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“Only do that if it’s what you want,” she said.
“We’ll be able to compare notes. It’ll be good for me. And then I won’t be hounding you to marry me, because I’ll have my goal to reach, too.”
“Marry? Jake…”
“I know. It’s just the way we do it in our family. We get married.”
“It’s too early to talk about that, okay? I’m getting nervous now.”
“No nerves. No marriage talk, then.”
The microwave pinged. “Saved by the bell,” she said, chuckling.
They sat in front of the TV to eat. “The real dining room,” Jake said.
“Are you too tired to play a game of Scrabble?” she asked.
“I’m not very good at words,” he said, laughing.
“We can cheat and use a dictionary,” she replied. “I’m afraid if I lie on the couch to watch TV anymore tonight, my brain will turn to mush.”
After they ate, they sat at the kitchen table and played Scrabble until after midnight.
“This is what happens when I nap all afternoon. I stay up half the night playing games.”
She won, but not by much.
“You did that on purpose,” Jake said.
“I did no such thing. I’m ruthless about winning,” she said. “You did well, Jake. I was ready to make a killing and you almost beat me.”
“Right, Geri,” he said, laughing out loud.
When she yawned, he took her by the hand. “It’s bedtime. Where are my sheets?”
“They’re in the dryer,” she said.
“You washed them already? I only used them one night.”
“I didn’t think you’d be back so soon,” she answered.
Chapter 5
The big white pickup truck pulled next to a line of big pickup trucks. Jake parked next to Tony, who would be leaving for home after a three-day shift. He was at the flagpole, raising the flag.
“Morning. I have a truck full of food from Ma,” Jake called.
“We had a quiet weekend and all I did was eat. I’m still full from last night,” Tony replied, walking over to the truck. “I thought you’d drive in with Geri.”
“We didn’t stay together last night. I guess Mom’s been filling everyone in,” Jake said, snickering. “Just so you know, I slept on the couch.”
“Why don’t you two just move in together?” Tony asked. “Why torture yourself?”
“It’s gotta be longer than a week, that’s why. Anyway, get your food out of the back. I’d better get in before Charlie has my neck.”
“Geri’s here already.”
Jake nodded, the anticipation of seeing her building after a long night alone. The first person he saw when he entered the garage was Geri on top of a rig with a rag and a can of chrome polish. She waved the white rag and he laughed out loud.
