Prodigal Son (Jensen Family Series)

by Michelle Day

  Julia Meacher gestured to Paul to move on down the corridor before resuming her conversation with Carmen not noticing that her colleague was a little distracted.

  “I’m having my lawn re turfed at the weekend.” Julia gabbled, this was information Paul already knew as two of his workforce had been hired for the job “It’ll be so nice to have the garden done in time for summer.” She continued.

  “My garden’s a mess.” Carmen admitted, she was watching the teenager saunter ahead of them, noticing for the first time how his white school shirt strained across his broad shoulders “I really ought to do something about it but I hate gardening and hiring someone can prove to be expensive.”

  “The guys I have aren’t bad, granted they aren’t the cheapest but they have an excellent reputation and they guarantee their work, I’ve had them do a few repairs around the house too.”

  Paul had heard enough, he side stepped into the boys’ toilets, a plan of how to get back into his favourite teachers affections forming in his head.

  The rest of the week proved uneventful and somewhat boring as Matt had been put on a two week suspension despite Monica and the Principle being unable to find his cigarettes, he’d reeked of smoke and that was enough to suspend him. Monica had also grounded Matt indefinitely and had even refused to let him accompany Paul on jobs leaving the younger boy to work alone and pass a very quiet weekend.

  Paul daydreamed his way through Monday morning assembly, silently lamenting that school was terribly boring without his brother even though he was surrounded by friends, no one got him quite like Matt did and also, the two girls who had been fighting over him had been suspended leaving him little to look forward to at lunch time. He was jolted back to the present when the Principle announced in front of the whole school that he was to make his way directly to the office after assembly.

  “What did you do?” Jake asked.

  “Nothing” Paul frowned; he shrugged at his friend and headed to the principal’s office “Mum? What are you doing here?”

  “I was hoping you would tell me that.” Monica replied.

  “I haven’t done anything,” he told her “I definitely haven’t been in any trouble.”

  “Do you have any work that’s overdue?”

  “No, I’m up to date with everything.”

  “Mrs Jensen, Paul, come in, take a seat.” Principle Williams called them into his office; he waited for mother and son to be comfortably seated before he began to explain about the cat fight that had happened the previous week.

  “I don’t understand what this has to do with Paul.” Monica said at the end of the explanation.

  “Both girls have said that they were fighting over Paul.”

  “Yes, yes, I understand that but as Paul wasn’t actually involved, I fail to see why we are here.”

  “Mrs Jensen, I would just like to say that I am impressed with the way Paul has applied himself to his studies, however, he is very mature for his years and is causing somewhat of a distraction among the female students. I’m not sure if this distraction is intentional or not but I am not able to let it continue particularly this close to exam time. I have discussed this rather unique situation with the school governors and we agree that it would be best for all concerned if Paul is released on study leave.”

  “You’re suspending him?”

  “No, not at all. Paul is not in any sort of trouble and he is more than prepared for his exams, I just feel it would be advantageous for him to be out of the school environment, away from distractions.”

  “Sir, I’d rather remain in school and the distractions you are referring to have been suspended so I don’t see a problem.” Paul spoke

  “I’m sorry Paul, the decision has been made. You can remain in school today, I have arranged for your teachers to put together study packs for you. You only need to come in when you have an exam, you won’t be required to wear uniform for that.”

  “I can’t believe I’m being punished because a couple of girls can’t keep their hormones in check.”

  “Be quiet.” Monica said sharply to her son, instantly stilling his tongue. “Although I am inclined to agree with my son, I do see your point and as he is up to date with his studies, I see no reason why he shouldn’t remain at home.”

  “Please don’t view this as a punishment.” the principle smiled.

  “Oh come on. Only the trouble makers get put on study leave. I admit that in the past I probably deserved it but not now, this is totally out of order.” Paul folded his arms across his chest.

  “That’s quite enough from you.” Monica turned to her son “Go back to your lessons while I iron out a few final details here.” She told him.

  Paul quite enjoyed not having to get up for school; it was even better as Matt was still home and therefore also not getting up early and disturbing him. Monica was enjoying having both boys at home as well and while Matt was on strict punishment when his father was home, the rules where relaxed when Michael was at the office and the boys would spend some of their time kicking a ball around the garden or playing video games until she insisted that they get some school work done.

  Paul stretched and looked up from his book “Bored” he groaned, drawing out the word for effect.

  “I’m going shopping, you could come.” Monica told him.

  “Er no! Take Matt, he’s the one being punished.”

  “Thanks bro, remind her why don’t you.” Matt griped, throwing an apple at Paul

  Reaching out and catching the apple, Paul closed his books and stood “I’m going to the park for a bit, I won’t be late back.” He told his mother.

  Paul knew exactly where he was going but he headed in the direction of the park as he knew Monica would be watching him leave from the living room window, he skirted around the edge of the park then turned in the direction of town and the house where he would spend a few hours each day. He was covered in dirt when he returned home, carefully coming in the back of the house and catching Matt’s eye “Where’s Mum?” he asked.

  “Out” Matt answered “What have you been doing, you’re filthy.”

  “I’ve been working on Carmen’s garden.”

  “Carmen?”

  “Miss Scott, moron. I need to get changed.”

  “Didn’t she end it?”

  “Yeah it’s over but I overheard her talking about her garden and I did cause her a bit of hassle, it’s just my way of saying sorry.”

  This behaviour became the norm for Paul. He would wait until the usual urbanites would be at work and Monica was occupied with one of her many coffee mornings before leaving the house and working on Carmen’s garden. He carried out small tasks at first, a little bit of weeding and edging, nothing obvious that would make her think someone had been at her house. He considered leaving her a note on the day he cut her lawn, just in case it freaked her out but decided that he was probably the last person she wanted to hear from.

  Within two weeks he had her garden looking perfect and had started to repair little bits and pieces on her house, sanding down and painting the window frames at the rear of the garage. This particular day, he lost track of the time, he had begun pointing the brickwork below her kitchen window when the window opened, startling him and making her scream at what she thought was an intruder.

  “What are you doing here?” She screeched, wrenching open the back door to confront him

  “I’m just doing a few jobs for you.”

  “You are the one who has done all this to my garden?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “I wanted to make up for what I did and for putting you in an impossible position.” He explained “I’m sorry if I frightened you.”

  She regarded the boy in front of her; he hadn’t made any move to come closer, if anything he had backed away “You have done a very good job.”

  He shrugged “It’s what I do, this is my job.”

  “What do I owe you?” She asked, she had moved further in
to the garden, admiring his work then she noticed the freshly painted window frames and the pointing he had started.

  “Nothing. I don’t want you to pay me. I’m doing it to apologise to you. I’d appreciate it if you let me finish what I’ve started..

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She told him.

  “Look, I don’t have an ulterior motive, I just want to help.”

  “No ulterior motive huh?” she questioned.

  “Ok, I like you, a lot, those feelings aren’t going to vanish overnight but more than anything I want to show you that I’m a nice guy, I can be responsible for my actions and I enjoy being kept busy.” He gestured to her brickwork “And there is a lot here to keep me busy.”

  Carmen sat heavily on her garden bench “You are very sweet.” She swallowed back a tear.

  “Please don’t cry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “You haven’t. I’m just not used to people being genuinely nice.”

  “Look, I’ll finish this bit of pointing then I’ll go. I won’t come back if you don’t want me to.”

  “I shouldn’t want you to, maybe I want you here for the wrong reasons, I don’t know, but it would be good to have the house looking nice. Thank you Paul for everything you’ve done.”

  “So, I can come back?” he asked.

  “Yes, you won’t have to sneak around anymore.” She stood “Would you like a drink?”

  “No thanks.” He turned back to his work “I won’t be much longer on this and then I’ll get out of your hair.”

  “What did you mean when you said this is your job?” She asked.

  “I have my own gardening and Handyman Company. A couple of the guys that work for me did Miss Meacher’s lawn.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know.”

  “It started with me just doing a couple of gardens for my Mum’s friends and kind of escalated, I went into partnership with another company and now I own the majority of that company, thanks to my Grandparents and business is good.”

  “You are quite the entrepreneur.” she smiled.

  “Nah, I’m just lucky,” he returned the smile “Don’t let me stop you from whatever you have to do. I’ll let myself out.”

  Carmen began to look forward to going home, knowing he would be there. On several occasions, after a heavy overnight rainfall, he would present her with flowers he had cut from her garden that the rain had battered down. She convinced herself that there was nothing wrong in letting him do odd jobs for her and her garden looked amazing. They got into the habit of sitting and talking when she returned from school, Paul would have the tools packed away by the time she changed into casual clothes and they spent the summer evenings sitting on the patio talking about anything from the latest event on the news to nature and Paul’s hope’s for his future and as she got to know him, little by little, she began to realise what a sensible and mature young man he was and she enjoyed his company immensely.

  The more time he spent with Carmen, the more time he wanted to spend with her. Being in her company was bittersweet, while he happily chatted to her and maintained her house and garden, he ached to touch her, knowing if he did, it would freak her out and probably bring to an end what they had so for now he was happy to sit back and get to know her, let her realise there was more to him than meets the eye.

  “You’ll have to teach me the basics of keeping the garden looking good.” She told him one evening.

  “It’s pretty simple really,” he replied. “But if you want to learn, I’ll be glad to show you.”

  “I have a half day tomorrow. Do you think you might be able to spare me some time?” She asked, she had seen him arranging jobs in his diary and completing job cards for his staff and knew he was a very busy boy, she hated to think that by being here he was losing money.

  “Of course I can be here tomorrow, that’s the beauty of having people work for you.” He smiled.

  “I wish you’d let me pay you.”

  “Don’t start that again. I don’t want payment from you.” His standard answer and one that always, without fail, caused her brow to crease.

  And so it began the following afternoon, the gentle dance of seduction as he guided her through planting and weeding working on their hands and knees, side by side. He listened when she began to talk about her family, of her father who had died in a tragic accident at work when she was five to her mother and brother who barely spoke to each other and who she rarely saw. He learned that she had a quirky and somewhat sassy sense of humour and that she was, at all times, mildly flirtatious but also that she was quick to put him in his place if he overstepped the mark.

  Carmen would often watch him as he worked, he was thorough and very particular that everything was just so and he always, without fail, tidied up any mess he had made. She found the days when he didn’t come to her house very long and lonely and knew, without a shadow of a doubt that she was falling for him, as his physical attractiveness had initially drawn her in, his personality had sealed the deal and try as she might to avoid her feelings, she knew deep down that she wanted to spend more time with him in a more intimate setting. She relished the scorching summer days that followed his exams as he would arrive at her house in shorts and a baggy t-shirt, the latter garment would soon be discarded when he began to work and she would find herself positively drooling at his sweat slick body that slowly turned an even golden brown in the sun.

  Chapter Nine

  As the Jensen family prepared for their annual pilgrimage to Spain, Paul made sure he had so much work on that he couldn’t possibly be spared. Presenting Monica with his diary one Sunday afternoon, he explained that he needed to stay at home and with the diary in front of her, she couldn’t deny that her youngest child had made a success of his business and was indeed, very busy. She agreed to let him stay at home, telling him that he would need to check in with Michael’s parents and Kay at least once a day and under no circumstances was he allowed to have a party in the house. Promising reverently to obey the rules, Paul was smiling smugly to himself when Matt finally entered their room and prepared for bed.

  “Are you really that busy?” he asked.

  “Certainly am.” Paul confirmed.

  “You know Kay’s going to be watching you like a hawk right?”

  “I know, but I’ll be working most of the day so all I have to do is drop by her place on the way home, show my face and then I’m good to go.”

  “When you go to see her, make sure you keep your hands off Hayley.” Matt warned.

  “Ergh.” Paul shuddered “I wouldn’t touch her if she was the last woman on earth,” he assured. “Besides, I have bigger fish to fry.”

  “Oh yeah?” Matt sat on his brothers bed. “Who?”

  “Carmen. I’ve been doing a little work for her, strictly off the books, we’ve become quite good friends as odd as that sounds. She still denies any interest in me but I find it funny how she appears out of nowhere when I take my shirt off, she pretends to sunbathe but I can feel her watching me, she’s so ripe right now that a few coy smiles and carefully placed compliments and she’ll be putty in my hands.” He gloated.

  “But she ended it because of the whole teacher, student thing.”

  “True, but I’ve left school now, she isn’t my teacher anymore. A point which I intend to force home leaving her with little doubt what I want.”

  “Let me get this straight, you’ve spent your own time and money doing her garden just so that you can get in her good books?”

  “It’s not her books I want to get into but yeah, you’ve pretty much got the jist”

  “Well, you’re persistent, I’ll give you that” Matt climbed into his own bed “This holiday is going to suck balls without you”

  “I’m sure you’ll find something to keep you amused.” Paul winked at him as he turned off the light.

  Carmen was hanging washing on the line when Paul arrived after saying his goodbyes to his family. Dressed in a pretty yellow blouse that tied und
er her breasts and tight white shorts, the sight of her had him hiding the first signs of his arousal.

  “Hi,” she smiled “What’s that?” she pointed to him, waist level.

  “Shit.” He thought, willing his groin to behave before realising she was pointing to the sprinkler he had picked up on the way over “Oh, it’s a lawn sprinkler,” he replied, relief flooding through him “You won’t have to spend ages watering the grass anymore”

  “Thank you.” She turned back to her washing. “There’s a fresh pot of tea in the kitchen if you fancy a cup” she called over her shoulder.

  Declining her offer, he set to work, keeping his gaze fixed firmly on the plants, stopping only to eat the sandwich she provided and drink the ice cold glass of cola before setting back to work.

  “You don’t usually come on a Saturday,” she was beside him, he had been so engrossed in planting that he hadn’t heard her approach and jumped at the sound of her voice “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” She touched his shoulder.

  “My family has gone on holiday; I have plenty of free time.”

  “Why didn’t you go?” she asked as she crouched beside him.

  “Work. I like to keep an eye on things.” He sat back on his haunches not realising she was so close, his arm knocked her shoulder, overbalancing her, she squealed as she began to topple. He reached out and grabbed her arm, swiftly coming to his feet, dragging her with him, her hands flailed and came to rest on his bare chest, by now he had hold of both of her arms, they were face to face and he couldn’t help himself, he lowered his head, his lips brushing hers.

  “Don’t,” She breathed “I thought we’d moved past this?” She couldn’t bring herself to move away, silently begging him to kiss her again.

  “Crap.” He thought as he searched her eyes for signs of anger. “Do I back off or just go for it?” He asked himself, his eyes travelled to her lips, slightly parted, begging to be kissed, they travelled back up to her eyes, he saw some confusion but also a glimmer of desire and that was enough to spur him on. He closed the gap between their lips, taking advantage of the fact that hers were parted to slip his tongue into her mouth, the jolt that ran through him when she responded was magnificent, he pulled her closer, never wanting to let her go.