Chapter 3

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If Jim was honest with himself, he felt guilty for finding Janessa attractive. She was Dennis's niece. Jim could tell by the way Dennis talked to her that he loved her dearly. He had this ongoing internal battle going on in his head. It wasn't like she didn't return those feelings. Janessa was touching Jim's arm every chance she got, she laughed at all of his jokes, and she followed him around all evening, getting him a fresh beer whenever he ran out. On one hand, Jim loved the attention he was receiving, but he knew he shouldn't enjoy getting from his best friend's niece.

Jim couldn't take it anymore. He needed some air. He needed to get his thoughts straight. He was 40, she was young enough to be his daughter, but she wasn't. He was am ex con, who was given a full pardon by the state of California, who had a dangerous job. She was young and she had her whole life ahead of her. What could he possibly offer her except heartache. It was in Dennis's backyard that Jim decided that he would let the cards fall where they may, but he wouldn't pursue her. She had to make the first move.

Janessa Becker stood in the kitchen washing the dishes from the evening, but her mind was elsewhere. Her mind was in a twist. She really liked Jim. He was handsome and funny, but he was old enough to be her father and he was her Uncle Dennis's best friend. Was breaking up a long friendship really worth it. I mean, she knew Dennis a would be furious with Jim. That's just how he was. Well, standing there with her hands in the soapy water, she decided that if anything happened, she would let it happen.

By around 9:00 Rocky was ready to leave, and Dennis being the ever gracious host that he is talked Jim into letting Rocky take the car back to his place, and Jim could stay and sleep on the couch and Dennis would drop him off in the morning. At the end of the night as other guests started to file out, Dennis walked up to Jim, "Hey, Jimbo. So, what do you think of Janessa? Great kid, huh?" Jim smiled and said, "Yeah, she really is. I can't believe her folks kicked her out for following her dream. So, she'll be staying with you and Peg til she finds her feet?" Dennis nodded, "Yeah, that brother of mine can be a real jerk sometimes. Yeah, since Scotty is off to school, she'll be using his room. Hey, listen, if you ever need a hair cut, she'll hook you up. She's really great at what she does. I know she'll have her own place downtown one day."