Chapter 5

Michelle got up that morning, dressed, and kissed Jack goodbye. Jack, wrapped up tight in his sheets, kissed her and said he was going to stay here.

"I'm not feeling too great," he said, giving a cough.

"Aww, poor baby," Michelle cooed and kissed his forehead. "Get to feeling better. I'll be home late. Do you need me for anything?"

"No, no, you have fun. I'll be fine," He snuggled into his pillow, as Michelle made her way downstairs.

"Goodbye, Jock!" She called from the door and left. As soon as the front door closed, Jack threw off the covers, revealing his blue polo shirt and kaki slacks. He slipped on his Nike shoes and grabbed his sunglasses off the dresser. With a quick look in the mirror, he tussled his hair, giving it a more 'Jack' look. He sighed.

"God, I've miss ya buddy," he said to his reflection.

Galloping down the stairs, taking two at a time, Jack dashed to the garage. He looked around furiously.

"Bike, no to slow. Car, to oblivious." Then the moped caught his eye.

"Hmmm," He pondered aloud, "It just might work."

Michelle knocked on Janet and Margaret's door.

"'Ello! Are we ready?" Michelle asked. Both Janet and Margaret smiled, picked up their bags, and soon the three were on their way.

"You want to go shopping first? I know of best little boutique,"

"OH, I want to go shopping!" Margaret interjected without waiting for another suggestion. Janet and Michelle smiled in unison and patted their friend on the back.

The three of them walked to a petit clothing store at the corner of 17th Ave. Janet found a cute little hot pink dress, perfect for those everyday occasions, along with a matching necklace. Margaret found a cute brown blazer, matching brown slacks, and a white v-neck shirt. Michelle still hadn't found something. Looking around the store once more, her eyes fell upon a hydrangea blue hat and matching scarf.

"Oh, I found what I want!" Michelle said in a high voice as she looked across the store, her eyes beaming with joy. The girls giggled, making jokes and scanning the racks for more outfits.

A pair of sunglasses and a newspaper provided Jack with a great disguise, as he sat on a bench directly outside the shop. His sunglasses reflected the sun at he looked over the top of the paper. A delicate wind blew, causing a leaf to brush across Jack's face. Whilst swatting at the intrusive leaf, the newspaper drooped. The subtle movement and reflection from outside caught Janet's eyes. She quickly looked out the window. Jack quickly covered his face back up with the paper.

"Oh, Lordy," he said quietly to himself. Afraid that the girls had discovered him, he folded the paper and walked to the coffee shop across the street. He ordered an espresso to help clear his mind. I'm being paranoid. Can you imagine if Michelle catches you! You will never hear the end of this.

The bell over the door sounded and familiar giggles rang in Jack's ears. He froze, eyes wide, as he held his breath. The girls walked past him. Immediately, he slipped to another table, his back now to them. He found their reflection in the window. It was perfect for looking at them since they were at the other side of the café.

Beep beep, beep beep. Surprised, he looked around for the source of the noise, until his eyes fell to his watch.

"Oh!" he said. He stood and walked out the door. This act caught Michelle's attention. She slowly watched the man walk out the door and to a moped parked farther down the street.

"Michelle?" Margaret waved her hand in Michelle's face. "Who are you lookin' at?"

"No one. Just curious."

Damn it Jack! Pull your head together. You are going straight home after this!

Jack drove straight to Francisco's to pick up the photos.

"Hiya Franko," Jack called as he entered through the backdoor.

"Oh, 'Ello Jock, how are we tuday?" Francisco looked at Jack as he put together a set for his next shoot. Jack sighed heavily and shrugged his shoulders, What could he say. Francisco stopped working and looked at his friend.

Perplexed, Francisco commented, "Nice…clothes." He had never seen his friend in that attire before. Jack looked down at his shirt.

"Long story," he said, waving Francisco off. "Do you have the pictures ready, Francisco?" Jack asked as he bit his lower lip.

"Si, I have them. There op at the counter," He pointed over is shoulder and jumped off a ladder.

"I swear A did the best A cou'd," Jack picked up the photos. No one was ever facing the camera, except in one, the woman who was looking at him.

"Jock, ef you don't mind me asking, why you did 'es?" Jack sighed and looked at his friend.

"Because I thought I saw some one, who I know it couldn't be." He places the photos back on the counter. Francisco looked at Jack and then asked, "Is it her?" Jack looked at Francisco.

"The woman in the picture, no. But I dream about who I wish it was," Jack walked absentmindedly to the window. He sighed and turned towards Francisco. Jack began telling him about his 'playboy' days, apartment 201, and Janet's ridiculous rules. It drove him crazy for her to be so close. Every close moment he and Janet shared ended to soon. He told about her eyes, her hair, the scent of her perfume, how it would drive him wild.

"I still can't believe I told her to marry Phillip," Jack's voice broke and he quickly wiped a tear away. He banged his fist on the windowsill. "Aahh," he shook his fist. Jack sighed in defeat and slumped into a white fabric chair.

"You love her, don't you?" Francisco smiled and knelt down in front of Jack. Jack looked up from his friend's comment. He stood and walked to the counter.

"I had to let her go," He ran his hand through his sandy locks and exhaled. He looked down at his watch. Crud. "Listen Franko, I got to go. I'll se ya later," With that Jack ran out the backdoor and jumped on his moped. He looked at his watch again. Come on Jack, you got to get home!

"I had a wonderful time Michelle." Janet said as they got to the girls hotel room. Michelle smiled and paused.

"How vood you like to come to my place tomorrow. Tea, fine cuisine, and the most beautiful view of a private lake and vineyard," Margaret and Janet looked at each other.

"Yeah!" They said in unison. "What time tomorrow?" Janet asked.

"Oh, I'll pick you up at; oh say 12 for some lunch, then to my place for some lounging about," Michelle smiled and hugged Margaret and Janet. They exchanged goodbyes and goodnights.

"See you in the morning," Michelle waved goodbye.

"Gosh, I can't wait until tomorrow," Margaret said as she jumped on her bed.

"I know; neither can I," Janet said and smiled. She walked over to her suitcase and got out a purple satin nightgown; it reminded her of Jack. She smiled and crawled into bed. Margaret on the other hand, was to excited to sleep.

"I'm gonna watch TV in the other room," Margaret took out her journal, a pad of paper, and a photo. Janet knew what she was really doing; writing to Tyler. She smiled and said goodnight to her and rolled over in her bed.

"I miss you Jack," She said quietly, fighting back the tears.

Jack parked the moped and ran to his room. Flicking off his shoes and pulling back the covers, he hopped into his bed. At that very moment, Michelle opened the front door.

"Jock, honey I'm home." Jack could hear her footsteps on the stairs. He wiped the sweat off his brow, fixed his hair, and took several large breaths to calm his panting. Michelle was coming closer. He rolled over and pretended to be asleep.

"Aww poor baby so tired," Michelle said softly, upon seeing Jack. She turned off the light on the table. She smiled and watched him.

"Goodnight Jock," she said. She went to her room and looked out the window to the moon. She knew something about Jack was different, ever since their trip to Rome. Something changed him.