Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 9

Jemma sat at the bar staring down at her glass of wine and thinking about all of what Mary said. They had spent most of the time discussing child psychology and how she had gotten into that field because when she was 13 a friend of hers was being sexually abused. Had been for years and never said anything because it was so rare she could pretend it never happened. The problem was she was getting older and had started her period.

Her father stopped coming to her room and she was terrified that her father was going to abuse her little brother or someone else. So she came to Jemma and told her about everything that happened, hoping that she would go with her to tell a teacher. It inspired her passion to help people, she wanted to help other little boys and girls get help when they were in such circumstances.

She had told Mary about the little boy that had been at a friend's house when the rest of his family had perished in a fire. He had such a severe case of survivors guilt that he started to stop functioning socially, receding into an imagined world where his family was still alive. It was so heart wrenching that Jemma decided her work, though rewarding, was not necessarily polite dinner conversation. In response Mary had told her all about a trip she took to South Africa.

They had talked for two hours and decided that was long enough when the wait staff started to give them the stink eye. Jemma decided to finish off her wine from dinner at the bar while Mary used the lavatory and tried to call her grandson. Cradling the glass she looked into the blood red liquid and was momentarily lost in her thoughts.

"Can I order you another?" A male voice said just behind her, nearly making her choke on the wine she had been swishing around in her mouth absentmindedly.

Her back was tense, she had taken off the ring last night, because she couldn't look at their engagement ring anymore. So she wore it around her neck on a long chain, which right now was firmly between her breasts. She nearly rolled her eyes at how long it had taken for a man to hit on her, not 3 hours after relocating the ring.

"I can order myself another perfectly fine, if I was so inclined." Jemma responded as she turned herself around in the seat.

He was tall, sleek, and well-groomed, much to Jemma's surprise. His eyes were blue and stared at her in an almost playful manner and she couldn't help but think him handsome. He didn't hesitate to take the high chair directly to her left.

"I wasn't implying that you weren't capable I was just attempting to be polite." He said giving her an amused smile.

"And I was just trying to politely decline." Jemma turned back to her wine and took a drink.

"I know you can be more polite than that." He seemed to be teasing her and enjoying it.

"I must be out of practice," Jemma gave him a dramatized smile, "So instead I shall be direct, I am not interested in being subjected to your polite inclinations. Kindly leave me to my wine."

She was about to take another drink when he laughed and she nearly dropped the glass from surprise. She gave him an astonished look, mingled with a mild uneasiness; he was even more handsome when his smile was genuine. She could not deny it even if she wanted to.

"Mary was right, you are fantastic," he laughed again, his eyes actually twinkled with delight.

Before Jemma had time to process everything Mary returned from the restroom and said with utter happiness, "Eric, there you are, I just tried calling you not five minutes ago."

"Sorry Grandma, I was on another important call and nearly here so I thought I would surprise you and Ms. Turner," Eric McManis said standing to give his grandmother a kiss on her cheek. "I was just introducing myself to Ms. Turner."

"I hope you were being nice," Mary said with a smile and patted his cheek, "Jemma, this is my grandson, Eric. Please forgive him if he was rude in any way."

"Not at all," Jemma said with a sly smile and offering her hand, "We were just making polite conversation."

He laughed at that and took her outstretched hand, "Grandma you have made quite an interesting new friend. I may just have to share Ms. Turner with you."

Jemma felt like a young woman again under his gaze, as though there was more in the world then she knew about and he would show her. His fingers were warm and inviting to the touch, but took her hand firmly as though to show respect. Jemma used all her will to shake his hand properly and without attempting to withdraw it early as she desired to do so. She was inexplicitly drawn to him.

"That would be up to Jemma if she wants to be shared," Mary said with a grin that covered nearly all her face.

"Between the two of you I don't feel like I have much of a choice." Jemma said, shaking her head in complete resignation.

"That may be true," Mary agreed with a little sigh, "So soon this night has come to an end."

"Ms. Turner," Eric said with a smile, "Can I offer to drive you home?"

"I am over by the Jefferson Memorial, and quite out of your way I imagine since you live in New York." Jemma retorted standing, as though to leave.

"Not at all, we are staying in a hotel tonight; I don't want Grandma to be stuck in a car for 2 hours twice in one day," he took a step back as though to allow her to pass, "I insist you do us the further pleasure of your company."

Jemma smile and looked at Mary, "Is he always this charming?"

"Only when there are beautiful women such as us around," Mary said offering her arm.

Dramatically rolling her eyes Jemma took her arm and said sarcastically, "Men."

They walked out the door laughing and Jemma felt true happiness that she had not known for two weeks. It was good to have such people close to her. Candice would be arriving in a few hours and then this night would be complete. They all talked the entire ride home and laughed the twenty or so minutes it took to get to her father's house. Prancing up the few flights of stairs Jemma thought about how nice Eric was and how she had never had a close male friend before. He may just be the perfect person for the task.