Chapter 2
"Kendall!" exclaimed Erica "Come in, darling. What in heavens are you doing out in this weather?"
"The storm. Mother, are you OK?" Kendall asked cautiously. Kendall had been with Erica two years ago during a thunderstorm. Erica hated thunderstorms; they were a constant reminder of the pain and suffering of the past.
"Oh sweetheart, I am fine. But you are soaked. Come upstairs and change out of those wet clothes." Erica began to lead Kendall up the center hall staircase to the upstairs. "Jack, Kendall is here. Can you please make us some tea?"
Jackson, Erica's long time love and new husband, came out from the dark den. "Hello Kendall. Erica, I have a fire going in the den. Why don't you get Kendall some dry clothes and come down to the den for tea?"
"Oh, Jackson, that is a wonderful idea." Erica beamed lovingly at her husband. Kendall's stomach turned at the genuine affection of the newlywed's exchange. Grant it, Kendall was still a newlywed herself, getting married to Zach Slater the day before her mother's wedding to Jack, but there were no sickening sweet cooing between them. Kendall and Zach's marriage was a business partnership, even though their friendship was growing stronger by the day.
Kendall valued Zach's opinions; he was always truthful and direct, whether it came to business or personal affairs. Zach actually enjoyed running interception between Erica and Kendall. He enjoyed frustrating the "Mighty Erica Kane." Kendall enjoyed it also, smirking to herself while Zach was making Erica uncomfortable.
Erica led Kendall to a spare guest room with its own bath. Erica left Kendall alone to borrow clothes from Lilly, Jackson's daughter. Erica brought in the dry clothes, urging Kendall to quickly change and join them downstairs.
As Kendall was changing from her wet clothes to dry slacks and a sweater, she thought about how she looked forward to talking to Zach each evening. Unconsciously, Zach and Kendall touched base with each other after returning to their respective condos each night. Kendall looked at her watch realizing how late it was. "That's right, Zach called while I was at Fusion." Kendall remembered as she squeezed her hair with a towel.
Kendall padded barefoot down the staircase and made a left urn into the den. The den was lit by the warm glow of the fire and a small desk lamp. Apparently from the look of the desk, Jackson had a heavy workload that evening.
"Jack, I'm sorry. Did I disturb you from your work?" Kendall inquired.
Before Jackson could answer, Erica came through the door to the kitchen and interrupted, "Don't be ridiculous, we always have time for our children. Don't we, Jack?" Jack sighed and looked first to his wife, then to Kendall, "Of course, Kendall. Welcome. It was kind of you to be concerned about Erica." Jackson seemed distracted.
Kendall sat on the leather chaise closet to the fire. The den was very masculine. The walls were dark wood, the furniture was leather, and the desk was large and looked to weigh as much as an elephant. Kendall sipped her tea and glanced at Erica. "Are you sure you are alright?"
"Oh, Kendall. Thank you for all of your concern, but the thunderstorms no longer have any power over my life. I am in control, we are moving forward as a brand new family. "New Beginnings" for all of us." Erica's enthusiasm burned almost as brightly as the fire. Kendall restrained herself from rolling her eyes, thinking to herself "Does everything have to led back to her new television show?"
"While I was in the kitchen, Lilly is in there watching television, the news said that the rain storm would remain heavy all night. Kendall, stay here, don't take another chance by driving home." Erica could convince a leopard to change his spots to stripes.
"What have I done? Why didn't I go straight home, make myself a cup of tea and curl up in a ball on the couch?" ran through Kendall's mind. She knew her mother would be relentless. "OK, mother. I will stay here tonight." Kendall almost cringed as the words came out of her mouth.