John and Jill Ch. 07

New Lives

This chapter doesn't have a lot of sex in it, but the story progresses and has some important parts for setting the tone of the story. I'd like to thank my editor for her diligent work and I appreciate the tone and recommendations that you gave me to help me in this endeavor.

Thank you for the constructive comments, they're always appreciated. Thank you for reading and enjoy. JDC

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Jillian Sinclair was happier than she had been in over a year. Her interior design business finally took off. She was gaining an increasing amount of clients and her reputation was growing by leaps and bounds. Her son, JJ, was extremely proud of his mother and her accomplishments, as he was of his father's. He always had a feeling that his mother had a gift for her chosen field, even though she couldn't afford to do it full time.

Jill was finally making enough money in her design business that she was able, with a loan from her father, to quit the insurance company and rent an office or store in downtown Fullmer. She chose an old store that had been a butcher shop. Here she could display different fabrics and a large portfolio of pictures of her work. She was able to start an advertising campaign and was getting patronage from some very wealthy local people. Some of her jobs even spread as far as Culver. Word-of-mouth is a strong faction of business and Jill benefited greatly from this. She was known as a fresh face and an innovative decorator. Soon, she was so busy she employed a seamstress to make her custom draperies in house and raised her profits significantly.

Although her professional life was growing by leaps and bounds, her private life still suffered. She still had JJ provide personal encouragement, but felt she was sorely lacking. John was always a constant source of grounding for her. She still missed the man that she so stupidly threw away. While Mac had fed her a crop of lies, Jill realized she, herself, was the cause of John's absence in her life. However, soon the longing she felt for John turned into anger.

In her mind, John had abandoned her and JJ, while allowing her to suffer in his absence. After all, she was Jillian Sinclair, and deserved to be treated better. She was determined to make him pay for his harsh treatment of her. He should've been willing to forgive her if he really loved her the way he claimed. In her own mind, she completely discounted her role in the devastation of her marriage.

She would often talk to her head seamstress, Nella, who was a divorcee like herself. Nella was always quick to point out the shortfalls of most men. They sat in the shop, in between working, and discussed the perils of any relationships. This only solidified Jill's feelings of hate.

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John Trainor was in a continual state of happiness. He was finally doing what he felt he was meant to do. He was enjoying interacting with customers to talk about his main material love — furniture. He enjoyed talking with his boss and discussing things for the store, as well as sneaking minutes to work on building furniture during the store's lull times. The one crimp in this happiness was his interactions with Amyleese. No matter how friendly he was to her, she constantly seemed to resent him.

Amyleese Ranskovyk would constantly condescend to John every chance she got. She did resent John because he was a natural furniture salesman and she felt he was even better than her. She had been selling furniture since she was 16 years old, and here came this man that was no more than a laborer and he was doing better than she was. John knew so much about how the furniture was built that he could instill confidence in the customers.

John built several tables and chairs that he put on display for sale as custom work. People were immediately drawn to his unique and innovative craftsmanship. Several times, however, Amyleese had to intervene when John would try to price some of his work. Amyleese knew what furniture was worth and knew the value of such work. She had traveled with her grandfather for years to different manufacturers' factories and knew what the going rate was for such magnificent work.

John was an excellent craftsman, but a journeyman when it came to knowing the value of his work. Amyleese was quick to point out this lack in his knowledge. It became so bad that she finally started posting prices on John's work in the display area. Although people were drawn to John's work they couldn't always afford it. In these cases, John would lead customers over to the stock furniture and quickly point out the advantages of that type of construction and artistry. This was what made him such a good salesman, the ability to praise other people's pieces. He could point out the way the furniture was built and talk intelligently to the people that were interested in it. Usually, by the time he was done explaining things to a customer, he made a sale.

Petor was glowing with pride at his new salesman and was pleased with the growing profits. He knew he had a jewel in the rough with John. He could only see his business growing and was happier than he had been in years.

John always brought his lunch and ate it at a picnic table in back of the store with the warehouse and delivery guys. He enjoyed the relaxing banter with the gang. Frank Maxson had been with Rans furniture for 25 years and was one of Petor's most loyal employees. Anything needed to be done with confidence, Frank was given the job. He often joined Petor and any family at dinner. Frankie been married 37 years and was a father of three adult children. He was a hard worker and also interested in woodworking. If he wasn't busy delivering furniture or working in the warehouse, he could be found in the woodshop with John. John was more than willing to show Frank things and pass on techniques he learned from other people over the years.

Frank's wife, Mary, always wanted a grandfather clock in her house, but they never could quite get the money together to purchase one. Frank was the only one that worked and there were always things for the kids when they were young and, later, college expenses. John found some local, quarter sawn cherry that was very beautiful and needed to be built into something. He also found Frank a precise German eight-day clock movement that could act as the guts of the project. Together, they labored in their spare time to build Mary the clock of her dreams. When it was completed, even Petor wanted to see if John would build others to sell in the store. Frank actually cried when the clock was finished at the beauty he and John created. This was truly a dream fulfilled for Frank.

The compassion and selflessness that John portrayed in this act did not go unnoticed by Amyleese. If anything, however, she treated John worse and with more contempt. Amyleese was jealous of John's rapport with the other employees; something that she'd never accomplished in all the time she had known them.

One day Petor was watching John work during the second half of his lunch hour on a chair that he was making for dining room set. He interrupted John and asked him to come into his office.

"John you wish have fun with Amyleese?"

"Petor, I like your granddaughter but she sure doesn't like me."

"She no like many men, only me. She lose parents young and have bad marriage. She married man, no good. He bum. Try tell, she no listen. He cheat, he steal, drunk all time and treat her bad. She better now and afraid of men, especially one like you. Big, friendly, strong, confident. You just what she need. She make you good for hanky-panky."

"Why Petor, you dirty old man. She's your granddaughter, for pity's sake."

Petor laughed heartily as he replied, "I love Amyleese, she my family. She strong woman, but brash, she make good woman for you I think. She's smart and keep you straight. You need someone in life, you deserve good woman. Amyleese for you. You two good match."

"I don't know Petor, I think you're barking up the wrong tree. She'd as soon shoot me, as look at me."

"Look to her John, you need good woman."

"How do you know I don't have a good woman, Petor?"

"I watch work, you have no woman. Too much work, no play."

"You know, Petor, you'd look funny in a loincloth with a bow and arrow."

Petor just laughed hard and loudly as John exited the office.

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John thought about Petor's words and wondered. He really didn't have a social life and thought he could change that rather quickly. That night he stopped off at Mainstays to get a beer and a burger.

As Barbara Ann approached him, she said, "Oh, so you are alive, John. Where have you been? Long time no see. Your usual, Boff with everything and an SPG."

"Great memory, Barbara Ann, and that will be a yes to both."

John sat there at a table and listened to the band warm-up. When Wheels noticed John, she got a contrite look on her face and stepped down off the bandstand to approach his table.

"Buy a girl a beer, stranger?" She asked in a very demure tone.

He got Barbara Ann's attention and said, "PBR for the lady."

Wheels sat across the table from him and the waitress brought their drinks. She took a drink of her beer and said, "Are you talking to me anymore, John?" She looked at him contritely as she awaited his reply.

"Now why wouldn't I talk to you, Wheels?"

"Well, you sure wouldn't have anything to do with Skates and me after that night."

"Wheels, I don't have any problem with your bisexuality; in fact I benefited from it. Being with both of you was hot. But I don't agree with your getting off on inflicting pain on people and I can't fathom that lifestyle. Skates and you have a different way of living and that's your business. I just don't want to be a part of it."

"Okay, that's fine, John, but why did you cut us off completely? The three of us fucked great together. Why did you put a stop to that? There is a big cog missing from our fun gear."

"Wheels, you are hot in the sack and I miss that, but I couldn't handle your lifestyle. You girls are just too fast for me; I'm a slower individual."

"I just came over to let you know, the band is leaving the end of next week. Were heading to a club in Paducah, Kentucky and we may never be back this way. I just didn't want us to end like this."

"Wheels, all you wanted was a fuck buddy to play with for a while. I don't see you getting all emotional over what we are or are not."

"I just want us to have a little more fun for we have to leave. Would you be up for that? I just want us to end friends."

"Absolutely, as long as you're not going to try to pull any of that BDSM crap."

"When are you leaving?"

"Next Friday."

"How about a nice meal at Jack's steakhouse, my treat? Then, back here for a couple of beers and some dancing. We'll see what happens then."

"I don't know about that dancing, there'll only be a DJ."

John just laughed and they talked for a while, soon joined by Skates. Wheels explained the plans to her and she was ecstatic.

They talked until it was ready for them to play and they got up and went to the bandstand. Right before they left, John noticed Amyleese and her posse come into the bar and head for their spot back by the cheap pool table. The look she gave him was not one of affection. Even her look was condescending. He was growing a little tired of her actions and was quickly reaching a boiling point

When all the girls reach their favorite booth, they took their seats. Connie leaned across the table to Amyleese and looked her right in the eye.

"What?"

"You know what, you've been staring at him since we came in here. Why don't you go talk to him?"

"I have to talk with him at work, that's bad enough. I sure don't need to talk to him on my own time. Besides, he's too busy fucking the felons."

"You know what I think, Amyleese, you're not only jealous, you're afraid."

"Me, afraid? I think you're crazy, Connie," Amyleese said dismissively. "I just don't like him."

"Bullshit, me thinks the girl doth protest too much. What do you think girls?" Amyleese became perturbed, when Lucy and Josie nodded vigorously in support of Connie.

Connie looked seriously at Amyleese and said, "Alright Amyleese, if you're not afraid and you don't like him, do you mind if I take a shot? I do happen to be interested. I think he's a nice guy and he's ruggedly handsome. He's a hard worker and he's not gay."

Amyleese just looked at her friend and scoffed, saying, "He's yours if you want him, Connie. If you want a common salesman and a woodchuck, go for it," Amyleese was not looking at all confident in her words.

When the band started playing, Connie went down to the table area and tapped John on the shoulder to ask him to dance. He replied in the affirmative and they got up and danced a couple of fast songs. When the slow songs came on John was forced to pull her into him because she was only about 5' 8" and he had to lean down to embrace her during the songs. She wiggled into his warmth and clung to him for dear life. John was enjoying the force of her embrace and her softness at the same time while they moved around the dance floor.

Amyleese sat in her seat while watching her friend dance with John and was seething. She didn't want to admit to herself the feelings she was having for him. She decided she'd had enough of this watching and was no longer having fun. The other girls had ridden with Amyleese and didn't have any other transportation home. So when she said, "Let's go," they had no choice. Amyleese yelled to Connie as she was walking by that they were leaving and Connie whispered in John's ear. He just nodded his head and Connie informed the girls that John would take her home.

They continued dancing the slow number, which didn't exactly endear him to Wheels and Skates at the moment. John was oblivious to everyone's ire and just enjoyed the closeness that Connie showed him. When they finished the dance, John let her know that he could take her home any time she wished. They danced away the rest of the evening and finally, around midnight, John drove her home, which unfortunately was clear across Culver. She only lived five minutes from where he worked and it was a good 25 minute drive. By the time John got home it was close to 1 o'clock and he had to get up at 5:30 AM for his run. He liked Connie and saw some potential there for a good friend, anyway.

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The next morning at work John was less energetic than he normally was, but was still chipper. It was Frank's 38^th wedding anniversary and they were planning to deliver the clock to Frank's house, with Petor's overwhelming approval. They carefully loaded the clock in the back of the truck and put the ties on, so it would be safe. He had called ahead and found that Mary was going grocery shopping and he felt this was the perfect time to sneak it in to the house.

The two men carried the clock into the living room by the door and John installed the glass panels in the bottom of the clock after installing the pendulum. The clock's ornate numbered face hid the three winding ports for the movement weights and Frank wound the clock, set the hands and set the selector lever to the Ave Maria tune. Frank offered John a soda and he drank his diet Pepsi, while Frank had a regular Pepsi as they sat and waited for Mary to return.

When Mary returned, she didn't know what was up, but she figured something when she saw the Rans panel truck. As she entered the house it was perfect timing for the clock start striking on the 11^th hour. The tones were beautiful and Mary burst out crying and jumped into Frank's arms. Although not a large woman, she nearly knocked Frank off his feet and began kissing him all over his face and crying as she saw the beautiful clock.

"John, you had something to do with this, I know," she said as she came forward and hugged the big man.

John just replied with pride, "Mary, this was all Frank's doing. He came to me and just asked me to help him. He did most of the work and I did most of the supervising. That was all there was to it. He built this out of love for you."

"John Trainor, you are a magnificent man. My Frank is loving and a good husband and father, but a craftsman, he ain't. You had your big paws in this, I know it. He could never have done all those beautiful carvings in a lifetime. It's so beautiful. It makes no difference, I love my anniversary present. Thank you so much, both of you"

Frank led her over and opened the upper door to the clock and showed her a little brass plate that was inscribed with, Mary's all Time favorite present, Love Frank. She read that and burst out laughing. Then she began to cry, saying, "Now that is definitely my husband. Only he would come up with a pun for an inscription on the clock. I love you baby," she said as she grabbed her husband in a powerful bear hug.

John couldn't help but feel a little envious of his friend's relationship with his wife. Here was a couple that had lived through trials in their marriage, in his mind, and still managed to work out their differences and stay together in an obviously loving relationship. He wondered if he would ever find that again.

John instantly took stock of his history with women. Jillian, Mac and Mel, as far as he was concerned, were damaged goods. There were significant trust issues even in friendship, which John thought imperative in any relationship, either friendship or romantic. Wheels and Skates were just a diversion. Was there any potential with Connie, he doubted it. Amyleese, although the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, was too far out there, no matter what Petor thought.

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When John and Frank got back to the store at 11:55 AM, Amyleese started on John immediately. "Where in the hell have you been? Does grandfather pay you to go out and gallivant? No one told you you had to stay out all night drinking and carousing. If you can handle the job, you ought to find something else you can do."

"I think you'll find, Ms. Ranskovyk, if you ask your grandfather, he'll tell you he told us to deliver Frank's anniversary present to his house. What I do on my personal time is none of your business Now if you're done bitching at me, I'd like to eat some lunch."

Petor heard the commotion and came out of his office in none too good a mood. He looked at Amyleese and scolded her profusely about her conduct. He reminded her that John was her peer, not her employee. He told her never to question his orders to an employee again. Amyleese shrunk into the small person she felt like and scurried into the salesman's office.

While John, Frank and the rest of the warehouse/delivery crew sat at the picnic table eating their lunch, Amyleese walked out to the table and tapped John on the shoulder. All the other workers had already heard of the verbal lambasting delivered to John by the owners granddaughter. They knew of Amyleese's temper first-hand and were all surprised when she came out to the table. They figured it was for another round of admonishment.

"John, I'm truly sorry for jumping on you the way I did. Grandfather told me that you had permission to deliver Frank's present to Mary. By the way, that was such a beautiful and ornate clock with all those special carvings. I'd like to have one like that someday. I truly apologize and hope that you'll forgive me. I have a terrible temper which overcomes my good sense at times."

To say that the other workers were flabbergasted was an understatement. They had never seen Amyleese apologize to anybody for anything. They thought her the most stubborn female they ever knew. John looked at her, seeing the contrite, almost sheepish way she was looking at him and overcame his temporary anger and almost felt sorry for her.