Chapter 54

After Sherrie left I showered, straightened the bed, and went up on top to wait. I could see them talking in the solarium. There was nothing that appeared to be out of place. No raised voices, no frustrated gestures, and certainly no signs of anger. Jerry seemed calm and happy. Sherrie seemed content. It all looked good.

I was lost in thought when I felt the boat shift, as someone climbed aboard. Jerry's voice preceded him. "Son, Sherrie is taking a shower, and says she'll see you in the morning. Whatever you two got up to, certainly unwound my daughter. I can't remember the last time she seemed so laid back. Whatever you did, I thank you for it. Sherrie needs some happiness and you seem to be capable of bringing it to her.

"Thanks, Brian." He meant it. There was no trace of resentment, dissent, or anger in his words. He loved his daughter and wanted her to be happy. That seemed to be his whole agenda.

"Thanks for coming out to let me know, Mr. Crane. I'll see you in the morning, when I know everyone is up and dressed. If you want, let me know when it's safe, and I'll be over then." He headed back to the house, and I enjoyed watching the stars for a long time, thinking about Sherrie, Beth Ann, Rebecca, Colleen, and Tammy.

Thinking of my lovers, and the way they enhanced my life, had a calming effect on me, and I was soon ready for bed.

Morning came as it always does, light and early. I rose and took a shower, shaved, and had a quick breakfast, then checked and realized the Crane household was still resting. That gave me an excuse to lie back down and sleep another hour.

The next thing I was aware of was a feather. It kept tickling my nose, until I was awake. When I opened my eyes, I saw Sherrie with a feather, using it to tickle me awake. When she saw me looking at her, she lost the feather and grabbed my head, kissing me with passion and intensity. She clearly did not wake up with second thoughts about me. That was good. The day was looking very good.

After kissing me into a major hard on, she had the nerve to break free and say, "Hey. Up and at 'em. It's time for you to entertain my daughter with your Pulitzer Prize winning fantasy. She's waiting and anxious, and maybe a little concerned that you might leave. So get moving and let's calm her fears." Her giggle was as infectious as Jennifer's, and I found myself wanting to giggle with her.

I tossed back the covers and Sherrie hungrily stared at my erection. The heat in her eyes was a mirror of mine, and we made a silent pact to get together later and quench our thirst. She hurried out before we began what would take another hour. I cleaned up and followed a few minutes later.

I knocked on the solarium door before entering, and heard Sherrie call out for me to joining them in the kitchen. Jennifer was sitting in her wheel chair waiting for me, by the kitchen table. She was dressed in a pretty skirt and blouse that I stopped to admire. Her smile was all the thanks I needed. Mr. Crane was finishing up the crossword puzzle from the local paper, and Sherrie was cooking.

She smiled and said, "It's about time you dragged your butt out of bed! Jennifer has been waiting for chapter two of your amazing story, since – oh, I don't know – hours, at least, maybe days!" The two of them giggled like co-conspirators, and I knew it was my day to be teased. Jerry watched us all with a faint grin on his face, enjoying his two favorite girls, enjoying themselves.

"How's my new best friend?" I kissed Jennifer on the cheek, and held her hands for a few minutes.

She giggled, "I'm just wonderful. Did you come to share more of the Princess story with me?"

"I guess I'm just going to have to tell you the whole thing," I laughed and kissed her again.

Everyone enjoyed breakfast together. Sherrie wanted us to be together this morning to get things off to a good start and it worked. Mr. Crane seemed as anxious to hear the ongoing story of Princess Jennifer, so when everything was picked up, and put away, we retreated to the solarium to continue.

"When last we spoke, Princess Jennifer was dressed in her dressiest dress, with her sparkly-est jewelry, and silkiest satin. She added her softest silk and shiniest shoes to help everyone feel happy again. When her trumpeters played her music, she swept into the throne room, and greeted everyone with her silliest smile, and toothiest teeth.

"Her smiles made them laugh and cheer. It was so smiley that they ended up forgetting how sad they felt about the king quitting." It was at that instant that I thought about her father. Maybe this story about a king quitting his kingdom would hit too close to home for Jennifer. I'd promised myself to keep an eye on her, and quit the instant she seemed to put it together that way.