Chapter Four.

Jennifer was sitting at the table cutting coupons when Trey got home. They had a little time still before the kids got home from choir camp and school. This was a rare occasion for the two of them and in past, they would use it to get some snuggle time in, but this day was not going to be one of those days. Trey sat down at the table next to her and helped with the organizing of the coupons.

"Any thoughts, Jen, on what we are going to do when the renter moves?"

"No. I was hoping you would have one."

"Just that I don't want a girlfriend of yours in it for a bit of time. We need a renter to help pay to be here-not someone you are seeing."

"Oh, honey. You are too funny!"

Trey was watching Jennifer and from the glow coming off her, he knew something was up. He just hoped that it was not that she wanted to date again. He hoped that things would get calm first, but he knew his wife, and this look said differently.

t="13"> "Spill it! What are you up to, Jennifer? I know you."

"Nothing, I swear. I just kissed her and liked it!"

"Oh, so are you two going to date? I thought you were just going to work together and not date anyone for some time."

"I cannot explain it, love. There is this uncontrollable pull to her. Don't worry, honey. She will not be like the past. She is different!"

"That is what you said last time, and look how that turned out."

"Honey, I don't say who you can date, so please don't ask this of me."

"Fine! I love you and don't want you hurt. Do whatever you want! Just don't bring her here to meet the kids 'til you know for sure more about her. Take it slow. And remember that you're not the only one that gets hurt when things don't work out."

In his anger, Trey closed up. He knew that, no matter what he said, Jennifer would do what she wanted, and if he wanted to keep their relationship good, he should just back off. It was so hard to watch her go out and get hurt time after time. He did not think anyone would love her like him and definitely no one would share like he had. A small part of him hoped that she would never find anyone that would love her and share her, but another part hoped she would find that woman who could share so this search would stop.

Jennifer stomped off, feeling as though Trey was trying to control her, forgetting that they all had come to trust Vickie and, when she turned out to be an abusive, full-blown alcoholic and abusive, everything fell apart. Jennifer just knew that there was something different here, and she could not imagine that there was a mean bone in Lexi's body. She knew, though, Trey was right and that she needed to take it slow and not rush this just to make sure.

Sitting on her bed, she took time to remember the good parts of her relationship with Vickie. She allowed herself to cry, for she loved Vickie enough to let go and pushed her out when the relationship was no longer healthy for either of them. Jennifer had tried to put up the lasttwo years of abuse and drinking. She hoped that she would be able to fix her or get her to stop, but she finally realized that would be impossible. There was still love for Vickie inside her, but Jennifer knew that the breakup and now the s.p.a.ce separating them was best.

Jennifer's phone rang, snapping her out of her head and tears. She looked and saw a number she did not recognize. She decided to let it go to voice mail and reminded herself to check it later. She needed to compose herself and knew that the kids would be home soon.

When the kids finally did get home, life resumed again, and soon Jennifer was able to let go and enjoy the evening. Plans for sports and other activities were made for each of the kids. Also, Jennifer successfully talked Tracy into watching the kids for her to go out with Trey on Friday. She decided that she would wait until then to tell him that she was going out with Lexi on Sat.u.r.day. She felt it was better to tell him alone. She knew she had to keep it from the kids until they had a chance to establish a relationship and get Lexi to see that poly lifestyles can work if both parties work at it.

Life at the Scoops's house was always full of activities. Betweeateties. Bn dinner, homework, and extra activities, it became hard to have just a little time to relax. There was always toys to pick up and laundry that needed to be done. On top of that, there were still boxes to unpack. Jennifer decided that everyone needed to unpack one box before bedtime, and she helped each kid do theirs. It helped them feel like the house was becoming a home again to get the boxes gone.

Bedtime came quickly, and each of the little kids fought going to bed. Some nights were like this and tried Trey's and Jennifer's nerves. It was nice that Tracy did not have to be put down any more, and Jennifer waited for the day when the other two were old enough to not have to go through the routine.

Finally the kids were out for the night, and Jennifer remembered her voicemail. She decided to check it and found the excited voice of Lexi. It was too late to call back, and she decided that she would be at the office right after dropping the kids off at school. Jennifer wondered what was so exciting, as Lexi really did not tell her anything over the phone.

Had Lexi gotten the board to agree? Did she have a job? Or was Lexi just excited about what was blossoming between them? Jennifer's mind was racing with thoughts--between Trey and his concerns to Lexi and the possible future. Jennifer smiled at the thought of the future that there could possibly be. She also thought about the fact that, soon, she would need a new renter below in the bas.e.m.e.nt as the old one was moving out. She thought maybe--just maybe--that would Lexi.

Chapter Five.

I checked my phone as soon as I woke and saw still no call from Jennifer, and my mind raced. Maybe she was just playing me a fool. Maybe she was not what she thought she was. I felt myself getting scared and dreaded going to the office, expecting disappointment to be awaiting me. I just knew that the starburst beauty would not be like that and would show. Something was different here. I reminded myself that she also had kids and a husband and that maybe the night was too full for her to call. I told myself that she was not the past and went about my morning routine.

I got to the office at nine only to find my fears were smashed away as Jennifer sat there waiting on me. She looked so d.a.m.n good in scrubs. It drove me wild. I began to wonder if we could work together, as I would be one of her bosses. She must have heard my thoughts as she smiled and gave me a nod yes.

"Well, shall we go set up things in your office? I hear I have paperwork to do, and Kelly said I pa.s.sed her screening and am cleared to be hired. She is ready for me to start the EMR training right away."

"Then we better get busy. We pay fifty-five thousand a year, and I know that you could make more elsewhere, but I hope that does not turn you away."

"No. That is good. I don't work for money always. As I said, if you couldn't have hired me, I would have volunteered, and if you would rath toer use my position to get another person, I will still volunteer here. Besides, to get to see you daily makes it all worth it."

I blushed and reminded myself that, here at the office, I had to be professional and not let my growing desire to kiss her surface. This was hard. As I watched her walk down the hall towards my office, I just knew if I was not careful, I would break my own rules of no play at work, as I had just broken my other rule, which was no dating my coworkers. I learned quickly that we did not have the same rules. As soon as we were in the office, she shut the door and latched herself to my lips, kissing me like no other ever has.

"Thank you!" she said, as she pulled back. "I needed to do that since you walked in the door. I promise not to make a habit of that. I just have not been able to think of anything else since we kissed yesterday."

"You must always get what you want. I was trying my hardest not to do the same since we are at work."

"Oh, Lexi. You have to live a little! No, I do not always get what I want; otherwise, we would not be here and--well, I better not say much more for fear I will scare you away."

I tried my hardest to ignore that statement as a growing desire to be with her grew. I worked on finding the paperwork and pulled up my computer to get a contract drawn up off our template. My mind was a blur, though, as I thought how her beauty would only grow in intoxication with no clothes on. I wanted to know what she felt like under me and on me, with our skin touching. I told myself quickly to clear my head as I shook it and concentrated on work. This was going to be a task to keep from giving into desires at work. I was thrilled that we were going to get to be near each other and, soon, we would be going out on our date.

"I have to say I am looking forward to Sat.u.r.day night."

"Me too, Jennifer. I still don't know about all this."

"No worries. I will show you the ropes, and you will find that being with someone poly is easy."

"Will I now? Just how easy are you?" Starting to feel the flirty self come through was nice. I just hoped that things would ease a little so I could get some work done. I had so much on my plate and, as tempting as it was for me to suggest to her that we should go elsewhere and spend time with each other, I knew that it couldn't be done. I was blessed with a distraction when Kelly showed up at the door.

"Am I interrupting?" Kelly said with a large smile.

"No. Jennifer is just filling out her paperwork and will be all yours soon. What brings you by?"

"To see about work hours and start date for Jennifer. We talked earlier, and I cleared her. Good to see you! And to see about the cla.s.sified ad to send out for the rest of the positions."

"Jennifer, why don't you step out and finish filling out your paperwork. Your hours are going to be eight to five, if something comes up or you need to work out something different, set that up with Kelly here."

"Oh, yes it does! I take it Monday through Friday? And can I start today?"

"Yes to both!" Kelly and I both sablend I boid excited to have our first addition to the staff.

Jennifer left to fill things out, and I watched Kelly beam as she knew this was the new prospect for dating. Kelly was not going to be easy to get anything past, and I knew she would soon be hounding me for information. This was not something I really wanted right now as I was still figuring out what I was doing.

"I know that look, and don't ask. Please. Let's just talk shop and let me figure things out before asking me tons of questions."

"All right. Allright, Lexi. No questions on the love life. Just answer me this--are you okay? I know that you have come through much, and I don't want to see you hurt again. I do want to see you happy with someone again and think it would be a wonderful thing. And I can see the connection between you two and hope for the best!"

"Yes, I am. I will be okay, and don't worry so much. Right now it is just a date on Sat.u.r.day."

"Okay, I hear you. Just know I am here for you. Now, to business. We will have to find nine providers to present to the board next month. How are we going to do that? Also, we need to get the ad out yesterday for all the positions!"

"I am already working on that! I plan to post for each type of position separately and also find out if any graduating NPs would be willing to come this way from the nearby college."

"Well, let's put a call out for two billing clerks, four regular clerks, and three more nurses. As for providers, I say we stay at three positions 'til later on."

"Why so many clerks right now? Why not one billing and two regular? And three nurses? Really, Kelly?"

"Yes, Lexi! We need that many! Right now, the girls are getting behind and need the help. Two of the clerks can help with the prescription program. Betty is working with just one billing clerk. She needs another. Besides, it is time you got an a.s.sistant. This is the best solution to the growing need. Face it, though we are a GLBT clinic, not all our patients are and come because we are the best at being friendly and caring!"

"I hear you. I just need to see what is in the budget and move funds around. You may have to put up with some now and some next month or the month after, as we get more funds. I will see about getting a grant writer to get us some more operating grants for expansion."

"I don't care how you make it happen, just make it happen! I have faith you will find the money!"

"Glad someone does!"

With that, Kelly was out of my hair for now, and I could get to those ads and recap the board meeting. I feel as though this task of finding new employees was going to be a major undertaking requiring some late nights. I just hoped that the applications would come in quick and that Kelly remembered not to jump on the first ones. I knew she would evaluate each one for a perfect fit, but I was starting to feel that her need to fill positions was driving her more than the need to find the right person for our patients and team.

s.h.i.t! I almost forgot that this afternoon is a staff meeting. I had not even begun an agenda for that. Quickly, I pulled up the last one and got to work on it. I hoped, at lunch,e od, at l Billy could answer the phone and do a quick meeting with Kelly and me.

After getting the basic stuff down, it was time to add the new items. I knew first I needed to tell them we were hiring and second introduce them to Jennifer, but how did I do that without showing feelings that were already starting to bubble up inside me? This was already proving to be hard. I hoped she did not take my att.i.tude at work to be how it would be on a date, as here I had to be professional. I was falling for her fast, and I knew it. I really wanted to be the charming me that I knew I could be and flirt with her.

"Here is the paperwork!" Jennifer said as she came bursting in.

"Oh. Done already?"

"Yes. Lunch is a couple hours away. What are you doing?"

"I have to get my two chiefs in a quick meeting and then to go over the staff meeting. Why?"

"I say you do that now and we head out for a bite later!"

"As tempting as that is, I can't. Too much to do here."

"Okay, I had to try. What do you want me to do now?"

"Well, tell me about your nursing background some more as I write up these ads so I can properly introduce you at the staff meeting. Then I will hand you off to Kelly, who will probably set you down in front of a computer to go through the training modules on the EMR."

"Sounds thrilling. Not!" She giggled just a bit, giving me another hint of the cuteness that was Jennifer. So captivating!

"About me. What is there that I can say? You already know that I have been an RN for twenty plus years and just moved here from Herkimer, NY. I told you I was married and I have three wonderful kids."

"How long have you been married?"

"Twenty years. Does that bother you?"

"Yes. I mean no. Wow! That is a long time! I guess I just thought it would be like five maybe. Let's not go there right now. Right now it needs to be about work and not us. I am sorry, but this is hard to digest."

"It is okay. I get that there will be things we both learn that might be hard to digest at times. I promise you, though, that it will be okay. 'Til we get a chance to talk about this, let's stay on work at hand, and Sat.u.r.day we will talk. Promise that you will not freak out yet on me?"

"I promise. And thank you. So what else do I tell them?"

"I don't know. I guess that I am the new RN." As she said this, her smile intoxicated me, and I knew that though she had a twenty-year marriage under her belt, there had to be a way to be with her without that standing in my way.

I took Jennifer to Kelly, who did just as I predicted and sat her down at the computer, doing modules. Then I set up for Kelly to be at my office at noon to talk about the staff meeting with Billy on the phone. I was starting to feel like I could have her work here and stay on track until I found myself sitting at the desk daydreaming about Sat.u.r.day more than I was working on the tasks at hanwe tasks ad. I had to get things done and shake her from my mind long enough to do so.

Just when I thought that I could get back to work, Janice came running in!

"Is it true? Do we get new staff?"

"Yes, Janice. We are going to grow in staff once again. I guess the good news is spreading quickly!"

"Of course it is. We know the first RN is already on staff. You move fast, Woodsworth!"

"Oh, hush!"

I knew that I couldn't trust Janice with any information that I did not want all over. I also knew that I did not want her take on my dating options right now. Janice was a good person, but I knew that this would blow her away and not be something she would so quickly approve of. Though she was a lesbian, she only saw things her way-monogamous, even in dating.

"Well, glad we are getting help. We are adding patients every day and don't want to not have the means to see them. Any thoughts on turning some of the storage s.p.a.ce into some more exam rooms?"

"Don't push it just yet. Right now it is hard enough to find the funds to get the new staff."

"All right. I just know that, as we expand, we will need more rooms soon. I never imagined we would be like this!"

"Nor did I. Now let me get back to work or else you won't have any new staff to boss around!"

Janice disappeared as quickly as she had arrived. I found it easy to dive this time back in getting the ads written and off to the newspaper. Normally tasks did not take me this long, and I already knew that the starburst beauty had me off my game at work. Sat.u.r.day could not get here quick enough, and it was only Wednesday. I also knew it was time to start doing to-do lists again to keep me on track.

The rest of the day went easier than I expected, and the staff really took to Jennifer. I did not even have to get into all I learned about her. The staff meeting was quick and painless. After that, I packed up and made my way home as soon as I could. Jennifer walked to the car with me and we got a quick stolen kiss in.

Once home, I could sit back and think on things. Twenty years or marriage was something. and How in the world could her husband be okay with all this? I already had my fill of men and had a hard time thinking any were good. That was one of the reasons I found women much more attractive, besides the fact that the male anatomy never got the engine started for me. Could one really be good and open to her being with me? Am I really considering dating her? s.h.i.t, we were not talking about moving in or anything like that right now. And this might be good for me. I was full of both hope and fear. I just prayed that what I was thinking of doing would not turn out to be a total flop.

Chapter Six.