Overboard
- 4 years ago
- 14
- 0
Same carload going back up the highway, but a totally different topic of conversation! Kay was squeezing my hand as she rhapsodized about Laurel and Jake's performance, and the two in the back seat were just as excited as she was. I concentrated on following the taillights of the red pickup in front of us. He wasn't speeding by any means, but the fog rolling in off the gulf was limiting visibility, and I didn't want any surprises.
"Rob?" Kay shifted position as she spoke, "Rob? Can we get a truck like Jake's?" I glanced over, and could see that she was looking at me as she asked, "I mean, something without a stupid console in the middle of the front seat? I wanna sit close to you, and put my head on your shoulder."
"We don't need one like Jake's for that, sweetie. Most of the new ones have tip-back consoles, so you can use the full seat. And yes, I've been thinking about a new one. Would be handy with the boat and all, and besides, we need one with the extra back seat for our expanded family, and all. Can't get the kids AND the boat stuff in this little SUV now, can we?"
"Kids?"
I nodded toward the back seat, where Suzy sat grinning, while Richelle leaned up against her, head on her shoulder, eyes closed. "Can't imagine cramming a couple of overnight bags, a cooler, and maybe new deck swabs in there with the two of them, can you?"
Kay smiled and said, "Now that you mention it, I guess not!"
"Soooo," I continued, "we'll let 'em ride in the back, in the pickup bed, and pack the expensive stuff on the back seat, where it'll be secure, and it won't get all wet or dusty."
Richelle wasn't really sleeping, "Or you can get one of them tonneau covers to keep that stuff clean and dry, and the kids'll snuggle in the back seat! This gal done rode in the backa the truck all she gonna do!" She had a strange look on her face, "'Specially if the boss-man's kid is gonna volunteer to ride herd back there too." She looked at Suzy, and her expression looked like a painful memory, "Me and my cousin was the herd that got rode, y'understand."
Kay looked back at them, "That's how you knew the shortcut to Jelly's place? You were from around there?"
"You got it, gal. I don't know if Jelly finally remembered who I am, but his family saved me from some shit, excuse my French, way back then. Not all of it, you understand. I didn't get hurt real bad, but my cousin ended up pregnant and kicked out of the house, and I got sent to live with my great-aunt and her husband until I turned sixteen, and ran away to Galveston. Jelly's family was from there, and I got a job with them for a while, so I didn't get into trouble like some did back then. Finally came back to find everything different. Wanted to get it together. Thought I'd get me some education, take a few classes, found out dicks was trouble, no matter what color they were." She saw me cringe a bit at that, and hurriedly added, "But now I found out they're not all bad." She saw my smile in the mirror and returned it, "But then I got hurt, dropped out, then found Suze, and here we are." It was the most information we'd got yet, about her past.
Kay spoke up, "And here's where you're staying! Right, Rob?"
I looked at Kay, then in the mirror and could just see a vague shadow in the back, but the headlights on a passing car reflected off the wet tracks down a dark face, as I said, "Absolutely! For as long as it takes, as long as you want, you've got a family."
And I heard a whisper from the back, "That would be forever." The car was quiet the rest of the way home.
Kay did remind me that we needed to stop at the convenience store on the corner; we needed a half gallon of milk for breakfast, so I did that. Had to wait a few for the clerk to unjam a register tape, but I could see from the store that the girls were having an animated conversation. Got back in the car and saw that Kay had one of those embarrassed looks on her face, and I asked, "Now what?"
"Oh, nothing," she giggled.
From the back I heard, "You'll find out in a few days," and Kay covered her face with her hands and laughed some more. Sounded a little nervous.
We turned the corner and pulled into the lot and saw Jake and Laurel were already there, and the lights were on in the apartment.
They must have been watching for us, because the door opened as Kay reached for it, and Laurel giggled, "Saw your lights! I started the hot chocolate like Rob showed me, and Jake's gotta get up early in the morning, so he's not staying much longer, but if anybody wants munchies there's some cookies left, chocolate chip, I think, or I could make popcorn, and I'm babbling again, aren't I!"
"Slow down, girl! You're still ridin' high from Jelly's place!" Richelle hugged her, "What was that up on that stage, anyway? You gone from afraid of your own shadow to singin' like Lady Day, just like that!"
Jake just stood there smiling, not saying a word, as the girls hugged on Laurel, then she stepped back, leaned against him, started blushing again, and displayed a little bit of sparkle on her left hand.
Good thing the door was closed again, or the squeals would likely have woke up the whole block!
Jake grinned again, and said, "I know I got the cart before the horse, but Pappa Rob, can I get your blessing to marry your adopted daughter?" I just reached out to shake his hand, and drew him into a man-hug, as we all cracked up! This time I think we did wake up a neighbor or two.
We all hugged on each other for a bit, then Jake said, "I really do have to get goin' – told the boss I'd go pick up a couple of engines in the morning, and check on another for a possible rebuild. He's put me on my own schedule, as long as I get the work done, and I wanna make sure he's happy with my work." Jake looked at me, "He's Corps, too."
We said our goodbyes, and Jake got a kiss from all the girls, then Laurel walked him out to the end of the sidewalk, while Kay got out the mugs for the hot chocolate. They were all still doing the squeal thing when we heard that red truck fire up, and drive away, and Laurel came back in and looked at us. "What?" She tried to hold a frown. Couldn't. Picked up a pillow from the couch and hugged it, and smiled at us.
"You tryin' to pretend that's Jake, you gotta get a bigger pillow, girl!" Suzy got it started, then Richelle and Kay joined in with a group hug and more squealing.
I thought I'd heard all the ribald humor when it was just Kaitlyn and me getting married! Not even close. We found out that Laurel blushes even more than Kay, especially when sweet, innocent Miss Kaitlyn started dishing it out, too!
We finished our hot cocoa, and drew straws to see who got to use the shower first. I lost, and ended up with Suzy helping me clean up in the kitchen, while the other three got ready for bed. She was quiet for a minute, then hit me with a totally unexpected question. "So, doesn't it bother you at all?"
"Bother me? What?"
"Laurel and Jake. Or for that matter, me and Richelle? You were raised down here, weren't ya? Used to be folks would get real upset over stuff like this."
"Ahh. That they would. I guess some still do. But I don't. My folks don't either, and they raised me to just respect people, and not worry about all that stuff. Folks is folks, as they say."
"Good! Richelle asked me about it. Said that she never thought much of white folks until she got close with you guys and me, and George. She says it's easier to hate on somebody if you don't know them, and you and Kaitlyn are easy to know. 'Course she's been beat on by black and white, so she basically hated everybody, but knowing you two has been a real eye-opener."
"Well, if you like Kaitlyn, just wait until you meet her parents, and her sister!" I told her about the first time I'd met Harland, and then Belinda. "And Krista is everybody's idea of the best little sister ever."
Richelle stuck her head out in the kitchen then, and said, "Miss Kay says to get your pale cheeks into the shower now, Mister Rob!" Then she came closer and looked me right in the face, and said, "But what she mean by 'pale'? You got a pretty good tan there. Or was she talkin' 'bout some other cheeks?"
I must have lit up like a fire engine! My cheeks were definitely not pale after that! Stammered a "Goodnight, ladies," and headed for the shower! Got out of that, and calmed down, and found Kay and Laurel already in bed, leaving me not much room in between them. I know, very strange arrangements, but just go with it. I have to!
Did you ever try to get to sleep while jammed in between a couple of very excited, very beautiful, and very animated young women? Ain't easy! But I must have dropped off eventually, because I woke up in the middle of the night, with one head on my right shoulder, and a tangle of legs cutting off circulation to my legs. But I definitely had circulation to my bladder, and I really had to get rid of at least one of those beers. Tried to get disentangled so I could go pee, felt like a game of human pickup sticks. Got a couple of sighs and moans from both sides, but I finally extricated myself. Then when I came back from the bathroom I ended up on the outside of the stack. Made sure it was Kay's side, though. I spooned up against her, and put my arm over her. Wasn't long before she grabbed my hand in her sleep (I think) and placed it on one of those delightful protrusions on her tee shirt. Then I started wondering if she was really asleep, as she snuggled back and wiggled that sweet butt against a protrusion I'd suddenly developed. Again. I almost had to head back to the bathroom. Only a few more days, Rob, hang in there!
Morning came too soon, but we all rolled out on schedule. Our two cops were up and out already, dunno how they do it, and that left three of us to do the breakfast thing. Something smelled good already. I remembered that Kay had been busy out in the kitchen yesterday, just before we left for Jelly's, and she plugged in my slow cooker before she went to bed. "Krista does this breakfast casserole about once a week at home," she said, "and she showed me how. I just set the timer on the cooker to start up at the right time, and we have a hot breakfast! Hope you like sausage, eggs, and potatoes."
Did I tell you I love this girl? "Sweetie, I'm gonna be bigger than Uncle Jelly before we're married a year!"
"Not a chance," she giggled, "gonna work it off your butt and get you skinny again!"
Laurel just rolled her eyes, and said, "You gotta show me how to make this one for Jake. I bet he'll love it, and I ain't gonna let him get chubby, either!"
Since it was just the three of us, I asked her how her injuries were healing. She looked at Kay, hesitated just for a minute, then pulled her top off, over her head. Caught me by surprise, but Kay never said a word. "Still hurts here," she said, "showing us the lacerated nipple of her right breast, "and here," putting her hand on her ribs just under that. "But I think it's healing all right. But feel right here, Kay, I was gonna ask you what you thought about it. Think it's just scar tissue forming there? It's a little uncomfortable wearing a bra, right in that spot."
It was more than three months since he had lost Veronica. Three months of turmoil. First the grieving, then, a month ago, the revelation of her affair with someone in her office. What was his name? Collingwood ... Collingworth? He had come to understand why the police were interested in him. He would have motive if he knew of her affair. It put an end to his inward grieving. Veronica's parents were distraught, of course. Losing their eldest daughter had been very traumatic and they had yet...
He woke with a start the next morning. He gradually became aware that someone was ringing the doorbell. He raised his head and saw that it was barely seven o'clock. Who the hell was at his door at this time on a Saturday morning? He struggled out of bed, pulling on a pair of jeans over his briefs while moving barefoot down the stairs to the front door. He opened the door to find Connie standing there, fully dressed for sailing, and showing a bright smile. "What the hell are you doing here...
Sunrise was near five-thirty on Sunday, and the light in the cabin woke Tom shortly thereafter. He lay in his bunk, knowing he wouldn't go back to sleep. Wearing just a t-shirt and his briefs, he grabbed some fresh underwear from his bag and moved to the forward head, beginning his morning ritual. This head was the only one with a shower, so he quickly used the facilities, shaved, and showered, knowing Connie wouldn't be much longer in her bunk. When he exited the tiny facility, Connie was...
The Lady motored into Nanaimo harbour just before five that Sunday afternoon. In the three-plus hours since Tom's mental surrender to her, they had talked about inconsequential things. Tom wanted to talk to her about the things he wasn't sure of. What were her likes and dislikes? He thought he knew, but he wasn't positive. There was so much more to know about someone who was dedicated to capturing him for a lifetime. Connie had backed off after her final declaration. She had pushed him to...
Connie stood behind Tom, her arms wrapped around his waist as he guided the Lady across the gulf, heading toward the entrance to Howe Sound. The wind was brisk, and had shifted more to the west, helping make the passage quicker than they expected. The traffic was light, typical for a Monday morning. Not everyone had the luxury of playing hooky that day. She thought back to last night and earlier that morning and to the beginning of their "affair," as she thought of it. It had caught her by...
I was sitting in the cockpit, having been there for a couple of hours already, music playing softly from the cockpit speakers and enjoying my morning coffee when Kay came up out of the cabin. She still had on the pajama bottoms and my tee shirt, her hair was mussed but not wildly, she looked pretty good. "Good morning, how did you sleep?" I asked her. "A lot better and a lot longer than I thought I would. I figured the nap I took yesterday, after you rescued me, would have kept me up last...
I once again made the trip to Kay's apartment and this time I arrived right at six. When I reached her door she opened it before I could even knock. Was she anxious? "Hi there," she started, "I was looking out of the window when you drove up. I told you I would be ready this time. Am I dressed alright?" she asked, stepping back from the door. She was wearing a pair of form fitting jeans, they weren't too tight but they made her look good. She also had on a pull over sweater instead of...
Thursday morning I started the day following my usual routine. Things were progressing in the expected fashion and I stayed occupied with my work. What was unusual though was the constant smile on my face as I loosely planned out the evening in front of me. Unlike last week I didn't have any emergency calls and it suited me and my plans very well. I didn't want to be forced to call Kay and cancel this evening. I needed to make things move along as I knew I only had Sue for another week. My...
Friday morning I started work and when Sue came in I sat down for a cup of coffee with her. "I think I have found someone to take over from you." She quickly jumped in, "Really? You found someone since Tuesday?" "Yes I did. Do you remember me telling you about the young lady I rescued the weekend I was out on my boat?" "You said something about her getting drugged and jumping off the boat she was on?" "That's the one. She has housing problems and is in desperate need of either a...
I got back home from Colorado early Thursday afternoon. I finished the actual work late Wednesday and spent Thursday morning giving the CTO my sales pitch. It was looking good for a new client keeping me on retainer but not confirmed yet. There was going to have to be some discussions with the company's CEO and more of his staff but I thought it likely they would put me under contract; it was just a matter of when. Thursday afternoon I spent checking on all my other clients. While I was...
Saturday morning I woke up and after taking my shower I put on some knock around clothes, cargo shorts and a tee-shirt. I went to the kitchen to make some coffee and figure out what I was going to have for my breakfast. Sue had done a good job, as she always did, before she left and the refrigerator had some nice fresh fruit and cheeses. I pulled a few things out and sat down to eat while I planned my day. Besides mowing the lawn and cleaning the pool area I had to do something about the...
I thought I'd gone too far now, because she put down her fork and leaned back away from the little dinette table. But she looked at me rather intently for a few seconds, then smiled and said "Classical music and a silver tongue? Maybe I would have been safer on the party barge with Todd!" I must have winced at that, because she grinned and said "Gotcha!" Then she blushed and said "Maybe it's still the roofie talking, but I've never felt this safe with any man, except my Dad." My...
Okay – you gotta understand that certain bodily functions still function, no matter what the circumstances are, and now was no exception. When things got too intense I pulled back and mumbled something about checking on the anchor lines, and making sure the riding lights were turned on. Actually, she was pulling back and mumbling too – I caught something about "cleaning up in here, and then come up and help if you need it." Actually, the kind of help I needed right then wasn't the kind...
Sunday mornings I laze around in bed until I feel the need to get up. I like to watch the Sunday morning news magazines and talking head shows on TV before I get going for the day. The cats usually join me if they aren't already on the bed when I wake and turn the TV on. I find it both relaxing and informative; it's also a chance for me to think, to let my mind wander. After helping Kay get her desk where she wanted it in her room I had called it quits for the day so I still had to sweep...
Things remained a little stiff for a while, No, get your mind out of the gutter! I don't mean that! I mean there was still just a hint of tension for a while, but as it turned out, we were both trying to analyze what had just happened, and happily, were both coming up with results on the positive side of the scale. But neither of us knew that for certain yet, and we were both walking on eggshells, afraid to drop the other shoe, on pins and needles, and all those other metaphors that cry...
She hauled off and punched me! And I just sat there and smiled. "I was just kidding!" she protested weakly. Then her eyes got really big, and she lit up the whole bay with her blush! I kissed her. "Mostly, anyway," her protest got weaker. I kissed her again, and she kissed me back. "A little?" she actually squeaked, and she raised up her eyes and looked into mine. "No, I guess I wasn't kidding at all – I was hoping." "So was I, little girl, so was I" And the world went away,...
It started as a typical Monday morning. It was about nine-thirty and drinking my second cup of coffee when Kay stuck her head in the door. "Morning Rob." "Morning Kay, was it a good night?" "It was okay, nothing spectacular, about average for a Sunday night." "So no world class parties last night at the restaurant I guess." "Nope, not there or anywhere else that I'm aware of. On a different subject; I told you I was going to do laundry today but I don't know where my mind was....
Kay's turn: I'm not sure just what I feel right now. I do know that Rob and I got a little bit ahead of ourselves, and things almost got out of hand. But Rob ('cause he's older? – don't tell him I said that!) was so sweet and considerate, and he understood what was bothering me even before I did! We agreed to pull back a little, and try to get away from the first impression (first infatuation?) that we had both got hammered with. So, we're gonna spend the night here on the boat, in...
Okay, I could have let her sleep. She was gorgeous, even with that little trace of drool (don't tell her I told you) out of one corner of her mouth. But we had to start heading back, and it did look like there might be a bit of a contrary wind later on. Had lots of fuel for the little diesel, but that would have defeated the purpose of coming out here for the quiet. So I woke her as gently as I knew how. "Avast, me sleeping beauty! Rise and shine! Anchors aweigh! Getting underway in ten...
Kay's turn: Rob was gone when I got up this morning, just as he said he would be. I didn't hear him leave but that's okay, I really didn't have anything to tell him other than to have a good trip. He's a nice guy and I'm beginning to more than like him. I've got to get moving, there is a lot to do this morning and I think I'll start with the registration nonsense. I'd like to get to school and get started before there is too much craziness on campus with new students. It's nice...
Kay must have done something right, 'cause here's Rob again! Shhhh! His head hurts! What the? Owwww! Kay? Kay? It's dark! What happened? How did you get the engine started? Heeey! I can't see very good!" "It's okay, Rob, we're okay for now. You bumped your head. The ambulance is going to meet us at the marina, and Hector says we should be there in a few minutes." I tried to sit up, and laid right back down again – "Owww! Who's Hector, and where did he come from? Where are we?...
I slept in this morning, yesterday was a long day for me. I don't really like to travel out and back on the same day and I normally would have stayed over in San Fran. It was Kay's first time here alone though and I wasn't sure if she would be comfortable about it. I need to talk with her today and feel her out to make sure there won't be any problems in the future when I do have to be gone over night or even longer. It was entertaining last night playing cards and talking with Kay. She...
Rob's turn: At least my eyes were working again! The first doc who examined me said he was sure it had been merely a temporary thing – he called it "hysterical blindness", and said it was a result of the blow to my head. But he still wanted me to be sent down for an MRI, to rule out any permanent damage. So they wheeled me down the corridor and around a couple of corners, and left me outside a door with a sign that said "MRI testing in progress – no entry." I could read it! I hoped they...
"I don't know how that went Kay, but it didn't sound too bad from what I heard of the conversation." "It didn't go badly but it didn't go well either. The best thing I can say about it is there wasn't an absolute and immediately negative reaction. Mom's not happy; if she was she'd have let me know that. Since she didn't say anything about the arrangement I know it's bothering her but not how much, yet. Dad on the other hand is really bothered by it. He wants to think about it and...
Kay again: O my! I thought Rob was gonna go ballistic over that frying pan thing; for a minute I thought I'd gone too far! But I couldn't resist – Dad has one, and he's very particular about who gets to use it, and even more so about who gets to clean it. No soap, and definitely no scrubbing! Won't even let Mom wash it! That reminds me, I have to call home and let them know how I'm doing. Couple months ago I forgot to check in with them for a few days, and they almost called out the...
"Daddy? Oh my God, what are you doing here?" Kay was clearly shocked. "Kaitlyn, you know I don't like you taking the Lord's name in vain. Your mother and I may not be regular church goers but it doesn't mean we don't believe in the Lord and I think you should respect that belief even if you don't believe in Him." She stepped over to him and they gave each other a hug. It was evident though they were holding back some. They separated and looked at each other. "I never said I...
So we're halfway into the six hour trip, and Kay just called to update Leeza and Donna. They weren't at the apartment when we made a quick stop for her to pack a travel bag, and she thought she'd better call to explain the note she'd left them. She'd been a little apprehensive about my having to drive, but I'd convinced her that I'm perfectly okay, and that I was coming with her. Once we got on the road and headed northeast she relaxed, and we were able to talk. Seems funny to be...
After the visit by Kay's father things settled down for Kay and me. We got into a routine; I did my work and traveled when necessary. Kay gave up her Mondays at the restaurant but retained her weekends there. Her income did indeed go down, just as she thought it would once school opened. Her studies seemed to be going well, she found the speed of my internet connection made her work at home easier than she was used to. We played cards in the evenings at least twice a week and we kept...
I was getting ready for bed, thankful that I was still in one piece. Not sure what I'd been expecting, but Kaitlyn's dad was, as Yogi said in those cartoons, "Bigger than the average bear", and he had simply and sincerely thanked me for rescuing her, and had even seemed to be accepting of my being there with her on more than a "just friends" basis. When I first saw him I was sure it would be the end of me, and that my last conscious thought would be something having to do with the...
After Junior went home, Kay went back to school and I went back to work. Things were going smoothly again for both of us. When I asked later in the week Kay told me Todd was no longer bothering her, apparently he was scared off by Junior. Kay was happy again and was concentrating on her studies while I concentrated on my business. There was a down side to this though; Kay hadn't gotten in bed with me again. As much as she tempted me, and I restrained myself from doing anything, I still...
The Thanksgiving meal was amazing! The only time I think I ever saw more food on a table was at the Golden Corral buffet restaurant and that was on the serving line. We sat down to the meal and everyone was nicely dressed. We could have stepped into any restaurant and not looked out of place. Thank goodness Kay had warned me in advance. The three farmers didn't look comfortable in coats and ties but the ladies looked nice in their dresses. They were both even wearing pearl necklaces, Janice...
Rob, again: Breakfast was great! Krista did a fantastic job with the huevos rancheros, and now Kay is bugging her for the recipe and a tutorial. They get to sniping at each other and Harland just sits there savoring his second cup of coffee and shakes his head. "See what I have to put up with, every time they're together?" And his smile belies any negative meaning one might attach to that statement. This man loves his family, and rightfully so. And they certainly adore him! We finished,...
The airport was a zoo with everyone returning from the holiday weekend. It was tough getting through the terminal and seemed to take forever to get our bags off the luggage carousel. Thank goodness for the car service, the driver was one of the guys who regularly took care of me and I also took care of him because of the good service he gave me. He got our two cases into the trunk and then took us home quickly and quietly. We still weren't talking much. The cats demanded attention just as...
We did make it back in time for Kay's class, so I dropped her off at her place so she could pick up all her stuff and drive to school in her own car. I went back home, had some daylight left, so I washed the car. Wasn't too bad, just dusty, so it didn't take long. Had time to do a walk around the building, to make sure all was in order. Yeah, forgot to tell Kay I owned a half of the place, so I keep up the maintenance end of things. It was part of that little inheritance from my...
Kay's turn: Rob called back, and we talked about our appointment to see Hector. I was okay with next Tuesday, so we called it a plan. This weekend, though, we're going to drive up to see his family. He said I have nothing to worry about, but I'm nervous already. "Why, sweetie? They'll love you, I promise!" he said, "And they're so excited that you're coming that Mom will have the best china laid out, and she'll make Dad wear a tie! And he doesn't do that for just anybody. Even...
While Kay spoke with her family, I had been outside picking up in the back yard and pool area. There really wasn't that much to do but I wanted to give her privacy when she told her parents my background. I didn't think there would be a problem but I wasn't sure. It could become awkward. I didn't go in until Kay called me for dinner. When I did I found the table already set with everything we should need. I still went back to the kitchen to get a bottle of wine to go with Kay's...
"Rob, I'm so scared, and so sorry." Laurel was crying as we drove toward the hospital. "I got tangled up with Todd, and I don't know how to get out of it." She just sat there holding her backpack on her lap, looking out at traffic. The cops had checked out her bag, as they had done with everyone in their group, and hers was clean. Mitch had noted that all she had in front of her on her table was a coke – no beer, nothing alcoholic. At first he'd been suspicious of her, because she'd...
Was just puttering along at about six miles an hour when the party barge passed me, and a blonde mermaid with a parrot jumped off, and a Mexican preacher hit me with a spar, and I got attacked by a coyote but an old guy with a cannon said "Make my day", then a guy in a toga barked at me, and I hit a horse and hurt my hand and all through it there was this weird ringing noise, and... Phone! Woah! Wake up, Rob! I groaned over and picked it up just as it stopped ringing. Didn't recognize...
Whoops! Kay just brought our conversation to a dead stop. My parents looked at each other and then looked at me to see if I was going to answer Kay's question. "Did I ask something I shouldn't have? Rob?" Kay had a puzzled look on her face as she, too, looked at me. "Kay, we don't have a Christmas dinner, per se. As Jews, we don't celebrate Christmas; December twenty-fifth is just another day for us. It's the same for almost all the homes in this community, that's why no one has...
We drove Laurel to her apartment, where she packed enough for a weekend stay. We'd get the rest of her things later. Her roommates didn't say much, more or less just stayed out of her way. Both had guilty looks, as if they'd been in on what had been done to her, or at least known about it and had not stood up for her, and were now ashamed of it. She didn't bother explaining to them just what she had planned for the near future. Then, even though Laurel had given her statement to the...
Life went on, Kay with her work at the restaurant on the weekends and her classes during the week. She didn't see or hear anything from Todd, nor did she hear anything about him. If only it would stay that way. My life continued, too, with my work at home and every other week or so a trip out of town to one client or another. The new client in Wyoming was more demanding of my time and after my initial setup visit with them I had to return twice, in what was an unusually short period of...
"Rob! What?" Kay grabbed my arm as George bent to pick up my phone. Hope it survives my dropping it! I looked at her and said the first thing that popped into my mind. "Gotta figure out something else for a honeymoon trip, babe." She just looked at me, not really comprehending what I was saying. "I mean, Nocturne's gone. That was Gary on the phone. Somebody just blew up our boat." Kay and Laurel both gasped in shock. "Nooooooo!" moaned Kay, and Laurel sagged against the Escape....
"Ummmmm ... Errrr ... Wha-?" "Please, Rob," Kaitlyn's voice was shaky, "can we just cuddle with you? We just want to be close to you tonight." I turned on the bedside light, and saw that Laurel was there too, snuggled up against Kay, and she was nodding her head. "Well," said Kay, "I do, and I don't want to leave Laurel all by herself, so..." "Just sleeping, Rob," said Laurel, "No fooling around. Definitely no fooling around!" Kay was shaking her head in...
That was about as deep as the conversation could get at dinner, in the kitchen. It was a good thing that's where we were instead of more romantic surroundings, like the Italian restaurant the night before. Who knows what else we might have said or done? Was I ready to go further? I had better figure that out, and soon. I need to know what I'm doing with Kay, or rather what I want to do. Lord help me! After dinner we went back to the great room, Kay wanted to play more with her new phone. I...
Kaitlyn returned my call a few minutes later, and said she had been in a conference with her Faculty Advisor. It was nothing special, just something all of them had to do before graduation. She said she didn't have any more classes today, so she and Suzy were just hanging out in the student center, waiting for Laurel and Richelle to show up. I said, "So, I hear Suzy is a pretty good note taker. You two getting along okay?" I didn't think I put any special inflection into the question,...
Back to Rob: Well, turned out that the pasta was a good choice. I was able to stretch it, and they all liked it. Even got requests for tutorials on making it! So dinner went well. Kay calls it "dinner", so I guess I gotta get used to calling it that, myself. But back home we always used to call it "supper", and "dinner" was on Sundays and holidays. Old fashioned, I guess. I think everyone enjoyed the chatter over the meal, too. But those two "note takers" really take the cake....
In the morning after breakfast Kay went to school and I went to work. In my office, I went through my regular routine and made sure everything was alright with the client systems I had on constant monitoring. After making sure there were no problems I went on to the next step of business. I started calling clients that were one offs, clients that didn't have me on retainer. I periodically called them and tried to sell myself, to convert them to long term clients with my constant monitoring....
We watched the red pickup rumble out of the lot and head south. Kay said it sounded angry. It did, at that, and I wondered if Jake had built the engine as well. I looked at Kay, and said, "So what's your preference for supper?" She turned to Suzy and Richelle and asked for their druthers, and they both said the choice was up to us. So we locked up and headed for The Crab Shack. It's a dumpy-looking place, and that makes it one of the prime reasons for the phrase "Looks are deceiving"....
I sat there scratching my head, with all consonants and no vowels. And the fact that sweet Kaitlyn was rubbing her foot up and down my leg, under the table, didn't help my concentration, not at all. Richelle just sat back with a grin, as Kay and Suzy made yet another trip to the dictionary, to verify a word she'd played. I hadn't yet forayed into that arena, mostly because I didn't want to admit not knowing some of the words she'd used. "C'mon, Rob! You're not gonna let her get away...
Kay's turn: Rob was acting a little tense when we got home from school, but I thought it was just from stress from his work, on top of everything that's been happening. We got home and got something cold to drink, and George was there with Rob, just sitting at the table. He acted like he was uncomfortable, but said it was just his arthritis kicking up. We'd been chattering all the way home, excited about being done with college, and I even heard the occasional squeal from Suzy and...
The insurance check deposited without a hold on it, and I moved it into a separate account that I'd already had set up and designated for the boat. I smiled as I thought back to the day I had opened it. I had stopped in at the bank to make a deposit, and the new teller remarked at the name I'd given the account, and asked if I was a fan of Talia Wagner. I looked up at him and saw that he was smiling, and cracked back, "She's okay, for the daughter of a Nightcrawler and a Witch." I could...
Wednesday morning was not a typical morning for us; it started in the kitchen with us kissing again. It wasn't the toe curler our kiss was the night before but it was still a good one. Kay and I managed to keep Janice from making breakfast, and this, too, was a change, since she had come in for the extended weekend. She grumbled but I promised to take us out for breakfast instead. We didn't leave until she had her suit-cases packed and everything ready to go. It was a late afternoon flight...
I felt funny about leaving George there by himself after what he'd just told us, but I watched the girls get into Kay's car, and followed them out of the coffee shop lot. We had no other stops to make, so she took the direct route back to our place. I could see that they weren't chatting and laughing as usual; both were staring straight ahead, apparently lost in their own thoughts. For that matter, I was, too, trying to wrap my head around what George had just told us. The boat was one...
"Have you thought about things since last night, Kay?" "Some, but I still have a lot of thinking to do." "Are you at a point where we can start talking?" "Yes, and I have two or three things I want to start with, if they're okay with you." "Shoot." "I think the first things we should talk about are marriage, children, getting to where we can have children and jobs. Are those okay with you?" "Not surprisingly, they're all near the top of my list, too. I want to marry you....
I was mentally going over my to do list for the day as I pulled into the lot, so the presence of the little 4x4 in one of the guest spots didn't register until our apartment door opened, and I was greeted with a hug and a "Hi Rob! I decided to come down earlier than we'd planned, just in case that big sister of mine had forgotten something! Mom and Dad are still waiting until tomorrow, like we'd planned, but you're stuck with me for an extra day. Hope that's okay!" Krista! "Okay?...
We were about to head for the hospital when I remembered. "Jake! He hasn't heard yet about what happened. Gotta see if I can get to him before he hears it from someone else!" Our girls had been loaded into ambulances, and they were all on the way to the hospital, to undergo all the routine things that follow accidents, and things that weren't accidents at all. Belinda and Laurel were primary on the triage list, Laurel having been shot and wounded, and Belinda with a concussion. Those two...
The alarm went off jarring me out of a comfortable dream. No, wait, it wasn't a dream, I really had taken Kay away for the weekend and moved us up to a fully intimate relationship; that memory brought a smile to my face. I pulled Kay over to me, after she turned off the blasted noise maker, to give her a big hug and start the day with a steamy kiss. It was still earlier than I was used to or wanted it to be. "Mmmm, this is good. I didn't think you'd set the alarm for some early morning...
Kaitlyn's turn: Okay. I can do this. Graduation day! Not easy waking up this morning. We stayed up too late last night, talking, playing Yahtzee, eating popcorn, and letting the excitement just drain out. I still can't believe what happened yesterday! It's all just so much like a dream. Some parts were like a nightmare, but other parts were good. The good parts? Mom can see! She laughs and says that now I have to stand up straight and walk with good posture, like she tried to show me...