Chapter 31: He Shoots? He Scores!

October 29, 1996, Chicago, Illinois

“Aren’t you going to say SOMETHING?” Penny asked.

“About what?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake! My engagement!”

“I told you ‘congratulations’,” I replied evenly.

“And then you went back to work as if I’d said the rain had stopped or we were out of TP in the bathrooms!”

“What did you want me to say? I can’t interfere in ANY way with you and Terry. You two need to work it out between yourselves. I’m happy that you’re doing that. But Penny, remember what caused your problems - lack of focus on Terry and your relationship. There, now I’ve said my piece.”

“You can be a real asshole at times!” she spat.

“I don’t know anyone who would disagree with you, including me. But Penny, this HAS to be you and Terry, and you and Terry alone. You two HAVE to work it out between yourselves and make it work yourselves. You’re getting a second chance. I’ll wager there won’t be a third. Do the hard work, and I’ll be there celebrating with everyone else. I promise. Oh, and there is one other promise.”

“What?” she half-growled.

“That I’ll always love you, no matter what.”

I leaned over and kissed Penny’s cheek. She fought the smile hard, but it broke through, causing her to stick her tongue out at me as her fingers began dancing over the keyboard.

The rest of the day was filled with all the things I didn’t like - reviewing staffing and budget requests, reviewing financial projections, and the sales pipeline. I was quite happy when 3:30pm rolled around and I escaped the office. I drove home at a leisurely pace, and walked into the house just before 4:00pm.

“Daddy!” Ashley squealed, jumping up and running to the door for a hug.

“Hi, Cinderella! How is the princess of the castle doing?”

“Good!”

“Dad!” Birgit exclaimed. “You’re home early!”

“I know,” I replied, setting Ashley down and getting a hug from Birgit.

“Hi, Pumpkin, what are you doing?” I asked when I had her in my arms.

“Homework! I have math problems.”

“She has ‘math problems’, alright,” Jesse said with a smirk.

“Jesse...” I said, giving him a hard look.

He’d succeeded, though, because his little sister had ‘that’ look. I decided to keep her in my arms.

“No hockey today?” I asked.

“No, Tuesday practice is before school, just like Thursday. Mom One LOVES getting up at 4:00am!”

I chuckled, “I bet she does! Mom One always liked to sleep late. Are you doing your homework?”

“Yes. Stephie and Nicholas are in the sunroom with Summer, and Matthew is using a computer in your study. Michael and Albert are in the kitchen having a snack.”

“Good report, sailor! Carry on!”

I chuckled as I carried Birgit with me past Jesse and into the sunroom.

“Mr. Adams!” Summer said, jumping up from where she was sitting with Stephie and Nicholas. “Is something wrong?”

She was wearing skin-tight jeans which showed off her tight, round butt and long legs, and a white t-shirt which showed off perfectly round, small breasts, clearly not encased in a bra. Her blonde hair framed her face and her bright blue eyes sparkled.

“No, I just came home early today,” I replied.

I put Birgit down and got a look from her.

“Birgit, go do your homework and IGNORE your brother!”

She scowled at me and left the sunroom.

“Are they at it again?” Summer asked.

“Do they ever stop?” I asked in reply.

“No!”

“Hi, Daddy!” Stephie said.

“Hi, Little Bunny Rabbit.”

“Hi, Uncle Steve!”

I nodded, “Hi, Nicholas. How are you?”

“Good! I’m doing homework. Summer is helping. Mom will come get me when she’s done at work.”

“You can stay as long as you like. Summer, I’m going to go change. I’ll come back down in a few minutes.”

“Uhm, OK,” she said nervously.

“Relax,” I said with a smile. “There is nothing wrong. In fact, I’d like to chat. We really haven’t had a chance.”

She nodded and I saw a slight smile, which conveyed to me that her nervousness was likely the result of what Kara had said. More importantly, I saw her nipples harden, trying to poke through her cotton t-shirt.

I went upstairs to the master bedroom and changed into more comfortable clothes - blue sweatpants and a long-sleeve royal blue t-shirt. I also put on a pair of over-the-ankle white athletic socks, then went back downstairs to the sunroom. Summer was once again sitting on the floor with Stephie and Nicholas, but jumped up as I came in.

“Relax,” I soothed, and sat down on one of the chaises.

I was sure she was nervous because we’d never really talked before. As I’d said to Kara, I’d only seen Summer once or twice since she started babysitting the kids at the end of the Summer.

“Have the kids behaved well for you?” I asked.

“Yes. I mean, they’re brothers and sisters, so, you know. I guess Jesse was teasing Birgit when you came in?”

“Yes.”

“That’s about the worst of it, really, though sometimes I have to remind them about no video games before homework.”

“If THAT is true, then I think I need to have a talk with my boys. They shouldn’t NEED reminding about that, because it’s been a rule since they first started school!”

“It’s only happened once or twice,” she said. “And they listened.”

I grinned, “Before or after you said you’d tell their moms?”

“After,” Summer said with a less-nervous laugh. “They’re just like my little brother.”

“Then you can share horror stories about brothers with the girls! I’m sure Birgit has had a thing or two to say about them.”

“Yes, she has! She’s, uhm, said a lot about you, too.”

“Now I’m REALLY worried,” I replied.

“Oh, no, it’s not like that!” Summer said, the words tumbling from her mouth. “She only says good things about you! Honest!”

“If Birgit is only saying good things about me, she has some weird ulterior motive,” I chuckled. “She’s quite clear that she knows I’m a boy, and boys are, according to her, really dumb!”

“You’re a man, not a boy!” Summer protested.

“I know lots of girls who think those are one and the same. That ‘men’ are simply boys with more money to spend.”

Summer shook her head, “I think men are different.”

“And why is that?” I asked.

She blushed slightly and looked down.

“Uhm,” she stammered, “because they, er, uhm, are more mature and uhm, stuff.”

“Stephie? Did you have your snack?”

“No.”

“Why don’t you take Nicholas and get a snack?”

“OK.”

She took Nicholas’ hand and the two of them left the sunroom.

“And you prefer men to boys?” I asked quietly once the kids were gone.

Summer bit her lip and nodded, then half-whispered, “Yes.”

“Anyone in particular?” I asked.

She turned bright red, blushing deeply, making the answer to that question very clear. I knew I had to be careful about how I handled the situation, not wanting to upset her, scare her away, or entice her into something she wasn’t ready for.

“You’re a very pretty young woman,” I said.

“You really think so?” she asked nervously.

The seed planted, I needed to change course to safer territory.

I nodded, “I do. You’re a Senior, right?”

“Yes.”

“What do you plan to do when you graduate?”

“I talked to Doctor Jessica and I think I want to be a nurse.”

“That’s a very good career, if you like helping people.”

“I do.”

“And your grades are good?”

“Mostly A’s and some B’s.”

“Are you involved in any sports?”

“I played soccer until tenth grade, then concert band got in the way.”

“What instrument do you play?”

“Violin.”

“A friend of mine has a daughter who plays violin; she’s playing for the New York Symphony after graduating from Juilliard.”

“She must be really good!”

“I very much enjoyed hearing her play. I’d like to hear you play, if you wanted to play for me.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I would.”

Stephie and Nicholas came back into the sunroom just then.

“Finished your snack?” I asked.

“Yes. We’re going to play Sorry! with Albert and Ashley!”

“OK.”

The other two came into the sunroom and the four of them sat down with the Sorry! game.

“It was nice talking to you, Summer,” I said. “I really would like to hear you play!”

“Thanks,” she said.

“I’ll be in my study. Stop by and say ‘goodbye’ before you go, OK?”

“Should I stay until Kara gets here?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t want you to lose out on your babysitting fee!”

She smiled and I left the sunroom and went to my study where Matthew was working on the computer.

“Whatcha doing, Foo?” I asked.

“A book report. You’re home early.”

“I am.”

“I’m almost done. I just need to print it out, then you can have your desk!”

“Thanks!” I chuckled.

The laser printer clicked, whirred, and clicked before the sound of paper shuttling over the rollers resulted in two crisply printed sheets. Matthew got up, checked them, then went back to the Mac and saved his work.

“All done!” he said.

“Ask your sister to come in, please.”

“Birgit?” he asked with a knowing smile.

“Yes.”

He left and two minutes later Birgit walked into the room.

“Matthew said you wanted to see me.”

“Come sit with me,” I said.

She walked over and climbed up into my lap and snuggled close.

“Do you like Summer?” I asked.

“Yes. She’s really nice and she plays games with us.”

“Good. Your moms and I are thinking about having someone come live with us like your nannies did, but she wouldn’t be a nanny. She’d help around the house, and be home when you guys get home from school. You and Jesse don’t really need a babysitter now.”

“I know! But Mom says we can’t watch the little ones yet. I can!”

“I’m sure you can, Pumpkin, but your mom is right about needing an adult in case there’s some kind of emergency.”

“I can dial 9-1-1!”

“I know. I said the person won’t be a babysitter, but she’ll be here in case you need an adult before your moms or I get home from work.”

“What about Summer?”

“We’ll have to see.”

“She likes you, you know.”

“And how do you know that, young lady?”

“She told me!”

“And what did you say to her?”

“That you would think she was pretty! She didn’t believe me!”

“And what else?”

Birgit giggled, “You mean about ‘kissing’?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing, Dad! I know the rules you made! I can’t talk about you having sex!”

“Good.”

“You thought I told her she could kiss you if she wanted?”

“I thought you might have said something like that, yes. I’m glad you didn’t.”

“You want to kiss her, don’t you?”

“Why do you think that?” I asked.

“She’s your type!” Birgit giggled. “Aunt Elyse said so!”

“Did she now?”

“Yes! She and Mom and Mom and Aunt Jennifer thought you would like her. But you aren’t here when she’s here.”

“That’s true. Were you eavesdropping or did your moms know you where there?”

“They knew I was there. They asked me if I liked Summer when she came to talk to them about babysitting.”

“OK. Just remember our rules, please.”

“I will. Who is the new girl?”

“We’re not sure yet, but a girl named Winter will visit in about three weeks.”

“Winter replaces Summer?” Birgit giggled. “That’s funny!”

“It is! You and Jesse will have to decide if you like her.”

“OK. I need to go turn on the oven for Mom and help Michael set the table. We have those chores today.”

“Go ahead.”

Birgit kissed my cheek, I kissed her forehead, and she slipped off my lap. At the door, she turned and blew me a kiss, which I caught with my hand, then pretended to eat. Birgit giggled and scampered off. I went to the computer, brought up my journal, and typed a bit about the conversations I’d had the previous two days, and as expected, just after I heard the front door open, Summer came to the door of the study. I waved her in and she moved close to the desk.

“Leaving?” I asked.

She nodded, “Yes. Kara is home.”

“OK. I’m really looking forward to hearing you play your violin.”

She smiled, “I want to play for you! Uhm, do you really think I’m pretty?”

“Very!”

She smiled and blushed, though not as deeply as she had before.

“When can I play for you?” she asked softly.

“You tell me,” I replied.

“Uhm, maybe Sunday afternoon?” she asked nervously.

Mary Whittaker would be visiting, but she was leaving around noon, so it wouldn’t interfere.

“What time?”

“1:00pm?” she said just barely audibly, “You could, uhm, come to my house.”

“What’s your address?” I asked.

“4900 South Kimbark. Just about a block north of the coach house.”

“I’ll see you at 1:00pm Sunday.”

She nodded, turned, and basically fled the room. She’d been EXTREMELY nervous, but that hadn’t stopped her from accepting the offer. I wondered about her parents, but I had a sneaking suspicion I’d find her home alone on Sunday. But I was also fairly sure she wasn’t a candidate for Kara’s fantasy. She was far too shy. Someone bold, like Winter, might do what Kara wanted, but I highly doubted Summer would.

“Hi!” Kara said brightly from the door.

“Hi! Come on in.”

She did, and shut the door behind her.

“Did you know she plays violin?” I asked.

“Yes. And she used to play soccer. And?”

“I think I’ll get the Fawn treatment on Sunday.”

Kara’s eyes lit up, “Really?”

“Yes, but I strongly suspect she’s far too shy to do what you want, and I don’t even know how I’d broach it with her. A girl like Winter, who was really adventurous, might go for it, but I think Summer might die of embarrassment simply at the THOUGHT of doing it. I know this might sound a bit weird, but I’m going to need to look for the right kind of girl to fulfill your fantasy and it’s not going to be easy to find her.”

“You don’t have to...” Kara said softly.

I held out my arms, “Come sit in my lap.”

She moved around the desk and sat in my lap, pulled up her legs, and snuggled.

“Hmm,” I chuckled, “this works better with a miniature version of you!”

“We could use the bed!” Kara laughed.

“Jess should be home any minute now, and I think your daughter is already preparing the kitchen.”

“She is.”

“Kara, I want to make you happy. I’m not quite sure how to do that just yet, but I will figure it out. I suspect, strongly, that you’ll be able to convince Winter, without much effort, to film our movie. SHE was adventurous enough!”

Actually, an idea popped into my head, but it was one that was something of a longshot. I wouldn’t say anything to Kara unless it panned out. But it WAS a possibility.

“I honestly wish there was a way to make Abbie’s movie. And with a slight story adjustment, it could take care of the whole thing!”

“Oh?”

“Yes!” Kara exclaimed. “I play the main character’s Swedish girlfriend who he meets at the bed-and-breakfast in Sweden after the credits. But the opening scene is us having wild sex outside somewhere!”

I chuckled, “That wouldn’t really alter Abbie’s script much and I’m sure she’d go for it! But I can’t imagine how we’d make that movie. It’s fun to speculate, obviously, but I think your idea of filming Jessica, you, and me so you can watch it later is the safest option. I do have to say it’s difficult to believe your sex drive is HIGHER at thirty-one than it was at seventeen!”

Kara smirked, “And you have NO complaints!”

“Not at all. It’s just that your sex drive was so high to start with!”

“It’s your fault!”

“Right! Because you had NO desire to have your brains fucked out by the class stud!”

“Who? Me?” she asked primly.

“Yes! You!”

“Maybe...”

“Samantha told me that Liz broke up with her boyfriend because he was trying to delay her going to law school. She’ll be here on Friday.”

Kara shook her head and smiled broadly, “What does your sister always say?”

“That I’m the luckiest dumb boy in the long and storied history of dumb boys!”

We heard Jessica call out that she was home, so we kissed then stood up. I looked at Kara curiously as she pulled half her blouse out of her skirt, mussed her hair, then unbuttoned a few buttons of her blouse and then re-buttoned them unevenly. I chuckled once I realized what she was doing, so I put my arm around her and we left the study.

“Nice try,” Jessica laughed. “You didn’t.”

“How did you know?” Kara asked, frowning.

“Because YOU wouldn’t have bothered to get dressed!”

Kara shook her head ruefully, “Ruined by my BAD reputation!”

October 30, 1996, Chicago, Illinois

“Got a minute?” I asked Claire late on Wednesday morning.

“Sure! What’s up?”

“Let’s take a walk,” I said.

She nodded, grabbed her jacket, and followed me out of the building.

“It’s personal, not work-related,” I said.

“Yes! You don’t have to ask twice!”

I chuckled, “The policy is still in place! And you know why it has to be!”

“I do. But you can’t blame me for daydreaming!”

“I may be in mortal danger then.”

“Why?”

I cleared my throat, “My wife has a particular fantasy she wants to fulfill and I thought you might be able to direct me to someone to help fulfill it.”

“Bastard!” she growled.

“Sorry.”

“Why ask me?”

“How many times did you offer to bring me virgins with whom both of us could have sex?”

“Uhm, three or four. Until you told me to stop. And then you hired me. I think those were related.”

“Certainly future hiring considerations were part of it. You know Jamie would have quit if he ever found out you and I were together.”