She was ready to kill him, Ricky that is, not Andy. She loved Andy, and well, she loved Ricky too, but right now, she was so turned off by him and his behavior. The trip had gone well so far, except for the room Andy had reserved had not been cleaned, which had taken the front desk another 10 minutes to get them into a clean hotel room. That glitch after the airport adventure and interrogation had really just been the final straw for the night. By the time she and Andy had gotten into a clean room at the hotel, they were both so exhausted, they barely said goodnight to each other before falling asleep.
Now, Saturday, they had spent the day with Ricky, and it had gone well with no issues, at least nothing had gone wrong during the day. Sharon did have issue now with Ricky's parade of girlfriends, the first, now sitting here at dinner. She and Andy had gotten a decent sleep, and they had picked up coffee and pastries on their way to Ricky's place earlier that morning where they had enjoyed visiting with him and Keith before taking Ricky out for the morning. The trio had done some sight-seeing and just enjoyed the beautiful day. Andy had treated them to lunch, and when they returned to Ricky's place, they found Keith had picked up most of the groceries needed to do some cooking. They had all spent a couple hours working on that before Sharon and Andy returned to the hotel to change for dinner. Both were still catching up on sleep, as Andy fell asleep while Sharon was showering, and she almost did the same waiting for Andy. The two were quite the pair. Now, she wasn't tired; she was irritated that Ricky was parading the first of two girls in front of them in his dating mess. Sharon was trying to relax, glad her guys were getting along, but right now, she was thinking of way to end the dinner.
"So, how did you two meet?" Sharon's head snapped out of its daze and turned back to the table. She and Andy were sitting across from Ricky and Vanessa. Andy had his had loosely draped on the back of her chair, while Ricky and Vanessa were sitting next to each other across from them. Sharon was across from Vanessa, which was probably a good thing. She'd noted Andy shaking his head at Ricky on several occasions, which she appreciated and had wanted to do herself. Vanessa was a nice girl, but she'd mentioned twice now she didn't mind Ricky dating two women at the same time. She just didn't rub Sharon the right way, but Sharon was not about to tell Ricky that.
Sharon offered a small smile as she felt Andy's hand reach for hers and hold onto it. She looked to Vanessa, "We have worked together for over 20 years, not always in the same division, but we've known each other through work."
"Wow, Ricky said you'd dated awhile. I had no idea," she said with a very surprised expression on her face. Ricky chuckled and reached to pat her arm.
"Nah, they pretended to hate each other for years. I'd hear Mom complain about Lieutenant Flynn on a regular basis," he grinned at Andy. "Now, he's one of my role models."
Andy sighed and shook his head. He looked at Vanessa, "Vanessa, Sharon and I have been working together the last six, seven years together," he looked to Sharon for confirmation.
"Almost eight now," she smiled back at Andy. "The first couple years we worked closely together were a little tense, but obviously, we've worked that out," she explained.
"And, as I've told Ricky, Emily, and Rusty," he looked to Sharon and then to Ricky, "I'm happy to be here in any capacity you need. I love your mother, and I'm here for you." Sharon smiled brightly at him, while she caught Ricky nodding out of the corner of her eye.
Changing the subject, Sharon smiled to her again, "Vanessa, did you play any sports or do anything like drama when you were growing up?"
"Oh, yes," she smiled. "I really enjoyed ballet. I danced through high school."
"Ballet?" Andy raised an eyebrow at Ricky. "No kidding, huh?"
"Right!" she nodded. "Ricky has told me about his sister. I was impressed he knew anything about ballet, but I was never that good."
The group was interrupted when the waiter brought the bill. Andy was ready, credit card already on the table, and he handed it to him. Sharon squeezed his hand, and when he turned to her, she smiled at him and nodded her thanks.
"Mrs. Raydor, I've been meaning to ask all night if your arm is bothering you?" Vanessa glanced at Sharon's cast and nodded.
Sharon sighed, "It does irritate me in many ways. Thankfully, the pain from it is mostly gone. I have trouble doing a lot of normal activities, as Ricky pointed out when Andy helped to cut my chicken," she eyed Ricky. I can't wait to get this off, just a couple more weeks now. Please," she gave Vanessa a soft smile, "call me Sharon."
"Yeah, sorry, Mom," Ricky dropped his gaze, now embarrassed about the chicken comment, and he turned his attention back to Vanessa. Dinner had started okay with the group. Ricky and Vanessa had stopped at the hotel to pick up Andy and Sharon. The conversation had been light and casual as the four drove to eat, and when they were finally seated and had ordered, the group had really started to talk. Sharon and Andy had not had a moment to discuss it, but both had noticed Vanessa looked a lot like Emily. She was built like her, just a little taller, had dark brown hair, and she even had similar mannerisms. Sharon had started to get irritated when the topic of Ricky dating both girls had come up, and with Vanessa knowing that, she'd told the group it wasn't a big deal and didn't mind. Then, a few minutes later, after their food had arrived, Ricky had gestured to Sharon and Andy where Andy was very discreetly helping Sharon with her food. She could manage if needed, but it was really awkward, especially with her thumb in the cast. It had been easier the last few weeks to just have Andy help her. They ate most meals together, and Rusty was used to it. Neither realized the middle son would point it out.
"Ahhh, how sweet," he'd said gesturing, "you're helping Mom with her dinner, Andy. I remember when she used to do that for me."
Andy glared at Ricky, and Sharon snapped her head toward him. Vanessa, who hadn't noticed it, paused and smiled, "That's really sweet."
"Don't start, Ricky," Andy said, almost under his breath, and he glanced at Ricky.
"What? It is," he shrugged. "Dad would have never done that."
"Can we not talk about cutting my food? I'd also really like it if we did not discuss Jack," Sharon sighed.
"Okay," Ricky looked from one to the other. "Look, I think it's nice, Mom. Andy, you are a good guy. It's nice to know when you two are old and living in a nursing home, you'll cut up Mom's food for her."
Sharon rolled her eyes at Ricky who was grinning. Ricky did sarcasm, almost all the time, and tonight, it was getting to Sharon. Some of it was just the idea he was dating two women, and some of it was just her overall irritation about her cast. She tried to forget it, but every now and then, like this, it kept coming up in conversation. It hadn't helped that even during dinner with Vanessa here, Ricky had mentioned Tracy, his other girlfriend on two occasions. Vanessa, knowing Tracy was in the picture, hadn't commented, but Sharon found it very tacky her own son was not bothered by it. Yes, she understood that dating was dating, and that if nothing had been discussed, Ricky was free to date whomever he wanted, but she felt that if he was having these women meet his parents, they should at least both know about the other. Now, only Vanessa knew, and Sharon just didn't like that. Perhaps she was too old fashioned, but it wasn't her idea of a good dating situation.
The waitress reappeared quickly with Andy's credit card, and a few moments later, he looked to the group, "Ready to go?"
"Yes, I think so," Sharon gave him a reassuring smile. She glanced to Vanessa and Ricky. "Are you two ready to go?"
"Thank you for dinner, Mr. Flynn," Vanessa smiled. "It was so great to meet both of you. I've heard so much from Ricky."
"Andy," he nodded to her. "It's been lovely to meet you as well." The four stood, and when Ricky noted Andy was helping Sharon with her chair, he moved to do the same for Vanessa. Sharon noted it out of the corner of her eye, and she smiled, thinking that while she'd taught him to do that, he'd never had Jack around to actually model it. She was very pleased he looked up to Andy, and that was helping to ease some of her irritation about Ricky dating two women. It wasn't that she didn't like Vanessa; Vanessa was very sweet, but Ricky couldn't continue like this.
"We were thinking of a stopping by a jazz club we like, just relaxing for awhile. Are you two interested?" Ricky asked them.
Andy glanced at Sharon, and she was glad to see the same look on his face as she was feeling herself. She could read Andy; he could read her, and she turned to Ricky, "I think we are both exhausted. It's been a great day, but we're worn out for the night."
"Sure, no problem," Ricky nodded. "We can drop you off at the hotel."
"Ricky, why don't you come by for breakfast in the morning," Sharon suggested and glanced to Andy. He nodded in agreement.
"Sounds good," he told them. "I'm always up for food. Let's get going."
The drive back to the hotel went smoothly. They four got to talking about a movie billboard they drove by, and Vanessa mentioned a college friend of hers had worked on the set. They were still discussing that when Ricky pulled into the hotel parking lot.
"You two, enjoy your evening," Sharon smiled at them. "Vanessa, it was very nice to meet you. Ricky, why don't you come by around 10:00?" Sharon asked him.
"Sure, Mom," he nodded and opened his door to give Sharon a hug for the night. As he stepped out, he also shook Andy's hand, who had walked around to join Sharon. The two had suggested Vanessa ride up front with Ricky. "Andy," he shook his hand. "I'll see you both tomorrow. Get some rest, you two."
Hugs were exchanged, and they watched Ricky drive away for the evening. Andy turned and offered his arm to Sharon. She wrapped hers around his and leaned her head toward his shoulder as they started to walk.
"What did you think of Vanessa, aside from the fact she's perfectly content dating Ricky while another woman is doing the same?" he asked. "Oh," he raised his free hand, "let's not forget she looks a lot like his sister," Andy chuckled.
Sharon chuckled too, "Hmm, my thoughts exactly. She's very nice, but I don't see anything lasting there. I could be wrong, but I think Ricky needs to come clean with Tracy before dinner tomorrow night. It's the right thing to do. I don't think Ricky realizes how much like Emily she really is."
"Hmm, you know you can't make him do that talk to Tracy," Andy pointed out as they walked inside.
"I know," Sharon nodded as she yawned. "I'm going to strongly encourage it at breakfast."
"Ahh, bribing with food," Andy chuckled. "You, my dear, are exhausted. You keep yawning."
"Well, I didn't have a short nap this afternoon like someone," she teased.
"Did I tell you that you look lovely tonight?" he eyed her wearing a navy-blue wrap dress. It was casual, yet dressy, comfortable, yet stylish. It also had sleeves and fit over her cast."
"Thank you," she looked up at him and grinned. He slowed enough to lean down and peck her lips, and then he winked at her before they continued walking.
"Could I interest you in a foot massage?" he asked and nodded to her feet. "While I know you love those heels," he nodded to her navy heels with a small silver design on them and continued, "I know your feel are usually killing you." Sharon didn't wear them a lot, but they were some of her favorites.
"You remember that?" she asked as they arrived at the elevator.
"Well, yeah," he grinned. "I know your wardrobe. Love the heels," he gestured to them, "but that means I usually have an evening project. Let's not forget we've been doing this dating thing a lot longer than we care to admit."
Sharon tried to hold back her laugh, but she couldn't, and she started to shake her head and chuckle, "Yes, I've been told. I love you. Thank you for coming up here with me this weekend." The two stepped onto the elevator, and Sharon corrected her statement, "Really, thank you for this weekend. You didn't have to pay for everything."
"I know, but I told you I was going to do that. I love you," he said as he squeezed her side now. They'd separated from their interlocked arms when they had stepped onto the elevator.
"I love you too," Sharon leaned up and kissed him as they rode up the elevator. "Honestly, I am glad we are back here. I was almost falling asleep at dinner, but I think my utter irritation kept me awake. I'm glad you didn't want to go to the jazz club."
"Same," he nodded. "Let's get to the room, get ready for bed, and I'll rub your feet," he smiled at her. "I'll even let you have the remote to find something to watch on the television."
Sharon's eyes sparkled, "Let me, huh?" she chuckled. "Sounds like a perfect evening."
"Enjoy it because tomorrow we get to meet the second girlfriend," Andy said and rolled his eyes when he met Sharon's glance.
"Don't remind me," she muttered. The two walked down the hall to their room where they knew they would fall asleep with the television on in the background. It didn't matter; they were just happy to be with each other.
