2nd Date

Jim knew at once that Miss Jenny was feeling off. She looked subdued, sad even, and she kept looking back at the house as she walked to his car. He didn't know what was bothering her, but he resolved to be a friend to her tonight. At once, he started into a funny story about some student's of his and the incredibly stupid way they had attempted to cheat on one of his tests.

"And then he threw away the cup? With all the answers taped to the inside?"

"Yes. Although I was staring at him all class because I'd never seen him drink coffee before. But then, to throw the cup in my trashcan! What about you, do your students ever do things like that?"

"No, they aren't that creative yet in first grade. Mostly they try to cheat by looking at each others papers. Or I've seen them cheat on spelling tests by writing on their arms."

They arrived at the Restaurant. Jim pulled Jenny's chair out for her, and she blushed, remembering that Matilda had done the same at the Blue Bayou.

The food was, incredible. The conversation was enjoyable. Knowing Jenny didn't like to be the center of attention, Jim focused most of the conversation on himself but without making it seem like he was self centered, or boasting; because most of his stories were funny ones where he was the punchline of the joke.

By the end of the night, around 9:15, after sharing a decadent slice of Chocolate Mousse Cake, Jenny decided to invite him into her home, tomorrow night, for dinner. Jim was very pleased.

When Jim dropped her off on at her door she let him kiss her chastely on the cheek.

Jim went walked back to his car whistling. Jenny was an old fashioned girl, in a lot of ways, he was finding out. She wouldn't just jump in the sack with him, she wanted to be courted. But although Jim rarely met women like that nowadays (though he remembered they had been like that in high school,) he was actually enjoying the challenge of it.

Matilda was sitting in the stairwell, reading a book, when Jenny walked in the door. She was in her pajamas and looked incredibly cute. As soon as she saw Jenny, Matilda stood up. She put on hand on the banister and smoothed in nervously. She took a deep breath. Jenny braced herself for whatever acerbic comment Matilda would bludgeon her with this time. But it never came.

"I'm sorry, Jenny!" Matilda said. "I'm really sorry."

Jenny stepped toward her and Matilda ran down the stairs, hugging her and crying onto her jacket.

"I shouldn't have said those things. You're right; I had no right. I'm sorry."

"You had every right to be concerned for me. And to ask me when I was coming home. I know Jim, I've worked with him for years, but you don't know him from Scott."

"If you've known him for years, why now? Why do you have to start dating him now?" Matilda knew she was whining.

Jenny stepped out of Matilda's grip, putting her hands on Matilda's shoulders and looking her in the eye. "Because I'm ready now. And because you are growing up, and someday you'll move out of this house and I am going to have to find a way to live without you. And that means dating."

"Are you going to kick me out?" Matilda asked, the lump in her throat making it hard to say at all.

"Never."

"Then I'll never leave." Matilda said, and the way she said it, it was final.

Jenny didn't press. She would, later, but now was not the time.

Matilda went and stood by the stairwell, one hand rubbing the banister again. "I know you said not to question you, but, did you have a good time?" she asked bravely.

Jenny could not help the smile that came to her face, although she knew it would hurt Matilda. "Yes, I had a very good time. I... I actually asked him to dinner tomorrow night."

Matilda felt like she was going to throw up. She drew in a deep breath, then let it out, then drew in another. With every part of her will, she managed to keep the irrational anger she felt out of her voice. "I'll spend the night at Shauna's, then," she said, her voice a raspy whisper. She turned to walk up the stairs.

"No, I want you to be here."

Matilda turned and shot Jenny a look filled with incredulity.

"You want me to be here?" she repeated Jenny's words with disbelief.

"I want you to meet him," Jenny explained.

"I don't want to meet him."

"I want you to see he's a good guy. That way you won't have to worry," Jenny said, her voice cajoling.

"Don't ask me to do this," Matilda groaned.

"Please?"

At first, Matilda was going to flat out refuse. But then, she reconsidered. If she was here, Jenny would probably be too sensitive of Matilda's feelings to invite him to her bed that night. If she wasn't here, Matilda had no idea what would happen.

So, after a long pause, she said, "OK"

So relieved was Jenny at her easy acquiescence that she forgot to be concerned. It was her own fault. She should have known Matilda better than that.