Pretend This didn't Happen

Relax

"We're nearly out of burrito's" Claire said to Gary popping the few that remained into the microwave. 

"Hmm?" Gary pondered "Is there anything else? One of those is for me I hope." Gary explained to Claire it was also her duty to make a list of anything the home was running short on. "There is nothing we can do about the burrito situation tonight, these are our last tonight. Though I see you have prepared some meals in advance, good thinking, we'll eat those and go grocery shopping tomorrow after the next shipment is picked up." The two sat down and ate their burritos together before Gary went to shower and sleep. 

Claire found her cell phone and decided she would type in a grocery list, she noticed a return text from Josh 'Thank God you're safe. Call me'. Claire thought about the time zones and realized Josh would still be in class at this time so proceeded with making a shopping list. 

An hour or so went by, Claire having the munchies, also came up with quite the shopping list. Now how was she going to approach talking to a boy who had promised to get through life with her after having ran away half way around the world to get away from everyone and their lies? Claire punched in the number on her cell phone and waited for Josh to answer.

"Hello." Josh answered on the other end of the line, turning his attention to the sidemen after hearing Claire's voice "I'm going to take this outside." The rest of the group just shrugged as Josh turned to leave the premises. "OH my God Claire, we were so worried." Josh listened intently to Claire's voice while she explained she'd taken a job in Canada as a nanny and though the husband is kind of strange the family is amazing. "Stange, how, has he hurt you?" Josh asked, again listening to the explanation. "I am so relieved to hear that you're safe and happy, and for sure we'll keep this between us for now. I will delete the history of you ever calling after each time we talk."

"Only family members are allowed in patients hospital rooms at first, Simon being my brother I can understand" Claire explained. "How did you manage?" Claire asked Josh. Claire giggled at Josh's response "OK dummy, I'm holding you to that. Hugs and kisses until next time." Claire smiled and disconnected the call.

Josh beamed on the other end as the call disconnected and he erased all call history as he'd said he would and entered the home again to be ridiculed and teased about having a girlfriend. "Shut up," Josh teased "you're just jealous that while you guys have your heads stuck on games, I have someone else who's real on my side."

Claire smiled and undressed to take a shower "I got a boyfriend." Taking a shower never felt so gratifying. Claire was feeling very personally achieved, cleansed and now putting on her pyjamas getting ready to climb under the warm comforter to sleep and dream, hopeful for a new future with the new element just added. Josh and Claire would be happy together. Claire drifted to sleep with that thought.

"Ah ha all mine" Gary entered the kitchen brandishing a $54, 000.00 cheque, Andrea and Claire were having their morning coffee. Andrea was also deflating her breasts with the breast pump so some breast milk could be stored in the refridgerator, Sandra and Mandy were crawling between toys in the livingroom, Benjamen joined his sister Angareas watching the fan rotate. Andrea reached toward Gary "ah, ah" Gary held back the cheque, "I gave you yours yesterday" Gary teased playfully, "by the way, we got some shopping to do if you made the list, Claire."

"I have in fact" Claire retrived her cell phone. "I am also so happy we talked Gary" Claire explained "calling Josh could have been the best development in my personal life, ever."

"That's nice, say how about you and Andrea go shopping," Gary suggested "I need a relax."