8 comments/ 16300 views/ 8 favorites Georgie Girl Ch. 04-06 By: coaster2 Chapter 4 Meet the Family I lay in my bed after the evening I had just spent with Georgette. I doubted I was going to get much sleep for a while. I was trying to piece together just what was going on with her. We had wrapped up the two interview sessions and she made it clear she was very happy with the results. What was I supposed to think when she suggested we have dinner, picked me up in her incredible car, went for a ride after dinner and let me drive her car as well? Then, to finish the evening off, she invited me to spend Thanksgiving with her family. It was over two weeks to the holiday and that gave me some time to think about her, and whether I was imagining that she might be interested in me. That seemed a most unlikely possibility. It probably was my imagination. She was rich, more mature... not just older, had a future mapped out for herself, and could have the pick of just about any man she wanted. So... why did I get the feeling there was something going on between us? I won't deny that I was really looking forward to Thanksgiving. Just being able to be with her was good for my ego. What I wasn't so sure of was what kind of reception I would get from her family. I didn't want to embarrass them and have to explain what I was doing hanging around with their daughter or granddaughter. We didn't exactly travel in the same social circles. Georgette called me the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. "Hi, John. Just thought I'd call and confirm Thursday. Would it be all right if I picked you up about two o'clock?" "Oh, Hi, Georgette. Uhhm... yeah... that would be fine, but you don't have to pick me up. I can ride my bike." "Oh, no. You might get mud on your tuxedo," she laughed. "I hope you're laughing because of the mud," I said, hoping like hell she didn't really expect me to wear a tux. "I'd be happier if I gave you a ride and you didn't have to worry about the weather... or anything. And I promise, Father won't be wearing a tie." "Well, if it makes you happier, then I'll gratefully accept. Thank you." "See you Thursday," she said. If there's such a thing as a smile in someone's voice, I heard it in hers. "You're not nervous, are you?" she asked as we rode to her home Thursday afternoon. She was wearing a leather jacket that covered a very nice pale yellow sweater and chocolate brown skirt. Simple, but like everything else about her, elegant. I also noticed she wore very little jewelry. Simple studs in her ear lobes and an equally simple slim gold chain around her neck. "A little bit. I don't want to embarrass myself... or you. I don't know your parents... or your grandmother, so I'm not sure what to expect." "Relax," she smiled. "They're real people, not the stuffed shirts you might be thinking of. I think you'll get a kick out of my grandmother, too. She's quite outspoken and very modern considering her age." I didn't respond and a moment or so later, she put her hand on mine as it rested on the armrest of the center console. A light squeeze and another smile was all it took and I was starting to feel very energized. When we pulled up in front of her home, I got out and we walked up the front sidewalk and stairs together with Georgette holding my hand. It was just another thing that I didn't expect and didn't quite know what to think about it. I've heard it said that sometimes people can feel some sort of energy pass between themselves and another person. Like that idea of love at first sight, but in this case, first touch. Sparks fly and you can feel something pass from your partner to you and go throughout your body. I'd never experienced it and, to tell the truth, didn't believe it either. I was wrong. That was exactly what was happening when Georgette touched me. I could feel my chest contract and I was very tense as she held my hand. I wasn't really paying attention as we turned away from her door and went along the porch to the far end and her parents' door. She didn't bother to ring the bell, but simply turned the knob and entered. When we did, I could smell the roasting turkey and what I thought might be a pumpkin pie as well. I'd been deprived of those smells for two years and I missed them. Not exactly like home, but very nice just the same. "Come and meet my parents," Georgette said after we hung our jackets on the antique coat stand. I followed her through the dining room and into the kitchen area. Two women were busy working on preparing the meal and they turned as we entered. "Mother, Nan, this is John Smith. John, this is my mother Sarah and my grandmother Nanette. She prefers to be called Nan." We said hello to each other and Nan approached me, giving me a careful examination. "So... you're the man that Georgie-Girl's been talking about. I can see why she'd be interested in a big, handsome fellow like you." She stuck out her hand, "Welcome," she said with a firm grip after I finally responded. Georgette's mother had turned back to her work and wasn't paying attention to anything else. Nan, however, had decided she needed to get to know me better. I took a quick look at Georgette and saw she was hiding a smile at the action of her grandmother. After all, she did try to warn me. "Where's Father?" Georgette asked. "He's gone out for his afternoon walk," Nan answered quickly. "I told him to save it for after the meal when he'd really need it, but he paid me no never-mind... as usual." I stifled a laugh. The grandmother had a look of mischief in her eyes and I was going to have to be on my guard with her. "Georgie tells me you're going to invent some kind of water machine. Is that so?" "Uhhm... not exactly. I'm working on a system to take water that isn't drinkable or can't be used for irrigation and purify it. I'm trying to make the system very compact and affordable." "Well, that sure enough sounds like something important to me, Johnny," she said. "You need to talk to my son. He's in the investment business and is always looking for good opportunities." "Well, it's a little early for that," I said. "I haven't completed the design and tested it, so I have some work to do yet. Right now I'm looking for money to finish the development." The old woman patted me on the arm. "You just keep workin' on it, Johnny. I've got a feeling you'll get it figured out if you're as smart as Georgie-Girl says you are." I cast a quick glance at Georgette and saw her turn away, but not before I noticed that blush that was so distinctive. Now I was really confused. She had been talking about me to her family? At least to her grandmother. I was surprised and confused once again. Georgette and I retreated to the living room to allow the two women to continue their work in the kitchen. I was about to sit down when Nan appeared in the dining room. "Aren't you going to offer the man a drink, Georgie?" she said. "Oh... of course. I'm sorry, John. What would you like? Your usual?" "Sure, that would be fine," I grinned. It would seem that Georgette was getting a bit flustered as well. She returned a short time later with a tall Pilsner glass of beer and a glass of red wine. We sat close to each other on the sofa. "I see what you mean about your grandmother. She's really something special," I said. "She's easy to like." "I love her to pieces," Georgette admitted. "Mother is a bit more reserved and Nan is so alive and feisty that you can't help but love her." I nodded. That's exactly how I felt. "So, Georgie-Girl, what's that all about?" She laughed. "Nan's been calling me that since I was born. It was a song title and a movie way back when, and Nan thought it fit me just right. I've been Georgie or Georgie-Girl ever since." "Oh, sure. I've heard of it. I like it a whole lot better than someone calling you George," I admitted. "I never thought about it very much. I did notice that you always called me by my full name." I nodded. "Yes. I like it. I like the sound of it." Again, a blush formed on her chest. Not quite as full-fledged as in the past, but a blush nonetheless. The front door opened and a tall, gray-haired man appeared. He smiled and nodded at us as he hung up his windbreaker and walked into the living room. Georgette and I had both risen. "Father, this is John Smith. John, this is my father, Thomas." "How do you do, sir," I said, holding out my hand. He took it and shook it firmly. "Nice to meet you John, and welcome to our home. Georgette tells me you're from Idaho." "Yes, sir. From Coeur d'Alene." "One of the truly beautiful places in this country. Let me get myself reintroduced into the kitchen and escape with a drink and I'll join you," he grinned. Unlike her mother, Georgette's father was an outgoing and likable man. A different personality from his wife it seemed. The thought crossed my mind that he would be a very valuable contact for me in the future. I heard some talk and then some laughter and shortly afterward Thomas reappeared with what looked like a whiskey and ice and found a comfortable seat near us. "Georgette tells me that college is the first time you've been away from home. How are you coping with the differences between your smaller home town and the big city?" "Not too badly, sir. I guess I'm lucky that San Francisco is a very open and friendly city. I don't know if I would be as well off in Chicago or New York." "No doubt about that, John. But you've chosen an interesting college. It isn't one of the mainstream super-schools, but its reputation is first class. You'll get a good education and it will be recognized by the people who know high-quality." "That's good to know. I spent a fair amount of time deciding where I should go. I have to say, though, that the climate was a factor in my decision," I grinned. "No doubt. I understand you ski. We have a lodge in Tahoe. Perhaps you can find the time to spend a weekend up there with us." "I didn't bring my skis and boots with me to school. I'd have to bring them down after Christmas." "Do that. I'm sure Georgette would be happy to have someone to ski with besides us old-timers," he smiled. This was all getting to be a little overwhelming. I didn't know these people at all and they knew so much about me. Georgette was the only source of information they had, so she's been telling them about me. I've spent less than five minutes with Thomas Fulton and he's inviting me to his family ski lodge at Lake Tahoe. What the hell? I suddenly realized that Georgette was holding my arm in her hands. I had no idea when that had happened, but I didn't see any concern on her father's part. All this was adding to my confusion. When I got the chance, I was going to ask Georgette to explain. "Georgette tells me you are trying to develop a small-scale water decontamination system," he said between sips on his whiskey. "That sounds like a very worthwhile project. What can you tell me about it?" "Well, the concept isn't exactly new, only the scale. There are portable water purification systems available, but the size and scale of them are generally much bigger than my concept. The existing designs fit into a forty-foot container or a transport trailer. I've been working on developing a system that would fit in the back of a pickup truck." "Where do you see your market?" he asked. "At first, I was thinking of third-world applications. But this country has millions upon millions of acres of potentially arable land that is in need of clean or usable water. Much of what is available in remote locations is contaminated by natural chemicals or bio-waste. The big farms can afford the big units, but the smaller farms and ranches need something suited to their scale. I also want my system to be capable of being run economically. Maybe wind or solar power could be auxiliary power suppliers along with regular household electricity. That's not my prime objective, but it is a longer term objective." "That's very ambitious. How far along are you?" "I've got most of the design engineering in place. I need to enlist some help with certain segments. For instance, I've been trying to get one of the big suppliers interested in micro-filtration membranes. Aqua-Tech is local, but has no interest in anything that isn't either large scale or large volume through distributors. Two others are foreign and have limited technical support in the U.S. That leaves Dow Chemical and their Filmtec division. I'm having a great deal of trouble getting a meeting with their technical representative. I guess I'm not big enough to warrant his time." Thomas Fulton leaned back in his chair, looking at me intently for a moment. "Perhaps I can help. I have a contact in Midland and I might be able to persuade them to at least listen to you." "I'd be very grateful, sir. I know I'm not a big prospect right now, but I'm convinced that my concept has potential. I may not be able to do it all myself, but I'd like to at least try and get some technical support. If it turns out to be a success, they'll be banging on my door wanting to sell me their products." He nodded. "No doubt about it. It's always the way. However, I do have a contact that might at least get you an audience with their technical services department. Then, it will be up to you to tell your story and convince them that you have a viable product." "Thank you. That would be a huge help. I want to be close to a prototype machine by the time I graduate. I know that's ambitious, but that's what I'm working toward." "I understand. In the meantime, tell me about Coeur d'Alene. I haven't been there in years. I suppose it's grown a great deal." I was feeling good about my conversation with Thomas and even though Georgette hadn't said a word, she was paying close attention to my conversation with her father, including my description of my home. I could see he was fit and healthy looking, as were the others in his family. "You are a skier too," I said, turning to Georgette. "Uh huh," she smiled. "Bring your skies and boots when you come back after Christmas. We can get away for a weekend now and then." "I don't know. I've got to study most weekends. You know why," I said. "Don't worry," she smiled. "We'll find time to study and ski." We spent the next two hours talking about a dozen different things. I had the feeling I was being tested, although I wasn't sure just what for. Georgette was fairly quiet and yet, not left out. After a while Nan and Sarah joined us, each of them being served a glass of wine by Thomas. Sarah seemed to be examining me, but said little as she was back and forth into the kitchen to check on one thing or another. Shortly after five, dinner was served. It was magnificent. I suppose it was the conversation with Thomas and the greeting by Nan, but I was relaxed and enjoying my meal. Even Georgette's mother was engaging me in conversation, asking about my sister and brother. "Yes, Christmas is the one of two times in the year when all of us can get together," I said. "Both sets of grandparents will the there. My sister and brother will drive up from Boise with their brood and we'll have a real family Christmas. The only other time is two weeks in the summer when they come for their summer vacation. I get to be baby sitter then. The kids just love the lake and they'd stay in all day if we let them." "You're very close to your family then," Sarah remarked. "I think that's important and something you learn early on." I shrugged. "I've never known any other way." With the odd number, Georgette and I were seated together with Nan opposite and Thomas and Sarah at each end. It was a big table and I speculated that it could be extended to hold many more people than just us. Georgette was quiet, listening closely to the table talk. I wasn't being left out at all. In fact, there were times when I thought I might be monopolizing the conversation. But it was comfortable conversation, so I just responded as needed. We finished the main course and relaxed at the table before Sarah served the dessert. A good thing too, because I was stuffed and I got the impression Thomas was too. Nan was a delightful table companion, full of amusing anecdotes about her life in the city and her late husband. There was nothing maudlin about it, just fond remembrances touched with humor. "That hot car Georgie-Girl likes so much couldn't hold a candle to my Harlan's Corvette. I remember the day he brought it home. I gave him such a tongue-lashing about being frivolous and not acting his age," she laughed. "Hell, he owned the dealership and he could drive any car he wanted, and he wanted that Corvette. Scared the pants off me when he took me racing around town in that thing. I thought he'd pulverized my kidneys by the time he brought me back here." "I remember that car," Sarah said. "Devon almost cried, he wanted that car so much. When you made father take it back and he brought the Impala home, he was so upset with his father. I don't think he spoke to him for a month. No wonder it was the first car he bought for himself." "Did you notice how long he kept that car?" Nan cackled. "About six months before he knew it was a bad choice for this city. Next thing I knew he was driving a foreign car. I thought my husband was going to shoot his own son." "Well, that didn't last much longer, did it?" Sarah smiled. "Devon convinced his father to add the Saab and Subaru dealerships and all was well again." Family business. I'd heard these kinds of conversations many times and they were always fun and informative. Every family had their ups and downs and the desBiens and Fulton families were no different. "Where do you ski, John?" Georgette asked, changing the subject. "Silver Mountain. It's in Kellogg, not the prettiest place in Idaho, but close to home." "Have you skied Sun Valley?" Sarah Fulton asked. "Yes... a couple of times when I was in high school. A couple of buddies and I went south for the spring break and spent way too much money for too little skiing," I chuckled. "Actually, Silver Mountain is only a few minutes away and what it lacks in glamour, it makes up in economy and plenty of great runs." "Are you a good skier, John?" Sarah asked. "Not bad. I was on our high school ski team and we did well in the regionals. I was better at downhill and giant slalom than slalom." "Our lodge is in Tahoe City. Like you, we enjoy boating and water skiing in summer and it's a short ride up to Squaw Valley from there. It's the best of both worlds," Sarah said with a smile. I was pleased that she was beginning to loosen up. Maybe she needed to see that I wasn't some guy after her daughter's money. Fat chance I'd have of that! "That's the way I feel about our home," I said. "The best of both worlds, winter and summer." "And in between?" Thomas asked. "School," I laughed. "Never a dull moment. Speaking of which, uhhm... I hope you don't think me presumptuous, but when we have guests, it's the ladies that slave away make all the great food, so the men get to clean up and let them rest." I think they must have all burst out laughing at the same time. I must have been red-faced because I assumed I'd said the stupidest thing imaginable. It was Sarah that saved me. "John... I'm sorry we laughed. It's just that it's the same in this house, but we didn't want to say anything in case you didn't want to. It looks like we didn't have anything to worry about," she smiled, probably for the first time where I was concerned. "Well, that's a relief. I though for a minute I'd really put my foot in it." "Don't worry, John," Georgette said, I'll help you and Father put things away in the right places. I rose as Thomas did and we made out way to the kitchen to begin the cleanup. Georgette helped us put the leftovers in various containers and what was left of the turkey went in a large plastic bag and into the refrigerator. Georgie Girl Ch. 04-06 "There's another fridge downstairs," Georgette said, loading the various containers on a bake pan. "The blue containers go in the freezer and the pink ones go in the fridge." I took the pan loaded with the plastic containers while Georgette held the door to the basement open for me and turned on the light. As I descended the stairs I saw that it was a finished area with a large pool table, a bar, a small washroom and a door to other end of the building which I presumed contained the furnace and some storage. The big refrigerator-freezer was behind the bar and I had no problem finding space for the containers in either segment. When I returned to the kitchen, I was handed a towel by Georgette and I began to dry the glassware and dishes as they arrived. Twenty minutes later we were done and the kitchen was looking almost unused once again. "Thank you, John. That was very helpful and saved me a lot of time," Thomas said, holding out his hand. I shook it and nodded. It always felt good when I could contribute something like that after all the work it took to prepare the meal. "Would you like to go for a walk around the block to work off your meal?" Georgette asked. "Sure. Sounds like a good idea." I helped her with her jacket and, as we left and I was closing the door, I was sure I saw Nan wink at me. She was about as subtle as a sledge hammer. This time I took Georgette's hand and we walked... make that ambled... along the sidewalk. "Nice night," I said quietly, looking up at the sky. City lights were reflecting off the few clouds, and there was no moon and only one or two stars visible. "Lovely," she said. "Did you enjoy yourself?" "Yes, I did. I really like your family. Even your mother seemed to loosen up a bit. I was worried she didn't want me there." "No... that's mother. She's very protective of me, so it wasn't out of character." "I'd have thought that by now she would have realized you can look after yourself." I felt her squeeze my hand but she didn't react to my comment. "I like your father. Very easy to talk to and very knowledgeable. Your grandmother is like that too." "So, what about me?" she asked, looking at me with what I thought might be a slight smile. I didn't answer right away and she didn't pursue her question either. I was trying to find the right thing that would express how I felt. I stopped walking and turned to her. "I'm having a hard time realizing that you're comfortable being with me. We are worlds apart in our backgrounds. I once told Ginny that you were out of my league, and I've kept that feeling even though you're trying to prove me wrong." I wasn't prepared for what happened next. She stepped to me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and kissed me as deeply as I'd ever been kissed. "Now, tell me about that league," she demanded with a smile. "It's the league in which an incredibly beautiful woman of wealth and education doesn't get involved with an ordinary guy... an ordinary younger guy. Okay, I'll admit I'm not ugly, but you drive a BMW and I ride a bike. You're working on a PhD and I'm still an undergraduate. Are you getting the picture?" She was shaking her head as we stood on the sidewalk only a few dozen yards from her home. "None of that counts, John. None of it. Have you heard the expression, 'the heart wants what it wants?'" I nodded. "I understand that, but I don't understand why you want me. Why?" "I have no idea," she said softly, "but somehow, you have wormed your way into my heart and it knows what it wants." That brought about another long, deep kiss. I had no intention of resisting, but I was still trying to figure out what to do next. "You know how I feel about getting involved with someone while I'm still in school, don't you," I said, not making it a question. "I know. I won't interfere. I'll be patient as long as you know I'm waiting for you." She smiled and linked her arm through mine and we continued walking. We walked much more than a block and by the time we were back at the house we had been gone almost an hour. We hadn't kissed or done anything else after our conversation. We just walked, thinking our own thoughts. As we walked up the steps to the front porch, Georgette stopped at the top and kissed me once more. "That will hold you until our date on Saturday night. I'll pick you up at seven, our usual time if that's okay." I was about to say something about not assuming we would be going out on Saturday when I thought better of it. If I was being honest with myself, I did want to be with her... as often as possible. And now, she was telling me that was what she wanted too. "Okay, seven o'clock Saturday. Any suggestions of where we should go?" "I'll surprise you," she grinned, giving me another quick kiss before we walked to the end of the porch and into her parents' home. Chapter 5 Learning the Truth I didn't have to wait for Saturday night for a surprise. On Friday morning, "Black Friday" as it's known, I got a phone call. "Good morning, John, it's Nan desBiens calling. Have you recovered from yesterday's big meal?" "Only just, Nan. That was a feast and it was wonderful. I'm really grateful I was invited." "You were a perfect guest, John. But that's not why I called. I understand you have a date with Georgie on Saturday night." "I see there are no secrets in the desBiens-Fulton household," I chuckled. "Yes, I have a date with your granddaughter on Saturday." "I wonder if I could impose on you to join me for lunch on Saturday... say one o'clock?" "I guess. I should be able to find the time. Where would you like to meet?" "I thought we might go to a little Mexican place I know. I'll pick you up just before one then?" "Uhhm... sure. Just the two of us?" "Yes... I'll call a cab and stop by your apartment." "You know where I live?" "Yes, Georgie told me. So I'll see you Saturday?" "Yes, I'll be waiting out front so you won't keep the cab waiting." "That's very considerate but not necessary. I have an account with them and they are very good about waiting. See you Saturday then." When I hung up I wondered what this was all about. It never seemed to end. I was getting involved with their family whether I wanted to or not. I didn't have long to wait in the lobby on Saturday afternoon. A city cab pulled up at five before one and I stepped out of the lobby and headed for it when I saw Nan wave to me from the back seat. The little Mexican restaurant turned out to be Castillo Hidalgo, one of the most highly regarded restaurants in the Bay Area. The building was divided into three parts: a formal dining room, a lounge, and an open area that was more suitable for families with children. Nan chose the lounge. "I don't get to come to this place often," Nan explained, "so I thought I'd take advantage of you today. I hope you like Mexican food." "I do, but I don't get to enjoy it at places as nice as this." The waiter appeared with menus and took our drink orders. For a change of pace I ordered a Negra Modelo, while Nan chose a Tequila Sunrise. "They make a proper one here," she confided. I scanned the menu and almost immediately saw what I would likely order. The lunch special was grilled yellow fin tuna with rice, beans, lettuce and pico de gallo salsa. Not too heavy, since Georgette and I were going out to dinner that evening. "I'm sure you're wondering what an old bat like me wants to talk to you about in private, so I'll get right to it." Nan was nothing if not direct and I nodded for her to continue. "I can see that you and Georgie-Girl are something more than just friends. It may have started out that way, but that's not what it is today. I thought I'd better tune you in to what's been going on in her life so that you can understand her a little better. If I don't, you may be in for some heartache." I wondered if she was about to reveal some fatal flaw in Georgette that I couldn't see or know about. My only option was to wait her out and listen. "I'm sure she hasn't told you that she was married for nearly three years." I was completely unprepared for that. "No... no... she never said a word. I had no idea." "She fell in love with Bradley Little when she met him at a corporate reception at her uncle's office. She was a guest and just socializing at the time. "Bradley was an associate at Cunliffe, Harcourt and desBiens. He was just new at that time, but he was rising in the eyes of some of the partners. He was also quite a charmer with the ladies. When he met Georgie, you could almost see his eyes light up, I'm told. She was the niece of a senior partner and he was ambitious. He smooth-talked her and the next thing you know, he was dating her. "Anyway, it was a whirlwind romance and since he was from a decent family and had good prospects in our family law firm, he was considered a good catch, especially by Sarah. My daughter was a bit of a snob in those days, so Georgette was expected to marry into a 'proper' family," Nan said, hooking her fingers in quotation marks. "I'm not sure if Sarah talked Georgie into the marriage, or Georgie was just young enough and naïve enough to think he was Prince Charming. But six months after they met they were engaged and four months later they were married. I have to admit that I thought she had done all right with this guy and we expected to hear about grandchildren fairly soon. "None of us were prepared for what happened next. They were living in a house in South San Francisco, so we didn't see them that often. The first sign that all was not well was a year or so after with them coming to dinner at the house and Georgie showing a bruised cheek and walking very stiffly. She claimed she had slipped in the kitchen and fallen. We didn't have any reason not to believe her. "But... little by little, we began to see a change in Georgie and we were seeing a lot less of her as well. She lost that youthful enthusiasm that was part of her personality, and seemed listless and unresponsive when we did see her. Both Sarah and Tom were as worried about her as I was. Tom went as far as talking to Devon to see if he could shed any light on what was going on with Bradley. Was he under great pressure or something that would cause him to change? "The answer was that he wasn't under any pressure at all. He'd been given a couple of straightforward briefs and, as far as anyone knew, he was doing what he should be doing. The other thing that was worrisome was whenever Sarah or I teased her about producing some grandchildren, she'd either go into a shell or she'd break down and cry. It was pretty obvious then that something was wrong in the Little household. "It all came to a head when Thomas and Sarah went down one Sunday to visit them unannounced. When Bradley answered the door, he didn't seem to be anxious to have them in the house. Thomas, I guess, used his gift of gab to talk their way in and when Georgie appeared, they were horrified. Her left eye was black and blue and swollen shut. She looked like hell, Sarah told me. "Well when Bradley tried to tell them that she slipped and fell again, Thomas exploded. He didn't believe a word of it and accused Bradley of beating Georgie. That led to a screaming match between the three of them while Georgie was in tears, hiding her face in her hands and trying to be invisible. The upshot of it was that Thomas threatened to file assault charges on Bradley if he stopped Georgie from coming home with them. That stopped Bradley cold. He knew that would be fatal to his career at Cunliffe, especially since his wife was the niece of a named partner. "Sarah collected up some clothes and personal items and hustled Georgie out to their car and Thomas drove them home, making sure Bradley wasn't following them," Nan paused, taking a sip of her drink. I hadn't said a word because I couldn't. I was still in shock and trying to absorb what had happened to Georgette during this horrible time. Nan must have read my thoughts. "It was a hell of a mess, John. And the worst was yet to come. It turns out that they had been trying to get Georgie pregnant virtually since the wedding, if not before. However, nothing was happening and Bradley was getting more and more angry thinking that his wife wasn't trying hard enough, or worse yet, was deliberately trying not to get pregnant. Can you imagine a guy, supposedly married to the woman he loves, thinking like that after only two years of marriage? I sure the heck couldn't. "Well, Bradley had insisted that Georgie get tested and make sure there wasn't a physical problem. The tests showed that she didn't have any problem at all. So, the doctor suggested that Bradley come in and get tested. He refused. He not only refused, he threw a fit and clouted Georgie, blaming her for not being able to conceive. It was soon after that Thomas and Sarah discovered what was going on. It was becoming petty clear that he was unstable and Georgie didn't know what to do about it. If her mother and father hadn't intervened, I don't know what might have happened." I shook my head in dismay. I almost had tears in my eyes as I thought about this guy hitting Georgette. "What happened then?" I asked. "Devon thought it might be possible to get an annulment and declare the marriage void. No such luck, though. So, to the embarrassment to everyone in the family, Georgie filed for divorce on the grounds of mental cruelty. It was a mismatch with the best of Cunliffe, Harcourt and desBiens up against an inexperienced young guy that was probably all Bradley could afford. "The divorce was granted thirty months after their wedding and it was final just after what would have been their third anniversary. Unfortunately, Bradley didn't accept the decision. Despite the fact that there was no alimony and no charges of assault were laid, he was incensed that she would divorce him. "He began to harass her. He would show up unexpectedly and beg her to come back to him. When she wouldn't even talk to him, he began to threaten her. Both her parents and I were witnesses to some of these threats. He was going to 'come and get her and take her home where she belonged.' He was losing his grip and we were all worried that he might become more violent. "So, Georgie did the only thing she could do. She filed for a restraining order, with her parents and me as witnesses to Bradley's threats. It was granted and for a while, that seemed to work. What we didn't realize was that Bradley still wasn't accepting the divorce and was planning another avenue of attack. It was only luck that he was never able to grab Georgie and take her somewhere." "This is a horror story, Nan," I said, feeling the onset of a headache from listening to this tale. "It was bad for the family, but it was worse for Georgie. She was afraid to go out anywhere. If she did, she had someone with her at all times. Thomas even considered hiring a bodyguard." "Why didn't he?" "Needless to say, Bradley was fired from Cunliffe when all the restraining order and divorce actions were known. He disappeared for a while, then resurfaced as a legal aid lawyer. He began filing nuisance suits against us and Cunliffe. He papered the house with all kinds of baseless accusations. They went nowhere, of course, but it tied up resources at the firm. Finally, Devon went to the state attorney's office and told them what was going on. With a little pressure, they arranged to have Bradley fired." Nan leaned back in her chair as the meals arrived. I was stunned speechless at this story. The only thing that kept me from being angry at her ex-husband was the fact that the incidents were in the past and I couldn't see any after-effects on Georgette. Something must have settled him down. Perhaps being out of work took the fight out of him. "Is it over?" "We think so. He hasn't made an appearance in over a year-and-a-half. Where he is and what he is doing, we don't know." "I can understand why you'd be worried about someone like me coming along and getting involved with Georgette, Nan. I can imagine your worries." "We are all being careful. When Georgie started talking about you and telling us how interesting and open you were, we had a déjà vu experience. Was this another Bradley happening all over again? Thanksgiving confirmed that you weren't anything like Bradley. My granddaughter is much more mature now and seems to have come out of this bad period with very few emotional scars." "That was my impression too," I said. "She doesn't give any hint to me of what had gone on before. That's amazing, I think." Nan nodded. "I agree. She's very resilient. But there's something else to consider. She told me much later on that she had to be talked into marrying Bradley. It wasn't like she didn't like him and we had to force her to marry, but she didn't have that look about her that a person deeply in love with another usually has. That should have been a warning to us and it wasn't noticed." "Hindsight is always clearer," I said. She smiled. "True, but when I saw you two together for the first time, I knew this was different. You may not know it yet and perhaps she doesn't either, but there is a special look that you give each other that says a lot. Don't rush it and don't force it, but don't resist it either," she smiled. "But Nan, I'm so much younger than her. And what about the family? What are they going to think of her being with a younger man who's still in school and doesn't have a job?" "Forget all that malarkey. It means nothing if there is genuine love between you two. Sarah has learned a very important lesson from all this. Bradley's family station and his job and prospects for the future meant nothing in the end. He was a bad choice and none of that other stuff matters worth a tinker's darn. In one afternoon and evening, you've done more to convince Georgie's parents that you are a better man than anyone could have expected. It isn't easy to fool people who are on the lookout for someone who's insincere." "Thanks for the vote of confidence. But... as far as Georgette and I are concerned, I'm going to take this very slowly, especially after what you've told me today. I'm a year-and-a-half away from graduation, and that's my first priority. I've told her that there won't be time for her as a serious girlfriend between now and then." "And what did she say," Nan asked. "She said she'd wait," I smiled. "I hope she does." "I'll be awful darn disappointed if she doesn't," Nan smiled in reply. I don't remember eating the lunch I was so absorbed in listening to Nan describe what had happened to Georgette. I know I must have because they came and took the plates away. On the cab ride back to my apartment I thanked Nan for her taking the opportunity to let me know what had gone on in Georgette's past. I promised that I wouldn't say anything to anyone unless I was asked directly. I stepped out of the cab after giving Nan a kiss on the cheek and thanking her for trusting me with a confidence. She smiled and said she hoped to see me soon. *** "Okay, John, out with it. You've been looking at me strangely since we arrived here. Just what did my Nan have to say to you at lunch?" "You knew we had lunch together?" "There aren't many secrets in our family. Was she giving you the third degree about what your intentions were toward me?" "No... strangely, she wasn't," I said. "She's your biggest fan, you know, and I'm happy to say she and I get along very well." "That's not news. Come on, John, what was lunch all about?" "I'd rather not say. In fact, I promised I wouldn't." "Oh... oh." She looked like she was thinking about something when I saw her eyes go wide and I suspected she had guessed what our meeting was all about. Georgie Girl Ch. 04-06 "She told you, didn't she?" "Told me what?" I asked, playing dumb and hoping it wasn't what I had learned that afternoon. "She told you about my marriage." Damn! What now? Lie or confess? I took a deep breath. "She told me. I promised to keep it a confidence, but I can see that was hopeless. How did you know I was at lunch with her?" "I saw the cab pick her up and I know just how she thinks. We're closer than Siamese twins," she said with a wry smile. "She likes you and she wanted to prepare you. She can see how I feel about you... I've never been able to hide anything from her." "She is something special, all right," I agreed. "Yes... she did tell me what happened. It must have been horrible for you. I can't imagine, and yet I can't tell if it's still bothering you." "It isn't. Oh, once in a while I wonder what he's up to and where he is, but the only feeling I have for him is one of disgust. He's a part of my forgettable past. You, Mister Smith, are my future." "You realize your future... our future... is eighteen months away." She reached over and took my hand. "Seventeen months and counting," she smiled. I made an agreement with Georgette. We would date only on Saturday and I would come to her place with food that we would both prepare for our meal before we decided what to do for the rest of the evening. I think I surprised her that I was a capable cook. "I can't be a kept man, Georgette. I know it isn't important to you, but it is to me. I don't want to feel like I'm sponging off you or your family. I want to have something that I can contribute to whatever our relationship is." "Well... there's a big step," she said brightly. "That's the first time you even suggested we are having a relationship." "I know it isn't much, but I do have some pride." She got up and came around to my side of the table. "I promise you I will never take that away from you. We will find a way to let you contribute. I also know that you have limited funds and that I have unlimited funds... or almost. Our financial lives are not in balance and maybe they never will be. We have to learn to live with that, John. What we do have is each other. If I have to give it all up, I will. I know the difference between what I had and what I want. I want John Smith." She was sitting on my lap in her kitchen as we kissed. It took quite some time before we decided that would do for now. I had prepared the dinner; a stir fry pork chop suey that I had perfected over the past two years. It was very popular with the guys at the apartment. It went over well with Georgette too. My recipe called for a deep tapered dish (Georgette had a Wok), a wooden spatula and two plates with forks. The rest was slicing some pork tenderloin very thinly and chopping vegetables. It couldn't have been easier and simpler with very little to clean up afterwards. That's what made it so popular with my roommates. "I've gone back on the pill, John. It takes a couple of months to get reestablished. When you come back from Idaho after Christmas, I want us to make love." I wasn't ready for that statement. She was way ahead of where I was in this relationship. I wasn't shy about having sex with girls or women. I was shy about upsetting the balance that Georgette and I were just beginning to achieve. Was the New Year too soon? I had no idea. In another life, I might have been disappointed that I had to wait that long and maybe suggest a condom as an alternative. She was suggesting a gift that I could have only dreamed about until this past week. "How would you like to spend New Years at our lodge in Tahoe City? We can ski and make love whenever we can sneak away," she teased. "New Years Eve is a Thursday, so we can stay until Monday before coming home. Classes don't begin until Tuesday. You'll have finished all your exams and be ready for your next semester without any worries." "Won't your parents be there?" "Yes, but they usually socialize in the evenings, so we're bound to have some time to ourselves. When will you be back in town?" "Uhhm, Wednesday. I get into Oakland about noon hour." "Wonderful. I'll pick you up at the airport and we can go straight to Tahoe. That will give us at least one full day to ourselves to relax and have fun." "Are you sure about this, Georgette? I'm not objecting, but I want you to be very sure about... us." She pulled me close and kissed me once more and left no doubt that as of that moment, she was sure. Well then, if she was sure, why was I waffling about a trip to paradise? "Okay. I'll make sure I bring my skis and boots and clothes with me." "That's my guy," she beamed. "We are going to have a great time together." Chapter 6 Tahoe Time As I walked from the arrivals area at Oakland International into the baggage reclaim, I saw Georgette waving excitedly. I waved back and smiled. It was nice to be greeted like that. She ran to me and we hugged tightly before my mouth was covered with a deep, passionate kiss. "I guess you haven't changed your mind about me while I was gone," I kidded. "Never! I have been waiting for this for two weeks. I'm going to love you to death," she threatened. "It was only ten days and don't say that. I plan to live for a long, long time. Especially if I'm going to be with you." "You make me feel so alive, John. I've never felt like this before." "I can say the same thing. I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. I'm still trying to understand how I could be so lucky." "I'm the lucky one," she said, kissing me again. I'm sure we must have been a bit of a spectacle in the baggage claim, but I really didn't care and I was sure Georgette didn't either. I found a cart and picked up my bags and my skis and we walked out to her car. After the cramped aircraft seat and the recirculated air, it was good to breathe the fresh air from the bay and relax in the luxury of Georgette's BMW as we headed north on I-880 to the junction of I-80. "Did you have a good Christmas?" she asked. "Yes, it was great. Everyone was in good health and good spirits. My sister is starting to get big with her third child. She's due in May, but Mom doesn't think she'll make it that long. They have one of each, so they don't care if it's a boy or a girl and didn't want to know for a change." "I can't wait to start making babies with you," she said. "Well, please don't start until we get married. I don't think your family would approve." "Are you really going to marry me?" she asked, almost as if the idea surprised her. "I thought that was the idea when two people who love each other decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together." "You said 'love' like it's already a fact." She seemed surprised by my comment. "I said it... and I meant it. It was something I discovered while I was home at Christmas. I knew I couldn't see you and be with you until I came back and there were times when I might have just left to come back to you. I knew then that I was in love with you. Crazy as it sounds, I'm in love with you, Georgette." I wasn't prepared for what happened next. With as little as a quick look in her rear view mirror, she pulled across three lanes of traffic on 880 and onto an off-ramp. In an equally swift move, she pulled the car into the first opening and parked it perfectly in one continuous motion. She undid her seat belt and leaned over to me and unbuckled mine as well. "Come over here, lover. Any man who tells me he's in love with me has to be tested." I was about to laugh at her antics when she covered my mouth with one of her wonderful soul-scorching kisses. If I didn't love her before, I certainly did now. "You love me? Really?" she said, hoping for my confirmation I guessed. "Without a doubt. I may not have known it before, but I do now. But it doesn't change anything, Georgette. You know my conditions. I finish school first, and then we can talk about our future." "I know. I don't like it, but I understand it and I respect it. But between now and then, I'm going to make sure you're well taken care of and don't have any need to stray." "How am I supposed to concentrate on my classes when you make promises like that," I laughed. "Don't worry. I'll help you study. It's in my best interests to make sure you graduate on time, isn't it?" "That's true, and just you remember that too." We separated and she buckled up again, making a quick, skillful U-turn back the way we came and within seconds we were back rocketing toward the junction with I-80 and the road to Tahoe. I'm not sure whether it was fatigue or just the tension of what was to come, but I fell asleep somewhere before Fairfield and didn't awaken until I felt my ears pop as we climbed Donner Pass. The BMW was so quiet and smooth that I barely knew we were moving, much less at something over seventy-five. I sat up and stretched, looking over at Georgette. She was wearing that enigmatic smile I was learning to recognize. It was like she was saying "life is good and I'm enjoying it." "How long was I out?" I asked, stretching and yawning. "About ninety minutes. You looked very peaceful... very comfortable. A couple of times I had to stop myself from pulling over and taking advantage of you." "I'd prefer to be wide awake for something I'm anticipating as much as that," I grinned. When I looked around I could see snow on the ground and a pile of it along the side of the road where it had been plowed. "Are we going to be all right in the snow?" I asked. "I've got the latest in winter tires and this is the all-wheel-drive version. We'll be okay unless we get snowed in," she said confidently. "What happens if we get snowed in?" I guess my snort after the question told her what I was thinking. There was laughter in her voice as she spoke. "We'll just have to make the best of it. No point in calling for help. We'll just snuggle up and wait for a rescue." "Okay... I feel better then." We turned off I-80 at Truckee, moving south on Highway 89 on the short drive to Tahoe City. As we approached the town, we turned up a narrow snow-covered road and drove slowly up the hill until we came to a driveway with a mailbox at the end. Georgette stopped, lowered the window and reached in to get the mail before continuing up the driveway. A few seconds later, their lodge came into view. It was big. Very big! Log construction with a steep metal roof and a stone foundation. It was beautiful from the outside and I was impressed, wondering what it would be like inside. Georgette pulled the car into an open shed structure that was used as a carport. It looked like there would be room for three cars under the shed. It was built back into the hillside and well sheltered. Again, the roof was steeply pitched metal and looked like it had been constructed to withstand a heavy snow load. I'd seen my share of this kind of construction around my home and at Silver Mountain. I climbed out of the car and stretched again, as did Georgette. The air was cold and my first instinct was to get my ski parka out of the back seat. We both had the same idea at the same time. She had popped the trunk lid and I grabbed a couple of bags while she unlocked the back door to the lodge. It opened into a mud room. One more trip and I had cleared the trunk and was stamping my feet on the step to get the snow off after Georgette turned off the alarm system. I dug around in my bag and pulled out a pair of moccasins that I had worn for years. They were soft Caribou leather and wonderfully comfortable. Georgette had disappeared for a few moments and then returned. She was sock-footed for the time being. "I've turned up the furnace," she announced. "It won't take long to heat up the place." As I walked through the mud room I found myself in the laundry area and then the kitchen. It was huge and modern. This was one of those vacation places you saw in magazines and wondered if they were real. I knew they were because there were several of this quality around Coeur d'Alene. Some very wealthy people had chosen Northern Idaho as their vacation getaway. The lake and the surrounding country were just as beautiful as here in Lake Tahoe. "Wait until you see the view, John," she said, taking me by the hand and leading me into the Great Room. The entire east wall was windows with a panoramic view of the lake and the far shore. It was overcast and the cloud was low, but you could imagine what the view would be like on a clear, sunny day. "This is beautiful, Georgette. What an incredible place to spend a vacation. The lake right in front and Squaw Valley just ten minutes away. What more could you want?" I hadn't taken my eyes off the view at that point. "Someone to share it with," she answered, moving to me. I'd been kissed by a number of girls and women, but I'd never really been kissed like Georgette kissed. It was so much more passionate and deep. I don't know how to describe it better than that. We had our arms around each other and I could feel her breasts pressing into my chest. My hands slipped down to her ass and without thinking, I squeezed. Her cheeks were luscious and I continued to caress them. "You like," she asked when we broke briefly. "Very much. I've wanted to do that since the first time I saw you walking away from me." I was facing into the Great Room now and as I looked over her shoulder I could see a huge stone fireplace dominating the center of the wall. Two staircases went up each side of the room to a balcony that showed several doors spaced along it. They would be loft bedrooms and baths I assumed. "This place is huge. How many bedrooms?" "Isn't one enough?" she giggled. "You know what I mean," I said with a mock stern look. "Four, if you must know. Two master suites with en suites and two bedrooms sharing a connecting main bathroom." "Wow. That's really something. You could have the whole family up here and have plenty of room." "We will at New Years. Aunt Mary and Uncle Devon will be here along with Nan and my parents. You'll have to share a bed with me," she said with a sly grin." "And your parents will be okay with that?" I asked, surprised once more. "Well, the alternative is that I share a bed with Nan and then sneak into your room in the middle of the night. I'll check with Mother and see which she prefers. Of course, there is a hide-a-bed in Father's office as a last resort." I knew I was being played with, but I also knew we weren't openly going to be sleeping together yet. I guessed the hide-a-bed would be the most likely spot for me. "Come on," she ordered, "let's get you settled for now until the whole gang arrives tomorrow afternoon." We carried our bags up the far staircase to the balcony and Georgette opened the second door from the end. "This is my room. I keep some clothes here so that I don't have to pack so much when I come here," she explained. I was a large bedroom with a queen sized bed and nicely decorated but interestingly, not too feminine. As she followed me in, she stopped suddenly and said, "Oh shit!" as she saw something unexpected. "What?" "The bed. It's unmade. Someone has been here, sleeping in that bed." "When was the last time you were here?" I asked. "I can't remember. Sometime in October. We never leave the place with unmade beds or unwashed clothes and dishes. We just don't do that," she said, looking about the room suspiciously. She marched to the phone on the bedside table and picked it up. She scrolled what I assumed was the number memory and pushed a button. "Hello, this is Georgette Fulton. I'd like to report a break-in. It's at the Fulton lodge on Mountain Edge Road, number six. (pause) Yes, I'm there now with a guest. (pause) "Yes, the alarm was set when I arrived, but someone must have bypassed it." (pause) "When?" (pause) "Yes, we'll be here. Thank you," she said, terminating the call and replacing the handset. She looked around. "I can't see anything out of place. I better check the closet and drawers." She was talking to herself and there was nothing I could do to help, so I stood still and watched. After going through the closet and then her dresser, she seemed satisfied that nothing else was out of order. "Should we check the other rooms?" I asked. Her head snapped up. "Yes... of course. Let's go." She marched out of her bedroom and turned right to the first door on the balcony. She opened it and walked in quickly, looking around as she did so. The bed was made and there was no sign of anything being disturbed. In fact, she ran her finger across the top of the dresser and I could see a line in a fine layer of dust. Without saying anything she went back to her bedroom and checked the dresser. When we looked more carefully, we could see that the end tables and the top of the dresser had been disturbed, with signs that someone had touched both tables and the dresser, and it appeared to be recent. "Someone's been here all right," I said. There was a door right beside the dresser and when she opened it I could see it led into a large bathroom. I could see her looking around and checking in the medicine cabinet. "Someone's been in here too. They haven't cleaned up after themselves." "How did they get past the alarm?" I asked. "Good question. I don't know. It was supposed to be the latest and greatest when father had it installed. A lot of these out of the way homes get broken into and the sheriff's department have been really working to cut down on it. The alarms are silent and go directly to the sheriff's office. I'm sure they're going to want an answer to that same question." She opened another door opposite the one we entered and I could see it led into another bedroom on the other side. I followed her after noticing how big the bathroom was and particularly the shower cabinet. It seemed like most of the surfaces in the room were marble as well. "No sign of anyone in here," she said, exiting to the balcony once more and heading for the end door. I waited for her to return and when she did she confirmed that there was no sign anyone had been in the other master suite. "I don't get it. Just the one bedroom and bathroom. It's like someone was living here except I know for a fact that no one that has a key or the code to the alarm has been up here in months." "No sign of clothes or other personal items, either," I noted. "Maybe we should check the kitchen and see what's going on there," I suggested. "Yeah, let's do that," she immediately agreed and I followed her as she hurried down the other staircase and into the kitchen. There wasn't any sign of anything out of order on the counters. Georgette checked the fridge and saw some items in it that she didn't expect to see. "There are fresh vegetables and fruit along with some milk and eggs. None of that would be left behind when we left. Someone's been living and eating here." She walked to the dishwasher and opened it. "Hah! Look at this," she exclaimed. "Dirty dishes, glasses and cups. Maybe the sheriff's department can get some fingerprints off this." I was about to say something when I heard a knock on the front door. "Coming!" Georgette called. She opened the door to a uniformed officer from the Placer County sheriff's department. "Afternoon, Miss Fulton. I'm Sergeant Sullivan. I understand you called about a break-in." "Yes, that's right. There's been an intruder in this house. He's used the kitchen, one bedroom and the upstairs bathroom as far as we can tell. Oh... this is John Smith, a friend." I nodded and I could see the smile forming as she gave him my name. "John Smith, eh?" I pulled out my wallet and showed him my drivers license. He handed it back, still sporting a smile. Georgie Girl Ch. 04-06 "We checked the log on the computer system that controls your alarm. There have been three log-ins and re-sets this week prior to this afternoon. Your log-in was at three-thirty-six, so that confirms that the alarm was set. How many other people have access to the code?" "Just my parents and my uncle and aunt besides myself. No one else knows it that I'm aware of." "Well, the evidence says that someone does, so I suggest you change the code now. I can help you with that. That will at least stymie the intruder temporarily." "Yes... let's do that right now," she agreed. It didn't take more than a minute to change the code, after which the officer called the station to confirm the change. Once confirmed, the old code no longer worked. "Was the motion detector operational?" the office asked. "No. We only use it when someone is here." "Is anyone else expected up here soon?" "My parents, grandmother, and aunt and uncle are coming up tomorrow for New Years. I'll have to let them know about the change in case we aren't here when they arrive." He nodded. "If you have a cell phone, use that and call from somewhere else outside just in case there are any listening devices on the phone or in the house." "Oh... sure, that sounds like a good idea. I'll talk to my father about what's going on. In the meantime, there are some cups and utensils in the dishwasher that should have some fingerprints on them. Would you like to take them with you?" "Yes, thank you. Let me get some evidence bags and I'll see what we can find out about your visitor." He walked out the front door to his SUV and extracted some plastic bags from the rear hatch and then returned. After examining them, he took two glasses, two plates and one coffee cup with him, leaving a receipt with Georgette. He took a tour through the house looking for any other signs that would indicate who might have been inside before he prepared to leave. He thanked us for our cooperation and left to return to his station and hopefully have the items examined for fingerprints. "That was very uncomfortable, Georgette. Are you okay?" "Yes. It bothers me that someone could get in here without anyone knowing, especially with the alarm system we have. He said there were three recent log-ins before we arrived, so we know that someone is probably still around. I wonder if I should arrange to change the locks." "Might be a good idea. In the meantime, you said we needed to get some food. Why don't we head for a grocery store and you can call your father from there and let him know what's going on. He'll tell you if he wants you to do anything else." She nodded. "Let's go. It's already dark and the idea that someone out there is wandering around maybe with a key to this place is making me uncomfortable. I'm very glad you're here with me," she said sincerely. "Yeah... I can understand your worry. Let's get going. Why don't we leave some lights and the motion detector on? If the intruder comes back, he might think someone is here and that may scare him off." "Good idea. Thank you, John. I'm so glad you're here." We drove into town and parked at the Safeway store. Georgette made the call to her home and talked to her father. I only heard one side of the conversation but she passed along the new security code, asked about changing the locks, and wondered when she could expect them to arrive tomorrow. Her father instructed her to call the sheriff's office to get the name of a 24-hour locksmith and to make sure it was done that night regardless of the cost. Once that was done, we went shopping for supplies. Georgette had a list and I helped by getting things as she called them out. A half hour later we were standing in the checkout line of the busy store. "I noticed you only bought some beer," I said. "What about you and your family?" "All taken care of. I should have checked before we left, but the cabinet is under lock and key and out of sight in the mud room. I doubt anyone would discover it without knowing where to look." We arrived back at the lodge and I could hear my stomach growling in protest. I hadn't eaten since before I boarded the plane in Spokane, so I was hungry. "I heard that," she laughed. "I've got frozen pizza that won't take long to heat up. I won't let my boyfriend starve." While the oven was heating, Georgette checked the liquor cabinet and reported that she didn't see anything missing. "Do you think it's possible your ex-husband might be up here?" I asked, hoping I didn't upset her with the question. "I thought about that," she said, "but he didn't come up here more than three or four times in total and never had a key, and I always was the one with the code. I suppose he could have made a copy of the key but I don't ever recall telling him the alarm code. But now that you mention it, I'll look around and see if there's any sign it might be him. I checked the driveway and the only tire tracks are the ones I made this afternoon and it hasn't snowed for two days." Her spirits had picked up noticeably since the sheriff and her father had given her direction on what to do to protect herself. The locksmith was expected to arrive about eight that evening, in plenty of time to re-key the three exterior locks. "God, that pizza smells good," I crooned. "It's almost ready, John. Let's eat here in the kitchen, okay?" "Fine, anywhere close to the food and the beer." Pizza, salad, and beer. What could be better than that? Well, in Georgette's case, wine instead of beer. We had almost finished when there was a loud rap on the front door. I went with her to see who it was and happily it was the locksmith from town. Forty minutes later he handed us four keys to the new keying system and she handed him a check for his services. I could see the slump of relief in her shoulders as we closed the door on the locksmith. I gathered her into my arms and let her do whatever she needed to in coming down from her worries about safety. I couldn't get inside her mind at that point and I didn't want to stir up any new anxieties, so I just let her be. "Let's clean up the kitchen and watch some TV for a while," she suggested. I was okay with that. I refilled her wine glass and I popped the top off another Anchor Steam as we moved to the great room. The TV was a fifty-inch flat screen and was equipped with a satellite dish that only a ten-year-old could figure out how to operate. Well... a ten-year-old and a certain woman of spectacular beauty that I was sitting beside. "Oh... Playboy Channel," I said with a nudge to her shoulder as the screen lit up. "I thought I'd get you in the mood," she said with a sly grin. "What do you want to watch?" I looked up at the menu on the screen and decided that "Couples" seemed like the most appropriate. "The best choice. Not so much girl-girl stuff on this one." "Girl-girl? I thought this was Playboy's channel." "It is," she said, "but they seem to be fascinated with girl-girl sex. It doesn't seem to matter what you choose, there's plenty of lesbian action." "Does that turn you on?" I asked. "Not really. Sometimes, I guess, if I'm alone." "You're not alone now." She turned to me and wrapping her arm around me as I had been so pleasantly accustomed to, she once again gave me one of her wonderful kisses. "Does that suggest anything?" she asked in almost a whisper. "It tells me that the Playboy Channel isn't going to live up to the real thing." "Oh... very good, John. Where did you learn all your seductive skills?" "I'd be lying if I said I had any seductive skills. I'm just following your lead. After all, you seduced me, remember." "I did? I could have sworn you seduced me," she claimed softly. "Does it matter?" "No, not at all," she said, pulling back from our embrace and pulling her sweater out of her skirt and over her head in one continuous motion. I knew she was beautiful, but I wasn't really prepared for the reality of just how beautiful. And even though I knew at some point this was going to happen, I really didn't know just how to act... or react. I wanted to unhook her bra and caress those magnificent breasts it restrained. I didn't. I wanted to strip her naked. I didn't. I sat and let her lead me. I knew my role in this fantasy. There are times when you wonder if what's happening is real. Is this make-believe or is it actually happening? She had taken my hands and placed them on her satin-covered breasts. I began to gently massage them, my thumbs rubbing lightly on her nipples. They were protruding now and were stiff. I'd almost closed my eyes to revel in the sensual contact we were enjoying when we heard a crash... the sound of broken glass. "What the hell was that?" we asked almost simultaneously. I removed Georgette from my lap and got up quickly, heading for the location of the sound. I was pretty sure it was either the mud room or the laundry room. "Stay there until I find out what's going on," I said without looking back. I moved carefully around the corner and into the kitchen area. The man standing in the doorway from the mud room was in shadow and I couldn't see him very well. I wasn't sure what to do, so I reacted without thinking. "Georgette, call the Sheriff! We have an intruder," I yelled. I stood still, waiting to see what he would do when he spoke. "Who the fuck are you?" he demanded in a gravelly voice. "I'm a friend of Georgette's. Who are you?" "I'm her husband. I've come to take her home." "Oh yeah, the wife beater," I said, talking braver than I felt. "Bad news, buddy. She's divorced you and you're out of her life. She's not going anywhere with you." "She's my wife and she'll do what she's told," he growled, beginning to advance. He wasn't any bigger than me, if as big. I was in decent shape and I thought I could probably take him if the need arose. That was when he changed the odds. As he moved into the kitchen, he reached over to the knife block on the counter and took out a very large carving knife. Now I was in trouble. "You going to add attempted murder to your string of accomplishments?" I asked nervously. "If I do, it won't be attempted. Now get the fuck out of the way while I get my wife," he snarled, waving the knife as he got closer to me. I moved around the center island to keep him out of my reach, but I was worried that he would just go by me and have a free run at Georgette. I didn't know how I was going to stop him, but I at least had to try. I couldn't get to the knife block without going by him and I didn't see anything resembling a weapon on the counters. I was anxious as we had reached a temporary Mexican standoff. It wouldn't last though. I could see him starting to move toward the Great Room and had to find someway to either stop him or slow him down. I hadn't heard anything from Georgette and I had no idea where she was or what she was doing. In desperation, I spotted a cast iron frying pan on the stove top and grabbed it by the handle. At least now I could try and ward off the knife and maybe clout the guy if I got a chance. But he took some of that option away from me. Instead of going into the other room looking for his ex-wife, he turned back to me and began to advance. We circled around the center island a couple of times before I accidentally stumbled and fell on my ass. He was on me in a flash. The look on his face told me he was out to kill and I had to do something to defend myself and do it fast. I still had the frying pan in my hand and I swung it with all my might at his hand with the knife. I missed, but it backed him up. The pan was very heavy and I'm sure it would have done him some damage if I'd made contact. I started to scramble to my feet and he tried to take advantage of that by coming at me again. I jumped back as he slashed at me. The pan was too heavy to lift quickly enough to block the move. I looked down when I felt the knife cross my chest and saw the cut and then the beginning of blood seeping through. I was scared, really scared. I was also pissed. That was the new shirt my mother had given me for Christmas and now it was ruined. I guess when you are under great stress you do things you wouldn't ordinarily think of doing. As he advanced toward me again, I stopped backing up. He took that opportunity to lunge at me while I swung the skillet as hard as I could at his head. I connected and he dropped like a stone at my feet. He was surely out cold I thought as I looked down. It was then I saw the knife sticking out of my abdomen. Oh, damn. This isn't good. I'd better call Georgette. Where was that sheriff anyway, I thought as I slid down to the floor in a sitting position, banging the back of my head on the way. The last thing I remembered was a woman screaming. To Be Continued.