Chapter 27 *
Two Weeks Later
Jeff kicked open the door to his house and realized he had forgotten to go pick up Liger from Dad's. There was no usual barked greeting, accompanied by a wagging tail. His mind was elsewhere. That was pretty much the way it had gone since that last phone call to Monique not having spoken to her since. She needed time to do what she felt was necessary and he had given it to her without asking. It was killing him. She hadn't even called to see how he was in all the space he had bestowed upon her.
Monique figured that she had done her best. She had let Allen know what he would always mean to her. No one could ask for anything else. It hurt though. Like hell to know that she had misread his words and his deeds that whole time. "I guess when you want something so bad-you are blind to what's really going on around you."
She hadn't told Kirsten what she had done. She didn't want to continue to think about it if nothing was going to happen-and there was no guarantee. Kirsten had her own struggles with Matt. Amy had called this morning and was coming to grab K. They had made plans to go to the beach. Amy requested to take Nicole and Moni had said yes. Nicole needed some outside, away from Mom time. Monique was packing her bag at the moment. Bathing suit, towel, sun block, toys, sandals, sunglasses, water wings, etc.. She had to hurry up so she could pack them all a lunch. She promised Amy that she would.
"K," she yelled, "what do you want in the picnic basket?"
"What do you have?" was the bellowed reply
"There's cold chicken left over and some salad."
"That's good, throw it in girl."
"Do you want the rest of this pie too?"
"Yeah why not?"
"I'm sending along Gatorade for Nic, you guys will have to grab something for yourselves on the way."
"Ok. Thanks!" The answers weren't so loud as K approached the kitchen.
"Don't worry about Nic, sis, she'll be alright."
"I know, I'm just worried about me-what am I gonna do without her here today?"
"You'll think of something-we'll come back and you'll have field dayed the whole house." "UH, that's not how I want to spend the day. Maybe I'll go out back and get some sun myself."
"You definitely need it Casper!"
"Ha ha!"
Amy's knocking on the door saved Kirsten from a shoulder punch. Nicole heard the door and beat K to it. "Amy!"
Amy greeted the child by picking her up like a sack of potatoes and carrying her to the kitchen. "Hey Mon!"
"Morning Aim. What's up?"
"Not much, you ready for me to get them out of your hair?"
"Hey, be my guest!" Kirsten grabbed Nic's bag and the basket since Amy still had a hold of the munchkin. Nicole waved goodbye as they strode out the front door. "Bye mama!"
"Bye Nic, behave for aunt Kirsten ok?"
"OK." She yelled and the door slammed shut behind them.
Jeff rummaged through the stack of mail and unpacked his bags. Starting a load of laundry, he wondered what she was doing today. It was nice out and it was her last weekend off before going back to work. His cell phone rang to interrupt his thoughts-
"Hello."
"Hey, when are you gonna come get your son?" It was Dad calling about Liger.
"Is he acting up?"
"No he's fine, just got worried when you didn't show this morning."
"Can he stay for a bit longer? I have to run some errands later, I'll come by and get him then."
"Ok son. You alright?"
"Yeah Dad, just a bit pre occupied."
"You want to talk about it yet?"
"No, give me a bit."
"Ok, see you later."
"Bye."
The boys' father walked into the living room to find his oldest son lounging like a couch potato, aimlessly flipping through the channels. Obviously not satisfied in what he was seeing, but his father didn't really think Matt was seeing anything in front of him. What was wrong with these boys? They were both acting weird and he had no idea where to start with either of them. "Matthew, do you think you can give the batteries a rest?" He asked.
"Huh? Oh sorry Dad. I was just thinking-guess I wasn't paying attention."
"I can see that, do you want to tell me what's on your mind?"
"It's nothing to be concerned about, just a girl problem."
"Is your brother by chance having the same issue? You are both out of character."
"He might be Dad, I'm not too sure."
"Well, are you going to fill me in and allow me to help, or do you want to figure this out for yourself?" Matt thought it through and decided to seek advice from his father. He started at the very beginning and told his father everything that had taken place. Dad, anticipating that this was going to be long story (how his oldest child loved to talk), sat down next to Matt for the duration.
Feeling better, having gotten his hang ups off his chest, Matt proceeded to his room to find the necessities for showering and shaving. He had decided that he was going to sit down, face to face with Kirsten and let the chips fall where they may. But he certainly wasn't going to go over there looking and smelling like he did now. That would already add to the wonderful perception she already had. "Boy he literally is a PIG." He could just envision her thinking that-hell she may even say it out loud. He smiled as he remembered her candidness. He enjoyed her sense of humor very much and knew that it was just one of many things he needed to tell her. Oh he hoped this would go right, this time.
Monique had finished cleaning up after this morning's various packing and was searching for her bathing suit. No one was around and she felt comfortable putting it on and reclining out in the back yard. She located it and went to the bathroom for the tanning lotion. Finished there, she slid on her flip flops and dragged the lawn chair out of the garage. Back in the house she got the portable cd player, some cd's, her sunglasses and some bottled water and made her way back outside. "Shit, forgot the towel" she thought and ran back inside. Immersed in the closet, she barely heard the door bell ring. Wrapping the towel around her body out of embarrassment at being caught in it- seeing as how she wasn't expecting any visitors-she answered the door. Holy hell it was Matt Hardy and damn if he wasn't looking like he was ready for a date.
"Um Hi Matt, what's up?"
"Hi Monique," he replied, all the while looking her up and down, who the hell answered their door in a towel? "I was looking for Kirsten."
"Of course you were, sorry I am dressed, just going out to sunbathe, you caught me right before I headed for the back yard. K went to the beach with Amy and Nicole. You didn't know?"
"No, I guess I'll look there! Thanks."
"No problem." With that she shut the door. She could still see his silhouette standing on the porch. Oh well, he'd leave eventually. He acted like he had seen a ghost-ha ha no pun intended from the Casper comment K had made earlier. Matt was shocked. He had known she was petite-but to see her arms defined and leg muscles twitch was unbelievable. He just hadn't expected her to look like that. When did she find the time to go to the gym and what was her regimen? He'd have to see if Jeff knew. Guiding his car out of the drive, he headed for his brother's. Maybe Jeff would ride along to the beach for the day.
Matt arrived at Jeff's house in 30 minutes and pulled in beside Jeff's corvette. He walked up the porch and through the front door. Hearing strands of Pearl Jam from the bedroom, Matt made his way there. He found his younger sibling reclined across the bed, watching the fish in their world from the outside. He knew Jeff was deep in thought. He cleared his throat to announce his presence. "Hey man, what's on your agenda for the day?"
"Damn, you knock much?" Jeff growled
"Whoa, don't take it out on me!"
"I don't have any plans, just errands to run-gotta get Liger from Dad."
"Should have told me, I'd have brought him with me."
"Nah, I told Dad, I'd get him on my way back."
"So, how long are these errands gonna take you? Do you want to go to the beach with me?"
"Why don't you take Kirsten?"
"She's already there, with Amy and Nicole. I stopped at the house and Monique told me. Dude, do you know when and how often she works out?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"You've never seen her? She answered the door in a towel-bathing suit on too, but couldn't see that. She needs some color but she's got some good definition."
"Shit, it figures you'd get to see that. I don't know what she does for routine. You said Nic is gone?"
"Yeah she's with Amy and K at the beach, that's why I'm asking you to go."
"Man, Matt why don't you just go alone-you need to talk to Kirsten, but not on your own yet-you'll fuck it up again. Amy's there for you."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence little brother"
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah. I'll talk to ya later."
"Ok, later man."
Matt departed, leaving a very curious Jeff behind. Jeff wanted to see her, talk to her and find out what was going on. The whole past week, at work, at signings, whatever assignment they'd been given he was thinking of her. She was hurting over the whole ordeal and he wanted nothing more than to just simply be there. Matt's announcement of having seen her practically naked was another thing. His envy was sufficient motivation for him to get up off his ass and go. But not before cleaning up. He showered, shaved and dressed in record time. Grabbing his necessities for the later errands he locked the door and was off.
Two Weeks Later
Jeff kicked open the door to his house and realized he had forgotten to go pick up Liger from Dad's. There was no usual barked greeting, accompanied by a wagging tail. His mind was elsewhere. That was pretty much the way it had gone since that last phone call to Monique not having spoken to her since. She needed time to do what she felt was necessary and he had given it to her without asking. It was killing him. She hadn't even called to see how he was in all the space he had bestowed upon her.
Monique figured that she had done her best. She had let Allen know what he would always mean to her. No one could ask for anything else. It hurt though. Like hell to know that she had misread his words and his deeds that whole time. "I guess when you want something so bad-you are blind to what's really going on around you."
She hadn't told Kirsten what she had done. She didn't want to continue to think about it if nothing was going to happen-and there was no guarantee. Kirsten had her own struggles with Matt. Amy had called this morning and was coming to grab K. They had made plans to go to the beach. Amy requested to take Nicole and Moni had said yes. Nicole needed some outside, away from Mom time. Monique was packing her bag at the moment. Bathing suit, towel, sun block, toys, sandals, sunglasses, water wings, etc.. She had to hurry up so she could pack them all a lunch. She promised Amy that she would.
"K," she yelled, "what do you want in the picnic basket?"
"What do you have?" was the bellowed reply
"There's cold chicken left over and some salad."
"That's good, throw it in girl."
"Do you want the rest of this pie too?"
"Yeah why not?"
"I'm sending along Gatorade for Nic, you guys will have to grab something for yourselves on the way."
"Ok. Thanks!" The answers weren't so loud as K approached the kitchen.
"Don't worry about Nic, sis, she'll be alright."
"I know, I'm just worried about me-what am I gonna do without her here today?"
"You'll think of something-we'll come back and you'll have field dayed the whole house." "UH, that's not how I want to spend the day. Maybe I'll go out back and get some sun myself."
"You definitely need it Casper!"
"Ha ha!"
Amy's knocking on the door saved Kirsten from a shoulder punch. Nicole heard the door and beat K to it. "Amy!"
Amy greeted the child by picking her up like a sack of potatoes and carrying her to the kitchen. "Hey Mon!"
"Morning Aim. What's up?"
"Not much, you ready for me to get them out of your hair?"
"Hey, be my guest!" Kirsten grabbed Nic's bag and the basket since Amy still had a hold of the munchkin. Nicole waved goodbye as they strode out the front door. "Bye mama!"
"Bye Nic, behave for aunt Kirsten ok?"
"OK." She yelled and the door slammed shut behind them.
Jeff rummaged through the stack of mail and unpacked his bags. Starting a load of laundry, he wondered what she was doing today. It was nice out and it was her last weekend off before going back to work. His cell phone rang to interrupt his thoughts-
"Hello."
"Hey, when are you gonna come get your son?" It was Dad calling about Liger.
"Is he acting up?"
"No he's fine, just got worried when you didn't show this morning."
"Can he stay for a bit longer? I have to run some errands later, I'll come by and get him then."
"Ok son. You alright?"
"Yeah Dad, just a bit pre occupied."
"You want to talk about it yet?"
"No, give me a bit."
"Ok, see you later."
"Bye."
The boys' father walked into the living room to find his oldest son lounging like a couch potato, aimlessly flipping through the channels. Obviously not satisfied in what he was seeing, but his father didn't really think Matt was seeing anything in front of him. What was wrong with these boys? They were both acting weird and he had no idea where to start with either of them. "Matthew, do you think you can give the batteries a rest?" He asked.
"Huh? Oh sorry Dad. I was just thinking-guess I wasn't paying attention."
"I can see that, do you want to tell me what's on your mind?"
"It's nothing to be concerned about, just a girl problem."
"Is your brother by chance having the same issue? You are both out of character."
"He might be Dad, I'm not too sure."
"Well, are you going to fill me in and allow me to help, or do you want to figure this out for yourself?" Matt thought it through and decided to seek advice from his father. He started at the very beginning and told his father everything that had taken place. Dad, anticipating that this was going to be long story (how his oldest child loved to talk), sat down next to Matt for the duration.
Feeling better, having gotten his hang ups off his chest, Matt proceeded to his room to find the necessities for showering and shaving. He had decided that he was going to sit down, face to face with Kirsten and let the chips fall where they may. But he certainly wasn't going to go over there looking and smelling like he did now. That would already add to the wonderful perception she already had. "Boy he literally is a PIG." He could just envision her thinking that-hell she may even say it out loud. He smiled as he remembered her candidness. He enjoyed her sense of humor very much and knew that it was just one of many things he needed to tell her. Oh he hoped this would go right, this time.
Monique had finished cleaning up after this morning's various packing and was searching for her bathing suit. No one was around and she felt comfortable putting it on and reclining out in the back yard. She located it and went to the bathroom for the tanning lotion. Finished there, she slid on her flip flops and dragged the lawn chair out of the garage. Back in the house she got the portable cd player, some cd's, her sunglasses and some bottled water and made her way back outside. "Shit, forgot the towel" she thought and ran back inside. Immersed in the closet, she barely heard the door bell ring. Wrapping the towel around her body out of embarrassment at being caught in it- seeing as how she wasn't expecting any visitors-she answered the door. Holy hell it was Matt Hardy and damn if he wasn't looking like he was ready for a date.
"Um Hi Matt, what's up?"
"Hi Monique," he replied, all the while looking her up and down, who the hell answered their door in a towel? "I was looking for Kirsten."
"Of course you were, sorry I am dressed, just going out to sunbathe, you caught me right before I headed for the back yard. K went to the beach with Amy and Nicole. You didn't know?"
"No, I guess I'll look there! Thanks."
"No problem." With that she shut the door. She could still see his silhouette standing on the porch. Oh well, he'd leave eventually. He acted like he had seen a ghost-ha ha no pun intended from the Casper comment K had made earlier. Matt was shocked. He had known she was petite-but to see her arms defined and leg muscles twitch was unbelievable. He just hadn't expected her to look like that. When did she find the time to go to the gym and what was her regimen? He'd have to see if Jeff knew. Guiding his car out of the drive, he headed for his brother's. Maybe Jeff would ride along to the beach for the day.
Matt arrived at Jeff's house in 30 minutes and pulled in beside Jeff's corvette. He walked up the porch and through the front door. Hearing strands of Pearl Jam from the bedroom, Matt made his way there. He found his younger sibling reclined across the bed, watching the fish in their world from the outside. He knew Jeff was deep in thought. He cleared his throat to announce his presence. "Hey man, what's on your agenda for the day?"
"Damn, you knock much?" Jeff growled
"Whoa, don't take it out on me!"
"I don't have any plans, just errands to run-gotta get Liger from Dad."
"Should have told me, I'd have brought him with me."
"Nah, I told Dad, I'd get him on my way back."
"So, how long are these errands gonna take you? Do you want to go to the beach with me?"
"Why don't you take Kirsten?"
"She's already there, with Amy and Nicole. I stopped at the house and Monique told me. Dude, do you know when and how often she works out?"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"You've never seen her? She answered the door in a towel-bathing suit on too, but couldn't see that. She needs some color but she's got some good definition."
"Shit, it figures you'd get to see that. I don't know what she does for routine. You said Nic is gone?"
"Yeah she's with Amy and K at the beach, that's why I'm asking you to go."
"Man, Matt why don't you just go alone-you need to talk to Kirsten, but not on your own yet-you'll fuck it up again. Amy's there for you."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence little brother"
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah. I'll talk to ya later."
"Ok, later man."
Matt departed, leaving a very curious Jeff behind. Jeff wanted to see her, talk to her and find out what was going on. The whole past week, at work, at signings, whatever assignment they'd been given he was thinking of her. She was hurting over the whole ordeal and he wanted nothing more than to just simply be there. Matt's announcement of having seen her practically naked was another thing. His envy was sufficient motivation for him to get up off his ass and go. But not before cleaning up. He showered, shaved and dressed in record time. Grabbing his necessities for the later errands he locked the door and was off.