Herman Kozik never saw himself as a family man. He's always been a team-player, first as a Marine, then as a Son. He has to re-evaluate some things when he finds out that he has a teenage son of his own. When he meets his son's caseworker, he starts...
Joan sighed as she watched Connie make dinner from the kitchen table. They'd been having this discussion since they had returned home from Fun Town. "I just don't understand why you would turn down a date with that nice boy."
Connie rolled her eyes as she diced onions. "First off, he's not a boy, he's a grown man. Second, he's a member of a motorcycle gang. Third, his son is one of my kids. I literally can't go out with him, even if I wanted to, which I do not."
It was Joan's turn to roll her eyes behind her daughter's back. "Well, Piney is a member of that group and he was a perfect gentleman. I don't really think they like to be called a gang, sweetheart."
Connie turned to face her mother, taking a sip from the bottle of beer sitting on the counter. "Look, mom, I really don't care if he's a member of the club. That has no bearing on this conversation."
Joan shrugged. "You brought it up."
Connie sighed. "Only because I was listing all the reasons why I can't go out with him."
Joan shook her head as she stood to walk over to the fridge for a bottle of water. "Connie, he likes you, and it's been a very long time since a man has paid any attention to you."
Connie barked out a laugh and shook her head. "Gee, thanks, mom."
Joan cut her a look as she walked back to her seat at the table. "You know what I mean, Constance Anne. Now, why don't you give me the real reason you won't go out with him."
Connie shook her head as she turned back to the vegetables on the counter. "I did. He's the father of one of my kids."
Joan smirked. "I call bullshit, darlin'. We both know that as soon as he has full custody, his son will no longer be your responsibility." Her smirk widened. "You're scared of him."
Connie turned to shoot her mother a dirty look. "I am not!"
Monday morning, Connie was just hanging up the phone from a conference call when the receptionist stuck her head in her office with a wide grin on her face.
"Connie, there's a Herman Kozik here to see you if you have time." She looked over her shoulder then back at Connie. "If it were me, I'd make time."
Connie rolled her eyes then gave a short nod. "Send him in Laurie."
She was glancing through the file of a new family when she heard her office door shut. When she looked up, she swallowed hard at the sight of Herman leaning against her door with that bad-boy smirk firmly planted on his mouth. She cleared her throat as she wished that he wasn't as good-looking as he was, making his grin widen as she waved a hand at the empty chair on the other side of her desk. "What can I help you with, Mr. Kozik?"
He pushed himself from the door and sauntered over to sit down, shaking his head at her. "Come on, Con. We haven't really reverted back to last names, have we?"
Connie sighed as she twisted the pen in her hands in a nervous gesture. "I just think that we should keep this purely professional, that's all."
Herman looked at her for a moment before nodding his head. "Okay, if that's how you want it. I thought I'd stop by and give you a progress report of sorts." When she nodded, he continued. "I've found a house, closing on it today. I just need to buy furniture and shi... things. I'm thinking another week and we should be ready."
Connie smiled as she jotted down the information in Russell's file. "That's marvelous, Her... I mean, Mr. Kozik. Just keep me posted so I know when to come for the final inspection."
Herman nodded as he stood up to go. As he reached the door, he turned back to her, and she could see that the panty-dropping smile was back. "I don't suppose that after Russ is with me, I could talk you into that date."
Connie sighed and tilted her head as she looked at him. "I think perhaps you should keep your eye on the ball, Mr. Kozik."
Herman chuckled and nodded. "Oh, I am Ms. Kramer. Believe me, I have the endgame firmly in sight. Have a nice day."
Connie blew out a breath as he shut the door behind himself, leaning back in her chair to stare up at the ceiling. She was still sitting that way when there was a short knock on her door. She looked to see Evie sticking her head in with a smile.
"Hey, Constance. I wanted to stop by and see if you'd be available for drinks tonight. Me, my sisters and some of the other old ladies are getting together later for drinks, maybe dinner."
Connie frowned as she looked down at her schedule. "Umm... it looks like my last home visit for the day is at seven. I would probably be finished by eight if that's not too late."
Evie shook her head. "That's actually perfect. Meet me at TM when you're done for the day."
Connie nodded. "Sounds great. Is what I'm wearing alright or should I stop home and change?"
Evie grinned. "We're pretty informal so yeah, you might want to change beforehand. See ya later."
Connie nodded before wondering what one wore out for drinks. It had been a long time since she'd been out somewhere. She grinned as she picked up her phone to call her mother and tell her about her plans for the evening. She found herself getting excited about the prospect of time with women her own age.
