Part 2: Dinner & A Song For Sue

Sue, Amanda, Levi, and Togo leave the house. Jack is cleaning up the broken vase. His mom bought him that vase and now it’s ruined. But he didn’t want to upset Amanda anymore. She was feeling so guilty about the whole thing. And it is just a vase; he could buy another one to replace it.  And maybe it was a good thing that Amanda interrupted me and Sue. We were kissing downstairs and forgotten all about Amanda, Togo, and Levi up here alone. It is actually my fault. So I guess I can’t really be mad at anyone except myself. (Laughs)  Jack thinking: Sue makes me lose my head sometimes. I forget everything but her. And kissing her seemed like a good idea at the time.

Jack spruced up the place a bit before Sue gets back. Then he went to take another cold shower. Next on his list, he went to the florist to pick up a bouquet of flowers and chocolate for Sue. At the same time, Sue is back at her apartment changing clothes. She is wearing relaxed fit jeans and a pink silk chiffon top with matching cami underneath.  Jack is wearing an olive tee shirt and olive khakis.  Two hours later, Sue is in the kitchen making dinner. She already made her mom’s famous ice cream dessert, with crushed Oreo cookies, whipped cream, peanuts, chocolate sauce, and vanilla ice cream.

Jack: Something smells really good in here. Sue is busy stir frying something in the pan so she doesn’t hear him come in. Levi, get Sue’s attention.

Sue: What is it, boy? Then Sue looks up to see Jack standing there. What are you doing?

Jack: Perfect timing or really bad timing on my part? (laughs)

Sue: Very bad timing. I told you to stay away from the kitchen while I’m cooking dinner.

Jack: I know. But it’s lonely out there and the food smells great. I came in to see if you needed my help.

Sue: Sure you did. Oh alright. If you must stay, make yourself useful. You can cut the pineapple, kiwi, apple, pears, and mangos for the fruit salad. After that you leave the kitchen so I can finish cooking dinner.

Jack: Okay. You’re the cook.

Sue: That’s right, I am the cook. So you better listen to me. (Laughs)

Jack: Can I ask what you are making for dinner?

Sue: I’m making stir-fry noodles with beef and snow peas. I’m also making steamed vegetables with scallops and shrimp, serve with steamed rice. And my special dish; moo shu chicken.  The fruit salad is your contribution to the meal. (smiles) Now, shoo.

Jack: Alright. I’ll be in the living room waiting for my dinner. (Smiles)

Sue: Dinner will be ready in 45 minutes.

Jack: This is delicious. Where did you learn to cook like this; and Chinese food too?

Sue: In Ohio, we went to my favorite Chinese Restaurant, Lucky’s and the owner was really nice. Mr. Jong gave me a few pointers on how to cook Chinese food. And he also gave me lots of fortune cookies. I loved to eat fortune cookies. You know my 3 brothers would steal the cookies from me all the time. (Laughing and Smiling at Jack)

Jack: So do you believe what you read in the fortune cookies? Did you buy a bag of fortune cookies today?

Sue: No, I didn’t buy fortune cookies but I did make the dessert you like so much. I don’t really believe in the fortune cookies sayings but it is fun to read it out loud. Some of the fortunes are really silly and some are really good. I remember one particular fortune: “Cherish the little things and share it all with someone you love deeply, that is the greatest gift of all”.  

Jack: That is a very interesting fortune. So what’s my favorite dessert?

Sue: You don’t know. I seem to recall someone I won’t mention any names but he ate my mom’s famous ice cream dessert right out of the dish with Levi the wonder dog eating his share. (Laughing)

Jack: Oh yummy. I love the ice cream dessert. In my own defense, it wasn’t my fault. Levi ate the ice cream before I did. (Laughs)

Sue: We are eating from the bowl tonight. And Levi gets to have some too.

Jack: Great. You’ll have to give me your mom’s recipe for the ice cream dessert.

Sue: Why might I want to do that?

Jack: So I can make the ice cream dessert for you sometime real soon.

Sue: That’s nice. I’ll think about it and get back to you.  Just so you know, you are cleaning up the kitchen and washing the dishes I might add.

Jack: That’s fair. In my house growing up, my mom had a rule for us kids; the cook never cleans. So Meg, Abby, and I learn responsibility and how to keep the house tidy. It was a good lesson.

Sue: I’m glad you learned that. (Smiles at Jack) I’d say one day you are going to make an excellent husband.

They exchange a private look. After Jack finish washing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen, he goes into the living room and sees Sue sitting on the loveseat. Jack pulls something from behind his back and gives her the bouquet of flowers and chocolate. Sue gives him a hug for being so considerate.

Sue: What’s this for? It’s not Valentine’s Day? It’s not my birthday either.

Jack: I just wanted to give you something. I know how much you love chocolate and flowers. It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day or your birthday for me to do something nice for you.

Sue: Thank you for the flowers and chocolate. I promise to share my chocolate candy with you later. And don’t forget about Amanda’s brownies.

Jack: I was hoping you would. (smiles) How could I forget Amanda’s tasty brownies? It was all over me this afternoon. (laughs) What should we do now?

Sue: I don’t know. We could watch the movies that I rented from the video store.

Jack: We could…But I have a better idea.

Sue: And what might that be?

Jack goes over to pick up his guitar and he starts playing a song. He is strumming his guitar and serenading Sue.

Sue: I didn’t know you play the guitar. Do you play any other instruments?

Jack: I took guitar lessons in high school. It was something I wanted to learn. I’m not as good at it as you are on the piano. But I can play a few songs on my guitar. And no I don’t play any other instruments.

Sue: Would you play something for me?

Jack: Alright. Here goes.  This song is called “I’m Already Gone”.

 I suppose I could stop it now / And say I didn't need it anyhow / Just walk away and let it go / Tip my hat and try to play it cool / To keep myself from being made a fool / I could pretend you don't already know that /

CHORUS:  That I'm already gone / I never thought I'd cross over the line / But it's way too late / And your love is just too strong / And I'm already gone /

There's no doubt about how I feel / Both my hands are off the wheel / So now it's really up to you / This is something that I've never done / You know I've always been the first to run / But girl this time there's nothin' / I can do 'cause /

CHORUS / I tried so hard to keep the walls from fallin' / I found a hiding place and told my heart to wait but... / CHORUS

Sue: I’m impressed. Is there anything you can’t do or haven’t told me about yet? Sue thinking: Jack looks very cute strumming his guitar and singing even though I can’t hear him.

Jack: I could ask you the same question. But to answer your question, I don’t think so. How about you?

Sue: I like to think that I would try anything once just for me to know that I could do it on my own.

Jack: You are an amazing, sweet, intelligent, funny, and beautiful person.

Sue: So what you’re saying is; you like me, the whole package, even though I’m deaf?

Jack: You’re being deaf is what makes you unique in your own special way. Yes, I like the whole package. I really like you just the way you are! (Gives her the look)

Sue: I’m glad. And thanks for making me feel so special. You do have a way with words.

Jack: Who me? Let’s just say you inspire me. (gives the look)

Sue: I won’t let that go to my head or I’ll never be able to live it down. (Laughs) It’s no wonder women everywhere fall over themselves when you come walking by. (laughing)

Jack: That’s true. Oh, I forgot to ask you how it went at Amanda’s house with her father.

Sue: It was okay. Amanda’s dad told her that she had to pay you back for breaking the vase. And she is grounded for two weeks. She is going to be fine though.

Jack: That’s good. Amanda is a good kid. Are you having fun tonight?

Sue: She is. I always have fun with you. You know you are going to be a great father someday. I mean you are already terrific with kids.

Jack: Thanks. I love my niece and nephew. It’s great to be their uncle. It’s even better when I can give them back; you know let Meg and Matt discipline them. (smiles)  Someday, I would love to settle down, get married, have 2-4 kids, and get a dog, the whole nine yards. What about you?

Sue: Yeah. Me too, I’ve already got Levi. Certainly, I would love to get married and have a big family someday. Just one problem, I have to find the right person first.

Jack: Well, I know you are going to be a terrific mother someday. After all, we did go undercover as a married couple for a week. That was fun. (smiles and a wink)

Sue: Yeah. I survived living with you, quirks and all. That was a real hardship. One I won’t soon forget.  But it was fun to see the domestic side of Jack Hudson. (teasing Jack)

Jack: Bobby is rubbing off on you, I don’t like it one bit. (teasing Sue)

 

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