Chapter 44

"I did. I joked. You aren't my type. You aren't my father's type. If I had a brother you wouldn't be his type either."

"And what is your type?"

"Short. Slightly dumpy. Makes Challah every Friday. Never wears heels."

"Liar! What is Challah?"

"Bread. Jews break it and eat it with dinner on Friday night. I love it."

"I could learn to make it."

"I'll bet you could." I flopped back in bed and lay there next to Jennifer. We were both uncovered to the waist. Out of the corner of my eye I watched her breasts move up and down as she lay next to me.

"Nick isn't a Jewish name."

"Nope. I changed my name while I was in the military. Too many people had trouble saying or spelling the name my parents gave me. Shlomo."

"I like Nick. It sounds like a name a private investigator would have."

"Thanks."

"Can I ask a personal question?"

"Yes. I may not answer, but you can ask."

"When I told you last night that Mike said TV's were for people who don't like to fuck, you didn't even make a mild pass at me."

"You have two legs in casts, bruises all over, a three day old concussion and scrapes. A brute might want to risk hurting you to fuck with you. I'll wait until you are better able to fight me off before I make a pass. I want to throw away the TV. I wanted to throw it away last night."

"OK. I don't think I'll fight you off. I appreciate having some time to mend first."

"I have some things I need to get done today. I'll work it out to be gone no more than three hours so I'm back often enough to help you pee. I want you to promise that wherever you are when I leave you'll still be right there when I get back."

"OK, Boss."

I dressed after a quick shower and asked Jennifer where she wanted to be for the next three hours. She opted for staying in bed.

I went to my office, made and answered calls for two and a half hours and then turned the answering machine on and went home. Jennifer was right where I left her.

"Can we hurry? I need to go."

We made it. As she went I realized I needed to go, too. I carried her back to bed and then I went. She called out, "How come you stay with me and then I don't get to watch?"

"I didn't know you wanted to watch."

"I do."

"Maybe next time. What would you like for lunch?"

"Challah"

"Not today. Second choice?"

"Ham and cheese on rye bread with spicy mustard and a great pickle."

"My mother would plotz!"