The Fourth of July

It was July 3rd, and I had been spending the week at my daughter's house in Maryland. Emily was the oldest of my two children and I had been divorced from her mother for almost 40 years. For 10 of those years, I raised her and her sister Jane by myself before remarrying. My second marriage had also ended in divorce a few years ago. The first year after divorcing her stepmother Emily and Jane were intent on finding me a new significant other. It was a little easier then because I initially rented a small apartment across the street from Emily and not too far from Jane before I settled in Florida. Even Maryland was too damn cold for me.

Emily's neighbor had a long dock on the river, and I loved to sit on the dock and read. I heard Emily's footsteps on the dock and put my book down.

"Dad, I have a friend coming over tomorrow I would like you to meet."

I sighed, Emily was hosting a 4th of July party tomorrow, mostly her and her husband's friends. Emily was a professor at the local private college so a few of her coworkers would be there along with some of her husband's family.

"We discussed this, Emily; I asked you and your sister nicely to stop trying to fix me up with people plus there's a woman in Florida named Donna I told you I was interested in."

"You've been interested in her for months now and you haven't moved from the friend stage and if it hasn't happened yet it probably won't. This wasn't my idea anyway."

"Your house, your party, your friend, what am I missing."

"We were out for drinks last night with a bunch of people from the university many of whom were coming tomorrow. Jesse has recently divorced and is not taking it well. Out of the blue her husband dropped divorce papers on her and left the state. Other people suggested that Jesse come to the party tomorrow. We all had a few drinks, and they started telling Jesse she had to meet my father who would make her forget all about her shithead ex-husband."

"So, this isn't about you setting me up with somebody but your drunken coworkers setting her up with me, is that the story you're selling me?"

"Please just be nice to her dad, she's fragile. We both know how much divorce fucks with your self-esteem."

Emily's first husband was a dick and if I had connections he would be sleeping with the fishes.

"Have I ever been less than nice to any of the women you or your sister introduced me to?"

"More than one left in tears dad."

"Not that I remember but I promise to be nice, I also volunteered to man the grill remember."

"Please man the grill dad, or my husband will, and do I have to remind you of the last time he did."

That first year after the divorce was rough. My ex and I were fighting over stupid shit, our bargain basement lawyers sucked and the last thing I wanted was another woman in my life. I don't think I was rude to any of the women my daughters introduced me to, but life sucked at the time.

On the morning of the fourth I was again on the dock reading. Emily's house was way too chaotic for me as people were preparing sides and coolers. Her in-laws were there, and her father-in-law was a pompous ass who I detested but he wanted to be my buddy.

I could always recognize Emily's footsteps on the dock, and I reluctantly put my book down. Emily wasn't alone, she handed me a cold soda and introduced me to Jesse. They sat down and Emily chatted away for a few minutes and then left me.

Jesse was attractive and looked like she was ready to dart.

"What do you teach Jesse?"

"English Literature," she said. Well at least her answer wasn't one word.

"That covers a lot of ground doesn't it," I said with a smile.

She looked up at me, caught the smile and said, "Mostly 20th century American authors. What are you reading?"

I showed her the book I was reading by a prewar German author.

"I loved this guy, and I think I read most of his works. I have a signed first printing at home of another one of his books."

And then we were off, discussing our favorite authors and our favorite books by them. Emily was calling me; it was time to man the grill. Jesse and I headed up to Emily's house and I was enjoying the way her ass was rocking the shorts she was wearing.

After saying hello to the other guests, I took over the grill from my son-in-law. Most of the time I didn't mind manning the grill, but you were kind of tied to it. Like when Emily's father-in-law came over and started talking politics with me. Fortunately, the first round of burgers were finishing so I handed him a tray of burgers and asked him to pass them around. And then Jesse was back, we had moved on from authors and were talking about our other likes. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of blue, but I didn't tell her that.

Jesse wanted a well-done burger without cheese, and she went and sat with the other people from the university.

As I manned the grill, Emily came up to me and smiled. "What do you think about Jesse?"

"She seems nice and attractive. But I'm leaving in two days Em, not a lot of time to move from "it was a pleasure to meet you?"

"Well, there is no reason you must leave in two days, and you could always invite her to Florida. Classes don't start back up until the end of August." I looked at her like she had three heads.

After the grill was shut down, I ended up spending more time with Jesse, it seemed every time I turned around, she was standing next to me and staring at me. The more we talked, the more differences emerged, I was an outdoor type, that's what drew me to Florida in the first place. Also, she had no interest in retiring, which was the major cause of my second divorce. But I smiled through the evening.

Jesse and I shared a pleasant goodbye, and she kissed my cheek.

"Well dad," Emily started as soon as she saw Jesse's car pull away.

"She is nice and attractive, but it would be like getting involved with your stepmother all over again. She has no interest in retiring and is not the outdoors type."

"You didn't notice the way she was looking at you Dad. She would put her papers in tomorrow if you asked."

"We hardly know each other; Jesse would retire if asked by a man she met at a barbecue? And she's not old enough to retire."

"What can I say, you charmed her panties off. Glad to see you still have it Dad."

"Now you're taunting me so I'm going to bed."

"And you don't have to leave in two days..."

Emily was going out to dinner with a couple of other professors the next night and wanted me to come along. I told her I was packing so I could hit the road early the next day. She wasn't happy.

She came to see me when she got home from the dinner. "Jesse was there Dad, she hardly ever comes to dinners like that and even when she does, she barely says anything. She was disappointed you didn't show."

"Did you tell her I was leaving?"

"I did and I thought she was going to cry. I wanted you to be nice to her dad, not make her fall in love with you?"

"I did nothing to make her fall in love with me. Is she crazy?"

"Maybe, all she talked about all night was you, how good looking you were, your physique, your smile, how you made her the perfect burger. I'm not saying she was wrong, but I wanted to barf. I said her ex wrecked her self-confidence and you certainly helped restore it. I didn't know her well before her divorce, we teach in different departments but she's friends with Amy who I am friends with. You've met Amy plenty of times and I'm betting Amy is behind getting Jesse invited yesterday."

"I'm getting the feeling you're going to ask me to do something Emily, do you want to cut to the chase?"

"Call her dad, or text her before you leave, a simple "pleasure to meet you" or something like that. What's the worst that could happen?"

"I'll text her in the morning before I leave."

Emily was up before me and made me some coffee and eggs. "Don't forget to text Jesse, I'll send you her number."

As directed, I sent Jesse a text saying it was a pleasure to meet her, she quickly responded that meeting me was the highlight of her fourth. I showed it to Emily.

"You should be happy you can still wow the opposite sex and stop waiting on that woman in Florida."

"There are few women who look good on a bicycle seat Emily."

"TMI dad and you don't know how Jesse looks on a bicycle seat."

"Goodbye Em, and thanks for housing me for a week."

There was another text from Jesse when I started the jeep: "please let me know when you're safe and sound in Florida."

"Ok, but I don't try and do it in one day. I'll spend a night in a hotel in Georgia."

"Then please let me know when you're safe and sound in Georgia and Florida."

"Ok," I said and then took a screen shot and sent it to Emily.

After telling her I was safe in my hotel room that night, we swapped a bunch of texts, mostly Jesse asking me about where I was and was it safe. I found out she rarely traveled outside of the area where she grew up.

I sent her a quote by St. Augustine, "The world is a book and those that do not travel read only one page."

Jesse responded that traveling was something she would do later and wanted to know where I have traveled. I told her, Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, Scotland, two cities in England plus Stonehenge, Norway, Sweden, Vancouver, Toronto, and then a bunch of cities in the states.

There was silence for a while then her text read, "Emily said you went to most of those places by yourself." I wasn't sure if that was a question or a statement. I simply responded, "Yes."

"Why," she asked.

"Why not, there's places I want to go, I don't need someone to travel with."

There was another long break, and she said, "Good night Jack, it was a pleasure texting with you. Safe travels tomorrow and please tell me you made it home safe."

In the morning, I sent Emily a text, telling her about my exchanges with Jesse. Emily told me that Jesse wanted to know who I was doing all this traveling with, really, she wanted to know if there was someone else in your life and I assured her there wasn't.

Telling Jesse I was home started another series of text messages, and she asked for pictures. I sent her a picture looking outside my lanai and a short video tour of my condo ending in my garage. She wanted to know why I had three bikes, and I explained the multiple bike clubs I belonged to. We went back and forth the rest of the day, was it hot? Was it rainy? Were there alligators? She was shocked when I told her there were alligators everywhere.

I got the sense she was looking for an invite, so I invited her down. There was nothing from Jesse for almost an hour which gave me time to unload the jeep and get laundry going. Emily sent me a text saying she was on the phone with Jesse, she wants to know if you're an ax murderer.

Jesse sent me a text, "Would you expect me to have sex with you if I came down."

"No Jesse I would not, we really don't know each other that well. But you are a very attractive woman so maybe someday."

"Ok Jack, Emily said you're not an axe murderer so I'm going to turn the page even though I've never flown before."

"Emily has flown here before; she can help you with all the arrangements. Just send me all the details."

It was another two weeks before Jesse would come down, there was a lot of discussion on how long she could stay, and she eventually settled on three weeks. She always had the option of rescheduling her flight. After three weeks she would need to be home for the fall semester.

We probably spent most of those two weeks texting each other and I was surprised at how far I had to swipe up to find her flight details.

I met Jesse at the baggage carousel, and she gave me big hug and a kiss on the cheek. She had two very large suitcases with her that barely fit in my jeep. I teased her about how long she was planning on staying and did she leave any of her clothes at home. After getting settled into the guest room, I took her for a walk through the complex and Jesse quickly took my hand. Although I owned a three-bedroom condo, most of the complex was devoted to single family homes with some going for over seven million.

After an afternoon nap, I took Jesse out to dinner. It was weird since we had known each other for less than a month, we had texted every day, but this was the closest we came to our first date.

"Please be patient with me Jack, I haven't been out with another man besides my husband in over twenty years. I guess this is our first date, can I call it that?"

"I was thinking the same thing Jesse, and you are certainly worth my patience."

"Are you trying to talk my panties off?"

"No Jesse, this is all at your pace."

"What if I decide I want to keep my panties on for the three weeks?"

"I think that may be difficult in the shower or when we go swimming but as we discussed in our texts, I will not try and seduce you. But that doesn't mean you can't try and seduce me," I said with a smile and a wink.

Any time we were walking near each other, Jesse went for my hand. I didn't mind but it had been a long time since I walked and held hands with someone. We spent the week touring my area of Florida. I rented Jesse an e-bike and after she got comfortable, she joined me on some of my club rides.

Donna, the woman I told Emily I was interested in was there. Normally she is always very warm and welcoming when we're together. Donna took one look at Jesse and turned away.

I was enjoying my time with Jesse, we rode either with a club or by ourselves, we walked different nature preserves, Jesse got over her fear of alligators and we would generally go out to dinner.

We were halfway through her first week when she asked what my number was, I was surprised by her question.

"You've been married twice Jack, so your number is at least double mine, so what's your number?"

"To be honest I don't really know, there were some before my first marriage, more in between marriages and none after my second marriage."

"You've been divorced for three years, and you haven't been with anyone in that time?"

"Nope, I was never one to jump into bed with a woman without getting to know her, I mean I'm not an angel but most of the women I slept with were part of a longer-term relationship. And your ex-husband is your one and only?"

"Yes, I had just turned 18 and started college. He was 24, a grad student and a teaching assistant. I decided to go all the way with Bill, and it turned into a disaster. The condom he was wearing fell off and we couldn't get it out; I had to go to an emergency room. And a month later I found out I was pregnant with my oldest. His family pressured him into marrying me. A year later I had my second. Bill cheated on me almost from the beginning. I don't think we had sex for the last fifteen years of our marriage mostly because I was afraid of catching something from him."

"Why did you finally divorce him?"

"My two daughters knew he was cheating on me and said I should find somebody worthy of me."

"Did you really go fifteen years without sex?" That came out before I had a chance to stop myself and Jesse turned fifty shades of red. "I withdraw the question and please excuse me," I said.

During the next couple of days, Jesse would bring up sex by asking me a question, like did I ever have anal sex with a woman, did I ever have a threesome, did I ever have sex with a man. I never considered myself a player in any way but only the question regarding sex with a man received a negative answer. Jesse asked me besides having sex with a man, is there anything I haven't done. Serious S&M I said and then had to explain to her what I meant by that.

On the evening of the seventh day, Jesse and I were watching a movie on TV with some wine. Like every night before, Jesse was in a bathrobe that looked like she stole it from a hotel.

"How would I seduce you, Jack?" I should not have been surprised by her question based on the other things she asked me, but I was surprised to be honest.

"You're a beautiful woman Jesse; it wouldn't be hard. Can I ask you a question, would you like to make love with me?"

"I thought you would never ask."

I stood up and offered Jesse my hand. Jesse dropped the robe revealing some very sexy lingerie underneath.

"Consider me seduced Jesse," as I took her into my arms and kissed her deeply. My hands drifted down to her ass, and she moaned as I squeezed her cheeks. She moaned again as I played with her nipple. Jesse gasped as my hand slid into the front of her g-string and found her very wet pussy.

I laid her back on the bed and untied the string holding the top of her negligee closed, revealing her tits. It was clear to me that Jesse was going to let me run the show. She wasn't going to just lay there either, I took one of her breasts into my mouth and she lifter her ass a foot off the bed.

But what I really wanted was to taste her, after sliding her g-string off and enjoyed her scent, I started licking her lips. As soon as my tongue touched her clit she came and locked her shivering legs around my head like a vice. I gave her a few minutes to calm down and kissed her thighs. She let me lick her clit a little longer the next time before her legs started shaking.

After three times, I slid up and started pushing my cock in, she was tight but not as tight as I feared seeing as she hadn't had sex in 15 years. She was doing the leg shake thing after a few strokes. Besides a few 'oh fuck' and several drawn out sheesh, she didn't say much or initiate anything. Jesse was very responsive, wrapping her arms around me and holding me tight. I lifted her legs over my shoulders and started diving deeper. Jesse grabbed my ass and pulled me in deeper. I wasn't going to last much longer and the second time she grabbed my ass I announced I was coming and followed through a minute later.

We were laying there and a few seconds later, Jesse cupped her pussy and ran down the hall.

She came back a few minutes later with panties on, "I forgot all about that, but I certainly don't remember there being that much. I left a trail to the guest room, but I think I cleaned it all up."

Jesse grabbed a damp wash cloth and proceeded to clean my cock. When she was satisfied, I was clean enough, she laid down next to me and laid her head on my chest. I felt a tear on my chest.

"Are you okay Jesse."

"I'm sorry Jack, I just kind of laid there and let you rock my world."

"You were very responsive to my touch Jesse, that isn't just lying there. I certainly enjoyed myself."

"Are you just saying that to make me feel better?"

"Absolutely not, I hope you enjoyed yourself."

"My husband never made me come Jack, and I think I came six times tonight although one was so long it might have been two. Do you think less of me for coming on to you?"

"Not at all Jesse, I was praying you would. You rock those biking shorts; it's a true pleasure to bike behind you but it certainly makes it difficult to remain a gentleman."

"If I didn't throw myself at you, would you have started anything?"

"First, you didn't throw yourself at me, you let me know you wanted to move our relationship to another level. And I told you before you came down here that I wasn't expecting sex. I'm certainly happy we made love."

The second night started as a repeat of the first, I licked Jesse to several orgasms. I started pushing my cock in and I heard Jesse moan, but it wasn't a moan of pleasure. Jesse was gritting her teeth when I looked at her and there were tears in her eyes.

"What's the matter Jesse," I asked as I rolled off her.

"I'm sorry Jack, I'm really sore down there."

"Why didn't you tell me before I started hurting you or as soon as you realized I was hurting you?"

Jesse stormed off into the living room. "I didn't want to disappoint you," she cried.

"Jesse, please don't ever let me hurt you again unless I'm giving you a good spanking and you earned one tonight."

"Jack, you can't even remember the number of women you've been with, and my number is two and there was a 15-year gap before last night. I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing or what I shouldn't be doing."

"Relax Jesse, the best part of sex is figuring out what your partner likes, playing with each other's bodies, gently pushing boundaries."

Jesse started pacing the living room, "My husband's excuse for cheating was that I never wanted to expand my boundaries, I never let him lick me down there mostly because I never wanted to lick him down there. I suppose you're going to want me to blow you, but I don't know how."

"There's plenty of 'how to' videos online Jesse."

She gave me a playful slap on my arm, "Wait a minute, you're serious, aren't you?"

I smiled.

"And you're going to want me to swallow your stuff too?"

My smile grew.

"I was pretty sure I would have sex with you while I was here, even before I got on the plane. And I promised myself I would not say no to anything, so I'll blow you and swallow your stuff."

My smile grew bigger.

"You'll want my ass too I guess."

I don't think my smile could grow any bigger.

Jesse sat down next to me and took my cock in her hand. "Tell me what to do Jack."

"I can tell you what I like but I think the videos would help more. But start by kneeling between my knees. Part of what makes a good blow job is making your man believe you love having his cock in your mouth. Now take my cock into your mouth, get it wet, suck on it, rub your tongue around it and feel it grow in your mouth. Look at me while you're doing it, show me what a good cock sucker you are."

Jesse paused for a second when I called her a cock sucker but went right back to work.

"You can give your mouth a rest and stroke my cock for a bit. Rub it on your face or your nipples. And remember to smile."

My cock was almost fully erect when she took me back in her mouth and gagged.

"Is your pussy wet Jesse?"

She immediately pulled off my cock, "You expect me to touch myself Jack?"

"Well, you made it clear yesterday that you've been touching yourself for the last 15 years, so why not?" For a second I thought I pushed her too far.

Jesse sat back with her legs spread and began rubbing her fingers up and down her lips.

"I'm dripping wet Jack"

"Let me taste you Jesse." She held her fingers to my lips, and I sucked them clean.

"Put them back in your pussy and get them wet again."

Jesse lifted her fingers back to my lips, but I pushed them to hers and she took them into her mouth without hesitation.

"Now if you don't mind, I have a cock to suck. What Jesse lacked in experience, she made up for in gusto plus she kept playing with her pussy and clit so much she came on her hand.

"I'm going to come soon Jesse, get ready to swallow."

My cock started filling her mouth with my come and I watched her cheeks begin to bulge.

"Swallow Jesse."

I watched her throat flex as she swallowed my come and then she opened her mouth to show me it was empty.

"I sucked cock for the first time, swallowed come for the first time and masturbated myself to orgasm in front of someone for the first time and it's only the second day we've been sexually active. What else do you have instore for me Jack?"

"Well, there's dozens of other positions we haven't tried."

We fucked like rabbits every night for the rest of the second week. It rained the entire weekend, and we never got dressed except for Jesse wearing panties to keep my come from running down her leg. Jesse never said no to any sex act for the last two weeks she was there.

Jesse seemed to really enjoy the outdoors, even kayaking after she got over her fear of alligators. Our sex life was great; I started looking at her as a woman who was checking all the boxes and was greatly disappointed when it was time for her to leave. Jesse had tears in her eyes as we said our goodbyes at the airport.

The texting picked up before she boarded the plane and continued well into the evening and the next day. Suddenly it dropped to near zero. I would send her a text and wait a day for her response. Maybe reality kicked in when she got home. I was surprised at how disappointed I was, which was probably why I avoided dating anybody.

Somehow Emily and Jesse's mutual friend Amy got my number. I had met Amy a dozen times at least. She sent me a text right after Jesse returned telling me Jesse was madly in love with me. A week later she sent me a text saying that Jesse was dating another professor. Another week goes by, and Amy tells me things are getting serious between Amy and a professor named Peter.

I was hurt, rational me said I had no reason to be hurt, but that didn't stop the ache.

I started planning my fall cruise like I took every year. There had been some hope Jesse might join me but that wasn't going to happen.

A month after she returned to Maryland, she sent me a text asking how I was doing. I ignored it and the dozen or so texts that followed.

And then Emily called me, "Dad, are you ghosting Jesse. She called me up sobbing, I could barely understand what she was saying."

"Em, please stay out of this. But she ghosted me soon after returning to Maryland and has been dating other people. We got along great when she was down here, but I guess she found someone else."

"Did she hurt your feelings, Dad?"

"You know I don't have any. Tell her I've been really busy or whatever you want, tell her I'm dead. I don't care. I'm blocking her number."

"Wow, she really did hurt your feelings, I'm sorry dad and I'm sorry for my role in this."

"I have no feelings to hurt Emily. Love you, bye"

Now I was angry that Jesse would bring Emily into this picture. As I was cursing her, she called me. Although tempted to let it go to voice mail, I answered. It was time to close the Jesse chapter.

"Hi Jack, I've been trying to get a hold of you."

"I've been busy Jesse, what can I do for you?"

"Why are you being so cold to me Jack?"

"I'm busy Jesse, trying to get ready for a camping and kayaking trip." I lied.

"I was thinking of coming down over thanksgiving break, what do you think Jack?"

"I'll be in the Caribbean on a cruise ship over thanksgiving. I go on a cruise every thanksgiving. I think I told you that before."

"Maybe I can go on the cruise with you?"

"Do you think Peter would be okay with that?"

"Jack, do you have someone spying on me."

"Not spies Jesse, just people watching out for me. I must go." Jesse was trying to say something as I hung up and tried calling right back, that call went to voice mail and I blocked her number. I really did have to go meet Donna, not for anything romantic. She was having problems with her laptop, and I offered to take a look at it.

On the way to Donna's, Emily called me again. "Let me guess Emily, Jesse called you again."

"Yes dad, she was accusing me of spying on her and telling you she was seeing someone up here. I told I had no idea she was and if I did, I certainly would have told my father. Then she went into some tripe about how it's not what he thinks, and she needs to explain it, but you won't take her calls. She thinks you blocked her."

"I did block her. This is a conversation I should not be having with my daughter but since you're already sucked in... When Jesse was down here I though we really connected, she seemed to really enjoy the outdoor activities we did every day and the bedroom activities. I was thinking she checked all the boxes when she left and then she ghosted me. I found out that she had started dating other people and one guy named Peter more seriously. We never said we were exclusive and if she wanted to move on that's fine."

"What a fucking mess Dad, I think I know Peter. He is a professor in Jesse's department. I don't know him well, not any more than Jesse. If she calls back, I'm going to tell her to leave you the fuck alone."

"I would like that Emily. I have to go, I'm at Donna's."

"Still trying to move out of the friend stage, good luck dad."

Emily called me around nine the next morning, "Dad, maybe Jesse is crazy. She was waiting for her dean to come in and wanted a leave of absence. We don't really get vacation days. Of course, he refused her request, we're already five weeks into the semester. And then she quit, just up and quit. What a shitstorm as they try and get someone to cover her classes. She'll never work again at this level, maybe a community college."

I thanked her for the update. I was on my way to a bike ride and put Jesse out of my head. My friends in the bike club helped distract my attention.

I never lock my condo and was surprised to find a red eyed Jesse in my living room with a suitcase.

"What are you doing here Jesse?"

"I need to talk to you Jack, I need to explain Peter. Please let me explain."

She came over to me and wrapped her arms around me, sobbing on my shoulder. I did not return the hug. And then Donna was yelling up from the bottom of the steps.

"Jack, it's me, Donna."

Jesse collapsed, fortunately I was able to catch her before she hit the floor. Donna had just come into the living room, and I yelled out for help. We got Jesse laid out on the couch. Donna is a nurse, a semiretired nurse so I let her take over. I called Amy and told her what happened, and she was going to contact Jesse's daughter and have her call me.

Jesse's daughter Liz called me minutes later, "Oh my god Jack, is my mother okay? What happened?"

"There's a nurse here checking her out now, as far as what happened I don't know. She was talking to me and just collapsed."

"This is all my fault Jack, all my fault. My mom came home singing praises to your name, you were her gift from god. I told her every man was a gift from god compared to my father and she needed to date some other men to find out if you were really that special. She was screaming at me yesterday, she lost her one true love because of my advice. Jack, please forgive her or she'll never talk to me again."

"Liz, what's to keep her from taking similar advice from someone else a year from now?"

"Because she won't."

"You're so convincing Liz, it looks like Jesse is coming too. Let me call you back."

"Jesse, when was the last time you ate or what did you have to drink," Donna asked.

"I don't know, the last couple of days have been the worst days of my life."

"Jack, bring Jesse one of those protein cookies and a glass of water."

On my way back, I heard Jesse say, "I'm sorry Donna, I didn't know you and Jack had gotten together."

"Jack and I haven't gotten together although he teases Emily about me. I'm married and Jack would never cross a line with a married woman. Plus, my husband Jim is a pretty big guy so Jack is afraid of him."

"I am not," I said. "He's got two bad knees and a bad hip; he'll never catch me."

Jesse said, "I never thought you liked me, and I thought it was because of my relationship with Jack."

"Partly right Jesse, I saw the way Jack looked at you and knew I would have to kill you if you hurt him. And I looked at you and realized you were too freaking dumb not to. So here you are, dancing around your death sentence. You better fix this Jesse; your granddaughter is beautiful by the way."

"I'm leaving Jack, keep her hydrated, no alcohol and giver her something light to eat, maybe some scrambled eggs or rice. And thanks for fixing my computer, but I need to get home before Jim gets jealous."

"Call your daughter Jesse and tell her you're okay while I whip up some eggs."

"Jack, do you think she was threatening my granddaughter?"

"I have no idea Jesse, Donna is a complete enigma to me."

"Will you talk to me Jack or let me talk to you?"

"After you call your daughter and after you eat. While you're eating, I'm going to jump in the shower and wash today's ride off me."

Jesse was sitting at the kitchen table when I got out of the shower.

"Did you call your daughter Jesse?"

"Yes, and she sent you a text thanking you and Donna."

"Did you eat Jesse?"

"Look, clean plate club Jack."

"I put your bag in the guest room Jesse if you want to shower or something."

Telling her I put her bag in the guest room was like slapping her face and I regretted it as soon as the words were out of my mouth. I sat down across from her.

"I don't need a shower, I need to talk to you Jack, I need to explain what happened, why it happened. I was a fool Jack, I let my daughter talk me into believing you weren't as great as I said you were and did some stupid things. And those stupid things only convinced me more that I belonged with you."

Jesse came over and knelt at my feet, her head on my thighs as her tears flowed.

"Please Jack, can you forgive me, will you take me back. I want to be with you always, to keep turning pages and see the world with you. I quit my job today. I don't need a job, I need the man I love, the man I fell in love with on the fourth of July."

"You hurt me Jesse, I swore I was never going to let another woman hurt me. I should have never let you in."

"I hurt us both Jack and I was never going to get involved with anyone again. I had my teaching, my daughters and my granddaughter. I was content and never was a man going to hurt me again. I wasn't going to go to Emily's on the fourth, but I let Amy talk me into it. She isn't talking to me anymore either."

Jesse was looking into my eyes, and I don't think she liked what she saw.

"I fucked us both over Jack and I am truly sorry. But those three weeks I spent with you were the greatest three weeks of my life and I will always treasure them. I'll catch a flight home tomorrow."

Jesse kissed my forehead and headed to the guest room. God, I hated women, the whole fucking species. I got up and followed her to the guest room.

"What are you going home to Jesse, you have no job, you're not talking to your daughter, your friends aren't talking to you. I'm not making any promises but I'm asking you to stay. Maybe we can work things out."

Jesse smiled, "Ok Jack, but can I sleep with you?"

I nodded, picked up her suitcase and carried it into the master bedroom. The

suitcase was really light.

"Is there anything in here Jesse?"

"My toothbrush Jack. I didn't have time to pack anything."

"What are you going to wear?"

"I left a few things here the last time I was here, it's called nesting Jack. It's what a woman does when she finds where she belongs."

Jesse pulled another suitcase out of the closet, and I remembered she came with two suitcases when she came down in August. That one weighed a ton.

We decided to go out to dinner and on the ride, I suggested she call her daughter and let her know she was staying a bit. Jesse told her that she missed a few meals and wasn't taking care of herself over the last few days and it all caught up to her. I missed most of what Liz had to say but Jesse was getting more and more pissed.

Then Jesse said, "I told you I would never speak to you again Liz and I'm regretting making this phone call. You fucked up my life now stay out of it."

Over dinner, Jesse said, "Emily blasted me by the way. She told me how your first wife left you and the kids to go live with her boyfriend. How she betrayed you and the kids. She said I betrayed you too. I'm so sorry Jack. But I need to explain Peter and another guy Joe to you."

"No, you don't Jesse."

"Please Jack, it will kill me if I don't."

"If that's what you want but first book the next flight back to Maryland. Your explanation will only make you feel good, not me."

Jesse had that same look she had the day we first met on the dock, like she was ready to dart. I wondered where she would run to.

"I'll give you another option Jesse. Write down whatever you wanted to say. Stick it in an envelope, seal it and give it to me."

"Will you read it Jack?"

"Maybe."

"Why would you read it then?"

"Because the next time you hurt me, I'll want more reasons not to find myself sitting across a table from you again."

"Jack, will you ever forgive me?"

"I already have Jesse. It was a long time before I started dating again after Emily's mother left. It wasn't just her betrayal. Several of our married friends began hitting on me, rather bluntly I might add. So, it took me a long time to date. I had tickets to a concert and my neighbor set me up with their co-worker. The woman's name was Peggy, and she was fascinating, she was a lifetime student at Berkley. She never finished going to school and just kept rolling over her student loans. Peggy had some problems with a boyfriend causing a nervous breakdown which landed her back with her parents. She had lived in Paris, Greece and Italy, she was the most sexually experienced woman I ever met. Most importantly, she had a fixed date when she was returning to California. I didn't want to get seriously involved with the first woman I dated after my divorce, so she was perfect because she had that end date."

"But she started hinting she didn't want to leave, especially after she met my girls. Long story short, I pushed her to return to Berkley which didn't go well for her. A week after she left, she called me up screaming and crying that everything was fucked up and it was my fault."

"So, I knew there was a risk that since I was the first man your dated after your divorce, I would be your Peggy."

"But you let me in anyway Jack."

"You are worth the risk Jesse."

We made love that night, almost as tentative as the first time. I thought about saying no to sex but knew she would be devasted. Maybe I was dreaming. But it felt good to have her snuggle up to me when we were done, her head on my shoulder and feeling her fall asleep.

In the morning, I woke before her, put on coffee and sat in a chair in the bedroom. I sat there drinking my coffee and stared at Jesse. Normally we woke together but she was still soundly sleeping. Her hair was covering part of her face, and I thought how beautiful she was. One leg was sticking out from under the blankets, revealing some of her but cheek and the bottom of her panties and I realized how sexy she was. And I wondered when I fell in love with her and why her relationship with Patrick bothered me so much.

Jesse opened her eyes and looked at me, concern took over her face.

"Are you okay Jack, why are you staring at me like that?"

"Maybe because you're so beautiful, maybe because you're so sexy, maybe because I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, but all of the above is much more complete and accurate."

Her smile lit up her face, "Well maybe you should climb back in bed with me and show me, or better yet, let me show you how handsome you are, how sexy you are and how much I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you."