KRISTY

by Melissa

The characters of Simon and Simon don't belong to me. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Rick stood over A.J.'s desk waving a check over his head. “Three thousand dollars, A.J. Three thousand!” he said excitedly. “That's fifteen hundred for you, and fifteen hundred for me.”

“I beg to differ Rick.” A.J. stood up and snatched the check from his brother's hand. “That's two hundred for bills, another thousand for rent and supplies, and a thousand goes into petty cash.” A.J. was sitting at his desk pushing buttons on his adding machine. “That leaves four hundred for me, and four hundred for you.” He had a teasing smile on his face when he leaned back in his chair and looked at Rick.

“A.J. you need to learn to enjoy the money every once in a while.”

“I enjoy eating and paying my mortgage,” he replied sharply.

A.J. watched his older, but less responsible brother walk over and fall down into his chair and throw his worn cowboy boots on top of his desk.

“Don't get comfortable,” A.J. spoke up. “We have another job this afternoon. John from Capitol Bank called and has a summons that he wants us to deliver to some dead beat.”

“A summons?” Rick asked surprised. “What's the pay? Must be decent because I can’t remember the last time we played delivery boys.”

“Eight hundred,” A.J. replied rapping his knuckles on the desk. “And that big brother is another four hundred for you, and another four hundred for me.”

A.J. stood up and scooped up his gray sport jacket off the back of his chair, and put it on. He matched perfectly as usual. Dark blue pants with a starched white shirt, and striped blue and gray tie.

“Now your talking kid, but what's the catch? Eight hundred is a lot of tamales to run one little errand.”

“Hey!” A.J. said turning his head and glaring at his brother. “John has thrown a lot of business our way, he’s never steered us in the wrong direction before.”

“OK.” Rick stood up and put on his cowboy hat. “But you're knocking on the door.”

A.J. pretended not to listen and walked out of the office.

Rick pulled the Powerwagon up to a dirty house in a bad part of San Diego. They looked at the house then at each other.

“Go ahead A.J.” Rick motioned with his hand for him to get out.

A.J. looked at him angrily. “If you want that four hundred you, better be right behind me.”

“Aren’t I always little brother,” Rick answered as he climbed out of the 4X4.

“Yea right!” A.J. said as he lunged against the old truck door to get it open.

They walked up the driveway and to a side door in the carport. A.J. knocked on the door and then took a step back. After a few seconds a little boy answered. Rick and A.J. smiled at each other in relief and then looked at the child.

“Is your daddy home?” A.J. asked him.

“Who are you?” the boy asked sarcastically.

“We have a delivery for your daddy. Could you go get him?”

The boy closed the door and went back into the house. A.J. turned back to look at Rick.

“See this is going to be easy money.”

The door then flew open and a giant hand grabbed A.J. by his shirt collar and pulled him inside the house. The guy slammed the door on Rick.

Almost instantly he heard a load commotion inside the house. Rick lunged for the door and couldn’t get it open. He stepped back and raised his right boot and kicked as hard as he could. The door didn’t budge. He heard A.J. inside the house yell in a panicked voice, “Rick! Get in here!” He ran around the back of the house and spotted an open window.

A.J. already had the beginning of a black eye, and his lip was bleeding, but no matter how hard he hit the six foot four monster, the man didn’t flinch. He tossed A.J. around like a rag doll. He picked him up and threw him on a coffee table which broke in two when he landed on it.

Just as the man cocked his fist back to finish the job, Rick cocked his gun in the man’s ear. He leaned forward and whispered to him. "You lay another hand on my brother, and I’ll blow your head off.”

The guy released A.J.'s throat and put both his hands up. A.J. reached into his breast pocket and pulled out the summons. “Mr. Borman this is for you.” And shoved the envelope in the guy's face. The man got up, and Rick and A.J. backed out of the house with the gun still pointed at him. When they got inside the truck, Rick finally put his gun away.

A.J. lay on his couch with an icepack on his face, and Rick sat in the armchair next to him. After a while Rick couldn’t hold it back anymore, it had to be said. "Oh no Rick, John's a decent guy. He would never steer trouble our way.”

A.J. removed the pack, gritted his teeth and glared at his brother. “I know you had to say that, but couldn’t you have at least waited until the swelling went down?”

“There’s a perfect moment for everything A.J., and this was the moment. I’ll make it up to you though. Why don’t you come by the boat tonight? Ill pick up some beer, and throw on a couple of steaks. It will also give you a chance to meet Kristy.”

“Kristy? Oh yea. I forgot. How long have you been seeing her?”

“About two weeks.” Rick smiled. “Wait until you see her, she looks like a cheerleader.”

The thought of meeting another one of Rick's girlfriends made A.J. quiver. The last one had arms bigger than his.

“OK, what time?” A.J. asked.

“About six,” Rick replied. Rick got up and patted his brother's shoulder. “Can I get you some more ice before I go?”

“No thanks, I’m fine,” A.J. moaned. “I would like a bottle of Merlot tonight. I’m not going to tell you what kind because you’ll forget. So please just spend more than ten dollars.”

“You got it.” Rick walked out the door and closed it quietly behind him.

A.J. looked at his watch, it was three fifteen. That gave him time to relax before the big unveiling.

As A.J. approached the boat, he could see Rick inside moving around. He started up the walkway when he spotted a woman on the deck. She had on black Levis and a white tank top. The closer he got the more he was hoping that Rick had invited this woman for him. He stepped onto the boat and came around the corner to greet her. Her back was still to him, and he spoke up, “Hi.”

She turned around, and A.J. took in a deep breath. He wasn’t expecting what he saw. She had honey blond hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. Her skin was like silk, and he didn’t think he had ever seen eyes that color of blue before.

She also was taken back by him. She was expecting somebody like Rick. Even though he had told her they were different, she didn’t realize how much. She thought he was about the best-looking man she had ever met. Even the black eye somehow made him more appealing. She couldn’t help but look at him and felt herself staring. The moment became uncomfortable for both of them, and A.J. looked down, embarrassed because he to had been staring to long.

Rick came out onto the patio, and greeted A.J. “Hey! So you’ve met Kristy.”

“No,” A.J. replied quickly. “I just got here.”

“Well A.J., this is Kristy, and Kristy this is my little brother, A.J..”

She held out her hand. A.J. hesitated for a minute before taking it. His heart was pounding so hard he thought for sure Rick could hear. He let go of her hand quickly and turned to Rick trying to break the tension he was feeling. “So did you get my bottle of wine?”

“Of course. Kristy picked it out.”

Rick walked back inside and A.J. followed him. Kristy held her breath as A.J. walked passed her.

She walked to the front of the boat to regain her composure. “Now I know what that lightning bolt feels like,” She thought to herself. She shook her head telling herself over and over, this is Rick’s brother. What are you thinking? Even though she new the chemistry between her and Rick wasn’t there.

She had tried. He was a genuinely nice guy, and had treated her well, but she just didn’t have the feelings for him that she thought she should have after two weeks. She also didn’t think Rick had those feelings either, maybe lustful feelings, but he never tried to really get to know her. That had annoyed her from the beginning.

Rick came up behind her and kissed her on the cheek. She reached back and touched his neck feeling guilty.

“When’s dinner?” she asked.

“In about ten minutes,” he said.

A.J. came out with two glasses of wine and handed one to Kristy. She smiled and asked if she had picked a good one? A.J. tipped his glass against hers.

“It’s the one that I had wanted him to get, but thought he’d forget the name.”

After dinner they sat on the lounge chairs and relaxed. The sun was just starting to go down and the air was getting crisp.

“Are you cold Kristy?” A.J. asked getting up and unfolding a blanket for her.

“Yes, thanks,” she answered when he laid it over her legs.

Rick was playing with his fishing pole. She thought to herself as she looked at him with annoyance. “Of course he wouldn’t notice I was cold.”

Noticing the look on her face A.J. jumped to his brother’s defense. “He’s oblivious to the world when he has fishing on his mind.”

She smiled at him and asked, “Do you fish?”

“No. I cook,” he replied.

“Really.” She turned over on her side to face him. “What can you make?” she asked smiling.

“Oh A.J. can make just about anything,” Rick jumped in. “He’s quite the gourmet. Nothing of course that I would consider eating.”

“Yea, Rick’s idea of gourmet is extra chili on the dog with crumbled up potato chips for garnish,” A.J. said smiling at Kristy.

“I’ve seen that side of him, it’s not pretty.” She laughed looking back at Rick.

“Hey! You said you liked my chili dogs.”

“I do,” Kristy said. “Just once a month though.”

Rick put his fishing pole down and walked over to Kristy’s chair. “OK no more chili dogs,” he said kissing her neck.

A.J. watched as he rubbed her arm, and for the first time in his life he was jealous of Rick. Kristy turned her head and met A.J.’s eyes. She smiled and looked down.

“I got a great idea,” Rick said. “Why don’t we take the boat to Catalina this weekend? A.J. you can find a girl to bring can’t you?”

“I guess,” he said halfheartedly.

“You guess!” Rick stood up looking at Kristy. “He has women coming out of the woodwork.”

“Rick!” A.J. snapped back. Knowing that at any other time it would have been a compliment, but somehow in front of Kristy it was demeaning. He didn’t want her to think of him that way. Yet what did it matter what she thought of him? She was Rick’s girlfriend.

Saturday morning they met on the dock. A.J. threw his bag on the boat noticing it was already untied and ready to sail. Rick came out the sliding door that led to the living quarters.

“Where’s Sara?” he asked looking around.

“She couldn’t make it,” A.J. said angrily. He was upset that morning when she called and cancelled, but also a little relieved. He almost cancelled himself, but felt the eagerness to go. “Do you want to be alone with Kristy?” he asked.

“No, come aboard. Besides I need you. Your going to drop me on the island, then I need you to bring the boat to the other dock to pick me up.”

“What do you have to do on the island?” A.J. asked.

“I have to...,” Rick started.

“Forget it," A.J. interrupted. “I don’t want to know. Is Kristy here yet?” A.J. asked looking around.

Just then she leaned over the top of the boat.

“Hi A.J.”

He looked up. She was wearing a pair of Ray bans that looked like they were made for her. Her hair was pulled back again in the ponytail, and she was wearing a red bikini top. He smiled brightly at her. For the first time that day he felt in a good mood.

“Good morning. Your getting an early start on the sun.”

“I need all the sun I can get on these legs. People are going to think I’m from Alaska.”

With that she disappeared. A.J. thought that was impossible, she was the perfect image of the California Girl.

“Lets get out here!” Rick shoved the boat away from the dock and went back inside to start the engines.

“Do you need any help Rick?” A.J. yelled inside.

“No, I got it,” he yelled back.

A.J. climbed the deck ladder and joined Kristy on the sun deck. He stood looking at her in full view. She was wearing the matching bikini bottoms and was lying on a blue beach towel. She had one knee bent and her hands tucked under her head. Her long legs and perfect proportioned torso were a golden tan. Even though it was only eighty degrees, A.J. began to sweat. He thought for a second about jumping into the ocean. He thought it would be best if he went back down, as he turned to leave Kristy looked up.

“Are you going to join me?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said, trying to look normal, but feeling anything but. He sat down in the chair that was at her feet. There was a nice breeze as the boat picked up speed and headed out to sea. Rick’s arm appeared over the side of the boat with two bottles of beer.

“Here you go,” he said leaving them there.

“It’s only 10:30 Rick,” A.J. called back.

“We're on vacation,” he replied.

A.J. looked at Kristy and shrugged his shoulders. He got up and picked up the bottles and twisted one of the caps off and handed the bottle to her. She sat up, crossed her legs and took the beer. He sat back down in his chair and opened the other bottle.

Kristy held up her beer towards A.J.’s in a toast.

“To vacation,” she said.

They tapped their bottles together and laughed. They both took a big drink.

A.J. stretched his legs out in front of him, laid his head back and closed his eyes. Kristy tried not to look at him, she gazed out at the ocean but her eyes kept wandering back to him. She admired his broad shoulders and large biceps. He takes care of himself, she thought, unlike Rick. She was getting that guilty feeling again. She was glad when Rick said A.J. was bringing someone, but she was also resentful of the woman. When he didn’t show up with her, Kristy was relieved.

“Why couldn’t your girlfriend come?” she asked.

A.J. looked down at her. “She’s not my girlfriend,” he replied quickly. Then more calmly to cover his reaction, “She’s just a friend. She had to work.”

“Oh, that’s too bad.”

He sat up in his chair. “What do you do for a living Kristy?”

“I work for United Airlines.”

“As a flight attendant?”

“No.” She smiled. “Not anymore! Now I work in administration. I hire and train flight attendants, and sometimes fire them. A couple of times a week I do evening ticketing at the airport. I’m trying to get out of that though, I don’t get home until rather late.”

“Do you live alone?" he asked.

“No. My roommate's name is Lori. She’s a flight attendant. We’ve been best friends for years.”

Rick yelled for A.J. to come down. He got up and climbed down the ladder. When he was out of sight, Kristy fell back on her towel, and moaned.

“My god this is going to be a long trip.”

She was taking inventory of her and Rick’s relationship. She new that he wanted to sleep with her, but she just couldn’t do it. She didn’t love him. She then began to fear that the only reason she came on this trip was to see A.J.. She tried to convince herself otherwise, but the truth was there. She didn’t want to be with Rick. She wanted to be with A.J.. Kristy knew how close they were and was determined not to jeopardize their relationship because of her own secretive desire.

That night they sat around the table and Rick and A.J. told her stories about their business. Kristy was shocked at some of the things they told her. “You could have been killed!” she would say. Rick and A.J. would just look at each other and smile.

Kristy told some hilarious stories about famous people that would be on her flights. After two hours of that and a case of beer they were all three drunk. Rick and A.J. got up to go outside to make sure that the anchor was set right. Kristy laid down on the couch and fell asleep. When they came back in, Rick tried to wake her up, but she was out cold. He sat down at the table and opened another beer.

A.J. sat across the table looking at his older brother. He then looked over at Kristy. He thought she looked peaceful sleeping there.

“Pretty isn’t she?” Rick spoke up.

A.J. turned towards his brother. “How did you two meet?”

“At Larry Mend’s party. I told you to come.”

A.J. vaguely remembered Rick’s invitation. He wasn’t up to one of Larry’s parties that night. Now he was wishing he would have gone. Kristy might be on this trip with him instead. But she wasn’t.

“I just asked her out and she said yes.”

“What do you think of her now,” A.J. asked.

“I think she’s hot.” Rick smiled.

A.J. rolled his eyes. “No, I mean what do you think of her as a person.”

“She’s nice, sweet, and she likes chilidogs.”

“Rick you never appreciate anything.” A.J. drank the rest of his beer in disgust and got up and walked back to the bedroom. “Since she’s out there, then I’m in here with you,” he called back. Rick put a blanket over Kristy and followed his brother to the bed.

The next morning they pulled up anchor and headed the rest of the way to Catalina. At about 10:00 they docked on the little island. Rick jumped off the boat and told A.J. to meet him on the other dock that was just south of there at 2:00.

“You can’t miss it,” he said. “Head over that way then drop anchor about two hundred yards offshore, and wait until about 1:45, then head in to get me.”

“Why so long?” A.J. sounded concerned.

“We have to dock here now because later the island boats come in. I’m not meeting this guy until noon.”

“Whatever,” A.J. replied.

Kristy came out from the bedroom wearing the white tank top she had on the first night A.J. saw her, and a pair of baggy khaki shorts. Her hair was down and hung to the middle of her back. A.J. felt a sense of panic at being left here alone with her.

“Are you going with Rick?” he asked hopefully.

“Yes I think I should.” She caught herself, “I mean I would like to.”

A.J. leaned over the boat so he could see Rick. “Hey! Wait for Kristy.”

Rick walked to the railing where they were both standing. Kristy and A.J. leaned over to see him. “You can’t come darling. I need you to help A.J. steer the boat into the next dock.”

An unpleasant look came over Kristy’s face. Rick mistook it for the fact that she wanted to come on the island. “I promise I’ll bring you back, maybe next weekend.”

“OK,” she said sadly. She looked over at A.J.. “Looks like your stuck with me.”

A.J. couldn’t believe how insensitive Rick was being. He would have bent over backwards to make her happy. But that’s the way Rick was.

Rick pushed them off the dock, and A.J. steered the boat south along the Catalina coastline. About fifteen minutes later he heard Kristy yell from above.

“I think I see the dock he’s talking about. You could probably drop anchor here.”

A.J. put the boat in neutral and asked her to come down and help him. Kristy kept the boat facing south as A.J. climbed down to release the anchor. He had removed his shirt, and she could see for the first time his tan, muscular body. He had to hold the anchor in one hand, and lean over the side of the railing with the other to make sure to clear the boat. His whole body was straining and Kristy sat there shaking her head and thinking. “Put your damn shirt back on.”

A.J. pulled himself back over the railing, and like he was reading her thoughts he grabbed his pink polo and put it on.

“Well we're all tucked in.”

He smiled. He reached across Kristy and turned the motor off. She could smell his sweat and wanted to run her hand down his back. But she didn’t.

She jumped off the seat and said she was going up top to read. A.J. laid down on the bottom deck in one of the lounges. He closed his eyes and tried not to think of her. He must have dozed off because when he opened his eyes Kristy was standing over him.

“I was going to make a sandwich, do you want one?”

“Yea, thanks. What does he have?”

“Well knowing Rick probably Spam.”

She looked back and they both laughed. She opened the fridge and pulled out turkey and cheese.

“We hit the jackpot.”

She held the items over her head. A.J. came in and sat down at the table.

“Why don’t you grab a couple of beers too?” he requested.

She handed him the bottles and began making the sandwiches. She put the turkey on the bread. The cheese was in a block so she started slicing it with a knife. A.J. leaned over and set an open beer on the counter for her. When she looked up, the knife cut across her finger.

“Ouch!” she screamed and dropped the knife.

Blood instantly started running out. He jumped up and came around the corner. She had her other hand wrapped around her finger.

“Let me see,” he said grabbing for her hand. She moaned and he could see blood coming between her fingers. He looked at her and spoke stearnly, "Let me see!”

She let her good hand drop, and he could see the cut was pretty deep and bleeding heavily. He moved her over to the sink and ran cold water over her hand. “Don’t move just keep it there.”

He went into the bathroom to look in Rick’s medicine cabinet. With all the scrapes and banging up they got he had a well supplied shelf. A.J. grabbed ointment and some gauze with tape, and a clean towel.

Kristy was leaning over the sink with her head resting on the faucet. He came up behind her and reached around and took her hand. She stood up and looked at his supplies. He used the towel to dry her hand and wrapped the gauze around her finger to stop the bleeding. She just stood there as he worked carefully on her hand. He was so gentle as not to cause her any more pain.

She watched his face and looked at his black eye that was healing. He finished putting the tape on and looked up at her to say something but was taken back because she was staring at him. He looked quickly down at her hand. She reached up and touched his eye.

“I just can’t imagine you fighting and having to hurt someone.”

He moved his head to get away from her touch. She lowered her hand and regretted what she said.

“I’m sorry A.J. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Still fidgeting with her hand he looked up and met her eyes. “It didn’t hurt that bad. Just looking at you hurts more.”

They stood there in Rick’s kitchen looking at each other, both afraid to speak.

Kristy whispered, “A.J.”

With that he leaned against her and kissed her gently and almost hesitantly. She returned it more vigorously, and he allowed himself to get caught up in the moment. He had his arms around her and was pressing her against the counter. Almost simultaneously they broke apart and stood in shock at what they had done.

Kristy wiped her hand across her mouth, and sighed. A.J. hung his head and held onto the counter behind him. He looked up and moved towards her.

“Do you love Rick?” he asked breathless.

She looked up and met his eyes. “No.”

“Are you sure?” He looked at her firmly.

“I was going to tell him tonight that I didn’t want to see him anymore. I’m sorry A.J.. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

“You didn’t. I kissed you,” he said quietly.

“Either way, I won’t be the one to come between you two. This can’t happen again.” Kristy walked out of the kitchen and went into the back bedroom.

For the next hour they stayed on opposite sides of the boat until it was time to pick up Rick. Even then they only spoke when necessary. The ride back to San Diego was long and tiring. Kristy was trying to come up with the best way to tell Rick that she didn’t want to see him anymore. At the same time she felt an overwhelming guilt for what they had done. She thought maybe tomorrow she would tell him.

They pulled the boat up and docked it in Rick’s space. A.J. was already packed and anxious to get off. He said goodbye to Rick and told him he would see him in the morning. As he was getting off, Kristy walked over and touched his arm. He glanced around to see if Rick was nearby. He was working on the anchor about 20ft. away. He looked back up at Kristy and smiled warmly. They both said “Good-bye.” at the same time.

The next morning Rick was already in the office when A.J. arrived.

“You're here early,” A.J. said surprised to see him. He was wondering if Kristy had broke up with him last night.

“I want to get this work done early. Kristy wants to come by the boat this afternoon and talk.”

“About what?”

“What do you think? Usually when a woman tells you she wants to talk it’s not a good thing.”

“I’m sorry Rick.”

“Yea, well I had a feeling it was coming. She seemed pretty distant this last week. I mean the first few times we went out she was really responsive and fun. I don’t know, maybe she met somebody else.”

“Well you did take her on a trip then leave her on the boat by herself.”

“She wasn’t by herself. She was with you.”

“She wanted to go with you, and you told her no.”

“Who’s side are you on anyway A.J.,” Rick snapped.

A.J. just let the matter drop, and they went back to their work. After about an hour Rick got up to leave.

“Good luck Rick.”

“Thanks, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rick walked out and shut the door.

A.J. leaned back in his chair and thought about the kiss between he and Kristy. He wondered if Rick had kissed her like that too, and if it had given him the same pleasure. It didn’t matter because after today he would never see her again anyway. He wasn’t sure if he felt sad about that for Rick or for himself.

A.J. pulled up to his house at about six o'clock. The sun was just starting to go down. He started for his front door when he heard his name. He turned and saw Kristy standing by his car. He walked over to her, but kept a distance.

“I talked to Rick,” she said quietly.

He didn’t say anything. He just stood there looking at her. Kristy suddenly felt uncomfortable and regretted coming.

“I just thought...I don’t know." She paused and dropped her head. “I just had to see if there was a chance.”

A.J. still didn’t respond. She thought to herself, “Oh god this was a mistake, why doesn’t he say anything?”

“I’m sorry,” she said turning and walking away. She got to her car and opened the door to get in.

A.J. came up behind her and put one hand on the door and the other around her waist. He rested his head against hers. She could feel his warm breath on her neck.

“Don’t go,” he whispered, and tightened his grip around her. He pulled her away from the car and closed the door. He reached around and took her hand. “Come inside.” She willingly followed him. Halfway to the door he stopped and turned to her. “How did you know where I lived?”

She blushed. “I looked in Rick’s address book.”

He shook his head. “I should hire you not date you.”

His house impressed her. It was exactly what she thought it would be. Everything about it reflected his personality. It was elegant, but not flashy. She sat down on the couch and A.J. sat across from her on the coffee table.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Yes, but you don’t have to make me anything.”

“I wasn’t going to.” He smiled.

She blushed again.

“I thought we could go out.”

“OK."

“Great, let me go change shirts.” He got up to leave.

“Nothing fancy A.J.. Look at me.”

He stopped and looked at her for a moment. “Kristy, you could be wearing mud on your face and you'd still be beautiful.” He turned and went upstairs.

She leaned back into the couch and thought, “I’m so glad I came.”

He came down a few minutes later and was wearing a dark blue polo shirt. “What are you hungry for?" he asked her.

“How about pizza?" she answered, following him to the door.

He nodded his head with approval. “There’s a good pizza place down on Harbor Island. We could sit out on the deck.” He looked at her outfit and said, “I’ll be right back.” He ran back upstairs and came down with a San Diego Chargers sweatshirt. “Here, it might get cold down by the water.”

They sat overlooking the harbor and the massive privately owned yachts. They each had a Root Beer and ate pepperoni pizza.

“Did you grow up in San Diego?" he asked.

“No, Wisconsin. On a dairy farm.” She giggled.

“Really!" he answered, surprised. “You must have some great memories.”

“Yea, I do. The worst ones though were getting up at five every morning to feed the cows, then off to school.”

“Do your parents still own it?”

“No,” she said sadly. “My dad retired a couple of years ago and sold it. I was hoping my brother would take over, but he got the college bug. Now he’s an E.R. doctor in a hospital in Milwaukee. They sold it to a young couple, whose kids will probably have the same great memories.”

A.J. sat looking at her while she talked. He smiled to himself thinking, with her hair in the ponytail and the sweatshirt on she could have passed as one of the Charger’s cheerleaders. He remembered Rick telling him she looked like a cheerleader. He wondered what Rick would think if he knew she was there with him know.

When they got back to A.J.’s house, he walked her to her car and opened the door for her.

“How about if I buy you dinner tomorrow night?” she said smiling at him.

“OK, but no chilidogs.”

He leaned in and kissed her on the mouth. She returned it happily. When they finally parted, she said good-bye and got in her car. He squatted down to be eye level with her.

“I don’t have your number,” he said holding his hand out. She scribbled the numbers down on a piece of paper and handed them to him.

“Don’t loose it.” she said smiling.

“I’m a detective,” he said. “I’d find you anyway.”

He kissed her and closed the door.

The next morning at the office Rick came in looking somber. A flash of guilt hit A.J.

“Good morning,” A.J. said to him.

“Yea, whatever.”

“Bad mood this morning?” A.J. asked, hoping it wasn’t because of Kristy.

“Well, she dumped me last night,” Rick said throwing his legs on top of his desk. “She left a shirt at my house so I called her. Her roommate was really vague about where she was. I’m pretty sure she was on a date with some jerk.”

A.J. swallowed hard and suddenly felt panicked. He was going to tell Rick about he and Kristy, but now he was afraid to. How could he tell him that the jerk was his own brother?

“I’m sorry Rick.” Rick had no idea that A.J. wasn’t consoling him. He was apologizing to him.

“Yea well, on to the next.” He halfheartedly smiled.

Rick swung his boots off the desk and sat up. A.J. picked up a folder. “A lady was in this morning and suspects her husband of having an affair. He’s on a business trip right now and won’t be back for five days. She also thinks that the lady is with him now. So Friday morning we start tailing him.”

“Do we have anything until then?” Rick asked.

“No, not yet.”

“Well then I’m outta here. You mind?” he said looking at A.J.

“No of course not. Where are you going?”

“Fishing.” He got up and said good-bye and left.

A.J. put his head in his hands and moaned loudly. He took Kristy’s number out of his pocket and picked up the phone.

He pulled up in front of her apartment and went to the door. He knocked twice and a pretty brunette answered.

“Hi.” he said smiling. “Is Kristy here?”

She looked him up and down and said, “You must be A.J.?”

“And you must be Lori?” he responded.

“Come in, I’ll get Kristy.”

She closed the door and walked down the hallway to the bedrooms. Kristy was in her room pulling a shirt over her head when Lori walked in.

“Oh my god! He is beautiful.”

Kristy took her hand and they both giggled. “I told you. He’s so nice too, Lori.”

“I can’t believe he and Rick are brothers,” Lori said amazed.

“Hey, Rick has some really good qualities too, just not the ones that I’m looking for.”

Kristy grabbed her purse and walked out to living room. She walked up to A.J. and gave him a kiss. “I’m ready.” She waved good-bye to Lori.

“Have fun you guys,” Lori said sighing.

“I’ll have her back at a decent hour,” A.J said sternly.

“Don’t bother, I don’t want to hear any more stories about what a great time she had with you.” Lori smiled and closed the door.

A.J. put his arm around Kristy and walked her to his car.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“To the airport,” she replied.

“What?” He looked at her confused.

“We’re getting on a flight to San Francisco. Then we have reservations at Carl’s on Pier 39.”

“Wow! You really know how to plan a date.”

“Actually I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Well then I’m flattered.” He kissed her and opened the door for her. She got in and smiled to herself, happy that he was pleased with the plans.

Everything went off perfectly. The flight took off and landed on time. The dinner was excellent; they danced in the ballroom, and took a walk on the pier afterwards. Their conversation never became stale. They held hands and kissed overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Their return flight took off at ten thirty. By the time they got back to Kristy’s it was midnight. He walked her to the door, and hugged her tightly.

“I’ve never had a better time. Thank you.” He took her hand and was rubbing his thumb on her cut.

“Your welcome,” she said. “A.J., have you told Rick yet?”

“No.”

He didn’t want to tell her about the incident in the office that morning.

“Where do you think our relationship is going? I mean do you think we’ll be together for a while?” she asked shyly.

“I’m hoping longer than a while.” He took her hand and put it around his back. “I don’t know where you are, but I’m falling fast.”

She reached up and kissed him. “Me too.”

“I’ll talk to Rick, OK?"

“I think that would be a good idea.”

“What time do you get off work tomorrow?" he asked kissing her neck.

“Five,” she moaned, moving her hair out of the way for him.

“Come over and I’ll make you dinner.”

She pulled his face up to hers and whispered, “That sounds delicious.” Then she kissed him.

They parted after several seconds. “I’ve got to get out of here,” he said breathing heavy. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that he gave her one last quick kiss.

She whistled at him as he walked down the stairs. He got to the bottom and turned up to look at her.

“What are you looking at you pervert?” He motioned with his arm, “Go inside.”

She smiled and went inside.

The next day A.J. tried to call Rick three times. He left messages that he wanted to talk to him, but Rick never called him back.

A.J. was in the kitchen when he saw Kristy walk by the window. “It’s open,” he yelled to her.

She came inside, and he held open his arms for her. She walked over and kissed him.

“Something smells good,” she said.

He picked up a fork and dipped it into the white sauce, and pulled out a small piece of shrimp. He blew on it then fed it to her.

“Mmm Mmm good,” she said imitating the Campbell's Soup logo.

“I’m glad you like it because I’m starving,” he said stirring the mixture.

“Could it sit for a while? I have something for you.”

He smiled excitedly, “You do? What is it?”

“Follow me.”

She reached over and turned the stove off. She took his hand and led him through the living room, and up the stairs.

“I think I’m going to like this.” He laughed.

They got to the door of his room and she walked inside. A.J. leaned against the doorframe watching her. She turned around to face him. Then unzipped the back of her dress. She wiggled her shoulders and it dropped to the floor.

A.J. looked at her in awe. She had on a see-through snow-white lace top that fit her hourglass figure perfectly. Below she had on matching white thigh high stockings that were hooked to a garter belt. He had tried to picture her naked before, but it never came close to being this beautiful.

“Do you want to go back down and eat dinner now?” she said moving toward the bed.

“Hell no, I’m ready for desert.” He surprised her by grabbing her around the waist and throwing her onto the bed. She screamed loudly and laughed as he started biting her neck.

The bites turned to soft kisses.

“What kind of desert would I be?” she giggled.

He extended his arms out so he could get a view of her whole body, and looked down at her. “Why Angel food cake of course.”

She wrapped her leg around him and kissed him hard. They continued kissing for a while until she released him. He looked down at her and smiled contentedly. He began kissing her neck again.

“A.J. how is that you can make me feel so good? I mean I can have a nasty customer yelling at me at work and all I have to do is think of you and I smile.”

He rose up on one elbow and ran his hand down her body.

“Because I love you....and you know it.”

She was stunned by his answer; he didn’t even flinch, or hesitate. He continued looking down, and caressing her.

“I love you too,” she said softly.

He looked at her with his perfect smile. “I know.”

She pulled him closer and gave him deep kisses. He reached down and undid one of the straps on her garter belt.

A.J. looked at the clock. It was nine-thirty. The room was dark, and Kristy was sitting on his back massaging him. He looked over the side of the bed and smiled at the pile of white lace clothes that she had been wearing.

“Now I’m really hungry,” he said.

She leaned down closer to him. “After that performance you deserve a seven course meal.”

He rolled over to face her. She lay down on top of him. “You bring out the best in me,” he said rubbing her back.

She got up and went to his dresser drawer. "Do you have a shirt I could put on?"

“Third drawer down. I’ll take the bottoms and you can have the top.”

She threw him a pair of light blue pajama bottoms, and put on the top and buttoned it up.

They went downstairs and looked at the meal that was ready about five hours earlier.

“Microwave it?” he suggested.

“Sounds good,” she replied sitting on the counter next to the oven.

A.J. got one plate and put enough on for both of them. He put it inside the microwave and turned it on for three minutes. He put his arms around Kristy and rested his head on her shoulder.

“What do you want to do for three minutes?” he asked pulling her to the edge of the counter.

“I think it will take longer than three minutes,” she said pulling her fingers through his hair.

He lifted her off the counter and she wrapped her legs around him tightly. He gently laid her down on the carpet and began kissing her. The bell on the microwave went off, but neither one heard it.

They finished eating the pasta that they reheated again. By this time it was after midnight. They went back upstairs and got back into bed.

“Did you talk to Rick today?” she asked him.

“No. I tried calling him like three times, but he never called me back. I’m sure I’ll see him tomorrow,” he said yawning.

“Good,” she rolled over and was facing the door, A.J. snuggled up behind her and they fell asleep.

Rick pulled the Powerwagon up to A.J.’s driveway and looked at his watch, seven forty-five. “He should be up by now.” He got out and went towards the door. Rick hadn’t noticed Kristy’s car parked in the street. Then again he wasn’t looking for it. The door was unlocked so he thought A.J. must be up. He went inside and noticed the dirty dishes in the sink and on the stove. He thought that was pretty peculiar. He looked around and yelled for A.J.. When he didn’t get a response, he headed for the stairs thinking he was probably in the shower. He climbed the stairs and walked down the hall to his brother's bedroom. When he entered he stood frozen, anger overwhelmed him and he tightened his hands up into fists. He was looking down at Kristy and A.J. still in the same position as when they fell asleep.

“You little son of a bitch!” he yelled.

A.J. opened his eyes and sat up. “Rick!”

Rick turned and bolted for the stairs.

A.J. jumped up after him, he looked down glad that he put on the pajamas. “Rick wait!” he yelled after him.

He ran down the stairs and caught Rick in the kitchen ready to leave.

“Just wait a second, it’s not what you think.”

“Of course not, you're in bed with Kristy, there must be an explanation,” he snapped back.

A.J. leaned against the counter and wiped his face with his hands. “I tried to call you yesterday three times. I was going to tell you then.”

Kristy came down the stairs and stood on the bottom step. Rick looked over at her then at A.J.. He had never been so angry and hurt in his life. A.J. had deceived him in the worst way.

“Rick,” Kristy started say.

“You shut up,” he yelled back at her. “First me, then my brother, who are you going to sample next week?”

A.J. jumped forward and screamed at him. “Leave her be. She didn’t pursue me. I pursued her.” He thought about what he just said, but it was too late to take back. He had never lied to Rick before.

The cold look that came over Rick’s eyes scared A.J.. He’d never been afraid of him until this moment. Rick turned to leave, and in flash he swung back around and hit A.J. in the mouth. He fell back and caught himself against the sink.

Kristy screamed, “Rick! No!”

A.J. looked up at him in shock. Rick had never hit him out of anger before in his life.

Rick took a step forward and A.J. leaned back thinking he was going to hit him again. Instead Rick pointed a finger at him and said. “Your not my brother.” He turned around, walked out and slammed the door.

Kristy sat down on the step and started crying. The impact of what he said was just starting to hit A.J.. He turned around and put his face over the sink. He spit a mouthful of blood in the drain then washed his mouth out with water. He looked up and saw Kristy sitting on the stair. He walked over and sat down next to her.

She looked up at him and hit him in the arm. “Why did you tell him that?” she yelled at him.

He looked at her surprised. “Tell him what?”

“That you pursued me, that’s not true. I came here looking for you.”

“I just didn’t want him to think of you that way,” he sighed.

She put her arm around him. “That’s very noble A.J., but he’s your brother, I would rather have him thinking bad of me than you.”

“We have nothing to be ashamed of Kristy, we didn’t do anything wrong,” he said angrily.

“Then why is Rick so mad?”

“He’ll calm down, and I’ll talk to him.”

Kristy went upstairs and got dressed. A.J. walked her to her car.

“Thanks for the present last night,” he said trying to lighten the moment. She kissed him on the cheek and went to get in her car.

“Everything will work out Kristy.”

“I love you.” She reached up and touched his cut lip.

“I love you too.”

He closed the door, and she drove away.

A.J. got dressed and went to the office hoping that Rick would be there, but he wasn’t. He tried calling his house, but Rick either wouldn’t answer the phone or wasn’t there either. He thought for a minute and then called his mom. Cecilia answered the phone.

“Hi Mom,” he said trying to be cheerful.

“Hi honey, how are you?” She sounded concerned.

“I’m fine. Why?"

“Rick just left here a few minutes ago.”

There was a long pause.

“A.J.,” she said in a motherly tone.

“I’m still here,” he said softly. “It’s not what he thinks Mom, it didn’t happen the way he thinks. I just need to talk to him.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea right now honey. He’s pretty mad. I would like you to come over here tonight for dinner.”

“I don’t think tonight is a good time, Mom.”

“Yes it is, and please bring Kristy,” she said sharply. “I’d like to meet her.”

“Mom, she’s a wonderful person, and I won’t bring her there if she’s going to be hurt.”

“A.J.! I’m assuming she is a wonderful person. I can’t imagine you getting involved with her if she was anything but. I would just like to meet her. Be here at six o'clock.”

He knew that wasn’t an invitation, it was an order.

“OK, six, we’ll be there.”

A.J. pulled the Camaro up to his mother’s house. He got out and walked around to the other side and opened the door for Kristy. She hesitated getting out. Cecilia had heard the car pull up and went to the window to look out. She saw A.J. take Kristy’s hand and help her out of the car. They started up the walk when Kristy paused. He turned around and went back to her. Her head was down and A.J. put his hand under her chin and lifted it up. He said something to her and then hugged her and stroked her back. Cecilia wondered if Kristy knew how lucky she was to have such a gentle and kind person as A.J.. He put his arm around her and continued talking to her as they walked to the door. By the time they got there, she was smiling.

Cecilia opened the door and greeted them.

“Hi sweetheart.” She reached up and gave A.J. a kiss on the cheek.

“Hi Mom.”

“Hello Mrs. Simon,” Kristy said.

“Mom, this is Kristy.” He looked at her proudly and smiled.

Cecilia held out her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you dear, please come inside.”

Kristy shook her hand and walked inside. She was starting to feel a little more comfortable.

“Can I get you something to drink Kristy?" she asked.

“Please,” she replied.

“Would ice tea be OK?"

“That would be great Mrs. Simon, thank you.”

“Please call me Cecilia.”

“OK,” she smiled.

“I’m fine, thanks Mom,” A.J. jumped in.

“You can get your own drink. I stopped waiting on you years ago,” she said sharply.

She left for the kitchen and Kristy walked over to the fireplace and was looking at the pictures on the mantle. There was one of Rick and A.J. in their baseball uniforms sitting on the front lawn. They had their arms around each other. Kristy felt a lump in her throat when she looked at it. Noticing what she was doing, A.J. walked up to her and pulled her away. “Don’t do that. This is not your fault.”

Cecilia came back with the ice tea and set it down. She asked Kristy what she did for a living. Kristy informed her and said she loved her job.

“Well you have a pretty safe job dear, do you think you can be with somebody who comes home like this.” She reached up and touched A.J.’s almost healed black eye.

“I think I can handle it, besides he loves it too much and it’s a part of who he is.”

A.J. leaned over and kissed her cheek. She blushed of course.

They went into the dinning room and had dinner. Cecilia asked Kristy all sorts of questions in an effort to get to know her. Kristy told her all about the farm and her parents and brother. Cecilia noticed that whenever one would talk the other would smile and hang on every word. After dinner Kristy and A.J. helped with the dishes.

“Mom, we have to get going. Kristy has a flight to Dallas in the morning.”

They thanked her again for dinner, and she walked them to the door.

“Kristy, it was a pleasure meeting you. You are lovely young woman,” she smiled brightly.

“Thank you Cecilia, you have no idea how bad I needed to hear that.”

“Kristy would you mind if I spoke to A.J. for a minute?”

“No, of course not, I’ll wait for you in the car.”

She turned and walked away. When she was out of hearing distance A.J. turned to his mother.

“She’s not the beast Rick said she was. I like her, and I can see that the two of you are very much in love.”

“You can?” A.J. sounded relieved.

“You remind me of when your dad and I first met.”

She reached up and kissed him. That was probably the nicest thing she had ever said to him.

“I don’t know what to tell you about Rick. You boys are going to have to work that out between the two of you.”

“We will Mom. I promise.” He hugged her and left.

He climbed into the driver's side and started the engine. Kristy looked at him to see his expression. She was dying to know what Cecilia said, but didn’t want to pry. He looked over at her and smiled. “Don’t worry she really liked you. She said we reminded her of when she and my dad started dating.”

He reached over and took her hand and kissed the back of it. Kristy exhaled with relief, and he drove away. He dropped her off at her apartment, and she promised to call him from Dallas. He reassured her that he would talk to Rick. He had to make him understand. He just had too.

A.J. got up the next morning and went to the office. He was sitting at his desk not really doing anything when Rick came in with a box. He stood up and watched his older brother go straight to his desk and start putting things in it.

"Rick, what are you doing?”

“I got a job on an oil rig off the coast of Texas.”

A.J. came around the desk and stood next to him. “Please Rick just talk to me. Don’t do this.” A.J. was pleading with him.

Rick kept putting items in the box and just ignored him. He picked up his nameplate to put in the box and A.J. reached around and grabbed it.

“Stop! Why are you doing this?” he sounded panicky.

Rick looked at him with hurt and angry eyes, for a second A.J. thought he might hit him again. “I didn’t start this A.J., you did. I’m just finishing it.”

He picked up the box and headed for the door.

“What do you want me to do Rick? What do you want me to do?” he said again.

Rick paused with his hand on the doorknob. He turned his head slightly. “Get rid of her,” he said coldly.

A.J. could barely speak, “Rick....I...”

“When she’s gone, I’ll be back.” He opened the door and walked out.

A.J. suddenly felt dizzy. He closed his eyes to catch his balance. What did Rick mean get rid of her? Did he know what he was asking? His mind was racing. He pictured Kristy, then Rick then his mother, all the people that this was going to effect.

He went over to the window and watched Rick get in his truck. He felt completely helpless. He loved his brother and knew how stubborn he was. Cecilia would be crushed if Rick left town again. The business would fall apart.

Kristy, what would he tell her? Rick was his brother, and she was his girlfriend, but he loved her more than that. His mother and Rick were all he had, and the same for each of them. Did he have the right to break up the family? He couldn’t imagine the thought of his Mom’s pain, if he and Rick no longer spoke. What would that do to his Mom’s and Kristy’s relationship? Would she end up resenting her, or worse yet, would he?

He tried to keep himself busy the rest of the day. He was glad Kristy was out of town. He just couldn’t bear to see her right now.

The phone rang at about nine o'clock. A.J. picked it up hoping it was Rick, but knowing it was Kristy.

“Hi handsome,” she said chipper.

“Hi, sweetheart how was your day?” He suddenly felt better just from hearing her voice.

“Pretty good, pretty boring too. Did you talk to Rick?”

“Yes, he’s still mad.”

“What did he say?” she sounded depressed.

A.J. didn’t want to tell her the whole story, so he just explained that Rick was thinking about leaving town.

“Oh A.J., I can’t help but think this is all my fault.” She wanted to ask him if maybe they should stop seeing each other, but the thought made her nauseous.

He wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be OK, but he wasn’t sure anymore. “Please don’t say things like that. I’m just as much a part of this as you.” He laid his head on the back of the couch, suddenly feeling tired and emotionally drained. “What time will you be home tomorrow?” he asked sleepily.

“About four, you sound tired. Are you sure you're telling me everything?”

He closed his eyes and pictured her face and smiled. She already knew him so well.

“I love you,” he said softly.

“I love you too, go to bed A.J.,” she ordered.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

They said good-bye and A.J. let the phone drop to his lap. What was he going to do?

He tossed and turned all night. He woke up at about two thirty and reached over and grabbed his other pillow. When he pulled it against his face, he could smell Kristy’s perfume. He took in a deep breath and felt tears sting his eyes. He finally drifted off to sleep and dreamed about the day he and Rick heard the news about their Dad’s death. The person in front of him consoling him wasn’t the little boy that Rick was at the time, but the man that had grown into the big brother, and the only father figure A.J. ever new.

He opened his eyes and the sun was shining. It seemed all clear. He couldn’t sacrifice his family for Kristy. No matter what it cost him emotionally.

He got up and took a shower. He looked in the mirror at his face and the black eye was almost completely gone. He shaved and tried not to think about Kristy coming home that day. He wasn’t going to rehearse what he was going to say. He would just let it happen.

He drove over to his Mom’s house. When she opened the door, she was shocked at his appearance. He was well groomed and smiling, but looked tired and depressed.

“Hi honey, come in.” She took his hand and pulled him inside.

He still hadn’t spoken. She closed the door and he walked over to the window and looked out on the yard that he and Rick used to play baseball and football on. The street they rode their bikes up and down.

Cecilia just watched him and waited for him to speak.

After a couple of minutes, A.J. dropped his head down. “I’m going to break it off with Kristy.” When he said the words, the reality set in. He felt his throat burning and his stomach ached.

Cecilia put her hand over her mouth and didn’t know what to say. He looked over at her and she motioned for him to come over and sit down. He sat down on the edge of the couch next to her.

“You know how stubborn Rick is, he’ll never forgive me until she’s gone. I can’t believe this is happening Mom. I’m thirty-five years old, I finally found somebody that I want to spend the rest of my life with,” he shook his head in confusion, “and she’s my brother’s girlfriend.” He put his face in his hands and started to cry. Cecilia was also crying now and rubbing his back. He stood up and had a terribly worried look on his face.

“I can’t face her. What am I going to tell her?” He was looking at his mother pleading for her to give him the advice he needed so badly right now.

“I can’t tell you what to say. All I can say is that I love you and I’m sorry you're feeling this much pain. And damn your brother for putting you through this.” she was shaking her head.

“I gotta go. She’s coming home at four, and I want to see her right away.” He hugged Cecilia and she kissed his cheek.

“You come back and stay here tonight if you need to OK?" she said touching his face.

“Thanks Mom, I’ll be alright.”

He left and drove over to Kristy’s and sat in the parking lot waiting for her.

She pulled up at about four-thirty and instantly saw his car. He got out and closed his door, his hands were shaking, and he had never been so frightened. She smiled and excitedly walked over to him. But the closer she got, the slower she walked. She stopped a few feet from him and he was looking at her, not smiling and happy to see her but sad. He was so sad.

She Knew what was coming. She just wanted to put her hands over her ears and block it out. She looked away and started breathing with little shorts gasps, trying not to break down. This had to be harder for him. The look on his face told her that. She wouldn’t make it difficult for him. She walked up to him and put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

“I’ll never forget you,” she said sobbing.

He buried his face in her neck and held her tight. “I never meant for you to get hurt Kristy.” She could feel his tears on her bare shoulder. They held each other for a moment, neither one wanting to let go. Finally Kristy tried to break loose, but A.J. just held her tighter.

“Let go,” she whispered. He held on still.

“Let Go!” She sobbed and pushed him away and ran to her apartment.

He got back in his car and drove off. He didn’t feel anything anymore, just numb.

He parked in a spot that was just above Rick’s boat. He could see him on the deck working on something. The event with Kristy left him drained and worn. He just wanted to get this over with and go home. He got out and walked down the steps to the dock. He climbed onto Rick’s boat and came around the corner where his brother was sitting. Rick looked up and was surprised to see him, but he never bothered to look him in the face.

“What do you want?” he asked sharply.

A.J. looked at Rick for a minute and thought to himself, things will never be the same between us again.

He said quietly and completely unemotional, “I broke it off with Kristy today. I won’t see her again.”

He turned to leave and Rick looked up in shock at the tone of his voice. He walked to the railing and watched A.J. walk down the ramp to the dock.

“A.J.?” he called after him.

A.J. just kept walking and answered back in the same tone. “I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.” He climbed up the stairs and Rick watched him drive away.

Rick felt uneasy about what just took place. Maybe A.J. cared for her more than he thought. They only knew each other for a couple of days. They couldn’t be that close. He was glad that it was over. He thought he had made the right decision. A.J. looked upset now, but he would get over it. He’d find somebody else. He turned around and went back to work.

Rick was already at the office when A.J. arrived. As he approached the office, he looked at the sign on the door. Simon & Simon Investigations. Somehow it just didn’t mean as much anymore. He walked in, and Rick was sitting behind his desk. He looked up at A.J. and smiled. “Good Morning.”

A.J. replied with less enthusiasm.

“John from the bank came by this morning and dropped off this bonus check.” Rick was holding it up. “It’s three hundred. I’ll deposit it into petty cash.”

“OK,” A.J. said sitting down at his desk.

“You look tired, kid. Are you sure your up to this surveillance?”

"What surveillance?” A.J. asked.

“The divorce case from the other day remember?”

“Oh yea, right, is that today?” He was rubbing his temples.

“No, tomorrow morning. I guess he leaves his house at nine.”

“Fine, we can meet here at eight-thirty.”

Trying to keep a conversation going with him, Rick asked if he wanted to take the car or the truck.

“I don’t care.” A.J. replied not wanting to keep a conversation with him.

“We can decide tomorrow I guess.” Rick picked up the file on the case. “I talked to his wife. This guy sounds like a piece of work. They’ve been married for two years. He’s a foreman for an air conditioning company. He was in prison for five years for rape. I guess he grabbed some girl when she was coming home from work late one night.” He continued on, but A.J. wasn’t listening anymore. He was thinking about Kristy, and her coming home late from work on Thursdays and Fridays. She had to walk so far to her apartment.

“A.J., are you listening?”

He looked over at Rick. “Yea! He sounds like that guy from last week.”

“Well, I think we should be packing for this one.” Rick sounded concerned.

“We're just supposed to follow him,” A.J. said annoyingly. “But fine, I’ll bring my gun.”

The rest of the day they ran a couple of errands and delivered some notices to people. Pretty mundane and the lower part of their job they both thought. They didn’t talk very much and when they did, it was short and to the point. By four o'clock A.J. was ready to go home.

“I’m taking off. I’ll see you in the morning.” A.J. got up and put his coat on.

“Do you want to come by the boat and have a couple of beers?” Rick asked.

“No thanks, I’m bushed,” He said good-bye and left.

Rick was wondering if A.J. really had broken it off with her, or did he just tell him that.

A.J. went home and put a frozen pizza in the oven. He took a beer out of the fridge and turned the TV on. He wasn’t watching it; he just wanted noise in the room. He ate the pizza and lay down on the couch. He suddenly woke up at ten thirty and sat straight up. Kristy would be getting home soon. He thought about that guy and the girl he had raped. He got in his car and drove over to Kristy’s apartment. The Camaro was parked in a spot were A.J. could see her pull in and go to her apartment, but she wouldn’t notice him. He turned the radio on and waited. About ten minutes later he saw her car pull in and park. She got out and walked to her apartment and went inside. A.J. started the engine and drove home. He slept better that night.

The next day they started following Mr. Sanders. He was a middle age guy that looked hard, like he had been in prison. They caught him yelling at people left and right.

“Friendly guy,” A.J. said. “Why would a woman want to stay married to that?”

“Who knows?” Rick said not caring. “Hey, I called you last night about ten forty-five. Where were you?”

“Asleep,” A.J. lied. “I turned the phone off. I needed a good night.”

“Did you get one?” Rick asked.

“Bright-eyed and bushytailed.” he smiled. He wasn’t sure that Rick believed him though.

They finished at about three o'clock and headed back to the office.

“That was a waste of time,” Rick said bitterly. “His wife said that he goes out on Saturday nights, so we should pick this up tomorrow afternoon.”

“Alright. Lets bring the Camaro tomorrow,” A.J. suggested as he got out of the truck and slammed the door.

“Carlos is coming by tonight for a little get together. Do you want to join us?” Rick asked.

“No thanks, I lost too many brain cells last time I got together with you and Carlos.”

“What are you going to do tonight then?”

“Probably just hang out and maybe read a new book,” A.J. said climbing into the Camaro. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” He started the engine and drove off. Rick watched him leave. The chemistry between them was gone. He could tell A.J. was holding a grudge. He’d make it up to him.

A.J. went home and called his Mom. He told her everything that happened and said he was doing all right. He missed Kristy badly, but things with Rick were starting to come around. He hung up at about seven. He read his book until ten o'clock. Then he got in his car and drove over to Kristy’s apartment again. He parked in the same spot and waited. He wondered how long he would do this for. Kristy pulled up about half an hour later. She got out and had two bags of groceries. Half way to her apartment one of the bags broke and the stuff went all over the ground. She threw the bag and kneeled down to pick up the items. She was throwing them violently in the other bag when she stopped and put her face in her hands and started crying. A.J. got out of the car and started over to her when Lori came running from the apartment and helped her up. She embraced her and he could here her crying and saying, “I miss him so much.” She walked her inside and then came back out for the groceries. He wanted to go to her so badly. Instead he went back to the car and drove home.

As he pulled into his driveway he noticed Rick’s truck and another car parked there. He went inside and Carlos, Rick and three women were in his house. He came in and they were all laughing and drunk.

“Hey! A.J. where were you? We thought we would bring this party to you.” Carlos yelled, and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

A.J. looked at Rick angrily. He was in no mood after what just happened. “What are you doing here?”

“Where have you been?” Rick asked slightly slurring his words.

“None of your business. What are you doing here?” he asked again.

Rick walked over and put his arm around a cute brunette. "A.J. this is Carrie. Carrie this is A.J.. Carlos and I thought you two should meet.”

A.J. looked at the intoxicated woman and then glared at Rick. She walked over to him and put her arm around him. “Your cuter than Rick said you were.”

A.J. moved away from her, and went up to Rick. “Go home.”

“Where have you been A.J.?” Rick asked again more coldly.

A.J. just looked at him and shook his head. “Your drunk Rick, go home.”

A.J. was beginning to loose his temper.

“Why can’t you just forget about her?” Rick said. “She’s nothing special.”

A.J. lashed out at him. “If you didn’t think she was special, then why in the hell did it matter to you whether I was with her or not? And you're wrong. She is special. You just never took the time to get to know her!”

Rick jumped to his own defense. “I did know her!”

“Oh really!” A.J. snapped back. “Where was she born?”

Rick thought for a second. “Ohio!”

“Wrong! Wisconsin. What did her father do?”

“I don’t know, a bus driver.”

They were yelling at each other now.

“Wrong!” A.J. yelled. “A farmer. What's her favorite color? Where does her brother live? What's her favorite food?” A.J. was furious by now. “I know everything about Kristy because I love her, and you just wanted to sleep with her.”

Rick was stunned by A.J.’s outburst. He continued yelling at him. “You bring this girl over here and expect me to sleep with her, and then magically I’ll forget all about Kristy. God damn you Rick! Do you have any idea what I’m going through?”

Everyone in the room was silent. A.J. maintained his temper and said calmly. “Get out.”

Carlos and the girls went outside. Rick sat down on the coffee table and was speechless.

“A.J. I’m...,” he started to say, and A.J. interrupted him. “Just get out Rick.” Rick got up and walked out the door.

Kristy was in bed when she heard someone knocking on the door. She got up and went out to the living room. Her roommate had already answered the door. She had an angry look on her face. She held the door open farther for Kristy to see. She walked closer and saw that it was Rick.

She told her roommate to go back to bed. She looked at Rick coldly. “What do you want?”

He looked down not wanting to face her. “I need to take you to A.J.,” he said quietly.

She suddenly felt panicked. "Oh my god is he alright?” She reached out and took his arm. At that second, just from her reaction he new he had made a huge mistake.

“He’s fine. We had a huge fight and.... I was wrong. I’m sorry Kristy. He really loves you. Will you come with me?”

“Let me get dressed.” She ran down the hallway and was back in about one minute.

He drove her to A.J.’s house and walked her to the door.

“Where is he?” she asked.

“Probably in bed. He doesn’t know your coming.” Rick reached down and unlocked the door with his key.

Kristy looked up at him and hugged him. “Thank you Rick.”

He nodded and walked away.

She went inside and up to his room. He was asleep. She walked over and kneeled down by him. She watched him for a few minutes just happy to be there. Her eyes wondered down his body and she thought how much she missed him. When she made her way back up to his face, he was awake smiling at her. They didn’t speak. He just moved over, and she climbed into bed next to him. He moved over her and took her shirt off, and began kissing and touching all of her. She moved her hands down his back and pulled him closer. Once there lips met, they never separated.

The next morning Kristy woke up, and A.J. was gone. She got up and went downstairs. He was in the kitchen making coffee. She walked up behind him and hugged him.

“I love you so much.”

He turned around and kissed her. “I will never sleep another night without you again,” he said. “I don’t care what Rick thinks anymore.”

She smiled at him. “Rick’s the one that brought me here last night.”

A.J. looked at her in bewilderment. “You're kidding?”

“No, I’m not. I don’t know what you said to him last night, but he apologized to me and brought me here.”

He told her about going to her apartment and seeing her cry, then coming back here and the fight they got into.

She looked at him adoringly. “You're so sweet.”

“I have to meet him today at the office at eight. We have a job tonight. If I give you a key will you wait here for me?” he asked kissing her neck.

“Only if you promise more of this,” she moaned.

“Deal.”

Rick and A.J. pulled up to the office at the same time. Rick got out and jumped in the Camaro.

“You look refreshed today,” he said to A.J.

A.J. looked at his big brother admiringly. “Thanks Rick.”

Rick was glad to see the old A.J. back. He knew he did the right thing last night and felt good about it.

“A.J., you and Mom are all I have,... or should I say You, Mom, Kristy and the kids are all I have.”

A.J. looked at him confused.

“Well you do plan on having kids don’t you?” Rick looked at him impatiently.

“Ten.” A.J. smiled.

“TEN!” Rick yelled. “Man that's a lot of birthdays to remember. You know A.J. I’ve been meaning to get one of those electronic pocket calendars. Carlos can get me one for four hundred. That would be considered an office expense wouldn’t it?”

A.J. started the engine and looked at him out of the corner of his eye and said in a stern voice, “Rick!” He put the car in gear and drove off.

THE END

Constructive feedback welcome at Lunytnes@cs.com


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