It was the night of the first school dance of the Alexandra Academy school year but Vera Fisher was not supervising. She and Arthur Van Burren had a draw and his name was pulled. She would do the next one with a different rotation of supervising staff. Vera had gone home happily to a night of her own peace and quiet. She had soaked in the tub to relax and then done an online yoga class, a relaxing one that almost put her to sleep. But she didn’t want to sleep, she wanted a night of down time. Vera also kind of wanted a conversation with Joseph but they were trying to keep things in check, so she wasn’t pushing it. Her father’s affairs were in order though. His estate was sorted.
Darwin Fisher had been cremated and buried and Flora had stood at the graveside with her iPad while Vera, Landon, Ronja, Beth and Jan had watched on their screens. Joseph had been in the room with Vera but out of the view of her screen. He had truly been her rock. The only person she’d told the truth about him was her best friend Dot from Nanaimo. Dot was over the moon about the idea of Vera having a fellow and Vera had to tell her to simmer down, since they were trying to keep things subdued themselves. On that page, Vera didn’t overdo it with calls and texts, even though she pined for Joseph’s company.
Now she was still in her soft grey yoga tights and teal green tank top, with a built in light bra with her yoga mat rolled out on the floor in front of the coffee table while she ate a simple bowl of pasta and sauce with some parmesan cheese and drank a glass of water in front of the beginning of a movie. It was Sense and Sensibility, the film based on the Jane Austen novel. Vera knew it well but it was a good unwind movie for her.
Joseph had parted company with Lydia Alvin in front of the Parthenon. She had begun cutting across the park while he headed for the beach. The ‘date’ had been a near disaster and he decided they did not need to be walking home together, considering they lived on the same street. He was effectively dressed for work … or any other formal occasion. Three piece suit and polished business loafers. He imagined he would be quite the sight walking along the beach, so he stuck to the sidewalk. Before he knew it, his feet took him where his thoughts already were, Vera’s apartment building. He paused and looked around, although there was no one in sight, then he took a few steps back and looked up to where he knew the wndows to her living room, kitchen and bedroom to be. There was faint light, which suggested that she was home. But he hasn't called ahead, so she could be busy. He wasn’t one to show up unannounced, but … he pulled out his phone and found her number, sending her a text message;
Standing on the walk in front of your building. Feel like company?
He sent it and felt a little like that teenaged boy again. At least, he told himself, he wasn’t throwing pebbles at her window trying to get her attention.
Vera sat curled up on her couch watching the three proper women in bonnets converse about the trials of their Edwardian lives as she finished her pasta. She set the bowl down beside her phone on the coffee table as the screen lit up and buzzed with a message from Joseph. She read it and beamed and then impulsively texted back:
Yes please come up.
She hit send and then realized she was in yoga clothes and smelled like garlicky pasta sauce. He was a fairly fast walker so she prioritized brushing her teeth before trying to find something more appropriate to wear. She was a tall willowy woman but she had enough curves to be feminine even in a tank top and tights. In fact Vera was effortlessly feminine and graceful. She was brushing her teeth and rifling through her closet when she heard footsteps in the hallway. Dammit. She ran to spit and rinse quickly and then went to the door, looked down briefly at her clothes and gave a resigned sigh and then opened it to Joseph before he even knocked “Hi.” She said with a sort of sheepish smile “I was about to change but you walk too fast. Come in.” He was in a suit. He frequently was and in Vera’s eyes he wore them well.
Joseph jogged into the building, amused at the lack of security. It was an old building and surely, if the crime rate was ever high enough they would have put in a security entrance long ago. He also jogged up the stairs, but slowed to a walk in the hallway. Lifting his hand to knock, Vera opened the door before he could and he smiles at her. She looks casual and when she tells him she had been changing, he shook his head. “You look fine to me.” he told her. “And I can put you in touch with several judges who say I don’t walk fast enough.” he smiled and walked in. He saw the movie paused and winced “I’m interrupting your movie night.” he assumes.
Vera smiles and then laughs about the judges and then waves dismissively at the paused movie “An old friend I can finish watching another time.” She picks up her yoga mat off the floor and rolls it up “You’re not coming from work are you? I managed not to be on dance duty tonight.” She set the rolled mat aside. “Can I get you anything? I could make us a pot of tea?” She picks up her pasta bowl and fork to tidy up.
Joseph grins at the movie being an old friend. He had a couple of those as well. “No, you don’t need to bother unless you were planning to have some yourself.” he tells her about the tea and then pauses. “No, I actually finished up early. I seem to do that a lot since moving here. I’m um … coming from a … well, a date I got roped into at the Thrifty’s.” he admits, not sounding terribly thrilled about it.
Vera had been smiling but when Joseph says he’s come from a date her smile falters “I see...” He did say roped into. She chuckles a bit “I’ll try not to be jealous. Truly. You’re finished the date rather early? Was she nice?” Vera sets down her bowl in the kitchen. She felt like her feelings for Joseph were returned but they were trying not to be together. Perhaps this was his solution? See other people?
Joseph comes further in and sighs. “I ate like I was late for court. She did, too.” he moves into the kitchen and stands behind her. “Shes a nice enough woman. Lydia Alvin? Her friend set us up literally as I was buying groceries. I had Levi sent me this about 45 minutes in.” his hand appears in front of her. It’s his text conversation with Levi. Below boring things is;
If you haven’t told her you don't like her like a big boy then tell her Trump has you on retainer and he’s really stepped in it this time. If you don’t, I'm feeding the sibs ice cream and sending them to rescue you.
She feels the warmth from him when he’s standing behind her and turns like it’s a beacon. “Lydia Alvin? She’s quite a formidable woman. Beautiful in that voluptuous goddess way....” Vera compliments but she does believe it. Then she listens and reads the text and exhales. “Sorry for being such a schoolgirl about it. Your son is hilarious. How did Lydia take it when you cut the evening short?” She looks truly little relieved. It was a set up and Joseph had come to her after.
Joseph nods. “She is. A but too much for my tastes.” he snorts a bit. “Levi is a lifesaver, but I suppose it wasn’t entirely fair to ask him to save me like I’m not a … what did he call me?” he double checks the message. “A big boy.” he chuckles. “Oh, Lydia was fine with it when I just confessed I am not attracted to her. She wasn’t attracted to me, either so … no need to spill on my real reasons.”
Now Vera looks at Joseph tenderly and steps closer, putting her arms around his shoulders. “Well I’m glad. I wasn’t sure where you were going with that at first..” She admits with a little blush “I’ve become rather smitten with you Joseph....” She searches his face with her big blue eyes.
Joseph puts his arms around her waist and looks into her eyes. “I’m glad to hear that, Vera.” he tells her. “Because I’m crazy about you.” he sighs deeply and bites his lip. “I … don’t know how much longer I can resist you.” he leans in, almost but not quite kissing her.
Vera sees the look on his face and hears his words and inhales as she smiles, closing her eyes “Then don’t...” She whispers “Don’t resist.....” She pulls him a little closer and opens her eyes looking into Joseph’s “Make me yours Joseph ....I want to be.” Then she bravely leans in and tries to kiss him, just lightly. But the spark still happens.
Joseph reaches up to caress her face as she tells him to make her his. “Yes…” he accepts her light kiss, but the spark .. the tingle … the life can still be felt in it. He kisses her more deeply and with a bit more passion. It feels almost like he now has permission to do what he’s wanted from the moment he met her.
Vera kisses Joseph back with matched passion and gets lost in it. She runs her hands down his chest and over his suit jacket and then gently she pulls at the lapels like she wants the jacket to come off, sliding it back off his shoulders as she keeps kissing him intensely.
Joseph sheds his jacket needing only the slightest of hints from Vera that she wants it off. It drops to the floor and he could care less. He begins to walk backwards with her, knowing her bedroom is behind him someplace.
*****WARNING*****Graphic sexual content below. Reader discretion is advised.
Vera steers their walking and smiles into her kisses. They finally weren’t holding back and it was glorious. Her fingers nimbly undo Joseph’s tie and then she pulls it out from the collar and lets it fall to the floor. She begins undoing the buttons on his shirt and by the time the bed hits the back of her legs she’s got it open and is easing it off him as she noses up and down and kisses his upper chest “Joseph...” She murmurs and breathes into him. Her bedroom is simple and elegant with a queen size bed that has a floral quilt on it and many many pillows. She has traditional looking dark wood furniture, a dresser, two night tables and by the window a sort of fancy settee with a pretty flowered fan over it.
Joseph is vaguely aware that he is leaving a trail of clothing in their wake, which is fine by him. When they reach the bed, he leans her back to sit on it. It’s a somewhat familiar bed, as he’d slept in it before … and with her, but never like this. He leans down, still kissing her, but also trying to get her tank top off of her. Despite his eagerness, he is taking his time.
Vera lifts her arms and breaks the kiss as her tank top comes off over her head. It had a built in bra so now she looks at him and smiles a little, bare breasted before his now bare chest. She’s smaller breasted but not tiny. She hesitates for a moment too, wanting to savour this, caressing Joseph’s chest and back like she’s mapping his body through her touch.
Joseph tosses her top blindly to the side, then enjoys a moment her caress before he backs up a bit to look at her bare top. “Beautiful Vera.” he murmurs and kisses her lips, then her cheek, followed by her neck and then her breasts, lowering her to a laying position from her sitting one. He reaches around her for a few of the many pillows, tossing them at his feet and beneath hers.
Vera looks at Joseph with love and returns the sentiment “So are you.” She kisses him back and gives happy little breathy gasps as his kisses move. Vera is not a moaner. She has a fairly soft voice in general and the communication of her pleasure is very much through breath and facial expression with an occasional soft whimper when things are really heightened. But for now it’s breath and lots of smiling at everything Joseph is doing. She lies back as he moves her and has to giggle about the pillows. She had reduced them the night he slept over and just slept. “I like pillows...it’s a sickness.”
Joseph chuckles when she confesses her sickness. He begins to work the yoga pants and anything underneath him off of her. “That’s a good thing.” he tells her and if she can get out of the yoga pants, she’ll find out why.
Vera lifts her hips and smiles at his words as she feels her pants and panties come off with his hands pulling them. She has a moment of trepidation. He’s had a younger wife, a vain one from the sound of her. Vera didn’t follow certain women’s trends in personal grooming like some of the women’s magazines talked about. She gave him a warning as her bottoms came off “I don’t...I tend to be a bit old fashioned and natural...” He would likely see her dark brown pubic hair as she said the words. She did tend to her bikini line for swimsuits but everything beyond was untouched. He had put pillows under her feet which was curious and new to her.
Joseph reveals her lower half of his eyes and inhales a shuddering breath, even as she explains that she is not much of a groomer. He kisses her thigh. “I am an old fashioned man sometimes.” he tells her. He sets his hands on her knees and lowers himself onto the floor of her bedroom. The pillows he set there cushion older knees from had floors. He parts her knees and kisses her inner thigh, inhaling deeply. “Vera you’re beautiful and I love you.” he murmurs, placing his hand on her mound and separating her natural hairs.
Vera smiles in relief and then gasps “Oh my goodness...Joseph...I love you too...” She does an almost half situp to watch him and caresses his hair.
Joseph glances up her body as she sits up a little bit. Then he glances down at her womanhood and licks his lips. He has a great deal of experience pleasing women, and he likes doing it. Not diving right in, he begins to tease her, moving his tongue around her clit, just barely brushing it.
Vera smiles and then bites her lip as Joseph begins. She eventually lies back and just lets the sensations he’s creating in her with his gentle teasing move through her. Joseph was amazing. Neither of her husbands had taken this committed approach to pleasing her this way. The first one most definitely not. James had been loving and sweet but a bit few and far between with stuff like this. And she had the sense Joseph was just getting started.
Joseph is quite comfortable on his knees and between Vera’s legs, so he does take his time pleasing her. The circles around her clit begin to brush the clit itself. He also strokes her thighs and looks up at her, his eyes showing her the love he is feeling for her.
Vera’s breath becomes more audible. She presses back into Joseph’s tongue, into his face. She looks down at him and returns the loving look. She rolls her head back again after and gasps as she feels herself gently thrust again. “I’m yours Joseph...completely...” She submits herself to him and this moment, body, mind and soul.
Joseph loves every gasp and thrust she gives. He hears her and pans softly with his tongue on her clit. Then he moves it .. not too fast, but faster than he had been teasing her. He is dorectly on her clit now, wanting to make her cum, feel her cum, hear her cum.
Vera starts pressing back more and more, feeling the beautiful aching pressure in her body building. She starts to pant and she’s smiling. Her upper body arches and her legs tremble. Her toes curl and she thrusts at Joseph, gasping herself into a series of little whimpers as she cums hard and feels her entire universe explode. She grabs Joseph’s shoulder, trying to pull him up “Please...” She pants “Joseph I need you in me...” Her climax isn’t slowing yet and she smiles at him.
Joseph immediately loves the way Very cums and is undoing and taking of his pants and boxers by the time she tells him she needs him. He needs her just as much and is as hard as it is possible for him to be. As she pulls him, he also climbs up and between her legs, positioning himself and pressing in, fighting against her orgasm. “God … Vera …” he moans, sinking into her completely.
Vera feels Joseph inside her and hooks her fingers around the back of his shoulders, thrusting up at him and feeling the depth of their lovemaking and connection. Those little sparks have nothing on this feeling. She’s still shuddering as waves of her climax wash over them together “ Joseph I love you.” She exclaims breathlessly. She holds onto him and moves with him, almost imploring him to the heights of his pleasure. She squeezes him from the inside as she moves.
Joseph is not loud because he’s had children in his house most of his adult life. But he moans softly as they make love. There is a contentment at being physically as close to her as he can possibly be. Best feeling in the world for him. “I love you, Vera.” he breathes, Her little squeezes work on him, increasing his pleasure, and he fights that feeling because he wants even a little more time inside of her.
Vera keeps moving with Joseph exactly as she has been. She smiles and gasps and feels another little crescendo that makes her whimper again and bury her face in Joseph’s neck as she keeps thrusting and holding on like she never wants to let him go ever again.
Joseph thrust into her a bit faster, as the pleasure he feels with her cannot be denied. “Vera….” he grumbles. “My beautiful Vera.” he thrusts as deeply into her as he can, cumming hard with a nearly primal growl of pleasure. He buries his head in her neck as it ebbs and blows out a breath of contentment.
Vera finishes completely with Joseph. She can’t believe their chemistry and alignment. She wraps her arms around him and just holds him tightly, nosing into his hair as she feels her eyes watering. She’s crying unexpectedly but it’s with tears of joy. Her tears soak his ear a bit and she can’t help but laugh lightly. “My goodness Joseph...”
Joseph rolls them on their sides, slipping out of her as she noses his hair. He holds her close as she begins to cry. Her laughter suggests they aren’t sad tears and he smiles at her. “You are incredible, Vera.” he tells her, as he kisses away one of the tears. “Are you alright?” he just wants to make sure they are happy tears and not sad ones. He’s read women wrong before.
Vera sniffs, still smiling and nods “Thank you. So are you. I’m more than alright Joseph. I’m overwhelmed with happiness.” She gives him a little hug after she says it and they’re side lying.
Joseph rolls onto his back after the hug and pulls her close. She could even lay on top of him, if she wanted to. “I get that.” he finally replies. “You make me very happy, Vera. And I’m glad this day finally came.” he chuckles, teasing a bit.
Vera starts to settle in but then fusses and rearranges the quilt so she can pull it over them and snuggles in properly with the side of her face on Joseph's chest. Now it’s perfect. “I’ve never felt quite this connected to anyone Joseph….I can’t even wrap my head around it. And I’m very glad too.” She lifts her head and kisses him sweetly.
Joseph gets under the covers with Vera and snuggles with her. He smiles at her. “I know what you mean. I can’t explain it. I love it. I love you. The last couple of weeks … trying to be professional.” he sighs. “I mean I know we still have to be professionals. Technically you're not my client anymore since all that with your father is taken care of, but you still have to worry about the school., right?”
Vera smiles and nods “I love you too. My father’s affairs are sorted yes...I’m not sure how it works with this school. I mean in a town this size we have cross over. Arthur doesn’t have any children...I mean as far as I know but so many of the teachers have their kids in the school or even grandchildren. Judith Baldwin has her step grandchildren in her homeroom this year. My son is the gym teacher and my three grandchildren are there too. I know the general etiquette from other places….maybe we just need to observe for a while. And how would your children take it? I mean they just went through a big upheaval moving and with the divorce. I don’t ever want to cause Ruth and Daniel any upset. I know Levi is an adult….”
Joseph listens and nods, until she gets to wondering how his children would react. “I think they might be afraid that I was heading for another divorce. But I honestly think they would like you because you aren’t half my age. And …” he shrugs. “You have money, so you don’t need mine.” he bites is lip and looks a little ashamed. “You look nothing like Talia … which might also tell at least my older sons, like Levi a great deal. My fourth and fifth … looked a lot like her. But you? You're not even Jewish and I fell head over tails with you.”
Vera nods about the fear his kids could have and then laughs about the age “I’m no spring chicken as my father loved to tell me.” She nods about the money and then looks curious “What did Talia and I suppose those who came after her look like? It sounds like you had a type for very sad reasons Joseph….and no I’m not Jewish but I will always respect your faith and culture. My parents were vaguely Anglican in the early part of their marriage but church didn’t stick as a lifestyle. I was baptized as a baby but that’s about it. And I have definitely fallen madly in love with you.”
Joseph grinned. He really loved being with a woman in his own age group. “Well, all my former wives were Jewish .. mostly that tends towards dark hair and brown eyes. My first three were my age, but yes … after Talia died and I started feeling a little lonely .. They wound up being in their 20’s. You don’t have to be Jewish. I am and I think God will be happy with that much. I attend virtual Temple and keep Kosher when I can. But even that got harder once Talia died.” he smiles at her. “Now I am old, in love with a beautiful blue-eyed goy and happier than I’ve been in I don’t even know how long.” he winks and kisses her.
Vera has to laugh “I guess I’m glad we met when we did then so I can be the blue eyed goy?” She kisses him back. “Will your family judge you if I’m not Jewish? Are you essentially the patriarch figure or is there another older Samuels? A brother or uncle? I’m really it for the Fisher clan now and my kids I guess. Not that they listen to me or take my advice.” She chuckles.
Joseph chuckles with Vera and pulls her a little closer. “You can be the unique one.” he tells her. “I am the patricah, but Jewish families follow the mother’s line and as far as I am concerned that means Esther. But I don’t think she will have any problems with you. My son’s probably won’t. Levi certainly won’t as his boyfriend is also a goy, so I’m not the first.” he laughs. “My sons usually take my advice on legal matters. Four of them are lawyers and I think the younger ones may consider law school. Nepotism can be very tempting.”
Vera smiles “I always like being the unique one.” she teases back. “Someday, when we’re ready, I’d love to meet Esther, Levi...and all your kids. I think I’ve seen Levi. He looks like you. Not as handsome as the older model...but i’m biased. I’m sure his goy boyfriend would say the opposite.Do you want them all to be lawyers? I have to admit I was a little over the moon when Landon went into teaching. But of course i support everything Beth does as well.”
Joseph kisses her after her tease. “I will welcome that day, my love. He tells her and laughs. “Most likely he would. And most of my sons seem interested in law. I don’t know about Daniel or Ruth … maybe they are too young yet. Ruth would be the first female Samuel if she becomes a lawyer to join the firm.” he swells a little bit in pride and hope.
Vera taps his chest and laughs “So you do want them to be lawyers. That’s adorable. Ruth is very clever. I’m sure she’d make a good one if she chose that path.” She runs her fingers up to his face and cups his cheek looking at him “Is there a chance you could stay the night? I’ll never assume it because of your kids….but if I had my way we’d share a bed every night.”
Joseph chuckles. “I would like it, yes. But it’s also very good pay .. and it IS the family business.” he kisses her. “I could spend the night, yes. Levi has Ruth and Daniel went to that dance, then he’ll be going to Levi’s too. He promised to call or text and tell me all about it. He had a date with a girl named .. um … Heley Black? Brown? A color. Maybe I am going senile.”
Vera looks very happy he can stay the night and then makes a face “Hayley Brown…...she’s nice. The kids are. But they’re Craig Brown’s children. One of our custodians. I honestly can’t stand him. He’s the guy that interrupted us by the door. He’s always doing things like that to me. I think he doesn’t like taking any direction from a woman so he’s pushing back in little ways...either arguing with me when I ask him to do a simple task or leering at me like he’s checking me out. He’s married. I’ve never seen the wife or heard a thing about her. Our other custodian...the head custodian...Wil….well he’s the nicest guy ever and he talks non stop about his wife Sarah. He’s madly in love with her and he’s respectful to everyone. So I feel for Hayley Brown...and little Laura and the mystery wife. There’s another boy younger than Maddox too, Dustin but I feel like Craig might hate women so it may be worse for the females in his life.”
Joseph nods. “Brown. I was right the second time.” He looks interested in this custodian. “I remember him. He doesn’t talk about his wife at all?” he finds that hard to believe and it shows. “Well, he shouldn’t be leering at you .. or of course any other employee, but I have to admit I’m a little biased .. well .. a lot biased. Are the kids OK .. Hayley and little Laura?”
Vera nods “I don’t like it but he seems to know where the line is and just stays on the other side of it so I can’t officially call him on anything.” She sighs “I don’t know if the kids are ok to be honest. It gives me a bad feeling but there’s nothing concrete. Their oldest...Maddox has major behaviour problems though like he’s acting out…..and he’s always got some sort of injury. He’s athletic but honestly Landon was and is very athletic and as he got older...Maddox’s age the injuries were less. I mean they learn to stretch properly, use the equipment and padding as they train…..I shouldn’t speculate….but Craig is just creepy. I can’t put my finger on it.”
Joseph listens and sighs a couple of times. “Yes … I have eight sons and after a while they learned to stretch properly, they learned how to move better even.” he bites his lip. “I wish I could help. Right now … there’s no evidence of … anything … so …” he’s a lawyer and by nature a bit on the cynical side.
Vera sighs “I know. I’m keeping an eye on him. I try to go to Wil for any custodial requests and avoid him otherwise. I did tell Arthur my concerns too so we’re both watching. I really do hope those kids are ok. I’m glad Daniel had befriended Hayley….she could probably use a few more nice friends if she does have a terrible father. But you’re right...we can’t do anything if there’s nothing obvious or shared. We can only be kind and hope for the best.” She gives Joseph a sweet kiss and snuggles back into him.
Joseph smiles and happily cuddles for a few minutes. Then he starts a little bit. “I’d better bring my phone closer, eh? One minute.” he gets out of bed and pads, buck naked, through to the kitchen, where he picks up his suit jacket. Then he heads back, collecting his tie and shirt along the way, grinning ot himself. His clothes and brings them all back to the bedroom, where he sets them all neatly for the morning. He pulls his phone from his jacket and sets it on the tale beside the bed on ‘his’ side and finally gets back in with Vera. “Now I am ready to hear all about this dance.”
Vera thoroughly enjoys watching Joseph walk around her home naked. As he collects his things though she slips on her favourite silky nightgown, navy blue with an old fashioned cream coloured lace trim and straps. She had purposely not worn this to bed the night they chose to spend just sleeping. But as he came back with his things and his phone she was in it and now back under the covers smiling “You’re really expecting a full report?” She teases “I love your optimism Joseph, and I love you.”
Joseph chuckles. “Actually, some of the younger ones will at least tell me they’re home.” he sighs a bit. “In a busier time, I could usually be counted on to be at the office at this time on a Friday night. Or almost any night. It annoyed wives, but not Taia .. I .. was pretty much a 7 to 7 guy while she was alive.”
Vera smiles “I work late quite often as well and I’ll never be annoyed if you have to. I don’t understand people not being patient with their spouses about that. If you’re communicating….that’s what counts. And 7 to 7 is very similar to my schedule. Tallia sounds like she was the only reasonable person you married. Let me assure you other reasonable women exist…” She laughs.
Joseph snorts. “Communication was not most of their strong suits. Shopping, yes.” he kisses her softly and caresses her face. “I know there are other reasonable women in the world. One of them lets me sleep in her bed.” he teases.
Vera leans into the caress and kisses Joseph back and has to chuckle “Well I do like shopping but I keep myself in check. And you can sleep in my bed any night you want…” She offers truly.
Joseph grins. “I might just do that.” he suggests. “I’ve … well I’ve been thinking of at least taking it easier … and maybe … maybe retirement … but … probably just taking it easier ….” he sounds very uneasy, maybe even afraid of retiring.
Vera looks curiously at Joseph “So what does taking it easier look like for Joseph Samuels? Because I’ve seen your work habits benefitted even from them. And of course thank you for all that.” She runs a finger up his arm to his collar bone “And no one’s making you retire you know….”
Joseph considers and blows out a breath. “I’m not actually sure, to be honest.” he admits. “Maybe it looks like how I worked when I was married to Talia and only worked a 12 hour day? Since she died I’ve been working from maybe 6 in the morning until 10 or 11 at night. Part of it is that I run our firm, especially now we’ve branched into British Columbia. My older 3 sons are back on the east coast, but I still supervise them.” he shrugs. “Since we had to move here, I’m down to 12 hours on a busy day. I technically don’t even have an office in the law building. It’s just too small, so I work from home. I am usually there when the kids come home from school. I kind of .. like it.” he smiles and shivers slightly when she runs her finger along his arm. “I know no one is … but I sort of like feeling closer to my kids. I might drive them insane, but I like it. I’m even learning to cook.”
Vera listens patiently and smiles lovingly at Joseph “You did tell me about the chef the day we met. You’ll find the balance Joseph. Maybe having a slightly smaller household for a while might help too?”
Joseph nodded. “I hope so .. and less pressure since I am not coming home to a place where I am not wanted.” he opens his mouth to speak when his phone rings. He reaches over to get it and sits up a little. He taps an icon. “Hey Daniel .. how did the dance go?” he has the volume up a bit, so Vera can hear both sides of he conversation.
Daniel’s voice sounds excited. “Oh my god, it was incredible! There were gay couples and Tony Penhall made this AMAZING entrance and a girl slapped a boy for being a pervert .. but I don’t think Stefen was trying to be a pervert. I don’t know I haven’t talked to him yet. But Tony and Candra were kissing in the middle of the dance floor. I’ve never seen anything like it, Dad! The Academy dances were so BORING in comparison.” he pauses. “Anyway, Hayley was really pretty and I got to dance with her. Levi picked us up but walked far enough behind us that it was like he wasn’t even there and that was great and I dropped her off right in front of her building like a gentleman and …” he pauses again. “I kissed her.” that is followed immediately with. “Only on the cheek, Dad .. nothing inappropriate or illegal or anything.” he gets it all out in an excited rush which takes about half the time it would hed he just been calm or bored.
Joseph listens and his brows go up and down along with the corners of his mouth at the roller coaster that dance seemed to be. “Well we know there are gay people in tow. But its good to see they aren’t afraid to be open in a public setting.” The brows are up at hearing that his friend Stefan was slapped. “Well, maybe he’ll fill in the details for you later. Never assume, you know that.” he looks bemused at the two kids kissing right in the middle of the dance floor. He knew the dances at the boys old school were very muted with everyone on their best behavior as they were constantly reminded that they were the future and it was always implied that they had to be the best of the best no matter where they were. He grins at Levi’s giving them plenty of space, so they almost felt as if they weren’t being chaperoned. And he smiles outright at the news of the kiss. “Well, I’m glad to hear you had a good time. I’m a little surprised you called. I expected a text.”
Daniel is silent a minute. “Well, I mean we talked about the dance last year and it’s … I know I’m probably too old now … and don’t expect me to call you with every date, Dad. But this was SO different. SO cool. I am SO glad we moved here, Dad. You have NO idea!” his voice seems to change. “Save some for me! Seriously aren’t you supposed to go to bed early. You’re still a little kid.” There’s a scoff in the background and then Daniel returns. “God .. Dad I gotta go or Ruth is gonna eat all my pizza. We’ll be back um … by dinner tomorrow?” he offers. “OH .. Dad .. gotta go .. love you.” and the line goes dead.
Joseph laughs as the call is ended for pizza. “So … Daniel’s home safe.”
Vera looked a little saddened when Joseph mentioned about previously feeling like he had been coming home to a home where he was not wanted. She couldn’t imagine any woman in her right mind not wanting this man to come home to her. She looked forward to every second she got with him. When his phone rings and it’s Daniel, Vera stays still and quiet. Joseph’s family didn’t know about them yet and she didn’t want to rush any or that. She does listen though since she can hear and it seems Joseph has set the volume for the call to be shared with her ears. She smiles about the gay couples and is thankful the school is so accepting and wonderfully diverse. Vera was aware of Tony Penhall and his musical prowess. She frowns a bit at the story of the boy being called a pervert and getting slapped. Vera hoped that was a simple misunderstanding and not something she’d be untangling via angry parent emails on Monday morning. Kids said all kinds of things though so it might just be a heated argument. She gives Joseph a sweet look as Daniel talks about Hayley and kissing her on the cheek. What a nice boy. After their earlier conversation and worry about Hayley Brown she hopes things can just be fun and happy for them. As for the kids kissing on the dance floor, it was inevitable from dances she’d seen before. But if the passiones were erupting at the first dance, she might make a note to have teachers patrol some of the out of the way places and do sweeps of the bathrooms. Vera had taught elementary, junior high and high school and had been an administrator now for 10 years. She had seen EVERYTHING kids could attempt to get away with. The pizza conversation makes her silently chuckle and when the call is ended she says “Well he sounds happy. That’s nice. Oh I wish I could listen to all that without my vice principal alarm bells going off in my head.” she laughs and shakes her head “I truly hope what happened at the dance stays at the dance but I know better….and it rarely does.”
Joseph lowers the volume on his phone. He’d turned it up as he’d brought it from the kitchen floor. He settles into the bed with her again and again, he chuckles. “Yes .. I think he had a good time .. and I’m afraid I had a lawyer alarm in my head. What were yours going off about?” he wonders, pulling her close and continuing their snuggling session.
Vera snuggles into Joseph easily like they’d been doing this in bed every night for many years together. She nods and lifts her head to look at him “Well the boy who was slapped and called a pervert. I’m hoping that was some teenage dating spat but it worries me.” Then she shrugs “And the two kissing on the dance floor….now that’s always a factor. Young love, young hormones. There are kids like your Daniel over the moon to kiss a girl on the cheek. And then there are the kids I’ve had to pound on bathroom stall doors to get them to stop having sex in what’s basically a semi public place. I’m jaded...I’ve seen it all unfortunately. And not that sex is wrong….but in that context it’s often an impulsive hormonal choice leading to a world of regret.”
Joseph listens and nods. “Both of those can go in any direction. It is my hope that our professions never have to cross. I’m not a cop, but we defend and, of course, if we have to we alert police and prosecutors to a case.” he sighs. “Daniel is still young. I hope he won’t worry too much about sex before he’s sixteen, but .. and maybe this is the old man in me, kids seem to hurry into sex these days.”
Vera nods “They really can. And I hope so as well.” she sighs about Daniel “He seems to be determined to be a gentleman so let’s hope he holds onto that idea. And yes I’m a bit old fashioned as well. I mean I did have sex with my high school boyfriend, Jonathan….we were completely clueless and fumbling…..but we were also in our senior year and had been in a relationship for most of it. My kids were a bit earlier boarding that train and it was stressful to watch. The key is you have to make them think you’re not freaking out about it...even though you’re freaking out about it.” She laughs.
Joseph chuckled. “I lost my virginity just before my high school graduation, myself. Then we went to separate colleges and … I had a couple of girls before I met my first wife. Mostly experimenting.” he sighs. “I didn’t worry too much with the boys. Yosef, David and Natan all came to me before high school ended, asking me about condoms. I told them what I knew, which actually wasn’t a lot. They taught me more about birth control than I had ever known, really. Levi never talked to me about sex. Never brought anyone home for us to meet. I assumed he had lost his virginity by college, but hadn’t met anyone he was that serious with. Now I know why, but at the time, I wondered if he’d ever find love.” he shrugs. “I’ve been told that Immanuel and Mordechi have both talked to Levi about condoms. Elazar so far not, but he is closer to his brothers than to me. Daniel … well Ihtink it’s about time he and I talked about sex. And Ruth … she’s only 10. I have time … I’d better have time.” he shakes his head. “With my boys I have fewer fears. With Ruth I am absolutely terrified of that day.”
Vera snickers “Again you surpass me in experience...but I’m not trying to compete. Also I can only imagine that women have rather easily fallen for you your whole life…..a bit biased maybe.” She nods “James and I had to learn a lot about condoms….and then with Beth...dentals dams. We uh joined the parents group for Lesbian and Gay youth when she came out and there were some very educational seminars. I am very glad that Levi found someone he loves. And despite all that knowledge Landon got someone pregnant when he was 15. The young woman miscarried and it scared him into behaving. After all that it actually took he and Ronja WAY too long to start having children for my liking...but I understood his caution. You should definitely talk to Daniel...and Ruth. I know it’s scary, but the alternative is scarier. Has she had a period yet?”
Joseph blinks. “Dental dam? I’ve never heard of that one…” he winces at Landon getting a girl pregnant. “Well, I .. never used birth control while I was married. Which is why I have nine kids. I had that vasectomy after Ruth, but that’s as close as I got.” he sighs. “I know and I think I will talk to Daniel this weekend.” but then he visibly tenses. “No … she has not.” he winces. “I hate to think how her mother would have treated her as a grown woman. Ruth doesn’t even need a bra yet.” he suddenly blinks. “Oh my god … that’s falling on me, isn’t it?”
Vera nods “Neither had I. Safe sex for active lesbians apparently.” She shrugs “My first marriage was very tumultuous and short lived. And with James I had a diaphragm...talk about old fashioned. Now I think IUDs are more the thing.” She smiles about him talking to Daniel and then pats his hand about Ruth “Technically yes….but I could help you through it, and her. It’s probably a bit less embarrassing with the invention of online shopping. Beth will tell anyone who listens the horror of me talking to her too loudly outside the change room asking how her first one was fitting. And you know I don't talk loud...but any word I said sounded like me shouting it from the rooftops in that moment.”
Joseph sighs. “SO many different kinds of birth control these days. I have to admit when Immanuel asked me about lube flavors I told him that he might want to look it up online and how much did he think I knew about birth control with him and his 8 siblings.” he blows out a breath. “Bras and … oh god .. well there IS Esther. But I would like to help but .. what do I know about periods and bras and … pads and … tampons?”
Now Vera laughs “Oh the mysteries of womanhood. She’s ten now? Joseph you should have some things in the cupboard for her. I can buy them if you want. It could literally be any day. The bra can wait but if her period catches her by surprise that can be quite an embarrassment for a young lady. We’ll get her some pads. Most girls don’t use tampons right away….it’s a bit more personal.”
Joseph sits up a little in alarm. “Any day now? No … no .. because then she can have babies. SO … no.” he says it as if his word is holy writ. “But yes .. if we could get her pads … just in case.” he touches his temple. “She’s my baby, Vera.”
Vera looks sympathetic but a tad amused “She’s not going to have babies the moment she has a period. She’s still your baby.” Vera sits up with him and gives his shoulder a little one handed massage “8 boys and one girl….and you had to have the girl last.” She chuckles “We’re not that scary Joseph. It’ll be ok. I’ll pick her up some pads tomorrow when I get my groceries. “
Joseph looks slightly comforted that the first egg won’t be fertilized. Then he laughs at having the girl last. “Oh, but her brothers adore her. And she was such a beautiful baby … still is .. well young woman, of course. I’m just a bit protective … I think most of her brothers are.” he smiles under her calming, but them pauses. “Vera … you can’t. Not if we’re going to keep us under wraps.” he sighs. “But I can speak to Esther. I’ll need you both to keep me calm. Once she's wearing a bra and her body is changing .. and the boys start coming around…”
Vera nods in understanding “I could get for you and text you...and you could drop by and pick them up...I won’t come to the house bearing pads for Ruth. You’re right. That would be obvious. But Esther is a good choice too. The offer stands.” She laughs a little “With all those brothers I’ll bet Ruth can hold her own with any boy by the time it’s an issue….if she chooses boys.” Vera shrugs “We never know right? She’s a very beautiful girl, and she’s clever, very clever.”
Joseph moves in to kiss her. “I think I need you much more than Ruth does.” he chuckles. He blinks. “I never thought … then again I never thought any of my boys would be gay. Never mind Ruth.” he sighs. “I feel like a dinosaur sometimes. Ruth will be a wonderful adult. I know her mother had some issues with things like how she dressed .. and walked .. and talked.” he sighs. “I’m only now learning about these things. That happened while I was working.”
Vera kisses Joseph back “I need you too. I didn’t know I did…” she laughs “Ruth needs you. You’ll find your way through it all. We always do. It’s so different than when we were young.” She can say this on his generational level as she’s close to it and in it. “I’m sorry her mother was so unkind….to you both. This is a fresh start. And believe it or not, dinosaur or not, you’re already doing wonderful. You just had a 13 year old boy spill his guts to you…” She gestures at where the phone was “Do you know how many kids shut out their parents? He loves you and he said it. That’s fantastic. I watched Ruth open up to you in my office. I wasn’t getting much information there until you walked in. She needed you, she turned to you. As the kids would say….you got this.” She gives him an encouraging smile.
Joseph blows out a breath. “I hope so … this world is so scary, Vera. We’re taking more and more pro bono cases .. young kids facing adult charges.” he smiles at the reminder that Daniel opened up and even said ‘I love you’ to his old man. “I tried to be there as much as I could for them. But .. I don’t know .. maybe it is guilt for working so hard. We don’t need money.” he looks at her. “I just want my kids to be happy. As happy as I have been, never thought I would be again and am again now.” he caresses her face. “Vera I love you .. and thanks for loving me and being here.” he lays his head on the pillow just looking at her as if she is a goddess.”
Vera settles down so she’s facing him with her head on the pillow beside him, smiling into the caress. Joseph was so loving and affectionate it melted her heart. “You’re there for them now and it’s now that counts, and will count going forward. I love you too...so much. Thank you…” She rests her hand on top of his now where he was caressing her face and just looks at him for a moment “Let’s just stay here…” She finally says, closing her eyes and holding their beautiful moment together in the time and space that surrounds them.
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