Chapter 1
Anne couldn’t believe her bad luck. This was the third date in the last month and this one was the worst. None of them had been her choosing. They were set up by friends and family. It had been a year and half since she had lost Jim. Her husband Jim was killed in a car wreck. Although, they had been married only seven years, Anne knew that there were few men out there that could measure up to Jim.
Jim had been such a great provider, father, and husband. They met in college while Jim was in Law School and she was finishing up her undergrad. Jim waited until she finished Law School herself before launching his career. It didn’t take long though because Jim was a brilliant lawyer. It wasn’t his courtroom presence that made him stand out; it was the little things like how he treated his clients. Jim made partner just 3 years into his practice in a very up and coming firm. Soon, they both decided to start a family and nine months later Johnny was born and then two years later Gracie came along. Gracie was only 18 months old when Jim died. Both kids missed their Daddy immensely.
Anne seemed lost for almost the first eight months. She missed Jim so much. All around her were memories of him. Jim had worked hard but he always made time for her and the kids. Jim had also been a great provider. He made an awesome salary and he had made sure that Anne and the kids were taken care of. He had taken out 2 life insurance policies, one when they first got married, and another when Johnny was born. Combined the policies paid out two million dollars to her and the kids. He also took out a policy that would pay off the house should something happen to him. Anne had no worries in that area, but all of that did not replace Jim in her life and she would just as easily trade all that money and the trappings for his presence. She missed the warmth of his body next to hers when they slept; his strong hands when they held her; his lips on hers and on her body.
Anne snapped out of the day dream in time to pull up in her driveway. The rain was still coming down. It had rained for six straight days and the city and surrounding areas were showing the marks of impending floods. Anne ran up to her door under her umbrella and overcoat. As she walked in she immediately saw Jen sitting at the kitchen counter with her books open and pencil in hand. Jen looked up surprised to see Anne walk through the door at 8:45.
“Wow that was a short date!” Jen said with a tone of surprise. “Don’t ask.” Anne replied rolling her eyes. “Kids in bed already,” asked Anne. “Yes, I think the rain made them sleepy.”
Anne smiled at Jen and for the first time noticed how cute and sweet she was. Jen had babysat for Anne several times through the years since Johnny was about 2. They had met Jen and her family in church. Johnny simply adored her and he would through a fit anytime Anne or Jim would have someone else babysit him. Gracie, now three, also loved Jen and always asked when “Jin” (as she called her) was coming back. Jen had not babysat for Anne for almost year. She did some right after the funeral when Anne had some affairs to take care of but nothing for last 11 months.
“I can’t believe how miserable it is out there. Between the cold and the rain I’m chilled through and through.” Anne said as she took off her heels and hung her overcoat.
“I think I’m going to make some hot tea, would you like some?” she asked Jen.
“I think I better get going before I get rained in and you will have to babysit me.” Jen said noticing the disappointment in Anne’s face. But she really needed to go home and finish her school work. Her senior year was harder than she had anticipated.
“Let me call my Dad and let him know that I’m heading out just in case.” Jen picked up her cell phone as Anne went into the kitchen and filled her tea kettle with water and turned on the burner.
“Hey, Dad, I’m heading out in few minutes, just wanted to let you know.” Jen looked up and smiled at Anne as her Dad spoke to her on the other side of the line. “Really? That Bad?” Jen replied. “So what do I think I ought to do?” Jen put her hand over the receiver and whisper to Anne, “Dad says the bridge heading out of town is out and he’s not sure about the long way around.”
“I was afraid of that,” said Anne, “I heard it on the news in the car on the way over here.”
“Do you think I can stay here over tonight?” Jen asked.
Anne motioned for Jen to hand her the cell phone and held it up to her ear. “Mr. Clark, this is Anne Morris, how are you? I’m fine thank you. No don’t mind at all, in fact, I welcome the company. She can stay as long as she needs to. No problem at all. Good night.”
“Well, it’s settled you are my guest for the night. So will you have some tea with me now?” asked Anne with a smile.
“Sure, that will be great.” said Jen.
“Well, you watch the kettle while I head upstairs and get out of these soaked clothes,” Anne said as she walked up the stairs starting to undo buttons on her way to the top.
Jen stared at her as she walked up the stairs admiring her walk. Jen had always been impressed with Anne. Even as a housewife and mom, Anne had that air of composure and confidence that Jen admired so much. She had always been impressed with how Anne and Jim had gotten along and how good they were together. She was absolutely heartbroken when she heard about Jim’s death. Jen had missed the kids the past year and was so glad when Anne called her up last month to babysit.
The whistle of the tea kettle woke Jen up of her daydream and she walked over and put two tea bags in two mugs and poured the water into them. She picked them up and headed for the kitchen counter just in time to see Anne come down the stairs.
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New Chapter every Sat/Sun
