Chapter 2 "I say a little prayer for you"
Song suggestion- "I say a little prayer for you" by Aretha Franklin
The Next Day
Wendy
A day before Janine's birthday Egon Spengler, carrying a giant dark brown Teddy Bear, knocked on our apartment door at seven in the evening unexpectedly. My fiancee, Roger and I, had just completed dinner, and he was washing the dishes when I answered the door.
"Egon? Oh, hi, come in," I greeted with a smile, caught off guard by his sudden appearance. Nervously, he entered the apartment and waited until I offered him a seat, tapping his foot. I motioned for him to sit down on the sofa by pointing there, then I chuckled as Egon looked a little comical, holding that oversized Teddy Bear in his lap almost like a shield for protection.
"Did Egon think I might throw something at him because I would be upset at him? Maybe due to his maltreatment of Janine," I wondered.
"Uhm, Janine's not here," I informed as I sat down on the lazy boy recliner.
"I know, that's why I'm here. I need your help, Wendy, if you don't mind, please," he commented, then paused and took a deep breath.
"Sure," I immediately agreed before hearing him out. First, Egon handed me the gift, requested that I hide it until tomorrow, and then swore me to secrecy. Consequently, I took the Teddy Bear and hid it in my bedroom closet for safekeeping.
" As you know, tomorrow is Janine's birthday. May I come over in the afternoon while she's working to set my surprise up for the evening," he inquired with wide eyes and an arched eyebrow.
Inquisitively, Roger joined me on the recliner, greeted Egon then questioned him before I could,
"Can I stop you for a second? Did something change that I was not aware of between you and Janine yesterday?
"No, not yet," the cute but the geekiest Ghostbuster answered firmly, " I hope to change this tomorrow."
" I noticed that you took excellent care of Janine yesterday after her premonition," I knowingly commended him with a slightly pleased grin on my face, and he blushed heavily. Egon could use a little encouragement, like most men.
"Thank you. I hope my actions from the past few months and tomorrow's bombshell will persuade her to give me one last chance. I have realized that I can't stand to be without Janine, and how desperately in love with her I am through my mistakes," Egon's deep voice trailed off, but there was heavy emotion there.
"Janine was very grateful for your assistance yesterday and all of the things you have done for her since July. The premonition scared her shitless, and Janine is apprehensive about everyone's safety. Of course, yours the most," I frankly informed him, and Egon blushed.
"I want this birthday surprise to be the best one Janine has ever had. Even if she throws everything back in my face and tells me to go to hell," Egon revealed, his expression becoming a bit sorrowful, "but I hope that's not the case."
"Do you think that will happen," I dubiously questioned with a raised eyebrow," Janine's been miserable the past five months without you despite her attempts to move on."
Although my Brooklynite roommate had every right to refuse the genius scientist another chance, I knew that Janine was still fiercely in love with him. Plus, Egon seemed remorseful and reflective of his past mistakes.
"Be that as it may, I know if I don't try to win her back that I'll never forgive myself. I am aware that I didn't deserve her before we started dating and especially don't now. Ergo, I won't stop myself from doing my best to coax her to forgive all of my ignorance."
"How can I help," I inquired eagerly, feeling excited for Janine and her pending surprise from her former boyfriend.
Without a pause, Egon relayed his detailed plan to us. My eyes grew enlarged as the physicist explained everything, and at the end, I clapped. Dr. Spengler, red-faced, was embarrassed with the compliment.
"An excellent plan," Roger agreed and high-fived my roommate's ex-boyfriend, "I don't think you are going to have a problem with her giving you a chance because she has been ga-ga over you since she met you. "
The oldest Ghostbuster sneakily disclosed with a sly grin on his face, "as I have been with her. I was afraid to admit it, though."
" Does Janine have plans tomorrow night after work?" Roger thoughtfully asked.
"No, I think everyone works late in her family, and they are celebrating this weekend," I answered, still amazed about Dr. Spengler's plans, "if something comes up, I can make excuses for why Janine can't go. "
"Then she will know that something's going on. You are an awful liar," my handsome soon to be husband revealed, kissing my cheek when I sat on his lap, "Janine always sees right through you."
"It will be fine. Don't listen to Roger. I'll barely see her before then anyway. What time do you need to come over?"
"In the afternoon after our busts are done for the day if that is possible," Egon quizzed as I stood from the comfortable recliner to retrieve the extra key from its hiding place in the other room.
"Thank you, Wendy. I appreciate your help," he gratefully commented when I handed it to him and informed him of the teddy bear's location.
"Dr. Egon 'freaking' Spengler, it took you long enough," I teased with a bright smile.
"Yes, it did," he agreed with a half-smile, said goodbye, and left.
One hour later
Janine
"Where is Egon," Peter asked me at seven thirty in the evening, transpiring from behind his desk and interrupting my daydreams of the said scientist.
"I don't know, . It's not my job to keep track of him," I nonchalantly answered, but not peering up at him.
"Egon tended to me so lovingly yesterday. I adored him sitting so close to me and rubbing my back on the sofa," I happily remembered blushing, still feeling chills down my spine from his touch. Whether he intended to reassure or to arouse me, Egon's way of stroking my hair and other parts of my body always produced invigorating sensations.
Mischievously, Peter gave me a small smile because he saw my cheeks transform colors to a shade of deep pink despite my attempt to conceal it by lowering my face downward. Like a parent who caught his child coming home later than his set curfew, he walked closer to my desk and then cross-examined me by asking, "What happened after Iggy took you home yesterday night?"
"Dr.. Spengler ensured that I relaxed first and read to me until I fell asleep," I neutrally responded without contemplating the fact that Venkman would use any fodder to tease me insistently.
"Mmm," Dr. Venkman amusedly remarked, jesting with me, " why are you blushing then, Brooklyn? Did Iggy put the moves on you?"
"No," I promptly replied, feeling annoyed at his teasing. Peter puckered his lips in a kiss, and I moved my gaze away from him to avoid saying something sassy.
Peter scrutinized me as I worked on the accounting paperwork, then acknowledged, " You are still in love with Dr. Egon 'freaking' Spengler despite yourself and your attempts to move on from him."
"Duh," I sassed in my head but didn't reply audibly. Disregarding Dr. V's jest at my nickname for my beloved Egon and his other attempts to provoke me, I had checked out mentally as I reviewed the facts.
Five months ago, I was ready to walk from the job after Egon broke up with me. However, Dr. Venkman convinced me to stay employed here, and I agreed as long as I had limited interactions with my ex. I hadn't talked about my feelings about Egon with anyone during that time due to self-preservation, but they hadn't changed from when we broke up in May.
"Now, with that premonition, I am frightened that I will lose him," I sadly thought, my lower lip trembling.
"Are you alright, Janine," Winston questioned, showing concern on his expressive face as he returned from the containment unit in the basement. He, like the others, displayed signs of exhaustion due to overworking, and my heart went out to each of them.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Zeddemore, thank you," I remarked rapidly, not realizing that the newest Ghostbuster examined me until now, and I exhaled. He gave me a doubtful scowl as a result but remained silent.
"Hey, Brooklyn, what size ring do you wear?" Peter inquired after striding to his desk to shoot the bull with Winston a couple of minutes later.
"Why," I pondered inquisitively.
"Because I want to ask you to marry me," Dr. Venkman said prankishly.
"Ha, ha," I sarcastically responded, and I rolled my blue eyes upward as a frown formed on my lips. Subsequently, I gave him a harsh look after turning around in my chair.
"What if Egon gets hurt on a bust today," I worried inwardly, biting my lip as Peter persisted in harassing me about my ring size.
Sighing heavily, I returned to the paperwork on my desk.
"Come on, Brooklyn, what is it? I need to know so I can buy you a ring," he insisted and winked at the fourth Ghostbuster, who appeared baffled.
"My ring size? It's six and a half," I finally blurted out, thwarted more out of my concern for Egon than anything else.
"Speaking of the Devil, there he is," Winston joked as Dr. Spengler walked in wearing a black shirt and khaki pants five minutes later. A giant cloud of smoke floated over my desk forcing me to cough as both Mr. Zeddermore and Dr. Venkman puffed on their cigarettes. They were discussing the latter's date with Dana Barrett tomorrow night.
As I turned my attention back to my paperwork, I attempted to go on with my day. My thoughts recalled Egon sitting on my bed, holding my hand quietly reassuring me as he read a magazine article aloud until I fell asleep yesterday night. It felt marvelously familiar and exceptional.
"Hello Janine," Egon inquired, approaching my desk hesitantly. The other two Ghostbusters moved out of the way and watched our interactions from afar. Dr. Spengler's face conveyed an attractive grin when he saw me. He looked most alluring in his non-suit attire, showing off parts of his semi chiseled chest, and his substantial package in his tan pants. Simpering softly, I remembered how it felt when I touched his taut stomach down to his groin with my hands. As a result, my breath caught in my throat for a second.
My temperature escalated when Egon squatted down next to me to meet my eye line to ask, and I sniffed his delightfully masculine cologne, "how are you feeling today?"
"Better, thank you for asking. Oh! And thanks for ensuring that I made it home last night," I shyly responded with a big smile. My cheeks felt fiery from his undivided attention, and I secretly felt pleased. Egon was so close to me that I felt that familiar tinge of electricity between us.
"I'm glad to hear it. Whenever you need my assistance, please don't hesitate to ask me, ever," he added, treating me with a wink and a big grin.
"I will, Egon, thank you," I earnestly replied, smiling.
"'Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough,'" Marvin Gaye sang on the radio, and I merrily hummed along. My former flame sang in his deep voice a little bit of the song, and I felt my heart swoon in my chest.
"Did you have any nightmares or any other premonitions," Dr. Spengler inquired afterward, putting his hand on my shoulder and squeezing it lightly.
Speechless, I shook my head back and forth and giggled.
"I love that sound," he confessed, his coffee eyes peering timorously into mine first then gazed down to my lips.
"Damn, what if Egon doesn't return after a bust?"
I contemplated anxiously, as my thoughts were going a mile a minute. He caressed my right cheek tenderly with the back of his hand as we gazed at each other, and I felt the acute love between us.
"Ahem," Peter cleared his throat from behind my desk, disrupting the moment, and I scowled disapprovingly at my boss.
"If I don't see you before you leave, have a great evening, Janine," Egon whispered huskily, and stood up.
"You too."
Again, my heart melted, and I hardly heard a word anyone said afterward. I felt like the love-sick skunk, Pepe Le Pew, in the vintage Merrie Melodies cartoons with floating red hearts over my head as I stared admiringly at him or, in his case, the cartoon cat.
"Jesus," Peter exclaimed while smacking the top of his balding head, "it's like we reverted to 1983 with you two making 'ga-ga' eyes at each other."
Two hours later
Ray
When Janine left the Firehouse for the day, Egon described his plans for her birthday, and we all were fascinated. The four of us watched the New York Knicks- Boston Celtics basketball game upstairs while Egon drew his cartoon. He showed me a part of it, and it was really remarkable. I wondered when he would give it to Janine, but he declared "when it was the right time." Our genius was sentimental after all and not all logical and scientific, I guess.
"I got $20 on the Celtics, Larry Bird is da man," I trashed-talked Venkman and Zeddemore, who were almost as fanatical about the Knicks as I was about the Celtics.
"Nope, sorry, my friend, this is New York's night. I'll see your $20 and raise you $20," Winston challenged me.
"You are on, Z. $40 on the Knicks," I concurred, then added, "Are you in, Venkman?"
"You betcha," he enthusiastically agreed and left the room for a little while as we watched the game.
"Spengs, Stantz, Zeddemore, and I bought a Janine gift certificate to her favorite nursery, Calloways, for her birthday before we knew your plans for her," Peter interjected when he returned.
"Janine will love that," Iggy agreed.
During the next commercial break, each one of us signed the card then Venkman sealed it. I noted that Egon appeared preoccupied as he drew in his notebook.
"It will all work out, Spengs. Relax," I assured him with an encouraging smile.
"Yeah, I have never...seen two people pretend not to be in love with each other like you and Janine, Spengler," Z admitted, standing to retrieve another beer from the fridge, "From the beginning of my employment here until now, it has been transparent.".
"I don't know what I am going to do if Janine rejects me. I already feel broken without her," Spengler uncharacteristically let out a whine, rubbing his forehead with his hands after he put his pencil down.
"Not possible," Peter answered, smiling, and requested a beer from Winston..
"Janine loves you, Egon; I do not doubt it," I reassured him, and the other Ghostbusters voiced their agreement.
"By this time tomorrow, Janegon will be back," Venkman predicted obnoxiously as the newest Ghostbuater threw him a can of beer.
"Janegon," Z incredulously inquired, with a huge an amused smirk.
"Janine and Egon," I elaborated.
"Yeah, I don't like it either," Egon drily remarked to Winston, glaring at me and Venkman who laughed hysterically. Z rolled his eyes upward.
Two hours later
Janine
Regrettably, I had to pick up groceries at a local market by my apartment after my shift. I knocked on the door loudly for my roommate in the hopes that Wendy would answer since my arms were full of two large brown bags of groceries. Since I was juggling the them already, I couldn't dig in my purse for my keys.
"Coming," Wendy light-heartedly yelled, and then the brown door flew open to reveal my roommate in her blue New York Giants sweatpants and an old gray college t-shirt. She grabbed the bag in my left arm and brought it into the kitchen. We caught up about our days as we unloaded the groceries into the pantry and the fridge.
"Any premonitions today," Wendy cautiously asked.
"No, but I still see pictures, like still images, in my mind sometimes. It's terrifying," I responded, scowling as I recalled the giant supernatural being.
"I am leaving in about five minutes to go over to my parents in Jersey for a couple of days so we can work on planning the wedding more with the planner they insist on using. Will you be a bridesmaid, please, Janine? You know you are like a sister to me."
"Yes, you are one of my dearest friends," I excitedly answered, feeling bone-tired from working so much overtime, and I turned on the kettle on the lavender stove to boil some water for my nighttime tea.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted an out-of-place black box with two long pieces attached horizontally peeking out of the sofa.
"What on earth is that doing there," I wondered audibly and hurried over to the sofa to pick it up.
"A PKE meter," I questioned, seizing the Ghostbusters' equipment, precisely one that Egon used often.
"Strange. Why was he here?" I mumbled as she entered the living room with an overnight bag.
"My dear roommate, why is this on the sofa," I inquired, holding it up.
"What is that," wendy pretended to be surprised, but she was an awful liar. My roommate's green eyes shifted from side to side when she lied when she stood in front of me.
"Oh, it's Peter's. He is planning a surprise for you tomorrow," she replied too quickly to be the truth.
"Nope, Dr. Venkman never uses this; try again," I eyed her suspiciously, walking closer to her.
"Uhm..the kettle's whistling," Wendy attempted to change the subject and turned away from me. Narrowing my eyes, I went to the stove and turned it off. Meanwhile, Wendy just stood there until I ambled back to her.
"Yes, but why is this here," I questioned playfully again, holding her arm so she wouldn't run away.
"Oh, you are right. It was Ray and Winston," she corrected herself anxiously, not making eye contact, "they came by and talked to me about your birthday."
"It was fun torturing Wendy," I thought, enjoying it while I stared her down for several long moments.
"Why was Dr. Spengler here," I asked, softening my voice and peering into her eyes pleadingly, "and please don't lie to me."
She saw the seriousness in my face and sighed.
"Damn. Janine, all I can say is that it has to do with your birthday. I promised him I wouldn't tell you, and then my smart ass fiancee had to tell him that I can't keep secrets," Wendy pouted, crossing her arms over her chest like a little child.
"My birthday?" I echoed, my face froze in bewilderment.
"Yes, Janine, but please don't say anything. It's supposed to be a surprise, please," she whined, pressing her palms together in a praying formation.
"Why would Egon want to surprise me on my birthday?" I requested in shock.
" Really, Janine? Didn't your Dr. Spengler bring you home yesterday night, personally, tucked you into bed then read to you until you fell asleep because you had an awful day with those premonitions? Isn't that a man who's in love with a woman?"
"You may have a point," I conceded, joyfully.
Viewing the PKE meter here gave me hope that I would never have expected to have previously. Egon didn't just leave things places- it was planted there for me to find it. Wendy left ten minutes later. All night I thought about Egon, wondering what he was doing.
Later, I reread my journal entries from the past year.
"My God, this year has been tough. Are things about to change for the better for us," I questioned after closing it and putting it back in my drawer? Then I snuggled down in my bed and shut my eyes to sleep, but my heart was thumping sonorously in my chest at my last thought. I felt my pulse rate quicken as I recalled the way Egon's kisses turned me on.
Unable to sleep, I grabbed my vibrator in my nightstand and turned it on trying to please myself. All I did was to think about how masterfully Egon made love to me throughout our relationship, and the way he touched and kissed me gave me the shivers. Regrettably, it also wasn't the same, using a vibrator down there instead of his lips or fingertips lightly touching my body, causing every nerve to react.
"How I wish he had kissed me last night," I thought.
I began to arch my back a little, the arousal gaining strength from my vivid memories and the vibrator. With my imagination, I attempted to envision Egon banging my brains out and the two of us climaxing together one after another. That did it for me, and I dropped the vibrator on the floor, spent. I finally could go to sleep dreaming that Egon held me in his arms and slept right next to me peacefully.