Catering Girl Ch. 06

Whit mouthed back to me, "Pizza?"

"How about Edith and I take our favorite three girls out for dinner?" It was quickly decided that was a good idea, and we all headed over to Ben's favorite restaurant at Fisherman's Terminal.

It was a casual place, where you could often see people from Seattle's various maritime trades grabbing a bite, as well as many locals. Soon we were all laughing and having a good time. It felt good not to be thinking of recent events for a bit.

I watched Whit and Madi both dunk a French fry into a side of ranch at the same time when Edith spoke up. "Have you gotten your email hooked up yet to your new phone?"

"Not yet," I replied.

"Well, when you do, you'll see something special that the whole Whitney Enterprise family is doing for you. We have a history in this company, all of them, for helping our team members when someone is in need, like you are. A donation site has been set up and there's quite a bit in there already."

"What???"

"There should be a link in your email so you can access it. It's tradition that dates back generations. These days we just use an online platform to simplify it. You'll find that a good number of the employees kick in five or ten dollars. A few kick in a bit more."

"I don't know what to say," I murmured.

"Well," Ben chimed in, "you have a lot of unplanned expenses before you, so if you need any help thinking through things, there are a number of us willing to help you. Starting with this one here I think." He put his arm around his daughter. "Ain't that right, Sweet Pea?"

Whit was looking down at her plate. I think I heard her mutter to herself, "even if it's a decision I don't like." She looked up and forced a smile onto her face. "Of course, I'm here for you." I could tell she was trying to be upbeat, but something was a bit off.

"Are you okay dear?" Edith looked puzzled at her daughter.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking. What a crazy weekend."

"Is that all? I mean, all three of you went through a rather traumatic experience. Part of me is still amazed at how well all of you are holding up. But maybe you're just in the denial phase."

"Whitney, Jennifer," Ben spoke now. "I know your benefit plan has a counseling package with it. I suggest you both take advantage of it. Jennifer, you should get Madison signed up as well. There's no shame in talking to a trained professional about what happened last night."

Whit and I looked at each other and nodded our heads. "That sounds like a good idea Ben."

Whitney

The drive home was quiet. Madison was getting tired, and both Jennifer and I were lost in our thoughts. I would have loved to know what she was thinking, but I was a bit scared to pry. I had really tried to back off and not suggest things, lest she think I was trying to run her life. But it hurt every time she said something about getting a new apartment. I didn't know what I needed to do to be good enough for her.

I glanced over and noticed that she was staring out her window. Reaching over, I placed my hand on hers and gave it a squeeze. "Hey, what do you want to do tonight?"

"Not much. Need to get Madi to bed soon, then I don't know. Maybe snuggle and a movie?"

We watched an episode of Madison's favorite cooking show, then got her tucked into bed. I watched Skipper curl up at the foot of her bed as Jenn tucked her in.

Soon we were snuggled up in our old spots on the couch, my arms wrapped around her. I'm not sure who fell asleep first but neither of us remember the movie ending. I'm not sure how the algorithm pulled up and started Thelma & Louise after Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart appeared in The African Queen. But that is what I recall seeing for a moment before Jenn turned it off. I do remember her snuggling up to me after we went to bed and her holding my hand to her breast as we both fell asleep.

The next morning, I greeted Jenn with a kiss in the kitchen and a cup of coffee. "Morning babe." I might not have felt all that enthusiastic, but I was going to try to put on a happy face. Madi was already situated and working on a bowl of cereal for her breakfast.

"Hi, thanks for getting her going this morning. It felt good just to sleep in a bit. I feel so overwhelmed with everything right now."

I looked at her, wanting to jump in and solve problems, but I knew that would just make her frustrated. I had to let her go at her own pace.

"How can I help you? Is there anything you want me to do?"

"Thanks, I'm not sure right now. You've done so much for me already."

"Okay, just let me know. Say, have you taken a look at the donation site yet?"

Jenn pulled out her phone, and I could see her fingers flying around on it.

"Oh my god!" Jenn's jaw dropped as she stared at her phone.

"Is it good?"

"Um, do you know how much is in there?"

"No, I've not looked."

"There's almost eighteen thousand dollars in there. Most of the donations are five or ten bucks, a few at twenty. But there are three here at five thousand each. It says they're anonymous."

"Well, that's going to help, right?" I thought I knew who those large ones were from. My mom and uncles often lead the charge to help out our team.

"Yeah, I can replace my car and still have some money to put down on a new place. Plus get some furnishings for it."

As she said that, it felt like a punch to my gut. Her own place. Not with me. I walked over and looked out the window to try to hide my face. It was all I could do to not break down right there. After a moment I turned, keeping my back to her, and left the kitchen. As I left, I said, "I need to get my run in, I'm going to go change."

I had hoped to slip out in silence, but as I came back downstairs in my running gear, I heard Jenn call out to me. "Can I borrow your car keys? I just found a deal on an apartment, and I had better jump on it if I want to stand a chance."

"Um sure, they're on the table by the stairs. I'm going out, be back in a bit. Are you good? Need me to point anything out on the Jeep?"

"Nah, I think I can figure it out. Madi, can you go upstairs and get dressed quickly for Mommy? See you when you get back."

I headed out the door. I had zero motivation to run today but just needed to get out and collect my thoughts. Why did she have to insist on getting her own place again? Every time I thought about it, I couldn't stop thinking that I was doing something wrong, that I wasn't good enough for her or something. Why else would she be looking for a new place?

I started to run and got about a half a mile in, when I realized the futility of what I was doing and started to head back, slowly, just walking. As I passed the park, I could hear kids playing, and the sound of their excitement hit me like a ton of bricks. There was a park bench on the edge that was free, and I sat on it.

I watched the kids play and contemplated life. What would it mean if Jenn found her own place again? It was doubtful that she would be able to find another deal like her last place anywhere close to my house or work. She would likely end up in some distant suburb with a long commute. If that were the case, it would make our relationship difficult at best.

I'm not sure how long I was there, but it was for quite a while. I watched as a mom and her kids, who arrived about the same time I did, headed out of the park and down the street. As much as I tried to clear my mind, my thoughts kept returning to me and Jenn. But never in a good way. Every scenario I thought of ended with me standing alone as she walked out of my life.

"Oh Whit, you're just overreacting." My inner optimist tried to assert herself and cheer me up.

"No, you're not," said my other voice. "She's looking for a place because she doesn't want to live with you. You're not good enough for her. You weren't good enough for your mother, for Marci, for Heather, and not for her. Face it, Whitney, you're a failure."

"I'm NOT!" I screamed to myself. I hunched forward and stared at my shoes. A lump formed in my throat, and I could feel my body shake. Emotions began to well up from deep down, and I placed my face in my hands and massaged my temples. My head hurt. "I'm not--" I muttered to myself.

"You're not what?"

That voice, it wasn't mine. I lifted my head as someone sat next to me. I could feel a hand take mine.

"Are you okay Miss Whitney?"

I looked at the munchkin sitting next to me.

"Kinda, where's your mommy? How long have you been here?"

"We just got here. Mommy is over there talking to Dijon's mommy." She pointed across the park, and I could see Jenn talking to her friend. "I was getting on the swing and saw you crying. I thought you needed a friend."

My little friend gave me a hug. Exactly what was needed right now. I was about to say I wasn't crying, but then felt the wetness on my face and hands.

"Pumpkin, you'd better play with your friend a bit; she has to leave in five minutes." I got another hug from the munchkin, and she took off to play with her friend. "Hi." Jenn stood there. An awkward tension hung in the air.

"Hi," I replied. My voice was as bland and monotone as I could make it.

"You okay?"

"Yes... sorta... okay, not really... Is it that obvious?"

"Your eyes are bloodshot.

"Oh." Words. I knew I should say more words but couldn't come up with any at the moment. Instead, we both sat there.

"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Finally, Jenn sat down next to me.

"You mean you don't know?"

"Ah, I'm not a mind reader here."

Our eyes made contact. I tried to read her expression, but with all my frustration, I couldn't figure her out at the moment. And then I froze. I didn't know how to say what was on my heart. I know that if I opened up, that would be it. We would be done.

"Tell me please, what's going on."

"It so hard Jenn. I can't--"

"Why is it hard? You can tell me anything, I love you."

Swallowing my fear, I decided to let it out. "Do you know how hard it is to sit here and watch you go looking for other places to live?"

"Why wouldn't I be looking? Do I have another option?"

'What the hell?' I thought to myself. 'Does she not see the obvious?' Collecting my thoughts and calming myself down a bit, I responded, "I've got plenty of space. You're more than welcome to move in with me. If you're interested that is."

"Oh."

I watched her for a minute; she looked at me, then out to Madi, then down to the ground. Finally, she lifted her head back up and looked my way.

"That's a big step Whitney. I think I need some time to think about that. I'm sorry, but for some reason, I didn't even consider moving in with you. I was just so focused on getting myself back to where I was, that the other options didn't even occur to me."

"So you're not mad at me?"

"Mad at you? Good heavens no. I just wished you had said something earlier."

"I was trying not to be pushy." The smallness of my voice surprised me. "I was hoping that you would see the opportunity and ask."

"Sorry, maybe I'm still in shock, but my mind was totally focused on getting back on my feet. Back to where I was before the fire."

I felt her hand on mine, and our eyes connected.

"I hope you understand, I've spent five years now struggling to get on my own and not need the help of others. I was so close to getting there when things exploded. Then when I saw all the support from everyone at work, all I could see was my own place again."

I just nodded my head.

"And so you know, I didn't get that apartment. It was already taken by the time I got there. Not sure I would have wanted it anyhow. I could smell the dampness and mildew from outside."

That was the first bit of good news I had heard all day. "Okay," I said feebly.

Jenn wrapped an arm around me and then with her other hand took mine. We sat on the bench for a bit while Madison played with a couple of other kids she often saw at the park.

I watched her push the merry-go-round and jump on. It was good to see her playing normally for a bit. Hopefully, at least for a little while, she could forget things. As I watched Madi, a pair of gentle lips found my cheek.

"What do you say we head home?"

A few minutes later, and after a change into some comfy sweats, I found Jenn in the living room reading a book to Madi. They were reading another one of my favorites brought over from my parent's house, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

I sat next to them on the couch and joined in on the book. Jenn set the book down when they finished.

"So, are you serious about having us move in with you?" she asked.

"Yes."

"I'd like to."

"You two are always welcome to stay here. We can turn the guest room into a permanent room for Madison, and if you want your own space, we can convert the office downstairs back into a third bedroom. If you want, I'd even move downstairs so you can have a bedroom on the same floor as Madison."

"No, that won't be necessary?"

"No?" Now I was confused.

"Just to the last part. But yes, to the first part. I think Madison would like her own room, right baby girl?"

"Can I have an Elsa room?"

"Of course you can, if that is okay with your Mommy?" I smiled at Jenn who nodded her head in agreement. I continued, "It might take a while to make the change, but we can do it."

"Babe, thank you for the offer of a space for me. I might take you up on it, but just as a quiet space to get away for a few minutes. The moment it sunk in my thick skull that staying here was an option, there's only one place I wanted to lay my head down, and that is next to yours. Are you sure you want us to stick around? Are you ready for being up half the night when a little girl is sick? Are you willing to put up with a stubborn mule who wants to be independent but also with you?"

"Are you willing to put up with a snotty rich girl who is used to getting her own way and can be rather bullheaded and likes to surprise her girl?"

"How is this for an answer?" She pulled my head down and kissed me for all I was worth. We probably would have kept going if not for a little girl giggling and talking to her doll.

"Don't look Nani. Mommy and Miss Whitney are kissing. We're not supposed to see it."

Neither of us were up for going back out that day to do any more shopping, so we hung around the house for the rest of the day. Jenn helped me clear a few things out of the closet, mainly pairs of shoes I had only worn once, in order to make more space for her things.

We also sat around the kitchen table for a bit and talked about living together. At first I resisted, but eventually I caved in and let her pay me something for rent. A token amount to me, but it was meaningful to her. There were other things we discussed, boring ones really, but necessary if we were going to make a go of living together.

I held out a glass of red wine to Jenn as she came downstairs from tucking in the munchkin. We snuggled up on the couch and attempted to find something to watch.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize you wanted me to move in and I was being a stubborn mule and not thinking about you in our decision where to live. I think I owe you an apology."

"You don't owe me anything. I'm just glad we got it figured out."

She giggled and took my wine glass from my hand, and with hers, set them both on the table. "You don't get it do you. I owe you an apology." Giggling, she turned and sat on her knees, straddling my lap. Our faces were millimeters apart.

Her fingers slipped into my hair as she held my face in her hands. Those slate-blue eyes darted back and forth across my face, scanning every inch as if to reacquaint herself with me. Closing my eyes, I could feel her breath get closer, and then the softness of her lips pressed against mine.

Our tongues danced, timidly at first. Like young schoolgirls on a first date, full of excitement and anticipation of what was to come. My lower lip was delicately caressed by her lips as her hands held the back of my neck. I was putty in her hands.

She leaned back and pulled her shirt off. I could see the silhouette of her erect nipples through her bralette. Jenn stayed back a moment longer to allow me to do the same. A smile crossed her face when she realized I had been braless all evening. She quickly removed hers and resumed kissing me with even more passion than before.

As hands began to roam my body, a trail of kisses began to slither down, first my neck, then chest, and finally began to be lavished on my breasts.

"Oh god, babe, that feels so good. I've missed this," I half moaned.

"Is my Whitney still sexually frustrated?

I put on my best pouty lip and nodded my head. "It's been like six weeks." I might have been pressing the sad little girl routine a bit far, but it was having the desired results.

"Oh well, I'd better give you a big apology then."

"Yeah! A big one. And then it'll be my turn to apologize as well. I owe you an even bigger apology."

"I like the sounds of that!" Jenn resumed pleasuring me.

Moments later, a hand worked its way into my sweats. There was no resistance when two fingers slid inside me, and the palm of her hand worked its magic on the outside.

The sensation began to build and I could feel the dam about to give way. Our eyes locked on each other, and I clung with my hands around her neck, knowing the intensity that was about to be unleashed on me.

Then it hit. I could feel it start in my toes and shoot across my body. Writhing and arching my back, control of my body was in Jenn's hand. Her fingers continued their assault on me as wave after wave of pleasure caused me to spasm.

Jenn let me collapse back onto the couch like a bowl of jelly. I lay there, spent, exhausted. The proud smile on her face screamed 'lookee at what I just did.'

Eventually I mustered the strength to pull her to me so I could enjoy my favorite post orgasm activity, a snuggle.

"You know it's my turn to say I'm sorry," I said as the last of the endorphins melted away.

"And how are you going to say you're sorry?"

"Shall we go upstairs, and I'll show you?"

I followed the cutest tushy on the planet up the stairs and spent the next couple of hours making love to her in all sorts of ways. This was by far the best make up sex I've ever had. Even though I wasn't able to crack the secret Jenn code, she still went to sleep with a satisfied smile on her face. As we both drifted off to sleep, I thought to myself that one of these days I'm going to decrypt the Jenn cipher, or maybe better said I'll help her crack her own code.

_|/_

Jenn pulled us into my parents' driveway in her new-to-her Subaru. She had taken most of the money she received to replace her car. It was a few years old but well maintained. As we parked, a little voice chirped from the back seat.

"Now no peeking at your birthday presents early Miss Whitney."

"Moi?" I had been teasing her all week about snooping into her room, where I knew she and Jenn had stashed what they had gotten me. For the most part, my days of being birthday princess diva were done, but turning thirty, two days before Memorial Day, had me a bit giddy. And besides, I was waking up each morning with the cutest girl on the planet next to me.

As we got out of the car, we could smell whatever it was Dad had on the smoker. One of his passions is sharing the bounty of his smoker with others. The other is fishing. His happy place is out on the Miss Whitney, line in the water and a few crab pots out soaking. As we got to the back patio, we found his mashup of his two passions. On the smoker were four Dungeness crabs, a few Salmon steaks, plus some polish sausage, potatoes and corn on the cob.

"Hi Sweet Pea! Jennifer! How are my favorite girls doing? Wait, where is the third one?" Madison had stopped on the way around the house to smell some flowers and came tearing around the house.