Chapter 49

“Happy belated birthday my friend.” Fran shouted when Kim opened the door. She laughed.

“Thanks Fran. Come on in.”

Fran entered Kim’s apartment and greeted Kidd and Sambo, before they both sat down and the already set breakfast table.

“Here Kim this is for you.” Fran handed her a neatly wrapped present, when Kim gave her a cup of coffee.

“Oh, Fran, you shouldn’t have.” Kim told her when she reached for the box.

“Hey, it’s your birthday, of course I should. Open it!” her best friend told her.

Kim grinned and carefully un-wrapped her present. Inside the box she found her favorite candy, a painted picture showing her and the dogs from Jason, some gorgeous silver bangles and another long box. She looked at Fran questioning.

“Open it. I hope you don’t mind.”

Now her curiosity was really awaken and she set the bigger box aside to check out the inside of the second box. When she opened it, she stared at the item in shock at first and felt the heat creeping into her face. Then a soft chuckle escaped her lips.

Fran watched her carefully. She wasn’t sure if Kim was really ready for it when she bought it, but when she saw her friend today, she knew she was right. She finally found the courage to do the next step in her relationship with Jon.

“How did you know?” Kim asked still a little embarrassed when she took the deep purple vibrator out of the box.

“I didn’t. I just hoped that the change of scenery and the fact that you and Jon would be really alone for the first time, without any friends and dogs around, would do the trick.” She paused shortly.

“And I was right.”

Kim grinned. “So obvious, huh?”

“Nah, only for people who know you…your eyes are shining…well, and I bet you are sore as hell, the way you walk.” Fran told her laughing and got up to hug her dearly.

“Yeah, you can say that. But I don’t mind at all.” She joined the laughter.

“Why would you…he is one sexy guy and I bet he was nothing but sweet.”

“Shhh, don’t say that…could ruin his reputation.” Kim laughed out loud about Fran’s confused face and told her about the picnic and other events of their vacation.

“God, girl how could you tell him about the wet lingerie contest?” Fran asked groaning.

“Well, I guess the fact that I was a little tipsy helped a lot.” Kim told her dryly and couldn’t help but giggle a little.

“So, how was your time with Richie while I was gone. Did you see each other or was he back in California?” Kim asked curious.

“No, he was here most of the time. Went back to Ava for only a weekend, because she was spending the other weekend with her girlfriends.” Fran went silent.

“What’s wrong Fran?” Kim asked a little worried.

“Wrong? Nothing…well, not really.” She started.

“Come on, something is nagging on you, tell me.” Kim told her.

“There are several things…” Kim looked at her a little irritated.

“First of all he wants me to meet his mother, and shortly after that his ex-wife.”

“Okaaaaay, but you knew that this would come, right?” Kim asked her softly.

“Yeah, but I thought we’re still miles away from that. What if his mother hates me? Or thinks I’m only after his money?” Fran said nervously.

“Oh, Fran. I don’t think she will think that. Don’t forget she raised the man you love. And he wasn’t seeing a gold digger in you, so why should she.”

“Maybe you are right.” Fran agreed slowly.

“Well, and about his ex-wife…sweetie, she probably wants to get to know the woman her daughter spent time with and will in her future. Wouldn’t you want to know about the person Jason is spending time with?” Kim pointed out.

“Maybe you are right. She is a mother too after all and even though I’m sure she trusts Rich when it comes down to their daughter, it’s always something different to see it with your own eyes.”

“Right. I don’t think you should worry about those meetings. Just be your natural self and everything will be fine.”

Fran nodded but still only picked at her breakfast. Kim grinned shortly. Fran could never eat when she was worried.

“Come on Fran spill it!” Her best friend looked up hesitant.

“Rich and I had a fight.” She whispered.

“About what?” Kim asked concerned.

“Money.”

“What? ….I’m sorry, but I can’t follow you, Fran.” Kim said confused.

“Well, it all started with him being at my place when I got my monthly bills and Jason at the same time begging me for new skates. You know he really needs some new ones, he is growing so damn fast right now…” Kim wanted to say something, but Fran stopped her.

“Don’t say, it’s already taking care off.”

“Richie bought him new ones.” Kim clarified. Fran nodded.

“Yeah, beside other things.”

“And you mind that he is buying Jason stuff?” Kim wondered.

“No, not really…Jason is a great kid, he deserves to get something new from time to time like his friends get and not the used stuff I always have to buy him, but I don’t want him to take those things for granted. And I don’t want him to like Richie just because of the things he is buying him.”

Kim nodded. Fran and her had a huge fight a couple years ago, because every time Jason was saying he wanted a new toy Kim got it for him. She thought she was helping Fran with it, because of the little money she had to live with, but her best friend felt terrible, because she couldn’t buy her son things on her own. They finally agreed that Kim would only buy him things after she talked with Fran about it.

“Did you tell Richie how you are feeling about it?” Kim asked gently.

“No, before I had the chance he told me he wants to give me access to his accounts, so I don’t have to worry about the bills or buying Jason stuff anymore. Can you imagine that? He must have a fortune on his bank accounts. I don’t wanna have access to them.”

“He didn’t understand, right.” Kim asked.

“No. We had a huge fight about it. Told me he wants to know I’m taking care of when they are touring. I said I was fine before he showed up, so why wouldn’t I be when he is on Tour. I will not depend on him financial, I never did. I always could take care of myself and my kid.”

By now Kim could hear the anger mixed with fear in Fran’s voice. She knew this was a very sensitive subject for her best friend, which wasn’t surprising when you knew the way she grew up and was raised by her parents. Kim knew it was very hard for Fran to talk about this time and she doubted she’d already told Richie. He would have probably not make the offer if he’d known.