I knew it was going to be a long day as I heard the faint sound of the alarm sounding off in the distance in my room . Maybe I had slept four hours, I thought, as I worked to extricate myself from being intertwined with the cuddling nude form of Ashley, in her bed. Oh how I would have loved to have stayed right where I was. I was aroused, but I didn't have time to pursue any indulgences. I kissed the back of Ash's neck, but she only responded with a sigh.
I was worn out, but I had 30 minutes before I had to leave the house. My Grandfather was never the type to accept tardiness and especially from me. So, I hopped in the shower for less than 10 minutes and then went to my room and got dressed.
Before leaving, I went and looked in on and said goodbye to my sleeping lover and by 8:30am I was out of the house and on my way to my grandfather's downtown office.
I actually ended up being 10 minutes early, which thrilled Big Daddy. There was no one there as he sat in the open area of the office reading the newspaper when I walked in.
"Good morning Jim, if you'd like some coffee, I made a fresh batch, so help yourself."
I took him up on the coffee, because honestly I needed to get my wits about me. Really, over the time that I had been home for this Christmas recess, I hadn't had a whole lot of rest. First, there was the time that I had needed to get ready to come home, then there was the trip home, then the time with Jill, Christmas day, and then the tumultuous events that led to my re-engagement with my sister. I was truly feeling wiped out on this morning.
My grandfather must have known something, "You look a bit tired son," giving me a bit of his signature cockeyed look. "Seems to me that you wouldn't be tired, being on vacation and all."
"Sorry Big," as I many times called him for short as I had gotten older, "I just didn't sleep well last night."
(BD) - "That girl must really have a spell on you."
I was a bit taken aback, before I realized that he was talking about Jill. Ash was so much in my thoughts that Jill had receded to the back of my mind. I nodded my head in a half yes, half no fashion, not wanting to acknowledge the inquisition.
(BD) - "Boy, she's a pretty young thing Jim... a good catch... and smart... don't let something like that go to waste. I met your grandmother in college and here we are over 40 years later and I love her just as much today. It can happen Jimmy."
"OK Big, I'll keep that in mind," I affirmed as I hoped to move away from the subject.
"OK Boy. I have to go make some arrangements for a client. Seems he got drunk and got in a wreck last night and got put in jail. I'll be back in a couple hours. You know how to answer the phone. Just take messages. I'll decide if they are important when I get back. There might be a few people walk in. Just tell'em everyone is on vacation and I'm out for the morning and I'll be back after lunch... We'll go to lunch when I get back."
Big went and got his long coat and headed on out. I was left to sit and play around on the Net. There were a few phone calls. I took the messages. And there were a few folks that came by along with a couple of my Grandfather's associates who came in to check on their own messages and get some things from their office. Big Daddy, true to his word was back by 11:30 am and we proceeded to the Downtown Club for lunch.
Lunch at the Downtown Club was great. The office is only a couple blocks away, so we just walked over. I enjoy hanging out with Big. He's a great guy. He's 62 years old and he seems to be doing well physically. Everyone likes him and that lends to everyone giving me the benefit of the doubt just because I am his grandson.
We headed back over to the office around 1pm, just as a light wintry mix began to fall. No one else came to the office, but Big took and made phone calls the rest of the afternoon in his office. There really wasn't much going on and I just continued finding busy work and surfing the net the rest of the afternoon. Big kept reminding me, "See this isn't so bad is it."
I was ready to roll at 5pm on the dot, but Big talked to me a few minutes asking about what I was going to do that evening. I told him I was just planning on chilling out. The weather on that Wednesday afternoon, late December, a couple days after Christmas had continued to get nastier. The ride home was going to be a little treacherous with the messy mix of sleet and snow covering the road. Everyone was taking their time and there looked to be a couple bump-ups turning the 20 minute afternoon traffic drive into a 35 minute excursion. I felt more than anxious as I finally got home as the Dusk had settled into complete darkness now, a few minutes before 6pm.
When I got home, I was feeling a little frayed and I just wanted to sit and chill. I entered the house quietly, leaving my backpack inside the door, and taking off my wet boots as I walked quietly towards the kitchen in my socks, placing my coat on the rack in the hall as I went.
In the Kitchen, I went to the fridge and poured myself a Coke. It was really quiet, but the house was warm and cozy compared to the cold outside. I headed for the living room and turned on the news where they were informing the audience to expect this Winter Storm to stick with us throughout the evening and into the better part of the next day. It didn't seem as though it would be a terrible storm by any means, but it wasn't something that could be ignored.
I was watching for about five minutes when the phone rang. I picked it up and answered simultaneously to Ash, "Hello."
"Hey Darlin', this is your Big Daddy. How are you this evening?"
(Ashley) -- "I'm doing fine. Is everything OK?"
"Good. Yeah everything's OK. Jim there?"
(Jimmy) -- "Yes Big."
(BD) -- "Good. Well I was going to tell you that we don't need to go into the office tomorrow. This storm's going to last 'til tomorrow afternoon. Nothing is all that important that we need to get out in this stuff. OK?"
(Jimmy) -- "OK. So I'll see you Friday?"
(BD) -- "We'll play it by ear and I'll let you know tomorrow. You get some rest. You looked awfully tired this morning."
(Jimmy) -- "Will Do sir. Thank You."
(BD) -- "OK. Let me speak to Ashley for a minute."
"OK." And with that I proceeded to hang up the phone.
I sat back and chilled, while the news continued. A few minutes later I heard footsteps coming down the steps from upstairs. I looked to see Ash rounding the corner in a pair of plaid flannel lounge pants and a long sleeved t-shirt.
Even in such an inconspicuous attire, she was a feast for my eyes. As she came forward, I looked into her eyes noticing her hair pulled back in a tight pony tail. I couldn't help thinking she looked pretty hot. 'Damned if I couldn't help thinking about THAT!' I silently told myself.
"Looks like we're stuck here for the night Jimmy. I got up at noon and I thought about going out, but this weather. Yuck!" she grinned.
"Come here and sit in my lap Baby." As I reached forward and grabbed her hand to pull her towards me.
She recoiled, "Jimm-meee! We can't," as she shook her head negatively.