"I can do that. How does some good old bacon and eggs sound?"
I chuckled.
"A little less healthy than I'm used to, but it's a Sunday, so why not."
"You do have some in your fridge, don't you?" she asked. "Since it's not what you usually eat ..."
"Ah, yeah, I uh, I guess I don't. I do have eggs, though."
"So, omelets then?" she grinned.
"Sure."
"I'll get on that; you get your sexy self in the shower so you can get to the hospital."
A mischievous smile emerged, and I leaned in for a kiss. "It'd be a whole lot more fun if you joined me in the shower," I said with a wink and a grin.
"Well, then we both know how that would go. We'd be in there all morning... and like it or not, we do have stuff we need to do!"
"I know, I know... This real-life thing, huh... What a drag."
"Totally. Jeez Mr. high school principal, you sound a lot like a teenager right now!"
I laughed. "I blame you."
She pushed me away, smiling. "Go. Alright, alright, enough messing around now. I'm gonna go hit the shower."
"See you soon... and there'll be a piping hot breakfast waiting for you."
"Mm, I'm looking forward to that!"
"I bet you are!"
I gave her one last kiss and then headed off to take a shower. When I was done, I went and got dressed, got my phone, and then headed across the street to Mrs. Dobbins' house while Vivienne finished the omelets.
I knocked on the door, and less than two seconds later, she opened it; either she had been expecting me, or she had watched me approaching her house from behind her drapes or something.
"Well, hello there, Mr. James," she said, beaming a great big smile at me. "How are you doing on this fine sunny morning?"
"It certainly is a fine morning, and I'm feeling pretty good, to be honest. How are you, Mrs. Dobbins?"
"Oh, I can't complain. How are you and your daughter settling into your new house over there? Is everything okay?"
"Oh yes, everything is just fine. We're enjoying the place very much."
I didn't want to let her know that Jane was in the hospital right now; I wanted to keep this conversation as short as possible. As nice as Mrs. Dobbins was, I just didn't have time to get into an in-depth conversation with her at the present moment.
"That's good to hear. It's a lovely little house. The previous owners were there for 18 years, you know! It's a shame they're gone, but I'm glad that a fine and upstanding young man like yourself has taken over. Now, what brings you over here, Mr. James?"
"Actually, I wanted to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind."
She smiled warmly. "Of course! I'm always happy to chat with my neighbors."
"You might not be so happy when you hear what it is I need to talk about."
She frowned. "Oh no, is there a problem?"
"Kind of, yes. As you know, I'm principal at JFK High."