Afraid of the Dark

by Chris Hechtl

  Jayne was great, a sister in spirit if not in blood. She really needed a family of her own, someone to care for. She did such a good job with Jen's after all. She'd have to help things along if the opportunity presented itself.

  “Meddling again?” he said, coming up behind her. She turned wide eyed. That was a mistake, he had his favorite pair of shorts and his loud Hawaiian shirt on. It was an assault on her optic nerves that left her dazed. Honestly, how the man could stand to wear it...

  “How...”

  “Scheming about meddling actually,” he said, smirking. She cocked an eyebrow, regaining her poise as his eyes laughed at her. “It's easy, it's written all over you dear. Kind of hard to keep a woman from scheming so I don't bother.”

  “Sure you don't,” she drawled with a snort and a jaundiced eye. Okay, so he was one up on her. She'd see who was on top by the end of the night. The thought made her blush a little as his hands caught her hips.

  “Well, it is fun to out scheme a schemer. So what are you scheming about this time missy?” he teased. He reached around her to get a taste but she batted his hands away with a smirk.

  She gave him a lazy coy smile. “You'll find out,” was all she would say. He gave her a pointed look. The smile turned saucy for a moment and then she went back to dinner.

  “I'd better,” was all he said as he dodged Trina on her way past with the plates.

  “Dad, scram, you're under foot,” Trina said over her shoulder.

  “Better git or you'll get drafted!” her sister echoed, giving him a hip bump for emphasis as she opened the silverware drawer.

  “I'm going, I'm going,” he said, hands in the air. “I'll check on Nick and...”

  “And scoop the backyard! Do that before you play toss the football or...” Jen called.

  “Or I'm going to step in it. Literally, gotcha,” he sighed, picking up a bag and the pooper scooper as the dogs bounced by the door. The two German Sheppard pups were doing dances and bouncing all over the place. Hopefully they would wear themselves out in a bit. Their mother wasn't too thrilled about all their excess energy.

  “Come on, let's go,” he said with exasperation. “Honestly, you get all pumped up about taking a crap you dumb mutts...”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “Damn, its hot out still. The sun doesn't go down for a couple more hours. Think you can rub some sun block on me so I don't burn?” Jen asked him, giving him a lazy smile with half lidded eyes.

  He took the tube slowly and smiled a small answering smile. “It's a tough job, but I think I can manage,” he said with a mock stern look.

  “Oh if you think it’s a hard job...” she gave him a mischievous look. “I think I can find someone in the stands that can...”

  “Don't you dare,” he growled, pushing her down by the shoulders. She chuckled softly as she heard the spurt of lotion coming out of the tube. She brushed her hair to one side. He lovingly rubbed her shoulders and arms with sun block. She groaned, smiling a little as he rubbed her shoulders. It wasn't quite a light rub either, he was doing a good job too... she sighed softly as his wandering hands found her neck and gave her a good neck rub. Instinctively her eyes closed.

  “Damn that feels good,” she said softly, almost purring it. He'd always been the love of her life, and yes, they had a very active sex life even though they were both pushing past forty.

  “I thought it might,” he teased, voice pitched low.

  “You're supposed to be putting the sun block on me dear, not lovingly grinding it in,” she said after a moment.

  “Complaining?” he asked amused, hands still wandering here and there.

  “Not on your life!” she said, opening her eyes just in time for Nick to make a catch. She flew from her seat, cheering with the others as Nick dodged a pair of tackles and then sprinted to the end zone.

  “Oh boy, don't blow it son,” Shane muttered as he watched his son spike the ball and then clench his fist over and over. Ever since the asinine rules about not celebrating a victory he'd been tagged a few times for that. The coach threatened to pull him from the game if he did.

  The quarterback came up and smacked Nick upside the helmet and then butted heads with him. He grabbed his face mask, told the boy to keep his head. They could see Nick nod and then look at them. He gave a flicker of a nod and then clapped his hands and headed to his team.

  “Good kid,” Shane breathed, nodding.

  “Save it for later you mean,” Jen said, smiling herself.

  “Stupid rule,” Shane growled softly, shaking his head. He could see why it wasn't right to hold up the game or rub another team's nose in a victory, but the rule makers had over done it in this instance. He smiled a little as they sat.

  Jen took the bottle of lotion and tucked it into her purse. “Think they will win?” she asked.

  He snorted. “If Nick can keep his head and if they can keep up their defense, sure,” he said with a nod.

  “Are you going to apply for an assistant coach position? I mean next season?” she asked. He grimaced. He wanted to, he'd done it before, but work had thrown a monkey wrench in his plans to continue doing it. Then again, it was a bit better for Nick to not have his father involved in the team. Fewer accusations of nepotism. He sighed.

  “We'll see,” he said, watching his son play.

  “Living vicariously through our son dear?” Jen asked catching his hand and holding it.

  “Just remembering what it was like to play at his age dear,” he said. She snorted.

  “Sure,” she said, taking her eyes off the game to give him a knowing look. “Reliving your glory years,” she teased.

  “No, just remembering what you looked like in your cheerleading outfit,” he riposted. She felt her skin blush, and it wasn't the sun doing it. He leaned forward to her ear. “Say, you wouldn't happen to still have it huh? Pleated skirt... it’s too warm for the sweater I admit... Maybe you could put it on this evening...” he whispered. She couldn't believe she could get much darker. She felt her ears burning, knowing he was loving her embarrassment and relishing every minute of it. She dimpled. There was one way to get him to zip it. He chuckled as her elbow went out in retaliation.

  He 'oofed' obligingly as she giggled and shot him the best glower she could. She knew she couldn't put much power into it though, naughty thoughts were dancing in her own head now. “Just... behave,” she said, trying to keep a stern note in her voice. She knew from the twinkle in his eyes that he wasn't buying it. Not for a second. She mentally sighed and tried to think good thoughts as part of her started to figure out where the damn uniform was. It'd be worth it just to see the expression on his face and the bulge in his pants when he saw her in it. Hell, maybe a pleated skirt would do? She smiled slightly. It would be interesting and easier for her to wear in public too. A little teasing for him perhaps? Her smile broke into a grin.

  “I know that look you wicked woman,” he growled. He hugged her briefly and then wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her left arm. She smiled and rested against him. Impossible man. She wasn't sure what she'd do without him, bless his heart.

  “Horny toad,” she teased softly after a moment.

  “And you're the reason for that my dear,” he teased back, smiling. The smile ended in a grin as his son scored another touchdown. “Kid's a chip of the ole' block, I'll give him that.”

  “And here I thought it skipped a generation,” Jen teased. Shane's father had been quite the football player, going pro for one season before being sidelined permanently by a knee injury and marital vows.

  “Cute,” he growled squeezing until she gasped. “You'll pay for that later,” he murmured.

  “Oh horrors,” she whispered back, smiling.

  The game went downhill when they went on the defense. Twice the defense let a mile wide hole in their defense open up and the opposition took advantage of it with a sprint to the end zone. The game ended in overtime, with the opposing team getting a lucky kick in to end the game by a point
. Nick hadn't looked happy, hell none of the kids had, but he'd played one hell of a game, and better still, he'd kept his head.

  They waited as the team went through their post-game chores, cleaned up and then headed out. Jen hugged her son as Shane ruffled his hair. “Good game son,” Shane said, with a nod, “damn proud of you.”

  “Thanks Dad, Mom,” Nick said, smiling a little in relief. He waved to a teammate, then to a cheerleader who turned to her girlfriends with a giggle. Jen caught the wave and the girl's reaction and then looked at Shane with rolling eyes. He smiled as he opened her door for her.

  “Some traditions continue,” he said as she dimpled and climbed into the car. She gave a theatrical sigh as she sat down.

  “This being one of them,” Shane said, looking at the sea of cars trying to make their way for the exit. “Damn,” he muttered. “Going to take all night,” he said.

  “It will if you don't get your ass in here,” Jen said. He snorted and climbed in, ready to wait out the tide.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Finally free of the traffic they stopped off for ice cream. Much to the embarrassment of their kids Jen flirted with him shamelessly and he responded in kind. They held hands and teased each other as they made their way back to the parking lot. Jen even tried to stuff her ice cream up his nose when he teased her a bit too much. They both laughed it off as the kids rolled their eyes in mock despair. It was around nine when they finally arrived home.

  Their horseplay continued once they were in the house, Jen was feeling frisky and he knew it, giving her a leer. When he got closer she told him to behave but his smile was infectious and as he wrapped his arms around her she couldn't help but smile back, leaning against his arms. Finally she poked him in the ribs, he gasped and squirmed, trying to protect his vulnerable flanks. “You always try a frontal attack and leave your flanks open,” she growled, tickling him unmercifully. He guffawed, still vainly trying to protect his sides.

  “Okay, uncle, I give!” he gasped falling back against the couch. She shook her long hair out, settled herself in his lap and kissed him. “Promise to be good?” she demanded as part of her terms.

  “Um...”

  Her fingers dropped to his ribs again, causing him to tuck his arms against his sides. “Okay, okay...” he sighed. “Meany.” She grinned in acknowledgment of her victory.

  “Mom!”

  “What?” she called back, looking irritated. Damn it, just when she had her man right where she wanted him...

  “I can't find my pink pj’s!”

  “Check the bottom of the hamper then Trina, you wore them yesterday...”

  “Oh... You didn't do laundry?” Trina yelled back. Her voice was practically a shriek. Jen's lovely lips pursed in an annoyed frown.

  “No, Nick was supposed to, it’s his turn but...”

  “Sorry, side tracked,” Nick called out.

  “Oh,” Trina said.

  “Yeah,” Jen sighed, the mood now thoroughly spoiled.

  “Hey,” he said catching her before she could get off his lap. “Where do you think you're going lady?” he asked. She looked at him in sudden amusement.

  “You surrendered,” she said.

  “That was then, this is now,” he told her, grinning. She laughed, shaking her head.

  “Mom!” This time it was Tori's voice, Jen sighed and patted her husband's cheek.

  “Later lover boy, I promise,” she told him, firmly extracting herself from his arms. She straightened her clothing as she headed to the door. “Yes Tori,” she said, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

  He smiled a little and sat back, one arm on the back of the couch. Life in the O’Neill household was good, even with the little interruptions the kids managed to throw into make things interesting.

  Jen came back a few minutes later and resumed her place on his lap and resting her arms on his shoulders. They kissed and then she smiled. “Now, where were we?” she asked huskily.

  “Um... I forget, maybe you should remind me?” he teased. She grinned but then stopped and looked to the side at the sound of approaching footsteps.

  “Mom uh, I ah, got to do my uniform and stuff, we've got practice in the morning and well...”

  She sighed, rested her forehead on her husband’s briefly and then kissed him on the tip of his nose as she released him. “Later lover boy,” she said, getting up.

  “Come on Nicky, I know, you can't get the grass stains out. I'll show you again. But one of these days you'll need to figure out how to do this yourself son,” she said, resting her hand on his shoulder. She looked over her own shoulder as they headed to the laundry room and blew her husband a kiss. He smiled as he picked up his beer and took a sip. He really should switch to wine; he knew how Jen loved it. But she really shouldn't have alcohol right now. Doc said it could mess up her metabolism. He weighed the pros and cons of the idea and then shrugged.

  They heard news of the meteor shower as the kids were getting ready for bed. “Is that all they are talking about?” Nick asked, disgusted as he came through for a drink of water.

  “It is a big thing Nick. Of course they are talking about it. It is unprecedented to have a comet or whatever just blow up like that and then rain stuff on us. It is the best natural fireworks display ever. That's why everyone's talking about it,” he said smiling a little. “I'm looking forward to seeing it myself,” he added, arm outstretched on the couch, wife tucked in at his side. She snorted.

  “Not likely to happen. It won’t be in our sky until one a.m. they said. We're all going to be in bed by that time, Nick's got practice and has to be at the school for early morning practice at six a.m.” she said. The kids awed in disappointment. She smiled again. “No buts. You've got school in the morning, and your dad and I have to work. You can catch it on YouTube or the net news later,” she said firmly.

  The kids pouted a little but then nodded grudgingly when she didn't yield. With the kids settled Jen admonished Shane to go to bed and not stay up and watch the show. “You think you can put on a better show with loads of fireworks?” he asked as he teased her.

  “Oh, I might have something in mind,” she teased him right back. The teasing lead to a make out session and then bed near ten thirty.

  Chapter 2

  Todd smiled at his wife as he hugged her to his side. He looked over to the kids, Brian and TJ were having a ball taking turns looking through the telescope. He had only had to scold them once to keep them in line and sharing the thing. Not that they needed it, he was pretty sure the pretty reporter lady on TV had said you could see the shower coming plain as day.

  “There's one!” TJ said looking up and pointing.

  “Where, where?!” Brian, his little brother asked, looking around and swinging the scope wildly. Todd caught the scope before it hit him in the face and pointed.

  “There,” he said.

  Brian looked up and then sighed in aw as first one, and then another meteor flew across the night sky. “Is that all?” he asked, sounding disappointed.

  “Maybe,” Mary said, sounding a little annoyed. She was still pissed about letting the kids stay up and skip school tomorrow. Hell if he could see his sons missing the event of the year for an algebra exam, he'd never forgive himself. He wanted his boys interested in something other than video games and shooters.

  “There's another! And look another!” Brian said pointing and bouncing about behind them. Mary looked up and over her shoulder to him and then rolled her eyes as she looked at him. He smiled and nodded. “Looks like the show's just starting dear,” he said relaxing. She snorted.

  “Okay, so you were right,” she murmured, leaning close. He chuckled.

  “Right for once you mean,” he said, watching the ones and twos of the meteors double and then triple in number. Soon dozens of fiery objects were in the sky. Many were heading down to the distant glowing horizon to be lost in the glow.

  “There sure are a lot of them,” Mary said, looking around. “You sure it's
safe?” she asked.

  “Safe from what?” he asked dubiously. “From the neighbors?” he asked, brushing grass off the picnic blanket and then flicking a bug away. “Safe as it can get.”

  “I mean...” She blinked as the dozens turned into hundreds and then thousands of streamers. All across the sky... it lit up in a thunderous cloud. An ominous cloud.

  “Is it supposed to do that?” TJ asked, suddenly quieting and staring wide eyed. Fascination was quickly turning to fear.

  “You know, I'm not sure,” Todd said, feeling the first stirrings of something wrong tingling at the back of his neck. “You getting this on tape?” he asked Mary, looking over to her. She cursed softly and pointed the camera to the sky.

  They watched as a big streamer came down and down. “Isn't it supposed to burn up?” Mary asked, voice rising as she saw it coming down in a straight line for the McGill house behind them. Something was streaming behind the piece, it didn't look like tailings, it looked like some sort of cloth. It was so fast though she wasn't sure if she had seen it right, she had to be wrong.

  “It is supposed to!” he said just as the thing clipped their neighbors' roof, shedding clay tiles in a spray and then slamming through their connecting fence and into the bushes.

  “Shit,” Todd moaned, looking at the damage as they felt and heard the rumble course through them. He looked over to Mary and the kids. “Everyone okay?” he asked.

  Mary was brushing grass and dirt off her. She too looked at the boys. TJ had been knocked back on his ass. He got up and brushed himself off. “I guess we get to keep it?” he asked, voice curious.

  “Damn well better seeing as how it did all this damage,” Todd growled. He felt a hand on his arm and looked at Mary. “What?”

  She pointed to the egg shaped thing that had buried itself in the bushes. Something was moving there. He squinted.