"I can't BELIEVE I'm here." Jack groaned as he was lead into the police station wearing a pair of handcuffs. "I'm due to spend the day with Stephanie tomorrow. I've got to talk to her and get this mess with Larry straightened out. Officer, you're making a mistake I don't deserve to be here!"
"He's right, officer." Janet cut in, having followed Jack and the officer. "You see, he didn't know what he was doing."
"Oh? From the look of the black eye he gave that guy it seems he knew exactly what he was doing. Come on fella, let's get you fingerprinted."
"No wait a minute, officer, you see I didn't know who he was, I thought he was somebody else."
"Is that supposed to make the situation better, the fact that you knocked out the wrong guy?" The officer asked as he got out the fingerprinting kit.
Jack sighed heavily puffing out his cheeks. Janet fidgeted as she looked from her friend to the officer. "Look officer, Jack's not the type to go looking for a fight. He thought his sister was in that car and that she was being taken advantage of."
The officer stopped short and looked at Jack. "Is that true?"
"Yes! Absolutely!" Jack replied.
The officer sighed. "I can understand that. I have a kid sister myself. Look, there's nothing I can do, but if you can talk your victim out of dropping the charges, we can let you go. He's in the other room."
At about 3 a.m., Jack and Janet arrived outside the door of their apartment.
"Can you believe it, Janet? I'm going to miss another day with Steph!"
"I know, Jack. But at least you won't have to spend the night in jail."
"Wonderful. I missed 3 hours in jail. I might as well stay awake. I'll have to get to the market as soon as it opens if I hope to get the ingredients to have that gourmet dinner prepared on time."
"Couldn't you have done anything else to keep that guy from pressing charges?" Janet asked.
"What are you kidding? The guy owned a Ferrari, he was loaded! What else could a person like me offer him but a free gourmet meal?"
"I suppose you're right. Well, let's not worry about it any more tonight. I'm beat. And Jack, you should get some rest, too."
"I don't think I can, but I'll try." Jack said, opening the door. He started to open his bedroom door to check on Stephanie but Janet advise him to let her sleep. She then went straight to the bathroom as Jack stretched across the couch with a magazine. Moments later, Janet came out of the bathroom and found her roommate, with the magazine on his chest, fast asleep.
Early the next morning Stephanie was awakened by the sounds of Jack and Janet talking and running about the apartment. As her sleep-drugged mind slowly cleared she could hear them talking about Janet being late for the flower shop and Jack needing to get to the market. After a few doors slammed all was quiet.
Stephanie sat up in bed and stretched before putting on her robe and making her way to the bathroom. As she came out moments later she met Terri who herself had been wakened by the activity.
"Good morning Terri!" Stephanie said.
"Oh hi Stephanie. How was your date last night?"
"Great! I'll tell you all about it. But first, let's find some breakfast I'm starving."
"From what I heard Jack is gone, which means our breakfast options around here are plain bread with jelly or burnt toast with jelly." Terri laughed.
"I'm no gourmet chef but I can scramble some eggs." Stephanie replied.
Moments later they were seated at the table digging into plates of eggs with cheese.
"Jack and I were supposed to spend the day together, I hope something hasn't come up." Stephanie said, taking a bit of egg.
"Maybe not. You still haven't told me about your date." Terri reminded her, a bit nervous about what she was going to hear considering Larry's reputation.
"Terri, Larry is wonderful. He took me to this restaurant called the Italian Orchard. The service was lousy but it gave us some time to talk and he even helped me practice for my play. After that we went for a walk on the beach and then we came home. After some of the guys I've dated, it's amazing to be out with someone who doesn't try anything."
"That IS amazing." Terri agreed, remembering her dates and the fact they were talking about Larry. "But you mentioned a play. I didn't know you were in to drama."
"Oh yes! I'm currently in a play in my community theater. I play a pioneer widow with a baby who falls in love with a cowboy against her better judgement."
"That sounds interesting." Terri replied.
"It's also my first attempt at co-directing, which has proven to be challenging. It's given me a true appreciation for Tony, who usually directs solo."
"Oh really? What kind of problems have you run into?"
"Just small details. Stuff that shouldn't even seem like problems, really. For instance, the baby's name. We can't agree on a good, unique 19th century name for the baby! You'd think we were parents deciding on a name for our infant!"
Terri laughed. "Oh Steph, that's funny!"
Stephanie nodded her head. "Another thing, we can't agree on what a 19th century wedding gown would look like. My character marries in the play and we have to come up with a dress."
"Wait a minute! I think I can help you there." Terri said. "I happen to have a friend who owns a vintage clothing store across town. I may be able to find something for you there."
"Really Terri? Oh that would be fantastic!" Michelle replied in excitement.
"Sure, I'll go by on my way to the hospital." Terri looked at her watch. "And if I'm going to go by and still get to work on time, I need to get dressed."
"Okay, I'll clean up in here." Stephanie announced, gathering the dishes.
As Terri made her way to the bedroom to change, Stephanie washed the dishes and wiped down the table. She then went to Jacks bedroom and changed clothes herself. She went back into the living room just as Jack came through the front door carrying groceries.
"Hi Jack!" Stephanie greeted her brother.
Jack stopped and smiled sweetly. "Hi Stephanie. Are you feeling okay today?" He asked softly, looking at her as if she would shatter at any moment.
Stephanie glanced to the side as if she was trying to figure out why Jack was acting this way. "Ummm, yeah. How are you?"
"Oh, I'm fine." Jack replied, still speaking to her gently.
"Well, I'm really looking forward to spending the day with you." Stephanie smiled.
Jack sighed. "Oh Steph, I was looking forward to it, too, but something's come up. See I've got to cook dinner for this really important client tonight. I really, REALLY, wanted to talk to you today."
"That's fine, Jack. I understand you can't change your plans around for me. I didn't announce my visit, after all."
"I'll make arrangements to spend the day with you tomorrow." Jack promised. He began to walk toward the kitchen with the groceries.
'Jason.' Jack thought of Veronica's brother as he unloaded the groceries. 'She can spend the day with Jason. At least it will keep that no account Larry away from her.'
Meanwhile, Stephanie went into Terri's room to talk some more. "So did you and Jack make plans? Terri asked in the next room.
"No." Stephanie replied, disappointed. "Jack has to make dinner tonight. I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Well, I know something you can do." Terri replied, digging in her purse and pulling out a card. Here's my library card. I thought you might want to go by and pick up a book on baby names."
"That's a great idea, Terri!"
"Why don't you come with me? The library is on my way to work and there's a bus stop just outside."
"Okay." Stephanie agreed.
They entered the living room just as Jack was hanging up the phone after talking to Jason. "Hey Sis, I thought since you and I can't spend the day together…."
"Oh, don't worry about me, Jack, I've decided to go to the library."
"Well…..okay." Jack replied as he looked in confusion at the giggling girls as they opened the door.
"Terri, do you really think you can get that wedding dress for me today?"
Jack's jaw dropped open as Terri replied;
"Faster than you can pick out the baby's name!"