Chapter 1

Jane Garland was sitting in her favorite recliner chair, in front of the fireplace, and had just finished reading another romance novel. She just loved those romances and the way the men wooed the women in them. It made her toes tingle. At forty-nine she was still a single woman and wondered if she would ever find the man of her dreams. The last man she had dated was such a loser. He was a self-employed carpenter that never seemed to have steady work. He refused to get a regular job, saying he would never give up his freedom, that being his own boss. She, as a woman, made less money per hour than men, and she had more to show for it. There’s a lot to be said for steady work. She had finally ended the relationship with him, wanting more from a man than he would ever have to offer.

Getting up, she went to the bathroom and washed up and put on her bedclothes. It was late and she had to work tomorrow. At least tomorrow was Friday. Getting into bed, she turned off the lamp and went to sleep.

She arrived at work the next morning at eight, as usual, and punched her time card. As she sat down at her desk, she saw there was the usual stack of papers to be processed for the day, and groaned to herself at the thought. There were so many disabled people who always wanted more money from the government. It was an endless stream of applications that she had to go through and verify. It was a tedious job of making sure they qualified for disability and how much they were entitled to, based on numerous criteria. Of course she had to enter all the information into the computer program, which actually determined the amount they would get. All she really did was data entry.

The computer finished starting up and she took the first application off the top of the stack. It was a man who had lost both of his legs in an auto accident when he was only nineteen years old. How sad for him, she thought. Obviously he could not work, but he wanted to get Medicare in addition to the disability and social security that he was already receiving.

She brought up his file on the system and saw that his amount of income had increased last year when his father had died. He was receiving additional social security from his father’s account. This was why he had lost Medicare, and he wanted his wheelchair and medication to be paid for. Both were expensive and she saw that he could not possibly pay for them any other way, but the rules were the rules. She entered the denial and printed it out.

By the end of the day she was tired and the never-ending stack still sat on her desk. Throughout the day, more had been added to the bottom of it. She punched out and left the building. Going out to trolley stop, she decided to go to the lounge for drinks. Friday happy hour included a great Mexican food buffet and she didn’t feel like cooking tonight. Fifteen minutes later she was sitting with a drink in hand, looking around to see if there were any attractive men. There was a short guy that was sort of cute, but she didn’t care for men shorter than herself. She wanted taller, dark, and handsome.

She finished the drink and went to the buffet and loaded up a plate with two tacos, rice, and a Chile Relleno. That should get her started anyway. When she returned to her seat there was another drink waiting for her. It brought a smile to her face. She was half way done eating when a dude stopped at her table.

“Hi there. Would you like some company?” He asked.

She looked up and replied, “Why not?”

“I’m Jackson Conway. You are?” He asked as he sat down across from her.

“Jane is the name,” She smiled at him. He was ok looking and had a nice tan. At least he was taller than she was, and he was wearing a suit!

The waitress came up and he ordered a drink before continuing. “Well Jane, you know it isn’t good to drink alone,” he gave a big smile.

“So I’ve heard,” She answered and continued eating.

“Do you come here often?” He asked.

“Sometimes,” She answered between bites.

“I’m new in town and this place looked like it had a good deal at happy hour. How’s the food?”

“It’s good. Try some,” Jane replied as she finished hers and wiped her lips with a napkin.

“I will, but I want a drink first,” Jackson told her. “I’ve been out job searching all day, I’m pretty wound up.”

“What do you do for work?” She asked.

“I’m a computer programmer,” he smiled at her. “How about you?”

Jane really didn’t like telling people what she did to make a living, but she had asked first and didn’t have much choice. “I work for the Federal government.”

“Really?” He stated it like it was a total surprise. “A paper pusher huh?”

She had to laugh at how he had put it. “Yes, I’m in the disability department.”

“I see.” He looked at her with scrutiny. “You decide how much those poor people get huh?”

“I really don’t. The computer program does it all,” She answered defensively. “I just enter the information and process it.”

“Uh huh, blame it on the programmer.” The waitress brought him his drink and he paid for it. He took a big drink and set it down.

“Well it’s the truth.” She stated.

He laughed, “I was just joking Jane.”

She gave him a half smile, not really sure if he was being truthful with her. “So where are you from?

“Phoenix, most recently.”

“What brings you to San Francisco?” Jane asked him.

“A cooler climate, and hopefully a good job,” he answered. “I was laid off. The company went out of business. The economy really sucks down there.”

“I think it is bad everywhere,” Jane said. “It is the result of putting an oil baron in as president. One who was not qualified, and doesn’t care about the common people, at all. In fact, I don’t think he cares about America, just his own damn pocket. Did you know that he was a C student in college?”

“I didn’t vote for him. Some people think he’s a traitor,” Jackson told her emphatically. “And no I didn’t know that.

“What surprised me was that the American people re-elected him for a second term last year! He’s such a loser.” Jane stated with obvious disdain for the man.

“Indeed. It will take decades to repair the damage he has done to our country’s economy,” Jackson agreed with her.

“So, have you ever been in San Francisco before?” She asked him, beginning to be interested in him. At least they had something in common.

“No, it’s my first time. I do like the ocean. I drove up highway one so I could see it.” He replied.

“I love it here and I don’t think I could live away from the ocean.” Jane stated.

Jackson finished his drink, “I’m going to get some of that free food before it disappears. If the waitress shows up, could you order me another drink?”

“Sure,” she answered him with a half smile. Her own was almost gone anyway.

He got up and went to the food buffet. Jane decidedly was glad she had stopped in here today. She was looking out the window at the ocean from where they sat, when the waitress showed up. “Two more please.” She was close enough to home that she didn’t worry much about getting a little buzz. It was a short bus ride down Skyline.

Jackson returned before the waitress, with a plate piled high with food. She giggled, “Hungry?”

He smiled at her and replied, “A little. I skipped lunch as I was too busy looking for a job. I find it hard to find my way around this city. It isn’t gridded out like most cities are.”

“I can’t go without eating a meal. I get sick.” She watched him delve into the food. She was thinking of having more herself, but she had to watch her weight and didn’t want to look like a pig to her new friend. Keeping the conversation going while he ate, she continued, “It is hard to learn the streets in San Francisco, but the trick is to understand the lay of the land. Here, we are on the peninsula, so the streets wind around the hills, but actually are in a grid, after a fashion. Downtown has more straight streets than the rest. To go any distance you want to use one-o-one or the freeway.”

The waitress brought their drinks and Jane waited ‘til she left, after they each paid. “Best thing is to get a map book. How long have you been here?”

Jackson finished swallowing his mouth-full before responding, “Only a week.”

“Where are you staying?” She inquired.

“I got a cheap motel in San Jose,” he answered between bites. “Need a job to get an apartment.”

“How’s that going?” She continued her questioning.

“Who knows? It usually takes more than a few days before you get called for an interview.” He answered. “I’ve only filled out applications so far.”

“I’ve been at the same job for over ten years now,” she informed him. “It’s not what you call satisfying, but it’s a steady job with some security.”

“I suppose,” he replied, still eating.

“Oh, it’s not that bad. I just find it depressing sometimes. All those disabled people barely making it. I really don’t have any latitude in what I can do for them. I have to follow the rules.”

“So what do you like to do besides work?” Jackson queried her.

“There are a lot of things to do in San Francisco,” she responded, smiling. “A person can find any food in the world here, if you like to try international cuisine. You probably already know this is the wine capital of the country. I also like to hang out on the beach and get a tan. There are all the historical places to visit here in the city, plus boating, fishing, and sailing on the bay and the ocean. There is a lot to do here.”

“I see,” Jackson replied as he finished eating and emptied his drink too. “Maybe you’d like to show me around this weekend?”

Jane beamed at him, “Why not? I don’t have any plans.”

Jackson saw the waitress and signaled her for more drinks before saying, “I’ve never known a California girl before. Are you native?”

“Yes. Born right here in San Francisco. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” Jane answered. “How about you?”

He laughed, “I’ve been around. My dad was in the military. I was actually born in Puerto Rico. Graduated from High School in Colorado Springs and went to college at Washington University in Seattle.”

The waitress brought them drinks and he paid for both of them. Jane smiled at him, “Thanks.” She was getting a buzz, as she took a sip of her fourth fuzzy navel.

“So, what’s it like to live in an earthquake zone?”

“Scary! Very scary,” she told him. “I’ve been in quite a few of them. It’s the only bad thing about San Francisco.”

“I would guess so,” Jackson replied. “What kind of night life is there?”

“You name it, we got it,” Jane answered him.

“What do you like to do for evening entertainment?” He continued to pry her.

“Most everything. Movies, parties, concerts, dancing, you know, the usual stuff that people do.”

“What kind of music do you like?” He asked.

“Rock, jazz, and classical are my favorites, not necessarily in that order,” Jane replied.

“That’s funny, me too.” Jackson told her.

“We do seem to have a few things in common,” Jane agreed with him.

“What shall we do tonight?” He asked her.

“Will you take me dancing?” She asked, smiling demurely at him, “I really love to dance.”

“I’d love to,” He answered her, reaching out and taking her hand. “I assume you have a place in mind.”

“Most certainly! But I will need a shower and to change my clothes first.” She did not pull her hand away, thinking he might even be the romantic type.

“Well, let’s go to your place. I need a shower too, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Jane responded to him, although feeling slightly unsure at the thought of a strange man in her house. “Do you have clean clothes?”

“Actually I do. I have a couple of suit cases still in the trunk,” Jackson answered her.

“Let’s go then,” Jane finished her drink; watching Jackson as he finished his.

He did not let go of her hand and stood up, helping her up. They walked down the stairs and out into the cool evening air coming in from the ocean. He led her to his car, a nineteen sixty-seven Mustang. Unlocking the passenger door, he opened it for her, and then closed it after she was in. A gentleman, she thought. It was so rare in this day and age.

It only took ten minutes to reach her house, overlooking Pacifica with a fantastic view of the ocean. They went in after he took his suitcase out of the trunk.

“Wow, what a view!” He remarked as she opened the curtains to her sliding back door.

“It is isn’t it,” She agreed with him. “Would you like a drink?”

“Sure, vodka and OJ,” he told her, seeing she had a complete bar.

She made both of them a drink. “Let’s go sit on the deck,” She suggested.

“Sounds great, we can enjoy the view while we talk,” he responded. They walked out the glass door and sat on the swinging love seat hanging on chains. He put his arm around her, pulling her close to him. She shivered slightly from the touch of him against her. It had been too long since a man had held her like this.

Feeling her shiver, he asked, “I’m not moving too fast am I?”

“Not at all,” Jane replied, almost embarrassed. “It’s just been awhile.”

He leaned over and kissed her on the lips, delicately, but with obvious desire. She responded and shared it with him fully. Her heart started to beat faster before they finished. She was definitely attracted to this man and what a kisser!

He spoke first after a minute of silence as they both looked out over the ocean, taking a drink. “It’s been awhile for me also. But I find myself very attracted to you. Actually, from the start. You are a very beautiful woman.”

“Why thank you!” She exclaimed. “I’m really a little chubby.”

“Well I just happen to like a little chubby in a woman, gives her that full-bodied look. I didn’t ask to sit with you without liking your looks.” He took another drink.

“Looks aren’t everything, but it is a starting point.” Jane told him. “I think trust and compatibility are really the basis of a lasting relationship.”

“Most certainly!” Jackson agreed with her.

Jane finished her drink and said, “I’m going to take a shower. Make yourself at home and have another drink if you want.”

He smiled at her as she got up. “I’ll do that.”

He sat looking out at the ocean thinking about Jane, letting his mind wander. She seemed like a nice girl. Someone he could get along with easily. The sunset was a sight to see in itself, as the red ball slowly fell off the world. When he finished his drink he went inside and poured another one and came back out to the deck. It was almost an hour before she came out, looking absolutely stunning. “Wow!” He exclaimed.

She smiled and replied, “Thanks. Your turn.”

He took his suitcase and went into the bathroom and also showered and then shaved, not forgetting to trim his mustache. When he came out Jane was sitting in her recliner watching the late news.

“Shall we my dear?” He asked as he walked over to where she sat and extended his hand to her.

She took his hand and he slightly pulled her as she stood up. “Most certainly,” she replied and turned off the television with the remote.

They walked out to his Mustang where he again opened the door for her before he got in. “So, which way beautiful?”

“Down the hill to the city.” She instructed him, pointing.

He backed out of the driveway and went down the road in the direction she had indicted. She navigated them to a lounge that had live music. They went inside and found a seat in a back corner and ordered drinks. The band was playing a mix of rock and jazz and it had a good beat to it. They waited for their drinks to come.

“So what do you think?” Jane inquired.

“I like it.” Jackson answered. “Do you come here often?”

“No, I don’t like going out alone. But I have been here before.”

The waitress returned with their drinks and Jackson paid for them. As the next song started, he took Jane’s hand saying, “shall we?”

They went out to the dance floor, which was large enough to hold probably fifty people. Jane allowed him to swing her around the floor and lead her in a variety of moves. They danced three songs before she needed a break to get her breath back.

As they returned to their seats she said to him, “you are one heck of a dancer.”

“You don’t do so bad yourself,” Jackson replied, smiling at her.

By late evening the dance floor had thinned out considerably and they continued dancing. He used all the room he could get and became more expressive and even dramatic in his style. He was an excellent dancer and obviously completely enjoyed it. Jane was swept off her feet. She had never in her life danced with such a man. The last set was a slow dance and they were the only ones on the floor for it. The band played it just for them. They moved over the entire dance floor as he held her close and looked into her eyes with a passion she had never seen in any man she had dated.

As the song ended they clapped for the band. He then kissed her, right there in front of everyone. Those who sat and watched applauded them as they went back to their seats holding hands.

“My God. Where did you learn to dance like that?” She asked.

Actually, I can only do it with certain women, at least dancing like that. I have to be very attracted to her. But I do love to dance,” Jackson answered, looking into her eyes, still holding her hand. It was clear he wanted her.

As they finished their drinks, Jackson said to her. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes.” Jane replied. “You have exhausted me.”

It was past one in the morning when they walked in her door and went to the couch and sat down. Jackson held her close and kissed her passionately which she returned, trying to match his passion. He was irresistible to her.

As the clock struck two he asked. “Do you have a spare bed?”

Jane, caught off guard answered, “Uh, yeah. Down the hall, to the left.”

“Goodnight then.” He told her, giving her another kiss before he got up. “See you in the morning.” He left her sitting on the couch and went to bed, falling asleep immediately.

Jane had not expected this, and also went to bed, but lay thinking about him for some time before drifting off to sleep.

Chapter Two

When Jane woke up the next morning, Jackson was already up and was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee. As she came in he said. “Good morning sleepy head.” Smiling at her. “Coffee’s on.”

“Good morning.” She returned; going to the coffeepot and pouring herself a cup, still sleepy eyed.

As she sat down she asked. “What time did you get up?”

“About half an hour ago.” He answered. “Are you hungry?”

She looked at him and replied. “Yeah, I always wake up hungry.”

He got up and went to the refrigerator and looked in it; taking out ham and eggs. Turning on the stove he asked. “How do you like your eggs?”

“Sunny side up.” She told him as she took another drink of her coffee. This man completely surprised her.

He busied himself with making breakfast as she slowly woke up. Getting a second cup of coffee, she gave him a light kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for a wonderful night.”

“You are more than welcome. I also had a great time,” Jackson responded.

She was almost done with her coffee when he put the plate of ham, eggs, and toast in front of her, and refilled her cup. He sat down with a plate also, and started eating. He was almost done before he spoke. “Why don’t we take a bottle of wine and spend the day on the beach? It looks like a gorgeous day out there.”

Jane smiled at him. “I’d love that. We can stop and get some chicken to go, to take for lunch. I know just the place to go.”

“Fantastic!” He replied, as he finished eating and got up, taking his dishes to the sink and washing them before putting them in the dishwasher.

When she finished he took her plate also while she sat finishing her coffee. Jane could hardly believe her eyes.

When he was finished he sat down and said, “Thanks for breakfast.”

Jane giggled, “Thank you. No man has ever fixed me breakfast before.”

“My pleasure, I like to cook.”

She finished her coffee and got up saying, “I’ll get ready and we can go. We should get there before it gets too crowded.”

She went to her bedroom and put on her swimsuit and then some shorts and a blouse over them. Jackson did the same and was sitting on the couch when she came out carrying a bag. He stood up and said, “I’m ready if you are.”

“Let’s do it. Get the ice chest out of the closet,” Jane told him, pointing to the entry closet next to the front door, and they left.

It was one in the afternoon when they arrived at the beach. It was a long one and only a few other people were close by. Jane led the way to a spot at the north end and spread a blanket out, while Jackson set down the ice chest and took off his shorts and shirt. Jane saw he didn’t have a beer belly at all, as most men her age did. She took off her shorts and blouse, revealing her body to him. It was already quite warm as they lay down on the blanket.

After a bit, Jackson turned over on his side and reached over to Jane, taking her hand. She turned and looked at him with a smile, waiting for him to speak. He waited a minute before saying, “Nice place, beautiful woman, gorgeous day on the beach. What more could I ask for?”

“I could say the same thing,” she replied.

“I like that,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her gently.

“Hmm. Me too.” She liked this man more and more. Was it possible? A real man?

They looked into each other’s eyes for some time when Jane said. “Let me put some lotion on your back before you burn.” She reached into her bag and brought out some sun block, sitting up in the process. Jackson rolled over onto his stomach so she could get to his back. As she put it on his back she had to lean over him to get the far side, noticing he was fairly muscular, and she was willing to bet he worked out.

When she finished he said, “Thanks, let me do you.” He sat up and took the bottle from her and wiped some over her back after she lay down. “There you go,” he said as he finished. He then put some on his shoulders, arms, and legs before handing it back to her.

Jane also covered the remaining parts of her body that were exposed to the sun. “That’s better. Now we won’t get a burn. It can surprise you sometimes how fast it can happen, here on the beach. I think it’s the humidity.”

“I’ll take your word on that.” Jackson replied. “Nobody lays out in Phoenix. Not only is there no beach, but it’s way too hot.”

“It never gets too hot on the peninsula.” Jane said as she lay back down. “But it can across the bay in Oakland, and to the east.”

“How about San Jose?”

“I’ve seen it get hot there, but not that bad and probably nowhere near as hot as Phoenix.”

“So the peninsula is the place to live, I guess.”

“I think so.” Jane answered. “I love it here. Sometimes the fog is so thick, you can’t see two feet in front of yourself.”

“How do you drive in it?” Jackson asked, lying back down next to Jane.

“I don’t. I use the bus and trolley to go to work.”

“I suppose it will depend where I get a job as to where I live.” Jackson stated. “The Silicon Valley is in the San Jose area.”

Jane had a thought that she might want him to move in with her, but kept it to herself. Too soon for that. It takes a long time to really get to know someone. Usually they are on their best behavior, early in a relationship.

“So do you like computer programming?”

“Yeah, it’s definitely my niche,” he answered. “It’s as creative as I ever get, not having any artistic abilities.”

“I’ve heard it’s something not just anyone can do.”

“It’s not. It takes a high level of concentration and focus.” Jackson explained to her, “One has to keep a lot of information in mind while doing it. Also you have to constantly stay up with the ever changing technology.”

“I can almost sleep while doing my job,” Jane laughed. “Mostly just data entry.” What kind of stuff do you program for?” Jane queried further.

“I’m an application developer.” Jackson started to explain. “I write complete programs that have a specific purpose and work by themselves. I also am a webmaster and do business Internet Website development.”

“Well you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a job around here.”

“I hope so,” Jackson replied. “It cost a lot to move this far.”

“I think you will like it here,” Jane told him. “We only have two to three months of winter, our rainy season is in November and December, sometimes into January. The rest of the time we have mild and mostly sunny weather.”

“I’ve noticed. I watch the weather around the world, a pastime of mine.”

“Not me. It is what it is.” Jane said.

“Do you swim?”

“Actually I am a good swimmer,” she answered.

“Me too. My dad insisted I learn to swim at a very young age.”

“It’s good exercise and the ocean is pretty warm here, for the Pacific anyway,” Jane informed him.

They lapsed into silence for a while, enjoying the sun, turning to get an even tan. Jackson was first to speak. “Are you ready for a swim yet?”

Jane turned over to look at him. “Sure.”

They stood up and walked down to the waters edge and slowly walked out into the salty water, letting their bodies get used to the temperature. Jackson struck out first, diving out into a wave. Jane followed him out. It was half an hour before they came out from swimming and playing in the water.

“That was great.” Jackson exclaimed, taking Jane’s hand while they still stood in the incoming waves. He pulled her to him and she didn’t resist. They kissed more passionately than either had dared before and it lasted until they had to come up for air.

Jackson started walking down the beach leading Jane initially, still holding hands. “You know, I barely know you, but feel so comfortable and content. It’s like I’ve been with you for a long time.”

“I am surprised that I feel the way I do about you in such a short time also.” Jane replied. “I’m usually very critical of the men who court me.”

“Why is that?” He asked.

“I don’t know. It seems they don’t really want to know me, but just want to get laid,” she answered.

“You must realize that men are different than women in that men have the stronger sexual drive that perpetuates the species.” Jackson thought he would try to explain it to her. “What many men don’t understand is the needs of a woman.”

Jane laughed. “And what do you think that is?” She asked, almost sarcastically.

“Well, a woman needs careful understanding. Each one is different. She needs to feel loved and respected. She does not want to feel like a sex object under any condition. She wants equal status in a relationship. And she wants a man who is successful in his work or business endeavors.”

Jane stopped walking, but held onto Jackson’s hand, pulling him around to face her. “You truly surprise me Jackson Conway. I have never met a man who even had the slightest inkling of such thoughts. What else?”

Jackson smiled at her. “I think that more than anything, a woman wants a man who is considerate of her instead of only thinking of himself. She wants a man who makes her feel safe and wanted for her company and opinions.”

”You know what? I’ve waited a long time to find a man like you. I knew you were different than most men when you didn’t try to get into my bed last night. Even though, I wanted you to.”

Jackson kissed lightly. “I like to get to know a woman better first. It makes it all so much more worthwhile. Making love is better than just having sex. So what do you think a man wants in a woman?”

“I’ve always thought that for the most part he just wants sex, but I am forced to reevaluate that with you. Funny, no man has ever asked me that.” She paused for a minute before answering. “I guess he wants woman who is attractive and takes care of herself. Men want a woman who will not bitch at them.” Jane stated the more obvious things. “I have to admit that I never thought about it that much. Maybe you could tell me?”

Jackson laughed. “Maybe you should think about it and we can have that conversation later.” He turned and started walking again down the beach, still holding her hand and pulling her along.

Jane was so surprised that she was at a loss for words. They walked in silence for quite some distance letting the water come up over their feet as the waves came in and out. They reached the end of the beach where the rocks reached out into the water, and stopped.

Jane turned to face Jackson. “I’m sorry. I find that I’ve been self-centered with men. I have always thought they only had one thing on their mind. I’m finding that I think you want a lot more than that. You really want a partner, someone to talk to, and share your thoughts with. You are a very different man and I have never encountered this before. You actually really want to know what I think.”

“Yes I do.” Jackson told her. Sitting down on a rock he pulled her down with him.

“If I were to guess, I would say men like you want a woman who will make him feel like she wants him. That she wants to know what he thinks. I know you want me, I can sense that from you without a doubt. The way you kiss me tells me you are a passionate man. Maybe you want a passionate woman. And I am sure you want my respect.”

Jackson smiled at her and then kissed her, holding her close against himself and feeling her breasts push on his chest. He could feel her wanting to keep kissing as their tongues touched and moved together. They did not release each other until they were forced apart by the need to breathe.

“Thanks for trying to understand,” he said to her softly. “I do want you, badly. But I want more than most men. I won’t sleep with just any woman.”

“I would bet you have frustrated quite a few women,” Jane replied. “Women aren’t accustomed to that.”

“True. I tried finding a date on the Internet and many just quit corresponding with me because I didn’t ask them out right away. I wanted to carry on a conversation for awhile first and get to know them better. I think they labeled me a loser; it is a common statement that women make online.”

“Their loss and my gain! You are definitely not a loser.” Jane responded. “I want you more than I have ever wanted a man and I’ve only known you for one day. I’ve never been treated this way.”

They got up and started walking back the way they had come. Jackson held her close with his arm around her waist. He was starting to think that maybe she was the one. She was trying anyway.

Suddenly Jane pulled away from him looking out to the ocean. “Look! The whales are out!”

“Wow!” He exclaimed as he looked where she was pointing. “I’ve never seen whales before. Do they come here often?”

“Every year,” Jane answered him. “I can see them from home a lot of times.”

They stood and watched them for a little while before resuming the walk back to their beach towel. Sitting down when they arrived, Jane asked him. “Are you ready for some lunch?”

“Yeah, I am,” he answered.

She took out the food they had bought on the way and spread it out on the towel. Jackson opened the wine and poured each of them a glass. “A toast,” he said, “To the woman who will take the time to get to know me.”

Jane smiled and said, “To the man who knows how to treat a woman.”

They touched their glasses and drank; both of them looking into the others eyes. They ate in silence and soon were done; both putting the leftovers away. They drank more of the wine, sitting close together, touching. Jane spoke first, breaking the silence. “Do you ever think about what comes after this life?”

“Funny you would mention it.” Jackson replied. “I do. But in truth, nobody knows for sure. There is a lot of conjecture and of course there is Jesus and his disciples. The Buddhists believe that we are reincarnated after forty-five days. The Taoist’s believe in living with nature and ascending with their bodies into the spiritual world.”

“Why is it funny?”

“I’ve never had a woman ask me that before,” Jackson answered her.

Jane smiled. “Maybe I’m not your average woman.”

“I already knew that.” He told her, also smiling. “I think I’ve got you interested enough to be intimate with me. Many people have the wrong idea of intimacy. It is not necessarily a sexual thing, but more of an intimacy of the mind and soul. The ability to talk about things that are close to the heart that one normally does not share with others. Don’t get me wrong, sex is intimate, but not intimacy itself”

“Wow! I’ve never heard it put that way before, She replied thoughtfully. “I guess you’re right though. It is more commonly considered a sexual thing.”

Jackson picked up the bottle of wine and refilled each of their glasses. “I think the intimacy of the soul goes far beyond sex and creates a feeling, or a bond that lasts forever between two people, whether they have sex or not. I also think a person can be intimate with someone of the same gender in this manner, and not be gay at all.”

Jane looked at him with disbelief. “You continually surprise me Jackson. I have never thought of that, but I feel you are right.”

He smiled at her. She was willing to try it and be intimate with him on a different level. He felt he could love this woman. He then asked her. “So what do you think of the afterlife?”

“I don’t really know. I was raised in a Catholic home, but I didn’t find it to be what I wanted. Too much ritual, and no substance. Religions seem to be a way of telling people what to believe. It doesn’t work for me.”

“Do you believe in an omnipotent God?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” She answered honestly. “But I do wonder about it, sometimes a lot. How about you?”

“I do believe in God.” Jackson answered. “But like you, I find religion unacceptable. There is always what I call, doctrines of man, incorporated into every religion. Some of which are simply unbelievable. Then there is the Bible. Many Christian churches use the King James Version, translated five hundred years ago. Today’s scholars say it has over thirty thousand errors. Plus if you study history, King James was not a nice man, but went around persecuting and even killing Catholic priests, hardly inline with what Jesus taught.”

“It seems to me, he taught brotherly love, for everyone. He even insisted that we should love our enemies, discounting the Old Testament that said, an eye for an eye. If I recall we are supposed to, turn the other cheek.”

“That’s right.” Jackson said. “But of course we are human and cannot possibly be perfect as Jesus was.”

“That is for sure.” Jane agreed.

They lapsed into silence, sipping the California white wine and listening to the waves as they came closer to them each time. Jane broke the silence saying. “Tide is coming in.” Then looking at Jackson she said. “I want this moment to last forever.”

“I like that,” he responded and leaned over and kissed her. “Why don’t we make it happen?”

“What do you mean?”

“We’ve become intimate, at least a little bit. We have it in our power to make it last.”

Jane reached over and kissed him be fore saying, “I could love you.”

He took her glass and put both of them on the ice chest and lay her down next to him and looked into her eyes deeply. “I could love you too.” They moved together and kissed with a feeling that they both had. They continued with their kisses till the sun touched down on the ocean. They sat up and watched it, arms around each other. It was a gorgeous sunset, full of color in the distance high clouds, that seemed to last a long time.

Finally it was gone and Jackson spoke, “I suppose we should be going, before the tide gets us.”

Jane replied with a bit of sadness in her voice, “yes, I guess we should.”

They picked up their stuff and walked back to the parking lot, up from the beach. As Jackson drove over the ridge of the coastal mountains he asked Jane. “What do you want to do tonight?”

She turned and looked at him. “I only want to spend it with you, at home. You have done something to me I can’t explain.”

He reached over and touched her face gently on the cheek. “I think I like that.”

It was over an hour later that they pulled into her driveway. Jackson as always opened the car door for her and escorted her into the house. He then returned and brought in the ice chest, removing the wine bottle and pouring a glass for each of them. It was the last of it.

When Jane came out of the bathroom after changing her clothes, he took her hand and they went out to the deck. It was a very private deck with evergreen bushes and trees on both sides of it, leaving the ocean view to the west open.

They finished the wine and began kissing gently in the dark with only the low deck lighting to see by. Each of them wanted the other and their affections became more intense. Their kisses became that of lovers as their tongues reached and touched and they gasped for air, but unwilling to stop.

It was some time before Jane whispered to Jackson. “Let’s go in.” She stood up and led him to her bedroom where they lay down on the bed and continued kissing, exploring their sensuality. Before long they each slowly undressed the other, lavishing kisses over each other’s bodies. Soon they were making love with aroused passion. Neither could get enough of the other. It built into a frenzied need before Jane almost screamed as they both climaxed. “Oh Jackson.” And they fell to the bed, exhausted and exhilarated, their hearts pounding, holding tight to each other. Both began profusely kissing the other gently in the after love.

Later, they lay quietly looking into the others eyes, neither wanting to break the moment with words. It was probably thirty minutes before Jane spoke, almost whispering. “You are, the man of my dreams. Where have you been all my life?”

“Looking for you,” Jackson whispered back, and gave her a tender kiss.

“Do you ever get scared Jackson?” Jane asked after a few minutes.

“About what?” He asked softly, surprised by the question.

“Being alone,” Jane told him. “Sometimes I cry over it. It hurts that nobody wants me.”

“No, that has never bothered me that much.” He answered.

“I don’t want to be alone all my life. I get lonely for companionship.” Jane explained to him her deepest fear.

“Oh, I get lonely sometimes, but it is something I am used to.” Jackson revealed his own feelings.

“I want someone who I know will always be there. Someone I can trust, to share my life with, who will love me no matter what happens.”

“I think most everyone wants that,” he replied.

“I suppose you’re right. But it still scares me to think of dying alone.”

After a minute Jackson kissed her and said softly. “Jane, you don’t need to be scared anymore, I want you, forever.”

“You mean it?” She asked quietly, almost afraid to ask.

“Yes, I mean it,” he told her, quite sure that he did. “Trust me. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.”

“I’m scared to.”

Jackson kissed her again before saying softly. “Don’t be scared. I think I love you, and I haven’t said that to a woman in a very, very long time.”

Jane felt her eyes get wet as her emotions welled up inside her. It had been so long since a man had told her that.

As a tear rolled down her face, Jackson saw it and wiped it away with his finger. His own emotions stirred and he kissed her tenderly, wanting to ease her fears. “Don’t cry.” He whispered. “I’m here now, don’t cry.”

They fell asleep still holding each other close.

Chapter 3

They slept late the next morning before waking up. They lay together, neither wanted to get out of bed, but eventually they did. They showered together gently caressing and washing each other. After getting dressed, Jackson made coffee while Jane started breakfast. As they sat eating, Jane asked. “What do you want to do today, my lover?”

Jackson thought for a minute before responding. “Why don’t you show me the sites of the city?”

“I’d love to,” Jane answered. She actually wanted nothing more than to be with Jackson.

The fog lifted by noon and they left the house on foot, holding hands. They caught a bus down the hill into the city, getting off at California and Columbus. They walked hand in hand down through China Town, looking at every shop, along the way, in no hurry at all.

Continuing on with a trolley ride up to telegraph hill, they stood looking out over the city with Jane talking about the history and other sites that could be seen from there, including the Coit Tower. Then they turned and went north.

As they left Fisherman’s Wharf, Jackson remarked. “We seem to be getting an awful lot of looks from people. Have you noticed?”

“Yes I have. I think it shows.”

“What shows?” He asked.

“Us, we probably look in love. It is something that cannot be mistaken for anything else,” she answered him with a smile. “People like to see it here. After all, we are in the city of the Flower Children.”

Jackson laughed. “Is that so?”

“Don’t you know?”

“No, I grew up overseas mostly. I guess I missed a lot.” He tried to explain his ignorance, slightly embarrassed.

Jane smiled and said. “That’s ok. San Francisco is one of the main hippie centers of the world. Hippies were commonly called Flower Children. They opposed the Vietnam War, staging rallies and sit-ins against it. Across the Bay in Oakland is where the Black Panthers were located who were more of a violent organization that stood against the fascist government. Haight-Ashbury is still a hippie center of San Francisco. I guess we should go there next.”

Jackson had indeed missed it all. “So, were you one of these Flower Children?”

“Well, yes and no. I was too young in the sixties to actually participate in the events of that era, but I was old enough to know I agreed with them.”

They jumped on a trolley car going in that direction and sat down. Jane continued to tell him about those times. “The hippies were pot smokers and acid heads, amongst other things. They believed in peace and love. It was the time of free love where you loved the one you were with. Brotherly love was big in those days. There are still many hippies around these parts today, young and old. Now days they are called long hairs and the love and peace is not so stressed. The old hippies that reformed to the requirements of our society and cut their hair are now called yuppies. The only organization today of Flower Children is the Rainbow Family, which still practices love and peace as an integral part of their religious society.”

“You seem to know a lot about it. When you were old enough did you participate?" Jackson asked mischievously.

Jane didn’t miss his grin and replied, “If you are asking whether I smoked pot and did LSD, yes I did, when I was old enough. How could I not, I lived in San Francisco.”

“I’ve never tried it,” Jackson told her.

It was Jane’s turn to grin at him. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your chance.”

Jackson wasn’t sure what to think of that and kept quiet. Jane started laughing. She realized just how different they had grown up. She leaned over and kissed him. “You live in San Francisco now.”

“That doesn’t mean I want to do drugs,” Jackson told her.

“Of coarse not,” Jane replied. “I was just kidding around. I was young when I did that stuff.”

He looked at her with a half smile. “I was beginning to wonder.”

“Silly man,” she said laughing. “I’m just telling you about my city. When we get to Haight-Ashbury, it will be like stepping into the past. Are you ready for some lunch?”

“I am getting there.”

“Do you like Italian?” Jane inquired.

“Yes I do.”

“Okay. I know this great little place with really good Italian food.” Jane told him. “We’ll go there. It’s sort of on the way.”

Ten minutes later they got off the trolley car and walked west seven blocks to a small restaurant. Going in, the waitress sat them next to a window overlooking the bay in the distance. She took their orders and soon returned with two glasses of wine.

“Isn’t it beautiful? I love living here,” Jane sighed. ”I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

“It is beautiful,” Jackson responded.

“So where else have you lived besides Phoenix?” Jane asked.

“After college, I moved to New York and lived there for almost ten years,” he answered her. “By then I was tired of the big city and took a job in Phoenix, been there ever since.”

Have you traveled much?”

“No. I had enough of that as a kid. We were always going from one military base to another, mostly overseas,” Jackson replied. “I was a senior when we moved to Colorado. How about you?”

“I’ve been to Mexico on vacation, never been to New York though.” Jane answered. “Even took a cruise on the Caribbean once. It was fun.”

Their food arrived. Jane started eating her Canola while Jackson started on a big plate of spaghetti. They were both more than half done when Jane asked, “How is it?”

“It’s good, although it’s a little spicy, more than I expected.”

“It’s authentic,” Jane said between bites. “The owners came from the old country.”

A few minutes later an old man came over to their table, smiling at them. “How is everything?” He spoke with a heavy accent.

It is good, as always,” Jane answered him.

“And how is your Mama and Papa, Janey?” He asked.

Jane smiled at him. “They are doing fine Mr. Giovanni.”

“I am glad,” he continued. “And who is this young man with you?”

“This is Jackson Conway.”

Jackson reached out his hand and shook Mr. Giovanni’s hand. “Glad to meet you sir.”

“Janey’s a good girl; almost a part of my family,” Mr. Giovanni told him smiling.

Jackson smiled and replied, “She didn’t tell me.”

“You two enjoy your food,” he said and left them alone.

“Janey huh?” Jackson smiled at her.

Jane smiled back and said, “I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl.”

“I guessed that.” He refilled their glasses from the liter jar. “Where do your parents live?”

“They live in Redwood City, a little ways down the peninsula,” she answered him. “I bought the house from them when they moved.”

“So you grew up in that house?” He asked.

“Yeah. I love it there.”

Jackson finished his last bite before saying, “I can’t imagine it.”

“I imagine it’s a lot different when you don’t have roots. I have a lot of friends all over the bay area, that I grew up with.”

Jackson shook his head. “I really don’t have that many friends. We moved so often, there was never a chance.”

“Must have been lonely for you.”

“I guess,” Jackson replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Jane finished her wine and said, “Shall we go?”

They stood up and went to pay the bill. Mr. Giovanni refused to let them and so they left after thanking him, saying good bye. As they walked further south they came to a trolley line and waited for one to come along. It was not long and they were again seated, as it moved slowly up the hill. They watched the streets go by in silence, Jane holding Jackson’s hand with her head on his shoulder.

Jackson spoke first, “We must be there.”

Jane, who was half asleep, looked up. “Yes we are.” She pulled the stop bell cord and when the trolley stopped they got off.

Jackson, looking around, saw longhaired people everywhere. Many of them were sitting on the sidewalk looking a bit dazed. Some passing around a hand rolled cigarette. He guessed it was marijuana.

“Don’t stare,” Jane told him with a smile. “Come on.” She led him down the street full of little shops of pipes, tie-died clothes, and trinkets. They had gone only three blocks, when they were accosted by a long hair dude, with a long beard.

“Spare change friends?” He asked them.

Jane dug into her purse and gave him what she had. He thanked her and they continued on. There were a lot of musicians playing a variety of instruments, collecting money that people threw in their cases. They stopped in front of a woman playing the violin and stood listening.

As she finished her song, Jackson tossed a dollar into her music case before they walked on. “She is good,” he said to Jane.

“You’d be surprised how many good musicians there are here,” she told him. She could smell the pot as the continued walking. Suddenly, she heard someone call her name. Turning, she saw it was Jimmy, an old hippie friend of hers.

“Hey Jane. Dig seeing ya,” Jimmy said as he gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

“Hi Jimmy. Long time, but good to see you too.” Jane greeted him warmly.

“Where you been hiding?” He asked her.

“Still live at home,” she answered him.

“Like wow, far out. That’s too much.” He replied. “You want to burn a doobie? Got some great stuff. Who’s your friend?”

“This is Jackson,” she introduced them.

Jackson shook his hand, “Glad to meet you Jimmy.”

Jimmy took out a joint and lit it. “Try this out man.” He said as he handed it to Jackson.

Jackson smiled and decided to be polite and took a drag on it before handing it back. Jimmy smiled and passed to Jane, who also took a hit. “Hey, like you two look together.” He said to Jane, as he passed the joint to Jackson again.

Jane smiled at him. “We are. What have you been doing, besides hanging out?”

“Actually, I’ve been up north growin. Just got back into town. I’m staying at Jason’s.”

“Oh. How’s that going?” Jane asked him, taking another hit on the doobie.

“Like out of this world. This stuff is the ultimate. Pay’s good too.” He took another hit and handed it to Jackson again.

Jackson took one more hit and decided he had enough as he handed it to Jane, smiling at her.

She smiled back at him and took another drag and handed to Jimmy. “That’s enough for us.” She told him. She didn’t want Jackson to get too high his first time smoking pot; and this was some strong stuff.

“So hey, if you’re lookin, I got some,” he told her.

“No thanks Jimmy, not today. I only do it once in awhile these days. I work for the Feds.”

“That’s cool,” he replied, taking another big hit on it before snuffing it out. “Well, hey. I gotta go. Got business to do. Great seein ya.”

Jane replied, “Sure Jimmy. You stay out of trouble and stop by sometime.”

“Always babe,” he answered as he sauntered off.

Jane and Jackson continued walking down the street, hand in hand. Jackson spoke first. “That stuff really gave me a quick buzz.”

“It was pretty strong pot. I guess Jimmy is working for a grower up in northern California,” she replied. “We were lovers, way back when. Now we’re just good friends.”

“I could tell by his familiarity,” Jackson told her.

“He’ll never change.” Jane stated. “So what do you think of pot?”

“It’s interesting,” he answered. “But not that much different from drinking a few beers. You knew this would happen, didn’t you?”

Jane smiled up at him mischievously. “I guessed it was possible. I used to hang out here, and there was a good chance. I was just trying to prepare you.”

“So how often do you smoke it?”

“Only at social occasions, usually at parties,” Jane replied, a bit stoned herself. “I guess you’ve seen enough here. Let’s take a cab.”

Jackson hailed one and they got in. Jane told the cabby. “We’re going over the bridge to the ferry.”

“Right-o,” he said and pulled away from the curb and turned north. Within twenty minutes they were going over the Golden Gate Bridge. Jackson looked out the window as they drove.

Jane started the conversation again. “It’s one of a kind, the biggest landmark in San Francisco, famous around the world.”

“It sure is high up,” Jackson remarked. “What’s the ferry?”

“We’ll ride it back across the bay. It’s a fun ride on the water. It will take us back to the wharf area.”

Jackson put his arm around Jane, pulling her closer. “How long does that take?”

“Oh, about forty-five minutes.”

He wanted to kiss her and did so passionately. Jane responded, kissing him back with just as much passion. They continued their love play till the cab arrived in Sausalito, at the ferry station. Jackson paid the cabby and they walked down to the dock and boarded the ferry.

It was a nice ride, but uneventful and at the end, they disembarked. Jackson again hailed a cab. Jane gave him her address and they sped away towards her house

They resumed their kissing, both knowing what the other wanted. Thirty some minutes later they walked into Jane’s house. Jackson led Jane to the bedroom, and soon they were making love.

As they lay looking into each other’s eyes afterward, Jane told him quietly. “I love you Jackson. I feel it in my heart.”

He smiled at her, giving a kiss before replying. “I love you too.” Then after a few minutes he said. “That pot seems to have made me want you almost immediately.”

“It’s well known to be an aphrodisiac,” she whispered back, smiling at him.

“I guess I’m pretty naive.” He stated.

“Maybe about some things, but certainly not others.” She giggled and gave him a kiss. “You are certainly good in bed! Best I ever had.”

Jackson laughed. “Why thanks.”

Jane pulled him to her, wanting him again. Jackson could not possibly resist. They again made love; both of them exploding in ecstasy in their passion and love.

They lay together for a long time, exhausted, before getting up. Both of them were simply content to be together, kissing tenderly, not needing any words. Later when they were sitting out on the deck looking out at the ocean, Jackson said. “Maybe we should get some of that stuff of Jimmy’s.”

Jane started laughing almost uncontrollably. “Jackson Conway. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you are very susceptible to that pot.”

He joined in her laughter. “It certainly has an effect I would never had guessed. I would say it definitely contributed to your free love movement in the sixties.”

Jane continued laughing for a bit and then kissed him. “I have to work tomorrow. Are you going to stay with me tonight?”

“If you want me to.” Jackson replied.

“I want you to stay forever.” She told him seriously. “You should bring your stuff here and move in with me. There’s plenty of room.”

Jackson kissed her gently before answering. “I’d love that.”

They were both up early the next morning, Jane getting ready for work while Jackson made breakfast. As she sat down to eat she put a key down on the table. “Here’s a key for you.”

“Thanks sweetheart.” He told her. “What room can I have for an office? I definitely need one.”

In between bites she said. There’s an empty one down stairs, if that will do.”

“Perfect.” Jackson answered. “I’m going to hit the job market first so I’m not sure what time I will show up with my trailer of stuff.”

“Oh. How big is your trailer?”

“It’s a small U-haul. Just my personal stuff, desk, and computers.”

“Really? How many computers do you have?” Jane inquired.

“Four, not counting my laptop.”

Jane started laughing again. “I can’t imagine what you need so many for, but whatever.”

“It’s not that funny. I’m a computer programmer. It’s what I do.” Jackson defended himself.

“Okay, Okay.” Jane subsided. “I’ll be late, I have a couple errands to run after work.” She finished eating and got up and came around to Jackson. “Love you.” She kissed him quickly and headed for the door saying, “See you tonight my love.”

“Bye baby.” He replied. After she had left, Jackson finished eating and put the dishes in the washer. He then went down to look at his office to be. Indeed, it was spacious and perfect for his needs. There was even a door to the outside so he could get his desk in. Half an hour later he left in his Mustang, heading for the library to check out jobs on the Internet.

It was after noon before he made it down to the motel in San Jose and hitched up his trailer and emptied out the room. After paying the clerk, he pulled out onto highway 101 and turned north, back to the city. He was about halfway there and got a flat tire. Pulling over to the side of the road he stopped.

“Crap!” He said to no one as he got out and looked at it. He opened the trunk and took out the jack, spare tire, and coveralls, still irritated. He was putting them on when a car pulled up behind him and an old man got out. Jackson turned around as he walked up.

“Need some help son?”

“Oh, I can probably handle it,” Jackson replied.

“Looks like you got everything you need. Just thought I’d stop and check. Lots of people drive without good spares.”

“Well, thanks for stopping,” Jackson told him.

The old man continued, “I see you’re from Arizona. Just moving out here?”

Jackson, being polite answered, “Yes I am.”

“You will love here. Great weather most of the time, but never too hot. If you want hot, you go to the other side of the bay.” The old man told him before asking, “Where you going?”

“Daly City,” Jackson answered; guessing the old man must be bored and had nothing to do.

“Oh really? My daughter lives there,” he stated. “She’s about your age. Wonderful girl.”

Jackson put the jack under the car and started raising it up. “It’s my first time in San Francisco, seems like a nice place.” He loosened the lug nuts before finishing raising it up.

“One thing about the northern part of the peninsula is the fog. When it settles in it gets thick a pea soup,” the old man continued on as Jackson pulled off the tire.

“I went to college is Seattle, so I know how that fog can get,” he informed the old man, putting his spare on and starting the lugs with his fingers.

“What do you do to make a living?” The old man inquired.

Jackson was sure he was bored and just hanging out. He replied. “I’m a computer programmer.”

“Well you’re in the right place for that. There are computer companies all over these parts.”

Jackson finished tightening the nuts with the wrench and lowered the car back down. “That’s what I figured.” He put the flat in the trunk along with the jack and lug wrench.

“Well, welcome to California son.” The old man said. “I’ll be on my way.”

Jackson replied, “Thanks again.” As he started taking off the coveralls; the old man went back to his car and left. He closed the trunk and got back in his car thinking the old man was friendly enough and wondered if everyone was like that around here. He started the engine and pulled back out onto the highway.

Thirty minutes later he was backing the trailer into Jane’s driveway. He started unloading it, carrying his stuff around the side of the house and down to the walkout basement door. He noticed there were clouds out over the ocean and they were moving in. By three thirty the clouds had moved in, making it foggy. He was almost done then, except for his desk. Loading it on the rented dolly, he began rolling it around the house and down the hill; taking it real slow. Finally he got it to the door. He had to take it off the dolly and turn it on its side to fit in the door and it barely went through.

He had to take the door off its hinges to get it into his new office room. He spent another two hours organizing and putting stuff away. Finally he went upstairs to unpack his clothes, putting them in his dresser in Jane’s room. ‘Done’, he thought as he went out and made a drink, and then going out to the deck, he sat down in the fog. It was too late to try returning the U-haul today.

Finishing the vodka and orange juice, he went back down to his office and started hooking up his computers. He attached them to the network system, connecting cables by the dozens. Jane arrived home while he was just firing them up to test everything.

“Jackson?” She hollered down to the basement, not seeing him upstairs.

“Down here baby,” he shouted back.

“I’ll be down in a minute,” she replied back and went and made them both a drink, knowing he liked vodka and OJ.

When Jane came down and into his office she set their drinks down. Jackson had stood up and he gave her a long kiss, which she returned. “I’ve been waiting for that all day!.” She said as they finished. “Looks like you got everything in okay.”

“Yeah, it went okay, but getting the desk down that hill was a bit scary,” he replied.

“So what are all these computers for?” She asked picking up her fuzzy navel and taking a drink.

“Well, that one is my network system that ties them all together.” He answered, pointing to it over in the corner. “This tower is my main desktop system and that one over there is an old DOS based computer.” He pointed to an old 486 computer. That one on the stand is my first computer. It’s an vintage Commodore 64; I use it to play with mostly. I have over five hundred games for it.” He smiled and continued, “This other one I use to load operating systems on for different projects that use a specific one for development. It gets changed often enough. It’s mostly for work.”

“So do all computer geeks have so many computers?” Jane asked with a smile.

“I suppose,” he replied drolly, taking a drink.

“Well, I’m going to get changed,” Jane told him. “Come on up when you’re done here.”

Jackson gave her another quick kiss. “Sure will. I just need to test everything.”

Jane walked out and he sat down at his desk. The tower was ready for logging in which he quickly did and waited for it to connect to the network, which he had already brought up. Next he turned on his laptop and waited for it to connect also. He decided to wait on the 386 work system and test it later. Everything connected and worked fine and he shut them all down except the network system, which he just turned off the monitor to save power. “Cool.” He said out loud and went upstairs with his remaining drink in hand.

Jane was coming out of the bedroom, dressed it sweats and said, “Let’s watch the news.”

They sat down on the couch and she turned it on. “So how did your day go?”

“Ok I guess. Had a flat tire on the way up with the trailer,” he answered. “Some old man stopped and hung out while I changed it. He was making sure I had everything I needed.”

“Sounds like something my dad would do,” Jane stated, smiling.

“I didn’t know California people were so friendly. How was your day?” He asked.

“It was okay. I couldn’t wait to get home to you though.”

Jackson leaned over and kissed her. “I missed you too baby.”

“Are you hungry? I picked up groceries. We have steak for dinner.”

“Actually I am,” he answered.

“Tell you what, you can start the bar-b-que, while I marinate the steaks.”

Jackson gave her another kiss, more passionately and they were almost out breath when he released her. “I can do that.”

There was nothing special on the news so Jane got up and went to the kitchen to start the steaks and Jackson went out to the deck and lit the gas bar-b-que. He sat down on the swinging seat, looking out at the fog.

A few minutes later Jane came out with a small zippered bag and sat down with him. As she opened it and took out a pipe, he started laughing. “What is this?”

“Well,” Jane started, “I decided to go see Jimmy and bought us a little weed to smoke.”

Jackson shook his head. “I didn’t realize you were going to take me seriously.”

“Well, your woman is an old hippie girl,” Jane replied, smiling at him as she loaded the pipe and put the baggie in her pocket. “Besides, I liked the love we made, when we’re high.”

“You incorrigible woman,” he told her as she lit the pipe and passed it to him. He took a puff on it and handed it back. By the time they had smoked the bowl, Jackson was plenty buzzed.

Jane put it away and pulled him to her, giving him a kiss to make any man excited. As they sat back he said, “Wow! But shouldn’t we wait till after we eat.”

Jane laughed. “Yes. That was just a warm up. I want to you to know, how much I want you.”

“Well, you certainly did that.”

Jane stood and said, “I’ll go get the steaks.”

When she returned with them, he open the grill for her, and she put them on. “Have you cooked on a gas grill before?”

“No. This is the first time,” Jackson answered.

“Well, it takes about ten minutes before you turn them over and the second side only takes five, but depends on the steak thickness. I’ll go get some vegis out while you watch the steaks,” she said before going in.

Jane busied herself with heating some corn and pasta, while setting the table. Then she peeled and cut up some apples, making sure they had a well rounded meal. By the time she was done, Jackson came in with the steaks. He put one on each plate and then went to wash up.

Jane was sitting down when he returned and he sat across from her. He started with the steak and after the first bite said, “Excellent. I was thinking I should give you some money for the groceries.”

“That would be the right thing to do,” she said, smiling at him and then took a bite before continuing. “Thanks for not making me ask. You are such a gentleman. That’s one of the things I love about you.”

“How much do you think you need in a month?”

“Oh, probably a couple hundred should cover us if you want to split it.” Jane told him.

“So I was also thinking I should get a second phone line for my use. I’m on the Internet a lot.”

“That’s fine,” Jane replied. “You probably noticed I don’t have a computer.”

“I did,” he admitted. “I was actually surprised.”

“Well, I sit in front of one all day and really don’t want to at home.”

“I can understand that,” Jackson said between bites. “I, on the other hand spend a lot of time at home on them. You will have to get used to it.”

“I guessed that when you told me you had four of them.” She laughed. “So what do you do?”

“Well, I have my own Website and I also write my own programs,” he told her. “Often enough I bring work home with me too.”

“Just don’t be ignoring me for your computers,” she informed him.

Jackson finished eating and said, “Not a chance baby.” He stood up and took his dishes to the sink, washing them off before placing them in the washer. Seeing Jane was done he picked hers up also and put them in too.

She came up behind him and put her arms around his waist, giving him a hug. “Thanks my love.”

“Sure,” he said, turning around to face her. She was beautiful he thought to himself before giving her his most passionate kiss.

She responded back just as passionately. When they separated she said with a sigh, “I love it when you kiss me like that. Makes me tingle all over.”

Jackson smiled and kissed her again. “Oh Jackson.” She was out of breath when he finished. Then she added. “You better not stop there.”

Jackson took her hand and led her to the bedroom, laying her down on the bed. “Don’t you worry about that sweetheart,” he whispered. “I couldn’t possibly stop there.”

They didn’t get out of bed except to turn off the lights and both fell to sleep in bliss, holding each other close. When Jane’s alarm went off the next morning she wasn’t ready to get up, and pushed the snooze button. Turning over to face her lover, she kissed him. Jackson opened his eyes, waking up, and smiled at her. He could tell by the look on her face what she wanted. He kissed her with tenderness and love.

“I love starting my day with you kissing me.” She told him as they lay in bed.

Jackson replied still holding her close. “Then I’ll have to make sure you are happy every morning.”

“Give me more,” she whispered to him.

““You voracious woman,” he told her softly. “You’ll be late to work.”

“I don’t care. Maybe I’ll take a day off. I have plenty of days built up. You must remember my love, I have not had love from a man for a very long time. Loneliness does things to you. I need it.”

They made passionate love, lasting for well past an hour. When they had exhausted themselves they lay together looking into each other’s eyes with love in them, kissing each other tenderly.

Jane got up just before eight to call her work and take the day off and came back in as Jackson was getting dressed. She walked over to him and hugged him. “Thanks, you wonderful man.” She dropped her robe and went into the bathroom adjoining the bedroom, to shower.

Jackson watched her naked body as she did and thought. I’m falling in very love with her. He went out to the kitchen and made breakfast for them. Jane came in just as he was putting it on the table. She sat down and said, “I’ve never known a man who would help in the kitchen so much. You actually even know how to cook.”

“My dear, I’m a man with many talents as you will find out.” He told her, smiling his big smile for her as he also sat down and started eating.

“I’ll call the phone company for you.” Jane told him as she ate. “Might as well make it easy and just have it all on one bill.”

“Thanks love,” Jackson replied.

They finished eating and Jane washed the dishes while Jackson went down to his new office to check on employment. He got online and was going through the Websites that he had his resume’ posted and applied for a few positions before checking his email. “Aha.” He said out loud, seeing a reply come in.

He was reading it when Jane came in. “Aha what?” She asked.

“I got an interview for tomorrow,” he said, turning to look at her.

“That’s great.”

“Best part is, it’s one I really wanted.” He turned back around and replied to it, confirming the interview. Jane watched him from behind, noticing he was a fast typist. He finished and disconnected. The phone rang almost immediately.

Jane reached to answer it. “Hello.”

“Oh. Hi Daddy. I felt like taking the day off; that’s all. No, I’m sort of busy around here today.” She laughed for a second and was quiet for a minute before continuing. “Really? Well, say hi to Mama for me. Thanks. Bye-bye.” She hung up the phone.

“My dad takes care of the yard work for me and thought he would come over today, but I told him not to.” She related the call to Jackson. “He likes doing it. He says it relieves his boredom of retirement.”

Jackson had turned to face her during the call. “What are we doing today beautiful? I guess you have something in mind since you took the day off.”

Jane smiled and answered him. “Well, maybe we could just hang out together. What do you want to do?”

“I need to return the trailer this morning, but I don’t have anything else on my agenda.”

“Let’s go for a drive.” Jane suggested. We could stop and do some wine tasting.”

“Okay.” Jackson turned off his computer and stood up. Taking Jane in his arms he gave her a love kiss before saying, “I’m ready if you are baby.”

“Let’s do it then,” she replied and they went upstairs and out to his car.

Jackson got in after letting Jane in and started it, giving the engine a minute to warm up. “Do you know where there is a U-haul place?”

“Seems to me there is one down the hill near highway 101.”

He pulled out and turned in the direction of the highway. As they stopped she told him. “Turn left, I think it’s a few blocks.”

Jackson entered the highway and three blocks later saw the place. He pulled into it and parked. Reaching into the glove box he pulled out his paperwork. “Back in a minute.” He got out and went inside the office.

When he came out, he was followed by another man. He got back in and said. “Just have to unhook now.” He backed it into the spot with the man guiding him in and again got out. They were done in few minutes.

As he got back in he asked, “Which way navigator?”

“North, across the Golden Gate Bridge,” Jane instructed him.

They drove for about an hour when Jane spotted a winery sign. “Let’s stop here, they have excellent wine. I’ve been here before.”

Jackson pulled in and parked. Seemed a little early for drinking, but what the heck. They got out and entered the building. It was a quaint little place. They took the tour before they arrived at the tasting area. It was a plush little room with a bar and couch and chairs. They each took a glass of wine and sat on the couch.

“Well that was interesting.” Jackson told her. “I’ve never been to a winery before.”

“The real test is whether you like the wine?” Jane informed him as she sipped hers.

Jackson smiled and took a sip of his wine. “It is good,” he announced.

“Should we buy a bottle for later?” Jane asked him.

“Why not?” Jackson said, pulling out his wallet. He went up to the cashier and told her they wanted a bottle to go and paid for it before returning back to Jane on the couch. “I guess this is the day to stock the wine rack.”

Jane smiled. “You’re catching on.” She finished her glass and went for another.

When she returned Jackson looked at her and said. “Now don’t you be getting drunk on me. It is too early!”

“Who? Me?”

Jackson started laughing. “Yea, you.”

She smiled at him and took another sip of wine. “Well, I’m not driving.”

“I see.” He finished his and sat waiting for her before they left and continued up the highway, in pursuit of another place.

“Let’s stop at the beach for a little bit.” Jane said suddenly as they passed a turn that went to the beach.

Jackson turned the car around and went back and down the road leading to the beach, only ten miles or so. They parked and got out of the car and walked towards the beach, hand in hand. There was nobody else there. He noticed Jane had brought her purse and wondered.

It was a small beach and soon they were at the rock outcropping that terminated it. Jane sat down on some rocks and started digging into her purse, pulling out her zippered bag. Jackson started laughing.

“What are you laughing at?” She asked as she filled the pipe.

“You,” he answered.

“Be nice.” She said with a bit of hurt in her voice. “It’s ok. We’re on vacation today.”

“Oh is that it?” Jackson still had a facetious smile on his face. She lit the pipe and then handed it to him. He took a puff and handed it back. “Can I drive on this stuff?”

Jane took another hit before replying with a grin, “Don’t be silly. Of course you can.” She handed him the pipe again. They finished it after three tokes each and she put it away before she said smiling. “I’m ready.” She took his hand and they walked back down the beach. About halfway down she asked. “Jackson, do you love me?”

He stopped walking and turned to face her. “Yes. I do love you.”

She pulled him to her and kissed him with all the passion she could muster before saying. “I love you.”

They stood holding each other in an embrace, listening the waves coming in and out for some time before continuing down the beach. Reaching the other end they turned back towards the car. As they walked up to it Jane turned and again kissed her lover intensely, before they got in to the Mustang and drove away.

While Jackson was driving along, Jane was sitting close to him. She asked softly, “Will you love me forever?”

Jackson turned and looked at her for a moment. “I think you are the one baby.”

After a short time they reached the highway. While waiting to go out, Jane leaned over and whispered in his ear, “I’ll love you forever.”

Jackson turned the car north before saying, “I am very much in love with you Jane. It’s hard to believe, after only a few days.”

She scooted even closer to him, her head on his shoulder and her put her arm around his waist. They drove in silence for some distance before she said, “There should be another winery soon.”

Jackson spotted the sign a mile farther and pulled into it. They again took the tour, ending up once again at the tasting room. Jackson took only a half glass, while Jane indulged herself. It was good and he purchased another bottle to take home before they left.

“I’m hungry.” Jane announced as they got back in the Mustang and started up the highway.

“Any special preference?” He could tell she was getting too buzzed. Food would help.

“Just someplace we can go in and sit down. No fast food.”

“Do you like seafood?” Jackson asked as he saw a restaurant ahead.

Jane looked at him with disbelief on her face. “Are you crazy? Of course, I love seafood. I live on the ocean.”

Jackson pulled into it and they went in. It was a family business and soon they had coffee and a menu brought by a teenage girl. As they looked it over he asked Jane, “What do you suggest?”

“I like the combination dinners, it gives you a taste of everything. The cheese sauce ones are especially good.”

The waitress came up right then so Jackson ordered each of them a cheese sauce combo plate with the coffee. They sat looking out the window, next to each other at the table. Jane reached over and took his hand, looking into his eyes, with love all over her face. They were still like that when the food came.

The girl smiled at them, seeing they were in love. She left after asking if they needed anything else. They ate with some oohs and awes at the food. It was excellent and they both enjoyed it. Jackson told Jane. “I lived on the ocean more than not ‘til I had moved to Phoenix. I also love seafood. One of the reasons I came to San Francisco was for it. I missed it and the ocean.”

Jane replied, “Once you get a taste for it, you must always have it.”

He nodded and finished his coffee. “Are you ready my dear?”

“Yes.” Jane answered. “I’ll get the tip.”

Jackson paid the check and they continued up the highway.

They had driven not more than five miles when Jane saw another winery and they stopped, again taking the tour. Sitting in the tasting room Jane picked a fruity wine for them. It was a bit sweet for Jackson, but Jane liked it so he again bought a bottle. Before long they arrived at Santa Rosa.

“Turn down county road 12 towards the beach.” Jane told Jackson as she saw the sign ahead. “Then we should start back. We’ll take the coast road.”

“Whatever you say navigator.” He winked at her.

When they reached the ocean she instructed him to pull over at a wayside pullover. Once more she pulled out her pipe and they smoked another bowl. Jackson was glad he had not drank a full glass of wine at the wineries. He noticed pot had much more affect after drinking. Jane was having a great time. She was in a carefree mood and could not be happier. She was in love, like never before. They got out of the car and were looking out at the ocean when another car stopped. A couple of old people got out and joined them at the rock wall.

Jane pulled out her camera from her purse and asked them to take their picture. The old man agreed and took their first picture together. Jane thanked them and they continued on down the road. They stopped a few more times before arriving back home.

Jackson carried in the four bottles of wine they had collected, while keeping his arm around Jane to steady her. She was giddy from drinking and smoking so much. She had drank two glasses at the last winery. He put the bottles in the rack and took her to bed. She insisted he join her. Soon they were making love. Jackson did not hurry it but took his time, kissing her passionately and tenderly as they lay there. When Jane peaked she collapsed and fell asleep almost immediately. He lay with her for some time before getting up. He put on his robe and went out to the kitchen, starting dinner.

Jane woke up to the smell of food cooking and put on her robe, still naked under it. She went out and quietly came up behind Jackson and put her arms around him, holding him tight against her, just wanting to feel him in her arms. When she released him he turned around and planted a kiss on her lips that almost curled her toes. “My God. Where did you learn to kiss like that?” She exclaimed after it.

“I’ll never tell.” He smiled at her. The food was done and he put it on the table and they sat down. “Did you have a nice nap?”

“Yes. I dreamed about you.” Jane took a bite of the meat roll.

“Oh really? Tell me about it.”

“It was very sexual.” She smiled demurely at him. “We were stranded on a deserted island. Just you and me.”

Jackson started laughing. “I guess I should not be surprised.”

“This is delicious. You really are a good cook.”

“Thank you my love. I do it just for you,” he told her.

They finished eating and went out to the deck. There was a crescent moon falling down to the ocean. Jane snuggled against Jackson. She had never felt so content in her entire life. He held her close. They sat without a word for almost an hour when Jane got up and came back with her pipe. They smoked it together and continued to sit in silence watching the moon go out of site on the horizon.

Jackson spoke first. “Are you ready for bed my love?”

“I suppose. I don’t want this day to end. It’s been so wonderful.”

“There is always tomorrow baby.” He told her as he stood up and pulled her up also.

Chapter 4

Jane groaned as the alarm went off the next morning. But she hauled herself out of bed and into the shower and got ready for work. Jackson got up after her and again made breakfast for them. She came out of the bedroom dressed for work and sat down at the table where a cup of coffee was ready for her. Jackson put a plate of pancakes in front of her and kissed her.

“Good morning sunshine,” he greeted her softly.

“Morning,” she replied quiietly. “There isn’t any sunshine this morning.”

Jackson sat down with a plate of the cakes also. He started eating knowing Jane was hung over. Too much wine will do it every time. “Did you take some headache medicine baby?”

She took a drink of coffee and answered, “Yes. I hate headaches.” Slowly she started eating her breakfast.

Jackson had drank very little wine and felt fine. He suddenly realized the pot did not give him a hangover. Interesting, he thought. He had smoked quite a bit in his estimation, but he really had no experience with it. Poor Jane. She was not going to have a nice day today.

They ate in silence. Jane forced the food down, knowing she needed to eat. She was not done when she pushed it away. “I can’t eat another bite. Thanks love.” She sat and nursed her coffee, waiting for the headache to subside.

“Would you like a ride to work this morning baby?” He asked as he finished his breakfast.

Jane looked up at him. “Would you?”

“Of course,” he answered. She could sit a bit longer this way.

The rain started falling, and it was hard enough to hear as it hit the roof. They both looked up as it did. “Crap!” Jane exclaimed with feeling.

Jackson smiled at her. “It will get better.”

She gave him a half smile. “I know, but when is the question.”

Jackson got up and took the dishes to the sink and then poured them each another cup of coffee before sitting back down. They sat in silence till seven forty-five. Jane spoke first. “I guess we should go.”

She took an umbrella from the closet and they went out to the car and got in. Fifteen minutes later they kissed goodbye for the day, and she went into her work. Jackson drove back home. He had a few hours before the interview.

He washed the dishes and took a shower. Sitting down at his computer he checked his email. Another interview had come in. He replied to it with a confirmation before shutting it down.

Today’s interview was here in the city, only twenty minutes from home. He really wanted this job. It was development and he liked it the most, plus he would be managing a team. The interview tomorrow was in San Jose, which would mean a forty-five minute commute, minimum. He had not really planned to move up here to the city. It just happened; an unforeseen event.

Jane sat at her desk looking at the computer screen, still in a daze, although her headache had lessened. She was entering a new application into the system. It was a construction worker who had lost his hand in an accident at work. His workman’s comp would be running out next month and he would get his disability. She wondered how people survived on what the government gave them. It was poverty level survival.

It was a long day, but finally four-thirty arrived. Jane punched out and went out to the front door. As she stepped outside she saw Jackson waiting for her. It was still raining. He saw her and got out to open the door, letting her into the car. He got back in started the engine.

Jane smiled at him. How had she found this man? “Thanks my love.”

Jackson leaned over and kissed her. “You’re welcome baby.” He pulled out from the curb and took them home.

Jane went straight to her room and changed clothes. She came back out and sat down on the couch next to Jackson. “How did your interview go?”

“I think it went well. They said they would be in touch. I still have to take the drug test.”

“What a bunch of crap! Jane exclaimed. “It is not only a violation of the constitution, but none of their damn business what people do in their own time.” She loaded her pipe with pot. “What really gets me is how they call pot a drug, when in truth it is a naturally occurring herb that God gave us. Drugs are extracted and refined chemicals, not herbs. I guess I’ll be smoking this alone.”

“I’m afraid so.” Jackson replied. “How long does that stuff stay in your system?”

“You can get it cleaned out in three or four days if you drink a lot of water with lemon juice,” she answered, lighting the pipe, “Unless you are a heavy smoker. Then you have to buy a detox kit.”

Jackson nodded. “I have another interview tomorrow in San Jose.” He got up and went to the kitchen and made a large glass of lemon water. As he sat back down next to Jane he said, “Guess I better get started.”

She had finished her bowl and put it away. Pot was so good for a hangover. Snuggling up to Jackson, she felt better and replied, “I suppose so.” She reached for the television remote and turned on the news.

It was the usual stuff. The economy was continuing to fall apart. Stock market was all but crashing, with thousands of companies going out of business every month and thousands more were predicted to close their doors in the months to come. The war continued in Iraq, costing billions of dollars per month. The foreclosure rate was the worst since the great depression, and banks were failing across the country. Job layoffs were on the increase. The rain was supposed to last a few more days in the bay area.

Jackson spoke up after it was over. “You have to wonder how much these idiots giving us the news, contribute to the falling economy with their stupid predictions of things getting worse. It puts fear into people, and does nothing but make people stop spending, thus slowing down the entire economy even more. Without spending everything stops.” Then he added, “Dinner will be ready in just a little bit.”

Jane smiled up at him. “You’re probably right; people are scared and have stopped spending completely. What are we having?”

“Roast beef, with potatoes and carrots.” He answered after finishing the glass of water. He gave her a good long kiss. “You feeling better?”

“Much better.” She viewed the guide on the screen and found a movie to watch and flipped to it. “Let’s eat out here tonight.”

“Okay. I better go check on it.” He got up and went to the kitchen. He took out dinner plates and silverware and then decided to add some fruit. It took him only ten minutes to cut up some fresh fruit, making a mix, something California had in abundance.

He came out carrying their full plates, and then went back for the silverware and glasses of lemon water. He returned and sat down and they started eating.

Jane didn’t say a word till the commercial came on. “I sure like Harrison Ford. I have watched every movie he has been in.”

“He’s okay.” Jackson replied between bites. “I like Tommy Lee Jones, myself.” They were watching ‘The Fugitive’.

“Yeah, he’s good too.” Jane agreed. She continued eating as her appetite had returned finally. She had barely eaten at lunch. Mixing alcohol was always deadly for her, she knew better, especially wine.

Jackson finished first and waited for Jane before taking the empty plates back to the kitchen. When he came back out he brought some chocolate cake for desert.

Jane smiled at him and said, “Thanks love, that was really good. Where did the cake come from?”

“I made it,” he answered, sitting down.

“You sure do surprise me Jackson Conway.”

“Good,” he replied with a smile before taking a bite of the cake.

During the next commercial he took the rest of the dishes back to the kitchen and rinsed them before putting them in the dishwasher and starting it, as it was full.

He sat down next to Jane, who again snuggled up close, and he put his arm around her. She loved being close to him. They continued watching the movie, making out during the commercials. As it ended Jane turned off the television and turned to her lover. “I’ve had enough of that.”

“Me too.” Jackson agreed before giving Jane one of his more passionate kisses that he knew would have an effect on her.

“Don’t stop,” she gasped when he finished. They continued their lovers kissing for some time before they went to bed, making love as intensely as ever.

As they lay exhausted in each other’s arms, Jane whispered. “Let’s take a cruise, a seven day one. I have vacation time I have to use and once you start working you won’t get any for a year.”

“That’s an idea. I can put off starting fairly easily. I heard on the news that they’re pretty cheap right now too.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll make plans for it tomorrow.”

“Caribbean?” Jackson asked.

“Of course. I do have to give a one week notice though.”

“I’ve never taken one.” He told her.

“I took a three day one once with a girlfriend of mine. It was fun.”

“I imagine it will be, especially with you my love.” Jackson kissed her deeply.

“Oh Jackson, you know what that does to me,” she said, out of breath. They fell asleep soon afterward.

As predicted the rain continued into the following morning. Jane went to work and Jackson got ready for his interview, leaving shortly after her. While in San Jose he got his flat tire fixed and put back on before heading up the peninsula. The rain had slowed to a drizzle by the time he got home, but the fog had moved in.

He went down to his office to check his email. He had skipped it this morning. There was only one, from a friend in Phoenix. He was another programmer Jackson had worked with who also had been laid off. He had found another job and was doing well. Jackson replied, telling his buddy about Jane. He had just sent it off when another one came in. The company he had interviewed with yesterday wanted to see him this afternoon. He replied and went upstairs to eat before leaving, thinking it was good he hadn’t changed his clothes yet

On his way home he decided to pick up Jane, as it was that time of day. She smiled big when she saw him waiting for her. What a wonderful man he was, she thought, walking out the front doors.

He kissed her under the umbrella before helping her into the Mustang. On the way home Jane told him. “We leave next Thursday love. Also I finally made that call to Pacific Bell and they will install the second line tomorrow, so you need to be there.”

“No problem,” Jackson answered.

“How did things go for you today?” She asked.

He smiled at her. “I got the job I wanted, here in the city. That’s where I just came from. They were fine with me starting later too.”

“That’s great!” Jane exclaimed.

“Yeah. Now I have to tell the company in San Jose that I interviewed with today.”

“You didn’t want that commute anyway.” Jane remarked.

They pulled into the driveway and went in. They were unable to resist as they undressed in front of each other and fell to the bed in a lover’s embrace. Later, Jane got up, put on her sweats, and went to make dinner. Jackson followed her in shortly after to help, but she insisted he just sit with her. “You made dinner the last two nights, it’s my turn.”

He made himself a drink and sat watching his woman. He noticed she wasn’t smoking or drinking tonight. He loved looking at her and could do so forever he thought. She was perfect for him. She didn’t complain about anything. It was amazing they had only known each other a week and he felt like he did. The pot wasn’t so bad and he could live with it, even though he preferred drinking.

Jane saw him looking at her and asked, “What are you thinking about so intently?”

“You.” Jackson told her with a smile. “I will love you forever baby.”

“I like that.” She replied turning back to making dinner, thinking she more than just liked it. She loved him. And no man had ever satisfied her like he did. She almost got goose bumps just thinking about it. She hoped it would last forever. Those long lonely nights were gone. No more romance novels, she had the real thing now. He was worth waiting for. She finished the lasagna and put it in the oven and then walked around behind Jackson, putting her arms around him and kissing him from behind. “I love you.”

Jackson turned and looked into her eyes, and said in a serious voice. “I love you too Jane.”

It almost brought tears to her eyes, seeing he meant it so much. “No man has ever told that in such a serious way.” She pulled him up and they went to the living room and sat down on the couch, where they embraced and kissed with tender love till dinner was ready.

Jackson turned on the television while Jane went for the food. He found a comedy show for them to watch while they ate. As Jane sat down and saw what was on she said. ”I love this show. It is so funny.”

They ate, laughing occasionally at the adult humor. As it ended Jane took the dishes to the kitchen. She returned with some of the chocolate cake Jackson had made. She loved chocolate.

They were eating the cake when a knock came on the front door. They looked at each other questioningly. Jane raised her hands in an ‘I don’t know’ gesture and got up to answer it. She opened the door and saw it was her parents. “Hi Mom, Dad. What are you doing here?” She stepped back to let them in, not having much choice.

“We were concerned that you haven’t called or anything in a week. That’s not like you. And when your father called you brushed him off,” her mother said.

“And who owns that car that is in the driveway?” Her dad asked.

“I wasn’t ready to tell you, but I guess you’re going to find out anyway.” Jane told them, taking their coats and putting them in the closet. “Come on in.” She led them into the living room where Jackson had stood up and turned around.

“Mom, Dad, this is Jackson Conway.”

Her dad looked at Jackson and smiled. “I think we’ve already met.”

Jackson shook his hand. “Glad to meet you. Pretty funny coincidence.”

“Call me Andy. This is my wife for fifty years, Gladys.”

Jane and her mother looked at each other wondering what the men were talking about.

Jackson spoke up seeing their confusion. “Remember I told you about an old man stopping when I had the flat tire?”

Jane started laughing and said. “Yeah, I told you it was something my Dad would do.”

“Small world. I thought I recognized that Mustang,” her dad said. “It’s a classic.”

The men sat down as Jane picked up the remaining dishes and went to the kitchen with her mother following her.

“So Jane, where did you meet him?” Her mother inquired.

“We met at the lounge last Friday.”

”And he’s already living here?” Gladys continued her questioning.

“I’m in love mama. He’s the man I’ve been waiting for all these years. It was my idea that he move in.”

“You do have that look. Tell me about him,” she demanded.

“He’s just wonderful. He cooks and helps me clean and picks up after himself. He’s a computer programmer. And he doesn’t drink too much.”

“Hmm.” Her mother was skeptical. “What else?”

“Mama.” Jane whined.

“Don’t you mama me, young lady.”

Jane realized her mother was not going to be put off. “He loves me and he’s great in bed. He even already has a job here in the city. He treats me really good mama. He’s a real gentleman.”

“Where is he from?”

“Phoenix.” Jane answered briefly, not really wanting this conversation with her mother. That was why she had not said anything to them yet. “I’m not a little girl any more mama.”

“Have you talked to your brother?”

“No. I really am not ready for this. I wanted more time.”

“I bet you did.” Her mother stated sarcastically.

Jane made Jackson another drink and told her mother. “Be nice Mama,” as they walked back into the living room.

She put the drink down if front of Jackson and sat beside him. Her mother went to the love seat and sat with Andy, eyeing Jackson with scrutiny.

“Thanks baby.” Jackson told her. “Your Dad was telling me some things about when you were a little girl.”

“Daddy.” Jane again whined. She was definitely frustrated.

“Now Janey, I wasn’t trying to embarrass you.” He tried to defend himself.

Her mother spoke up in her most demanding voice. “So what brings you to San Francisco young man?’

Well mam, I was laid off from my job in Phoenix and decided a change of climate was in order, and this is the computer center of the country.”

“I see.” Her mother stated. “Where did you grow up and where do your parents live?”

“I grew up mostly abroad. My Dad was in the military and we moved around a lot. My parents live in central Oregon now that Dad’s retired. They have wanted me to be closer and so San Francisco was a good choice.” Jackson answered thoroughly, knowing how mothers could be.

“I don’t suppose you have told them either?”

“Mama.” Jane whined for the third time.

“It’s okay Jane,” he said to her before answering her mother. “No I haven’t. It seems a little early for declarations.”

Her mother started to ask more when Andy said. “That’s enough Gladys. You should be happy our Janey has found a man. Maybe we’ll get some grandchildren after all from her, and before we die.” He laughed.

Jackson seeing how frustrated Jane was, spoke up. “That would be wonderful, but we have to wait a bit before we take that step.”

Andy could see they had intruded enough and said, “Well, we should be going. I think we found out why our little girl hasn’t called us.” He stood up and gave Gladys his hand to help her up, not giving her a choice.

Jackson stood up with Jane and walked to the door with her parents. They said their good-byes and left. Jane closed the door and looked at Jackson. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want them to know yet.”

He kissed her and replied, “It’s okay baby. It was bound to happen eventually.”

Jane walked to her bedroom and came back with her zippered bag. “I need a smoke, now. You don’t mind do you?”

“Not at all.”

They sat down and Jane puffed away for a few minutes, trying to calm down.

“Thanks for be so good with them.” She said when she had finished. “Do you really want children?”

“Absolutely!” Jackson answered. “Do you?”

“I always have. But only with the right man,” she replied, snuggling against him. “They’ve been on me to get married and have children for years. I just couldn’t find the right man.”

“Mine are the same.” Jackson admitted to her. “All I hear is ‘where’s our grandchildren’?”

Jane kissed him and whispered. “I really love you. You’re the perfect man for me.”

“Funny,” he replied, smiling at her. “I was thinking that about you earlier, in the kitchen.”

Jane kissed him again, but this time with intent and Jackson could tell. He took her hand and they went to bed.

Chapter 5

Jane woke up to the alarm, thinking it was Friday. It was still raining. Jackson reached over and pulled her to him. “Good morning my love.”

“Good morning.” She kissed him before getting up and going to take her usual morning shower.

He lay there listening to the rain while Jane showered, wondering what to do for the day. He heard the shower turn off and got up, putting on his robe he went out to start the coffee and make breakfast. He was still contemplating his day when Jane came in.

She sat down reaching for the cup waiting for her. It sure was nice having breakfast made for her, she thought. She did not usually wake up fast and liked to sit with her coffee for a bit. She watched Jackson cooking some ham and eggs for them. He sure was a good man. All he wanted from her was her love. Too many men wanted a mother.

Jackson kept quiet as Jane sipped her coffee. He already knew she woke up slow and allowed her the time. When she finished her first cup, he filled it for her and put the plates of food out. He sat down and started eating.

“What are you doing today?” Jane asked him, halfway through eating.

“Not much. I have to go in for the drug test this afternoon at three thirty. Hopefully the phone line will be installed before then.”

“So where is your new job at anyway?”

“It’s on Mission Street.; a company called ‘Mission Softworks’.” He answered.

“Is that near the hospital?”

“Not too far.”

“So what is it you will be doing there?” Jane wanted to know more.

“I’m to be in charge of the development department. I’ll be managing a team of sixteen programmers. They are starting a new line of software for business management. My job is to continue with current software projects and handle the new one.”

“Wow!” Jane was impressed. “I’m sort of surprised you don’t talk more about the programming you do.”

“I don’t want to bore you baby.” He replied. “Most people don’t know enough to understand it anyway. Programming is a complicated line of work. It requires a high level of concentration and focus.”

Jane finished and put her dishes in the sink, refilling her cup before sitting back down. “Let’s meet at the lounge today. I can be there about fifteen minutes after I get off work.”

“Sure, sounds fun.” He got up and rinsed their dishes, also pouring himself another cup of coffee.

“I hope this rain stops today, like they said.”

“Me too. I want to see some sun for a change,” Jackson agreed.

“It’s that time of year.” Jane told him, finishing her coffee and standing up. “I better get going or I’ll miss the bus.” She came around and gave Jackson a kiss. “See you later love.” She grabbed her coat and umbrella before going out.

Jackson spent the day being bored for the most part. The rain did finally stop just after noon. Pacific Bell showed up shortly after and installed the new line to his office. They were gone by two o-clock. He made a few calls, trying it out. He was on his way to his new workplace by three, dressed in his work clothes, a suit and tie as always. He preferred to look professional, even though it was a casual dress option.

At that time, Jane was sitting at her desk still processing the never ending stack of paperwork. She made it a point not to make friends at work for the most part. The people she worked with were co-workers and she preferred to keep her work separate from her personal life, especially since she sometimes partied. She was friendly with a few of them though. She received a call from the front desk at about three thirty. Rhonda, the receptionist told her she needed to come up front. Surprised, she got up from her desk, wondering what was up.

Her office was on the second floor and it was five minutes before she made it there. As she walked up, Ronda said. “There’s a delivery for you. He wants you to sign for it.”

She turned to the front desk. “I’m Jane Garland. You have something for me?”

“Please sign here,” the delivery boy told her.

She signed his clipboard paper and he handed her a white box about two feet long. Opening the envelope she pulled out the card and read it. ‘All my love forever! Jackson.’ Her heart started beating faster as she opened the box. “Oh my,” she said out loud.

“What is it?” Rhonda asked.

“A dozen Roses.” She replied, showing them to her.

“You lucky girl!” Rhonda exclaimed to her. “I wish someone would send me flowers. Who is he?”

“His name is Jackson. We met a week ago.” She smiled all the way back to her desk.

The rest of her day went quickly. Word spread fast at work and some of her co-workers came by to see her roses and ask questions at the end of the day. She was on the trolley, carrying her roses, as soon as she could get out the door. When she arrived at the lounge, Jackson was not there yet. She found a seat looking out at the ocean and ordered a drink.

She didn’t have long to wait. He came up behind her and said, “Hi there beautiful. Would you like some company? It isn’t good to drink alone.”

Recognizing his voice she jumped up and turned around, planting a kiss on his lips. “I would love your company. Thank you so much for the roses Jackson. Nobody’s ever sent me roses before.”

He replied with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. “A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do,” and sat down across from her. The waitress came up and took his order and soon returned with his drink.

“How was your day?” Jane asked.

“It was okay, messed around on the computer mostly. The phone company showed up. Did the drug test and checked out the company’s current software projects. I couldn’t wait to see you though.”

“Well, my day was the usual boredom ‘til the roses came. It was the big news at the office.” Jane told him, reaching across the table and taking his hand.

“What should we do tonight?” He asked her.

“I want to go dancing again. How does that sound?”

“Sounds great to me! All I want is to hold you in my arms.”

Jane felt something well up in her, a feeling of love that almost overwhelmed her. She tightened her handhold and replied looking into his eyes, “Me too my love.”

They sat without words for a little bit, feeling the love they both had. They knew it was forever and could not take their eyes away. Their mood was interrupted when Rhonda walked up to their table. “Hi Jane,” she announced herself.

Jane did like Rhonda and turned to look at her. “What are you doing here?”

“I come here sometimes for happy hour,” she replied. “Still looking for a guy.”

Jane stood up and said, “You want to sit with us?”

“Sure,” she answered, sitting down where Jane had been.

Jane moved and sat next to Jackson, liking it better, being next to him, while Rhonda sat across from them.

“So you’re the guy who sent the roses to Jane today, I guess,” Rhonda said looking at Jackson.

Jane spoke before Jackson could say anything. “Jackson, this is Rhonda from work.”

“Hi Rhonda,” He said politely.

“Glad to meet you Jackson,” she replied. “You don’t have any male friends do you?’

Jackson laughed. “Not in San Francisco. I’m new here.”

“Oh. Too bad.” The waitress came up and took her order. Jackson ordered himself and Jane another drink as well, even though they weren’t done with the ones they had..

“I’m surprised I’ve never seen you here before.” Jane said.

“Oh I move around to different bars each Friday, so I’m not what you would call a regular. Did you meet here?” She asked them.

“Yes,” Jane answered.

“So where are you from Jackson?” She was the talkative type, slightly annoying Jane with her questions.

“I’m from Phoenix,” he answered briefly.

“How do you like our city so far?”

“I like it a lot.” He again answered. “Jane has been showing me around.”

Jane decided to change the conversation and said to Jackson. “Shall we get some food?”

Jane slid out of the booth and Jackson followed her saying. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”

While they were putting food on their plates, Jane said. “Please don’t say too much to her. The office is a gossip zone and I prefer not to say much about my personal life.”

“I already gathered that. I could tell you were not that comfortable with her asking me questions.”

Jane smiled. “I’m more of a private person than you probably realize, at least at work. After all, it is a government job.”

“Don’t worry baby. I won’t tell her your secrets.”

They returned with full plates and sat down. Rhonda immediately began talking again. “I don’t suppose you know any young men Jane?”

“No Rhonda, I’m not a young woman.”

“Yea, well you never know.” She replied. “I get lonely pretty easy.”

Jackson seeing a couple young men down the way said to her. “There’s some just over there.” He pointed at them.

Rhonda turned and looked. “Oh. One’s even cute.” She turned back around. “Maybe he’ll ask me out.”

Jane smiled at her. “If you want, we can change places so he can see you.”

“Oh really. Yeah. Sure.” She slid out and waited for Jane and Jackson. They all sat back down with Jackson on the inside.

Jane decided to give her some advice. “What you have to do Rhonda, is to smile at them ‘til they notice you.”

“Oh really?” She seemed unsure, but followed Jane’s advice, looking intently at them but continuing to talk. “Is that how you met Jackson?”

“No, he came up to me on his own. But young men need encouragement,” Jane told her.

“Oh.”

Jackson was grinning. Jane poked him in the ribs, seeing the look on his face and said to Rhonda. “Be sure to smile if they look at you. You might even give them a little wave.”

They continued to eat while Rhonda stared at the young men.

“Do you think they will notice me?” Rhonda asked.

“Of course they will.” Jane told her. “It just might take a while. Young men can’t help but look at a pretty girl.”

“That’s good to know,” she replied. “I think I’m a pretty girl, don’t you?”

“Yes I do.” Jane agreed.

“Don’t worry Rhonda, you are a pretty girl.” Jackson added to Jane’s affirmation.

“Oh, thank you Jackson.”

Rhonda continued talking. “Did you have a lot of boyfriends when you were young Jane?”

“That is privileged information.” Jane told her emphatically.

“Oh.”

Jackson almost laughed till Jane again poked him in the side.

Jackson excused himself to the bathroom. As Jane sat back down she saw him give her a look from behind Rhonda, rolling his eyes up and she almost laughed herself.

He did not come right back but stopped at the bar and had quick drink, trying to compose himself for Rhonda. That girl was simply too funny in her naivety. She couldn’t be more than twenty-one years old. They could only hope those boys would take notice. He thought about taking a more direct approach but decided it might cause problems if Rhonda found out. Finishing his drink he returned to the table, purposely waiting for Jane to get up and let him in.

Jane looked at him, not sure what had taken so long but said nothing. Instead she listened to Rhonda who seemed to never stop talking.

Suddenly Rhonda smiled real big at the boys. Both Jane and Jackson were hoping it would bring one of them over. Instead she said. ”They are waving me to come over to their table. Should I go?”

Jane did not hesitate and said, “Yes. It’s almost like asking you out.”

Rhonda was so excited she dumped her drink as she reached for it. Jane jump up before it got her. “I’m sorry.” Rhonda said as she tried to wipe it up with napkins.

“Go ahead Rhonda, I’ll clean it up.”

She took what was left of her drink and walked down to where the boys were sitting and sat down with them. Jackson started laughing quietly. Jane just shook head and finished wiping up the spilled drink before sitting down again.

“The things I do,” Jane said, leaning back and letting out a sigh of relief.

Jackson, still grinning replied. “Indeed.”

“You weren’t any help.” She accused him.

“What could I do?”

“Oh nothing I guess.”

“One thing for sure, the way she don’t stop talking, she should be able to entertain those boys for awhile.”

Jane had to laugh. “She’s not like that at work. She must have been told not to talk too much.”

“Maybe we should make our exit while we can.” Jackson suggested.

“You’re right.”

They left the lounge going the opposite direction of Rhonda and went home.

Upon arriving home, Jane first put her roses in a vase in the living room, standing for a minute to admire them. Jackson made them both a drink.

It was still too early to go dancing, so they changed into some house clothes and went out to the deck since the rain had ended and the sky was clearing finally. Jane was ready for a smoke and Jackson joined her. When she filled it a second time he said. “You’re going to get too high to dance.”

“Not a chance,” Jane declared smiling at him.

Jackson was more worried about himself, but still smoked it with her. “So was that too funny or what?” He said as they finished it.

“It was pretty funny.” Jane laughed. “She is so young, she don’t have a clue.”

“I would bet she’s never even been out on a date.”

Jane laughed again. “You might be right. I was just trying to help her out.”

“Oh, I could tell.” He laughed. “Young men need encouragement.” He laughed even harder.

“Hey be nice.” She still had to laugh with him.

“I’m being nice.” He leaned over and gave her one of his special kisses.

“You know what that does to me Jackson Conway.” She gasped as he finished.

He whispered in her ear, “I sure do baby.”

Jane calmed herself down with some effort before saying. “I’ll bet you practiced doing that for years.”

He laughed. “Well, you don’t learn how to get a woman excited with a kiss overnight.”

“I would guess some men never learn how,” Jane stated.

“Some women don’t like it.”

“Are you kidding me?” Jane was surprised. She definitely liked it.

“I’m serious,” he answered. “I think it scares them. I would not ask those women out again though.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted a woman who enjoys getting aroused.” He smiled at her.

“Well maybe you don’t always do it at the appropriate time.” Jane remarked with a smile.

“Maybe it’s just too intimate for some people, both men and women.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think lots of people don’t want to be that intimate, except in bed,” Jackson answered.

“Yeah. I suppose that’s true,” Jane agreed.

“I know you like it though.”

“Yes I do, but then I have to work at calming myself down or else I won’t be able to stop.”

“Anticipation is a good thing.” He said more seriously. “It makes it better when you do make love.”

Finishing her drink, Jane stood up, pulling out of his arm. “Another drink?”

Jackson finished his and handed her his glass. “Why not? But not too strong.”

When Jane returned she sat down close to him again, handing him his Vodka and OJ. After taking a swallow he set his down, putting his arm back around Jane, pulling her closer and kissing her again, but softly and tenderly. Jane responded, kissing him back.

They didn’t get up and dressed and leave to go dancing till after eight. Jane took him to a bar with rock-n-roll that night. They barely sat down the rest of the night, dancing till they were forced to take a breather. Then they would sit out only one or two songs, drinking their drinks hurriedly. They were both entranced with each other, completely in love.

It was after midnight when Jackson started dancing more and more dramatically, swooping, sliding, and spinning her around. They were taking the entire dance floor almost. It was near empty, so nobody objected. Jane was in heaven in his arms, moving with him, almost in ballroom style dancing at times. The band played till two. They closed the bar that night, not leaving till four in the morning before going home.

They made sensuous, eager love, with unbridled passion, that night. Their high emotional state after a night of dancing allowed their intense desire to bring them to heated abandoned exhilaration. Both of them, falling to sleep, shortly after, exhausted, holding each other tight.

The following day, Jane woke up first. She lay in bed looking at her man for a long time. It was like a dream and she could barely believe it. While Jackson slept she smoked a bowl by herself, not wanting to get out of bed or move away from him.

He was still sleeping when the doorbell rang at 12:40. She forced herself out of bed, irritated, and put on her robe before going to answer it. She peaked through the peephole and saw it was her brother, Michael. Opening the door she greeted him. “Hello Michael. What are you doing here so early in the day?”

He came in and answered her. “Oh, Mom wanted me to stop by and meet your new boyfriend.”

“Are you kidding me!” She exclaimed. “We’re not even up yet.” She walked off into the kitchen and started making coffee.

“I can see that now.” He laughed, following her in. “Come on sis, it’s after noon.”

“Yeah, well, we were out late last night. And be quiet, you’ll wake him up.”

“Doing what?”

“Dancing the night away, if it’s any of your business.” Jane told him.

“You’ve never done that before that I know of,” he retorted.

“That’s because I never found the right man before.”

“Oh, so he’s the right man huh?” He asked sarcastically.

“More than you can even imagine.”

“Hmm. And what time did you get home?” He continued.

“What is this, thirty questions?” She was getting more than annoyed. Filling a cup of coffee before it was done, she sat down and Michael sat across from her.

“Jane, Mom’s worried. She thinks you’ve gone head over heels for this guy. She told me you only met him a week ago and he’s already moved in.”

“Michael, you better mind your own business.” Jane warned him with a bit of anger. She was getting mad. “I was having a perfectly good morning before you showed up!”

“I just want to meet the guy.” He backed down.

“Mom and Dad already have. It’s really none of your dam business. I’ve waited a long time to find a man who loves me. I wouldn’t expect you understand.” She was definitely mad. “I think you better leave. And don’t ever come over this early again.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“Yes I am. I am not going to have you questioning me about my love life! How dare you!” She was angry about his intrusion into her private affairs.

“Jane, be reasonable.” He refused to leave.

“No!” She almost shouted at him. “I’m a grown woman and you will not intrude into my person business ever! Leave now!”

Jackson wakened, walked in hearing the argument going on. “What is going on here?” He walked up to Michael. “She asked you to leave buddy. You better do it.”

Michael stood up, facing Jackson. “I’m her brother, I don’t have to leave.”

“I don’t care who you are. Get out or I’ll put you out forcibly.” Jackson almost bellowed. He was not going to be intimidated by anyone and was not going to have some ass making the woman he loved upset.

Michael saw the anger in Jackson’s eyes and decided he better leave. Jackson almost pushed him out the door, closing it rather firmly.

He came over to Jane and pulled her to him, holding her close and kissing her. “It’s okay baby. He’s gone.”

She started crying. “Oh Jackson.” He held her till she stopped.

Jackson couldn’t have been more infuriated, but didn’t let it show. He sat her down on the couch and brought coffee for both of them, sitting down beside her.

“What the hell was that about?” He asked quietly.

Jane looked up the man she loved so much. “Mom sent him over to check you out.”

“What? They already checked me out.” He was a bit confused.

“That’s what I told Michael. Mom apparently thinks I’ve gone off the deep end over you.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me, j-ust because we’re in love?” Jackson said with disbelief. He shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

“They’ve never seen me in love before Jackson.”

“All the more reason to be happy about it, not concerned.” He almost showed his anger. But then he looked at Jane tenderly, realizing what she had said. “You’ve never been in love before?”

Jane started crying again. “I didn’t want you to know. I’m just an old maid.”

He melted and put his arm around her and held her close while she cried herself out. His heart cried for her. This wonderful woman who he loved with all his being was torn apart by her shame of it. “Jane my love, it doesn’t matter if I’m your first true love.” He wondered what her family had done to her, as he sat holding her. “Baby, I love you. That is all that matters. You are not an old maid!”

It was some time before she stopped crying and wiped her eyes. Jackson still did not let go of her. He didn’t know what to do for the first time in his life. When Jane looked up into his eyes, he saw a woman who needed his love more than anything in the world. He didn’t stop kissing her for over an hour, wanting her to know how much he loved her. She clung to him, feeling his love like it was something tangible. Eventually they went and lay down, making love before falling asleep.