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 Chapter 4

   Over the next few weeks, as promised Jordan was outside to wave at me.
Sometimes she even ran with me the last stretch from her house to mine. 
One day I missed seeing her and wondered if she was sick but the next day
she was back.

   I knew that Trish worked Thursday to Saturday one week and Wednesday to
Saturday the next.  Monday would work for my plan, I thought as I called
Trish on the phone.

   "Hello Brian" Trish said as she saw the number.  "What can I do for
you?"

   "It's not what you can do for me, it's what I can do for you.  I'd like
to invite the two of you over for supper next Monday, if that day will work
for you?" I replied.

   "What's the occasion?" Trish asked.

   "No occasion.  Just thought it might be nice to have a couple of lovely
ladies share my dinner table?"

   Trish started to laugh.  "Flattery will get you everywhere," she said.
"What time would you like us to be there and what can I bring?"

   "How about 5:30 and just bring Jordan and yourself.  I'll have
everything else ready." I said then asked "Oh, is there anything you don't
like or are allergic to?" Getting assurances that anything would be okay, I
hung up and started planning the menu.

   *****

   Monday was here and I looked at my wine selection and decided I need to
make a trip and get some for tonight.  'Flowers' I thought as I was leaving
the wine store and made another stop to get a nice arrangement.  Back home
I started getting things ready.  A garden salad to start with followed by a
nice roast of beef slow cooked, some baked potatoes and some asparagus with
a nice creamy sauce; to end the evening, some tiramisu.

   I noticed it was after 5 and a final check of the arrangements was in
order.  I looked at my dining room and saw that everything was ready.  The
nice red wine I'd purchased had been uncorked and was breathing and in view
of Jordan's age, I made sure a bottle of sparkling non-alcoholic wine was
available.  I decided to wait until the ladies arrived to get Trish's okay
on the wine.  I went to the kitchen and brought out the salads and set them
at each place.  Back in the kitchen, the roast was resting waiting to be
carved and the balance of the main course was in covered dishes.  There was
nothing to do now but wait.

   'Ding Dong'

   "Come on in" I called and soon Trish and Jordan came around the corner.

   "Oh my, this smells absolutely wonderful.  I was quite surprised when
Jordan told me you said you enjoyed cooking."

   "It's something that I've always liked doing and now that I'm here on my
own, it's either eat out, order in or microwave dinners.  I'd sooner make
my own and with me setting my own hours, I can juggle my money earning work
to allow me to spend time in the kitchen."

   I looked down and sure enough, there was Maxie waiting to be petted. 
Once Maxie was petted and cooed at, I looked at the two ladies.

   "Please, let's go and eat.  I have a salad already set out.  Trish, will
you allow Jordan to have a glass of wine with us?  If not I have a bottle
of non-alcoholic wine."

   Trish looked at Jordan "Just one glass, okay?"

   Jordan nodded and we sat down and ate.  The meal went off spectacularly
and the ladies were awed by the tiramisu.

   "Can't have this too often," Trish said, "or I'll never be able to get
into my uniform."

   I just smiled.

   *****

   Over the following months, the three of us spent time with one another
on a semi regular basis.  We got into a rhythm of a meal at my place then
the next time a meal at Trish and Jordan's.  I admitted to myself that the
main reason to keep up the closer contact with Trish was a desire to see if
there was any spark of romance in our relationship.  Sadly (or so it
seemed) the spark just wasn't there and while our relationship never went
any further than a threesome trip to the aquarium or a picnic, we became
fast friends and often chatted on the phone a couple of times a week.

   In addition to the times when the three of us were together, I
frequently had a visit from Jordan.  I laid down a rule that she couldn't
come over before 1pm to allow me uninterrupted time to do my work.  On
occasion I'd still be working and I'd either get Jordan to sit in the den
and read or watch TV or if the weather was nice, take Maxie out into the
yard and play with her.  As happened on a couple of occasions, sadly I had
to apologize that I couldn't take the time to visit with her as I had a
deadline to meet.  Trish had talked to Jordan and explained that a
situation like this might happen and to not feel upset.  On the occasions
when that happened, I made it up to Jordan the next time she was over by
doing something special with her.

   School was back in and Jordan was going to be fourteen in a few weeks.
Over the last five months, Jordan had started to physically mature.  Gone
was the 'straight as a pole' figure and starting to take its place was the
familiar 'hourglass' shape.  Her breasts, while still quite small were now
at least noticeable and she was starting to get a nicely shaped bum.

   One evening I got a call from Trish and after our usual catching up on
things, there was a noticeable pause on Trish's end.  "Brian, I'm not sure
I should be doing this, but I've exhausted all my other options.  I have to
go away for two weeks to take a refresher course for work.  It's not
offered here and I've postponed doing it several times.  Today the hammer
came down - go this time or be laid off."

   I heard her start crying and interrupted.  "Trish, stay there, let me
come over and we'll sort things out.  Okay?" Trish acquiesced so I grabbed
a jacket and walked over to her house.  We'd become used to just knocking
and walking in and calling out as we entered and that's what I did.

   "Okay, I understand that you have to go and take the course, but I must
be dense as I'm not sure what the problem is.  Is it the cost of the
course?"

   "Oh Brian, no, the hospital is paying for the course," she said then
after a quick glance at Jordan, continued.  "The problem is I have no one
to look after Jordan for that two week period."

   'Of course, you stupid fool' I said to myself.  "I'm sorry, I never even
thought about that.  Of course Jordan can stay with me.  I have the spare
bedroom and Jordan knows her way around the house.  I'm positive Maxie will
be delighted to have her there.  If you have a problem like that in the
future, Jordan is more than welcome to stay with me."

   "Oh thanks," she said coming over and hugging and kissing me.  Jordan
watched this and started to smile with a twinkle in her eyes.  I think she
was hoping romance might happen.  Finally Trish finally managed to regain
her composure.  "I had to go away once just for one night and I managed to
beg one of my workmates to keep Jordan for that one night but she has a
house full of kids and one is disabled so it was a lot of extra stress for
her.  I couldn't do it again."

   'Ah ha!' I said to myself, 'so that's why Jordan wasn't there that day.'
"Trish, when are you leaving?" I asked.

   "I need to leave Sunday afternoon..." (this was Friday) "Is it possible
you can take Jordan until the 17th?"

   "Of course, of course.  If you need time to get ready, Jordan can come
over before that."

   "Oh that would be wonderful.  I've been trying to study but with the
need to make meals, do laundry, etc.  it's been difficult.  If Jordan
stayed with you starting tomorrow morning I could cram without worrying
about anything."

   I thought for a second then looked over at Jordan.  "How long will it
take you to get PJs and stuff for tonight and whatever you'll need for
tomorrow morning?" I asked.  I turned back to Trish.  "I'll take Jordan
over to my house tonight.  We can come back tomorrow morning sometime -
whenever you're taking a break - and get whatever else she needs.  If
Jordan missed something she can come over here and get it or we can hit a
store." I turned back to Jordan.  "Is that alright with you?" I asked her.

   Jordan didn't have to say a word.  The ear-to-ear smile on her face and
the squirming of her body told me she was pleased.  "Oh Brian, YES!  YES!"

   Trish and I grinned at her enthusiastic response.  "Okay, go get what
you need for overnight.  Hurry." Trish told Jordan.

   Once Jordan was on her way, I looked at Trish again.  "Trish, I think
you'd better write a note giving me 'in loco-parentis' rights for the time
you're gone." Trish looked at me not sure what I was talking about.  "The
term 'in loco-parentis' means 'in the place of a parent'.  It will allow me
to take Jordan to the hospital if, god forbid, that becomes necessary or if
there is some issue at school.  You'll also need to write down the details
of your family doctor, your health insurance information and where I can
reach you if I need to."

   "Oh, I'd never even given that a thought.  Can it wait until tomorrow?"

   "Oh sure, just as long as I have the note before you leave.  You can
include any other information that you think I might need." I saw Jordan
coming down the hall.  "Ready?" A nod.  "Okay, give Mom a hug and kiss and
we'll head out."

   Jordan set her bag down and ran over to her mom.  "G'nite Mom, see you
in the morning" she said as she hugged her mom.  Trish grabbed her and gave
her a kiss.  I smiled, held out my hand which Jordan took and out the door
we went.