Think Of Me

Chapter Fourteen

Jeanna cradled her cell phone between her ear and shoulder as she brushed Risa's hair back into a French braid. She spoke to her friend, Quinn, “Are you sure he can come? I don't want to take time away from your guys' family day...”

“Nonsense! It'll give me and the hubby some alone time,” Quinn laughed on the other end. “I'll drop him by in about half an hour?”

“Sounds good,” Jeanna smiled. “I'll see you guys then.” She juggled her phone and Risa's braid, but finally managed to end the call and put the phone down. “Quinn said Ryan can come, but you know what that means, Reese. Be nice. Don't try to hurt him.” She tied the end of the braid off with a clear elastic. “Now scoot. Go find your daddy and tell him Ry's coming.”

Jeanna laughed as she saw Risa run towards the kitchen. Ryan was her best friend, but Risa had the tendency to tackle him and horseplay with him a lot. Last time, she had made him cry with a poke in the eye.

After changing out of her pajamas and into a pair of denim shorts and a bright green tank top, she followed after her daughter into the kitchen. “How're the sandwiches coming along, Daddy?”

Aaron stood in front of the microwave. He had bread laid out all over the counter tops, some slices with jelly and some with peanut butter covering them. A complete mess of sticky substances and bread crumbs. “Fine?” he said, his voice unsure.

“Why do I feel like this is a challenge for you, Top Chef?” she teased, leaning against the counter and crossing her arms, surveying the mess. “Do you want some help?”

“That'd be great,” he said, finally turning his head to look at her. He looked like he had tears in his eyes.

“Whoa, bro.” She lowered her voice. “Are you okay?”

He laughed and nodded. “If you must know, I've been chopping onions.”

Jeanna raised her eyebrows. “What for?”

“Dinner? Are we not planning on eating tonight?” He smiled, moving his way over to the refrigerator and pulling out a large bowl full of some kind of red tomato sauce. “I was going to wait and surprise you with dinner later... but what the heck? I'm making pasta à la Tveit.”

Jeanna laughed and pushed a lock of his hair away from his forehead. “Is that why there're half peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all over my kitchen?”

“Precisely,” he smirked, leaning in for a quick peck on the lips.

“Well if Quinn is bringing Ryan over here in a few minutes, we better get this finished,” she said, stepping over to the bread and starting the finishing touches on the sandwiches.

Aaron was helping Jeanna pack the icebox when her cellphone vibrated on the counter. “Hello?”

No response.

“Hello?” she said again, growing irritated. When there wasn't a response the second time, she hung up and tossed her phone back to the counter.