Supporting Rumors - Part 68
Jack had been up quite a while and had enjoyed watching the sunrise from the back porch. The sun was up and shining before he heard his wife moving around and he swung his chair back inside to join her.
They spent a quiet Sunday morning reading the papers and eating a late breakfast that Sam cooked.
"Is there anything you fancy doing today?" she asked as she cleared the dishes. "Want to visit anyone?"
Jack shrugged.
"Shopping?"
"Ack, no way. How about another drive, a picnic?" If Sam had noticed his wanting to avoid people in general, she hadn't said anything – yet.
The ringing of the phone interrupted them and although Jack was nearer to it, he hesitated a little before picking it up.
"Hello."
The voice that squealed down his ear had him holding the receiver a little away from it.
"UNCLE JACK!"
"Hi Cassie."
"Oh, Uncle Jack, when did you get home? How are you? Are you home for good yet?"
Jack grinned. "Friday. Fine. No, just the weekend."
"Uncle Jack … oh it's so good to hear your voice. I really missed you."
"I miss you too honey."
"I'm sorry I couldn't get up to Washington again before the exams started, but at least you're home now."
"Hey no sweat. How's it all going?" He could almost see the teenager's grimace.
"It's okay. I miss you all so much though. The semester break starts in a couple of weeks, I can come visit you. How's Sam?"
"She's fine."
"You are behaving aren't you, Uncle Jack?"
"Yes ma'am, absolutely."
The teenager giggled. "Is everyone okay then?"
"We're fine honey, doing fine. I can't wait to see you. Do you want to have a word with Sam?"
"Tell her I'll call back later this week, I've got to go now. It was just a quick cal … um, Uncle Jack?"
"What?"
"Look after yourself. Love you."
"Love you too, Cass."
"Byyyyyyyyye."
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Sam listened to Jack's side of the conversation. She had heard the squeal as Jack held the receiver away from his ear and she laughed as she heard Cassie's voice. She knew that Cassie was upset at not being able to visit Jack more than she had, but exams had to come first. Cassie had settled well at college, but she knew that she missed everyone badly. Sam had grown closer to the girl since Janet's death, and also was well aware just how much Cassie had missed Jack when he moved to Washington. She heard the warmth in Jack's voice as he spoke to the Cassie. Jack adored her and Cassie returned the affection.
Jack made a show of rubbing his ear as he replaced the receiver.
"I heard the squeal from here," said Sam, laughing.
"She's fine. Said she'll call you later in the week."
"That's good. Now then, let's get ourselves out. We can grab some things from the deli, I didn't plan on a picnic."
Jack's face took on a more serious note. "I've just spent so much time cooped up …"
"Hey, it's no problem." Sam crossed the room to give him a warm hug. "I'll pack the rugs and flasks."
She could have kicked herself when she realized that Jack was bound to be suffering from being stuck inside. Even in Washington he had spent as much free time as he had outdoors, his main complaint being that he was office bound and the breaks they had managed to grab at his cabin were absolute bliss to him. And now ... Sam winced. She quickly packed up their things, determined that he would be out in the fresh air as much as he wanted…
They spent a beautiful day near a lake, just an hour's drive from home. No-one was near enough to bother them. With not just a little difficulty and quite a bit of protesting, Sam held the chair steady while Jack worked his way down to the ground, finally supporting himself against a tree trunk on the rug she had spread. Ignoring her protests, he tugged her down to lie beside him. They lay close, hugging, with quite a bit of giggling and kissing like teenagers ... and it felt so good.
The lines of exhaustion that had furrowed his face constantly since the shooting eased a little as he lifted his face to the warm sun. The light breeze that blew ruffled his hair and she swept a hand through it. As her fingers massaged his scalp, he sighed deep with contentment. She watched him lovingly as he reveled in it all, breathing the clean air in deeply. It felt so good to hold him, to watch him ... to love him.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
TBC
