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Zack opened his eyes to an absolutely beautiful morning. The sun peeked into the room through Venetian blinds. Where am I? He realized he was still at Jennifer Tracey’s house. He had fallen asleep on her family room couch. But, where was Jennifer?
Jennifer awoke in her bed, upstairs. She stretched and immediately remembered she left Zack on the family room couch, fast asleep. How do I explain this to the boys? She was slightly embarrassed but realized she had no reason to feel that way. Zack had a couple of drinks, started to doze off, and she couldn’t possibly send him out to drive. If something happened, she would never forgive herself. There was a light tap on the bedroom door.
“Mom? Mom, are you there?” Jake whispered.
“Yes, honey, I’m here. Wait a second. Let me get my robe.”
Jennifer rose from the bed and retrieved and donned a bulky terrycloth robe, which covered her nightgown completely. There was a man downstairs. She thought of the old I Love Lucy television show and the Desi Arnez line: ‘Lucy, you have some ’splaining to do.’
Jennifer went to the door and opened it. Jake was standing there, with a strange look on his face. Apparently, he had gone downstairs and found Zachary Blake sleeping on the family room couch. Where was his mother? He was pleased to discover her in her bedroom, alone, with the door locked.
Blake sat up on the couch and tried to clear his head. How much did I have to drink last night? I need some coffee . . . He heard voices upstairs, then footsteps coming down the stairway. He jumped off the couch, ran to the bathroom, and locked the door. He went to the sink and splashed water on his face, lingering there, allowing water to cascade down his neck. Nice evening. I must have fallen asleep. How is Jennifer going to explain this to the boys? Ah . . . Jennifer . . .
He could hear the sound of her voice in the kitchen, talking, he presumed, to the boys. He wondered what she was telling them and whether he should intrude. Did she want him to wait here? His cell phone was in the inside pocket—he used it to dial Jenny’s number.
“Hello?” Jenny answered.
“Hi, it’s me,” Zack whispered.
“Zachary? Where are you?”
“In the bathroom off the family room. Is it safe?”
Jennifer laughed out loud. “Of course, it’s safe. I can’t believe you called me on that thing from the bathroom!”
“I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation with the boys. What are you telling them? How will you explain me being here this morning?” Zack blubbered.
“Why don’t you come out here and find out for yourself, Mister Tough Guy. Are you this intimidated in court?”
“Okay, smartass. Shoot me for being sensitive to the boys’ feelings. Call me pisher.”
“Call you what?”
“Pisher. It’s a Yiddish thing. It means . . . never mind. I’ll be right down.” Cultural differences.
Jennifer reflected upon Zack’s use of the cell phone from the bathroom and decided his sensitivity was adorable. What a lovely man . . .
“Hi, guys.”
Zack entered the kitchen to find the Tracey family seated at the kitchen table. He could smell bacon cooking and observed a large bowl of scrambled eggs on the kitchen table. There was a pitcher of orange juice and a full pot of coffee on the counter. The table had four place settings, one of which was unused. Jenny and the boys had obviously started without him. The remaining place setting told him he was expected. The phone call was unnecessary. He sat down, slightly embarrassed.
“Hi, Mr. Blake,” Jake muttered.
“Yeah, hi,” Kenny grumbled.
Zack ignored the hostility and helped himself to generous portions of eggs, juice, and coffee. Jennifer rose, retrieved the bacon, and brought it to the table.
“Call me, Zack, boys,” he gestured. “How’s everybody this terrific morning?”
“We’re all fine,” Jenny smiled. “And how are you?”
“I couldn’t be better.”
“Mom told us you slept over last night. Does that mean you’re her boyfriend?” Jake pondered.
“Shut up, Jake,” Kenny scolded.
“Kenny, please don’t talk to your brother like that,” Jenny scolded.
She handles the boys with such grace, Zack marveled.
“Sorry, Mom,” Kenny apologized.
“Not to me, to Jake, Kenny.”
“Sorry, Jake,” with less sincerity.
“Okay, Kenny.” If Kenny hurt Jake’s feelings, it was not evident in his demeanor.
“Well,” Jake turned to Zack, “does it?” Zack couldn’t read him. If we were a couple, would he be pleased or displeased?
“No, Jake. I’m not her boyfriend. I just fell asleep on the couch. After this case is over, I might like to get to know your mother better. Would that be all right with you?”
“What were you doing on the couch?” Jake snickered.
Zack laughed. “Nothing like that, Sherlock. We were going to have coffee. I turned on a movie and fell asleep.”
The boys chuckled and went back to their breakfast. No big deal, I guess, Jenny smiled. They chatted, joked, and laughed all through breakfast.
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