chapter 30

Jon wrapped his arms around Colleen, lowering his mouth to hers, it felt like coming home.  They must've been putting on a show, because a catcall broke them apart.

"Get a room you two."  Came the voice from the parking lot.
Laughing they waved, Jon offered the New Jersey salute, at Colleen's brother Jamie, who was taking out the trash.

Colleen took Jon's hand and pulled him into the room and shut the door. Watching him walk around the living room and finding her little bar.

"There's wine and beer."  She told him as he opened the bar fridge and got out two beers.
Colleen went over to the sofa and sat down, joining her and handing her a beer.

"So how did it go after I left?" Colleen asked as she opened her bottle.

"Mom and dad are heading to Miami, dad thought it was best if they weren't here for Thanksgiving.  He was going to call your dad and tell him they'll not be there."  Jon leaned back and toed off his boots.

"I guess getting our parents together was the wrong thing to try." Colleen reached out and took Jon's hand and squeezed it. "My mom and dad, fell in love with you and your kids."

"I'm glad they don't hold, me and my dad, responsible for my mother's actions." Jon tipped the bottle up and took a few long draws of beer.  The beer on top of the Jack he had at the house and the wine he had drank at dinner, was finally started to relax him.  Leaning his head back onto the back of the sofa and closed his eyes.

"They'd never do that," Colleen said softly. 

Pretty soon his breathing evened out and she took the beer bottle out of his hand.  He started to wake up, so she had him stretch out on the sofa.  Glad he had taken off his boots, she wouldn't have to struggle to pull them off.  She turned the lights down low and pulled the throw off the back of the couch, and covered him up.

He looked so comfortable and so sweet.  Looking at her watch, knowing her mom would be up and cooking for the crowd, she set her alarm and headed to her bedroom.  As she kicked off her slippers, she giggles a little, at the light snore coming from the sofa.

Jon woke up slowly, the dull ache in his head, proved wine, Jack and beer didn't mix as well at fifty-five, as it did in his twenties. It took him a second or two, to figure out why his back had the same dull ache as his head. Then the smells, that teased him awake, he knew he wasn't at his house.  Granted the sofa he was stretched out on, was more comfortable than the French provincial that graced his living room, his kidneys were telling him to find the head.  Sitting up slowly, he saw the note on the coffee table.  Bathroom, then note, his kidney's told him.  It only took a few wrong turns to find the bathroom.

This one was less girly than the one at her townhome, noticing the shower, he wished he had brought his car, from the city, with the go-bag in the trunk.  So shower would have to wait till he got home.  Going back into the living room he picked up the note. Playing a little trombone with the note, he wished he hadn't been so vain as to not wear his glasses.

J,
There is a pot of coffee ready to brew, just hit the button.  I put a towel, toothbrush and some of my brothers sweats out for you, if you want a shower.  I'm in the kitchen at the bar, the door is open under the stairs, if you want breakfast.  Hope you slept alright on the sofa? 
                                                 C.

Smiling he headed to the kitchen, where he found a Togo mug waiting next to the coffee pot, along with another note.

The mug is if you want to drink while you shower.

Man he was starting to fall in love with this woman. Whoa man put on the breaks.  Love?  Your wife just died seven months ago, you've only met Colleen five months ago.  Lust maybe, but love?

The smell of fresh-brewed coffee pulled him out of the debate in his head.  Filling up the mug and took a sip before putting on the lid.  The shot of hot caffeine hit the back of his throat, he almost sighed.

Taking the mug, he headed back to the bathroom.  How had he missed the towel and sweats on the stool by the shower?   Yep, there was another note on the clothes.

They might be a little too big, but I didn't think Pink was your color.

Putting the cup on the counter laughing, he closed the lid on the toilet and began to undress dropping his clothes on the lid.  Opening the door he turned the water on hot as high as it would go.  Grabbing the washcloth, coffee, and new bar of soap, he stepped into the steaming shower.

                                                                ----ß--@

Grabbing another cup of coffee, Colleen was, hoping this cup would send the yawns from getting to her.

"Someone is up," Maggie said as she basted one of the three huge turkeys.  The smell of turkey permeated the kitchen, her mother checked on the pot bowling on the stove.

"Mom, he slept on the sofa, not in my bed," Colleen told her mom as the coffee failed to end the yawns.

"I'm a cool mom," Maggie told her.  "You're over twenty-one, I can tell you like him."

Yeah I do like him, a little more than like.

"I know you're a cool mom, but is pop a cool Dad?"  Colleen asked her mom, as she rolled out pie dough for pies.  She was always the one to make the pies, cakes, cookies and bread, by the actual date of the holiday she hated anything sweet and the smell of fresh rolls turned her stomach.

"Well, you know you're your dad's baby girl, he might not be as happy about the two of you spending the night together."  Maggie started chopping a copious amount of onions and peppers for stuffing and potato salad.  The rest of the vegetables would be cooked the next day. 
They might only be serving about thirty family members, but they had to feed the regulars to the bar, many of them had been around so long they feel like honoraria uncles and aunts.

"I'm his only daughter."  Colleen laughed.

The shower turned off and Colleen smiled.

"Yeah, you like him, a lot" Maggie laughed.

                                                                 --->--@

Jon turned off the water, shaking water out of his hair, opening the door he reached for the towel off the stool.  Briskly toweling his body and his hair, he dressed in the borrowed sweats.  Notre Dame, knew there was a reason Colleen's brother and I got along yesterday at dinner.  Looking in the steamed up mirror he ran his fingers through his hair and opened the new toothbrush and added paste to the brush, and brushed the booze and coffee residue out of his mouth.  Remembering Colleen didn't have a maid he put the towel and washcloth on the bar in the shower and grabbed the now empty mug out of the shower and headed to the kitchen.  Looking in the cupboards he found a bag to put his clothes in it and grabbed his phone before filling the mug again and checking his phone.

Three calls, one from his dad, he punched the voicemail and listened.

Jonny, we're on our way to the airport, your mother isn't happy, but she said Christmas will be at our house, family only, not fighting her on this now.  I called Cul and told him we wouldn't be there, said your mother was not feeling well. Matty and Des got here with the kids and Tone is on his way.  Have fun and Happy Thanksgiving.

The second voicemail was from his brother Matt and it was a copy of his dad's. They were here and getting unpacked.  He wanted the 411 on what happened at dinner last night.  Damn he didn't want to rehash what went on between him and his mother.

The third was from Stephanie, just letting him know about her grandparents leaving. Uncle Matty was there, and the boys were fed and shooting hoops.

So in other words, no one died and there was no bloodshed, all was right in the world.  His stomach started to growl, the smells coming from the bar kitchen, were making him hungry.  Pocketing his phone and taking the cup to the sink and washing it out, he grabbed the bag of clothes and headed down the stairs.
                                                                     ---->--@
Laughter, along with the most wonderful smells, greeted him as he went into the screen door.  This was truly what Thanksgiving smelled like in his youth.

"Something smells delicious," Jon said as he watched Colleen kneading dough.

"Good morning Jon,"  Maggie called out.

Both of the ladies were dressed in aprons with turkeys and pilgrims on them.  This was what he missed, it just wasn't the same as the catering service he used, this screamed home.

"Did you sleep alright?"  Colleen asked wiping her hands on the towel tucked into the ties of the apron.  "Coffee is in the urn and there's bacon and eggs in the warmer if you're hungry."  She walked over and kissed him.  Her mother smiled at the intimacy Colleen was showing Jon.

"Slept good, and breakfast sounds good." Jon pulled her into his arms for his good morning smooch, all under the watchful eye of Colleen's mom.

"Cul just told us the news, about your mom getting sick.  I hope the dinner didn't make her sick?"  Maggie said as she walked over to the cabinet and pulled down a plate and a mug for Jon.

Damn my mother is being a diva and this woman is a saint, Saint Margaret O'Sullivan.

"She wasn't feeling good when they got down here, I think she was catching it from one of her charity groups."  Jon lied as he fixed the plate and got another cup of coffee.
Pulling up a stool on the other side of the island and started to eat. 

"Is there anything I can bring to help with food?" Jon asked between bites.

"Just bring your family, we have everything under control," Maggie said heading to the freezer and pulling out the pan out.

"Dad is on drink detail, Jamie is in charge of setting up," Colleen told him.

Jon made a mental list to stop by and pick up flowers for Maggie O'Brian. If he couldn't bring food he would bring flowers.

Jon's phone buzzed, he grabbed the phone and punched in his password, it was Stephanie.

"Hey baby girl, what's up?"  Jon popped the last of his eggs in his mouth.

"The boys want to know when you'll be home.  They want are wanting to go into town for lunch." Stephanie looked out at the basketball court, where her Uncle Matty and Uncle Tone was playing two on three with her brothers. Her Aunt Des was watching Disney Channel with Rocco and Isabella.

"Just finished breakfast, so I'll be home soon."  Jon picked up the plate and carried it to the sink.

"We'll take care of that, don't worry,"  Maggie said to bring over his mug along with three other bowls and mugs.

"Thank you for breakfast,"  Jon said as she took the bowls and mugs and put them into the sink.

"Hope your Mother feels better."  Maggie watched him move behind Colleen and put his arms around her waist.  Leaving to their goodbyes, she went into the bar

"Thanks for last night." Jon nuzzled her neck.

Shivering, Colleen turned in the circle of his arms and lifted her lips to his.  Jon smiled as she took her lips in a toe tingling kiss. 

Dang, he is the best kisser I ever had the pleasure to lock lips with.

Looping her hands around his waist, and rested her hands on the swell of his perfect ass.

"My brothers are in town with their family, so I guess we'll have movie night, if you want to come,"  Jon asked her, enjoying the feel of her in his arms.

"This is your family time, and I still have a lot to finish up here,"  Colleen said looking up in his eyes.

"My brothers want to meet you, and this would be better than tomorrow, with all the people being here,"  Jon said logically.

Yeah he was right, and she would be busy helping her mom tomorrow.

"If it won't be too much." Colleen said, "I might be through in time for a movie."

"And dinner?" Jon nudged her with his hips.

Before she could answer Jamie's entered the room before he came in.  Colleen and Jon laughed.

"Hey Jon love the wheels, man that's a classic.  What ya got under the hood?"  Jamie asked thinking the two lovebirds would jump apart, with his father coming in behind him. "It's a Chevelle Pop," Jamie warned his little sister.

"My drummer Tico, hooked me up with it."  Jon smiled with pride.  "Tic redid the interior, but it's the original paint job.  V-8 engine, my son's think I should put in a newer engine but I put my foot down." 

Colleen knew if she didn't remind Jon about Stephanie and the boy's lunch plans, Jamie would have him out there in the parking lot, with the hood open, poking in the motor.

"Jamie, Jon has plans with his kids, y'all talk cars tomorrow before the game," Colleen said as she put her palm on Jon's chest, stirring him toward the door.

"Alight Coll, Jon we'll see you and your family tomorrow."  Cullen O'Sullivan said as he put the apron on and washed the dishes.

Jon said his goodbyes, holding Colleen's hand as they headed out the back door, heading to his car.
Leaning on the driver's door, Jon pulled Colleen back into his arms.

"So, I'll see you tonight, around seven for dinner and a movie."  He leaned his head down and placed his forehead onto hers.

"I'll try, I need to finish the pies and the rolls refrigerated,"  Colleen told him.  "If I don't make dinner, I'll be there for the movie."

"Okay, but call me, I think Tone is making pasta, he's working with dad on the sauce, so there will be plenty."  Jon kissed her. Not even thinking a pap might be around.

"You play dirty Mister Bon Jovi,"  Colleen whispered as they parted.

"Naw, just hedging my bet."  Jon winked at Colleen as he got in the car.

Colleen laughed as she watched him back out and, when he looked back, blew him a kiss and waved.

Jon raved the engine as he headed toward his house.

Colleen laughed as the rolled her eyes and headed back to the kitchen.  Walking into the kitchen she watched her dad and brother eating apples.

"Hey, don't eat the apples, unless you don't want my French Apple and Country Apple pie."  Colleen pulled off her towel and popped at her dad and brother. 

"Don't you two have something to do, Colleen has a date tonight," Maggie said coming back into the kitchen to chase the men out. Once they were out her mom went back to the over to baste the turkeys.

"How did you know?" Colleen asked her mother.

"A mother knows." Was all her mother would say.