Chapter Two

"You can stay here for the night," he tugs gently on her hand. "I mean till the sun comes up," he looks toward the window. "Which should be in a few hours."

"Thanks Gerry, I...." She pulls her hand away so she can cover her face, "Why?" she exclaims, "Why would he do that to me?" she asks through soft sobs, although she knows the answer. Gerry opens his mouth to respond however Sandra beats him to it, "You know why Gerry, because he can, he knows that he can get away with it."

"No," Gerry shakes his head, "No he can't Sandra," he places his hand on to her chin, turning her head slowly to face him, in his most commanding yet soft tone he says, "We won't let him."

Tears streak down her face as she reaches over and places her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. The warmth and security she feels from him makes her feel that yes, he will take care of her, not that she needs to be taken care of, but it's nice to know that he and of course the other two dinosaurs are there for her. But he is no dinosaur, she thinks as she looks up at him. Thinking only of him, not of her current situation. He is a man of morals who has had his share of bad luck throughout his life but has weathered through it, never losing sight of what is right. Perhaps his past has made him stronger. Three ex-wives and four daughters and of course little Gerry to care for, he goes out of his way to always be there for them and now it seems that he has taken on another person to add to his list of benefactors, not of the monetary kind, the loving and responsible kind. He will be there to not only protect her but without asking he will go out of their way to help her.

He does not tire from holding her, rubbing her back for comfort. She rests her head on his shoulder, never wanting to let go.

Exactly when each one fell asleep, neither is sure. But the pain in their backs wakes them. "Shit," he says as he stretches his body forward placing his hands behind his aching back.

"Gerry," Sandra removes her sleeping arm from under his body. "Damnit Gerry, get up!" She exclaims.

In a defensive tone he says, "Sorry, sorry."

"No," she says exasperated with herself, "Don't, don't apologize that was rude of me."

"No," he stretches as he stands, "It wasn't rude."

"Yes it was," she pauses as she adjusts her position on the couch. "I do that a lot don't I? Speak to you like that?"

"I can handle it Sandra."

"I know that Gerry, Jesus I'm trying to apologize to you."

Sandra has a feeling that she comes to him for support and help yet in the past she has constantly belittled him with snide remarks, usually in a friendly sort of way but now all those remarks have come flowing back. Though none of them are of a cruel nature, she now feels guilty.

"You spoke your mind, the things you said were never cruel, hell I probably deserved some," he raises his index finger in the air, "Some of them."

"It is. I mean sometimes it's way too easy and I should have more restraint. So please...."

He interjects, "Alright," he shrugs his shoulders, "I accept your apology now can we get past this?" He pauses to rethink the situation, "You trying to apologize for all the times, aren't you?" She nods her head in agreement, "Hell you wouldn't be you if you didn't speak your mind."

"I....feel," he interjects.

"Don't, your remarks were from the heart, no malice what so ever."

11 a.m.

Gerry's Flat

Gerry makes a fresh pot of coffee as he and Sandra wait anxiously for Jack and Brian to arrive.

As the coffee brews Gerry points his phone in Sandra's direction, taking a photo of the black and blue mark that has appeared on her face.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"The bruise that, that son of bitch gave you has...." he stops when he hears the knock at the door. He sets the phone down then immediately crosses the room and jogs down the stairs.

Opening the door he is greeted by Jack, who seems a bit annoyed that he has been bothered early on a Saturday morning, "What is this all about Gerry?" he asks.

"Good morning to you too Jack, I told you it concerns Sandra."

"Yes, I know what has...." he comes to a dead stop causing Brian to bump into him as he spies the bruise that has become very apparent on her face. His first thought is that Gerry has caused such a mark, but the thought is quickly dismissed. "Sandra, what the hell happened?"

"What, what happened?" Brian stretches his neck to get a look at her. "My God Sandra."

"She had a date last night." Gerry states plainly as he passes by his friends, who follow him across the room. He walks briskly toward the kitchen and the pot of fresh brewed coffee, whose aroma has filled the room.

"Yes I know with John McAdam's, what does that have to do with anything."

"You told me he was an alright fellow," Sandra says, eyes still red and puffy from crying.

Armed with two cups of coffee, "Well," Gerry interjects, "This is the result of an evening with that bastard."

Jack walks toward her, "Sandra I'm so sorry I had no idea."

"I know that Jack, it's not your fault."

"Why, I mean how....What?"

"He forced himself on me," she once again hears gasps. "He became demanding and....he scared me. He had me on the floor before I could even object to his advances."

"Did he, ah," Jack asks with head down, fearful of the answer.

"No Jack he never go that far." Yes she has to admit it is getting easier to talk about this horrible and unforgettable evening with the wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Thank God for that," Jack and Brian say almost in unison. "Well," Jack says as he removes one of the cups that Gerry has in his hands. He takes a quick sip of the coffee and has to nod in approval at the marvelous flavor, still a bit bewildered that this fellow who when he first met seemed boorish and very uncouth, he has learned through only a short time that, that description does not or has ever described his now good friend Gerry Standing. "You have to report this Sandra," Jack says in his fatherly way.

"No," Gerry and Sandra say simultaneously, "I will not let him get away with this but I….we have to do it the right way and the only way."

"And how is that?"

"Easy mate," Gerry says as he pats Jack on the back. "Make him reveal himself, get him to talk about his conquests, a bloke like that loves to brag."

"Don't we know it," Sandra says then bites her lip, "Gerry, I...."

He flashes a warm smile, "If you really thought that way about me, you wouldn't say anything."

"What the hell is with them today?" Jack asks softy so Brian is the only one who hears.

"Maybe they've come to an understanding, they did spend the night together."

Jack turns his head quickly in Brian's direction, "No, he wouldn't."

"Of course not, not that." Brian too takes a short sip of coffee. "I mean look at them." Gerry and Sandra have positioned themselves on the couch once again, she is not snuggled under his arm this time but the space between them, close as close as they could possible be. Brian continues, "She came here for comfort and he was there for her."

They both think but never say, Why didn't she come to me? I care about her just as much as he does.

Being a very perceptive woman she can easily read Jack and Brian's thoughts by the looks on their faces. She may be receiving comfort from Gerry but she knows that all the men in her life are there for her. Why did I pick Gerry? She takes a quick gaze at him and smiles, because his place was the closest? He wouldn't overreact? Because I wanted him to comfort me? She sits back in the couch and expels a soft sigh, all of the above, with the last one being the most prevalent.

That is all for now

Later

The Mominator