Chapter 5

For the next few weeks, Allison still worked at her job, but less that she used to. Before, she had nothing else to do but work, but now she took care of the kids, made their lunches, did laundry, made dinner, and helped around the house. She never had anyone to do things for before and she loved it.

"I have to say," Danny said to his friends in the kitchen one morning, "having Allison around here, is really great."

"Yeah," Jesse said, "she's like our personal maid. She does the laundry and cleans and cooks. She's like a little old-fashioned housewife."

"Don't let her catch you saying that," Joey said, laughing. "She'd freak out."

They all laughed. "So, Joey," Jesse said slyly, "have you built up the nerve to ask her out yet?"

"No," Joey said forlornly, "whenever I feel as if I can, I always think, 'why would a girl like that want to go out with a guy like me,' and I lose my nerve. And I'm eight years older than her; she probably thinks I'm too old for her."

"I think she would go out with you," Danny said. "It doesn't matter how old you two are. You've shown her how funny you can be." Jesse cleared his throat obnoxiously. Danny continued. "You both like cartoons. You got us to agree to let her stay here. She should like you, because you've done so many things for her and if she can't see that, she's not worth it."

"Oh yes she is, Danny. Have you seen her? She's so beautiful and funny and sweet. And she's so interesting to talk to. She has the greatest outlook on life."

"Well then, Joseph," Jesse said, "you just need to get her something or do something for her to get her attention, if she hasn't already. What does she like?"

"Cartoons," Joey said simply.

"Something besides cartoons."

"She likes theatre a lot. She said she always wanted to go to an opera."

"Well, there you go. Take her to an opera."

"But aren't operas really formal?"

"Yeah, why you don't want to dress up?"

"No, I'm fine with it. It's just, she doesn't have anything fancy."

"I guess you could buy her a dress to go with it, but that's a lot of money to spend on one girl. Are you sure you like her well enough?"

"Jess, have you seen her? She's beautiful and funny and…"

Jesse cut him off. "Okay, okay, don't be getting all mushy on us again."

"Joey," Danny said. "I think you should go for it. She'll love it."

"Okay," Joey said, "I think I will." He walked towards the door into the living room to ask her if she would like that. He walked into the living room only to find Allison facing the back wall changing her shirt.

Joey was stunned and couldn't bring himself to turn around and leave, which would have been the proper thing to do. He found himself staring once again, but this time it wasn't at her face, it was at her bare back and bra strap. He couldn't help thinking she was gorgeous. She slipped her black waitress uniform on over her head and saw Joey out of the corner of her eye.

She turned around quickly. "Joey," she said forcefully. He jumped, startled. He was terrified of what she was going to say or do to him for that.

"Don't do that again." And with that, she walked out the door to work.

"Joey," Danny walked into the living room checking if Allison was in there, "Jesse and I thought that maybe you should keep it a secret and surprise her with it."

Joey didn't answer and stared at the door.

"What's wrong, Joey?" Danny asked. "You're as white as a ghost. You didn't tell her yet did you?"

He shook his head. "No, I just need to think about this." He went back into the kitchen and into his room in the basement.