Chapter 3

Jack drank his coffee slowly as he sat on his patio; the sun peeked up over the horizon. He let out a long sigh and stared down to the lake. His backyard was his own personal vineyard, a place to get away. After becoming involved with Michelle, Jack turned the end of the backyard into a personal hide-a-way, with a small patio area and a small garden surrounding it. The view, perfectly aligned with the lake, provided a peaceful yet romantic mood. Jack stood and walked to into the house and to the living room. He picked up the rolls of film and set off to Francisco's to have them developed.

Jack hopped into his Mercedes and drove to Francisco's photography studio.

"Non mi preoccupo! È il loro difetto! Martedì prossimo GIUSTO allora!" Francisco yelled to the phone as Jack entered.

"Hard day Franko?" Jack asked as he approached the white counter. Francisco slammed down the phone.

"Cho kno, hi's no eaz'a run'ing ehis cand of bushnes!" He replied in a strong Italian accent. Jack laughed softly and set the rolls on the counter.

"I was wondering if you could do me a favor," Jack said as he leaned on the counter.

"Shure thing, Jock. Anything for'a you." He grinned slyly at Jack. He took a deep breath and started to explain to Francisco his events within the vacation.

"Oh…Du we 'ave a crush, Jock?" Francisco smiled, his face sobered when Jack removed his sunglasses and looked him in the eyes.

"No. I just have to…reassure myself. You see I want every picture with the fountain to have the background people blown up. Just so I can see their faces. Nothing more, nothing less." Jack sighed and closed his eyes tight. "I just want to know. Okay?"

"O-K," Francisco said.

"Grazie!" Jack kissed his forehead and was on his way.

"Go, and don't worry!" Francisco yelled as Jack ran out the door and clicked his heels together. Francisco stood there and chuckled. He had never seen his friend so "un-wound" and excited in his life. Just who could Jock be so eager to see?

"I just can't explain it, Margaret," Janet told Margaret.

"Well, I just hope you weren't up all night," Margaret said as she brought a cup of tea out to Janet on the patio.

"Umm, no I went back to bed. But then got back up at four." Janet blew into her tea. Her hair slightly static and her bangs matted over to the side. She hugged her knees as she sat in a black patio chair. Margaret shook her head.

"Why didn't you wake me up? I would have helped…somehow."

"I guess, I-I just got myself thinking. But there was a song," Margaret looked up at Janet.

"What song?"

"The one that was playing…over across the street. I guess it just made me think…about, Jack," She paused and stared insensately at the hard ground, "I mean I haven't thought about him in years! Why now?" Margaret paused at her comment.

"You loved him didn't you?" She asked searching Janet's face. Janet snapped her head to Margaret with wide eyes. She immediately closed them and fought back her tears.

"I don't know. I never got to say a proper goodbye." A tear ran down her check and clung to her jaw before brusquely falling to the ground.

"Come on, we have to pack. Our plane leaves in an hour and a half. Let's go," Margaret stood and walked to the bedroom and began packing. Janet followed and they were soon ready to go.

Flight 382 to Paris now boarding at gate 13, came a voice over the loudspeaker.

"Well, Jan…I believe that's us. You have everything?"

"Yep. Let's go," Janet and Margaret slowly made their way over to gate 13 and shuffled in with a small group of others. The attendant at the desk checked their ticket and they were ushered aboard the plane. Janet looked out the window. Great, another two hours of this.

"Margot." Margaret looked over. She knew that Janet only called her that when she was serious or was extremely upset.

"Yes?" Margaret asked, concerned with her friend. "Are you going to be ok?"

"Yes. I just wanted to thank you. For everything," Janet smiled and hugged her friend.

"No problem. Besides Tyler, you're my whole world." Janet looked out the window and asked Margaret about Tyler.

"So, do you miss him?" Janet asked as she turned and faced Margaret.

"Yeah," Margaret smiled at the thought of him. "Is that how your feel about Jack?"

Janet closed her eyes again, as images of Jack flooded her thoughts. "More," she answered contently. "I would give anything to be with him right now." Janet inhaled deeply and rolled over, struggling to keep her eyes open; but was soon fast asleep.