Taking Charge (17 page)

Joy got up.
“Need to shop.” Jordan gave her his wallet.
“This time I am buying.” Joy smiled and kissed Jordan. Tanya got
up.
“So what are we buying today?” Joy smiled as they drove up to the
grocer.

Joy stood at the meat counter.
“And today we will have kebabs. A different selection. And make it.
Make it thirty.” Tanya whispered.
“Thirty!”
“Oh you never know.” Tanya grinned. They walked out with their
kebabs and Joy bought a few more items. She took out her purse and
paid.
“But Jordan said.”
“Yes. His wallet fell to the bottom of my bag and I could not get
it out in time.” Joy smiled.
“He covers my boarding and lodging. I do the food.” Tanya smiled
and shook her head. They headed back to the pub.

Jordan smiled as Joy handed him his
wallet.
“Spent it all.” Tanya nodded.
“Frivolous!” Jordan chuckled.
“I am in your kitchen. No peeking. No interfering. No being
inquisitive!” They all grinned as Joy walked through.
“What time is your live appearance?” Jordan grinned.
“Nine.”
“Plenty of time.”

They both walked up the stairs. Tanya
helped to make a huge potato salad. Joy had every single kebab in
the oven. Tanya groaned.
“It smells divine!” Joy smiled.
“There won’t be one left.”
“I have my doubts about that. There are only three of us.”
“At the moment.” Tanya grinned. They sat and had a cup of coffee. A
little while later their supper was ready. Tanya looked at her
watch and Joy smiled.

Jordan walked through.
“What smells so nice?” Lloyd walked through.
“Yes what smells so nice?” Tanya giggled. Dalton and Anne walked
through. They both smiled.
“Miss Sheridan?” Joy smiled.
“Goodness! The entire Lewis family!” Zeba grinned. Jordan grinned
and shook his head. Joy smiled and kissed Jordan.
“I guess we can do this in the lounge.” She opened the two
containers of kebabs and Tanya opened the salad. Zeba sighed. Lloyd
stepped up.
“Scoop.” Joy grinned.
“Now which would you like? Lamb?”
“Yes.”
“Chicken.”
“Yes.”
“Pork?” Lloyd nodded. He moved to Tanya. Tanya grinned and dished
up. Lloyd took his knife and fork and went and sat down on the
chair in the lounge. Anne smiled.
“I didn’t know we were coming for supper.” Joy smiled.
“We were hoping.” Jordan smiled. He took his plate and kissed Joy.
She smiled as they all walked through to the lounge.

Dalton and Anne sat on the floor with
Tanya. Lloyd shook his head and sighed.
“There is just something about a kebab. And these are divine!” Anne
smiled.
“And a lovely salad too. Thank you so much for having us over for
supper.” Jordan smiled.
“We have never had kebabs before Joy. This was a good idea.” Zeba
smiled and looked at Jordan. Jordan smiled.
“Well we haven’t.” Lloyd grinned.
“And what do you normally have then?” Tanya smiled.
“Macaroni and cheese. Chicken casserole. Alfredo. Salmon pasta
salad. All sorts.” Anne stared.
“Do you cook every night?” Jordan smiled and looked at Joy. She
looked at Jordan. Joy smiled and looked at Anne.
“Yes I cook every night.” Anne smiled.
“That is so nice. The motel doesn’t have a restaurant. They only
have a kettle in the rooms. Which I don’t understand anyhow.”
Jordan and Joy both smiled and nodded.

Anne smiled.
“That is kind of you Jordan. To let Joy use your kitchen.” Joy
smiled and nodded. Lloyd grinned.
“And how are their ablutions?” Joy nodded.
“Fine really.” Zeba smiled and nodded and looked at Joy who was
smiling. She looked at Jordan who hid his smile.

They all looked up. Craig grinned.
“Okay. Some person ordered six chairs and a table. And her name
would be Professor J Sheridan. Can I deliver?” Joy gasped.
“They came?” Craig smiled and nodded.
“Just point where you would like them.” Joy smiled and pointed at
the corner where the bar stools and table stood. Jordan looked at
Joy.
“Uhm. Well. You see. I kind of.” Lloyd roared with laughter. Craig
carried the two bar stools. Frank walked up and carried the table.
They both walked up and down with the six chairs and the table. Joy
looked at Jordan and bit her bottom lip. She whispered.
“I kind of forgot.” Jordan smiled and looked up as the chairs and
table were carried inside.

Craig smiled.
“We checked the one. Perfect. We will leave them sealed.” Joy
smiled.
“Frank, Craig, take a kebab.” They both smiled and each took a
kebab and walked downstairs. Jordan finished his meal and washed
his hands. He walked over to the chairs. Joy smiled as Dalton and
Lloyd joined him. They took off all the plastic wrapping. Jordan
stood back and smiled. He looked at Joy.
“Sweetheart these are absolutely gorgeous!” Tanya grinned.
“Your lollipop chairs!” Lloyd smiled as he hopped up and sat on the
bar stool.
“Now these are comfortable bar stools. What a novel idea. Doesn’t
take up much space. But the table is much bigger and nicer. And
again. Not much space.” Jordan smiled as he sat on the chair. He
nodded.
“Hell this is comfortable.” Dalton nodded as he sat on one of the
chairs.

They all took a turn to sit on the chairs.
Joy nodded and smiled.
“It is a hectic shade but.” Zeba shook her head.
“But it fits in perfectly. Definitely not dull and boring. It
actually livens this place up. This is lovely Jordan. What a good
choice you made.” Tanya grinned. Jordan smiled. He looked at Joy
and smiled.

Joy made a round of coffee. Lloyd walked
over and took another kebab. Jordan took another. Dalton
grinned.
“Oh what the heck!” They all chuckled. There were still a lot of
kebabs left.
“And what do you do with the leftover food?” Jordan smiled and
looked at Dalton.
“Goes into the fridge and it comes out another day or the next time
you see it you don’t recognize it.” Anne nodded.
“Neat idea. Making a little more.” Joy smiled and looked at
Jordan.
“Joy fully believes in abundance.” Joy giggled. Lloyd smiled.
“Well darling. That is how it should be. Lots and lots.” Jordan
smiled and nodded. Zeba smiled.
“Well. I had a glorious meal. Thank you for our dinner invitation.”
Jordan chuckled and nodded.
“We will see you later. Are you coming over tonight Joy?” Joy
smiled.
“Not too sure. I had a hectic day.” Tanya smiled.
“Come at eight for your one liqueur. Don’t even change. I am
staying like I am.” Jordan nodded.
“Why not?” Joy smiled.
“I might as well.” Zeba smiled.
“Lloyd. Are we going for something different tonight?” Lloyd smiled
and kissed Zeba.
“We can taste a few and see what we settle on.” They all
chuckled.

The family headed out. Tanya smiled. She
helped to put the plates in to soak.
“Those were divine.” Jordan smiled and nodded. He looked at the
left overs.
“Very nice!”
“You better take them another. They are probably still a little
hungry.” Jordan kissed Joy and headed down to the pub with the two
kebabs. Craig and Frank grinned as they each took one and tucked
in. Frank smiled.
“Since when do you get to eat such good stuff?” Jordan
grinned.
“Since I have my Joy.” Craig smiled.
“I think you need to start thinking marriage and proposals and
things. It has been long enough.” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“It feels like a whole lot longer.” They all smiled. Frank
nodded.
“When it is right. It is right.” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“And it is right.” They both smiled and looked at
Jordan.

Joy joined the family at eight. She wore
her school uniform. Jordan held her in his arms the whole
time.
Everyone commented
on the couple. Jordan smiled as Joy had one little liqueur and left
soon after. She went back upstairs and changed just before nine.
She came down to the pub dressed in a pair of little black shorts,
sheer black pantyhose and little high heeled ankle boots. She wore
a black tank top but she wore her wig. Jordan smiled as she walked
in. He whispered.
“I want to take you in my arms and make love to you right now.” Joy
smiled and looked at Jordan.
“Naughty.” He grinned.

The band was ready and waiting. Joy walked
over and clipped her microphone over her ear. She looked at
everyone.
“Evening folks!” They all clapped as Chase did a little solo on the
drums. Jordan grinned. They were in for a night of fun. The
excitement levels were rather high. Jordan took a seat. He looked
up at everyone.
“And welcome! We are going to open with a little Train. The song is
‘drive by’.” Clyde whooped. Joy smiled. They both started with the
guitar and Jordan stood up and started singing. He looked at Joy
the whole time. Even though it was a vibey song Joy knew he was
singing to her. Jordan closed his eyes and sang and smiled. He
opened his eyes and smiled at Joy. He winked at her. Joy smiled.
The dance floor was packed. Everyone joined in with the chorus
line. Joy looked at Jordan and he nodded and smiled.

The family watched Jordan singing. Zeba
looked at Lloyd and whispered.
“Oh those two can’t fool anyone. But she does look nice with that
wig. But none of them would actually recognize her. With all that
make up. And the black wig does throw them off course.” Lloyd
nodded and smiled. Tanya smiled as she looked at Zeba. She nodded.
Tanya walked over.
“Aren’t they awesome together?” Zeba nodded.
“I think that might be your future sister in law.” Tanya
nodded.
“And if he asks I hope she says yes.” Zeba smiled and
nodded.

The pub was so noisy no one even heard the
hum. Frank looked up and five new faces walked in. He smiled as he
looked at them. They all walked over and got something to drink.
Quartz looked at the singer and stared. She whispered to the
family.
“Whatever you do. Do not blow her cover. She is doing that for a
reason.” Graham nodded.
“Got it.” Zeba walked over.
“Quartz!” They all chuckled as they were hugged by Zeba. Lloyd
shook hands with them all. He introduced the family to each other.
They all sat down at the same table. They didn’t stop talking.
Shane got up.
“Come Tanya. Let’s go and dance.” Tanya chuckled and they walked
over.

Jordan smiled and whispered in Joy’s
ear.
“Don’t react. Okay.” Joy frowned and nodded.
“Life is a highway. Rascal Flatts.” The band smiled as they started
the song. Jordan sang most of the lyrics. Joy looked at Tanya and
then at Shaun. He nodded. Joy nodded and smiled and looked at
Jordan. He smiled and nodded. The entire pub sang out and sang the
chorus. Shane grinned and watched her hand. She showed him one
finger. He showed her five and she nodded. She moved over and
whispered in Jordan’s ear.
“The entire troop.” Jordan grinned and whispered.
“They can stay at the folks. More than enough space.” Joy nodded.
She looked around and spotted the family sitting with Jordan’s
family.

Quartz and Zeba were deep in discussion.
Everyone chatted to each other. Zeba smiled.
“Well we have news for you. Jordan and Joy are dating. And Joy has
made so many changes to the school. She has brought this entire
town to life.” Graham grinned.
“Not to their knees?” They all roared with laughter. Zeba shook her
head.
“No. She is actually doing a lot of good. The kids in this town
need her.” Roland nodded.
“She is good at what she does.” They all nodded. Lloyd looked at
Roland.
“Are you overnighting?” Roland nodded.
“We will try and get something at the motel.” Lloyd shook his
head.
“Gosh no. We have more than enough space at home. You can spend the
weekend with us.” Roland grinned.
“We could. Quartz honey. You okay with that?” Quartz nodded.
“That would be much nicer.” They all nodded. Graham grinned.
“Come Michael. Let’s go dance.” Quartz looked at them.
“It’s okay.” Roland looked at them both and they nodded.

They walked over and started dancing.
Shane grinned.
“Howdy doody boys!” Everyone chuckled as they listened. Zeba looked
at Frank.
“Frank I think we need to buy a bottle.” Frank grinned. Lloyd took
out his wallet.
“We no longer buy a glass. We buy the bottle Roland. Have you ever
heard of anything like that!” Roland grinned. Frank walked over
with a new bottle and two little glasses and poured. Roland took
the glass.
“Thank you sonny.” Quartz shook her head.
“I think maybe two more glasses Frank.” Frank grinned as he walked
away to get two more glasses. He walked over and poured their
glasses. Lloyd smiled and nodded.
“You can leave the bottle.” Frank chuckled as he walked
off.

Quartz looked up to check on the boys. They
were dancing with Shane and Tanya. Dalton and Anne had joined them.
They carried on sitting and chatting.

Jordan smiled.
“We need a break. A little Queen and then we will be back.” The pub
almost erupted as Joy started stomping her foot. Everyone sang
along. The song came to an end and they put their instruments down.
Joy and Jordan walked over to the folks. Joy smiled. Quartz
whispered.
“We are going to spend the night at Lloyd and Zeba’s.” Joy smiled
and nodded. The rest of the family joined them. They didn’t even
talk to Joy. They knew there was a reason for the wig and all the
makeup.

Jordan smiled.
“We will pop over a little later. I think we are going to be here
all night.” Quartz smiled.
“Not a problem. I am sure we might still be up. I am wide awake.”
Jordan nodded. Roland smiled.
“I hear good things Jordan. Dating a young lady now.” Jordan smiled
and nodded. Craig handed both Joy and Jordan their special Irish
Coffee. Quartz looked.
“Oh Craig. I think we need a round of those please.” Jordan
smiled.
“Real deal.” Craig smiled. He looked at the table.
“How many?” They all nodded. Craig chuckled. Graham grinned.
“We can double up. Whoever is not sober enough can leave their bike
here.” Jordan smiled.
“No problem. Let’s get your bikes parked out the back for the
night. You can take my van.” Graham nodded.
“That would be better.” Roland looked up.
“Frank you free?” Tanya got up.
“I’ll step in.” Frank walked over.
“Can you park our bikes out back for the night?” Frank
grinned.
“Sure.” He took all the keys and grinned. He walked out and started
riding the bikes to the back. He sighed as he parked the fifth
bike. He ran inside and smiled. He handed the keys back. Quartz
smiled.
“Thank you Frank. We don’t like taking chances.” Frank nodded and
smiled.
“We have ourselves a parking lot out there.” They all
grinned.