This story is a work of fiction. I only own the characters that are non-
WWE. Vince McMahon owns the WWE and characters. Do not distribute, do not
sell, and do not sue. THANKS..***********
CHAPTER SEVEN
On Friday, Glenn came to pick up Karen as it was agreed and they drove back to the cabin. At the cabin, Glenn showed her how to care for the few animals that resided in the barn behind the house.
"Your horses are so beautiful." Karen remarked as she petted a brown velvet nose.
"Thank you." Glenn smiled. "They're my treasures. The one that you're petting is my favorite. Her name is Sunstar."
"They're Thoroughbreds aren't they." Karen observed.
"Yes," Glenn confirmed. "I like a bigger horse with some fire. Now the other two are Black Dalia and Isaac." He gestured at the black one and the red roan respectively. "Do you ride?" He then asked quizzically.
"I used to, a long time ago." Karen answered.
"Maybe sometime you'd like to go." Glenn suggested.
"Yeah sure." Karen replied. "I'd like that."
"Well, I'm about done in here now so we'll head into the house." Glenn said. "Let me just feed the cats yet." Glenn poured some cat chow out into a shallow baking sheet. As soon as the feed can was opened a multitude of cats came pouring in from all over the barn.
There has to be at least fifteen cats in here. Karen thought to herself.
They then headed into the house where Glenn showed her around the kitchen. She would be making the meals for Justin while Glenn was away. Karen was amazed at how well stocked the kitchen was. She wondered if that was Lucille's doing.
Then Glenn showed her the washing machine and dryer.
"You don't really have to trouble yourself with my things. Just take care of Justin's." Glenn instructed her.
It was decided that she would sleep in room that she had borrowed her first night. Finally, Glenn showed her the workbooks that Lucille had Justin complete.
"We were trying to get him as ready as we could to go to school next year." Glenn explained.
"You're an excellent father." Karen remarked aloud.
"I try to be." Glenn answered. "It's hard though sometimes---excuse me Karen." Glenn promptly left the room and disappeared for a few minutes.
"Poor guy he really misses his wife." Karen said quietly.
After a short while, Glenn returned and Karen was sure his eyes looked a little redder than before.
"Well, I guess I'll go make supper." Glenn informed her.
"Okay, I'll just unpack my things." Karen replied.
After a short while, Karen was done unpacking and she walked into the kitchen. Glenn was just setting the food on the table. Justin looked up from his chair and gave Karen a big smile.
"You can sit next to me." The little boy offered.
Glenn chuckled as Karen sat down in the chair next to the little boy. "Well, well you two seem to be hitting it off already. Perhaps, this wasn't such a bad idea after all."
"Bad idea?" Justin shot Glenn a questioning glance. "What's that Daddy?"
"Huh? Oh it's just a saying." Glenn brushed it off changing the subject. "Who's ready to eat? I could eat a whole grizzly bear!"
"DADDY!" Justin shouted. "You're silly!"
Glenn chuckled and then said the blessing. When he was finished, everyone dug into the fine pot roast that he had prepared. Glenn was quite the cook when he had time, Karen soon found out. Halfway through the dinner, little Justin started to get a worried look across his face.
Glenn noticed and asked gently, "What is it Slugger?"
"Will Grammy soon be here?" Justin asked quietly. "We always wait for Grammy before we eat. Daddy, she's going to be mad."
"No Justin, Grammy isn't coming over this weekend. Grammy isn't feeling well so Miss Karen here is going to stay with you while I'm away." Glenn explained soberly.
"Oh." The little one said simply. "That's okay I guess. So Grammy won't be mad?"
"No Justin, Grammy won't get mad." Glenn smiled.
"Okay, can I go watch TV now?" Justin said changing his tune quickly.
"Just till I get done with the dishes young man. You've got to go to bed then." Glenn told him as he got up to turn it on for him.
Glenn came back into the kitchen and sat down, as the grown-ups were not yet finished with their meals.
"He's such a pleasant little boy." Karen remarked.
"Yeah, he's my pride and joy. He should be okay for you. I did tell him about mom twice already, it's hard for him to comprehend though." Glenn explained.
"Well, at that age it would be." Karen replied.
"So, you've decided to stay in town for a little while." Glenn asked.
"I guess for now it's as good a place as any." Karen answered. "Till, I get some sort of a plan for a new life going."
"So, you're not going .West, to see some friends after all, Karen." Glenn surmised.
"No, I'm not, I don't have any idea of what I'm doing." Karen allowed him.
"Well Kinsey is a nice little town to take some time off." Glenn assured her. "You should be safe there for awhile at least."
"Safe," Karen said the word tiredly. "It's been a long time since I've felt that way. I'm sorry I really shouldn't be talking about this."
"I'm sorry it's not any of my business, I just.uh never mind. Sorry." Glenn didn't know what he wanted to say. Somehow, he just felt compelled to hear her story.
The room filled with an uncomfortable silence as the pair finished their meal. Glenn again protested Karen's help with the clean up and suggested that she check out the library. This time Karen submitted to his argument. Karen found the library with little trouble. She was an avid reader and was amazed at the assortment of books Glenn had. She looked over the shelves and picked out a mystery novel to read. Then she made herself comfortable on the love seat that sat in the center of the room before the fireplace. She lost track of the time as she read the novel. It was a good one about a Siamese cat that helped its owner solve a murder case. She was so into the book that she didn't notice when Glenn entered. He stood silently and watched her for a few moments.
She's so much like Ro--..why I am thinking of her?!? This is crazy! Glenn thought painfully.
After regaining his composure, Glenn chose to break the silence.
"Found something you like?" He asked softly trying not to startle Karen.
"Oh yes! I just love these mysteries." Karen said excitedly. "Lillian Jackson Braun's Cat Who books are one of my favorites."
"Oh really? I've never read those. They were my wife's." Glenn told her. "I like to read historical fiction. You ever hear of John Jakes?"
"Certainly! I've read all three of his North & South books." Karen replied. "I'll admit now that I only found out about those by watching that TV miniseries that was on years ago. I was hooked after that."
"That's about how I got into his stuff." Glenn told her. "The Civil War era fascinates me."
"Me too." Karen agreed laughing.
"Well, anyhow, I wanted to ask you if you have any last minute questions about caring for Justin." Glenn redirected the conversation.
"Uh let me think." Karen pondered for a moment. "Well, what time do you leave again? And what time will you be back about?"
"I leave about five a.m. and I'll be back late Wednesday morning." Glenn answered.
"What time do you like Justin to go to bed by?" Karen asked next.
"No later than eight. He's usually up by seven in the morning."
"How do I reach you if there's an emergency?" Karen asked.
"Uh.let me give you my cell number but call Mark's wife Sara if anything happens too." Glenn wrote the numbers down for her. "Anything else?"
"Doe's Justin have any allergies I should know about?" Karen inquired further.
"None that we've discovered so far." Glenn replied. "Anything else?"
"No that about covers it I think." Karen assured him.
"Good, well I guess I'm going to send him to the bathtub and then off to bed now." Glenn told her.
Karen went back to reading while Glenn tended to Justin.
When Glenn returned he sat down and read awhile from his tattered Holy Bible that sat on the desk. After about a half and hour or so, both of the adults went to bed. Glenn would be leaving long before Karen awoke in the morning so he gave his few last minute instructions then.
In the morning, Karen awoke about a quarter to seven. Sam was curled up on the floor waiting for her. Karen quietly got dressed and went to the kitchen to fix breakfast. All the while, Sam followed her closely watching her every movement. She was just finishing up when little Justin came trudging into the room. The dog ran to lick his face in an excited greeting.
"Good morning Justin." Karen said cheerily.
"Morning Karen." The little child replied rubbing his eyes. "I'm hungry."
"Well you just sit yourself down. Breakfast is ready." Karen told him.
"Oooh!!! Pancakes! My favorite!" Justin said happily.
"I'm glad you like them." Karen smiled. "Now you eat up. We've got a lot of fun things to do today."
"Yay!" The little boy shouted in reply.
And so it went. Justin and Karen hit it off famously. Sam loved the attention Karen gave her as well. Together the three played all sorts of games and the time when Glenn would return quickly drew near. Glenn and Karen got to know each other a little better each time. The pair grew closer as friends and there was definitely a growing attraction there. Unfortunately, neither adult was ready to admit it. As the weeks turned into months, Glenn invited Karen to live at the cabin, everything just went more smoothly that way. All the while though, Karen still repeatedly woke up from the nightmare in which Roy had found her.
CHAPTER SEVEN
On Friday, Glenn came to pick up Karen as it was agreed and they drove back to the cabin. At the cabin, Glenn showed her how to care for the few animals that resided in the barn behind the house.
"Your horses are so beautiful." Karen remarked as she petted a brown velvet nose.
"Thank you." Glenn smiled. "They're my treasures. The one that you're petting is my favorite. Her name is Sunstar."
"They're Thoroughbreds aren't they." Karen observed.
"Yes," Glenn confirmed. "I like a bigger horse with some fire. Now the other two are Black Dalia and Isaac." He gestured at the black one and the red roan respectively. "Do you ride?" He then asked quizzically.
"I used to, a long time ago." Karen answered.
"Maybe sometime you'd like to go." Glenn suggested.
"Yeah sure." Karen replied. "I'd like that."
"Well, I'm about done in here now so we'll head into the house." Glenn said. "Let me just feed the cats yet." Glenn poured some cat chow out into a shallow baking sheet. As soon as the feed can was opened a multitude of cats came pouring in from all over the barn.
There has to be at least fifteen cats in here. Karen thought to herself.
They then headed into the house where Glenn showed her around the kitchen. She would be making the meals for Justin while Glenn was away. Karen was amazed at how well stocked the kitchen was. She wondered if that was Lucille's doing.
Then Glenn showed her the washing machine and dryer.
"You don't really have to trouble yourself with my things. Just take care of Justin's." Glenn instructed her.
It was decided that she would sleep in room that she had borrowed her first night. Finally, Glenn showed her the workbooks that Lucille had Justin complete.
"We were trying to get him as ready as we could to go to school next year." Glenn explained.
"You're an excellent father." Karen remarked aloud.
"I try to be." Glenn answered. "It's hard though sometimes---excuse me Karen." Glenn promptly left the room and disappeared for a few minutes.
"Poor guy he really misses his wife." Karen said quietly.
After a short while, Glenn returned and Karen was sure his eyes looked a little redder than before.
"Well, I guess I'll go make supper." Glenn informed her.
"Okay, I'll just unpack my things." Karen replied.
After a short while, Karen was done unpacking and she walked into the kitchen. Glenn was just setting the food on the table. Justin looked up from his chair and gave Karen a big smile.
"You can sit next to me." The little boy offered.
Glenn chuckled as Karen sat down in the chair next to the little boy. "Well, well you two seem to be hitting it off already. Perhaps, this wasn't such a bad idea after all."
"Bad idea?" Justin shot Glenn a questioning glance. "What's that Daddy?"
"Huh? Oh it's just a saying." Glenn brushed it off changing the subject. "Who's ready to eat? I could eat a whole grizzly bear!"
"DADDY!" Justin shouted. "You're silly!"
Glenn chuckled and then said the blessing. When he was finished, everyone dug into the fine pot roast that he had prepared. Glenn was quite the cook when he had time, Karen soon found out. Halfway through the dinner, little Justin started to get a worried look across his face.
Glenn noticed and asked gently, "What is it Slugger?"
"Will Grammy soon be here?" Justin asked quietly. "We always wait for Grammy before we eat. Daddy, she's going to be mad."
"No Justin, Grammy isn't coming over this weekend. Grammy isn't feeling well so Miss Karen here is going to stay with you while I'm away." Glenn explained soberly.
"Oh." The little one said simply. "That's okay I guess. So Grammy won't be mad?"
"No Justin, Grammy won't get mad." Glenn smiled.
"Okay, can I go watch TV now?" Justin said changing his tune quickly.
"Just till I get done with the dishes young man. You've got to go to bed then." Glenn told him as he got up to turn it on for him.
Glenn came back into the kitchen and sat down, as the grown-ups were not yet finished with their meals.
"He's such a pleasant little boy." Karen remarked.
"Yeah, he's my pride and joy. He should be okay for you. I did tell him about mom twice already, it's hard for him to comprehend though." Glenn explained.
"Well, at that age it would be." Karen replied.
"So, you've decided to stay in town for a little while." Glenn asked.
"I guess for now it's as good a place as any." Karen answered. "Till, I get some sort of a plan for a new life going."
"So, you're not going .West, to see some friends after all, Karen." Glenn surmised.
"No, I'm not, I don't have any idea of what I'm doing." Karen allowed him.
"Well Kinsey is a nice little town to take some time off." Glenn assured her. "You should be safe there for awhile at least."
"Safe," Karen said the word tiredly. "It's been a long time since I've felt that way. I'm sorry I really shouldn't be talking about this."
"I'm sorry it's not any of my business, I just.uh never mind. Sorry." Glenn didn't know what he wanted to say. Somehow, he just felt compelled to hear her story.
The room filled with an uncomfortable silence as the pair finished their meal. Glenn again protested Karen's help with the clean up and suggested that she check out the library. This time Karen submitted to his argument. Karen found the library with little trouble. She was an avid reader and was amazed at the assortment of books Glenn had. She looked over the shelves and picked out a mystery novel to read. Then she made herself comfortable on the love seat that sat in the center of the room before the fireplace. She lost track of the time as she read the novel. It was a good one about a Siamese cat that helped its owner solve a murder case. She was so into the book that she didn't notice when Glenn entered. He stood silently and watched her for a few moments.
She's so much like Ro--..why I am thinking of her?!? This is crazy! Glenn thought painfully.
After regaining his composure, Glenn chose to break the silence.
"Found something you like?" He asked softly trying not to startle Karen.
"Oh yes! I just love these mysteries." Karen said excitedly. "Lillian Jackson Braun's Cat Who books are one of my favorites."
"Oh really? I've never read those. They were my wife's." Glenn told her. "I like to read historical fiction. You ever hear of John Jakes?"
"Certainly! I've read all three of his North & South books." Karen replied. "I'll admit now that I only found out about those by watching that TV miniseries that was on years ago. I was hooked after that."
"That's about how I got into his stuff." Glenn told her. "The Civil War era fascinates me."
"Me too." Karen agreed laughing.
"Well, anyhow, I wanted to ask you if you have any last minute questions about caring for Justin." Glenn redirected the conversation.
"Uh let me think." Karen pondered for a moment. "Well, what time do you leave again? And what time will you be back about?"
"I leave about five a.m. and I'll be back late Wednesday morning." Glenn answered.
"What time do you like Justin to go to bed by?" Karen asked next.
"No later than eight. He's usually up by seven in the morning."
"How do I reach you if there's an emergency?" Karen asked.
"Uh.let me give you my cell number but call Mark's wife Sara if anything happens too." Glenn wrote the numbers down for her. "Anything else?"
"Doe's Justin have any allergies I should know about?" Karen inquired further.
"None that we've discovered so far." Glenn replied. "Anything else?"
"No that about covers it I think." Karen assured him.
"Good, well I guess I'm going to send him to the bathtub and then off to bed now." Glenn told her.
Karen went back to reading while Glenn tended to Justin.
When Glenn returned he sat down and read awhile from his tattered Holy Bible that sat on the desk. After about a half and hour or so, both of the adults went to bed. Glenn would be leaving long before Karen awoke in the morning so he gave his few last minute instructions then.
In the morning, Karen awoke about a quarter to seven. Sam was curled up on the floor waiting for her. Karen quietly got dressed and went to the kitchen to fix breakfast. All the while, Sam followed her closely watching her every movement. She was just finishing up when little Justin came trudging into the room. The dog ran to lick his face in an excited greeting.
"Good morning Justin." Karen said cheerily.
"Morning Karen." The little child replied rubbing his eyes. "I'm hungry."
"Well you just sit yourself down. Breakfast is ready." Karen told him.
"Oooh!!! Pancakes! My favorite!" Justin said happily.
"I'm glad you like them." Karen smiled. "Now you eat up. We've got a lot of fun things to do today."
"Yay!" The little boy shouted in reply.
And so it went. Justin and Karen hit it off famously. Sam loved the attention Karen gave her as well. Together the three played all sorts of games and the time when Glenn would return quickly drew near. Glenn and Karen got to know each other a little better each time. The pair grew closer as friends and there was definitely a growing attraction there. Unfortunately, neither adult was ready to admit it. As the weeks turned into months, Glenn invited Karen to live at the cabin, everything just went more smoothly that way. All the while though, Karen still repeatedly woke up from the nightmare in which Roy had found her.
