A Simple Man

A Simple Man

By Joseph Charlone

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Joseph Charlone

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Chapter 1

A Kiss in the Dark or Things Are Not As They Appear

Jon always commuted to work early, and often met one of his co-workers, June, for coffee at the shop downstairs from the office. The two would talk office politics and the deals that were currently being worked on, or current affairs in the metro DC area. They often remarked how the office and management ran the place like army camp. But this day he was a little later than usual as he had to take his two kids to summer camp. Much to Jon’s surprise he found June at the coffee shop when he arrived. June was about 10 years older than Jon, rather mousy with big glasses and perpetually single but a heart of gold. She looked like the typical library book worm, dressed well but like a plain Jane, or June, as the case maybe.

Jon took advantage of June’s poor eye sight and snuck up next to her and said Hi June, in a rather loud voice.

Shit! June exclaimed sloshing a cup of coffee in the air.

I’m sorry June Jon said with a big smile.

I hope you’re as happy when we get into the office. We’re a little late, explained June in a sarcastic voice.

I know, replied Jon, But I had to bring the kids to camp. Its a little time consuming having to run all the errands myself since Ann flew out to Oregon.

Is she coming back again before you all move out there? asked June.

No, said Jon, She brought her essentials and is setting up the house we closed on out there. Plus she’s getting involved at the school that TnT will be attending. Jon often referred to his kids, Tommy age 10 and Tammy age 7, endearingly as TnT, it made it easier to say quickly and also depicted how explosive they can be to a house.

How’s that big law firm deal you’re working on? asked June.

It’s going well. I’m probably going to need your help on some of the personnel records pretty soon, answered Jon.

You brought that client into the company? June again asked.

Yup, Jon continued, That’s my puppy. I’m hoping it sits, roles over and writes really big checks. It paid off to take that extra time in New York last spring. I know Mr. Levin at the time, didn’t want me to waste the extra week or the money entertaining, but I could feel the firm was going to choose us for their work.

Well maybe that will cut us some slack this morning, whispered June.

I hope it does more than that, I told Mr. Levin’s assistant that I needed to leave early to take TnT to their doctor’s for school check-ups. But really I’m hoping to get one last round of golf in. We can always find doctors out there but I did some research, and the only championship level course is much farther south along the Oregon coast. So really, I just want to get out one more time this afternoon, I’ve got my stroke in a real groove lately, I just need to work on my long putt, explained Jon.

Sounds interesting Jon, you know I hate golf, quipped June. June and Jon brought their coffees around the lobby of the building to the elevator banks. Well, here goes another day at DCA. Do your DCA face, June encouraged Jon. Each morning like clockwork, June would ask Jon to put on his DCA face. That was the company Jon and June worked for, Davidson Consulting and Accounting. The DCA face would comprise of an explosive ear to ear gaping smile the likes of which only an overly caffeinated used car salesmen could manage to produce, while holding an imaginary phone to his ear. Clearly a display of how one had to be ridiculously upbeat about being in the office and slightly cheesy. After Jon produced the DCA face, June would ask if Jon was ‘bushytailed’ this morning, implying they needed to be at their best attentiveness, even squirrelly, when they walked in. Jon would reply, BT June, BT.

The two entered the office and walked by the rows of partitioned work spaces toward their private offices. As they walked through the office they noticed a more relaxed atmosphere, Mr. Levin was not to be seen in his office nor on the floor, and some of the callers were standing around someone’s desk chatting. June’s office was next to Jon’s and each had a window as they were more management and producer types than the researchers or callers in the main floor area. Jon had removed most of his personal items from his office and as he entered his rather barren room and put his coffee on his cleared desk, he heard June next door already on the phone. He looked back through their open doors and watched her. June didn’t look like much but she had a great voice and she knew it. She sounded like a six foot blonde with a model’s features who had been waiting all her life just to talk with you. She used it like a warm velvet glove over a chilled and chapped hand and could sell anybody anything. Even with her cavernous abyss bag still over her shoulder and coffee in hand, nobody gave better phone than June.

When she was done with her call Jon entered her office. I just wanted to say how great it’s been working next door to you. We’ve done some amazing things and built a great book of clients, Jon explained.

Well we’re not done yet buddy. Just because you’re out there on the west coast doesn’t mean you can slack off. You’ll be back here every month or so right? June demanded.

Yes I will. I know it will be just like before I moved to DC from New York a few years ago. We’ll talk on the phone a lot and I’ll be back here every month or so. But I know you better now. We’ve worked together daily and gone through some tough client work, Jon continued.

I’ll miss you too Jon. But it’s not our business I’m worried about, I wish I could find a nice guy and settle down. I’ve met some rather strange men in my life and I wish someone would be stable and reliable; a reasonable guy, like you, June explained.

Gee, I don’t know what to say, Jon said jokingly.

Relax Valentino, you wish I had a crush on you. I mean you take care of your kids and wife; you’re always home at night and plan weekends around your family. Even when you’re away on business you call them and bring something back for them each time. Even that time Ann was upset because of some neighbor thing, you went home at lunch and brought her flowers; very sweet, June replied.

I just want a normal life, a good place for my kids and happy times with my wife. Hopefully this time she’ll be happy, I’m getting tired of moving. I’m a simple man really; I don’t need exotic adventures or crazy vacations like climbing Mt. Everest or sailing around Antarctica or champagne on a tropical beach. Well maybe that last one, Jon joked.

If you don’t want that last one I’ll take it, quipped June. Just then there was a scuffle on the main floor, people were scattering back to their cubbies; Mr. Levin was probably back in the office.

Well I should go make some calls on the Stevenson Account; I need to check on their portable business numbers from last year, said Jon.

Well let me know so I can put them into the data base, replied June.

Will do. Plus I hope to talk with Ann before I go to the doctors, he said with a wink.

How is she doing out there so far? asked June.

She’s doing well I guess. She bubbles over the people at the school and the new house, so I guess it’s good. I won’t be able to talk with her later tonight because she has a school meeting at one of the teacher’s houses, Jon ended and went back into his office.

Later that morning Jon got a call at the office, Hello?

Hi sweetie, how are you? Ann asked over a distant sounding line.

I’m good. Miss you though, Jon replied.

I miss you too honey. How are the kids? Ann asked.

The kids are good and miss you too. They’re a little nervous about moving. I think more so than when we moved a couple of years ago from New York, explained Jon.

Well they’ll be fine. This is a great place for all of us. The school is really good and the teachers are great. The kids will be well held, soothed Ann.

That sounds good. The house is almost packed up and the truck is coming at the end of the week. We fly out Sunday and I’ve reserved a rental car at the airport to drive to Valley Line, explained Jon.

That sounds great. Glad you have everything under control, Ann continued as if to end the conversation.

Oh do you have to go? asked Jon longingly.

I have a meeting at school to help fix up the classrooms. I’m trying to be as involved as I can, explained Ann.

Are they nice? Will we talk tonight or do you have that New Astaria meeting tonight? asked Jon.

Yes I have a meeting tonight at Phyllis’ house. A few other teachers might be there and they’re just great. I’m glad we’re following this education path and keeping the kids in a New Astaria school, it’s so good for the kids. I’ll be late tonight and with the time change I don’t want to wake the children, so I’ll call you tomorrow, remarked Ann.

Wow, you moms have more meetings than our DCA clients do, joked Jon, What time tomorrow should I call you?

I’m not sure; I might help Marsha put together work books in the morning, so maybe I should call you after, retorted Ann.

Ok sweetie that sounds good. I love you, purred Jon.

Love you, good bye, said Ann.

You know, I can’t wait to get my arms around you and hug you, Jon continued, but Ann had already hung up.

Later in the week, still in Washington DC, a young boy walked into a room to see his father putting tape around the last of the boxes. I miss mommy, said Tommy. When is she coming home?

She’s not honey; she’s already setting up our new home in Oregon. So I guess she’s already home, Jon laughed.

What will Oregon be like dad? asked the boy.

It’s very friendly and safer than DC is, his dad said, You’ll like it there, the weather is better, the people are friendlier and the community is more open about current affairs; they’re more progressive mom says.

I’m going to miss my friends and my school here, said the 10 year old.

The school in Valley Line is very good and there are more places to play. Here we can’t play outside unless we go to a park, but there, our backyard is so much bigger, the school yard is bigger and the area has plenty of hiking trails and open spaces to play, assured dad.

I know, replied Tommy, That’s what mommy said.

Well I hope mommy has picked out a good situation for us. She really likes it out there and said we’ll be very happy, much more than we were here, said Jon.

That’s what you guys said last time when we moved here from New York, quipped the youth.

Where’s your sister, said his father, trying to change the subject.

She’s down stairs trying to put her stuffed animals in that big box you gave her after dinner, answered Tommy.

Well go down and see if she needs help please, ordered his father. Jon thought to himself, while he finished getting all the clothing into the big boxes, he and Ann had moved around a lot. He hoped this would be the last time. He was just getting into a groove in DC, finally after two years. It was good that the company had an office in DC so he could prove himself otherwise Mr. Levin would have never let him move to Oregon. And to have a satellite office, well really, work from home temporarily, just made him feel so thankful for the job he had. He knew he’d have to travel back to DC every couple of weeks but the travel didn’t seem to be a big obstacle in his mind. Just the thought of being able to come back every month or so, made him feel better; more secure and connected.

Just then Tommy came back upstairs to report to his dad. Tammy fell asleep in the box of stuffies, he said gleefully.

Well I guess it is bedtime, replied Jon. He walked his boy back down stairs to the kids’ room. He told Tommy to get ready for bed then picked up Tammy from the stuffed animal box when she awoke.

Hi daddy, I think I finished packing, she said softly. Well not quite sweetie, chuckled Jon. Jon dressed Tammy in her pajamas and put her in bed. I want a story, said Tammy.

I want one too dad. added Tommy, Can you continue Professor Percy please?

Yes Professor Percy daddy, added Tammy.

Well alright then, just for a few minutes, Dad allowed. As you know, Prof. Percy Pawsfoot was a skunk, a very intelligent skunk who taught at the local school of forest animals. Prof. Percy was very well liked and thought of as very kind by most of the animals in the school. He wore round rimmed glasses and a wool vest, and toted a briefcase with him everywhere he went. Prof. Percy was a little clumsy with his bushy black and white tail though. Sometimes when the Prof. turned around to work at the chalk board his bushy tail would knock all the things off his desk. In class today he was to teach the finer equations of math used for finding potatoes and digging burrows in the ground. Prof. Percy couldn’t see very well so he got close to the chalk board when his tail knocked over the erasers. A big puff of dust went up into the air and into Prof. Percy’s face and he sneezed. The whole class behind him dove on the floor quickly. As nice and proper as Prof. Percy is, there’s no telling what could happen in the aft section of a forward sneezing skunk. Everyone got back in their seats once they realized nothing happened and before Prof. Percy knew the class had hit the deck.

Just then Jon got a call on his cell phone. It was 8pm and he hoped it was Ann. "Hello

Hello? Jon answered. Tommy watched his father on the phone call; Jon’s posture stiffened. Hi Mr. Levin. Yes sir, I’ve already sent out the proposal to the client. I suspect I’ll hear back from them before the week is out. I’ll have my cell phone with me the whole time. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear something, Jon continued as he walked down the hall. And Mr. Levin, sir, Sam? I just wanted to thank you again for allowing me to move to Oregon to be with my family and believing in me sir. I can’t thank you enough, I won’t let you down. Yes sir. Okay." The further away into the house Jon got, Tommy couldn’t make out what his dad was saying. Tommy looked over at Tammy and she was already asleep. Then, still hearing mumbling down the hall from his father, Tommy fell asleep.

When Jon came back to the kids’ room he saw TnT fast asleep. Jon kissed them both, turned off their light and went back to his den to continue packing. Music was a very strong source of inspiration and meditation for Jon. He liked some jazz, blues and funk like Tito Puente, Muddy Waters and Rick James; which was in contrast to Ann. She liked 80’s new wave which include Peter Gabriel, Duran Duran and the B52s. Even though they had differing backgrounds of music, Jon and Ann enjoyed learning each other’s music style; it was one of the things that brought them together.

Jon remembered that ever since he and Ann met in high school, they loved going to concerts. When they were too young to get in, they often snuck in. Ann would wear her usual short skirt and hang around one of the back doors waiting for a member of the group to come outside to smoke a cigarette. She’d bat her eyes to get in, then yell to Jon who was around the corner. Jon sometimes snuck a flask of whatever he could find in the bar at his parent’s house. That’s how they saw Peter Gabriel’s ‘So’ shows, standing next to the stage for free.

But when Ann joined Jon to go to jazz clubs, they never had to wait at a back door. Most of the jazz or blues clubs were usually filled with older people and so either assumed Ann and Jon were of age, or were just delighted younger people were interested in the music. It was a much different scene in the blues clubs than new wave shows. Older Black and Latino couples danced around a smoky room filled with percussions, horns and guitar and usually some singer belting out tunes to create a sultry atmosphere. Thinking of all the concerts he and Ann went to made Jon dig up the many photo albums they kept.

He found the album with their earlier pictures, from high school and college. Jon loved Ann. Everything about her touched Jon in ways he had never felt. He remembered the first time he ever saw her. He was interviewing at the high school as a transfer student and was waiting on a bench in front of the office. Ann walked down the stairs toward him dressed in a pink flowing dress with white lace fringes. Her reddish brown hair was in a loose perm with just a little makeup to highlight her beautiful face. Her beaming green eyes met Jon’s as he sat there dumfounded. She turned the staircase to walk down the hall and her skirt flowed like a dancer’s from a movie. Just before she turned down the hall she looked back over her shoulder to look at Jon; with the warmest smile she mouthed, Hi. Jon couldn’t say a thing, or even move; he was in love.

For the rest of high school Jon always wanted to be with Ann. They saw each other quite a bit even though they weren’t officially going steady. Jon never saw Ann with another guy so he wasn’t that concerned, but Ann did hang out with a large group of people as friends, most of them women, and Jon hung out with them sometimes too. There was a mystique Ann created and an air of sophistication that attracted Jon more. Even the times Ann wasn’t able to meet up with Jon, which was usually for some grand reason, made Jon want to strive to be even better, hoping to be included in her next amazing, yet semi secret adventure.

A lot of those friends changed as they went to college. Jon and Ann went to college in New York City but at two different universities; they were close enough where they could see each other often. But sometimes there was a greater cleavage between Ann and Jon once in college. Sometimes they were a steady couple and sometimes Ann needed her own space or time to work on something. The times they were apart made Jon want Ann that much more. Ann had an eclectic group of friends at college but Jon never saw her openly with another guy, so he didn’t worry too much about their on again, off again relationship.

When Jon and Ann were together there was no better couple, everyone said so. They talked the same, liked the same things and privately had a good time with sex. It always seemed to Jon that he wanted it more than Ann did. Jon found her gorgeous and wanted to touch her all the time. She on the other hand, proclaimed to love sex with Jon but just didn’t want sex as much. Jon chalked it up to him having a larger libido than Ann. But back then Jon was intrigued by Ann, especially when she and a few dorm friends got their own apartment in the city. Sometimes they would go night clubbing and it was girls only. Ann even bragged that her group didn’t wear underwear when they went out. Jon wasn’t allowed to go, but he so wanted to. The idea of his love and her friends out without panties drove Jon crazy; it made him want her even more.

Toward the end of college, Jon was a little tired of the on again, off again way his relationship with Ann patterned. Jon had built a good group of buddies from college. Just because Ann and her friends had their girls’ time night clubbing didn’t mean Jon didn’t have a few wild parties as well. Some of Jon’s friends were starting to explore careers. One of his buddies set Jon up with a job at a bank focusing on investments. Jon started to leave the party life style and focus on getting out of college in good standing so he could take the bank job. Something happened at Ann’s college in the last year that forced her to change her job focus. The career she thought she wanted to go into was then something she wouldn’t do. She hung around Jon a lot more in that last year, which made Jon happy. Everyone still said what a great couple they made, but more than a couple, they acted like best friends. Even with the on again, off again connection, they still fell right into place each time. But again, Jon wanted sex with Ann more than she could handle.

After they graduated, Jon and Ann moved in together and Jon got the investment bank job his friend set up for him. They were adults and so enjoyed the blues clubs, but they could order drinks. They still went to concerts, but they could buy the tickets even to the over 21 shows. Ann was trying to find a new career path and Jon worked in the bank when they had there first child, Tommy. Jon’s bank job opened him up to many clients in the investment field and one of those clients offered him a management job with their consulting company. Ann and Jon moved from neighborhood to neighborhood until they bought a house in the suburbs. They had two cars and she had the neighborhood friends while Jon had work friends and golf buddies.

But Jon always wondered about their past and Ann’s on again, off again relationship with him. He wondered about her lack of sex with him. Sometime they didn’t get along very well and plans had to be changed in midstream. Ann and Jon had Tammy three years after Tommy. Ann was tired and not often happy. She had very close friendships with some of the other moms in the neighborhood, but they always appeared to be one at a time. One summer she was very close with Trisha next door, than the next year she was best buddies with Margaret down the block. Jon often wondered why they all didn’t hang out at the same time.

When a promotion came up for Jon, he had the chance to relocate to the Washington DC office of his company. Ann pushed for that move. She no longer felt their neighborhood was a good place to be at all. Apparently their little community took a turn for the worse and moving would so help their family. Ann told Jon that it was New York that was making here depressed and moving to DC would bring them closer together. Jon liked the idea and was more than happy to make the monumental change happen.

As Jon looked through the old photo albums, he saw the wear and tear life had put on he and Ann. Life doesn’t go the way you plan it he said to himself sitting on the den floor. He put on Peter Gabriel’s ‘More Than This,’ and reminisced about Ann and his youth. He pulled out a few concert t-shirts from the clothes box. Then Jon went on the computer to look at other photos they took over the years. But some of the photos were missing. Actually some of the folders were gone; documents too. There was a problem with the computer. The email exchange was gone or broken so he couldn’t email, and some of the document files were gone or broken. Jon hadn’t used the home computer in a while; most of what he used was his company laptop. Ann was the last one to use it before she left for Oregon but she didn’t say anything about the computer. The more he poked around on the computer the more it acted strange; it was getting worse. He was afraid if he kept using it, it may not work again. He turned of the computer and the music CD. He had to repack everything because the truck was coming in the morning. Jon wanted everything to be easy to get on board so he and TnT wouldn’t be doing it the following day. That was the day their plane left for Oregon.

That same evening, in Oregon, there was a knock at a door. Marsha opened her door to find Ann standing there, dressed in a rather hippie styled skirt, sweater and sandals. Hi Ann, it’s so good to see you, come on in. You look great, and I can see your dressing the part for these spaces, said Marsha.

Thank you, it’s good to see you too, said Ann, I feel much more comfortable dressed like this, more casual and free, like a natural woman. Back east everyone dressed in pantsuits or sharp conforming blouses with perfectly bobbed hair, I didn’t like it. And I guess I didn’t fit in all too well with pants or leggings under my skirt.

I know what you mean, said Marsha, Sometimes when it’s cold I just throw on a skirt over my flannel long underwear. Have a seat; can I get you about a cup of tea?

That would be lovely. Thank you, said Ann.

Charles should be around here somewhere. Charles? We have company, Marsha called as she walked into the kitchen. Ann’s eyes followed Marsha’s square framed body as she walked out of the room. The blue flannel dress shirt Marsha wore, hung untucked from her shoulders, and seemed to flatten her chest. Her square jeans rolled at the cuff covered her lanky legs. Ann noticed Marsha’s long dark hair done up in a loose bun. Marsha had a pretty face, but rather square features.

A man slightly older than Marsha walked into the room accompanied by her. He had thinning reddish gray hair, jeans and a sweatshirt emblazoned with the local state university logo on the front; he was carrying a folder in his hand. Hi I’m Charles, Marsha’s husband, and you must be Ann? said Charles.

Marsha entered the conversation, Yes Charles this is Ann Carter from Washington DC, she’s decided to hook up with us at the school. I don’t know if you had a chance to meet her when she visited last month, she’s quite active in New Astaria education.

Yes, I volunteered on the outreach committee, and did some after school care hours, Ann said.

That sounds great; it’ll be good to have you and your family at our school. When will the rest of the Carters be joining? asked Charles.

My husband Jonathan, Jon, will be flying in a few days with our two kids Tommy and Tammy, said Ann.

Well he’s flying with your two kids from DC, that’s quite a trip. How is he taking the move? asked Charles.

He’s doing okay; he just needs to learn his way around the area. This’ll be the best thing for everybody, said Ann. Just then the whistle on the tea kettle blew, and Marsha walked into the kitchen.

Well I’ll have to get together with Jon at some point and show him around town. You can’t be all bad you’re wearing the same sandals I do, Charles chuckled, Anyway, I have to go deliver these documents to one of the board members. I’ll be back in a little while, he called to Marsha as he walked out the door.

Marsha walked into the room with 2 cups of tea, handed one to Ann and sat down next to her. So how are you and Jon doing? she asked.

Well, it’s always been rocky between Jon and I, and we’ll try to figure out what’s best. It’s like sometimes we just don’t connect, we each have our little roles and as long as no one rocks the boat he’s happy. I tried to do what I can to make it work. But sometimes what I have just isn’t good enough for him.

Yes, I saw you talk about that in a couple of your e-mails, Marsha retorted.

I know this is the best situation for our kids, and I’m very excited to hook up with you and other teachers and parents at the school and find other like-minded moms, said Ann.

There are some great ladies here at the school. You know, I teach one of the kindergartens and Miss Crystal teaches the other kindergarten. I know you’ve met Phyllis, who works in the office and Kerry, who’s the faculty chair and teaches fourth grade. And of course there’s Alyx, she just donates so much of her time to the school. If it weren’t for her I don’t know where we would all be, she really gets it, she really understands how to make this work for us, said Marsha as she placed her hand on Ann’s knee.

I’m just so excited to connect with such strong women. I really feel I found the place I belong, like you understand, said Ann softly as she put her hand on Marsha’s.

Marsha leaned over closer into Ann’s face and said quietly I do understand, how tough it is to find the right place to be, how difficult it is to be understood and honored for who you are, how we each desire to be held by others who understand. Marsha leaned a little further in, their eyes locked, sparkling at each other through a warm haze and said, I think your Tammy will be in my class, I’ll watch out for her and make sure everything is okay.

Ann leaned into Marsha; she could feel her charged breath lightly against her cheek. I know you will, I can feel it, she whispered. Their lips met and Ann could feel the softness of Marsha’s lips grace lightly upon her own. They just pressed lips lightly together the first couple of kisses, feeling the charge of electricity run through them and the cloud of excitement surround them. Then Ann opened her mouth slightly and embraced Marsha in a full kiss. Marsha returned by ending each kiss by sucking slightly on Ann’s top lip. Ann noticed her hand was very sweaty on top of Marsha’s, she paused their kiss, removed her hand and noticed all the rings on Marsha’s fingers and said, Those are all very nice.

You like my rings, Marsha asked.

I was talking about your fingers, Ann said with a coy look on her face, her head cocked to one side.

You like my fingers Ann? Marsha asked baiting.

I’d love your fingers, Ann said directly.

Marsha slowly moved her hand up Ann’s leg, her knee was very warm from the two sweaty hands, and Ann put her arm around Marsha’s neck. Marsha then moved her hand under Ann’s skirt, and slowly caressed up her thigh again. The two met in a more fevered kiss. Ann’s hand moved down Marsha’s shoulder to her chest, Marsha’s hand reaching the top of Ann’s thigh. Ann embraced Marsha’s breast while Marsha moved up slowly to find that Ann had no underwear. Their kisses and actions became more dramatic and passionate. An excited heat filled the room as Ann unbuttoned a few buttons of the blue flannel shirt and slipped her hand in to feel Marsha’s bare chest, while kissing down Marsha’s neck.

Just then an engine sounded as a car pulled into the driveway. Damn it! Charles must be back, said Marsha. The two women wrestled quickly to put their clothes straight. Each taking end positions on the couch opposite each other, and smoothed their clothing. Each grabbed a New Astaria Education book and commenced reading aloud. Charles walked in and broke the energy in the room like a slap of cold air on a warm lazy day in the garden.

Tara wasn’t home so I left the file in her mailbox. Then I went by Todd’s house but he wasn’t in either, and I wasn’t driving around for an hour tonight, explained Charles harshly. Saying no more he quickly glanced at the two and went upstairs and closed a door.

I apologize for that, said Marsha, Charles can be a little rude sometimes.

That’s okay, said Ann, I have to go anyway. I have to be available for Jon tomorrow morning. Have to call and check in. It was great to see you and I can’t wait to get sometime with you again. Let me know the next meeting or group get together there is, I’d love to go.

Sure I’ll let you know. Where are you staying? Is the house finished yet? asked Marsha. The house is almost done. I have a bed in the master bedroom and some of my clothes so I’m basically in already, explained Ann.

Well, I have faculty meetings most of the next couple of days but maybe I could come over and see how the house looks, offered Marsha.

That would be nice, just come over whenever you’re around this week. With that Ann said good night and left the house.

Chapter 2

Oregon Welcomes You or Welcome to the Show

Since Jon and the kids had flown out to Oregon most of their time was spent unpacking boxes. Jon still liked to get up early and make some calls from his cell phone to the office back in DC. He usually got a cup of coffee out at one of the local coffee shops. There was the usual Starbucks but Jon wanted to get a feel for the area so he’d visit the more local ones. Once he’d gotten a coffee he drove around Valley Line to check it out as well. One morning Jon drove by the Valley Line New Astaria School, the school Tommy and Tammy would be attending in just a week or two. The building was a quite run down brick ranch from the post World War II era. The parking lot had lots of potholes with faded parking lines and most surprisingly a large chestnut tree growing through and breaking the pavement of one side of the lot. There were two other cars in the lot and as Jon walked around the grounds he noticed there were no other trees. The grass in the back yard was yellow and dry, like most lawns and fields in Oregon, it became dormant during the hot dry summer then turned lush and green again once the rainy season hit. Jon had been told the rainy season started in October and continued straight on through until April. When Jon got entered the court yard, to the side of the school, he noticed a picture of the world painted on the paved play area. What was odd to Jon was that instead of the painting highlighting countries, it depicted certain fairies in the north, water fairies in the oceans and gnomes in the middle over land. Then Jon noticed a fenced in area behind the courtyard. The fence work was old planks nailed together and surrounded nothing. There were no play structures, swings or jungle gyms, and from the look of the ground, it had been a mud pit but had dried hard over the summer.

Jon walked into the school and was immediately hit with patchouli and sage aromas. He walked down the halls and looked in classes. Everything looked like a regular school just older, more out dated and worn out than he was used to. He walked by the office and noticed an older woman with frizzy hair wearing an old army jacket. He walked in. May I help you? offered the woman.

Hi I’m Jon Carter. I just moved here from DC with my family. You probably already know my wife Ann, Jon introduced while offering his hand.

Oh, said the woman pleasantly. Oh, she then said rather guarded, I’m Phyllis Corey, I run the office here. Trying to find your way around the school Jon? Phyllis stood to shake hands with Jon. He noticed she was taller than he was with shoulders as broad, and the tie-dye shirt she was wearing was actually a full length cotton dress that went down to her hiking boots.

Jon tried not to stare at Phyllis’ wardrobe choice and offered, It must be a lot of work running the office?

Phyllis then spoke with a heavy sigh, Oh sure it gets tough, but it’s a labor of love.

Ann told me she helped you last week with the workbooks and some of the painting, Jon continued.

The work books? Phyllis asked confused. Oh Ann is a beautiful girl, she continued, She has been very helpful. She helped me paint some of the walls in the classrooms. We really had a chance to connect. I‘ve enjoyed her presence at some of the meetings too.

There isn’t much play stuff outside for the kids to play with, Jon commented trying to keep the conversation moving.

Phyllis muscled out a smile, It’s not what’s outside that counts, it’s what’s on the inside, isn’t it? she mused almost sarcastically. She continued with another heavy sigh, It’s a real gift what these teachers bring to the children. The value of which is immeasurable. Jon wasn’t sure if Phyllis was tired or aggravated, but either way it seemed like they weren’t quite communicating. Jon looked around uncomfortably. Phyllis sat back behind her desk and looked where Jon was looking; the teacher mailboxes that hung from the wall. Oh you’ll have a mail box out there by the time school starts. Oh that’s right, you share with Ann, Phyllis remarked.

Yes, thank you. It was very nice to meet you finally, Jon said politely trying to leave.

We’ll see you when school starts. Thanks for visiting Jon, Phyllis said slightly more relieved as Jon walked out of the office. He looked at the bank of small cubbies that hung from the wall across from the office that Phyllis referred to, then walked back outside.

Maybe Phyllis was just stressed out from all the preschool stuff that had to be done, Jon thought to him self, But the way Ann talks and how Phyllis talked about the teachers, they must be an amazing bunch of educators. Maybe it’s just the transition adjustment I’m going through, he questioned to himself. Maybe this is just fine and I need to relax more. He chalked it up to relocating and decided to go back home and try to chase Ann around the bedroom. He and she hadn’t been intimate since she flew out to Oregon almost a month ago. He got back in his car and drove home.

On the way he noticed the scenery in Valley Line. There were a lot of farms but no animals. Hay or grass was the main crop, sometimes bulk vegetables. During the dry season that Oregon was in, Jon could see plumes of dust rise like smoke in the clear sunny air as farmers plowed under their old hay beds. The scene was quite different than the hot and muggy weather DC had. As he drove further, he noticed some of the small homes had old appliances in the front lawn. Sometimes there would be a few rusted old cars to the side of a house. But the one that caught Jon’s attention was the couch in the driveway and a washing machine next to it.

When Jon got home he found Ann in the kitchen unpacking dishes. Where’s TnT? asked Jon.

They’re in back playing, Ann said.

Oh good, replied Jon playfully as he put his arms around Ann. Ann kind of pulled away, putting the handful of dishes in between them.

Where did you go? she asked.

I got coffee and drove by the school. I met Phyllis, he said.

Isn’t she just great? beamed Ann, All the people at the school are great.

Ah, yes. I guess, replied Jon cautiously. But I don’t want to talk about the school, I want to talk about my gorgeous wife, and her beautiful neck, Jon said amorously as he again reached his arms around Ann and started kissing her neck.

Jon, not now. I’m just not in the mood. Ann said as she pulled away from Jon’s embrace. I love you, I’m just a little tired and have a lot to do still today, she explained.

I just want to show my affection for you. I’m hoping to rekindle our flame and embrace you. I want to feel your gorgeous body next to mine. Jon gushed with passion and he ran his hand slowly down Ann’s back to her sweatpants and held her ass.

It doesn’t have to be all about sex with you does it? Ann quipped.

No. But sweetie we haven’t made love in like, a month and half, ever since you flew out here to Oregon. Even just a hug or a kiss, something to connect us, I just want to show I love you. Jon answered and removed his hand.

I don’t think you understand love; true love. When you’re gone to work or away on your business trips I wear one of your dress shirts, all day. It smells like you and feels like you, that means I love you. Ann explained.

I just want a little more affection from you or snuggling up together, Jon said keeping the conversation light.

Love isn’t just getting touched you know. Besides I have to get this house fixed up. There’s a faculty meeting here in a few nights, Ann retorted.

Sensing his amorous advances waning and his feelings a little hurt Jon said, Ok, well I have to make some calls anyway. Which brings up another point sweetie, when are we getting internet access and a phone in here?

We’re not Jon, Ann said authoritatively.

But I have to make calls and emails! Jon demanded, I can’t work from my cell phone and hope to find a WiFi connection floating by for my laptop. Which reminds me, did you know the computer died?

Well maybe it got damaged in the truck, Ann offered.

I don’t think so, it was pretty well shot when I packed it back in DC, Jon countered.

Well I don’t know, and we’re not getting another one. This is the school we are in, this is the education we’ve always chose for our children. No exposure to media, Ann replied softly.

No media? Asked Jon, No TV either? What about football season? It starts this weekend.

No. it’s bad for the kids’ concentration. It wouldn’t hurt us either to have less electronic time, being bombarded by consumerism and how we’re supposed to look, explained Ann.

But what about back east? The schools there didn’t care if we watched football. Or if the kids watched a movie or two? Jon queried.

They didn’t push for it as much because they knew people wouldn’t listen and they wanted to attract people with tuition money. But this school is the real essence of New Astaria education. It’s how life is truly supposed to be. Ann romanced.

What about all the emails you do? You’re always on the internet? Jon countered.

It was all to find the best place for our children. It was to find the best situation for us to be in, and for more control of our surroundings, Ann continued. We have cell phones if we need to be reached. We don’t need to be coerced by mass media, how to think or what to buy. And the kids certainly don’t need to be plopped in front of a TV or to be programmed from a young age. Besides it will give us more time to connect, like you said, Ann said smiling at Jon with a coy look.

Well, let’s talk about it more, later. I have to go to Starbucks and grab some WiFi, Jon said still feeling unresolved.

Jon drove back downtown to Starbucks. The downtown area of Valley Line was a dozen or so streets crisscrossing in a grid pattern on the Westside of the French River. On the eastside was the college which focused on forestry, farming, real estate and international affairs. Jon thought it odd that the college was known for international affairs since it seamed to him that Valley Line was the least international place he’d ever been. Most of the buildings were 2 story connected side by side filled with typical small town stores for a college town, bakeries, book shops, coffee shops, pizza pads with beer and restaurants. The tallest building was a condo co-op 10 stories high that perpetually had vacancies.

When Jon got to Starbucks he claimed a round table by placing his laptop and folders on it and headed to the counter for a coffee. He was late for some of his calls and emails, particularly because of the time difference on the wets coast, so was anxious to get back to his computer. There was a line to the barista and Jon was fidgety and pacing in place and didn’t see the man in cue ahead of him. He accidentally bumped the man then noticed, as he turned to Jon, he had a huge head of blonde dreadlocks pinned up in a knot on the top of his head. The man was young, and while unshaved had barely any hair on his face, and dressed in rather casual clothes, t-shit, jeans and sandals. The man spoke to Jon is the all too cliché yet very real California beach bum voice, Hey man. Take it down a few levels dude, you’re bruising my avocados.

Jon quickly responded, Oh sorry, man, taken back by the encounter.

"Relax man; you’ll get your yummy crafted bean juice. Good things come to those who