Please read part 1 first.
Hope you enjoy the story.
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#1
A week after his date with Veronica, Brian was still feeling the high of a good night out with a woman. Then he would get guilty that he was feeling good when Jennifer was gone forever and would never know happiness or life again. He was glad to be busy at work as they tried to complete everything before the Christmas holiday period began in earnest. This kept his mind and body busy during the daytime, so he only had to survive the evenings alone.
It was a surprise to receive a phone call on Friday from Christina, his sister's good friend, seeking his help. Without seeming to take a breath she babbled out as soon as Brian answered his phone, "Sorry to be a nuisance but I really need your help on Saturday Brian. I apologise for the short notice but you could be a life saver. I had to keep putting it off because of the shop opening, but now I find I have left it until too late to find anyone there to help me. Could you be a big dear and help. Pleeeeease."
With just a little sarcasm Brian answered the call, "Hi Christina, how are you today. I'm fine. What can I do for you?"
"Oh. Oh. Sorry Brian. That was rude of me wasn't it," with a slight chuckle, "Hello Brian. Hope you are well. I am fine too," another snicker, "Sorry, oh I said that didn't I?"
"Yes Tina, you did. Now perhaps you could fill in the gaps on what you were talking about. I'd love to help you, but I could do with some details first."
"Ahh okay, where was I?"
Brian had to laugh because she did make him feel better, "You were giving me short notice because you were too late doing something, and I am such a great guy I just had to help you. You just forgot who, what, when, where and why."
"Good, I managed to say something then. Well Brian, tomorrow evening is the big barbeque for the orphans and foster kids. Of course Santa is coming and will hand out presents to all the kids. It's my job this year to pick up the presents and take them to the park. I got really busy with our shop and put off getting the parcels and now it has to be done tomorrow afternoon, and the guy with the truck cannot come because, ahh actually I didn't understand that bit as he went all technical on me. Upshot is that you are the only other person I know that I can ask who has a ute with a tray big enough for the boxes. So are you free in the afternoon, say from two o'clock? I'll even throw in a sausage with onions when done, if you can stay for the barbie,"
"No problem Tina, I can give you a hand. Who can resist a barbeque sausage with onions. Yum. Hope it has tomato sauce as well?"
They were laughing as Christina said, "You can believe it, I will smother it in sauce if it gets you here. Seriously, thank you Brian. I'll come to your place before two and we can take your ute from there. Fortunately the gifts have been pre-wrapped and labelled for age and if a boy or girl. So it is just a pick up and delivery job."
They ended the call with more thank yous and you're welcomes. Brian didn't see the three women giving each other the thumbs up sign after Christina disconnected her phone call. They smiled at the next part of their plan coming together to help him return to happier living. He also didn't know of another call Christina made straight away apologising for the late notice that she didn't need her help with the presents tomorrow. Another friend was going that way anyway and volunteered to help. She was asked if this friend happened to be male, to which Christina just giggled and said goodbye.
Ashley wanted her brother Brian to get out with other people and hopefully meet another woman he could date and have some fun with. At best he might find a new partner to share his life. Ashley knew they were successful on the dance night out, and Veronica reported he loved the theatre with her. Now with tomorrow helping Christina, he can get another chance to be with and get used to female company. She hoped that just talking to her girlfriends as though on a date, he would get comfortable with and think about meeting other women. She wasn't totally stupid knowing that her friends were far from ideal as female company for him as they were older and he had known them for years. There could be no spark there, after all they were like family, just like brother and sisters. So apart from any romantic stuff he can gain some experience with platonic time with women. Veronica even said to her that she thought he would be great for any woman to date and might rock their panties off, he was so nice. He had certainly made her evening special.
#2