***A week later***

Caroline and Jennifer met for lunch and a pedicure and some shopping.

They were sitting in the pedicure chair when Caroline brought it up.

"Hey, what do you think about coming to dinner tomorrow night?"

"Sure, I can manage that. What's the occasion?"

"Well, Patrick and I feel horrible about what happened with you and Jonathan, so we want to make it up to you".

"Oh, that's ok. I think he and I have a clear understanding of things now".

"From what I heard, you really dressed him down".

"I guess I was a little harsh. But he really hurt my feelings and I wanted him to not only understand that, but to really understand how wrong he was".

"What did you say?"

"He sent me 2 dozen roses to work. And the card said something like 'to a lovely lady after a lovely evening. Lunch with me?' Like that was going to happen. So, I called him. No answer. I meant to call him back, but I got busy. Then, it was time for me to go to lunch, so I did and when I got outside, he was out there waiting for me. He asked me to go to lunch with him, and I told him that I wasn't able to intelligently put a sentence together in order to answer him. So, he begged for just 10 minutes, and I told him fine. We sat on the bench and I listened to his apology. He explained that he thought it was a private conversation, and that he thought that you and I were in the bedroom, and that he wanted to apologize to me right away but you wouldn't give him my number or address. All of that was very detailed, but his apology wasn't. It was just 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said it and I didn't mean it and I didn't mean to hurt your feelings'. So, just as he was about to leave, I told him I wanted to say something. And that's when I explained in detail how I graduated with a 4.0 from high school, the colleges that I applied to and when, and how some pursued me, instead of me pursuing them. I told him how I graduated a 4 year program in 3 years, and got my masters in Linguistics, and listed the languages I speak fluently. I also threw in how I am published regularly while some journalists aren't, and how I may not be able to do anything about my looks, but that's ok, because I look like my mom and I'm proud of that. I told him that if he ever chose to think that I wasn't intelligent again, that we could debate on the topic of his choice, and I would win, because I am very knowledgeable in a variety of subjects, and that the next time I saw him, hopefully he will use some manners. And then, I got up and went to lunch".

"Sure wish I could have seen that. Good for you."

"He told me that you read him the riot act".

"I did. I told him that you in no way deserved to be treated that way, and I pointed out that when he comes over, the kids are happy and they get excited and we have fun. But when you come over, they run to you, especially Savanna. And I pointed out that you have been there for us a lot of times when we didn't have anyone else, so that if your feelings were so hurt that you didn't want to be there with him, we would pick you every single time. And Patrick agreed with me".

"You guys are so sweet. I'm fine, honest".

"Yeah, but you weren't when you left our house and I could have killed him for making you upset".

"Is he coming to dinner tomorrow?"

"No, he's back in California. Savanna heard me and Patrick talking about how rude he was towards you, and she told him that he was mean. So, it's not just us in your corner, it's her too".

Jennifer chuckled. "She's a cutie, that Savanna".

"She loves her Aunt Jeffer to the ends of the Earth".

"Feelings mutual".

They were quiet for a little bit, and then Caroline turned to Jennifer.

"So, what article are you working on?"

"Still the same one. I'm still in the research stage, I just keep finding more information about the company that I'm investigating".

"That's good. I can't wait to read it".

After their shopping, they both headed home and Jennifer sank into a long bubble bath. She ordered in some dinner, and then went to bed early.

***Sunday***

Jennifer was cleaning her apartment around 12 when Caroline called.

"Hey, we are going to grill out, so come on over whenever you want to. Luke and Patrick went to a car show, so it's just me and Savanna till they get back around 5".

"Great! I tell you what, I will head your way in about an hour or so".

"Great, see you then".

She finished cleaning, and took a quick shower and then headed that way.

She got to Caroline and Patrick's at 1:45.

"Hey, I made Patrick some of the loaded baked potato dip."

"Oh, he's going to be so happy".

Savanna came running in the room.

"Aunt Jeffer! I made you something!"

"You did? What did you make me?"

"This". She put a homemade card in her hand.

Jennifer knelt down and started to read it.

"Aunt Jeffer". Jeffer was spelled Jpeizkgeydk.

She opened it.

"Mommy had to help with this part".

Jennifer could see that Savanna had written it and Caroline had translated underneath.

It said "I'm sorry you were sad".

"How sweet! I love this, and I love you too, punkin".

She gave her a kiss and stood back up.

For the rest of the afternoon, she was Jennifer's sidekick. She sat in her lap while they watched TV, and she didn't want to eat unless Jennifer did.

Jennifer got up to help Caroline with the dinner preparations, and Savanna wanted to help too.

The doorbell rang around 5, and Savanna ran to get it.

"I'm going to put this in the oven, will you go see who's at the door?"

"Certainly".

She followed Savanna to the door and found her talking to Jonathan.

"Hi, come on in".

"Hi". His face brightened up a little when he saw her.

They all walked to the kitchen.

"Who was at the door?"

"Jonathan".

"Hey Caroline".

"Hey. I'm glad you're here. Can you help me with something in the garage?"

"Sure".

Jennifer and Savanna continued fixing the salad while Caroline and Jonathan went to the garage.

A few minutes later, they came back into the kitchen.

"Savanna, why don't you go upstairs and draw a pretty picture? Can you do that for mommy?"

"Sure".

She took off upstairs and Jennifer started the dishes.

"Jennifer, I promised Jonathan I would let him talk to you for a minute. I am going to go get the grill started. If you need me, just come outside".

She nodded.

As soon as she was outside, Jennifer turned to Jonathan.

He took a deep breath.

"I feel horrible about how we left things the other day. I wanted to apologize again. I see the error of my ways, and I admit that I was wrong to say that you weren't educated or intelligent. That is obviously not the case, you are very intelligent and educated. And I should have never insulted your beauty, that was horrible of me. Please forgive me".

"Let's just consider it dropped, ok?"

"Sure. That's very kind of you".

"I hope you didn't fly all this way just to apologize to me".

"Yes and no. I have a business meeting tomorrow, and I flew out today so that I would be here in time. But I came here to Caroline and Patrick's hoping to convince Caroline to give me your contact information so that I could apologize again. I wasn't aware that you were here".

"I should also apologize for how harsh I was the other day. I shouldn't have been so rude to you, and that wasn't my intention. I was trying to make you understand why you were wrong, but I think I came off harsher than I meant to. So, I apologize".

"Hey, I deserve it. You were right to say all that and then some, believe me. And if you still want to go to lunch or dinner with me, I would like that".

"I think you and I would be better off as acquaintances".

He nodded.

Savanna came downstairs then with her picture.

"Hi lovebug, what did you draw?"

"It's a card".

"Oh, I see".

"It's for Jonathan".

Caroline came back inside.

Savanna handed the card to Jonathan.

"What does the front say?"

"It says Uncle Jonathan".

"Hey, that's me".

Savanna giggled.

He opened it.

"What does this say?"

"It says you're a big mean head".

He halfway chuckled.

Jennifer leaned down and looked at Savanna.

"Hey you know what? That wasn't nice".

"He made you sad. I don't like it when you are sad".

"I know he did. But he said he was sorry, so he's not a mean head anymore. It's ok to be nice to him. Can you say sorry to him for calling him mean?"

She ran and gave Jonathan a hug.

"I'm sorry".

"That's ok, sweetheart. I was pretty mean".

Savanna went back to Jennifer.

She picked her up and set her on the counter.

"How about you and I go sit on the swing on the back porch?"

"Yeah! I love to swing with you".

"Ok, let's go".

Patrick and Luke came in just then, as Jennifer and Savanna walked outside.

They were swinging and having a good time when Caroline came back out.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine".

"I swear I didn't know he was coming by".

"It's ok".

"So, what did he say?"

"Just that he felt bad about how we left things and that he sees now that I am intelligent and that he shouldn't have insulted my beauty".

"That was kind of him".

"I apologized to him as well for how harsh I was when I was explaining to him about how educated I am, and he told me it wasn't necessary. He told me we could go to lunch again, if I wanted, or dinner, but I told him we should just be acquaintances".

"Yeah, I gathered that he wasn't thrilled with your answer but like I told him in the garage, he doesn't deserve for this to be quick and painless. He's lucky that you would agree to talk to him at all. For what it's worth, when you and Savanna came outside, he mentioned he was impressed with you sticking up for him to Savanna about calling him mean."

"Well, I know she was only doing it because she knows that he made me upset. I just don't want her to think that it's ok to think he's mean forever."

"You are exactly right".

"Look, I know you said that it was my call if he hangs out with you guys or not. I don't want to make ya'll choose. So, if he wants to come, let him. I'm fine either way".

"That's very big of you".

Patrick and Jonathan came outside then.

Jennifer stood up and hugged Patrick.

"I made you some baked potato dip. It's in the fridge".

"Thank you".

Jonathan had brought Caroline and Jennifer a bottled water.

He handed them to them.

"Thank you".

"Ladies, why don't you let us run the grill and you can go relax inside?"

"Sounds good to me".

"Let's go".

They walked inside and left the guys on the deck.

After a nice dinner, they were all sitting around watching a movie, when they heard a loud noise.

"What was that?"

"I don't know. Sounded like a crash, almost".

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Caroline went to get it.

"Hi, I'm sorry, but I backed into a vehicle on the street. Does anyone here own a Corvette?"

"Come on in. My friend Jennifer does".

"Jennifer!"

Jennifer came to the door.

"This lady wants to speak with you".

Caroline left them to have their conversation and went back to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Jennifer came back.

"Well, I need to call a tow truck. My car isn't driveable".

She borrowed the phone and called a tow-truck, and went to get her things out of the car.

Savanna was trying to help, but she wasn't really able to do much.

After the tow-truck came, Jennifer went to grab the phone and call for a cab.

"No, don't. I can take you, it's no trouble".

She hesitated and then agreed.

"Thank you".

Caroline gave her a tote bag for her things, and then Jennifer was ready.

She kissed the kids and then hugged Caroline.

"Thank you for a lovely dinner and afternoon".

"You're welcome".

While Jennifer was telling Patrick bye, Caroline pointed her finger at Jonathan.

"Behave!"

Jonathan walked Jennifer to the car and held the door for her, and took her bag and set it in the backseat.

Jennifer buckled up and quietly hoped she could get through the car ride back to the city without any issues.