Chapter 63

It had been three weeks since she'd received the second 'love letter' that I'd written some time ago. It hadn't been delivered before the house burnt, and we had been carted off. Jeannie, who had come home after I'd called Theresa to tell her that Jessica was home early from school, couldn't understand why Jessica was in her bedroom with the door closed.

Jeanie came out of the bedroom, after talking to Jessica, and she just shook her head at me. It had taken Jessica hours to recover enough to trust herself around me. The feelings we'd felt before, had just gone to another plane.

Oh, and that incident with her finding the binder? She never said a word to me. Theresa told me Jessica was mortified. Not that I was doing anything like that, but that if Jessica had said anything, she would have had to talk about what she does alone, and she wasn't ready to talk about that. At least, that's what Theresa told me. I'm sure there's some truth to it.

Other than the usual issues that a couple has, while learning about each other, Jessica and I have become closer and closer in our relationship. I know it bothers Theresa a good bit, but she hasn't said a word to us. Our relationship had been interesting, from the beginning. Everything that has happened along the way, has just made us stronger.

Tim and Jessica have developed a very good bond. Much to Jessica's perseverance, Tim has not been able to dote on her. She didn't want a guilt-ridden father, trying to make up for lost time by showering her with gifts. She wanted his presence, not his presents. He spends all day, Tuesdays, here.

Both Jessica and I have seen things that suggest that Theresa and Tim have seen each other elsewhere, but neither of them have said a word to us. I can understand that, in a way. I'm sure they are testing the waters and don't want either the pressure or possible disappointment from Jessica.

I was first to point some signs out to Jessica. Of course, I was looking. That was one of the benefits of being alone with each of them, and talking to them about things I'd noticed.

When I'd told Theresa how Tim reacted when she mentioned Joe, she was in denial that he would ever act with jealousy. Not after this many years! Talking to Tim about it, he became very flustered and quickly wanted to change the topic. I can only hope things continue to go well with them. I have always liked Theresa, and have found Tim to be a good person, as well.

Jeanie and her husband are rarely around. We see them on occasion. He has been working hard. The fire, and shut down after, had thrown his business a curve. Jeanie has been there on the grounds as well, but her 'job' has been to look after the crew that has started on their new house.

When we do see them, they tell us excitedly about what is new in the construction. It's funny to hear someone go one about sewer pipes and underground electrical service. I'm sure things will get more interesting when the walls start to go up.

Fiona has made the apartment her Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after school stop. It is nowhere near her house, but she comes home with Jessica and spends the afternoon with us. At first it was part of her suggested therapy. As such, her father would stop by and pick Fiona up, on his way home.

I know Theresa likes it, as it gives Jessica and I less time to be alone. Now it has become habit. I haven't seen any sort of problems in the last week and a half.

Today, though, was very different.

When Jessica and Fiona came in, there was a third person with them. A male.

He looked a bit gun shy. I wondered what they had told him.

"Well, Fiona," Jessica said as she brought the two over in front of me. "Introductions."

"Oh, right." Fiona said uncomfortably.

"My name's John," I said from the couch where I was sitting, and wanting to get this over with. "I'd get up and shake your hand, but I can't."

His eyes were looking at my casts. He realized he was supposed to say something.

Jumping his gaze up to my face, he stammered out, "I'm Brandon."

"Great," I said. "So, Brandon, who've you been trading spit with?"

"Wha..." he tried to get out, as he turned very red.

I noticed Fiona had the same complexion.

"John!" Jessica said. "That wasn't nice," but she laughed anyway. "Brandon is Fiona's new boyfriend."

"Oh, Fiona," I said in a sorrowful tone. "I'm so sorry to hear of the demise of your last one."

Brandon gulped. Fiona gave me an evil stare. Jessica slapped my arm.

Before anyone could say anything nasty about me I added, "Sorry, Brandon. I don't get out much, so I torture all those around me. Isn't that right, dear?"

Brandon looked at me and then to Jessica, to whom I was talking right then.

"He's ... he's your ... boyfriend?"

Jessica's mouth twitched. I'm sure she wanted to grin, but she was being much better than I had been, and didn't want to tease the poor guy.

"Yes, he is. Even if he's being a twit, right now."

I looked over to Fiona and asked, "Your parents?"

She shook her head before I got it all out.

"So, Brandon," I said, "Come over here and let's talk."

"John," Jessica said in a threatening tone.

"What?" I returned as innocently as I could. "I'm just trying to help. I know all kinds of stories."

"John!" Fiona said in a high-pitched voice.

I started laughing and said, "Sorry," to Brandon between laughs.

Jessica pushed me onto my back, and sat on my stomach. I stopped laughing very quickly. Fiona, on the other hand, thought that was very funny. Brandon was trying to be polite and didn't say anything.

"Ok, Ok!" I said, "I'll behave!"

"Right!" Jessica said.

She did get off of me, and turned around to face me on her knees.

"I missed you at school today," she whispered in my ear.

I looked at her face. It never stopped to amaze me. Jessica was just beautiful.

"Are you going to kiss me, or just look?"

My hands took hold of her head and I pulled her to me. Our lips touched and I was lost.

Well, for about a minute or so.

Fiona snorted. I think she was trying to be polite in letting us know we weren't alone.

"Don't they know how to kiss?" I asked Jessica.

Jessica tried not to laugh, and then she said, "They can't."

"Can't?"

"New braces."

"She got them on, two weeks ago," I said. "Fiona, do they still hurt?"

"Not too much. I'm getting used to them," Fiona responded.