�Figuring It Out� Chapter 5: This Kiss

�Come on guys, let�s take this stuff inside,� my mom handed me our bags. Adam took one and put it in my bedroom.

�Thanks bro,� I said.

�No problem,� he said as we went back downstairs. �Dan, I missed you.�

�I missed you too. I�m sorry I can�t be here all the time,� I said.

�It�s okay. You do what you gotta do, right?� Adam looked up at me.

It pained me to see all the brotherly love on his face. He wanted me to say that I would come home and stay home, but I couldn�t.

�Sorry bro, but O-Town in my life now,� I said halfheartedly.

�Oh,� Adam looked down at his Nikes. �I understand.�

I let out a sigh. I hadn�t known that my being in a band was going to cause my family so much pain. They hated that I couldn�t be home a lot anymore. And they hated missing me. I hated it too.

I found Jenna in the kitchen with my mother making dinner. It smelled wonderful. Jenna had a huge smile on her face and flour on her nose. I went to her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

�Hey cutie,� I whispered in her ear.

�Hey Danny,� she whispered back.

I kissed her nose getting the flour off of it. She smiled at me. She hated it when we kissed in public. She didn�t want everyone to see what went on behind closed doors. To get around that rule I would kiss her cheek, palm, or nose, just to show her that I cared.

�Aww, you two are so cute,� my mother sighed. �It�s good to have you both home.�

�It�s good to be home, Mommy,� I said turning my hug to her. �It smells good. What are you making?�

�Chicken pot pie,� she answered.

Jenna beamed. �I helped make it,� she said proudly.

�Well I can�t wait to eat it then,� I told Jenna.

She looked elated. �Thanks Dan,� she whispered.

�No problem,� I whispered back. �Well I guess I�ll just chill in the living room until it�s done.�

I walked out of the kitchen and found my father sitting on the couch in the family room. He was watching the local news. I sat down next to him and started a conversation.

�Hey Dad,� I said.

�Hey son,� he replied never taking his eyes off of the T.V.

�I missed you,� I said trying to get him to open up

�Mmm, me too,� he replied not even knowing what he was agreeing with.

After not seeing my family in over six months, they didn�t even treat me any differently. Everything changes; I had to learn the hard way. You can never go home again. It was so true.

�Dinner,� Jenna called from the kitchen.

I got up and walked into the kitchen. Jenna stood over the food in satisfaction. She was proud of herself for helping make dinner. I sat down next to her.

�Jen, it looks great,� I said smiling.

�Thanks Danny,� Jenna replied bubbling over with enthusiasm.

We said grace and then dug in heartily. Dinner conversation was normal, nothing about my not being there for a while. I kept quiet and ate. Jenna just nodded and smiled.

When dinner was over and cleaned up, Jenna and I went up to my room. I shut the door behind her. She looked at me puzzled.

�Dan, I am not going to do anything in your parents� house!� she said alarmed.

�Jen, don�t worry, that�s not why I shut the door,� I said almost laughing.

�Oh, thank goodness,� she sighed. �Then what do you want?�

�I just need to be alone with you for a while,� I told her as I sat on the bed.

She sat down next to me. �Aww, Danny that�s sweet.�

�Thank you, thank you. I know,� I joked.

�Danny, I love you,� Jenna said kissing my lips.

�Mmm, I love you too,� I said kissing her back.

The kisses turned into something more passionate. Jenna kept her promise, she didn�t go any further than the lips. Just as we were both coming up for air, the lights went out.

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