Shattered Illusions

Chapter 7

I sank down into the soft leather couch with a sigh of contentment. The week was finally over; this was also the weekend I didn't have to go into the shop. I had a crew of people that had been with me since I'd taken over that were more then capable of taking care of things. On the way home I'd stopped at the video store and picked out several movies so I could just veg out for a while.

Setting my drink, a handful of napkins and a large bowl of extra buttered popcorn down I sorted through my choices. My cat jumped up on the table and nosed through the dvd's. "What do you think Arty X-men 2, Underworld or Elektra?" I pondered my choices then slid two more over to the side. "Or should we go straight to Anime and watch Devil Lady or Burst Angel?" What could I say I loved kick ass women in either Genre.

She pushed a dvd onto the floor. I picked it up and glanced at the title. "Underworld, good choice" Pulling it out of the case I got up and turned the player on. Slipping it into the player I sat back down and then flicked on the television. It wouldn't be a hard thing to sit and watch Kate Beckinsale. She could nibble on my neck anytime she wanted too.

Just as the opening credits were finishing the phone rang. Hitting pause on the remote I turned my head and glared at the phone. For a moment I played with the idea of just letting the machine get it then reluctantly answered. It might be the shop with a problem they needed help with. "Franklin" I tossed a few kernels in my mouth and nearly choked as Jen's voice answered.

"Hey, would you be interested in getting together and doing anything tonight?"

After taking a drink of my coke zero I coughed to clear my throat. "Well actually, I was just going to stay in and watch some movies I picked up on the way home"

"Really?" Her voice sharpened in interest. "What'd you get?"

"Uhmm…" I hesitated then shrugged. "Underworld, X-men 2 and Elektra"

Jen laughed. "What no Anime?"

I rolled my eyes even though she couldn't see. "Do you remember all my bad habit's?" I protested indignantly. I caved in as the expectant silence drew out on the other end of the phone. "I got Devil Lady and Burst Angel too," I murmured grudgingly. "Satisfied?" I listened to the resulting laughter with a slight smile on my face. "Want to join me?"

"Sounds great, I'll be there in fifteen," A dial tone buzzed softly in my ear.

I hung up then looked down at Arty. "Looks like we're getting some company tonight" I glanced down at my outfit. Black cotton shorts and a white t-shirt with a crazed cat on the front that said stressed out. I wiggled my bare toes in the carpet. "Wonder if she'll mind having pizza tonight?"

I was refilling my glass when the front door opened. "I'm in the kitchen" I called. Light footsteps came down the hall and Jen appeared in the doorway. I smiled as she tossed her keys on the counter next to mine then came over and hugged me. "Hi, have you eaten yet?" I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close.

"No, not yet" her voice was slightly muffled in my shirtfront. She pulled back. Her hand slid behind my head and gently tugged. I eagerly met her supple lips with my own. My chest tightened as she moaned softly as we kissed. The lack of air forced us to finally separate. She pressed a kiss against my neck as I rubbed her back gently. "I've missed you"

"I'm glad to see you too" I hugged her gently then let her go. Grabbing my glass, I took a swallow. "I was thinking of ordering pizza, that alright?"

"Sure, sounds great" She dug into my junk drawer below the phone and pulled out several leaflets. "What kind do you want to order?" She spread them out on the counter top then looked at me questioningly.

I folded my arms and settled in for the show. My glass dangled from one hand as I leaned back against the counter. "I'm feeling like Donatoes"

Jen plucked the flyer out then tucked the others back into the drawer.
"What kind of pizza?" She looked at me warily.

I smiled inwardly at her expression. "I'd like to get a.."

"Chicken medley" She finished. " I'll never understand why you like that so much" She shuddered as she picked up the phone and started to dial. "It looks disgusting"

"Don't beat it until you've tried it" I replied with a grin. Her reaction never failed to amuse me. "Don't forget the.."

"Large order of breadsticks" she finished again. "Franklin, you know you always get the same thing" Her attention turned to the phone when someone answered. "Yes, I'd like to order a medium chicken medley and a medium pepperoni and sausage" She paused then nodded. "Also a large order of breadsticks and an order of garlic bread. Yes, Franklin Grencen" she hesitated as she met my stern look. "Use the credit card on file please" she listened a little longer thanked them then hung up. "It'll be about a half hour"

"Great, I'm starving"

"I could have paid for mine Franklin," she protested.

"It's easier this way, so don't worry about it. Besides, it's not that much anyway" I refrained from saying that a couple of pizzas weren't going to break me for gods' sake.

"I'll tip the delivery person then" She waited for me to argue about it.

"Fine" I gestured toward the fridge. "Grab a glass of something and meet me in the living room, the movies all ready to go" Reaching the couch I sank back down in my spot and propped my feet on the edge of the coffee table. Snagging the remote, I tapped it on my knee as I waited for Jen to appear. A soft step pulled my attention to the living room entranceway. She was kicking her sandals off before coming in. I patted the sofa cushion beside me as she walked toward me. "About time" I teased her as she settled down close to me. I caught a whiff of her perfume as she moved.

"Too many choices" She lightly elbowed me in the ribs. "So what are we watching first?" She set her glass on the small side table next to her.

"Arty picked out Underworld" I watched as she glanced at me an odd expression on her face. "Hey, I couldn't decide what to see first so she helped me out"

Jen looked down as the topic of conversation jumped on the couch and started to investigate the myriad of scents she'd brought in with her. She scratched her behind the ear smiling as Arty leaned into her caress. "Did you have to help Franklin again?" She asked. She laughed, as Arty seemed to look at me and then met her eyes again as if saying, "What do you think?" She settled by Jen's thigh and curled up to enjoy the petting.

"Can we start the movie now?" I tried to ignore being ganged up on by Jen and what I once thought was my faithful pet. I hit play as I switched the side table light off creating our own private movie theatre. I grunted when Jen elbowed me in the ribs again as she cuddled closer to me. Her breath tickled as she whispered sorry in my ear. I let her know I had no hard feelings by offering to share my popcorn. Our fingers brushed occasionally as we steadily emptied the bowl.

We were so absorbed in the movie that the ding of the doorbell made both of us jump. I paused the movie as Jen got to her feet and headed for the front door. I followed her knowing I'd have to sign the receipt for the pizza. The delivery boy and Jen were talking as I joined them on the front porch. My eyes narrowed at the flirting tone the boy, I looked a little closer and noted the trace of a five o'clock shadow, man was using. My ire rose at the sight. I swallowed it down knowing that Jen was just trying to be polite. I blinked as he turned towards me finally acknowledging my presence.

"Ms. Grencen, if you could sign this please, I'll get out of your hair" He extended the bill and a pen in my direction while still trying to keep an admiring eye on my girlfriend.

I barely kept myself from snatching them out of his hand. Ignoring the tip part of the bill I scribbled my signature and keeping my copy thrust the rest back into his hand. Relieving Jen of the pizza boxes, I went back into the house and set them on the counter. I hung my head as I tried to reign my temper back in, I didn't want this evening with Jen destroyed because of my flash of jealousy. I stiffened slightly as a hand touched my back.

"Are you alright Franklin?" Jen leaned on the countertop as she attempted to get a glimpse of my face. "You acted as if you were upset about something outside"

I kept my face averted from her as I answered. "Yeah, I'm fine. I guess I got a little irritated, I must need to eat something more substantial then that popcorn"

Jen pulled away and headed for the plate cupboard. "Well, let's get you fed then, I don't want you getting sick"

I was grateful she was no longer trying to see my expression; she'd been getting far too good at reading me lately. I hated using my health as an excuse but grabbed onto the respite with a sense of thankful relief.

***************

I wiped the sweat from my face as I walked back into the store with a sigh of relief. The day had started out promising to be a nice one but the temperature had risen rapidly as the day wore on. It was now hovering in the high eighty's. In spite of that they'd been slammed with customers since early this morning. I'd been trying to take small breaks in-between loading customers purchases in their cars but hadn't been too successful. I exchanged a smile with Jen as our eyes met over the heads of the people that were waiting patently in line with their items. I nodded in assent as she gestured for me to drink something and walked into my office collapsing into my chair with a groan of thankfulness. After sitting for a minute to soak in the coolness of the air conditioning, I turned and grabbed a orange juice from the dorm sized refrigerator Jen had insisted be installed in my office so my drinks and snacks could stay cold. Leaning back in my seat I took a healthy drink from my bottle while silently thanking Jen for the idea. It was much more refreshing to have something cold then to drink it warm like I normally did. I closed my eyes as I ran the container over my forehead trying to help bring my body temperature back down more quickly.

"Franklin, are you alright?"

A light touch on my arm brought me back from my thoughts. I opened my eyes to see Jen crouched down beside my chair with a concerned expression on her face. Covering her hand with mine I smiled. "I'm fine just got a little overheated. I'll stay inside for a while before I go back out to help"

Jen shook her head. "It's almost one. You need to eat something and rest. I don't want you going back out there in this heat anymore today. The boys can handle it for the rest of the day"

I frowned. "I'm perfectly capable of doing it after I finish eating. I don't think it's quite fair to abandon the boys like that"

"Franklin, last I looked you were the boss correct?"

My eyebrows rose a little at the bit of impatience that shaded her tone. "Yes, but what has that got to do with it?"

"For today at least be the boss and stay inside. They're more then cable of handling everything that needs to be done. I know there has to be paperwork that you haven't touched at all this week that you can do" Jen gave me a knowing look.

"I suppose there is some I can do" I said reluctantly I had in fact ignored doing paperwork for far longer then that. I guess I was going to finish the day out buried in paperwork. As much as I loved being outside she was right I did need to stay here where it was cooler.

"Good, thank you" Jen leaned over and kissed me on the forehead. "I'm going to go get us some lunch. Would you like anything in particular?"

I dug my wallet out and handed her a twenty. I insisted when she tried to refuse it. "Lunch is on me today. Just grab me some kind of salad. I don't think I could eat anything real heavy right now"

Jen finally took the money I held out. "Alright I'll be right back," She pointed at the small couch that was wedged on the right hand side of the office. "Why don't you lay down until I get back. You're looking a bit pale"

I opened my mouth to argue but closed it. Truth was I could use a little nap. The heat outside had drained me more then I thought. Finishing my juice, I dropped it into the garbage can by my desk then got up and moved to the couch. I lay down with a small sense of relief. It felt a little odd that some else was taking care of me but I didn't fight the feeling of contentment I had at the moment. I smiled slightly as Jen tucked a pillow beneath my head. "Thanks"

Jen pressed a kiss to my lips before straightening up. "I'll be back soon. I'm going to tell the guys not to bother you until I get back. Alright?" Moving to the door she clicked off the overhead light.

Drowsiness made my eyes heavy. "Alright" I mumbled softly. "Have Kevin man the register while your gone" I heard her agree before everything faded out as weariness overwhelmed me. The last thing I heard was the office door clicking shut.

****************

I fiddled with the edge of my shorts as I watched the scenery whip by. After a long debate I'd finally agreed to come to Jen's family Fourth of July cookout at her parents house. Despite all my protests Jen was adamant that her parents were just fine with our new relationship as they've know how she'd felt about me long before they had ever met me. I'd finally given in when I'd realized how upset she'd been over my attempt to not go even though she'd tried to hide it.

"Are you still ok about going?"

I turned my head toward Jen. I admired her elegant profile for a moment before my eyes moved to the steering wheel. I could see the whitening of her knuckles as her hands tightened. Her voice didn't show how nervous she was about my answer but her other action made it clear how important it was. She looked over at me briefly before turning her attention back to the road ahead of her. I knew she couldn't read my expression clearly since I had my sunglasses on and they shielded my eyes from her.

"Yeah, I think it'll be fine" I slipped my hand onto her thigh and gently stroked it. I relaxed a little when she smiled at me brilliantly and covering my hand with hers squeezed it gently. I kept my hand there after she moved it back to the wheel. She always kept both hands on the wheel when she drove. "I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time about going"

"Franklin I understand" The warmth in her voice made my chest tighten. "Not only do you have to meet my parents since our relationship is different but you'll be meeting a lot more of my friends"

A surge of nervousness unexpectedly hit me making my stomach clench in reaction to the sudden stress. I swallowed hard as I tried to control the urge to puke. "Not helping"

"I'm sorry"

I waved the apology away as I dug into the carryall behind the drivers seat and pulled out a bottle of pills. Popping the lid I shook two of the white pills in my hand and washed them down with an open bottle of water. Recapping it I tossed it back into my bag. "Don't worry about it. Better now then later." Leaning over I pressed a kiss to her cheek to show that I meant it. I saw a light flush spread over her face as I settled back into my seat. "So how much longer till we get there?"
We'd been in the car for almost two hours and I was starting to get stiff.

Jen signaled as she exited the freeway. She braked at the light and waited patiently for it to change. "About ten more minuets" She turned right then headed for the outskirts of the small town they'd just arrived at. Finally they turned into a long drive that lead to a light gray two story farmhouse that was nestled into a large outcropping of trees that towered over it. A large assortment of vehicles had been parked on either side of the driveway. Many more had just pulled into the yard as spaces became sparser. As they made their way up the drive people had obviously heard the car coming as they started to pour out of the house with shouts of welcome. She parked the car and shut off the engine. "Here we are. Looks like everyone else has already arrived. Sure your ready for this?"

My eyes widened as more and more people came outside to greet Jen.
What was I thinking, there was no way I was going to survive this.
I wanted to blurt out Hell no but restrained myself just in time. I didn't want to disappoint Jen again. I smiled weakly instead. "Sure"
I reluctantly got out of the car when she did. I stayed back as each person there tried to be the first one to hug her. She laughed and hugged them all back. When she finally broke free from the crowd she reached out to grab my hand.

"I want all of you to meet Franklin Grencen, my girlfriend" The surge of people separated us from each other.

Exclamations of delight rose as everyone tried to greet me at once.
I could feel sweat dampen my back as the sense of being trapped tried to swallow me as they all crowded around. I look around frantically for Jen but saw she was busy talking to a few women that seemed to be hanging on her words. Fixing a smile on my face I made an attempt to get through it without her aid. I was just happy no one could see the terror I knew was turning my eyes a dark gray. I was on the edge of hyperventilating in panic when an arm slipped around my waist. I stiffened until the scent of Jen's perfume hit my nose then I relaxed in relief.

"All right everybody I think I going to take my girlfriend back for a while. Go on inside and we'll be there in a minute" Several people laughed in response as they started back toward the house.

I laid my head on Jen's shoulder when she pulled me into her arms. She remained quiet as I wrapped my arms around her and shut my eyes in relief. I knew she could feel the tremors that shook my body but she never said a word about it she only started to rub the back of my neck gently.

"I should have realized what was happening sooner. I failed to keep my promise"

I raised my head to see an expression of sadness cross her face. "You did keep your promise Jen"

She shook her head and dropped her arms from around me. "No I didn't" She turned away from me.

I hated that something like this was happening. If it weren't for me and my damn phobias we'd be inside already with everyone else having a good time not out here in the driveway. I gently turned her to face me. "You did" I took of my glasses so she could see I meant it. "Jen no one else has ever cared about how I felt. You do and I don't think you understand just how much it means to me. Give me some time to get used to this and I'll be ok" I ran a finger down the side of her face and savored the softness of her skin. Cupping her chin I bent my head. I hesitated until a hand behind my head pulled me down. I closed my eyes as our lips met and the outside world faded away.

A shout broke into our small circle of peace. I looked up to see Jen's mother in the doorway with her hands on her hips but a smile on her face. I slipped my glasses back onto my face as we turned to face her. "Uh oh" I whispered. "What does she want?"

Jen shrugged. "What's up Mom?"

"I need some more help in the kitchen. I was wondering if you and Franklin would be willing to help for awhile?"

The thought of being able to put off meeting the majority of the other people sounded good to me. Besides I needed to start racking up as many points with Sara as I could. "I'd be glad to help" I headed for the door with Jen right behind me. Sara had turned away and didn't see the slap that hit me in the ass. I jumped at the sudden sting.

"Suck up"

I shot a grin at her. "You better believe it" The laugh she let out warmed me as we followed her mother into the kitchen. Maybe today would work out just fine.

To Be Continued...