr. Hutchison down the long corridor, up the steps, down another hallway, where finally Mr. Hutchison stopped abruptly at a closed door.

"Here it is, son. Now that you know where it is, we'll go downstairs, but first, I want to show you something." He opened the door, and Thomas saw the most luxurious room he had ever seen. This room was the size of Mr. Lovni's whole house, and the lights hung around the room in an old-fashioned way. "Come in, Thomas!" Mr. Hutchison was obviously enjoying his flabbergasted look. Thomas slowly stepped his right foot in the door, and then the left. Mr. Hutchison walked toward the closet and opened it. Inside, there was a dusty, black case. Mr. Hutchison pulled it out dusted it off, and laid it on the huge double-bed. "Open the case, Thomas." Thomas lifted the latch, and inside he found an old violin.