Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2013 03:57:48 -0800 (PST)
From: John Michaels <mmanlookin@yahoo.com>
Subject: Anna and Asher - Chapter 6

			      ANNA AND ASHER
				    BY
				    JM

Email: mmanlookin@yahoo.com

Disclaimers and other info: see chapter one

My deepest apologies for the delay.  I'm just now recovered from a massive
bout of tendonitis and am finally able to have full use of my right arm.
Chapters should follow at more reasonable intervals, although y'all need to
be aware that I also have another story posted and am trying to alternate
chapter postings.  Things should start moving along at a regular pace now.
Thanks for your patience and emails.

				CHAPTER SIX

     Asher proved to be quite helpful in the kitchen.  When I asked him
about it, he said that his mother encouraged both he and Anna to at least
learn the basics.  He found that he quite enjoyed it and sometimes cooked
dinner for his family to give his mom a break, especially those times when
his dad was away on business.  We made a good team, working comfortably
side by side.  I figured on a fairly simple menu of baked stuffed pork
chops, scalloped potatoes and steamed vegetables.  It sounds rather
complicated, but it's a really easy meal to put together.  I had gotten
some inch-thick chops, which I seasoned, and topped with pre-packaged
stuffing for pork, which only took five minutes to prepare.  While I was
doing this, Asher washed and cut up carrots and broccoli and put them into
bowl with cold water and put it into the refrigerator to be steamed at the
last minute.  He then washed five large potatoes and peeled them.  I have a
hand-held mandolin/slicer that will slice them thinly for the scalloped
potatoes.  He offered to do that also, but I was uncomfortable with idea of
him using it, even with the hand guard, since he had never had used one
before. That sucker is so damn sharp that you just have to rest your finger
lightly on the blade and it will cut you.  Instead, I had him scald the
milk, something that needed careful watching so it wouldn't suddenly boil
over.  I quickly and carefully sliced the potatoes (without adding anything
extra!), layered them in a baking dish with flour, butter and seasonings,
and poured the hot milk over them.  This and the pork chops would bake at
the same time and temperature for 1 1/2 hours.  Once those were safely in
the oven, I grabbed a bottle of Pinot Grigio and put it in the refrigerator
to chill, then turned my thoughts to dessert.  Damn!!  That's the one thing
that hadn't been on my shopping list.  I don't generally eat desserts at
home, unless it's a special occasion, like Alisha's tiramisu last night.  I
have a few favorites that I tend to eat only when dining out, and now I was
in a quandary.  When I mentioned my dilemma to Asher, he got a sly grin.

     "Why don't you set up a make-your-own-sundae bar?" he asked, his eyes
twinkling.

     "That would be a good dessert," I said, a bit acerbically.  "There's
just one flaw with that thinking.  I don't have any ice cream or toppings.
What we have is what we bought at the store and none of that was on my
list."

     "Umm, yes, you do," he replied, suppressing a giggle and opening the
freezer door.

     There were three containers of ice cream: chocolate, vanilla and
strawberry.  Closing the freezer, he opened the refrigerator, and there on
the door shelf were two cans of whipped cream.  Then, he went across and
opened the pantry, and there were jars of different ice cream toppings,
including cherries and chopped nuts.  The little shit had tossed them in
the cart when I wasn't looking, and at the checkout, I'd been distracted
talking to the cashier about getting the store's reward card, so I hadn't
noticed when those items slipped through with Asher being "helpful" and
bagging things.  And when we were putting things away in the kitchen, there
was enough distraction with four bodies bustling around that again, I
didn't notice.  Asher had also been the one to put these things away
without me being any the wiser.  I grabbed him in a headlock and gave him a
gentle noogie before kissing the top of his head.

     "I don't know whether to spank you or kiss you," I said.

     "Ooh!  How about both," he retorted, wiggling his eyebrows alaGroucho
Marx.  I couldn't help myself, and started laughing.  "Besides, since I'm
going to be hanging around here a lot, I figured I'd get some stuff I
like."

     "I can see right now that life with you will never be dull," I
chuckled.  With a quick kiss, we cleaned up the mess from dinner prep and
set the table for four and had just finished when Alisha and Anna arrived.

     I got a nice hug and a kiss on the cheek from Alisha, then Anna hugged
me so tight, she was like a second skin.  Alisha had her back to us,
talking to her son, but there was a fleeting scowl from Asher who could see
the whole thing.  I gave him a helpless look as I hugged Anna back until I
realized that in spite of my resolve to not do anything to encourage her, I
was definitely getting a bit plump in the nether regions.  I quickly
extricated myself before she could notice anything and gave her a peck on
the forehead hoping that would distract her from wondering about my
suddenly putting some physical distance between us.  It must have worked,
since I was rewarded with a beaming smile.  I'm going to have to be damn
careful around this little minx.  Although I meant it when I told Asher
that there would be no messing around with Anna, I obviously still had
strong sexual urges when she was physically close, and I think that on some
level, she knew it, too.  And it scared the shit out of me as I realized
that, God forbid, if she was ever alone with me for any length of time, I
could all too easily fall under her spell and really fuck things up for all
of us, figuratively and literally!!  Taking a shuddering breath to calm my
nerves, I smiled weakly back at her and headed over to where her mother and
brother were.

     Getting everybody's drink preference, I headed to the kitchen to get
them, with Anna hot on my heels.  If looks could kill, she would have been
toast from the glare Asher shot her as he was still stuck, with his mother
talking to him.  This look wasn't lost on Alisha, and I could hear her
talking quietly to him as Anna and I entered the kitchen.  I quickly went
to the refrigerator and grabbed two sodas for the kids and handed them to
Anna.  All the while, she was rubbing up against me like a cat in heat,
making me extremely uncomfortable.

     "Why don't you take those in for you and Asher, and I'll be right
along with your mom's and my drink," I said, nervously.

     "I don't mind waiting," she replied, coyly, as she brushed up against
me again, a soda in each hand.  I'd finally had enough.

     "Anna, stop that!" I exclaimed.  "It's not right."

     "What's wrong, Jack?" she asked, all of a sudden not so sure of
things.

     "You know what's wrong, Anna," I replied.  "I know all about the talk
you and Asher had.  He told me everything, and I DO mean everything!  I
really like you, Anna, but I'm IN love with your brother.  There's a big
difference.  I love you, too, except it's as a little sister or niece."

     "But I know you like me like I like you," she said, with a quiver and
moist eyes.  "It's not fair that you like Ash more than me!"

     "Anna," I tried to say as calmly as I could, putting a gentle hand on
her shoulder, "I DO like you, very much.  I think you're a sweet young
girl, and I'm glad that we've gotten to know one another.  But from what
Ash told me about your talk, you seem to think you have feelings for me
that most girls don't get until they're much older.  I think the stuff
you've seen on the Internet has been bad for you.  It's shown you things
and made you think of things that you're simply not ready for.  You're too
young to even know about that stuff.  And it makes me sad to think that
you've maybe lost some of your innocence.  You need to let your mind and
your body grow into any of that stuff you saw on-line.  Right now, you just
need to be Anna, a wonderful, bright and pretty 10-year old.  If you were
to ever go ahead and do those things you see on-line, it would hurt you,
not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.  And I don't want
anyone or anything to hurt you or change you from the sweet girl that I
know you are."  I took the sodas from her hands and placed them on the
counter before kneeling and wrapping my arms around her.  Her cheeks were
wet with silent tears, as she hugged me back fiercely.  I noticed movement
out of the corner of my eye and saw Asher's shoulder disappear.  I don't
know how much he heard, but I'm sure we'll be talking about it later.

     "I just want to be with you all the time," she sobbed on my shoulder.
"I just feel so good when I'm around you."

     "I feel good when I'm around you, too, Sweetie," I said, kissing the
top of her head.  "I think right now, the reason you feel so strongly is
because I'm new to your life.  As time goes on, it will get easier and more
comfortable as we get to know each other better.  But in the meantime, will
you promise me something?"

     "What?" she sniffed.

     "Will you promise me you'll stop going to those web sites?  What you
see there is not what real relationships are all about.  The only reason
they're there is to make money for the people who run the site.  Please
don't ever think that what you see is real.  It's all acting, and it's
stuff that has no place in the life of normal people, and especially
someone like you.  So, please.  Will you promise?"  There was a long pause
that was making me nervous.

     "OK, Jack," she said, finally.  "I'll do it 'cuz I don't want you to
think bad things about me.  But I still can't help how I feel about you."

     Thanks, Anna," said with relief, giving her a little squeeze.  "I know
it seems unfair that Ash gets what he wants, but I promise you that we'll
both try to include you when it's the right time, and I'll also try to make
sure I make just some 'Anna time'.  Just you and me.  OK?"

     "Yeah," she sighed.  "I'd like that."  I wet a paper towel and wiped
the tears off her cheeks before she grabbed the sodas and headed to the
living room.

     Whew!!  Shit!!  I hope that took care of a potential disaster.  Now,
if I can just keep my goddam libido under control!  But I think it will be
the same for me as what I told Anna - that the more we got to know one
another, the easier it would be.  I had been going to have a wine with
Alisha, but after that, I need something stronger.  I mixed myself a double
GT, poured a glass of wine for Alisha and returned to the living room,
handing her her wine before sitting between the kids on the sofa opposite
her.  She raised a quizzical eyebrow, and I just mouthed "later".  She
nodded in response, and we settled in for general chitchat while waiting
for dinner.

     The meal was a success with everyone enjoying the fare, and it was
enhanced with light-hearted banter.  Even Anna contributed with some
amusing happenings at her gym class.  Everyone seemed happy and relaxed,
and my early tensions melted.  Maybe things would work out OK.  Once the
meal was finished, Alisha helped me clear the table and put the leftovers
away, while the kids set out the makings for sundaes, and I got a pot of
coffee going for later.  I could hear them talking quietly with an
occasional giggle, so I guess things were OK between the two for now.
Since I had bought bananas, Asher decided he wanted to make a banana split.
The rest of us opted for regular sundaes, and we were soon back at the
table with our decadent desserts.  As I sat down, I looked in disbelief at
Asher's creation.  The damn thing could have fed a small country, but he
managed to get it all down before settling back in his chair with a small
burp, getting him a disapproving glare from his mother.

     "Sorry," he said, with a grin and totally unapologetic.  "But in some
countries, it's considered a compliment to the chef."

     "Not in THIS country, it isn't," shot back Alisha.  "I know your
father and I have taught you better than that."

     "Sorry, Mom.  Sorry, Jack," he said, contritely.

     "No harm, foul," I replied.

     Everyone pitched in to get the table cleared and the dishes rinsed and
in the dishwasher.  In seemingly no time at all, the kitchen was spotless,
and we decided to take our after-dinner beverages outside.  It was a
pleasant evening, and, with Anna and Alisha on the glider, Asher on the
footstool and me in the chair, we continued the 'getting to know you'
process.  I discovered that Alisha was taking time off from work, since her
husband's business trip was for two weeks, plus she wanted to be there for
her kids as they eased into their summer vacation from school.  Now that I
was in the picture, I offered my time to take care of the kids when my
business allowed, and Alisha and I went back and forth as she felt that it
was unfair to me.  I finally got her to reluctantly agree when I emphasized
that I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it, and I heard Asher heave a
quiet sigh of relief beside me, while Anna grinned like the Cheshire cat
from her seat on the glider.  At one point, Anna had to use the bathroom,
and while she was gone, I told Alisha that Asher and I wanted to talk to
her tomorrow while Anna was swimming.

     "Is there something wrong?" she asked.  "What is it?"

     "For now, let's just say that Anna knows about Ash and me, and I think
we need to come up with a plan," I answered.

     "Damn!" she exclaimed.  "I was hoping to be able to wait until Arnie
gets home to talk to her.  Is that what you two were talking about in the
kitchen earlier?"

     "That was part of it," I admitted, "but there was more that we'll need
to wait until tomorrow for.  She'll be back any minute."

     "OK.  I guess I'll just have to wonder and wait," she replied with a
sigh.

     "Umm, Mom?" said Asher.  "Can I spend the night at Jack's?"  This
caught me by surprise, since it's the first I'd heard of it.  Not that I'd
mind if he did!

     "Oh, Ash.  Come here, Honey," she said, patting the seat beside her.
He reluctantly got up and sat beside his mother, who put her arm around him
and drew him close.  He tensed a bit, then seemed to melt into is mother's
embrace, putting his arm around her waist.

     "I know how you're feeling, because I've been, and still am, in love
with your father," she said, smoothing the hair off his brow.  "You want to
spend every moment, waking and sleeping with the one you love.  But this is
all so new to me - to all of us.  I really meant it the other day day when
I asked you both to please take things slowly.  Not even a week ago,
neither of you even knew the other existed, and now that you've met, you
now have these intense feelings roaring inside you, and they can be pretty
overwhelming, especially at your age.  I know that for a fact from personal
experience.  From what I've seen and from the things you both have told me,
you want this to be something that will last.  This may sound corny, but
it's kind of like building a campfire.  When you get that first spark, and
if you blow gently, it will grow into a small flame, and if you continue to
blow gently, the flame will grow.  But if you blow too hard when you get
that first little flame, you can blow it out.  I saw that spark when you
and Jack first met, and I can see that small flame now.  Take it easy so
that flame can grow.  Am I making any sense?"

     "Yeah," he said, quietly.  "When you put it like that, I can see what
you're trying to tell me.  Tell us.  But, Mom, it's so hard for me to be
away from Jack for any amount of time.  I get nervous and scared, and those
feelings only go away when I'm with him.  But I also want what we have to
last a lifetime, because I just can't see my life without him now.  I'll do
my best, though, to do what you ask and take it as slow as it needs to go.
Just don't be too upset if I slip up sometimes."  I noticed just then that
my cheeks were wet. God!! I love him!

     "My boy is becoming a man," she said, kissing his cheek.  "You're much
more mature than most boys your age, and right now, it's both a blessing
and a curse.  Just do your best.  That's all anyone can ask of you.  And
your father and I - and Jack - will be there to help you."

     "Thanks, Mom. You're the best!" he said kissing her cheek.  He then
got up and came back to where I was sitting, but instead of the stool, he
settled himself on my lap, pulling my arms around him.  "So I guess that
means I can't spend the night here, huh."

     "Mature AND smart," chuckled Alisha.  "Tell you what.  It's almost
10:00 and past Anna's bedtime.  You can stay until midnight. OK?"  Just
then, Anna returned.

     "Yeah, Mom.  Thanks.  For everything," he said, snuggling into my
chest.

     "Well, it's past time for 10-year old gymnasts to be in bed," she
said, standing.

     "Aw, Mom, do I hafta?" whined Anna.  I nudged Asher so I could stand
up and say a proper goodnight.

     "I'm afraid so, Love," she said, stroking her daughter's hair.  I
noticed Anna stifling a yawn.  "Jack, thanks for a superb dinner and a very
pleasant evening.  I'll see you tomorrow.  And remember your curfew, young
man."

     Yes, ma'am," he said, hugging her.  Then it was my turn.

     "Thank you for everything," I said, quietly, and kissed her cheek,
which she returned with an extra squeeze.

     "I'll see you tomorrow," she replied.  Then I gave Anna a hug.

     "See you tomorrow, Sweetie," I said, kissing the top of her head.

     "Good night, Jack," she said, stifling another yawn.  With that, the
two headed off to their apartment, and Asher and I went inside.  As soon as
the door was shut, he was in my arms.

     "I know how things have been between us up 'til now," he said.  "I
just can't keep my hands off you and get so damn horny.  But after talking
to Mom, all I want to do right now is have you hold me.  I love you so
much, Jack.  I want that flame Mom was talking about to become a freakin'
bonfire!  And if that means taking things slow, then that's what we'll do.
But like I told Mom, you can be sure to expect a little "speed" sometimes.
Well, maybe MORE than a little."

     I lifted his head and kissed him softly on the lips.  Then, we went to
the sofa, where I lay down, with him spooned with his back to me, my arm
holding him close, with his arm over mine, our fingers entwined.  And
that's how we stayed for the remainder of his time, cuddled together and
talking.  The first topic was what I had been expecting about the talk I
had with Anna in the kitchen.  He had only caught the tail end of it, but
it was enough for him to figure out that hopefully, Anna was coming around.
We also talked about our goals for our future together.  There would be
time later to map out the route we would need to take to reach those goals,
but for now, this was enough.  This was a beginning.  This was comforting.
This was exciting.  This was a flame that was growing.  And exactly at
midnight, after a lingering, soulful kiss, he went home to his bed, and I
went to mine, a warm glow emanating from my heart and suffusing my very
soul.