Chapter 41: Shut Up and Just Hold Me!

It was very late and the house was totally dark and still as Gloria Benson made her way in through the front door using the key Jared Reznik had very kindly given her. This was so Gloria and Vanessa could come and go as they pleased while they were with him. Gloria just couldn’t believe how kind this man had been to her and her daughter since the terrible tragedy of their house burning down and her husband being thrown into prison for that and other crimes.

That kindness of Jared Reznik was in her mind right now as she quietly made her way over to the little camp stretcher he had set up for himself in the dining room. Jared had given up his own room and the comfort of his very own bed for Gloria Benson’s benefit and she just so fully appreciated the gesture. Jared had also turned the spare room into a lovely bedroom for Gloria’s daughter. Vanessa Benson had then set to work immediately to personalize that room into a room that any teenage girl would have been proud of.

Gloria Benson didn’t turn on any lights as she closed the front door then began gently picking her way over to the little camp base Jared had set up for himself. It was only half way across that lounge room floor that Gloria came to a halt. She had had second thoughts.

“No, I won’t disturb the poor guy. I’ll just let him sleep and talk to him in the morning.”

Gloria said this to herself as she quietly turned and headed down the passage way to the bathroom. All she actually wanted to do was to invite Jared back to his own bed for the night with her. They had made passionate love together several nights ago on that bed in Jared’s room and she just wanted to invite him back to that bed for a more comfortable night’s sleep than she knew he would be getting from that little stretcher.

Gloria also had to admit that maybe, just maybe, she had fallen in love with the guy just a little bit too. And if she was being totally honest with herself she knew that it was probably those feelings that were motivating her decision right now to allow Jared to sleep his nights away by her side while they were still in the house. And that was another problem she knew she needed to talk to Jared about ... their new accommodation!

The insurance company for Gloria and Blake Benson’s family home had very kindly offered to put Gloria up in temporary accommodation until a proper pay out could be settled. Gloria was told on Wednesday that there was a house not too far away that her and Vanessa could move into it next week. But today she had received word that it had fallen through and it would be several weeks again before another house would become available. Gloria hadn’t told Jared this yet but knew she needed to as soon as possible. He had been so very, very kind to them both but Gloria knew that that kindness must have its own limits too. She didn’t want to wear out their welcome and spoil what was turning into an amazing relationship for all of them.