These characters from 7th Heaven are the property of Aaron Spelling or Brenda Hampton or the WB or somebody much richer than me. The story is mine – here only for your entertainment, blah, blah, blah crumbcakes. Thanks to everybody at the Television Without Pity (TWoP) boards for inspiration and for their awesome fanfics, and especially to Hans the Bold for issuing the challenge to "take a Camden and make him/her sexual" or something like that.
Uh, if the idea of Eric Camden becoming sexually involved with anyone other than Annie really upsets you, you probably don't want to read this. Consider yourself warned.
They Meet
Eric Camden pushed open the glass door and emerged into the bright sunshine of midday. The air was crisp and fresh. He felt good.
He never had liked visiting in the nursing homes much. No minister did, he supposed. Many of the residents were consumed with dementia, unable to recognize loved ones and friends. Those who had kept their senses intact were even sadder, in a way. Rejected by family or physically unable to care for themselves, they knew they were waiting to die. Eric knew he should visit his nursing home members more often than he did, but it seemed he couldn't help putting it off every time. There would always be something more urgent, more pressing, and . . . well, more interesting to occupy his time.
But now, as he trotted lightly down the front steps of Glenoak Village, he felt good. He had visited with two of his members and left cards on the tables of two others who were sleeping. That way he would get credit for four visits and not have to return for another month. He was glad he had gotten it out of the way early today.
As he walked down the sidewalk toward his van, Eric noticed a bright yellow convertible coming into the parking lot. He couldn't help but notice. The car was moving just a bit too fast, with the radio on loud enough for him to hear an old Rolling Stones song. He smiled to himself.
The convertible pulled into a spot near his van. He was just unlocking his door when a female voice called out, "Reverend Camden? Reverend Eric Camden?"
He turned to see the driver of the car walking quickly toward him. "I'm sorry to bother you, but would you happen to be Reverend Eric Camden?"
"Yes, I'm Eric Camden." He had no idea who she was but he smiled in spite of himself.
"My name is Jaye Martin. I'm the new Director of Glenoak Village." She paused to catch her breath and push some loose strands of dark hair out of her face. She laughed. "I don't know why I insist on riding with the top down on my way to work."
Eric realized he was still smiling. "Well, I'm glad to meet you, Jaye. I had heard that they were getting a new director. But how did you know me?"
Jaye blushed slightly. "Oh – I've just heard about you from some of the staff and residents. They say you're a breath of fresh air around here, you know, always upbeat and friendly. And in this business you need all the fresh air you can get."
Jaye startled at the unintended reference to nursing home smells. "What I mean is – "
Eric laughed out loud. "Don't worry, I know what you meant. And it's funny; I've heard the same thing about you."
There was an awkward pause. Then Jaye said, "Well, maybe we can get a cup of coffee sometime. I'm here almost every day."
Eric had to shake himself out of a trance to reply. "That sounds great. And here's my card, if you ever, um, need anything."
Jaye turned and walked toward the door. Eric paused as he got into the van. He watched her walk. She was about thirty-five, he'd guessed. She wore a business suit and skirt, but there was something about the way she carried herself. She seemed athletic, strong, tanned, tightly muscled. She didn't seem like an administrator. He figured she must work out. He felt a tingling sensation, shifted in his seat, took a deep breath and started toward home.