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 Chapter 5

   When we got back to my house, Jordan and I put clean linen on the bed.
"The bedding that's on the bed is clean but it's been on there for a quite
a while.  Let's put some sheets on the bed that've been washed recently and
have a fresher scent." I told her.  After the bed was made I went out and
sat on the couch while Jordan got things organized.  Pretty soon I sensed
Jordan coming in to join me.

   "Can I sit beside you?" she asked.

   "Of course, come here," and I lifted my arm to allow her to snuggle up
to my side.

   Jordan was quiet for a moment then turned and looked at me.  "Is Maxie
allowed up on the couch?" she asked.

   I smiled, "Yes, but she has to be on her special blanket - the one on
the shelf above where her food and water dishes are." Jordan ran and got
the blanket and spread it on the couch beside her.  "Look straight at Maxie
and pat the blanket while you do it.  That's her signal that she's allowed
up." Jordan did that and soon Maxie was snuggled up tight to Jordan's side.

   Jordan was quiet for a while then in a very quiet and sad sounding voice
told me that she missed cuddling up with her dad.  I didn't say anything
and just let Jordan stay beside me.  I'd turned the TV on and was watching
some documentary when I notice that Jordan was starting to look quite
sleepy.  "Jordan, you're starting to fall asleep.  Maybe you should go to
bed." I told her.

   "Mmm, okay...  but when I'm in bed I want you to come and kiss me
goodnight.  Okay?" she replied in a somewhat sad voice.  I smiled and
assured her that I'd be in to give her a goodnight kiss when she called. 
With that she got up and left to get ready for bed.  Since Jordan had been
a frequent visitor, she knew where the facilities were so that was
something I didn't need to worry about.

   After a few minutes I heard the sound of the toilet being flushed then
heard Jordan asking me to come and kiss her.

   I went into the spare bedroom to see Jordan all snuggled down in the
bed. "Is the bed comfy enough?" I asked.

   "Oh, yeah, it's really nice," she replied.

   I sat on the edge of the bed, leaned over and kissed her cheek.  "Good
night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite." I told her repeating the
age old saying.  Jordan giggled and smiled.  I got up, turned out the light
and left, shutting the door behind me.

   The next morning I got up and started my regular morning bathroom
routine.  I'd shaved and was showering when I heard Jordan outside.

   "Brian, I gotta pee.  Can I come in?"

   I looked and saw that the shower curtain would hide me.  "Okay, come
in."

   Pretty soon I heard the sound of Jordan peeing and discovered that, for
some reason, I was mildly aroused.  'Get a grip!' I told myself 'She's just
a young girl for Pete's sake!'

   Jordan jolted me out of my thoughts.  "Thanks, Brian.  I'll wait in my
room until you're done then I'll shower.  Okay?"

   "That's fine.  I won't be long." I replied and soon heard the sound of
the bathroom door closing.  I finished up, found a new bath towel for
Jordan and went out and told her that she could have the bathroom.  I'd fed
Maxie and was sitting in the kitchen drinking my first cup of coffee when
Jordan came out to join me.

   "What's for breakfast?" she asked as she reached down to pet Maxie.

   'Oh yeah,' I thought, 'teenagers are bottomless pits when it comes to
food.' "Well, there's cereal in that cupboard...  (pointing) or I can make
toast.  What would you like?"

   Jordan ran over and checked out the cereal and decided that toast
sounded better.  I got things out and started making the toast and asked
Jordan to set the table for us.

   "Pour each of us a glass of OJ, if you would, please." I asked.

   It was so pleasant to have a breakfast companion.  Having been by myself
for so long, I'd forgotten just how nice it was.  Finally Jordan decided
she'd had enough toast and we cleaned up the kitchen.

   "I guess we'd better stay around until your mom calls but after she
leaves tomorrow, I'll take you to the zoo, is that okay?" I almost fell
over as Jordan jumped into my arms to hug me.

   "Brian, you're so nice.  Thank you." she said.

   I looked at her and smiled.  "On second thoughts, maybe the zoo wouldn't
be such a good idea.  Maybe the keepers will think you're one of the
monkeys that got loose..."

   "Ow, that hurt," I said with a smile as Jordan punched me in the arm.

   "It's not nice to tease!" she said with a fake pout, then giggled.

   For the rest of the morning we looked after ourselves.  I did a bit of
work on a long term project that I had and Jordan played with her tablet,
watched a bit of TV and entertained Maxie.  I was pleased she seemed
interested in nature programs on TV today rather than just what seem to be
mindless teen programs that are being aired on TV.

   I noticed the time was approaching noon and started to think about lunch
for Jordan and me.  I got some bacon out in preparation for making BLT
sandwiches for us when the phone rang - Trish.  "Good morning, how are
you."

   "I'm wondering how I ever retained this stuff originally.  I think I'm
going into overload.  Can Jordan come and get the rest of the stuff she
needs for the next week?"

   I called Jordan and gave her the phone.

   "Hi mom...  Okay, I'll be there in a right away...  Oh wait, Brian wants
to talk to you." she handed the phone back to me.

   "I was getting ready to make lunch for Jordan and myself.  How about I
make lunch for three?  I'll send Jordan home and when she's got everything
she needs, you two can bring it over and I'll have your lunch waiting for
you."

   Trish agreed and off Jordan went.

   About 20 minutes later I heard the door open and in came Trish and
Jordan.  "I'm not sure why she needs all this..." Trish pointed to the
suitcases "but here she is."

   I laughed and helped them get things into the bedroom.  I left them to
sort things out and went back to the lunch making.  I had everything
prepared, just needed to put the sandwiches together.

   "Mmm, smells good." Trish said.

   "We're having BLT sandwiches - Brian told me." piped up Jordan.

   I smiled, and quickly finished my sandwich assembly.

   "There you are, ladies; the sandwich special of the day." I said as I
put a plate in front of each of them.  Trish looked at me and gave me a big
smile.  It was obvious she was very pleased to have lunch prepared for her.

   "Before I leave, here's the stuff we talked about last night" Trish said
after we'd cleaned up.  I went over everything with her and she'd done as I
had asked.

   "Trish, when you get back, I'd like to talk to you about this in more
detail." I said once we'd gone over all the documentation she'd given me.
"I have some thoughts but they need some discussion when you're not rushed.
Go back and do whatever you need.  I'd like to make you supper tonight -
spaghetti and meatballs at 5:00 sound okay?"

   Trish came and gave me a hug.  "You're such a wonderful guy.  I'll be
here at 5:00," and off she went.