Chapter Three

Jessica was happy to escape the beauty parlor. She returned home and in a fit of restlessness, she turned to her garden. She trimmed bushes, weeded, and watered it before feeling tired and accomplished. She went inside and poured a glass of iced tea to drink. It was Wednesday and they were leaving in the morning.

She checked over her suitcase again, making sure everything was packed and neat. Her overnight case was checked next. She remembered to throw in more sunscreen and added a bandana. She carried them both downstairs and put them by the backdoor.

Seth had mentioned a cooler so she put together sandwiches, ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, and roast beef and put them in containers. The entire time she thought about Seth. She didn't believe he had met someone or was dating anyone but she didn't know what he did while she was away. She always assumed he worked, watched over her house, and if he had free time he went fishing or antiquing. Did he have any friends other than her? He knew everyone and was a doctor to most people. Was she his second choice for this trip? Still that was an awful lot of condoms…

He would grumble but she knew he considered Mort a friend but Mort had just gotten married again and newlyweds needed time alone. Since Mort and Maureen had started going out, Seth didn't have a golf partner or fishing buddy anymore. Was Seth lonely? She was rarely lonely but there were days, and nights, when she wished someone was beside her. She hoped it wasn't too intrusive but perhaps they needed to have a conversation. Condoms? Her mind kept going back to them.

It was pitch black at four-thirty in the morning. Jessica was a morning person but this was ridiculous. They had loaded the car yesterday evening and Jessica had convinced Seth to spend the night in her guest room but she regretted it almost immediately. He kept waking her to ask if she remembered to pack something or the other until she finally told him to just jot it down and ask her in the morning.

He got up twice during the night to go to the bathroom or get a drink or something and it woke her both times. When her alarm went off at four AM she wanted to roll over and sleep a few more hours but she got up and showered quickly. After dressing she went downstairs to make coffee for their travel mugs and realized Seth hadn't gotten up. Naturally he wanted to eke out every second of sleep that he could.

At two minutes past five in the morning they were on their way. Jessica wanted to use the cover of darkness to discuss things with Seth.

She waited half an hour until they were on the interstate to begin.

"Seth, are you seeing anyone? A lady friend?"

Seth glanced over at her before turning his eyes back to the road. "What makes you ask that?" he asked, stalling.

"That was a yes or no question, Seth."

"Well, no, I'm not. I would have told you if I was seeing someone, Jess."

"We aren't always together, Seth. You might go out on dates when I'm away." There was no way Jessica would even consider asking about his sex life so she had to be satisfied with his limited answer.

"The way tongues wag in town, you would know if I were dating someone before I could ask anyone out," chuckled Seth. "What makes you ask?"

Jessica shifted in her seat. "I realized I don't know what you do when I'm out of town."

"Are you seeing anyone?" asked Seth. "You're not having torrid love affairs when you go away, are you?" He took another quick glance at her. They didn't usually discuss such personal topics.

"No, I can't say that I am," answered Jessica. She was a little red in the face.

"What brings this up?" asked Seth.

"I guess I wondered if you planned to stay single the rest of your life or if you were interested in finding someone special," admitted Jessica.

Seth stayed silent. The sun was coming up and Seth turned the visor to the side. "Is that your plan? To start dating?"

Jessica thought for a moment. "I haven't thought about dating. I'd like to feel special to someone though. It gets lonely sometimes." The last sentence was a whisper but Seth heard her.

Seth wanted to tell her how he felt about her but this was new territory for them. He reached over and patted her hand. "I'm here."

"Thanks Seth." Both fell into silence but it wasn't uncomfortable. Each wanted to say more but didn't know how.

"Are you ready to stop for breakfast? We're nearing a town," remarked Jessica.

They stopped at a diner boasting Belgian waffles with various toppings. By the time they finished eating, the sun was up and traffic had picked up. They were able to find their normal rhythm and talked about everything under the sun. Seth was regaling her about Noah Harwood emptying lobster traps and getting caught when Jessica saw a sign for a huge antique mall. They weren't too far from Rochester, New York.

"Oh Seth, we have to stop, if only for an hour, please."

"I know you, woman. You say one hour and you mean three." Despite those words he got off the offramp and parked in the parking lot. "This is probably a tourist trap so look closely at the items to make sure they aren't imitations."

Seth took her arm in his as they entered the huge building. Once inside they saw it was two stories and it appeared to have hundreds of smaller stalls. They stayed together as they browsed. Jessica saw a surgeon's kit from 1885 that Seth drooled over. None of the instruments were used today, of course, but they were of historical interest.

They hadn't covered a quarter of the place when the hour was up and Seth gave Jessica a look.

"Just five more minutes, Seth. We have plenty of time," assured Jessica.

Seth grumbled under his breath but it was loud enough for Jessica to hear, as intended. It was half an hour before he was able to chivvy her out of the store.

"Seth, really. We're still on schedule," complained Jessica.

"We have reservations, Jess. If we don't check in by 8PM tonight they can give up our reservations. I don't want to end up in a bedbug infested motel*."

Jessica shuddered. She didn't want that either. "By my watch, we'll reach the hotel by six or six-thirty." She reclined her seat and snuggled in the warmth of the leather seat. The sunroof was uncovered but closed.

"Now, don't go falling asleep on me, woman. You're supposed to keep me company so I don't fall asleep," commented Seth.

Jessica idly patted his hand on the steering wheel. "I'm just relaxing. Your seats are incredible."

Ten minutes later she was asleep and Seth smirked as he glanced her way. The early morning start and the sun beaming overhead was too much to overcome. He had to admit it was a very smooth ride. He let her nap for an hour before tapping her shoulder.

She blinked her eyes open and stretched. She adjusted her seat into its upright position before speaking. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you, Seth."

"We were up early, Jess." He glanced at her. "We are about an hour from the hotel. I thought we'd check in and then get a bite to eat. We can gas up for tomorrow at the same time."

Jessica agreed and soon they were turning into the hotel grounds. Check-in was easy and their rooms were clean. Seth carried both suitcases inside. He carried Jessica's into her room and told her he would be back in half an hour to take her to dinner. He went into his own room and sorted out what he wanted to wear tomorrow.

They drove to a restaurant down the road from the hotel that promised great steaks. Seth waited until they were seated to bring up their previous conversation.

"You know Jess, I'm not adverse to dating. I just don't know how to begin. I don't even know what women want today. When Ruth and I wanted to start dating, I just asked her if she would like to go to dinner and she said yes." He wasn't looking at her as he spoke.

"Seth, I don't think things have changed all that much. Women ask men out nowadays and they split expenses too."

"Not if I ask a woman out, they don't," commented Seth. "I'm too set in my ways to start learning new rules in dating."

Jessica couldn't help smiling. "Why Seth, you mean you wouldn't say yes if I asked you out on a date?"

Seth nearly choked on his water. He set the glass down and wiped his mouth with his napkin. "It's different with us. We've been friends a long time."

"So that means no romance, no hearts beating as one?" Jessica smiled at him. "I always figured you were the candy and flowers type."

Seth smiled in return. "Well, yes, I prefer to woo a girl." They began discussing dating before they married their respective spouses. Jessica couldn't help laughing at some of the mishaps Seth had gotten into while trying to date. His story about being chased out of the house because he dared to hold a girl's hand while sitting across from her parents was hilarious. That brought about embarrassing stories of going to dances and being refused by a girl and having to take that lonely walk off the dance floor.

"Oh Seth, how terrible for you." She patted his hand in comfort. "Are you thinking of dating again?"

Seth cleared his throat. "I've thought about asking someone out on a date. Fear of rejection is strong though."

Jessica was surprised. Maybe he needed those condoms after all. "I say go for it." She tried to smile brightly but feared she failed. Fortunately he wasn't looking at her.

As soon as dinner finished, Jessica suggested a brief walk when they drove back to the hotel. She had excess energy and it was still light out. Seth took her arm as they headed away from the hotel. He suggested walking up to the small hill a short distance away where they could watch the sunset.

"You know Jess, this has been a pleasant first day on the road," began Seth. He adjusted his pace to match hers and patted her hand. It didn't take long to crest the hill and they stood looking up at the sky.

Jessica sighed. It was a beautiful evening and as the sun set, the colors were vivid. It was the perfect romantic setting but Seth didn't think of her in that special way.

Seth was thinking similar thoughts. The sky was ablaze with color. In ten minutes or so, the sun would set and they would return to their rooms. He wanted more than anything to pull her in his arms and watch it together, closer.

He glimpsed her from the corner of his eyes. She had a wistful look on her face and he wondered if she was thinking about her late husband, Frank. He removed his arm from hers and put it around her waist. She turned to look at him and he slowly put his other hand on the side of her face. "You look beautiful with the sun brightening the highlights in your hair."

He moved slowly so she could pull away if she objected but she didn't move. She stared at him with those bright blue eyes until he was an inch away. He softly kissed her lips. His arm brought her even closer until their bodies touched. He wrapped his other arm around her back and rested his head against hers. They stood still in the waning light. The sun gave way to darkness but the lights of the town were bright enough for them to make their way back to the hotel. Neither spoke but halfway back Jessica grabbed his hand and held it until they reached the hotel.

*While traveling through upstate New York we stopped at a well known hotel chain to check in for the night and as we stood in line, a guest came downstairs to complain about bedbugs in his room. Needless to say we canceled our reservation and went elsewhere.