Synchronicity for Six, Part 11
Author's Note: This is a story of the romantic love of three couples. There is very little explicit sex in it, so if that is what you're seeking, look elsewhere on Literotica.
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Saturday, February 13, 2021, continued
The day at Johnson's Jewelers started kind of slowly; not as busy, yet, as the previous Saturday afternoon. However, given their merchandise, the store would never be overrun with customers. The 25% off sale plus it being the day before Valentine's Day did attract some new clientele, and there was always a customer or two in the store.
Katie was carrying out her hostess duties when she heard a car horn and looked out the window to see a red Jeep cruising slowly by the store. Recognizing Rose in the back seat, she waved, belatedly, and wondered where they were going. Shrugging her shoulders, she returned her attention to being sure the welcome station was properly prepared.
Business picked up just before 11:00, and by the time 4:30 rolled around, everyone was ready to call it a day. Katie had a couple of opportunities to stand behind the counter and help with some easy questions while Jack looked on approvingly.
Everyone was grateful to see 4:30 come and Jack escort the last customers out the door before flipping the lock and the sign on the door to 'Closed'. Jack and Maeve closed the door to the office while Maggie and Katie flopped in the chairs in the lunch / break area.
"Owww, my feet are so sore," Maggie complained. "And I'm hungry."
"You never took your lunch break, Mags," Katie related. "But, girl, the way you were helping all of your customers today...," her voice trailed off.
"It's a good thing Poppa's taking us out to Los Tres Amigos tonight, then."
"Did I just hear your family was going to that Mexican restaurant tonight?" Maeve asked from the office door.
"Yeah, Tom and Julie came home for the weekend, ostensibly to see the house that Momma and Poppa are considering. We're all going to tour it tomorrow after church and lunch, except for David who's still at school. I know Poppa was making a reservation for supper; maybe he could expand it to include you two as well?" Maggie offered. She knew there would be no objections to having Jack and Maeve join them for supper.
"Jack, please call Alan right away and see if he can expand their reservation to include us," Maeve commanded over her shoulder.
She stepped out of the office, closed the door behind her, and approached the young ladies. She pulled the third chair up to the table and gathered the girls in with her glance.
"Ladies, we have had two extraordinary Saturdays, and we must give a lot of credit to you two for that." She handed each an envelope with a big smile on her face. "I want you two to know that Jack and I love both of you as though you were our own grandchildren. This isn't necessarily news to Margaret, but it is probably a surprise to you, Kathleen. Take the contents of the envelopes and have a little fun. Kathleen, don't be surprised if we ask you to reprise your hostess role here again in the future; you were a huge success. Don't tell Jack I said that; it will swell his head for having such a great idea!"
With that, she stood and kissed each girl on the forehead for a solid five seconds. "Now, drive home carefully, and hopefully we'll see you for supper once Jack arranges it with Alan." She made shooing gestures with her hands, and the girls smiled broadly in return.
Struggling slightly to stand, they gingerly limped out the rear door to where Katie had parked that morning. They got in her car and just sat there for a minute.
Katie opened her envelope to find ten $20 bills. Her jaw dropped open, and Maggie gently lifted it closed. "Careful, you'll catch flies in there," Maggie admonished.
"But, Mags! This... this..."
"This is one way they show that they love us. Yeah, I got a bonus, too." Maggie fanned the bills to show Katie. "Come on, let's go home and change into more comfortable clothes and shoes, shall we?"
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Knowing that Maggie would be off to work by 8:45, David waited until almost 9:30 before texting his dad to expect him very shortly after 5:00 that afternoon. "We'll do the same thing we did back in early December, if that's okay with you, Dad," David texted.
"I'll make sure the front door is unlocked, son."
David spent nearly five hours on Saturday getting his assignments completed for Monday, stopping only to grab a quick lunch. By 2:45, he was ready to go surprise his girlfriend. He left a note for Robert that he would be back late Sunday afternoon and to be sure to pick up after himself and Amanda. With a spring in his step, he started his Jeep rolling for Middleburg and his Magpie.
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Tom and Julie spent nearly an hour walking around outside the house and the garage. There were dormer windows on the back side of the garage, plus a window on the east side so there looked to be plenty of light available in the over‑garage apartment. Tom took note of the level yard next to the house and behind the garage, as well as the gentle slope of the yard leading to the pond at the back of the property.
Finally, they walked back to where Rose and Alan were still sitting together on the swing, gently rocking and just enjoying each other's company.
"Mom, are you sure we can't call Mrs. Larsen and get in to see the apartment over the garage?" Julie pleaded, but to no avail.
"Why are you so all worked up about that space, Jules?" Tom wanted to know, as did Rose and Alan.
"It's just that we'll be requesting our top three school systems to student teach at this coming week. It would be so cool to do my student teaching here in Middleburg, don't you think? I could live in the apartment for free and you could come in on the weekends," she explained.
"Okay, I get it. The space will still be there tomorrow though. Here, have a seat in this other swing and get your heartrate back to normal," Tom suggested. He sat next to her and she clasped his hand in hers.
"This is pleasant, though a little chilly," she complained.
"It will be much nicer in the spring or fall. Summer's gonna be oppressive at times," Alan commented. "Remember summer camp weeks, Tom?"