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Date Posted: 18:54:56 03/05/01 Mon
Author: Lakota
Subject: Waiting for You - Chapter 22 (Continued)
In reply to: Lakota 's message, "Waiting for You - Chapter 22" on 18:53:19 03/05/01 Mon



“Let me go talk to her?”

“Okay, I’ll have Jack come in and help me put a light snack together to go with the coffee.”

They walked through the swinging kitchen door with Carrie leading the way, her hand in Mike’s giving him the
courage he needed to face his sister. Jennifer was still sitting on the coffee table in Jack’s embrace. She had gone
through, from the looks of it, at least a half box of tissues with no let up in sight. Jack saw Carrie first and began to
remove his arm from around Jennifer’s shoulders.

“Jack, I was wondering if you could help me get down a platter for some sandwiches I want to put out to go with the
coffee?”

Looking first at Carrie and then seeing the Mike beside her, he surmised what was going on and took his cue.

“Sure, be right there. Jenn, I’ll just be a little while, okay?”

Jennifer looked up at him and saw Jack briefly glance across the room. She turned and saw her brother standing like
a contrite child, needing to talk to her without anyone else in the room. She nodded to Jack and gave him a quick kiss
as he followed Carrie back into the kitchen. The stillness of the room was worse than any noise imaginable. Mike
slowly walked to the sofa as Jennifer watched him the entire time.

“Is it okay if I sit down?”

“Sure…if you want to.”

Mike sat down not less than two feet from Jennifer though he still hadn’t looked at her. He rested his elbows on his
knees and clasped his hands together, as though he was about to pray. Jennifer took another tissue from the box and
blew her nose lightly.

“I’m sorry, Jennifer, for what happened. I ruined everything on what should have been a wonderful day. I let my own
selfish concerns get in the way of letting you do what you want……what you feel is right. I have no business
interfering in yours and Jack’s relationship…”

“Jack thinks he has a pretty good idea what happened.”

“He does?”

“Um-hum……he made me sit here and listen to him even though I didn’t want to. Want to hear?”

“Sure.”

Jennifer looked directly into Mike’s eyes as she prepared to tell him Jack’s theory. She knew if he were right, she
would see it in her brother’s eyes before he ever said a word.

“Jack knows you like him, that the two of you are buddies and maybe closer each day to being close friends. He
knows, too, how much you love me. That’s why he stayed so calm before – he knew whatever was going on was
more of a problem between us”

“He ‘s not only good-looking but smart and…..”

“…..I … we, know what we’re doing by not waiting, Mike. We’ve talked about the chance we’re taking. I realize I
might only have months with him, but I’m willing to take that rather than never have a life with him at all.”

Mike looked into his sister’s face as she smiled.

“He was right…that’s what you’re concerned about…I can see by your reaction.”

“Not only was Jack right but so was Carrie.”

“Carrie?”

“Yup, she told me you would face the possibilities of marriage to a man maybe going into combat. I’m guilty of still
thinking of you as needing protecting from the big, bad world. I hope you know, Jenn, I just want you to be happy.”

“Oh, Mike, I know that but, you have to trust me. You don’t have to protect me.”

“Yeah, I can see that. Besides, it’s someone else’s job, now,…to protect you, that is.”

“Hey, you’re not out of job, by any means. You have Carrie and, I’ll never outgrow a need for hugs from my big
brother……ever.”

“Honest?”

“Cross my heart. In fact, how about giving me one right now?”

“On one condition”

“Which is?”

“You forgive me for what I did today.”

“Come here, you,” Jennifer said as she opened her arms. Mike leaned in to her and hugged her with everything he
had. “I forgive you…for caring about me… though, maybe next time you could just say it out straight what’s
bothering you?”

“You got it – I promise, Jenn. I’m just wondering…”

“What?”

“Got any idea how long Carrie and Jack were prepared to stay in the kitchen until we ironed things out?”

“They weren’t too subtle, were they? We could just wait them out until their curiosity gets to them.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Well, they’re where all the food is. They could be in there for days.”

“Good point…What’s say we go get some of that coffee …”

“…and some of the hundred or so sandwiches Carrie has to have made by now.”

They put their arms around one another and made their way across the living room. When they walked into the
kitchen Jack and Carrie were playing gin rummy standing at the kitchen counter.

“Hey, we thought you were in here making sandwiches. I’m starved, are you, Jennifer?”

”Famished.”

“I made a platter of them and put them in the fridge. The coffee’s ready and I’ve still got some of that coffee cake left
that’s made up from Grandma’s recipe that Lucas kept eating the whole time he was here.”

“Oh, Carrie, you mean the apple and cinnamon one?”

“The one and only. Sami brought the recipe because she remembered it was Lucas’ favorite. He must have eaten one
just by himself over the week’s time he was here.”

“I can’t believe I’ve missed him so far. I want to see him and catch up.”

“You’ll get your chance, Jenn. He’s due to come back just a few days before Valentine’s Day. Something tells me
Sami will come with him. I can’t imagine them not celebrating together.”

“Hey, maybe they’ll be here in time for the wedding,” Mike said. Carrie and Jack looked at one another and then at
Mike making sure they had heard correctly. He seemed to be sincere in his remark.

“That would be perfect, Mike. I’d love to have them be there. We’re planning to keep it very small.”

“I’ve got an idea, let’s sit down and talk about what you have in mind. If Carrie and I can help put the plans together,
we should start making a list,….right, Carrie?”

Carrie looked at Mike and smiled.

“Right, Mike. Jack? How about getting the coffee while I pull the sandwiches out of the fridge?”

“Sure thing, Carrie.”

Jack had noticed the reconciliation between Mike and Jennifer. He sensed whatever had come between them had
been resolved.

They headed to the dining table and sat down to eat. Mike suddenly jumped up and dashed back to the kitchen.
Carrie excused herself and followed him.

“I gather everything is out in the open between you and Jennifer?”

“You gathered correctly. You were right, Carrie…they have talked about everything. My sister has gone and
completely grown up on me. Jennifer pretty much knew what was bothering me. Jack had told her what he thought it
was.”

“He did?

“Yeah, I…I think they’re gonna be okay, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. And you’re pretty okay, too, you know that?”

“Well maybe just so-so.”

“Huh-uh……in fact, you’re A okay and that’s the highest rating I give.”

“Wow! I’m honored. Any citation or prize go with that rating?”

Carrie smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down to her for a long, slow kiss. When they
finished the kiss. They picked up the apple cinnamon cake and a writing tablet.

“Think they’ll buy we came in just to get these and no hanky panky?”

“Are you kidding, Mike, they’re getting married in eight weeks. We can’t put anything over on them.”

They headed back into the dining room and found Jack and Jennifer in a deep, romantic kiss of their own at the dining
table.

“See, Mike, what did I tell you?”

“All right, all right….you two, save some of it for the honeymoon we’ve got a wedding to plan.”

Jack and Jennifer slowly pulled away from one another and laughed at Mike’s remark.

“Now, what all do we need to do between today and March fourth?” Mike said as he opened the table and prepared
to write down all the suggestions.

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