Falling For Jeff

Chapter 17

Sally and I sat on the floor together watching cartoons what seemed like forever.  I honestly didn't mind, I loved being with her.  

She moved over in front of my legs asking for me to braid her hair for her.

"Sure, do you have a brush and some hair-bands?"  She quickly nodded and ran to the bathroom that was near the stair case.

When she returned she plopped herself in my lap handing me a brush and a bunch of pink hair-bands.  I smiled softly as she began watching the cartoon again.

I gently brushed through her long hair, doing my best not to pull or rip her hair.  She seemed to enjoy having hair done.  I ran my fingers through it, enjoying the silky feeling.  I began to give her a fish-tailed braid,  my sister loved that type of braid and even at 16 she would sometimes ask me to do her hair.  I felt a tear escape, quickly brushing it away before anyone saw it.

"Are you okay?"  Jeff said standing above me.

"I'm fine, just thinking" I continued my focus on the braid.  I really didn't want to talk about my mom and sister.  It still feels like just yesterday I was having Sunday breakfast with them.  That was the one time my mom and I would could pancakes and bacon for all us.  Then we would all just chat away in the living room, enjoying the food and each others company.

Jeff sat next me criss-cross.  His arm snaked around my waste as he pulled himself closer to me.  I devoted all my attention to Sally's braid doing my best to keep it neat.

Jeff rested is forehead on my shoulder sighing "I know you miss them, it will get better over time" His voice was soothing, but when I finished the braid Sally immediately turned around in my lap facing me.

"Who do you mess?" Her big green eyes were begging me to tell her.

"My family" I spoke with a sad smile.

Her small arms wrapped around my neck, dropping the bear.  I felt all her love being poured through this hug.   I hugged her back tight, resting my head between her neck and shoulder.  I felt more tears escape from my eyes.

"It'll be okay, because we're your family.  And we always will be"  Her small wisdom made me hug her closer to me.  It was true, this did feel like a family.  I felt myself falling in love with family quickly.

Glancing up at Jeff, his eyes burning into mine.  I also realized I was falling for Jeff.

I felt like Jeff read my mind at the exact moment because he quickly moved behind me to sandwich me in a hug.  I laughed as I felt both Jeff and Sally squeezing me tight.

"Okay okay, its difficult to breathe now" I giggled.  Sally let go but continued to sit on my lap facing me, while Jeff still held my waist but moved his legs so I could sit between them.  Sally got up to grab her bear and hug him tightly.

"Sorry Charlie, it was a family moment" she whispered to him.  I leaned my head on Jeff's chest while watching her talk to her bear.

The three of us turned our heads when we heard footsteps ascending down.  It was Jack, I felt his eyes or um, black holes on me, making me a little uncomfortable but I turned my gaze back to Sally.

"Harper can you do anything cool like daddy?" Sally asked excitedly.  I stared at her confused for a moment.

"She means Slenderman" Jeff mumbled in my ear.

"Oh! Uh, I can make people do what I want.  I call it compelling"  Sally jumped up and down with joy.

"Really?! That's so cool!  Do it right now?! Make um, make Jack do something!" Her voice was demanding.  I wasn't sure if it would actually work on him, especially since he had no eyes.  Jeff's arms instinctively wrapped around me tighter as I turned to Jack.