idioms...sayings understood by native speakers part twenty four

"I thought I told you I did not want to see you again." Jenny hissed as she got up to leave. Carl reached up and touched her elbow.

"Jenny, we need to talk."

"Go to hell." as she moved quickly out of her chair and ran towards the back stairs off the deck.

Carl got up, grabbed a shawl off the back of her chair and the lantern that was on the table, and followed the fleeing woman.

---

"I hope they work things out." Lynn whispered, turning suddenly into Rick who was right behind her watching the scene play out. "Oh, excuse me. I am sorry." blushing slightly at the proximity of her boss.

"Lynn, " placing both hands on the wall on either side of her. "Do you really not remember that night in front of your door?"

"I er, I am such a dolt when I get tired. I am likely to say anything. I am sorry."

"Shut up."

"What?"

Rick leaned down and kissed her ever so gently. He pulled back. "No one is around to see. Do you tihnk I am pretending?"

"Er...um..."

"I like you. Ever since I saw you eight years ago, I have been irritated by you and I never understood why."

"Irritated?"

"Yes. I turned down your promotions for the first four years because I thought you needed more experience."

"Well, that is a legitimate reason..."

"A reason, yes. But not the truth. And then when I saw you and your brother, I wanted to protect you."

"Okay... from what?"

"Like I said before, you would not be able to put in the hours to be a manager."

"I understand that now. Although this week was fun and enlightening, I missed Charlie too much."

"But that wasn't the truth either."

"Then what is the truth."

"I want you. Simple as that. If you had gotten that promotion, I would hardly see you." He paused, "I think this week was the longest in my life."

"You... like... me?"

Rick sighed. "Yes."

"You can't like me."

"Why is that?"

"I have to go..." Lynn's eyes looked for an escape. "I have to leave." She ducked quickly under his arm and was free. "I have to get Charlie. I can't do this."

"Do what?"

"I can't be your girlfriend or whatever. I have to take care of Charlie."

Rick looked at her thru narrowed eyes. "All I want to know is whether you like me or not."

Lynn giggled nervously. "What is there not to like?" She swallowed, glancing around the room, "I will call a cab." As she grabbed her cell phone and coat, her fingers shook so much the cell wouldn't hold still. Her frustration became even more apparent, "what is wrong with this thing?"

Rick reached over and took the phone. "Why do you feel the need to flee?" Feeling much like a hunter facing a frightened prey.

"Look. My mom, she made it clear. No one would give me a second look while Charlie was in my life. After my dad died, my mom did date a couple of guys, but when they met Charlie, they fled."

"Do I look like someone who would run away because of Charlie? I like the guy."

"You just see him when he is in a good mood. Sometimes he gets angry and his temper flies. He is big now and does not understand his strength. He has accidentally hurt me." She paused. "I don't know what someone like you would do in a situation like that."

"So you don't trust me?"

"I don't know you."

"Lynn, would you give me a chance? If I can prove I can live with Charlie, will you let me get to know you, too?"

"Rick... I don't know what to say."

---

Jenny stumbled and fell. "Damn it." she muttered as she heard the man she most hated in this world calling out to her.

"Jenny, are you all right? Stay where you are. You are going to get hurt running around in the dark." Carl approached her placing the lantern beside her as he put the shawl around her.

"I said..."

"Don't care." Carl was in front of her now taking off her shoe.

"Don't touch me."

"Shut up."

"What?"

"You heard me. I want to see if you broke your ankle or just sprained it."

"Since when are you a doctor?"

"Since I studied pre med, the family would not pay for medical school. So I got my MBA instead. Now shut up."

Jenny gave a frustrated grunt as he touched a sore spot.

"Looks like it is just a sprain. But just in case, " He leaned over and handed her the lantern. "Here" Then proceeded to pick her up.

"Put me down."

"Shut up and stop struggling or we are both going to fall."

He deposited her into the chair she had been sitting in. "Don't move. I will be back." in his best Arnold Schwarzenegger impression.

As he entered the house, he saw Lynn and Rick. He stopped dead in his tracks. Lynn had both hands up like a stop sign. "I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything. Let's just see what happens." Rick reasoned with her slowly approaching her until those hands were against his chest.

Carl sighed. Sounds like he is having as good a time as I am, he thought to himself as he headed towards the kitchen. Bucket of ice, towel in hand, tylenol, and water, he emerged to the fuming Jenny. He lifted her foot and sat in the chair placing the foot on his knee, then grabbed the towel, filled it with ice and placed it on the injured foot. He produced the bottle of tylenot and pointed to the bottle of water on the table. "Take two. Doctor's orders."

Jenny growled. "I hate you."

"Okay." Holding the towel tightly against the bruising flesh.

"I mean it."

"Fine." looking at his watch. thirty minutes on, thirty minutes off.

"I really mean it."

"I think we have established that."

"I am not going to fall for your tricks."

"Okay, No tricks." Glancing at his watch again.

"Stop being nice to me."

"You're my patient, you're injured. This is not being nice."

"Larry got a broken leg, and jaw. His liver got bruised. Joey got both sides of his ribs fractured, his arms fractured and his spleen had to be removed."

"I know. I am sorry."

"Sorry doesn't cut it."

"I know."

"Why are you here?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

"Because I would rather hear you say how much you hate me everyday than go without seeing you at all."

"What?"

"I can't help it, Jenny. I like you."

"But.... I...don't ...like you. They took out my family. The cowards went after my family."

"I know." He paused. "We will make them pay. Okay. Rick and I have a plan. It will be okay."

"Will it?" she spoke thru angry tears. "Why is it you make me cry? I haven't cried this much since I was twelve years old. I swore then I would never cry again." she leaned forward and started to grab his hand away. "Don't touch me. Don't be nice to me. Don't"

Carl grabbed her wrist away and with the other hand dropping the towel to the ground leaned forward holding her neck, using the momentum to capture her lips.

As he pulled away, he said, "Sometimes it is okay to cry. Sometimes it is okay to hate. And sometimes..... Jenny, it is okay to love." Picking up the towel, he shook it out and put some more ice in it, placing it on her foot.

"Is that why you are being so nice?"

"Naw, sometimes it is okay to ice a sprain," Carl gave her a rueful grin to which she responded with a slight smile.

---

Lynn looked into the dark eyes of this man. In her heart, a tiny hope started to grow. One she never would have allowed to have happen save for this man.

"You know, if you date me, you need to get to know Charlie."

"I know."

"What will your family think?"

"They won't care."

"it won't be like Jenny?"

"Nope. They could care less. Remember, Lynn, I am hired help." he paused. "You understand that right? All I have is my salary. The only name I can offer you is Richardson."

Lynn giggled. "I think we are getting a head of ourselves. But Richardson? that is certainly doable."

Rick smiled, taking one of her hands off his chest and kissing it. "Come on. We should see to those leftovers."

---

Charlie woke up. "Bathroom," he mumbled.

"Okay, Charlie. I will take you."

"Carl?"

"Yes, Charlie, You remember me?"

"Carl is my friend."

"Yup. Let's go bud."

"Okay."

They entered the house as they passed by the kitchen, Rick was kissing Lynn.

"Li LI?" Charlie spoke out loud. "Wick? What are you doing to my LI LI?" as he turned toward the kitchen.

"Charlie, the bathroom is this way." Carl said as he got between him and the entryway to the kitchen.

Lynn pushed Rick away just as Carl went flying backwards.

"Charlie? It is okay. He did not hurt me." She came up to him. "Charlie? I am okay."

Rick leaned down to help Carl. "Are you all right?"

"for now, but I will feel it in the morning."

"I bet."

"Wick?"

"yes Charlie."

"What were you doing?"

"I was kissing your sister."

"Oh." he giggled. "She kisses me too. Does that mean she likes you?"

"Yes, Charlie. Is that okay?"

"Sure. It is okay to like people." Charlie looked over at Carl. "Bathroom."

"Um, sure, buddy. Follow me." as he rubbed his sore backside walking past Lynn.

to be continued....