Chapter 7

Sunday, January 9th, 2022
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Jan came in the door around 1:30 and dropped her purse on a little table by the door. She said, “Let me get out of this uniform and hop in the shower and I’ll join you right there.”

I put the piece of paper I had found and was using as a bookmark in the place where I was reading, then went to pull out the bottle of white wine I had stashed in the fridge earlier. I grabbed a couple glasses and went back to the couch. I opened the bottle and let it sit while Jan finished her shower.

I went back to the story. When Jan joined me I set the book back down and poured two glasses, then handed one to her. She took the glass and snuggled up beside me, gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, “Thank you, I appreciate the gesture.” We both took a sip.

I said, “Hmm, that’s pretty good.”

Jan agreed, “Lovely, very tasty. I’m glad you picked it up yesterday.”

We finished off the glasses while chatting about inconsequential things. How our day went, what we might want to do about dinner later, things like that. There was a knock at the front door and Jan let Meghan in. There was enough in the bottle to share another glass and I offered some to her.

Meghan said, “That sounds perfect, let me get the glass. You look comfortable where you are.”

Jan snuggled back against my side and Meghan poured herself a glass then split what was left in the bottle between ours. We touched glasses and said “Cheers,” and Meghan settled into an overstuffed chair that matched the couch Jan and I were on.

I asked, “Were you working this morning too Meghan?”

She said, “Yes, I got called in to cover for a co-worked right after I got home, so this glass is much appreciated. What a crazy morning. There had to be a dozen kids running around the place like it was a daycare on recess, and none of the parents seemed to give a damn. I wanted to scream at the lot of them, ‘Control your brats, you worthless pieces of shit.’ But I’ll never make it to a manager with an attitude like that, or so I keep being told. Brandon can shove the assistant manager job offer up his ass. Like I want any kind of responsibility for that circus.”

I replied, “Not my Circus, not my Monkeys. That was one of my friend’s Dad’s favorite sayings. It’s some kind of Polish Proverb I think. Hearing it always made me smile.”

Meghan said, “I’ve heard that one before too. It certainly applies. This wine is fabulous by the way, thank you so much.”

Jan said, “I know, right? I think I see a case of that making its way into my cart next time we hit the liquor store. Hey, do you want to stay for dinner? We were just talking about what’s on the menu. I’m leaning toward convincing Mister Manly Man here to cook meat over an open flame in the backyard.”

Meghan laughed and said, “You have my vote.”

I said, “I’m happy to do so. When do we want to plan for? 6 pm?”

Both girls agreed that sounded good so I asked Jan what equipment she had available.

Jan said, “I have that Weber grill on the back porch, but I’ve never used it to be honest. It was my Aunt’s. You might want to check it out.”

I had seen it, of course, but hadn’t examined it earlier. I got up to do that and found that it was in decent condition. It had a cover with the Weber logo on it, that’s probably the only reason it wasn’t a pile of rust. I asked about charcoal and the possibility of a chimney starter and all I got was blank looks from Jan.

I said, “No worries, I’m sure I can pick up both at Ace Hardware. I’m pretty sure I saw them there and it’s right up the road. We have plenty of time. I know we got some decent sized potatoes to go with the steaks yesterday. Plenty of salad fixings. Is there anything else you girls think we might need while I run out and get those?”

Jan shook her head no and Meghan said, “I’m good. Hey, I know it’s not a lot of wine but I would rather you not drive if you’ve just had a glass or more. I’ve barely touched this drink, let me drive you instead.”

I replied, “I happen to agree with you about the wine, no reason to take stupid risks. I was planning on walking actually, it’s only three or four hundred yards away, but I’ll take you up on your offer. Let’s get that out of the way so you can enjoy your drink.”

We headed out to do just that and pulled into the lot in no time. It didn’t take us much time to find the chimney as it was right next to the charcoal. I opted for a large bag since I wouldn’t be hoofing it back to her house. I snagged a decent looking set of grill tools that was nearby, and a small pack of those long neck lighters as well. We paid and loaded the purchases into the trunk. When we got into the car Meghan looked like she had something she wanted to say.

I said, “Hit me with it,” and grinned at her.

She said, “Okay, you seem like a great guy. I’m not saying you aren’t, but Jan is probably the sweetest person I have ever known. I just don’t want to see you hurt her, okay?”

I replied, “Look, I get it. You’re a good friend. You love her, and probably as more than just a friend if I’m reading the cards right...”

She looked pissed and jumped in to say, “Now wait just a fucking minute...”

I held up a hand and interrupted her, “Hear me out, please. She mentioned your general preferences only because she was looking out for you. I can’t really speak about how she feels about you except to say that she at least loves you enough to stand between you and possible pain. The same way you are doing right now for her, only she has more invested in me than you do, right? If there is more to be had between the two of you, nothing could please me more than for you both to find it. I think you are each exceptional human beings who deserve happiness.”

Taking a breath and letting it out let me focus my thoughts again, “As far as hurting her goes ... Well, let me say some of the same things that Jan and I have already talked about. Number one, I am only here on vacation, and I don’t know how long I’ll be in town. Soon I’ll be headed back to work, and I don’t have any idea when I might be back out this way. Two, I do not have a good track record with real relationships. Three, with the crazy amount of travel I do, I have absolutely no business being in any kind of relationship beyond ‘friends with benefits’.”

I continued, “Again, I don’t know when exactly I’ll be leaving, but it won’t be more than a month. Right now, we’re having a lot of fun. Lots of laughs. Lots of snuggling. Lots of great sex. My take is that she seems determined to wring the most out of the time we have together as she can. I’m trying to keep it light and flirty, but I honestly don’t know how well she is protecting her heart. Help me out here, how exactly do I avoid hurting her?”

Meghan let out a sigh and said, “Well shit. I don’t know. Let me get back to you on it after Jan and I talk again. I should be able to get a better feel from her on where she is at. I would ask you to keep your thoughts about my feelings for her to yourself. And, I was right, you are a great guy. Thanks for being straight about all of this. I appreciate the position you are in, and I believe you will do the best you can for her. That’s all I can ask.”

I smiled and said, “What, no threats to kick my ass?”

She started the car, grinned back at me, and said, “Why give warnings? This way you won’t be expecting it.”

I laughed and she took us back to Jan’s place.

I grabbed the big bag of charcoal settled it onto my shoulder and Meghan got the rest of the purchases and followed me inside. As we made our way through the house Jan asked, “Took you guys a while, did you run into issues?”

I said, “Nah, Meghan was just threatening to chop off some of my favorite parts if I hurt you.”

Meghan slapped my arm and said, “I did not! I only thought about those things. You didn’t tell me he was a mind reader Jan.”

Jan smirked and said, “He’s not. If he knew everything I was thinking he would be running for the hills. Now you take it easy on him Meghan, I don’t want him gone just yet.”

I said, “I see where I stand. Why, I’m nothing but a toy for your enjoyment. I feel so used.”

Both girls laughed at me. How rude.

Out by the grill, I opened the bag of charcoal and started getting things ready. I set aside the grill cover and lid, then took the grill grate off too and set it against the legs of the grill. Jan found me some newspaper and I loosely wadded up a page and set it in the base of the chimney, then I set it standing up in the bottom of the grill. Next, I filled the chimney all the way up and even piled a neat stack as high as I reasonably could above the top edge of it. It was way too early to get started yet, but it was good to get it staged.

I went inside and washed the charcoal off my hands. Thinking of staging, I grabbed three good-sized Russet Potatoes and washed them off too. I took a fork and poked some holes in each of them, then rubbed a little olive oil on the outside and sprinkled them generously with kosher salt. I grabbed some aluminum foil and wrapped them individually. I left an extra sheet of foil to cover the lightweight cutting board I had seen Jan using earlier. I set the wrapped potatoes on the board too and set it all aside on the counter.

I got out my phone and set an alarm for 4 pm and another for 5 pm. I’d start the potatoes in the toaster oven at 4 o’clock to give them 2 hours to cook at 425 degrees, and I’d get the charcoal started at 5 o’clock. With that sorted in my head, I joined the girls in the living room again and Jan made room for me in my previous spot on the couch.

I told them, “Alright, I’m making sure the meat and potatoes are going to be ready right about 6:15. Can you ladies handle ensuring the salad, and anything else you want is ready at that time?”

They agreed. We chatted for a little while then decided to break out a game of Monopoly. Meghan had the hot dice and never seemed to land on any of our properties, so she kicked both of our asses. Dinner plans followed the schedule. After lighting the chimney I set a timer for 45 minutes when I would spread the coals out. Next, I pulled the steaks out of the fridge. We had a five-pack of nice, inch and a half thick, New York Strips. Two of them went back into the fridge after being placed in a Ziploc bag, and the rest got treated to a heavy rub of a secret spice blend I like to use. I call it Salt and Pepper. I like to let them sit out on the counter for about an hour before grilling.

Everyone wanted their steaks medium rare and I gave them plenty of time to rest after cooking. We all enjoyed dinner and I opened another bottle of wine to go with it. We all chipped in on doing the dishes and were settled back in the living room in short order.

I said, “We have some cheesecake for dessert, but I want to take some time to let dinner settle before indulging. How about you two?”

Jan answered, “I’ll probably join you, but I agree, I need some time before I’m ready.”

Meghan said, “I doubt I will have the willpower to say no when the time comes. Thank you for another lovely dinner Paul.”

I told her, “You are quite welcome. It was no more work than I was planning on doing anyway, and we both enjoy having you with us.”

Jan nodded her head in agreement and Meghan said, “So, have you made any plans for your time here yet? Any thoughts of things you want to do?”

I nodded and said, “Actually, I have been toying with an idea. What are the chances that you guys could get some time off this week?”

Meghan said, “Both of us?”

I said, “Preferably, yes both of you.”

Jan said, “Diane was mentioning that she was looking to pick up an extra shift or two, so I don’t think it would be difficult for me. How about you Meghan?”

She said, “I would have to make some calls, but it’s possible. What are you thinking? How much time are we talking about?”

I answered, “I would love to get some time on the ski slopes. I figured mid week availability would be better than the weekends. I don’t have anything planned yet, it is just a concept, but I would be interested in getting a two bedroom suite and passes for however long we can work out.”