“The very same,” he said.
“Okay, then. I guess we'll see you soon,” she said happily as a smile started to spread across her face. “I'm Kelly, by the way.”
“Jay,” he said. “Now both of you get off that damn ladder before you really get hurt.”
“Okay, then,” Kelly said.
“See you soon, Alex!” Jay called through the fence.
Again there was a blonde head peaking over the top of the fence. “Hi, Thom! Hi, Aaron!” Kelly said.
“Hi, Aunt Kelly!” they chorused.
“Is Uncle Rick coming?” Thom asked.
“Later. After his shift,” Kelly said.
“Yay!” Aaron said.
* * *
“How'd you get here so quickly?” Alex asked sliding open the screen door.
“I told you I didn't have anything to do,” Kelly said. “I did everything I had to do this morning after Rick left. He. Is. Hot!”
“You think?” Alex asked coyly.
“Seems nice too. A little bossy,” Kelly said looking around at the familiar mess. “You could clean you know.”
“Yeah,” Alex said with a shrug. “I just forget.”
“That's not really a reason,” Kelly said. “Rick would not be happy if I let things get this bad. Not if I was at home all day.”
“I just forget.”
“How can you forget? It's right here in front of you.”
“Okay, little Miss Perfect!” Alex said giving her sister a shove. “I'm the big sister remember?”
“Not so's you'd notice,” Kelly said with a grin. “Forget it for a while. Tell me about your hunk next door.”
* * *
“Your Aunt Kelly seems nice,” Jay said, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Yep, she is,” Thom said. “So's Uncle Steve.”
“He's a bit mean sometimes,” Aaron said. “But he's still nice, mostly.”
“Oh?” Jay asked. “Mean how?”
“He makes us do stuff,” Aaron grumbled.
“Like what sort of stuff?” Jay asked with a frown.
“Like pick up our stuff and put them back in places.”
“Ohh. All that terrible stuff,” Jay said with a smile.
“He's okay, Aaron,” Thom said. “They just like their house neat is all. Mom said they're anal.”
“Really,” Jay said. So she thinks keeping your house tidy is anal… still a strange thing to say about your sister to a child. “Did she say that to you?”
“Well, no,” Thom said sheepishly. “She said it to Grandma.”
“Then you shouldn't have been listening,” Jay said seriously. “You don't repeat everything you hear an adult say, and you definitely don't eavesdrop on conversations.”
“Okay,” Thom said.
“Can we swim yet?” Aaron asked. “Please, Jay?”
Jay had never heard a better idea. It was hot. “Yep,” he said.
Both boys jumped up and did bombs into the pool, wetting everything in their midst.
“So that’s how it's gonna be,” Jay said, following them with a giant leap.
* * *
“Well,” Kelly said. “That's something to think about, I guess.”
“You don't seem shocked,” Alex said.
“It takes all kinds, Al. I mean, I would never urge you into an abusive relationship, but I don't think that's what you’re talking about here, is it?”
“No,” Alex said shaking her head. “I mean, this is crazy, I know. I only met the guy yesterday.”
“But you really like him, don't you?”
“Yeah, I do,” Alex said. “He's bossy and sweet, and he's good with the boys, and he cooks… but he is bossy. Did I say that?”
“Uh huh. Twice,” Kelly giggled. “I've never seen you like this.”
“I was once.”
Kelly put her hand on her sister's knee. “Don't go there hon. He's gone. Time to move on. If not with this guy, then with someone.”
Alex nodded. “I know. I feel it too.”
“Those boys could do with a man in their life.”
“I know that too.”
“You're too soft.”
“Okay, okay. What are you, my keeper?”
“Well, I used to think it was my role to remind you what your job was,” Kelly said with a giant smile. “But I think someone just took mine.”
“Maybe,” Alex said. “We'll see. Got to find something to wear tonight.”
“Hmm,” Kelly said. “You should shave your legs too, honey.”
“Done.”
“Done? Wow, you do like him,” Kelly said. “How about your girlie parts, did you give them a trim?”
“Yeah. Geez. I tried to shave a heart.”
“A heart?”
“Yes, Kel, a heart,” Alex said. “Didn't exactly work out.”
“Uh oh,” Kelly said. “What did you do?”
“It was crooked.”
“Oh?”
“So I shaved it all off.”
“All?”
“Bald.”
“Adventurous,” Kelly said with a small smile.
“I thought you told me that's what's expected now.”
“I don't think it's exactly what I said, but it has to be an improvement on the cave woman look.”
“Who's a cavewoman?” Aaron asked as he wandered in ahead of Jay and Thom.
“Hey! What did I tell you about eavesdropping?”
“You didn't tell me, you telled Thom.”
“Well, you heard him,” Thom said.
“No, I didn't!” Aaron whined.
“Then, how did you know what Jay told me?” Thom asked.
“Right now I'm telling you two to go get some dry clothes on,” Jay said.
Alex and Kelly watched in awe as the two boys trudged up the stairs without another word.
“Something I need to know?” Alex asked.
“Nah,” Jay said. “I'll just go move that ladder, and I'll go and get ready for our date.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “I'm perfectly capable of moving my own ladder,” she said.
“And yet you didn't,” Jay said in a firm tone but with a twinkle in his eye.
“I've been busy,” she said.
“Okay. Fields of pineapples wait for no one, I guess,” he grinned.
“Oh, not the farm,” Kelly said.
“Gang up on me, why don't you,” Alex said defensively. “Anyway, I haven't touched my farm since last night, even though my vegetables are probably all rotten, and my friends have probably blocked me.”
“Oh?” Jay asked with a twinkle in his eye. “Been busy?”
“A little,” she said with a knowing look.
“I'll be right back,” Kelly said, pointing to the stairs before leaving them alone to talk.
“Close call last night,” Jay said in a low voice.
“Too close.”
“Yeah.”
“You may have to pick your moments,” Alex said with a grin. “Little pitchers and all.”
“Why you listening to Mom and Jay, Aunt Kelly?” Aaron asked.
“I'm not, I'm um, just coming to see how you boys are doing.”
“I'm fine,” the small boy said.
“And your brother?”
“Dunno.”
“Okay. I guess he'll be out in a minute,” Kelly said distractedly.
“Jay says listening to adult conversations is wrong,” Aaron persisted.
“Did he?” she said. “Thanks for telling me. I'll keep that in mind.”
* * *
“I think maybe we should leave this conversation for later,” Alex said.
“Yep. Big pitchers in the house as well as small ones,” Jay said, noticing the leg of Kelly's jeans at the top of the stairs.
“Uh huh,” Alex smiled. Should she tell him later that she told Kel already? “I was wondering what I need to wear tonight,” she said in a valiant attempt to change the subject.
Jay smiled. “We're doing I
talian. So whatever you like will be fine.”
“Okay, thanks,” Alex said happily. “I like Italian.”
“I'll pick you up around six,” he said. He bent to give her a quick kiss and whispered in her ear, “You don't want to be late again.”
“I'll be ready,” she stammered, the memory of the spanking the night before springing to her mind.
“I don't think Mom's rule's gonna work with him, somehow,” Kelly said later, from a few stairs up.
“The one about who's really in charge?”
“Yeah. Just smile and agree and let them think they're in charge,” Kelly said with a chuckle.
“And then do whatever the hell you want,” Alex added. Did she want that? A henpecked husband like her Dad had been? She wondered. More and more she was wondering if she wanted what Jay had to offer.
Chapter Five
Alex dropped her coffee cup. There was a blood curdling scream from above them. She and Kelly took the stairs two at a time, nearly knocking each other over in the process. “Oh, God, what now?” Alex said. Her heart thumped wildly, and she held her breath as she followed the screams into Aaron's room. Through the window she could see Thom sitting on the edge of the roof.
“Mom, quick!” he yelled. “I can't hold on much longer.”
Alex was out on the roof in a flash, with her sister right behind her. She looked from her eldest son to where he had her youngest's arm grasped tightly. Aaron was whimpering in absolute terror as he dangled from the roof's gutter. “It's okay, baby,” she said dropping to her knees and grabbing his arm.
“Mommy,” he said, bursting into tears when he saw her face.
“Thom, when I grab him you can let go,” Kelly said. She knelt beside her sister and grasping Aaron's arm, she nodded.
Thom finally let go and moved back out of the way.
“On three,” Kelly said.
When they got to three, there was a loud creak just before the guttering gave way. Aaron screamed, but they hoisted him fast, and he was in his mother's arms in a couple of seconds. “Oh, Aaron,” she said, starting to cry herself.
Kelly scrubbed a hand over her face. “What in blazes were you kids doing up here?” she demanded.
“Kel, they've had a fright,” Alex said, moving the boys towards the window.
“We all have!” Kelly said.
* * *
Kelly had already started on the boys before Alex got in through the window. They were wide-eyed as their aunt stood over them with her hands on her hips.
“Right, young man. I want an answer, and I want it now. What. Were. You. Trying. To. Do?” she asked Aaron.
“They were only sitting on the roof,” Alex said. “I know that was silly, but they're boys. They just do things sometimes. Just because they can. They don't have to have a reason. They’ve had a big fright—I'm sure they won't do it again.”
“Are you serious?” Kelly asked. “He could have been badly hurt or worse!”
“I know. I know. Aaron, you shouldn't have been out on the roof, honey. It's dangerous,” Alex said. “Thom, you should have stopped your brother.”
Thom looked at his mother with eyes filled with betrayal. He burst into tears, ran into his own room, and slammed the door.
Kelly leaned against the wall and blew out a frustrated breath. This was all so wrong. Her sister was so oblivious to everything that went on here, but she had to be careful with the way she handled this. If Alex got her back up, she'd toss her out and refuse to go out at all. She was starting to think that the bossy neighbor was exactly what her sister needed. What they all needed. A little bit of order around here could save lives. “Why doesn't Aaron go have a rest in his room for a while, and I'll have Rick talk to him later.”
“Okay. That's a good idea,” Alex said. “Go to your room, Aaron.”
“Okay,” Aaron said, slipping into his room quietly and without argument for once.
Kelly followed him. At her sister's confused look, she smiled. “Locking the window,” she said. “Can't be too careful in this crazy house.”
* * *
“I was going to do that,” Alex said when she came down the stairs to find Kelly emptying the dishwasher. Her hair had been tamed into soft, shiny curls that dripped over her shoulders and down her back. Her face was glowing with just a hint of makeup and lip gloss. The blue dress that Kelly had brought over with her hugged her curves in all the right places.
“Wow,” Kelly said. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Alex said. “I mean it, Kel, I didn't get you over here to clean my house.”
“I know. I don't mind,” Kelly said with a smile.
“Thanks. Are you sure this dress doesn't make me look fat?” she asked.
“What the hell are you talking about woman?” Kelly asked. “You look great.”
“My ass?” Alex said. “It's like massive.” Visions of last night once again flashed through her mind. She wasn't only asking Kel how big her ass looked in the dress, she wondering what kind of view Jay had had when she was over his knee. Of course, Kelly didn't know that.
“Oh, stop,” Kelly said. “You're a woman. You're not meant to have a flat ass. Your ass is just fine.”
“I feel like it's sticking out in the back.”
Kelly rolled her eyes. “I'm telling you, you look great in that dress.”
“Okay. I guess I trust you,” Alex said, trying to turn herself inside out like a dog chasing his tail so she could get a better look at herself.
“Are you sure you don't want me to cook you two and the boys something?” Alex asked.
“I already have a casserole in the oven.”
“The boys don't like…” she started.
Kelly put her hand up to stop her. “They only pull that crap with you and maybe Mom. They'll eat what they're given, and they'll like it,” Kelly said. “The little devils are lucky we're feeding them at all after the crap they pulled this afternoon.”
“You don't not feed your children to discipline them,” Alex said with a grin. She knew her sister wasn't serious.
“Oh?” Kelly said with a chuckle. “Just exactly what do you do to discipline your kids?”
“I talk to them. Reason with them.”
“That seems to work well.”
“Very droll,” Alex said. “You wait and see when it's your turn, it's not that easy.”
“I know, hon,” Kelly said trying to repair the mood. “Let's talk about this tomorrow.”
“Are you staying for the night?”
“Yep. That way, you can make any decision you want to make,” she said pointedly. “Don't worry about the boys. We'll look after them.”
* * *
“Whoa. You look lovely,” Jay said when his date opened her door.
“Thank you,” she said with a grin.
“You're welcome,” he said. He held out his arm and smiled when she took it.
“So which restaurant are we going to?”
“The Italian place in town. I thought we'd just stay local,” Jay said. “Not flashy but nice, and the food's good.”
Alex sighed. “Gianni's?”
“Yeah. That's the one.”
“Oh, good,” she said with a smile that she hoped reached her eyes. She and the kids used to go there a lot. It was hard to go out with kids, and it was one of the only places that didn't make her feel like her kids should be put in a cage.
“So.” Jay said after they'd ordered. “What did you get up to this afternoon?”
“Not a lot,” she said. “Got ready, chatted with my sister.”
“She seems nice, and the boys seem very fond of her.”
“They are. She and Rick really stepped up after… my husband died,” she said falteringly.
“You can talk about him, you know,” he said. “He was your husband and the boys' father.”
“I know. It just seems a little odd to talk to you about him,” she said.
“Oh?” Jay said. “I'm a good listener.”
“I'm sure you are,” she said. “There just isn't a lot to say. He was my husband, and I loved him.”
“And he was very different than me,” Jay added quietly.
“Very,” she said, mulling over the question. She never could have imagined Steve spanking her like Jay had. Still, she was starting to wonder what she'd been missing in that regard. “Not better, not worse, just different.”
“I'll take that,” he said. “So, tell me about yourself.”
“Not a lot to tell,” she said. “I'm a mom.”
“So, do you work?”
“No. I have the kids to take care of,” she said. “I haven't worked since Thom was born.”
“What did you do before then?”
“I was in school,” she said. “I was doing interior design.”
“Really?” he said. “You can give me a few pointers on my house then. I was planning on doing some work on it.”
“Oh, I'd love that!” Alex said jumping at the chance. “I have lots of ideas.”
* * *
When Thom didn't answer their knock, Rick turned the handle gently, and he and Kelly walked in. The obviously still angry little boy was lying on his bed, bouncing a ball off the wall.
“What's up?” Rick asked.
“Nuthin’,” he answered.
“Pretty miserable look for nothing,” Kelly said.
Thom shrugged.
“What happened out there, Thom?” Rick asked.
“Wasn't my fault,” he said a little guiltily. “He got too close to the edge.”
“Oh?” Kelly asked. “You know neither of you should have been out there in the first place, don't you?”
He nodded. “I know. We were watching Jay move the ladder out the window.”
“The ladder?” Rick asked.
“The ladder that we had against the fence so's we could get to the pool.”
Rick's eyes widened. “You climbed over the fence to the next door neighbor’s pool?”
“All the time,” Thom said. “But there wasn't a next door neighbor then. Now there's Jay.”
Rick had heard about Jay. “That wasn't safe.”
“That's what Jay said.”
“Which is why he was moving it?”
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