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Chapter 20
Sheridan awoke early the next morning and quickly signed
on to her computer. After she left the chat room last night she found her mail server was down and she couldn’t
read her mail. As frustrating as it was, she dealt with it, but the minute her eyes fluttered open this morning,
she raced to her computer to see if she had an email from Pezz. She nearly jumped off her seat with excitement
when she saw his name in her inbox. There were three messages from him. She quickly clicked on his first email,
noticing nothing else.
Hi Angel,
Sunday sounds like the perfect day to meet, that is if I can last that long. The anticipation is killing me, I
want you to know that! LOL. All this time and it never bothered me so much, but now that I know where you are and
you are so close to me, I can’t seem to stop thinking about meeting you.
Listen angel, I’m not home right now so I’m going to cut this short. There are people here if you get my meaning.
I’ll write a longer email later, I promise. Somehow writing to you makes me feel closer to you. Crazy, huh?
Take care and I’ll see you Sunday,
Pezz
P.S. It feels good to be able to say that! See you! :)
Sheridan sighed happily as she moved to his next note.
Dear KC,
I’m home now and will be going to bed shortly, but I promised you I’d write and here I am. Can you believe in three
days we’ll know what each other looks like, know each other’s names and maybe even what the other does for a living.
I have so many thoughts in my mind, so many questions I want to ask you, but if the truth be told angel, the first
thing I want to do is hold you in my arms.
Remember the night I gave you the cyber hug? If you only knew how much I wanted to do that in person. I’m not usually
the mushy type, but you do something to me KC that no one has ever done before.
I’m off to bed now, hopefully to dream of you.
Goodnight angel,
Pezz
Sheridan couldn’t get the grin off her face. She close
her eyes and remembered the "cyber" hug she’d received from Pezz. It had almost seemed real and the thought
of hugging this man, this so very special man in person was almost too much for her to think about right now. If
she continued like this she’d never make it through the day. She went on to his last note.
Good Morning Angel,
I hope you slept well. I only managed to get a few hours sleep myself. I hope I’m not going to be too cranky today.
I guess I’ll have to catch up on my sleep tonight now. I do want to talk to you online sometime today or tonight
if you get a chance. There isn’t a computer where I’ll be, but I think I know someplace I can sneak off to email
you now and then.
Let me know if you want to chat tonight. If you’re too tired after working all day, I’ll understand, but I’d just
like to chat for a little while. That might be dangerous for us though. A little while might turn into an all nighter!
LOL.
You don’t think we’ll run out of things to say by the time we actually meet do you? That would be terrible! What
would we do?
All right beautiful, I’m off to the showers and then for a grueling day. I’ll write when I get the chance.
By the way, How does noon at Lighthouse Park sound? There’s a red bench near the flower garden right underneath
a lamp. Let me know if it’s good for you.
Bye for now KC--
Pezz
"Noon at Lighthouse Park sounds just right Pezz"
Sheridan smiled to herself. "Now, I just have to find out where Lighthouse Park is and we’ll be all set, but
I don’t think that’ll be a problem."
Sheridan clicked on the reply button and began an email to Pezz when she heard an IM come in. She looked back on
her screen and laughed.
[PezzMan]
Good morning Angel! :)
[KCGirl] Good morning yourself!
[PezzMan] I just couldn’t resist saying hi this morning. I won’t keep you, I know
you have a busy day.
[KCGirl] I’ll always make time for you Pezz. I was just about to answer your e-mail.
[PezzMan] So how is noon at Lighthouse Park?
[KCGirl] Perfect. I’m looking forward to it.
[PezzMan] So am I.
[KCGirl] I have an idea Pezz, how I can recognize you.
[PezzMan] Oh yeah? What’s that?
[KCGirl] You should be holding a Superman Pez Dispenser.
[PezzMan] LOL, Is that your idea?
[KCGirl] Actually, no. The Pez dispenser was Godis’ idea and Superman was BabyShuis’
idea. She wanted me to carry a Wonderwoman one.
[PezzMan] I should have known! LOL. I think you should carry Wonderwoman, that is
if I have to carry Superman.
[KCGirl] You’ll do it then?
[PezzMan] Sure, why not. I’ll have to find one first.
[KCGirl] Same here.
[PezzMan] As much as I’d love to chat longer, I’m already late.
[KCGirl] Oh, so am I. I don’t want that tyrannical boss of mine getting on my case.
[PezzMan] Have a great day KC. I’ll try to email you later today.
[KCGirl] I’m looking forward to it. Take care Pezz.
[PezzMan] You too Angel.
[KCGirl] Bye
[PezzMan] Bye
Sheridan signed off her computer smiling to herself as
she went about getting ready for a long day at the Youth Center. Despite the fact that Luis was going to be there
today, Sheridan was actually looking forward to helping with getting the party for the kids ready on such short
notice. With the exception of her run ins with Officer Lopez Fitzgerald, Sheridan so far loved every minute she’d
spent at the Youth Center. Jay was a wonderful person and working with the kids was more gratifying than she ever
imagined. No matter what her feelings were for the director, she planned on spending as much time there as possible.
It was the most rewarding experience she’d had.
Sheridan ran up the steps to the Youth Center, realizing
she was 10 minutes late. Normally, it wouldn’t matter, but today was going to be especially busy and she knew Luis
wasn’t going to give her any slack. Sure enough he was waiting at the door for her.
"Is it too much to ask for you to be on time Miss Crane?" Luis said sarcastically as Sheridan flew through
the door. I realize you are volunteering your services here, but I thought Jay impressed upon you the fact that
we’re under a time crunch here. The dance is tomorrow night and we have to have this gym ready to go."
Sheridan was ready for him. "I’m sorry Officer" Sheridan answered with equal cynicism. "My butler
forgot to wake me up, the cook made me pancakes instead of Belgian waffles for breakfast and of course I made her
remake it and I was appalled at the condition of the limo so I made the chauffeur wash and wax it before he drove
me over here. It won’t happen again."
Jay, who was shooting hoops in the gym had to turn her head to keep from being seen laughing by Luis. Luis, who
had been taken totally by surprise by her remark stood there speechless, for a moment, but only a brief moment.
"Well, see that it doesn’t Miss Crane. I have a Youth Center to run here and I don’t need some rich daddy’s
girl slowing me down."
Sheridan fought back the urge to respond. Instead she calmly walked away from him and joined Jay in the gym. "Good
Morning Jay" Sheridan said brightly. She pushed her encounter with Luis completely to the back of her mind.
"Morning Sheridan" Jay grinned. "I was just going to get some coffee at the Book Cafe. Care to join
me?"
"I’d love to Jay" Sheridan smiled. "I could use some fresh air. For some reason it’s rather stuffy
in here this morning."
Luis looked over at Sheridan and gave her his biggest grin, insincere as it was. "I’ll take my coffee with
cream and sugar" he said.
"Are we taking orders?" Sheridan asked Jay with an innocent glance.
"Come on Sheridan" Jay said. "Let’s go. I have a feeling this is going to be a very long day and
I need my caffeine."
As Jay and Sheridan waited for their order of a thermos of coffee and a dozen assorted muffins to be filled, Sheridan
noticed the computers at the tables in the Book Cafe. "Jay! Look at this!" Sheridan remarked. "There
are computers in here. I don’t remember this the other day."
"That’s because they weren’t here the other day" Jay told her. "Chad just had them installed. He
says it’s the latest rage."
"Do they have internet access?" Sheridan asked as nonchalantly as possible, but Jay’s ears perked up.
"Yes they do" Jay answered watching Sheridan carefully. "Why, is there someone you want to email?"
"Maybe" Sheridan said unable to keep the grin from spreading across her face.
"Your cyber boyfriend? The one you told me about?" Jay asked.
Sheridan blushed. "I wouldn’t call him my boyfriend exactly, but yes, he’s who I was thinking about."
"We've got time while we're waiting for our order. Go ahead Sheridan. Email your cyber guy." Jay remarked
trying not to look obvious. "That's what the computers are here for."
Sheridan's eyes sparkled. "Maybe I will" she said. She walked over to one of the computers and typed
a quick message. Jay had to fight hard to keep the grin off her face.
A few minutes later their order was ready and Sheridan was back at Jay’s side helping her carry the coffee and
muffins back to the Youth Center.
By mid morning, Luis was looking for any excuse he could think of to make his way over to the Book Cafe. He accidentally
knocked over the thermos of coffee and just had to get it refilled. Sheridan volunteered to have it filled for
him, but Luis insisted he spilled it, he would take care of it. Jay watched in amusement, as she knew exactly what
each one of them was doing.
Luis won out this time and took off for the Book Cafe. While there he couldn’t help himself, he just had to check
his email. A smile came to his face when he saw he had mail from KC.
Dear Pezz,
I couldn’t believe my luck when I found this computer available so close to where I work, so I just had to send
you a quick note.
Thanks for the IM this morning! It set my day off on a very positive note and not even that bore of a tyrant could
spoil my mood this morning. I think my mood helped me with my response to Mr. High and Mighty as well! LOL.
So, how’s your day going so far? I hope you enjoy yourself despite the hectic schedule. I know I will.
I’ll try to get back here later and send another quick note. It’ll give me something to really look forward too.
I have a feeling it’s going to be extremely hectic today and writing you will be a very pleasant change of pace.
For some reason when I write to you, I feel as though all is right with the world.
Take care,
KC
Luis read her note and then sent one in return. When he
returned to the Youth Center, Jay smiled at him and Luis gave her an "I’m innocent" look which only made
her start to chuckle.
Pilar and Grace arrived with lunch for the busy crew of volunteers. They had spent all morning cooking for the
party and decided to make something for lunch for the volunteers as well. Buzzy was the first to aide Pilar and
Grace carry the food in as he was the hungriest of the crew.
"Oh Pilar, Grace, thank you so much!" Buzzy said gratefully. "I didn’t think your slave driver of
a son was ever going to let us have lunch."
"I didn’t think you were hungry Buzzy" Luis teased. "After all, you ate a half dozen muffins on
your own."
"Well, at least I didn’t weasel the last blueberry muffin from a beautiful lady the way you did" Buzzy
grinned.
Pilar raised her brow and looked at her son. "Mama, it wasn’t that way at all" Luis defended himself.
Pilar said nothing, she just looked at Luis and waited for an explanation. Luis looked around and saw that all
eyes were on him. All eyes that is except Sheridan’s. "OK Mama, here’s what happened."
**FLASHBACK**
"Luis, Aren’t you going to have anything to eat?"
Jay asked. "You’d better hurry up and get something. Buzzy’s already had five muffins and I have a feeling
he wants to make an even half dozen out of it."
"Did you get any blueberry? There’s nothing better than a blueberry muffin from the Book Cafe" He grinned.
"I know what you like, Luis. "There were a few blueberry in there, I made sure of that" Jay answered.
"Go get a muffin and I’ll finish stacking these chairs."
"Sure thing. Thanks Jay" Luis smiled. He stacked the chair he was holding in his hands and went over
to the table with the coffee and muffins.
There were several other people standing at the table talking and Luis really didn’t pay any attention to who was
there. He really was hungry and the more he thought about it the more he wanted one of those blueberry muffins.
Luis poured himself a cup of coffee and then walked over to the muffins. As he reached out to take the last blueberry
muffin, his hand grabbed another hand instead of the muffin. Startled, he looked up right into the brilliant blue
eyes of Sheridan Crane.
"Well, wouldn’t you know" Luis scowled.
"Wouldn’t I know what Officer?" Sheridan asked trying to keep her temper under control.
"It figures you’d try to take the last blueberry muffin. You were probably standing there listening to my
conversation with Jay. You must have said to yourself, now I can I get under Luis’ skin today? What can I do to
really irritate him? I know, he wants a blueberry muffin! I’ll make sure I take the last one and he sees me do
it!"
"What? You must be the most deluded man I have ever met! What an ego you have to think that I spend every
waking hour thinking about you and how next to ruin your life!" Sheridan was completely shocked by his audacity.
"I have never! Take your muffin Officer. I wouldn’t want to be accused of taking food out of your mouth and
I seem to have lost my appetite anyway."
"Oh no you don’t Miss Crane! You want the muffin, you can have it."
"I told you, I’ve lost my appetite."
"No no! You take it. We don’t want you to get light headed or something and faint on us from not eating."
"Don’t worry about me Officer. It’ll take more than losing a muffin to you to make me get light headed. for
some reason ever time I see you I get hot headed rather than light headed. You take the muffin. I have work to
do." With that Sheridan walked away leaving the muffin to Luis.
Luis was so angry, he couldn’t see straight and didn’t hear Jay and Buzzy come up behind him. "What is up
with you Luis!" Jay scolded. "Why did you say that to her? You know darn good and well that Sheridan
was no where near us when we were talking about you getting a blueberry muffin."
"She had to know I wanted that muffin. Why else would she have gone after the same muffin I wanted?"
"Maybe she likes blueberry muffins?" Buzzy suggested shrugging his shoulders as he grabbed a banana muffin
from the box and started to eat.
Jay put her hand over her mouth to control her laughter. "Buzzy does have a good point Luis. Maybe Sheridan
does like blueberry muffins, just like you do. . Maybe blueberry muffins is just one of many things that you and
Sheridan have in common. I bet if you gave it half a chance, you’d find out you have a lot more in common with
Sheridan than blueberry muffins."
"That woman and I have nothing in common" Luis said angrily.
"Somehow I doubt that Luis" Jay said shaking her head. "The two of you have more in common that
either of you are willing to admit. Now, eat that muffin that Sheridan graciously left for you or I think Buzzy
will eat it for you."
**End Flashback**
"Hijo!" Pilar said with shock and disappointment.
"I raised you better than to treat a woman like that!"
"I can’t help it Mama" Luis said in an apologetic voice. "Something comes over me whenever I’m near
her."
"You need to apologize Luis" Pilar requested.
"He already did Pilar" Jay smiled. " He went over to the Book Cafe a short time afterwards and bought
another blueberry muffin. He didn’t give it to Sheridan, but he put it on the table and wrote Sheridan’s name on
the bag."
"Still, hijo, when are you going to realize that Sheridan is not the enemy?" Pilar asked. "I’ve
told you before, she is nothing like the rest of her family. The only thing she has in common with the Cranes is
her last name."
"So you say Mama" Luis said absentmindedly.
"Luis, all she is trying to do is help you, help the children. If you ask me, it takes a special woman to
continue to work here considering the way you’ve treated her."
"I’ll try to be nicer" Luis said feigning a smile.
Pilar rolled her eyes. She didn’t know how she was going to get through to her son regarding Sheridan.
After lunch the crew continued getting the gym ready for the big dance. Buzzy and Luis helped Chad bring the sound
system, while Pilar Grace, Jay and Sheridan filled the Piñatas with candy and prizes.
"It looks like we’re going to be short candy filling these last two piñatas" Jay remarked as she
emptied the last bag of treats.
"No problem" Sheridan said. "I’ll go get some more candy to fill them with."
"With a little stop at the Book Cafe no doubt" Jay smiled.
"Actually, I was going to stop by the Book Cafe and get some more coffee" Sheridan admitted. "We
still have quite a way to go here and I need some caffeine."
"Where are you going to pick up the candy?" Jay asked.
"Whether Luis likes it or not, I’m going to Matushek
and Company. I’d much rather go there and get personalized
service than go to one of those bargain outlets. Besides, Mr. Kralik was kind enough to donate all of those supplies
the other day, the least we can do is give him some of our business." Sheridan was adamant in her position
and was ready if Luis chose to give her a hard time about it.
"Somehow I don’t think Luis will question you again about going there Sheridan" Jay said with a slight
grin.
"You don’t huh?" Sheridan asked suspiciously. After her encounter with him the other day, she expected
him to blow his top.
"Luis!" Jay shouted across the gym, "Sheridan is going to Matushek
and Company to pick up some more candy for the
piñatas. Is there anything else you need?"
"Yeah" Luis shouted back. He stopped what he was doing and walked over to where the women were. "I
need two rolls of electrical tape and a roll of duct tape" he told Sheridan without so much as batting an
eye at her destination.
Sheridan stood there with her mouth practically hanging on the floor. "Yes, I can get that for you" she
said, still in shock.
"Good" Luis smiled. He then turned his attention to Jay. "Jay, why don’t you get Sheridan some money
from petty cash." With that Luis returned to Chad and Buzzy and the task of setting up the sound system.
"What did I tell you?" Jay grinned. Sheridan just shook her head. She had no idea what had just happened.
Sheridan got what she needed for Luis and then went over to the candy department. She chatted with the clerk about
what would be perfect for a piñata and she was happy to oblige. Sheridan gave the woman the approximate
size she would need to fill for the two piñatas and the clerk gathered the candy. While Sheridan was waiting
for her order to be filled she browsed the candy section, which is when she spotted them.
"Wow!" She exclaimed squealing with delight. I don’t believe it!" Right in front of her was a display
of Pez Dispensers, with what seemed like hundreds of different colors and characters. She scanned the different
characters hoping they would have what she was looking for and she was pleasantly surprised when they did. "One
Wonderwoman Pez Dispenser!" she laughed. She looked around and saw they had all the superheroes including
Superman. She would have loved to pick one up for Pezz, but she had no way of sending it to him.
Sheridan quickly headed to the Book Cafe after finishing her shopping at Matushek
and Company and placed her order for coffee. She
was in such high spirits she decided to even splurge for a blueberry muffin for Officer Lopez Fitzgerald.
While she waited for her order, she found an empty table and checked her mail. Good as his word, there was an email
from Pezz.
Hi Angel,
Thanks for asking about my day. With the exception of a rather annoying encounter over breakfast, my day has been
going well. It’s been incredibly busy as there is lots to do and very little time to do it.
I don’t know if I’ll have time to get back here or not to email. I had to sneak out as it was to write this! LOL.
I’ll try though, I can promise you that. I also am going to have to find the time to look for a Pez Dispenser and
not just anyone, a Superman one at that! ;-)
I hope your day continues to be pleasant. Mine will be, especially when I think about you! That’s the best part
of my day Angel!
Take care and I’ll do my best to write later,
Pezz
"Well Pezz" Sheridan grinned, I don’t know where
you live, but if you’re coming to Harmony Sunday it can’t be too far." She then quickly typed out her note
telling him of her find.
By the end of the day, everything for the party was ready to go. All equipment was put away, all the decorations
were ready, including the Piñatas being filled and the sound system was in place. Tables had been put in
place for the buffet that would be set up and all of the warming dishes were on the tables. The next day Pilar
and Grace would finish the cooking in the morning and spend the afternoon bringing the food to the Youth Center,
Chad would finish his sound checks, Buzzy would make sure all of the facilities were in working order while Luis,
Sheridan and Jay would hang all the decorations.
Jay told Sheridan she would be bringing her costume with her the next day and encouraged her to do the same. They
could both shower and change right there in the woman’s locker room. That would give them more time to finish up
any last minute details.
Despite her early morning fight with Luis, Sheridan had had a very enjoyable day. Luis had even thanked her in
person when she came back from the Book Cafe with a blueberry muffin for him. Tomorrow looked to be an even busier
day than today, but she was looking forward to it. She really enjoyed being part of the dance preparations, even
though she and her boss didn’t see eye to eye on anything. Still, it was what she enjoyed, what she wanted to become
part of when she decided to move back home.
Sheridan left the Youth Center with a feeling of accomplishment. She was exhausted and all she wanted to do was
take a hot bath and crawl into bed, but she had one thing she wanted to do before she took her bath... email Pezz.
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