CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
A WEEK LATER
"Another beer?" Jack asked Tony as he jumped up from the couch and waltzed into the kitchen.
"Thanks mate," Tony nodded.
It was a Friday night and Tony had come to Jack's for a few beers and to watch the football. Kim had gone out for dinner with Kit; so it was just the two of them.
"So, you've got the whole weekend off work then?" Tony asked.
"Yes, thank god," Jack let out a sigh of relief. "The last couple of weeks have been really hectic. I've had so much paper work, and of course that stupid meeting in the city last week. It's great that I've finally got a few days off," he said.
"Got anything planned?" Tony questioned.
"Nah," Jack shook his head. "I think I'm just going to take it easy and relax," he exclaimed.
"Maybe it would be a good opportunity to spend some time with Martha," Tony pointed out.
"I don't know dad," Jack was reluctant. "I don't want her to think that I'm suffocating her by hanging around all the time," he added.
Tony sighed. "Don't be stupid Jack. The two of you hardly spend time together," he said. "You'll never get back together if you keep avoiding each other. The baby will be here in just over three months, so you need to stop messing around and get your acts together," Tony continued.
"Hey, I'm all for getting back together, but Martha's not ready and I don't want to push her," Jack told his father. "If you have any suggestions; I'm all ears," he exclaimed.
"Well, do something nice for her. Cheer her up a bit," Tony started. "She's been so quiet lately and she always seems sad. It's obvious that she's still having trouble coping after the loss of her dad. Why don't you take her out; take her mind off things," he suggested.
"Take her where?" Jack asked.
"I don't know. What about a picnic? The two of you always used to do stuff like that, and I'm guessing you haven't in a while. I think she'd like it," Tony told Jack.
"I guess," Jack sat pondering the idea.
"Go on," Tony insisted. "She's working at Noah's with Beth and Macca tonight. Go and ask her now," he added.
"I suppose we could go out tomorrow," Jack stood up from the couch.
"Good idea. Now, get going," Tony pushed Jack out the door.
88888888888888888888888888888
Martha was bored as hell. For a Friday night; it was sure quiet at Noah's. There were a few older men standing at the bar; drinking some beers, and a group of young men and women standing at the pool table. And Leah and Dan were sitting on the couch talking quietly. Martha leant against the counter next to Macca and let out a loud huff.
"This is crap, I'm bored," she said out loud.
Beth laughed. "You can go home if you want," she offered. "Macca and I will be fine here by ourselves," she said.
"Nah, I'd better not. As soon as I leave, it'll get busy," Martha sighed. "I'm going to go and wipe down some tables," she picked up a cloth and walked away.
She wiped down the tables and picked up some empty glasses, and made her way back to the counter. On her way, she spotted Jack walking in. "Hey," she smiled at him.
"Hey," he smiled back.
"What's up?" Martha asked.
"Nothing. Just thought I'd stop in and say hi," Jack replied. He paused for a bit, and then started talking again. "Actually, I want to ask you something," he said.
"Okay, what is it?" Martha wanted to know.
Jack was feeling a bit nervous. Knowing his luck, Martha would get angry and yell at him for even suggesting it. But he was here now, so he may aswell just ask.
"Um, well, I'm not working this weekend," he started. "And I was wondering if you maybe wanted to do something tomorrow. I know that I said I wouldn't push you into getting back together or whatever, but I just thought maybe we could do something together. Just the two of us," he finished.
Martha smiled. He was so cute when he was nervous. "Sure, I'd like that," she agreed. "What did you have in mind?" she asked him.
"Maybe just a picnic or something," Jack replied. He was surprised that she said yes. He was positive that she was going to say no.
"Okay, um, what time do you want to go?" Martha questioned. She was suddenly feeling a bit shy.
"I'll pick you up at about eleven," Jack answered.
"Alright," Martha nodded.
"Look, I'd better go. I left dad back at my place; and he'll probably drink all my beers while I'm gone, so I'd better get back before he does," Jack told her.
"Okay, we'll I'll see you tomorrow then," Martha waved goodbye. She waited until Jack was gone, and then turned around and walked back to the counter with a big smile on her face.
"What was that about?" Macca asked her.
"Oh, Jack just asked me if I wanted to do something tomorrow," Martha explained.
"Really? And what are you going to do?" Macca wanted to know.
"If you must know, we're going on a picnic," Martha answered.
"Awwww, how romantic," Macca teased.
"Shut up," Martha laughed.
888888888888888888888888888888888
NEXT CHAPTER: How will the picnic go?
PLEASE REVIEW
