Phil Jerikoff careened his Cherokee up into the driveway of his daughter's house. Coming to a stop he parks and shuts his engine off. Silence fell between he and Candace for the last few minutes.
Opening up Phillip, "Damian ever get that old Jeep fixed up?" Eying the garage in front of them.
"Recently I had it fixed as a surprise for when he gets home on leave. He really needs to take me for a ride in it. Teach me how to drive. I'll scribble that down on his Honeydew list." She hesitates a moment, "Would you like to come inside for a few minutes? I can offer you some sun tea."
He puckers toward the side of his mouth, "You going to behave?"
She lowers her eyes, "I promise. I think our points have been made."
Nodding he pats her leg, "Sun tea sounds great. I don't believe I've ever stepped foot inside your house."
"That's because we moved into it like four months after we got married. You never visited."
"Or called. Or wrote. I get it Kitten. That's going to change. You have my word." He grumbles.
With a warm smile both of them stepped from the vehicle and walked toward the back of the house. As she took the lead she took the time to glance up toward the balcony to Gunner and Hushes bedroom. Not a single light or movement. This troubled her.
At the back door Candi opened the door with ease.
"You should really lock your doors. It's not safe you living here alone." Phil opted out of concern.
"Damian had a security system installed. Camera's mounted everywhere and the alarm if its set and goes off will bring the cops running."
As they enter he notes no beeping, "Forget to set that alarm while you were gone?"
She shrugs with a wince, "I guess I forgot. Besides my neighbor Gunner was a Sniper in the Army. He seldom sleeps, so I'm pretty sure he had his eyes and ears open."
"Gunner, huh. Is that his real name or bragging rights?"
"I'm not sure. Gunner is all I really know. That and his girlfriend. Her name is Hush."
"Gunner and Hush. Sounds like Bonnie and Clyde."
"I guess." She turns the kitchen light on, "Living Room is through that threshold. I'll pour your glass of tea. Make yourself comfy."
He strolls away managing to find a light just on the opposite side of the door illuminating the room.
"Love these old houses. So much character in their design." He notes finding his pace to observe it's features.
Seconds later Candi joins him with two glasses of tea.
"I think this house is like 120 years old. The outside was redone but the inside maintains most of the originality. Plumbing and new kitchen after we moved in though. So I guess 50/50."
"And, not once did you guys ask for my help in remodeling." He jests
"I suppose we could have. But I knew you had so much going on I let Damian and Joe take care of it. After all it was Joe's birth home. Here's your tea. Need sweetener?"
"No. I'm good. Something I noticed while you were visiting. You lose your wedding ring?"
She looks at her hand, "Funny story that. Damian ordered me to put it away. It's all part of our lifestyle. I follow his decisions."
"Let's clarify this arrangement a little more. Are you some kind of slave now?" He eases into his seat on the sectional.
"Yes. I refuse to lie to you about this. Speaking of, I hope this doesn't bother you but I really need to lose my clothes. I'm kind of forbidden to wear anything unless it's around people I don't know. Seeing after all that we've been through this weekend I hope you understand. I'm not misbehaving, just behaving. Damian that is."
"How would he know?"
She points all around the room, "I'm recorded twenty four seven. Say hi Daddy."
His eyes narrow, "Now that's a tad much don't you think?"
