Chapter 28
Jed and Charlotte met up after work on Monday and went looking for a washer and dryer for Jed’s house. They went to several stores and compared models, prices, and features. They discussed Jed’s present needs and also his future needs for a washer and dryer. They decided on a brand and model and Jed purchased it. Charlotte enjoyed shopping with Jed. When it came to the big stuff, he was very involved in the decision making process. The little stuff, she noticed form last weeks shopping, he was not quite so picky about. The store stated that the earliest delivery date would be Thursday this week. Jed thought about renting a truck and moving it himself, but Charlotte convinced him to let the professional do it. That way, she explained, if it got damaged, the store would be responsible.
They went back to Jed’s house. Jed took Charlotte’s coat and then told to sit in the living room and relax. He even brought her a cup of coffee and handed her the remote for the tv. He then went in to the kitchen and started preparing dinner. He decided to make dinner for Charlotte as a way to repay her for all the help that she had given him, and because he was falling in love with her. He made dinner and then invited Charlotte in to the dining area. They sat down and ate. Charlotte was impressed with how good everything was.
“This is real good Jed”, Charlotte stated smiling.
“That’s because it was made with love”, Jed replied with a slight giggle and a sly grin.
“No, really, this is real good. I did not know you could cook so well”, Charlotte stated.
“When I was still in high school, I used to go over to Grandma’s a lot. She made me help her in the kitchen. I didn’t really like it, and Grandpa thought it was just crazy. But, Grandma told me that one day I would thank her”, Jed stated.
“You must have been paying attention”, Charlotte stated with a smile.
“I really enjoyed spending the time with my Grandparents”, Jed responded and then added, “I was there a lot when I was growing up and mom was working”.
“Did you get to see both sets of Grandparents Jed”, Charlotte asked politely.
“Yes, but I spent the most time with my mom’s parents. They lived closer. Dad’s parents moved up north before I was out of middle school. How did you get along with your Grandparents?”, Jed asked, just as politely.
“My Grandparents all lived pretty close. I did spend so of the summers with them on and off. I had a lot of fun with them. All four of them were gone though, before I was out of high school. I miss them a lot even now”, Charlotte replied sadly.
“I’m so sorry”, Jed replied apologetically.
“That’s okay, it was a long time ago and you didn’t know”, Charlotte responded.
“How are your parents, are they okay?”, Jed asked inquisitively.
“They’re doing good, dad works in the shop and mom stays at home and takes care of the house, and of course, dad”, Charlotte replied.
“Do you see them much?”, Jed asked.
“I used to, we had a little falling out recently though”, Charlotte replied.
“Do you want to talk about it?”, Jed asked supportively.
“No, not yet, when the time is right we can talk about it”, Charlotte stated, not wanting Jed to find out yet that the falling out was about him.
“Okay, whenever you’re ready I’ll be here”, Jed responded, again supportively.
“I think eventually everything will work out and that’s what’s important”, Charlotte stated.
“That true, these things do have a way of doing that”, Jed said reassuredly.
“You said earlier on the phone that you had something to talk to me about next time I saw you?, Charlotte stated questioningly.
“Oh yea, do you remember Saul, the guy you hit with your car?”, Jed started.
“You mean Saul, the guy you knocked me in to?”, Charlotte said with a grin.
“Right, the guy I knocked you into. Well, he was shot in the chest during a robbery and required emergency surgery. That’s the emergency surgery I had to do when I left you in the lobby of the hospital. Over the last few weeks, I have become friends with him and his wife.”, Jed stated.
“I would like for us to get together with him and his wife, Gail this Wednesday for dinner at Luca’s Chophouse. What would you think of doing that?”, Jed continued.
“I would love to meet your friends Jed”, Charlotte replied sitting straight up in her chair.
“Good, he’s supposed to let me know tomorrow if Gail has to work Wednesday or not and then I will let you know”, Jed replied.
“Sounds good to me”, Charlotte said smiling once again and then taking the last bite of dinner.
“They are real good people”, Jed continued, “I think you’ll like them too”.
“Let me take your plate, you cooked, so I’ll do the dishes”, Charlotte stated authoritatively.
“I’ll help”, Jed responded as he carried his plate to the sink.
“Okay, if you insist”, Charlotte stated as she put her plate in the sink.
“Do you want to watch the rest of the Red Wing’s game after we get down cleaning up”, Jed asked as he started rinsing off dishes and then handed them to Charlotte to put in the dishwasher.
“Okay”, she said as she put a plate in the dishwasher.
They finished doing the dishes and then cleaned off the table and stove. They they went into the living room and sat on the sofa. Jed turned on the tv and covered Charlotte with the quilt. They went through their game time ritual of kissing when the Red Wings scored. They enjoyed the game and each others company. They also drank a little too much coffee.
After the game was over, Jed asked Charlotte if she wanted to stay the night. She decided to stay. Charlotte went in to the bathroom and brushed her teeth and hair. Jed went in and brushed his teeth too. They went back out to the living room and talked a little more as they snuggled on the sofa.
“Charlotte, I love you”, Jed stated in his most serious voice.
“I love you too”, Charlotte replied as she leaned over to him and gave him a kiss.
“What would you think of moving in with me?”, Jed asked hoping she would say yes and not pull away.
“I think we should wait until we know each other a little better. I will think about it though. I have been staying most of the time here anyway”, Charlotte replied as she turned to face him.
“Perhaps you’re right, we should get to know each other better”, Jed responded as he stood up.
“I think it just might be a little too soon, we’ve only known each other for four or five weeks and I don’t think we should rush in to that much of a commitment just yet”, Charlotte explained and then continued, “I am falling in love with you and want to spend more time together”
“I do want to spent more time with you too. I do agree though, now that you’ve said it, that we should wait a little while”, Jed agreed.
“Are you ready for bed?”, Charlotte asked as she stood up and took Jed’s hand in to hers.
“Yes”, Jed said as he stood up and started leading Charlotte down the hall toward the bedroom.
“Easy there, I have to go to the bathroom first”, Charlotte stated as she stopped at the bathroom door.
“Okay, I’ll be in bed when you are finished”, Jed said as he continued down the hall. A few minutes later, Charlotte walked in to the bedroom and shut the door and climbed in to bed.
