PART 2
ยง 1
The next morning, after finally sleeping the entire night through, for which I'm extremely grateful, Jenni and I pack our overnight things into my car and say goodbye to the girls. They repeatedly reassure their mother they will be fine and not to worry.
The drive is long, but pleasant. We get to know each other better, sharing histories and stories, dreams and desires, regrets of the past and hopes for the future. I begin to wonder if Sienna's insinuation may eventually come to pass, that I'll eventually fall in love with Jenni.
I really like her, but it's way too soon to consider anything serious. She's still married! To my brother! I make a commitment to myself to keep things as romantically cool as possible at least until she's free from this current horror story.
Halfway there, Jenni's cell phone rings. She glances at the screen and says, "It's my friend Annah, where we'll be staying. Oh shit! I forgot to tell her you were coming!"
"I guess I'll be sleeping in the car," I tease.
"Hey Annah! I'm on my way," Jenni says, ignoring me and answering her phone.
I hear Annah speaking but can't make out the words.
"Oh Annah, that's so sweet of you! But... well... my brother-in-law Chase was going to be there with me. I'm sorry. I totally forgot to call and ask you if it would be okay for him to stay at your place too."
More talking by Annah.
"Oh. Oh my. I never considered that." She looks at me, uncertainty on her face. "Do you really think so? Well, I suppose. Then yes, I would be happy to have you come with me."
More talking by Annah.
"You're kidding me? This is such a drag. No wonder some people choose to continue to live in misery."
More talking by Annah.
"What? You'd do that for me? Are you sure? Well, I'll tell him, and thank you! I'm so glad I called you and not someone else. You've always been a true friend."
More talking by Annah.
"Oh Annah." I see Jenni start to cry. "I love you too my friend! Yes, we'll drive safe! Thanks again! We'll see you in no time! Bye Annah."
Jenni hangs up the phone, sets it down and leans in to one arm hug me as I drive, still crying. "Oh Chase. I am so grateful to have you and Annah to help me get through this. I don't think I'd make it otherwise."
"What's wrong? What did she say? Am I sleeping in the car?"
She laughs. "No! Of course not! You can stay at her place too. But you can't go to see the lawyer with me. Annah told me I need to be very careful about being seen with you. You never know who may see us and report it back to Colton. He could use that against me, saying I'm leaving him because of you."
"But you have evidence that he's cheating on you!" I say incredulously.
"Yeah, but if there's any chance he could use something against me, he could contest the divorce and make the whole thing a nightmare."
"I see your point," I concede. "So where does that leave me for this visit? How do I fit in?"
She smiles at me wickedly. "You are my chauffeur, my bodyguard and Annah's blind date," she says triumphantly. "You're sleeping with Annah tonight."
"Uhm..."
"Oh don't panic," she laughs. "That's just the story we'll tell if anyone asks. I wasn't feeling well so I asked you to drive me, then you and Annah are going to hit it off really well!"
About an hour out of town, Jenni takes the opportunity to kiss me without having to worry about anyone seeing. She acts like she wants more, but apparently decides against it. She's clearly still nervous about how all this is going to go, so I just hold her hand the rest of the way. Her appreciation is obvious.
Jenni texts Annah when we're about fifteen minutes away. Annah directs us to the parking lot of a local grocery store where Jenni can switch to her car for the ride to the lawyer's office. When I arrive, Annah is there waiting next to her car. I gaze appreciatively at her ride, a decked out Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the top off. I gaze even more appreciatively at Annah, who I secretly wish had her top off as well. She's a busty little thing with a cute face, auburn hair, freckles and a big smile.
Jenni jumps out as soon as the car stops and rushes to hug her friend. They state how good the other one looks, briefly discuss Summer and Sienna, and how the drive was to get here.
"Annah, I'd like you to meet Chase," Jenni says proudly, as I walk around the side of my car. "Chase has been my hero in getting through this."
Annah quirks a smile at Jenni, then back at me. She holds out her hand and says," It's a pleasure to meet you Chase. Thank you for taking care of my friend."
"The pleasure is all mine," I reply. "Not just meeting you but also taking care of Jenni."
"Oh my," Annah says. "Jenni, I wouldn't blame you if he actually was your reason for divorcing Colton."
I blush. Jenni laughs. Annah says, "Alright. Let's go initiate your emancipation."
Before leaving, Annah gives me her address, directions to her house and her spare garage door opener. Jenni thanks me, then gives me a brief, platonic hug. The two of them hop in the Rubicon and drive away.
On the way to Annah's house, I spot a liquor store. On an impulse, I decide it might be nice to have something for a celebration toast. I noticed a couple bottles of red wine in a kitchen cabinet back at Jenni's house, so I peruse the wine selection. Not really much of a wine drinker myself, I ask the store attendant for advice. A few options are suggested. I decide on one then check out the selection of bourbons. One bottle should be enough, I surmise. Happy with my selections, I pay in cash and leave for Annah's house.
When I arrive, I'm pleasantly surprised to discover her house, while not large, is well-kept and furnished for comfort rather than style. After bringing our overnight bags in from the car, I give myself a tour. It's set up as a bachelorette pad, complete with an entertainment room, an outdoor pool and, interestingly, an in-ground hot tub.
The extra bedroom boasts a queen bed and is set up as an office, so I bring our bags to that one.
Now... what to do about dinner?
Predictably, the front of the refrigerator holds a few magnets advertising local restaurants. Selecting one, I call and order a variety of dishes to be delivered around dinner time.
ยง 2
About four hours later, I finally hear a vehicle pull into the garage. Prepared for the worst, I position myself near the door to the garage. Annah comes through first, followed by Jenni. Her face lights up when she sees me.
With a questioning look, I inquire hesitantly, "How'd it go?"
Instead of answering, she walks straight toward me, wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me soundly. For a long time. When she comes up for breath, I ask, amused, "That well, huh?"
With a big sigh, she answers, "Well, it was grueling at first, but Annah being there made all the difference. She kept me calm and focused. Half way through, I no longer felt nervous or afraid. Instead of the dread I've been feeling, I now feel like I'm at the beginning of a very happy life. I know it won't all go smoothly, but I can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel."
"Well then," I respond, "How would the two of you feel about some food? It'll be here in a few minutes." I tell them what I ordered and from where. Their faces light up in disbelief. I continue, "And I picked up a little something to celebrate with," producing the bottles of wine and bourbon. "I wasn't sure what poison you prefer. I can go back and get something else if you'd like."
Annah looks floored. "Where did you find this guy Jenni?" she asks emphatically, grabbing my arm and hugging it possessively. "Are you willing to share?" She laughs.
"I don't know where he came from," Jenni answers innocently. "He just wandered in off the street one day." She laughs.
"It's nothing, really..." I say.
"Oh no, it's something," Annah counters, then her face lights up. "Hey wait! Isn't he supposed to be my date for this evening?" she teases.
"Actually, yes," Jenni admits, "And I warned him he'd be sleeping with you tonight."
"Ooooh!" Annah purrs, smiling at me. "I can't wait!"
I'm not entirely sure she's joking.
Further conversation is put on hold courtesy of the ringing doorbell.
ยง 3
After a delicious meal peppered with details about their meeting with the lawyer, we clean up and retire to the living room. I pour drinks and Annah offers up a toast to Jenni's future. Afterward, Annah shares details about her own divorce and her life since. It turns out they never had kids, so the only thing to fight over was tangible goods.
A few drinks later, I ask about the hot tub.
"That sounds wonderful!" Annah says excitedly. "I always thought I'd use it more but...," she pauses, her expression changing, her words now sounding forlorn, "It gets kind of boring sitting in it by myself."
"I would love to!" Jenni states, then adds dejectedly, "But I didn't bring a suit, and I'm pretty sure I'll never fill out one of yours!"
"Oh, don't be so shy," Annah teases her. "You don't need a suit. It's mostly dark out and we'll be under the water. I'm sure Chase will behave like a gentleman. Won't you Chase?"
"I can't promise anything when I have bourbon in me," I chuckle. "I don't suppose you have a pair of men's shorts around."
"Nope. You'll have to be brave too."