Chapter Nine

Kim had just entered her apartment when the telephone rang.

“Hello?” she asked breathless.

“Hi honey.” Jon’s soft voice came through the speaker and sent shivers down her back. “Did you just get home?” he asked when he heard her still labored breathing.

“Yeah, I had to stay longer. Sorry, did you try to get a hold of me before?” she shrugged her light jacket off and tossed it on the couch. God, she was so beat.

“No, I didn’t. So, ready for our dinner?”

“Uhm, no not yet, but in a little while…” she answered and pet Sambo who came over to greet her.

“You do not really sound enthusiastic about it. Already bored with me?” Jon only half joked.

“No! God, no. I’m simply beat that’s all Jon. Give me an hour and I’m ready, ok?” she tried to assure him. He paused for some seconds.

“Jon? Are you still there?” she looked at her phone irritated. Did he hang up?

“Yeah, I am…I was just thinking…” he paused again and took a deep breath. She can only say no, so come on, man up! “How about I come over, bring some food and we spend a nice evening at your place…maybe watching a movie or something.” He crossed his fingers and hoped she would say yes.

“I would like that a lot Jon.” She said relieved he still wanted to see her. “How about Chinese?”

“Sounds good to me. Anything special?”

“Something with chicken and spicy…oh, and shrimp chips, please.” He smiled, when he heard the excitement in her voice.

“Your wish is my command. See you in a few, honey.”

“Bye Jon.” Smiling she hung up. That “Honey” sounded nice. Ok, focus! What to do first? She looked down at herself and saw the still present marks on her shirt from the small boy who vomited on her today. She grimaced. Shower, definitely. She grabbed her jacket and ran upstairs.

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About an hour later, Jon was standing in front of her door with two huge bags filled with delicious smelling Chinese food. After the third ring an again breathless Kim opened the door, just pulling her grey hoodie with huge blue letters ‘GIANTS’ over her head.

“I’m sorry, when I wanted to jump under the shower Fran called and I couldn’t get rid of her.”

“You didn’t have to shower just because of me.” He said when he walked with her into the living room and set the bags on the couch table.

“Oh, believe me. I had to.” He looked at her questing.

“Small kids don’t warn you before they vomit.” She explained and Jon grimaced.

“Oh, shit.” He remembered that time with his kids rather well and was glad it was over.

“Yeah.” She laughed and looked through the bags. “Wow, did you buy all their food?”

“Nah, just enough to get through the evening.” Jon’s voice came from the kitchen. She looked up and saw him crouching down in front of Kidd and Sambo biscuits in his hands. “Hey, guys how are you doing? Remember me?” he said with a juicy voice and was rewarded with a small woof from Kidd and a stern glance from Sambo before they took the biscuits from his hands.

“You spoil them.” Kim said. He turned around and saw her standing behind him with crossed arm, but a smile on her face.

“That’s what daddies do and I’m good at it.” He said and stood up. “Hi.” He said and softly framed her face with his hands before he bent down to kiss her. Kim sighed happily and relaxed against his body. His hands left her face so his arms could pull her closer.

“Hi.” She whispered when they parted and her hands slowly let go of his hair. He smiled and pulled her close one more time. She just smelled so good…like mango.

“So, how about we start dinner? I’m starving.” Kim said with a pleading voice.

“Well, we can’t have that.” He pulled her over to the bags. Eagerly she started unpacking the little boxes.

“Oh, that smells good….Do you need a plate?” she asked when she dug into her spicy chicken. Jon watched her amazed. So it wasn’t just because of her nightshift; she really seemed to enjoy food.

“Nah, it’s ok. I’m a guy. I’m used to eating from the box.”

She chewed on her last bite. “I’m sorry. You know when I get hungry food is everything that counts.” She put her box down and wanted to get off the couch.

“Stay. It’s ok…really.” He reached for her arm and pulled her down on the couch again. ”Shrimp chip?” he offered with a smile.

She laughed. “Hell, yeah.” And leaned forward to take it with her mouth out of his hand. His eyes darkened lightly. But she didn’t seem to see it and was already occupied with her food again. He grinned lightly. She really has no idea what she’s doing to me.

“So, you like the Giants?” he asked and pointed at her at hoodie.

She nodded her mouth still filled with the delicious food. “Yeah, football helps me to relax.”

Jon smiled. “Can I marry you?” Kim choked on her food. Jon put his box down immediately and caring tapped her back. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean that to happen.” He said when she stopped coughing.

“It’s ok. You simply surprised me with that question.” She sipped at her Mt. Dew. “Why would you wanna marry me?” she asked curious.

“Well, you love football, you like MY team, you love food…oh, and you are gorgeous. What could a guy asked more for?” He chuckled.

“Interesting priorities.” She shook her head and laughed.

“You have to tell me. Are you and Richie working on a new album?” Jon looked at her surprised about the subject change. Interesting!

She smiled. “Fran is a fan…a huge fan…and she’s still angry with me that I didn’t get an autograph from Richie when he was here…” Jon laughed. “I have to give her something to forgive me.” Jon laughed even louder.

“Yeah, we are working on some songs and I could get her that autograph.”

“Would you? She would thank you every time she sees you.” Jon smiled at her hopeful look.

“Nah, she can thank Rich.” Kim laughed out loud at his comment.

“She would believe, she would.”

“So, tell me about Fran? How did you become friends?” Jon asked and looked for some more rice. Kim handed him the box.

“We met in high school and hated each other.” Jon looked up surprised. “It’s true. Don’t ask me how we became best friends. I have no idea. While I studied, she became a nurse. I was her maid of honor on her wedding 8 years ago; I was with her when Jason was born…”

“I see.” Jon said.

“…her husband, Michael was in Afghanistan, and I was with her in hospital when Michael died three years ago.“ Jon looked at her shocked. Kim put down the little white box she held in her hands.

“I’m sorry, honey.” Slowly he pulled her into his arms.

“…a couples months later, she had to comfort me, because my parents died.” Kim sighed. “I think we two became something like a family with Jason.” Jon nodded. He couldn’t imagine how that felt. His parents were alive. The only person from his family who ever died was his grandmother and that was over a decade ago.

“It’s good that you two are looking out for each other.” Jon said and touched her hair softly.

“Yeah, it is.” Kim agreed. She sighed. “But now enough of that…Do you know the movie ‘True Lies’?” she asked.

“With Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis?”

Kim nodded. “I can’t remember when I watched it the last time.” He said.

“Good!” Kim beamed and turned on the TV. When the movie was over Jon realized that she’d fallen asleep in his arms. Carefully he shifted his position and picked her up in his arms. She snuggled closer to his warm body, but didn’t wake up. When he passed the dogs on his way to the stairs they barked softly.

“Shhh, boys. She’s ok.” He assured them and hoped they wouldn’t follow him upstairs. Looking around when he reached the upper level he could see one door slightly open. When he entered the room he was greeted by a huge bedroom in a warm yellow color. Gently he placed her in the middle of her bed and pulled the covers over her body.

“Good night, honey.” he whispered and kissed her cheek softly.