Chapter one
hundred and ninety one:
Becky had gotten
out of the bathtub shortly after Zac had pounded on the door to tell her that
he was going up to the main house to see if they had any popcorn. She pulled on
her favorite cotton pajama bottoms and a matching tank to curl up on the sofa
in front of the television. Zac had so many video game systems and remotes
hooked up she was actually surprised when she managed to turn the television
on. However, changing the channel was a different task entirely.
After trying
every remote on the table in front of her, she gave up and settled back to
watch the local news.
The weather
report was on by the time Zac returned with a box of microwave popcorn.
“Sorry about
that, I went up to the house, and couldn’t find any, but I remembered there was
some in the studio, so I went there, but I didn’t have a key, and I couldn’t
remember where the hidden one was, so I had to go back to the house and call
Ike, and he told me.” Zac laughed, breathlessly.
Becky smiled. “All that for popcorn?”
“Yeah, seems
kind of stupid doesn’t it?”
Becky stood up
and took the box from his hands. “I’ll make the popcorn then, you can sit and
relax.”
Zac laughed. “Thanks, babe.”
Becky walked into
the open kitchen and gently opened the box. “So you never did tell me which
movies you rented.”
“Umm… I got a
couple. I got something called “Freaky Friday” for you, it’s rated for Family,
and I got Terminator 3 for me… I can watch that one after you go to bed if you
want.”
Becky rolled her
eyes at that, and put the bag of popcorn in the microwave. “That’s okay. Let’s
watch that one first.”
Zac smiled, “We
really don’t have to.”
“I want to. If I
watch if first, I can erase the blood and gore from my mind with the second
movie before I go to bed.”
“It won’t be
that bad.”
“Yeah, but you
forget that I’m terrified of the sight of blood.” She stood on her toes to
reach down a bowl, but was still to short.
Zac appeared
behind her and easily reached down the bowl. “Who knows? Maybe this movie will
be different than the others… maybe the android will kill the enemy with
puppies and kittens.”
Becky laughed. “Yeah right.”
Zac shrugged. “Could be.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It had been such
a nice night out, Luke had parked his car back at his parent’s house and he and
Jen had decided to walk back to the Hanson compound.
Jen shivered
slightly as a cool summer breeze blew down through the trees and touched her
skin.
She crossed her
arms and briskly tried to rub the goose bumps out of her upper arms, hoping
Luke wouldn’t notice, but to no avail.
Luke unzipped
his hoodie and draped it around her shoulders,
leaving his arms around her.
“Better?”
Jen blushed
slightly, hoping the darkness would conceal it. “Much, thank you.”
Luke smiled
warmly at her. :I’m so glad we had today to talk.”
“Me
too. But I meant what
I said, .this whole fight was stupid. I think we should just forget about it.”
“Okay.” Luke
reached out and took her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers.
Jen couldn’t
keep a smile from her lips.
“Did they give
you the access code for the gate?”
“Yeah.” Jen said. “And the alarm code for the
house in case I was late getting in.”
Luke checked his
watch. “You’ve got time. I’ve got you back at a decent hour.”
They approached
the driveway, and the tall iron gate, which was indeed
locked.
“So, I guess
this is good night.” Jen said reluctantly. She had hoped that the night would
go on forever, but new an end was inevitable.
“I’ll see you in
the morning, though, right? I mean, Zac invited me over for a pool party.”
“Really? I never heard anything about it.”
Luke shrugged.
“He told me to bring my biggest water gun.”
“Yeah, that
sounds like him.” Jenna laughed.
Luke smiled,
happy to hear her laugh again.
“So, I’d better
let you get to bed and rest up for the big water war going on tomorrow.”
“Right, you
don’t want me to sabotage Zac’s defenses or anything?” She teased.
“No, I think I
can beat him without cheating.” Luke laughed, wrapping his arms around her.
“Okay.”
“I do get a hug
good night, though, right?” Luke asked, pulling her slightly closer.
Jen had hoped he
would ask for more.
“Of course you
do. After the perfect day we had today?” She wrapped her arms tightly around
his neck and hugged him tightly.
After several
minutes of standing under the moon light in an embrace, both reluctantly
released the other.
“I’ll watch and
make sure you get in, okay? Make sure you get home safely.” Luke offered.
“In case I get
mugged in the thirty feet to the front door?”
“Just
in case there’s a bear or something inside waiting for you. You never know out here.”
“Would a bear
know the gate code?” Jenna asked with a straight face.
Luke laughed.
“Just humor me, okay?”
“Alright.” Jen smirked and removed her shoes. “Will
you hold these for a minute? Christy will kill me if I scuff them.”
“Sure, but why-“ Luke began unsure of what she was doing.
Without
answering the question Jen planted both of her hands in the iron vines which
decorated the gate and began climbing.
“I thought you
said you knew the code!” Luke watched her swing one leg over the gate at the
top.
“It’s written
down in my purse… this way is faster than finding it.”
Luke laughed.
“You’re crazy. What if someone catches you?”
“For breaking
into the place I’m staying at? I can’t very well be arrested.” Once close to
the bottom of the other side, she dropped onto her feet on the paved drive way.
“Ta-da!” She finished.
Luke laughed.
“Next time ask me, and I’ll give you the code.” He
passed her shoes through the gate and watched her blow a playful kiss to him as
she entered the house.