"Now, Mother, Darrin's got an important presentation to make and I don't want you to ruin things for him!"
"Oh I'll be good, Samantha dear...heh-heh-heh...eye of newt and toe of frog, let's give that Durward the head of a dog!"
"I can predict the rest of how this episode is going to go" said Liberty, as she watched the show on TV.
"You know 'Bewitched' is meant to be just a bit of fun, Libs" said Summer as she finished up the dishes.
"Yes, but it's the same thing every week! All these sitcoms are like that and don't get me started on 'I Dream Of Jeannie'...I mean, the way they depict the space program is highly inaccurate!"
"I won't! Anyway, food's ready...who wants some?" asked Summer.
"I'll be fine with just a coffee...I'll eat later" replied Liberty.
"Did someone say 'food'? I'm there!" said Travis, bounding into the room. "So what's happening?" he asked.
"Libs is down on Bewitched" said Summer, handing Travis a plate of food and Liberty a mug of coffee.
"Oh, that's a shame...hey, who do you think would win in a fight? Samantha or Jeannie?" Travis said.
"Television's so boring...why don't we do something more active instead?" suggested Summer.
"I'm up for that! I agree about the TV; it's all depressing news about Vietnam or dumb sitcoms at the moment." said Liberty. "How about hitting the gym, perk ourselves up?"
"Excellent idea, I really want to burn up some energy! Are you coming too, Travis?" said Summer.
"What, exercise? Running on machines that don't go anywhere? Lifting weights that don't need lifting?" said Travis.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun...we can be together having a work out" said Summer.
Travis thought about it and leaned in closer to Summer. "Will you be wearing your leotard?" he whispered to her.
"Yes" she said.
"Count me in" he replied.
After they'd gathered up their keep fit gear they headed to central Willow Creek to the gym. The girls were keen and raring to go...Travis less than enthusiastic.
Inside was busy but after getting changed Summer found a free treadmill and proceeded to do an endurance run. On the next treadmill was the senior gym instructor; Clinton, who had a reputation of being a hard taskmaster if you hired him as your personal fitness trainer.
Liberty decided that her reflexes and upper body strength needed working on she opted for the punching bag.
...and Travis checked out the gym's other facilities.
Meanwhile, back on the ground floor, Summer was getting into the groove but next to her Brent Hecking was struggling.
"Brent, lift your feet up more...and remember your breathing!" said Brant.
"It's alright for you to say that!" gasped Brent. "You were in the Army and sometimes I think you've become your old drill instructor! I'm strictly civilian!"
Travis, in the meantime had actually managed to get his fitness kit on and was trying out a punch bag. He figured it would be easier to manage than the treadmills or the weights.
Liberty watched Travis' punching technique. This wasn't about self-defence, although he had a weird moment a few months ago when he wanted to get a gun to protect the home, but fitness and Travis was exerting a lot of effort for not much gain there.
"Trav...try throwing a punch more from your shoulder than just jabbing with a fist. It'll work your muscles a lot better." Liberty said.
"OK...more shoulder...and....FIST PUNCH!" he yelled.
"Trav...you don't have to say 'fist punch' when you're boxing" she advised. On the other side of the room a young lady, who was also doing boxing training, looked at Travis and shook her head in disapproval.
Meanwhile, back on the treadmills, Summer was getting some grief from the instructor.
"You call that running, little lady? You need to pick up those feet and BREATHE, not flail about like a rag doll...PICK UP THOSE FEET!"
"I'll have you know that I competed at cross country running at school, and won trophies" Summer replied, indignantly.
"This ain't no cross country run at an all girls' school....THIS IS THE GYM! NOW HAUL ASS, SISTER!" he bellowed again.
At that moment Travis strolled in, looking exhausted. He saw the stand off between Summer and Clinton and walked over to intervene.
"OK, buddy, reign it in a little..." said Travis but when Clinton stepped off the treadmill he stood right next to him, his muscles bulging.
"Now what have we here..." said Clinton, menacingly.
Travis looked up at Clinton and gulped. "Ah, you're kind of big...well, this is my girlfriend and I think she's doing just swell there" he said.
"You look like you could enrol in some of our classes as well. Get some muscles on you" said Clinton to Travis.
"I've been working on my muscles...look, here's one right here" Travis said, pointing to his arm. "A work in progress you might say"
Liberty in the meantime had finished her workout and had headed upstairs to get a drink and take a breather. As she turned a corner in the narrow confines of the changing room she had quite literally bumped into Brent Hecking, who was wearing just a towel and had to quickly grab on to it before it fell completely to the floor.
"Oops, my mistake, Brent!" said Liberty apologetically. "You know how all fingers and thumbs I am!"
"I think I've retained my modesty" chuckled Brent, nervously. He tightened the towel around his waist. "It's as much my fault; my head in the clouds as usual." He seemed a little downcast.
"Is anything the matter, Brent?" asked Liberty. He sighed.
"Nothing serious...it's just that Brant is always on a health kick. Drink this, eat this, excercise more...some days I find it hard to keep up with him. I'm worried though that if I don't keep up with him and let myself go a little he might....oh, I think I might have said too much! Erm, let's say Brant might find another housemate." said Brent, embarrassed.
"I know you and he are gay, Brent" said Liberty. "We all do...well, except Julia. She hasn't picked up on the hints yet. But you can talk freely with me about you and Brant being a couple."
"Phew, that is a load off of my mind...wait, everyone knows? Oh, not important right now...oh yes, well you can see my problem: Brant's into the whole body beautiful and peak fitness ideal and I'm worried I'm not measuring up to that and if I don't...well...he might find another who does measure up."
"How realistic is that thought, Brent?" asked Liberty.
"Not really, but it creeps into my mind sometimes...like today." said Brent.
"Try not to let fear affect your judgement or trust in Brant..." said Liberty, sympathetically. Brant still looked unsure but then their conversation ended abruptly as Brant entered the room.
Back downstairs Travis had managed to bluff Clinton into thinking he was a lean, mean fitness machine and the overbearing instructor backed down and walked away from him and Summer.
"My hero" said Summer, appreciatively.
"Well, you know, it's about knowing when to stand up to someone and having an escape route worked out" replied Travis.
"Always the joker" Summer said. "But you're a cute joker, I'll give you that."
"So, are we done here? Would you like to take a walk by the river?" he asked, suggestively.
It was a warm, bright day with a light breeze which cooled the young lovers as they watched the wide, winding river.
"Hey, Summer...we timed this well...here comes the Delta Lady!" exclaimed Travis. The Delta Lady was an old 19th Century paddle steamer that had been refurbished and travelled up and down the river as a pleasure boat. It was very popular with tourists visiting the city and was an impressive sight whatever time of the day. In the evening it was all lit up to further dazzle onlookers.
"Do you know, I've never been on board" said Summer.
"Really? Never? Didn't your parents ever take you on it when you were a little girl? Haven't you been on it since?"
"When I was a girl it was still being repaired from that time a Japanese submarine torpedoed it."
"Yeah, that was a weird one...considering the war had already ended when that happened. Anyway, I should take you on a date on it. It's got a nice restaurant on the upper deck."
"Sounds great" replied Summer. "Let's move a little closer"
"Now you seem to be in a romantic mood today, Trav" she added.
"And you seem to be in a very energetic one" he replied. "How about we combine them both?"
"I like the sound of that!" said Summer and the two of them drew ever closer together until...
At that moment the Delta Lady passed right by Travis and Summer and the passengers on the deck let out a cheer when they saw the kiss. Travis waved back at them.
"That will give them something to talk about with their friends" said Summer. "But that was wonderful, Travis. I'm so lucky! And that kiss just makes me want to spring right up into the air!"
Summer got up and did precisely that.
"Wow, you are bouncy today!" said Travis. Summer sat back down beside him and they were about to snuggle again when they were joined by Liberty, who was still in her exercise clothes.
"I wondered where you two had got to" she said. "Aren't you going to go back in the gym?"
"We're done with the gym for today" said Travis.
"Aww, I feel really raring to go" said Liberty.
"Well, how about we head on over to Blue Velvet for a bit of dancing?" said Summer.
"Sounds good...I'll go back and get changed and meet you there." said Liberty. "Oh, and have you got a quarter? I'm going to phone Gary and invite him along too"
"Sure" said Travis, fumbling around in his pockets for a quarter he could give to Liberty. "The more, the merrier"
The Blue Velvet was packed and swinging and the music was blaring out loud...so loud they couldn't hear themselves talk; all that was left to do was drink and dance.
"Wow, this place is really happening!" said Liberty.
"Yeah, this is the best it's been in ages...shame I have to go to work soon" said Summer, at the top of her voice.
"What?" said Travis, suddenly.
"I...HAVE...TO...GO...TO...WORK!" replied Summer.
"WHAT? NO!" said Travis, looking sad.
Summer sidled up to Travis' side and spoke directly into his ear. "Yeah, sorry babe. We've been having so much fun I almost forgot I had to go myself."
Summer went to leave but had second thoughts. Maybe just stay to the end of this song... she thought.
But leave she had to, not before having a long and protracted kiss with Travis...and another...and another (the last one right in the doorway of the club). That left him and Liberty dancing, although not together.
"Hey, when's Gary going to get here?" he said.
"Anytime soon? Why, you seem keen to see him too!" she said, teasingly.
"He's a good guy, an honorary member of the Foundry Cove Gang"
"Oh, there's a gang now, is there? And why is he only an 'honorary' member?"
"We don't just hand out membership to any old guy, you know!" said Travis. "His membership is pending"
"And do you have little laminated membership cards as well?"
"Right next to my Lothario Club membership...oh, look, here comes Gary now"
Gary entered the bar and Liberty went right up to him to say hello and give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, sweetie, good to see you" she said.
"You too...I tell you, it's good to get out of the office: Work is just blah, blah, blah these days. Too much waffle and inaction." he replied. "So, you guys been hanging out here? Cool!"
"Let me get you a drink, Gary" said Travis.
"Thanks...a beer would be great. So, let's sit and have a chat, Libs" said Gary.
"What's happening in Foundry Cove...give me the latest" asked Gary.
"Apparently there's a Foundry Cove Gang that has membership cards" replied Liberty with a chuckle.
"Is there an application form?"
"I'm trying to get one for you" she replied.
"Ooh, you think I'm eligible?" Gary said, with interest.
"In more ways than one, sweetheart" she said, blowing a kiss.
"Sign me up then!" he replied.
Travis returned with the drinks. Liberty spoke up. "I've told Gary about the Foundry Cove Gang...have you got a membership application form he can fill in?"
"Buy the next round and you're automatically in" said Travis, raising his beer bottle.
"Deal" said Gary.
As they sat there in the Blue Velvet, Liberty and Gary were fliting with one another and having playful chats. Travis was beginning to feel like a third wheel and was missing Summer's company. He knew she had to work but in social situations like this, having her by his side would make him feel less self-conscious.
"I'm going to head back to Garden Essence" he said, eventually. "Got some work to catch up on. You two have a great time"
He left but Gary and Liberty were feeling that the main bar area was getting a little too crowded so they stepped out into the garden terrace at the back.
"I think I'm in the gang now" said Gary to Liberty.
"Just one more entry requirement to go" she replied.
"And what would that be?" he asked, his face being drawn ever closer to hers.
After they had kissed Gary said "Did I pass the entry requirement?"
"With flying colours" she replied. "I'm hungry, how about we head on to my place for a bite?"
"To eat?" asked Gary.
"That as well..." she said, flirtatiously as she kissed him again.
They headed back to Garden Essence, both giggling like kids, where Liberty grabbed a couple of plates of something Summer had made earlier. Their chef friend was a fantastic cook and there was always plenty in the fridge she had made to tempt the tastebuds.
"That's one of the things that makes me always want to come and visit" said Gary. "The other being you, of course" he said to Liberty.
"You romantic, you. You're always welcome; I know Summer and Travis really like you too."
"I hope so...it must get tricky around here trying to co-ordinate everyone's romantic life. Who's in, who's out"
"Oh tell me about it!" said Liberty rolling her eyes. "Well, I haven't heard from Travis so I'm not sure he's home and Summer's still at work which leaves us here on our own." she said with a smile.
"Coffee?" she added, suggestively.
"I'll take it with milk" Gary said...also suggestively but what he was suggesting was anyone's guess.
They got up and sauntered over to the coffee machine where Liberty brewed a fresh pot. "It's very quiet here" she said.
"Very" Gary replied.
"We could just tip toe into the bedroom for a coffee...and a chat...and some..."
"Exercise?" he said, whispering into her ear.
"Well, something like that" she replied.
"Let's skip the coffee and move straight on to exercise part" he added.
The two of them skipped down the hall to her bedroom and proceeded to get undressed. Then they quickly dived under the bedcovers for a bit of WooHoo.
Meanwhile, Travis had returned from a cycle ride and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water but the faucet immediately sprung a leak.
"Oh no...it's gushing everywhere! Just spurting out! I'll have to find the stopcock and shut it off. That's going to leave a mess on the floor..." he said, tutting and unaware of what was going on in Liberty's room.
After they had made merriment, Liberty and Gary were giggling like silly teenagers. "So are you sure your housemates are out?" said Gary, gently running his index finger over Liberty's breasts.
"Almost certain" she replied, smiling at him. "Shall we have a peek?"
"If they see us they'll know what we've been up to!" he said.
"They're my housemates, not my parents!" she replied. "I'm getting peckish, I want to raid the fridge!" she said, leaping out of bed.
"I need the john but I can't go out there in these underpants! Hang on, I'll put some clothes on first...wait, Libs! You can't go out there like that!" he said, noticing she'd put some panties and a bra back on.
"Catch me if you can!" she replied, playfully, as she scurried out of the door. Gary, in a panic, chased after her.
In the hall they were silently tip-toeing to the kitchen when they heard Travis' voice. "Hello, gorgeous, good day at work?"
"It was OK but I'm glad to be back home" replied Summer. Liberty stopped dead in her tracks and quickly shoved Gary into Travis' room; which was largely a study these days as Travis slept with Summer.
"We can't hide in here! What if Travis or Summer want to get a book?" whispered Gary.
"You hide under the bed, I'll hide under the desk...It'll be fine" replied Liberty.
That lasted all of 2 minutes before Gary piped up: "I really gotta pee!" he squeaked. "I'm going to make a break for the bathroom...wish me luck."
"Gary...nooooooo!" said Liberty, but too late; he was gone. Gary tip-toed down the hall, quietly opened the bathroom door and closed it...silently...with a gentle lock. Then he relieved himself in peace and quiet. It was only on the return journey back to the study when he bumped into Travis.
"Oh, hey Gary...so you and Libs decided to head back here?" said Travis.
"Yeah...I hope you don't mind..." began a nervous Gary in response.
"Look, man, you and Liberty are cool. If you want to get it on you go for it!"
"I meant, I hope you don't mind me using your bathroom"
"Oh, what? Sorry, man. Yeah, sure, that's cool too....but you know, if you want to go ahead with Liberty in the bedroom then don't worry about Summer and me: We're totally cool with that."
"Erm, we already did that." said Gary, meekly.
"Ahhhh, well....I'll just leave you two to chill out, man." said Travis, lightly punching Gary on the arm in approval. As Gary made his way back to the study, he was surprised to see that Liberty wasn't there but instead was Summer.
"Oh! Sorry...erm, have you seen Liberty?" he asked.
"She said she's gone back to her room and will see you there." Said Summer, matter of factly. "So did you guys have a nice time this evening?"
"Yes, thank you." replied Gary.
"You must tell Travis and I all about it" said Summer, cheerily and patting the empty space next to her on the bed. Gary took the cue and sat down.
"Not that much to report....we danced, had a few drinks..." he said. Fortunately for him, Travis entered the room.
"Hey, Summer...can I have a word with you for a moment?" asked Travis.
"Sure, babe, what is it?" she replied.
"Listen...Gary's on a date with Liberty and they'd like to be left alone, if you catch my drift" he whispered.
"I thought we could all hang out..." said Summer, innocently.
"Summer....they'd like to be alone. In Liberty's bedroom" Travis said, raising an eyebrow.
"But surely....ohhhhh, I see what you mean. Yes, how silly of me" she said, suddenly realising what was implied.
"And how about you and me, hanging out in our bedroom?" said Travis.
"Sure, shall we can have a catch up about our respective days, talk about what we'd like to do on the weekend and all kinds of neat stuff..." she said, perking up.
"Summer...we could do other things in the bedroom as well" said Travis, hoping the penny would drop.
"Ohhhhhhhh, I see" she said, suddenly realising. "Now that would be fun!"
"Good morning, darling. I made you a little pick me up drink...don't worry, it's just fruit in there"
"Good morning, Jeremy and thank you, that's kind. How are you feeling today?"
Jeremy thought for a moment before answering. "Do you know, I feel absolutely fine: The best I've felt in weeks."
"The wedding was lovely, don't you think?" asked Barbara, testing the waters as to how Jeremy felt about it now. In the run up to the wedding he was grumpy, angry at Suzy for some reason and almost didn't attend it, so upset by it all.
"Oh yes, I had a good time. And I could see you did as well. Funny to think I didn't want to go and you had to practically drag me there!" he said with a little chuckle before looking off into the distance for a moment, as if he was trying to recollect some lost thought.
"Anyway..." he said, breaking from his train of thought. "...breakfast: I'm famished. Shall I wait until you get dressed?" he asked.
"No, I'm starving too. Eat first, then I'll get dressed."
"You know I could whip that towel from around you in one flick and it would be naked breakfast!"
"You! You're a tiger at times Jeremy Saint" she replied, flirtatiously chiding him.
After breakfast, Jeremy took a shower and Barbara got dressed. She was relieved that Jeremy seemed more like his old self and less of the obsessive grump with irrational hatreds that he had become recently. Maybe the wedding did have a positive effect on his mind...and if Action's hunch was correct, he may have been brainwashed. It was also good that Jeremy was still aroused by Barbara; she was worried that he was starting to become infatuated with Nancy Landgraab as well. Whilst he was still in the bathroom, she quickly took down the framed photo of Nancy off the wall in their bedroom and put it in the study instead. To throw it in the trash would risk triggering him again; moving it was more subtle.
Jeremy left for work soon afterwards but Barbara wasn't opening up the shop today as there was a delay in restocking items and the suppliers were a day late. Instead she decided to do a variety of things, first of which was trying to meet with John Action to tell him what she had found out about Jeremy's workplace.
She knocked at the door but there was no answer. He must be doing an early shift today, she thought. There was so much she wanted to pass on to him and she was anxious to do so but it would have to wait until this evening, at least.
She was too buzzing with energy to go home and potter around the house. The best way to use that energy was go to Movers n' Shakers gym for a couple of hours.
Barbara was hoping Action was here as well, as he was fond of keeping fit, but although the place was buzzing and full of people, he wasn't there.
The resident body building expert...Barbara didn't know his name...was there with his extremely developed upper body that seemed to defy gravity. Also present was Brent Hecking. Barbara noticed that a pretty blonde with a curvaceous figure was talking flirtatiously with both Brent and the personal trainer. What Barbara found interesting was that Brent seemed to be paying more than polite attention to her!
It was an open secret in the community that Brent was a homosexual and that he and his lover, Brant, were one of the most devoted couples around but Barbara saw Brent was somewhat enchanted with this woman, who was new to the gym.
"Wow, this place certainly has all the right...equipment" said the woman, looking more at the men instead of the apparatus.
"Oh yes, whatever you require is right here" said Brent, quite innocently.
"I can see that might be the case..." said the woman, looking him up and down. "My name is Lisa, Lisa Richardson, and who might I be addressing?"
"Brent Hecking...and I'd be happy to show you around the place. I don't work here but I'm around most days. If you'd like I could show you the bench press..."
"I bet you could" she replied, flirtatiously.
Brent giggled nervously and seemed quite taken with Lisa, which surprised Barbara. However, Brent's apparent infatuation was broken by the arrival of his boyfriend, Brant.
"Hello Brent. Who's your new friend?" asked Brant.
"This is Lisa, she's new to the gym and I was just showing her around" replied Brent, defensively.
"I bet you were. Nice to meet you, Lisa, and I'm Brant...Brent's particular friend" said Brant, with a touch of passive-aggressive hostility to his voice. Lisa looked at the two men but said nothing for a few seconds before she said "Ohhhhh".
"Yeah, I think you understand the situation now" said Brant. Lisa took a few paces back and sat down at a weight lifting machine, keen to avoid a domestic row.
Barbara had witnessed all this but didn't say anything. She did however see Travis Scott and went over to say hello to him. They chatted for a bit, mainly about how happier Jeremy seemed lately, but their attention was drawn to a familiar acquaintance of theirs who looked very different from the last time they'd seen her.
It was Eliza Pancakes and her belly looked a lot larger than when they'd seen her at the wedding.
"Hey, Eliza, come to work off those pounds..." said Travis but Barbara nudged him in the ribs.
"So, how far in to your pregnancy are you?" asked Barbara.
"Ohhhhh, you're pregnant!" said Travis.
"Not that long but I can tell this one's going to be a whopper by the size of it!" answered Eliza.
"That's why you weren't drinking at the wedding!" said Travis.
"Congratulations, Eliza" said Barbara, giving her a hug.
"No...got to stay healthy for the next few months at least" joked Eliza. "Only a light work out today"
"What does Bob think?" asked Barbara.
"He's.....fine" said Eliza with a smile. "He's getting used to the idea"
"Well, we've had a marriage in the neighbourhood and now a birth!" said Barbara.
"That just leaves a death" said Travis. "Sorry...shouldn't have said that!" he added.
Fortunately Travis didn't put his foot in it any further and they were able to discuss due dates, baby names and whether it would be a boy or a girl. However, time was ticking on and Barbara wanted to travel more.
The next port of call was actually a port, or more like a marina. She was down at her new favourite tavern, the Salty Paws Saloon in Brindleton Bay. She liked the views out into the bay, the rustic atmosphere and decor, a lot of the patrons and it was a hang out for a lot of cute neighbourhood cats. She was wondering if she was going to see her favourite, ginger stray: The Senator.
Senator didn't make an appearance and the only person Barbara met there that she recognised was Julia's aunt Elle.
"Oh hello there..." said Barbara to Elle. "You're Julia's aunt, aren't you? I don't know if you remember me but I'm Bar..."
"Yeah, I remember you!" said Elle in a hostile tone. "One of my niece's so-called friends. Well, she hasn't checked in on me for ages! She's forgotten about me! Doesn't care!"
"Oh I know she does care...it's just she's a junior doctor who works long shifts!"
"I KNOW SHE'S A DOCTOR! You don't have to tell me what or who my niece is! I'm family!"
Julia had told Barbara that her aunt suffered from violent mood swings and was on strong medication. Barbara figured Elle must have skipped a dose today. Despite the attempt to be friendly, Barbara thought that the prudent course now was to leave the tavern and head home...
She arrived back at Foundry Cove moments before Jeremy. He seemed in a happy mood.
"Hey, sweetie" he said. "It's the Spice Festival tonight...we haven't been in ages! C'mon, you and me and all the curry we could eat?"
"That sounds delightful...so you haven't got any assignments, projects or late night business calls you have to take?"
"Tonight, my darling, work is done and I am completely at your disposal" he said, putting his arms around her.
"Well I like that idea, let's go!" she replied.
The Spice Quarter was decked out in colourful festive decorations representing India, Thailand, China, Japan, Singapore and even closer to home with Cajun. Along with the decorations there was the aroma of many exotic dishes. Jeremy looked around, took in the sights and then looked at Barbara.
"This takes me back..." he said. "...to when we met."
She smiled...she remembered that evening too and how nervous and awkward he was around her. She remembered Travis egging him on to talk to her. "We met in the bar there...and got talking over there." she said, pointing to the two different locations.
"I didn't exactly distinguish myself that night" he said.
"You did just enough to leave a positive impression" she said, holding his hand. "Shall we go and get something to drink first or get some food?"
"Let's have that drink" he said.
Inside the Waterside Warble they ordered drinks and managed to get a seat on the really comfortable sofa, which wasn't always easy as it was usually in demand on most evenings.
"Ahhh, this is nice" said Jeremy. "I have very fond memories of this place"
"Same here. We met here and right over there was when you kissed me for the first time!" said Barbara.
"Oh yes, gosh...I completely acted on impulse at that moment! I was half expecting you to slap me for being that bold"
"On the contrary, it was romantic. You seized the moment. I was half wondering whether you would kiss me that night or not!"
"Here's to seizing the moment!" he said, raising his glass in cheer.
"To seizing the moment! Speaking of which...how about a sing-along?" she said, jerking her head in the direction of one of the karaoke rooms.
"You're on!"
"Hey! You go, Jeremy! Woo!" Barbara clapped and cheered Jeremy's full on rendition of a Tom Jones number. "I never knew you could get raunchy!"
"I've been saving this one up for some time. HUH! Yeah, chills n' fever!"
"Bravo! Do you know some women throw their panties at Tom Jones when he performs?"
"Don't you dare! Barbara! No! What if someone walks in on us? No, put them back on! This is...you're putting me off! I've lost my place! Don't...DON'T!"
But she was feeling mischievous and her panties flew across the little room at Jeremy. He managed to catch them with one hand.
"Nice catch...maybe the Dodgers will sign you" she said with a giggle.
"Put them back on!" Jeremy pleaded.
"Oh alright, spoilsport!" she joked.
After the sing song they went to check out the spice festival itself. Bakko Jang was there, performing, as he was the regular act for the festival. His career was on the rise and getting more gigs in the city.
The evening was going very well for them. It brought back a lot of happy memories of their first meeting, first date and first time they kissed. The story of Jeremy and Barbara began right here. Bakko might have been playing that night as well!
They walked about the festival, arm in arm; the place was in full swing. Barbara paused and turned to look Jeremy deep in his eyes.
"So here we are now" she said, holding his hands.
"Indeed we are. It's been wonderful." he replied.
"Just tonight?" she asked.
"And all the times before right back to that first evening we met." he said, softly.
"And going forwards?"
"Whatever we want it to be" Jeremy replied, stroking her hands. "I don't see an end"
He was on the verge of dropping to one knee and proposing to her, but he held back. No, not tonight but soon...very soon...he would ask her to be his wife. She just looked lovingly into his eyes...no words needed to be said. She knew as well that he would ask her to marry him, she just had to trust the process and be patient a little while longer. But she also wanted him free from whatever grip the Landgraabs had on him.
They headed home soon afterwards. Jeremy opened the front door but Barbara stood outside on the sidewalk.
"I'm going straight to bed...are you coming too?" he asked.
"I remembered I had to tell Action something...I'll be along shortly" she replied.
She headed over to Action's house next door, hoping that he would be in. She had to tell him what little information she had about what happened to Jeremy on the day he was hired by the Landgraab Corporation. Knocking on the door she was nervous: At sneaking behind Jeremy's back, at trying to tell Action what she knew and what the implications of that were.
She knocked then a few seconds later there was a rattling of the door chain and Action peeped out of the crack in the door.
"Barbara! How's it hanging, babe?" he said, smiling.
"Action...I have something to tell you. Something that may be important!"
"Better come in, girl"
"So what ya got for me?" asked Action, sitting down at his small dining table. Barbara sat down opposite him.
"Well, I think Jeremy's feeling a lot better...since the wedding to be exact. He seems calmer, happier and less angry at people"
"That's good to hear."
"But I asked him about what went on at his work and he let out a little detail...it might not be much but it's all I could get out of him"
"Go on..."
"Jeremy spoke of this room he had to go to. It's downstairs, right below the Landgraab building. He said there's this dark room underneath the pumps. You access it via an elevator, he said. I couldn't find out what happened in that room or what it's for because he started to babble about Nancy Landgraab...still calling her 'mother' and Suzy being his enemy."
"OK, well, that's definitely a lead to follow up...find that room and you find out what happened to him in there. Babs, you did good...real good. You look after him; I've got some snooping around to do!"
