Chapter 32

Ed woke up first and didn't know where he was for a few seconds. Then he heard Rachel sighing in her sleep and recalled the evening before. He watched her sleep for a bit then slipped from the bed. He carried his clothes downstairs and dropped his boxers and t-shirt in the washing machine on a quick cycle. He pulled on his damp bathing suit then unlocked the patio door. He did laps in the pool to get his blood pumping and exercise his muscles. When he'd worn himself out he got out and dried himself enough to stop dripping then went into the house and took a shower in the small stall in the washroom off the kitchen. When he was done he moved his clothes to the dryer and looked in the fridge.

He saw the ingredients for omelettes so he quickly prepared the ingredients, no mushrooms or chorizo this time, and made himself breakfast. The coffee maker clicked on so Ed knew Rachel would be getting up soon. He finished his breakfast and tidied up his dishes. The dryer announced it was done so he put his clothes back on.

No sign of Rachel so he made her the omelette, a slice of toast, a glass of orange juice, and coffee. He found a tray and carried the meal upstairs. Rachel was sitting on the edge of the bed looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"Sore this morning?" he asked gently.

She nodded.

"I made you breakfast. Is there anything else I can get you?" he asked.

"In the washroom in the cabinet is a red bottle of pain killers. Could you bring me two?" she said quietly.

He got her the pills and she took them with the juice.

"That smells delicious, Edward!" she sighed appreciatively.

He moved her up on the bed so she could sit against the pillows and set the tray before her. "How do you like your coffee?" he asked.

"Black is fine. Thanks," he replied.

"I'm so sorry I was so rough last night-" he began.

"Edward! Stop. There is nothing to apologize for. It was a night of intense passion and I will never forget it. I still wouldn't change a thing," she said holding his eyes with hers.

She crooked a finger at him and he leaned in to kiss her. She smiled at the sweetness of his kiss.

"I have to get to work," he said when he pulled back.

"If you push the garage door button on the inside and drive out the door will close automatically behind you," she explained.

"Great!" he replied as he watched her take a bite of her breakfast. Her eyes snapped to his.

"Oh my god! This is REALLY GOOD!" she gushed.

"Glad you like it. I'll see you later?" he asked and she nodded as she turned back to her breakfast.

He headed down to the garage and hit the button as directed. After he pulled out, he saw the door close so he headed off to work.

Mr. Drakos was in a very good mood and subjected Ed to another pinched cheek. Ed just grinned at Lydia as she rolled her eyes. He went outside to move the van up to the loading bay then removed Rachel's old condenser and packaging. He labeled the condenser as functioning so it could go into the spare parts inventory. The trash would be taken out by the new interns.

He moved Stephanie's appliances into the van then headed off to her neighborhood. Once he got to the entrance he suddenly recalled he should look for the crowbar. He stopped the van on the side of the road and set the hazards flashing. He climbed over the guard rail where the truck had gone and made his way down carefully. A moment later a police cruiser stopped next to the guard rail.

"Hey! You can't park your van there!" the officer yelled.

"Sorry! I was just looking for the crowbar I dropped after getting the truck door open," Ed explained.

"Shit! That was you?" the cop exclaimed.

"Yes, sir."

"Well… be quick about your search and be on your way," was the man's reply as he pulled away.

Ed went back to hunting. He was just about to give up when his foot hit something hard. He pushed the leaves aside and there it was. He picked it up and climbed back up the slope. Just as he got to the guard rail he saw a silver sedan slowly pull up. The passenger window went down so Ed dipped his head to look in.

"Good morning Ed!"

"Good morning Mishka!"

"Have you grown so attached to our ravine that you must now play in it on the way to work?" she teased with a grin.

Ed was delighted by her accent and couldn't help but smile back. "Actually I just had to find the crowbar I lost from that day."

"You are a very responsible young man!" she grinned.

"I try to be."

"Well I'm on my way to the hospital but I spotted your van so I stopped to let you know I will be seeing you next Wednesday for my appointment."

"Hospital? Is everything alright?" he asked with a concerned tone.

She smiled at his sweetness. "Quite alright. I work there. I'm their best surgeon and I'm going to be late so have a good day!"

"You too!" he said as the window went up and she drove away.

He went back to his van and drove the rest of the way to Stephanie's house. As he pulled up the drive the front door opened and she stepped outside. He noticed she looked a little anxious. He parked, grabbed his clipboard, and headed over to see her.

"Good morning!" he said.

"Good morning! I was worried you weren't coming when you didn't arrive at 10," she said.

Ed glanced at his phone and noticed it was only ten minutes past the hour. "Sorry about that. I stopped down by the ravine to find the crowbar I lost the other day," he explained pointing down the hill.

"How did you lose a crowbar in the ravine?" she said with a confused look.

"I used it to open the door of the pickup that rolled over the guard rail. I had to drop it to carry the guys away from the truck as it was on fire."

"OH MY GOD! Were you hurt?" she rushed to his side and gripped his arm, coincidentally where he'd been burned. He winced a little and pulled his arm back.

"It's not too bad. Just a minor burn on my arm and leg. The fireman doused the fire on my coverall before I got too badly burned. It doesn't hurt more than a sunburn."

"I'm sorry I grabbed your burn!" she fretted.

"Hey, it's ok!" he said with a smile and her frown slowly eased. "I should get started. I have the humidifier and air cleaner to install."

She nodded happily and he went back to the van to get the boxes. He went in the side door and carried the parts downstairs and into the furnace room. Stephanie was hovering so he paused and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She seemed to catch on.

"I'll just be upstairs in the kitchen… making cookies."

Ed's eyes lit up and she skipped away with a grin on her face.

He went back to the van a few times to get the other parts and his tools. Then he was ready to begin.

He shut off the power to the furnace and confirmed he had access to power, water, and a drain once more. There really wasn't too much complexity to the installation and he made quick work of both the electronic air cleaner and the humidifier. He noted the dates of the first service calls these units would have on Stephanie's service plan. He'd add this to the company schedule when he got back to the office.

He carried all the packaging materials out to the van and returned for his tools. Once everything was packed away he went in the side door once more, slipped off his boots, and found his way to the living room to ensure the fan was set to on to keep a continuous flow of air moving through the cleaner. That done he went into the kitchen.

"All done," he said as he closed his eyes and breathed in the sweet smell of baking cookies. When he opened his eyes he saw Stephanie was only wearing an apron but she was wearing it very well. She had a coy smile on her lips as she took in his admiring gaze.

"Do you… want to taste my cookies?" she said with an innocent voice.

Ed felt a surge down below as he slowly walked towards the raven haired beauty. He saw she was trembling so he dipped his face down to stroke his lips across hers and she sighed and melted against him. She opened her mouth and accepted his tongue, sucking on it gently until his hands settled on her back and slid down to her bare ass. She whimpered and sucked harder, pressing her mouth more demandingly against his. At the same time she arched her chest back to get her hands between them so she could undo the snaps on his coverall.

Ed undid the ties on the apron and went back to touching her skin which drew gasps from the woman.

Stephanie loved the feel of his strong hands on her body. She could feel his desire and need when he touched her and she wanted that so much! When he squeezed her ass she almost came right then.

He had to help her remove his clothes as she was too distracted. He pulled back from the kiss and she swooned, her eyes opening slowly. He quickly pulled his shirt up over his head and she bit her lip when she saw his broad chest.

She dropped to her knees and tugged his underwear down. She pressed her face against his hot cock and he moaned.

"Fuck Ed, your cock is so sexy!" she said breathily. She ran her tongue up the underside and felt Ed's body jolt in response. She wrapped her fingers around its base and pressed her lips against the fat head to give it a kiss.

"Oh Stephanie…" Ed moaned and she felt a thrill shoot through her body. She ran her tongue around the head and Ed's legs trembled. She took the head into her mouth and he gasped. Slowly, ever so slowly she slid his hot flesh deeper into her mouth. She'd done a little reading to get instruction on this so she could take more of him in. When she got to midpoint she knew it was working. She reversed and retreated just as slow. Ed's legs were trembling and she loved that she could affect him so strongly.

Once he was out of her mouth she looked up into his dazed eyes and kissed the head again. He gasped and she took him into her mouth slowly again. She only managed to get a little ways passed halfway but his muscles were shaking with need so she reversed and slowly pulled it out.

Ed suddenly lifted her to the edge of the countertop and yanked the apron away. He knelt down and lifted her legs over his shoulders. When he began to kiss the inside of her thighs she cried out and grabbed his head. She wanted his mouth on her but he pressed his lips to everywhere but there. The teasing felt amazing and excruciating at the same time.

The timer on the oven chimed and he looked up at her.

"Get them out. Be quick!" she gasped.

Ed took two wide strides across the kitchen, grabbing the oven mitt on the way, opened the oven, pulled out the tray of cookies, set it on the range top, and was back between her thighs in under ten seconds.

This time he didn't make her wait for his mouth.

"FFFFFUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKK YYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!" she screamed.

He fucked her deeply with his tongue, bumping her clit as she gripped his hair. With her on the edge of the counter and his mouth pressed firmly against her pussy he had some trouble getting his fingers involved. He moved his mouth up to her clit as he slid two fingers deep into her opening, palm up.

"YES! YES! FUCK! YES! DO THAT! JUST LIKE THAT! FUCK!" she blurted as she fought to catch her breath.

Ed's wrist was bent at a weird angle so instead of thrusting he curled his fingers inside and rubbed them against her inner walls.

"SSSSSSHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTT!!!!!" Stephanie wailed through her gritted teeth as she squeezed Ed's head tight between her thighs. Her cries went on and on as her body shook violently. He began to worry she'd shake herself right off the counter.

She suddenly pushed at his head to get him to stop so he moved back and slipped his fingers free. She sagged back against the cupboards gasping for breath with her eyes closed. Her brows were furrowed as she continued to twitch and shake. A full minute later her brow finally smoothed and she opened her eyes to look at Ed in wonder.

"What- what the hell was that?" she gasped quietly.

"I don't know. Was it ok? I didn't hurt you did I?" he said, concerned.

"Ok? Oh my god Ed, that was the single most powerful orgasm I have ever experienced in my life! It was also the hottest sex I have ever had… well, maybe second to our time in the shower. She noticed Ed's face was covered in her juices and his cock was still standing at attention. The idea of the shower made her tingle once more but her muscles were still weak and trembling.

"Could- could you carry me upstairs to my shower so we could rinse off and… take care of that?" she said with a timid smile pointing towards his erection.

Ed smiled and scooped her up in his arms and rushed up the stairs while she squealed.

He held her while she adjusted the taps and then moved them under the spray.

Then her mouth was on his and her tongue was slipping in deep. He moved her in his arms to press their chests together and get his hands under her ass. She gasped as she felt his strong grip on her cheeks. She shrieked a little when he slid her up his chest to move her tits before his mouth. He sucked one into his mouth and ran the tip of his tongue around the nipple as she wrapped her arms around his head to pull him tighter.

"Oh damn that feels so good! Mmmm- FUCK!" she shrieked as he slid his fingers across her swollen pussy lips. An arc of electricity shot from his tongue on her nipple to his finger on her clit. He moved to her other tit while she was dazed and once more she clung to him as her mind careened from one bliss to another. He touched her again and she was only able to squeal and whimper in response. She was reeling from the overload as he released her tit and slid her down his body towards his stiff and throbbing cock. Her eyes flew open when the thick head forced its way inside.

"Oh FUCK! Wait! Shit. Oh geezus you're big…" she panted.

Ed was having a difficult time waiting as his cock was so sensitive and he needed release. He gently bounced her on the head of his cock and her eyes rolled back, her jaw dropping open. He kept bouncing her, slowly lowering her down over his cock. The hot, velvety heat of her pussy felt incredible on his cock and he needed more.

Stephanie rested her head on Ed's shoulder as she felt him stretching her open over his cock. There was only a little pain this time but the feeling of being full was overwhelming her. It definitely felt like he was deeper than he'd ever been in her before. The embers of her first orgasm began to smoulder. Then he lifted her back to the tip and thrust back in. The embers burst into a wildfire as again and again he lifted and dropped her on his thick cock. Her senses whited out from the overload as she began to cum again, hard.

Ed felt her begin to tremble through another orgasm and her pussy walls rippled against him. He felt his release begin so he held her tight against him as he came deep inside her. Once he'd caught his breath he moved them under the spray and lifted her clear of his shrinking member. Stephanie was limp in his arms so he shut off the water and carefully carried her out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and wrapped her in it and carried her to her bedroom. He laid her out on the bed and dried her as best he could.

Stephanie came back to her senses feeling a warm, tingling glow running through all of her nerves. She felt like she was floating. There was an ache between her legs but it was only a small nuisance compared to this euphoric state of bliss. Something was touching her body gently and she opened her eyes. It was Ed. He was standing next to her and he was drying her with a towel. She smiled at him.

Ed relaxed when he saw the smile on her face. "How are you feeling?"

Her eyes blinked slowly. "Wonnnnnderful!" she purred.

He heard his phone ringing and he rushed out of the room to race down the stairs. His coverall was piled on the floor in the kitchen and his phone was in the pocket. He got to it on the seventh ring.

"Hello?" he said panting.

"Ed? Are you ok?" Lydia said.

"Yeah, why."

"You sound like you're out of breath."

"No, I just left my phone in the kitchen. Sorry."

"You should keep it in your pocket," she chastised him.

"I do- I mean I did- until this time," Ed stumbled and bit his lip hoping she didn't ask what he meant.

"Whatever. Dad wants you to head over to the mall to get started without Pete and Terry," she said, moving on.

"Sure, I can head over there now. Thanks!" he said with relief.

"Bye," she said and hung up.

Ed yanked on his clothes, even though he was still wet from the shower. He went back upstairs and saw Stephanie walking slowly out of her bedroom wrapped in her dressing gown.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"Yes, Ed. More than ok! I feel amazing!" she smiled as she wrapped her arms over his shoulders and gave him a light kiss on the lips. "Do you have time for lunch?"

"No, my boss wants me to head over to North Ridge Mall again. We were there until midnight last night," he explained.

"Well I'm giving you some cookies to go!" she insisted and he grinned at her. She giggled at his enthusiasm. She ran her fingers through his hair as it was still wild from the shower. "There! It will dry properly now."

They went down to the kitchen and she put six cookies in a paper bag for him. He kissed her again and she sent him on his way.

Thirty minutes later he was up on the roof of the mall and confirmed the assembly was correctly installed. He ran through the plans again and got started on finishing the connections.

Four hours later Ed's phone buzzed. He snapped a plate back into place and looked at the phone. It was Mr. Drakos.

"Hello?"

"Ed! Where are you? I expected you back in the office two hours ago!" he said with a grumpy voice.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"Just past seven."

"OH! Sorry, I guess I lost track of the time." Ed said sheepishly.

"Where are you?" Drakos asked again.

"I'm at the mall. I just finished the installation."

There was silence at the other end of the phone. "…you finished?"

"Yes, it's ready for its power on tests but I'm not sure if the electricians are ready to power the building's main panels yet." Ed remarked.

"Ed, you're WONDERFUL!" Drakos shouted into the phone.

"Thank you sir," he smiled at his boss' enthusiasm.

"Tomorrow, I want you to take the day off! Relax! Go see a matinee movie!" the man said, positively gleeful.

"Thank you!"

"Don't forget you have the Sandovals on Saturday though," his boss reminded him to bring him back down to Earth.

"I'll be in bright and early on Saturday sir!" Ed grinned.

"Have a good night!" Drakos said and hung up.

Ed looked around and he really was done. He'd actually finished triple checking everything fifteen minutes ago. He packed up his tools and made his way down to the van. He stopped by the foreman's office to let him know that the air conditioning system was in place and ready for its testing. The man's smile told Ed his boss was going to get a happy phone call. He nodded to the man then got back in his van and took it back to the office. He switched over to his truck and headed home.

When he got inside he saw Grace sitting on the couch watching TV. He kicked off his boots and flopped down on the couch next to her. She was wearing a frown on her face so he bumped her shoulder.

"What's up?" he asked gently.

She looked at him and he saw her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. "I was sent home from work today and I have to speak with HR on Monday to see if I still have a job."

"What happened?" Ed gasped.

"Dwight Gorely, Frank's brother, came into the store to pick a fight with me. It seems his brother not only lost his testicle and his job, he also lost his wife and life savings. So he got drunk, went for a walk along some train tracks and fell off a bridge into the river and drowned. Dwight was coming back from the funeral you see and decided I was at fault for all of this." Grace said quietly.

"That's crazy!"

"Yes, but he decided I needed to be taught a lesson. He hit me- ED! SIT. DOWN." she yelled when he leapt to his feet.

He sat though he was breathing hard and had a murderous look in his eye. She turned her face and he saw the other side. She had a black eye and Ed began to growl. She put her hands on his and tried to keep the thrill she was feeling from showing on her face.

"The security cameras caught it and he was coming at me again. He got a few kicks in but we were in the sporting good section and I got my hands on a baseball bat... he's in intensive care. When security arrived they pulled me off him and took us both to the hospital. I just have bruises. A rep from HR met me at the hospital. She saw the security footage and said she put me on medical leave. I'm to go in on Monday so they can let me know what they are going to do with me," she finished with a whimper so he gathered her in against him and held her tight. She nuzzled against his chest and immediately began to feel better.

"I'm glad you have tomorrow off because I do too! I finished a job early so my boss told me to take tomorrow off! He told me to go see a matinee movie so that's what I'm going to do. I'd love it if you'd go with me. You can even pick the movie." Ed told her and she pulled back with a big smile on her face.

"I'd love that!" she whispered.

"It's settled then. What's playing? Is that new Monster Trucks in Outer Space movie out yet?" he teased as he recalled how much she hated the commercials for that film.

"NO! We're not seeing Monster Trucks! You said I could pick!" she growled and jumped from the couch to pick up the newspaper. She plopped down right next to him and opened it to the movie section.

"Horror, horror, horror, bad comedy, dull international film with subtitles, horror, romantic comedy…" she looked up at him with a grin to see him smiling painfully. "Don't worry I won't drag you to a rom-com. What else is there… How about this one?" She pointed to the picture of the movie poster. It looked like a war movie but there was an American pilot and a young Japanese woman in a kimono.

It had the signs of being a romantic film but there was a look in Grace's eye so he nodded. "Sure, that one looks good. Where's the theatre?"

"It's just outside North Ridge Mall and there's a mini-golf place nearby," she looked at him with challenge in her eyes.

"Do you really need another schooling in mini-golf?" he grinned at her.

"Schooling?!? You beat me by two strokes!" she gasped.

"Two hole in ones," he corrected her.

"Flukes!" she snorted.

Ed's stomach took that moment to growl in complaint.

"See! Even my stomach is offended by that remark!" Ed barked.

"You haven't eaten?" Grace gasped.

"Well, no… I worked until seven tonight to finish up that job."

"Did you at least have lunch?" she growled.

"Does six cookies count? They were really good cookies!"

"ED! Is this some kind of role reversal? Aren't you the one who carefully watches MY diet?" she scowled.

"I got busy!"

"We'll order pizza. I have an extra coupon. Do you have any money?" she asked.

He pulled his wallet out of his pocket and saw he had eighty bucks. That would cover pizza and tomorrow's activities… he hoped. Then he remembered he was getting paid tomorrow. He'd check his balance at the bank machine then.

"Yup." He looked up. "Where's Shirley?"

"Out on a date." Grace said with a growl and left to call for pizza. She walked back into the living room and saw he was still wearing his coverall. "Go get changed into something comfy!"

Ed hopped to his feet and saluted Grace then goose stepped to the stairs where a pillow hit him in the head. He grinned back at her then rushed down to get changed. He dug in his bureau for something clean to put on but everything that fit was in the wash. All he had was the new stuff Rachel bought him. He wasn't going upstairs in his boxers so he pulled on the black shirt and the grey checked board shorts. He was a little conscious of their tightness but hell, she'd almost seen him naked, right?

He grabbed his laundry bag and got a load started so he'd have something to wear tomorrow.

When he went back upstairs Grace grinned at him over the back of the couch and froze when she saw him.

"Everything else is in the wash," he explained.

She nodded and turned back to the TV. A favorite show of theirs had begun so they sat together to watch it. After ten minutes Grace scooted over and rested her head against his shoulder as he put his arm up along the back of the couch. She smiled and cuddled in. He felt so good and the material of the black shirt was so soft and tight. Grace smiled and settled in to enjoy the show.

Twenty minutes later the doorbell rang and Ed answered it to pay for the pizza. Grace went into the kitchen. He brought the large box back and set it on the coffee table on the newspapers and opened it up. The warm scent of pizza wafted up to his nose and his stomach growled again.

Grace brought paper plates, glasses of water, and napkins.

"You're eating too?" he grinned at her.

"You thought that was all for you?" she snorted.

Ed paused. "Wait a minute! You scolded me for not eating and you didn't have dinner either?"

"Shut up! The pizza's getting cold," she said not looking at him and trying not too successfully to keep a smile from her lips.

They ate as they enjoyed the show and once they'd had their fill Ed took it into the kitchen and wrapped up the remaining slices for lunches. They dumped the garbage and Grace suggested they watch a DVD.

He knew where this was going. Whenever she was feeling a little down she dragged out her favorite feel good movie. It was romantic and light and he thought he could survive it one more time. He rolled his eyes and nodded. She squealed and hugged him.

"But I'm making popcorn!" he insisted.

"Fine but make lots!" she called out as she ran upstairs to her room to get her movie. She'd gotten into the habit of keeping all of her stuff locked in her room from Shirley's drunken days. She'd smashed some of Grace's DVD's in a drunken pain fueled rage.

He worked in the kitchen making a double portion of popcorn and she got the movie set up. She came into the kitchen to fill their water glasses once more. She got the jug from the fridge and poured the cold water into the glasses and refilled the jug from the tap. She watched Ed shaking the two popcorn packages over two stove elements and grinned at his display of popcorn making prowess. She carried the water into the living room.

"Hurry up!" she called out.

"Woman, can't you hear the popping? Popcorn will NOT be rushed!" he yelled out with a sassy attitude. She started laughing.

Soon enough he carried two bowls of popcorn into the room and handed her one.

"Wait a minute! Let me choose!" she scowled playfully, like he'd given her a smaller portion. They were equal but she moved a handful from his bowl to hers and nodded with satisfaction.

"THIEF!" he cried in fake dismay.

"Shut up! Let's watch the movie!" she barked.

He settled himself onto the couch and she scooted over the three inches he'd left between them to snuggle against him. He caught her eating from his bowl and she giggled when he slapped her hand away.

The movie started and soon they were both deeply involved in the story.

They shifted and moved during the movie getting comfortable until Grace was lying partially over Ed's body, his right arm wrapped around her to keep her in place. Her head rested back on his shoulder and her left leg was crooked over his right on the ottoman. When Ed laughed out loud Grace bounced on his chest which just made her laugh harder.

It felt right.

Ed had seen the movie too many times to be affected by the, in his opinion, sappy ending so he just stopped watching and held Grace, enjoying their closeness.

She sighed when the credits rolled. "That is such a beautiful ending."

Ed must have snorted or made some other noise indicating his disagreement as Grace suddenly rolled over onto his chest completely to stare him in the face with a look of shock.

"Don't you dare try to tell me that wasn't the most beautiful movie ending EVER!" she growled.

"Oh I would never do that," he smirked.

"EDWARD WALTERS! How can you say that?!?" she gasped and beat gently on his chest.

"What? I didn't say anything!" he chuckled with a wide grin. He knew laughing was just digging him in deeper but her incredulous look was hitting his funny bone pretty hard. He couldn't stop himself.

"TAKE IT BACK!" she squeaked, pummeling his chest.

"Take what back? I didn't say anything!" Ed was lost. His chuckles had become a full out belly laugh and Grace was bouncing on his chest. She tried to stay cross with him but with his laughing and her bouncing it was impossible and she sagged to his chest as she began to laugh as well.

He wrapped his arms around her as she was starting to slip off.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"

Grace looked up from Ed's chest and saw Shirley glaring at her over the back of the couch. Instantly her mood soured. "Sorry, that's a secret."

Shirley scowled and Grace's rage struggled to get free. It had been such a good night without her mom in the house so she didn't want to ruin it. She knew she had to leave before she said something really damaging. Reluctantly she climbed off the warm comfort of Ed's body to stand next to the couch.

Ignoring her mother she faced Ed and smiled at him. It was instantly returned and she felt a little ping of joy in her heart. "Thank you for a lovely evening! I'm really looking forward to tomorrow!" She popped the DVD from the player and stared at Ed again. "Most beautiful movie ending EVER!" she insisted with a grin then marched upstairs to her room and closed the door.

Ed sat up and turned to look at Grace. She was looking up the stairs with a sad look.

"Why did you have to say that?" he said quietly.

Her head swung back to him. "What!"

"We were laughing and enjoying each other's company. Why did you yell at us?" Ed asked.

"She was on top of you and you were holding her in your arms." Shirley blustered.

Ed just looked at her expecting her to continue. When she didn't but instead just scowled at him he shook his head. "I don't understand. Spell it out to me because I must be as stupid as you say I am."

Shirley winced as her words came back to haunt her. She didn't want to hear how cruel she'd been to Ed. Not when she needed him more than ever.

Her date with Jerry had been a bust and he'd almost broken up with her. He claimed he loved her and suggested that she sell her place and move in with him. He wanted to know if she was stringing him along until someone better came along. Her frequent requests for sex made him think she was looking elsewhere. There had been shouting and tears but by the end of the night they'd reconciled. She said that she couldn't leave her daughter and son in the lurch as they lived in the home too and Ed was just beginning to earn enough to begin saving for a place of his own. Jerry was disappointed but he'd finally agreed to wait a little longer. She realized she'd have to cool their sex life if she intended to keep him. Maybe once a month was his speed and he'd have to be the one to ask.

It had been a close call. She liked Jerry but truthfully he couldn't give her what she needed and as long as she had access to Ed she was staying put.

"I'm sorry Ed. I had a bad night and I took it out on you and Grace," she said with a cautious tone.

"Maybe you should apologize to Grace," he said.

"She won't listen to me until I tell her 'my secret'. Should I do that?" she snapped then immediately regretted it. "Shit! I'm sorry. I- I think I should just go to bed. We'll talk in the morning. Good night."

Shirley walked upstairs.

Ed sighed. Shirley was right. He didn't want her to tell Grace her secret. She would hate him.

He picked up the bowls and glasses, washed them in the sink and headed off to bed himself. Then he remembered his laundry and moved it to the dryer.

Finally he dropped into bed and thought about how wonderful Grace felt when she was lying across his body. With that warm thought in his mind he slipped into sleep.