@@@@@ Mike caught the bus home after we had
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Mike caught the bus home after we had finished cleaning upHe was going to talk to his dad when he got home that night and ask him if he would teach us how to become richMike promised to call as soon as he had talked to his dad, even if it was late
The phone rang at 8:30 p And put the phone downMike's dad had agreed to meet with Mike and me
At 7:30 Saturday morning, I caught the bus to the poor side of town
The Lessons Begin:

"I'll pay you 10 cents an hour"
Even by 1956 pay standards, 10 cents an hour was low
Michael and I met with his dad that morning at 8 o'clockHe was already busy and had been at work for more than an hourHis construction supervisor was just leaving in his pickup truck as I walked up to his simple, small and tidy homeMike met me at the door
"Dad's on the phone, and he said to wait on the back porch," Mike said as he opened the door
The old wooden floor creaked as I steppedacross the threshold of this aging houseThere was a cheap mat just inside the doorThe mat was there to hide the years of wear from countless footsteps that the floor had supportedAlthough clean, it needed to be replaced
I felt claustrophobic as I entered the narrow living room, which was filled with old musty overstuffed furniture that today would be collector's itemsSitting on the couch were two women, a little older than my momAcross from the women sat a man in workman's clothesHe wore khaki slacks and a khaki shirt, neatly pressed but without starch, and polished work booksHe was about 10 years older than my dad; I'd say about 45 years oldThey smiled as Mike and I walked past them, heading for the kitchen, which lead to the porch that overlooked the back yard
"Who are those people?" I as