Running From You

She smiled and nodded at him.

*&*

"You're the mean one! Make fun of me. I'm right here!"

"More wine?" Elsie asked as she stood.

*&*

Heather laughed, "You really hate watching yourself huh?"

"YES!"

He nodded.

*&*

Heather smiled, "I like watching myself. Not in a conceited way. In a criticizing sort of way."

James followed her into the kitchen with some of their dirty plates.

"Thanks." She said when she saw him. He nodded and began to wash the dishes, "Leave it." She smiled, "I'll do it later."

*&*

"I get embarrassed!" Chad said.

"You shouldn't!" She smiled.

He shrugged, "Ma always taught me to just get them done."

&^&

Chad smiled at her and moved slightly closer, "Fine. Let's watch."

She walked over to take his place at the sink. "Sit down and relax love." He laughed.

(*(

He watched Heather wrinkle her nose as she concentrated.

James smiled, "Hey now. It won't kill me to do a few dishes."

*&*

He thought it was cute how she would jump at some of the scary parts.

"Just not used to having an extra hand around here." Elsie said as she sat on a stool in the kitchen.

*&*

He really liked her. He wonder how long he'd have to wait to kiss her again.

James winked at her, "Well, if everything goes well, you may have someone helping out."

*&*

He ended up falling asleep next to her.

Elsie looked at the wine bottle and frowned, "Think we drank more than we planned. You shouldn't drive."

"I'll call a cab." James said.

Elsie yawned, "You can just stay here if you'd like."

James paused.

"Stay in the guest bedroom." Elsie said, "It'll take forever to get a cab out here."

"Are you sure?"

Elsie took his hand and let him upstairs, "Of course. I trust you James. The guest room is through here. I'm the last door on the left if you need anything."

"Thank you." He smiled.

She kissed his cheek, "See you in the morning."

James smiled as he got settled into the bed.

In the morning James and Elsie were making some breakfast when there was a knock on the door. Christian was upstairs sleeping still.

When she answered it she gasped. Christian's father was at the door.

***

Heather stirred to find that Chad was in her bed.

"What do you want?" She said breathlessly.

*&*

She smiled slightly, "Wake up!!!!!"

"I came to see my son." Greg snapped.

"You know you have no visitation or parental rights." Elsie went to close the door but he put his foot in it.

"Everything okay El?" James said as he approached.

*&*

"So loud. So early." Chad groaned.

"Who the fuck is that?" Greg asked.

*&*

"You're right." She giggled. Then she turned on some random scream-o music and went to get a shower.

"He's a friend." Elsie said, "James this is Christian's father."

*&*

"Fuck." Chad laughed as he sat up.

Greg glared at James.

&^&

He switched off the music and went downstairs. He was feeling a jog coming on so he pulled on his running shoes.

"Leave, Greg." Elsie said, "Before I call the police."

"I don't think so." Greg snapped.

"The lady asked you to leave." James said as he walked outside to confront Greg.

*&*

He thought about Heather the whole time.

Greg swung at James.

*&*

He jogged back to Heather's. She was in the kitchen.

"You smell." She said with a quick grin.

James ducked and hit him. Greg just glared. He got in his car and drove away.

*&*

"Probably true." Chad laughed.

"Breakfast?"

"What in the hell..." Elsie muttered. She was completely shaken up.

*&*

Chad nodded.

"Then go shower. I'll wash your clothes."