Chapter 14

The conversation might have been better, but Jessica was very concerned that I not fall again. We didn't notice the open curtain, or the two watching us.

Jessica and I spent about a half an hour making it around the apartment complex and back.

"I think it would be better if we went back," Jessica said.

"Are you sure it's safe?"

"No. It probably isn't. I'm sorry, but I think that maybe I messed things up."

"If worst comes to worst," I said in a joking tone, "I'll get hurt every Saturday and end up in the hospital."

"John," she replied in a perturbed voice, "that isn't funny."

When we got to the door, it opened. That gave me, at least, a clue we had been watched as we arrived.

"Where did you go?" Theresa asked.

"Around the complex," Jessica answered.

"It took that long?" her mother asked in an insinuating tone.

Jessica didn't answer. She ran off towards the bedroom.

"I can't run, and you were watching us. Send me away if you want, but you don't need to be..."

Theresa's eyebrows were raised. Her face said she wanted to hear what I was going to say next.

"so cruel to your daughter," I said, finishing my sentence.

"John, come in and let's get you situated," Jeanie said.

I looked at Theresa. She moved to the side, letting me in and then closed the door behind us. I got over to the couch and Jeanie helped me sit.

"Now that Jessica is out of the room, let me ask you something," Jeanie said. "Did you know she was in love with you?"

I didn't answer immediately. Theresa came over, sitting down across from me, still shaking her head.

"You know," Theresa said, "I was worried that Jessica was trying to do this, to set me up. That's what Jeanie thought, as well. We had no idea ... What have you two been doing while I've been at work?"

I must have looked like ... Well I'm not sure what, because Jeanie asked a question that was worse than the one about me knowing how Jessica felt.

"John, how many girlfriends have you had?"

"What?" I croaked out, feeling suddenly sick to my stomach.

"Dates? Have you even had any of those?"

That I could answer.

"Yes, from some of my well meaning friends."

"Oh, God," Theresa said. "I know all about those."

"Theresa," Jeanie said, "he's in love with her, too."

"Jesus!"

If things couldn't get worse, my cell phone rang. I looked at it and cringed.

"Go ahead and answer it. We'll wait." Jeanie said.

"It's my parents," I replied.

"Good. Answer it," Theresa ordered.

Then they listened to my end of the conversation.

"Hi, Mom?"

"You're where?"

"Tonight? Why? No, I told you I was fine."

"I know you did, but I thought..."

"I'm at a house, right now."

"Hold on."

I put the phone down and covered the mouthpiece.

"My parents drove up here. They want to see me ... tonight."

Theresa looked around her apartment, suddenly concerned how it looked. Jeanie on the other hand had a big smile on her face.

"Here, let me have the phone," she said as she reached over and took it out of my hand.

I know I had a horrified look on my face. I saw movement and turned to see Jessica looking out of the bedroom.

Jeanie gave them directions and then hung up.

"They'll be here in about twenty minutes," she said. Turning, she added, "Jessica, get out here, you have a bit of cleaning up to do. We're having guests."

Jessica came out and much to my surprise went right to work. She was making everything look just right. Jeanie had to restrain Theresa from helping. The three of us just sat on the couch watching.

After the few things were picked up, the vacuum run, and water was put on the stove, Jessica came over and stood by us.

"Don't you have homework?" Theresa asked.

"All done."

"Dinner?"

"It'll be ready in thirty minutes. Do you want me to start it now?"

"No," Theresa said impatiently.

The doorbell rang and Jeanie waved Jessica to get it.