Holidays + being sick + writers block = no updates for a long time. Here's a short one. Not my best work.
As always, I own nothing, much to my disappointment.
Also, thank you for the kind reviews! I really appreciate the feedback.
CHAPTER 12
Henry gently closed the door to the antique shop. Right hand on the doorknob and left supporting the doorframe, he paused after the click of the latch, looking out into the night. He had just put Jo safely into a taxi and watched as the cab pulled away, carrying her back to her house. He let out a heavy sigh and let his forehead fall forward, touching the cool wood of the door frame.
The evening had gone well after his talk with Jo on the doorstep of the shop. She had greeted Abe warmly once inside. Abe, for his part, had had no patience for pleasantries. He had shooed them both upstairs to sit down at the table to eat. Dinner was as delicious as ever, thanks to Abe's magnificent cooking. The conversation had flowed from one topic to another relatively easily.
Despite their talk outside, Jo had remained somewhat shy, when interacting with Henry at least. Something had changed between them yet again. Progressed might be a better word. Maybe it was the fact that they both acknowledged what had happened the night before. They had talked about it, meaning that it had actually happened. Or perhaps it was that Henry acknowledged his attraction to Jo. Out loud. It was more surprising that he had admitted it to himself He admitted it to himself and to her.
The cool wood of the door was soothing. Henry was overheated. He was trying very hard not to think about Jo, barely clothed. Not to think about her breath on his lips. Nor the bashful glances she directed his way all night which made him melt every time. He wanted to kiss Jo.
Henry lifted his head up from the door frame and let his head make contact yet again. The quiet 'thunk' sound that his head made against the wood was comforting in a way, as was the slight discomfort from the motion. It grounded him, offering Henry something to focus on as he took several deep breathes to calm himself.
"Is there something you'd like to tell me?" Abe's voice called to Henry from behind him. Henry startled but did not turn around. He had been so focused on his thoughts, again, that he had not heard Abe approach. He could hear the amusement and slight accusation in Abe's tone.
Henry had a nagging suspicion that this conversation was coming. Abe wasn't obtuse. Henry was pretty sure that Abe had caught the bemused and timid looks that were passing between his father and a certain NYPD detective.
Henry arranged his best poker face across his features and turned to face his son.
"I'm sorry, what?" Chin up and an air of superiority usually served him well to deter most unwelcome questions. Unfortunately, his usual methods did not work well on Abe.
"You? Detective Martinez?" Abe's tone was suggestive and full of mischief. He liked teasing his father; that was plain to see.
"I'm afraid I still don't understand." Henry still held out hope that playing dumb might save him.
"Oh don't play dumb with me, Henry. I saw the two of you looking at each other all through dinner."
"Yes yes. We looked at each other. It is generally common courtesy to make eye contact with someone when speaking with them, much as I am making eye contact with you right now." Henry was speaking quickly, with his lecturing tone, trying to explain away what Abe had pointed out.
"If you ever look at me the way you were looking at Jo tonight, I will have you committed."
Henry frowned his disapproval. Abe shot him a look of warning in return. "Those were not common courtesy looks." Abe approached closer, almost gleeful. "So… tell me. When did what happen?"
Henry tried to think of some way to avoid this discussion but he saw no way out. He sighed, resignation taking over.
"When? Last night perhaps. Or right before dinner, when we were speaking outside of the store – "
"Ah, the conversation I interrupted. Sorry."
Henry nodded, acknowledging and accepting Abe's apology. "Yes…" He was quiet for a moment; pensive. "The what is rather more difficult I'm afraid. I believe… that I admitted to Jo that I would not be opposed to kissing her."
"Well that's a lot of double negatives."
"Really?' Henry frowned, thinking about his last statement. He looked back to Abe. "I don't believe so."
Abe waved him off. Henry could be so literal at times. "Why are you admitting or discussing anything? Why don't you just do it?"
"Abraham. There is a process to these things."
"Process? These are not troop movements. Just let it happen. You know, boy likes girl; boy kisses girl." Abe threw his hands up in the air in mock exasperation. "Geez, I feel like I'm raising a socially awkward teenager."
"It is not that simple." Henry sighed heavily and became lost in his memories, thinking about Nora… and Abigail. Despite the changing times, Henry was still stuck in his "old fashioned" thinking. To him, when boy liked girl, boy courted girl. Perhaps held her hand. Spent time with her. Opened doors for her and other kind gestures which showed his respect and interest. A physical relationship always came much later, once some sort of commitment was made. Casual dating did not really exist in his mind. Oh, he had tried it. Had done plenty of rash things that he was not proud of, but this was Jo. She was his partner and his friend. She was the first friend he had had in decades and he refused to jeopardize that by giving in to the desires of his body.
He wondered briefly if he should tell Abe about what happened the night before in his bedroom. Abe was much more experienced with women than he himself was. Perhaps he would have some advice. Ultimately, Henry decided that Jo would prefer that no one else know what happened. He did not want her to feel any more embarrassed than she already did.
Henry was still somewhat at a loss of what to think about the whole thing, trying to reconcile conflicting emotions. He was sure that pushing Jo away was the correct decision. At the same time though, He could not stop thinking about her.
Just because Henry did not often give in to physical attraction did not mean that he was not affected by it. That moment, in his room, replayed itself in his mind's eye. He felt guilty, imaging Jo over and over as she was the night before, barely clothed and full of lust. His own eyes had stared back at her hungrily, he was sure, as he admired her body purely for what it was. Tanned, flawless skin. Toned muscles; a testament to her physically demanding career. The scar from where she had been shot on their first case together. Yet her feminine curves were plainly visible as well. A small waist widening to meet her hips. The fullness and curve of her breasts peaking above the edge of her bra.
Oh lord he had to stop! This was not the way he should be thinking about his partner, especially when that moment was created by alcohol. Henry feared that the physical urges that had been awakened by the experience would, at some point, cloud his better judgment. Henry shook his head. Jo was fascinating. Intriguing. Confusing. Stunning. Henry felt like he had an endless list of vocabulary words which he could use to describe her.
But a possible relationship with Jo brought forth other old fears. Henry would have to tell her his secret at some point. She was likely to ask him about his scar again. The fear of denial and betrayal was still fresh, even hundreds of years later. And the pain of watching Jo age as he stayed the same. The fear that she would like the same was Abigail did. Henry's heart began racing from anxiety.
"Henry?" Abe asked gently at first. "Henry!" His tone was sharper the second time, trying to get Henry's attention back to the here and now.
"I'm sorry, Abe…" Henry finally collected his thoughts. "As I said, it's not that simple. I would have to tell Jo… about my condition and all the difficulties which come along with it."
Abe could see the pain in his father's eyes. But he also saw how much happier he had been since working with Jo. "Well, then tell her. I've told you that before. She'll believe you, Henry." Abe began making his way across the store to the stairs. He turned around and caught Henry's attention again. "And kiss that girl while you have the chance. Simple as that. The joy of living life is worth the risk and pain."
With that, the conversation was over. Abe turned and walked up the stairs, leaving Henry to his thoughts and daydreams.
