---

Damon had barely walked in the door when one of his frat brothers called out to him.

"DJ PHONE,"

"Thanks Brian," Damon said taking the receiver, "Hello."

"D... Damon, this is Jen," She caught herself before she referred to him by the nickname she now knew he hated.

"Hi Jen, recovered from the trip yet?" He heard a light chuckle from the other end of the line.

"I wish, hey what are you doing, have you had dinner yet?"

"No, in fact I was just heading over to Subway for a bite. Then I need to the library and download some files before they close."

"OK, I'll meet you there, we need to talk." Damon wondered what this could be about as he disconnected the call and returned the phone to its cradle. He quickly grabbed his backpack and dropped a couple books in it along with his laptop computer and headed out. The Subway was just across the street from the fraternity house so Damon was able to make it there in a matter of minutes. He had always liked the small compact campus where you could easily get around by foot. As he approached the door to the restaurant he turned and saw Jen crossing the street. He stopped and waited then smiled as he held the door open the door for her; she gave him a half smile in return. He immediately noticed that she was not in her normal chipper self that he was used to and was immediately concerned to what could be the problem. He ordered his usual 6" Subway Melt on Garlic with a package of Baked Lays. Most of the workers there knew him by sight and started preparing his sandwich before he even ordered. He was cordial and offered to buy Jen's however she declined. He paid the cashier then filled his cup with Dr. Pepper at the self-serve fountain machine before sitting in what was his regular seat.

He had just removed his backpack and sat in on the bench seat when Jen arrived with her own tray. They unwrapped their sandwiches and ate in silence. Damon was wondering why she had called him and what was so important that she wanted to discuss it with him right away. He had already intended on having a chat with her before school was out. Even though he knew what he needed to say to her he really wasn't quite sure how he wanted to word it. If there was any chance of he and Jeff having a relationship she would be there somewhere. He really liked Jen and wanted to still be on friendly terms with her. But also didn't want to use the old corny break up line about 'let's still be friends.' But knew this was going to be a delicate situation in the very least.

Jennifer was also deep in thought considering what would be the right words to say. This was not something she really wanted to do either but it needed to be said, and the sooner she got it off her chest the better. "You and Bubby sure hit it off over the weekend." She finally said. It was not the subject she wanted to bring up, but it was better then sitting there in silence.

Damon gave her a questioning look, at first wondering who she was talking about. Then realized who the nickname belonged to just shook his head 'yes' as he finished chewing and swallowing his bite of sandwich. "Jeff, yeah, your brother. He's pretty cool, I like him."

This brings a real smile to her face for the first time that evening. "Somehow I had a feeling you two would hit it off. You… well… at times remind me of him." Damon wasn't sure how to take that last statement and was now really wondering where this conversation was headed.

"Damon, first I apologize for calling you DJ all that time."

"Not necessary, that's how you were introduced to me. It's my fault for never speaking up."

Jen disregarded his remark and continued. "I also want to apologize for the way you were treated this past weekend." She was silent for a few moments while she collected her thoughts. Damon took another bite of his sandwich as he continued to listen. "This was the first time I was actually involved in a wedding party and didn't know how busy I would be." Another pause, "If I had I wouldn't have invited you."

'Invited?' Damon thought, 'you practically demanded I went.'

She finally bit into her own sandwich and took her time to slowly chew as she looked out the window. After she swallowed she grabbed her drink and took a long suck on the straw before sitting the cup back on the table. Damon noticed she was avoiding making eye contact with him. He continued to eat his sub and waited for her to continue.

"Damon," she finally says just as he takes his last bite. She had still barely touched her own. "I'm just going to be blunt about this. School will be over next week, and I think we should cool it over the summer." Damon gave her a look of surprise that she mistook for disappointment.

"I just think that with us being separated over the summer that that it wouldn't be fair. I mean if you meet a girl back home I wouldn't want you to pass her up because if me." Damon was dumbfounded; she was breaking up with him? Could this have worked out better? "If we still feel the same way about each other in the fall maybe we can pick back up. What ya say?" He could honestly detect some hurt in her voice as she said this.

Damon decided to play along and pretend to be hurt. "Well I don't know Jen; I mean I wasn't planning on meeting someone else."

"Well neither was I," She said, neither of them realized the slip or her saying 'was' instead of 'am'. "But it could happen. So since we're not going to be together I think it's just best."

Damon glanced at his watch for lack of anything else to say or do.

"I'm sorry; you wanted to study didn't you? Why don't you head on over, no need for you to hang out here on my account."

Damon decided to take the opportunity to escape. Without looking at Jen he grabbed his backpack before refilling his drink. He looked to her with his best sad puppy look as he said "see ya 'round" then headed out the door.

Jen took another bite of her sandwich as she watched Damon slowly cross the parking lot then run back across the busy street to campus. She really was upset about the situation and the way everything has turned out. She really liked Damon, but knew there was just no chemistry between them. She only took a couple more bites before she threw away the half eaten sandwich and the package of chips that had barely been touched. She walked over to the payphone by the exit and lifter the receiver and deposited a quarter before dialing a local number. She heard one, two, and then three rings. 'Oh please be there.' She says to herself. Finally on the fourth ring the phone is answered and she heard a familiar voice. "Hi babe," she said with a big smile on her face, "I did it."

* * *

The rest of the week was busy for everybody. Damon spent every waking moment that he wasn't in class in the library while Jeff worked twelve to sixteen hour days. The only reason Jeff hated the long hours was the anticipation, he wished he had time to go to the library or anywhere else to check his email for good news. In this small town it was the only public access internet available. But he had to be at work at 7:00 AM, and worked until 10:00 PM or later so had little time to hit the library. It would be too soon for snail mail to reach him, and while his mother left several post-it notes messages taped to his door the one he was waiting for was never one of them. He only work a few hours on Saturday then was off on Sunday but the library would be closed then. Finally on Wednesday of the following week the message he was waiting for was taped to his door frame. "Yes!" He screamed in excitement hoping it was not loud enough to wake his parents. He immediately pulled out his own calling card that he had bought the previous Monday, the day after Damon left, at the local Walgreen's. He went to the kitchen where the only phone in the house hung on the wall. These are country folk and didn't believe in the necessity of multiple or cordless phones. Something Jeff hoped to rectify in the coming weeks. He took the slip of paper out of his billfold that he had carefully hid away so it wouldn't be damaged then dialed the number.

"Hello," It was answered on the second ring.

"Hi, is Damon there?"

"Who?" The voice asked sounding confused.

"Uh, DJ," Jeff responded thinking fast.

"Hold on," he could hear the muffled sound of the microphone end of the receiver being covered. "Nah, he ain't here."

"Thanks," Jeff responded, then before he could leave a message the connection as terminated at the other end.

Thursday during his lunch hour Jeff called the number his mother had written on the note to receive the confirmation he had been waiting for. He decided not to work overtime that day and quickly headed to the library after work. There were already several high school age kids using the public access internet terminals. He signed his name at the bottom of the waiting list then grabbed a magazine to kill time until one of the terminals became available. He kept an eye open for someone to leave and noticed the kids basically goofing of and didn't appear to be doing anything in particular. After a while he complained to the librarian but she basically told him to wait his turn and to mind his own business. Mrs. Dunkelman was an old spinster who had worked there for years. Jeff assumed she remembered him and the trouble he and his buddies caused in that very same library when he was these kids's age. Either that or she smelled the remains of his work on him and his clothes. She gave him an evil smirk as he once again took a seat. 'I guess paybacks really are hell!' he thought.

Finally the kids started leaving and he was able to jump onto one of the terminals. About that time Mrs. Dunkelman walked over to him, pointed to her antique wristwatch and said: "It's five o-clock, we're closing."

"I'll only be a minute, I'm just checking email." She gave him a smirk as she walked away and did whatever it was she had to do before she left. Luckily the library was on a fast connection and he was able to access his email in no-time. He quickly deleted the spam and found what he was looking for. "Yes!" He said as he hit the print button.

"We are closed, you're going to have to leave." She said, this time taking off her glasses and letting then hang around her neck on a chain as she glared at him directly with her own eyes. Jeff could have sworn he saw her turn red with frustration as she noticed the printer had kicked in. Less then a minute later he was digging through his pocket for change. The library charged ten cents a sheet for print outs and he wanted to be ready. He handed her the ninety cents for nine pages he had printed. "I've already closed the drawer, don't worry about it." He knew the translation was she was too lazy to redo her paperwork but played along with it.

"Thanks Mrs. Dunkelman, it was nice seeing you again." He smiled as he walked past her to the exit. He wished he could have seen her face that's probably the first time in history he has said anything nice to her. She was probably wondering what he was up to.

Jeff rushed home from the library and straight upstairs to take a shower. Once the smell of chicken guts had been washed down the drain he dressed and ran down the stairs to where he found his mother busy in the kitchen. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and grabbed a Dr. Pepper from the refrigerator. "Bubby we're going to leave early Saturday morning to drive over and pick up Sissy."

"NO!" He said, probably a little to emotional. His mother just gave him a look wondering what was wrong.

"Tomorrow is her last class so she's coming home for the summer, I would have thought you would have been a little more excited."

"I am Mom, I'm sorry, what I mean is there's no need for you and Dad to have to go, I'll go get her."

"You don't have to do that honey!"

"No, it's no problem, I'll be happy to."

"Well, I'm sure your father would appreciate that, he doesn't like making that trip anyway so I'm sure he won't have any objections."

"Awesome, I'll call her later. I'll be back before dinner; got something I need to do." He took a swig from the soft drink as he turned and headed out the door.

"Oh, Bubby," his mother called after him, he stopped just as the old wooden storm door was slamming shut and turned to look back at his mother. "You had a package delivered today, its there just inside the living room.

Jeff looked and found the package she was referring to and couldn't hold his excitement. "All right! I wasn't expecting this until tomorrow!" He grabbed the box and took it to his room sitting it on the bed. Skittles immediately jumped up and sniffed the new item then quickly meowed her approval. As much as he wanted to open it and check it out he needed to make a phone call that he couldn't make from home. He headed into town to a pay phone he knew about in an out of the way place. He wanted to try again reaching Damon but wasn't about to make the call from the house with his parents not only home but up. His mother was in the kitchen with the only phone and would surely question him. But his call to the frat house went about the same as the one did the night before. He ended up heading home disappointed.

By the time he drove back to the farmhouse his father was home and dinner was almost ready. During dinner Jeff's mother gave his father the news that Jeff was willing to drive to town to pick up his sister. And as expected his father offered no argument, but told Jeff he would need to put the camper shell on the pickup and take it. Jeff had a hard time believing his Jeep wouldn't be big enough. His parents both laughed and said he would be surprised at how much stuff she took back and forth every year. Since Jeff hadn't been home much lately due to the overtime he had been working dinner conversation centered on him. His parents wanted to know how the job was going and what his plans were. Jeff knew the translation was that he needed to be supporting himself. He told them what he knew they wanted to hear. While he could afford to move out and support himself he wanted to remain at home for the summer to work as many hours as he could and save some cash. After helping his mother clear dishes he called Jen. They only spoke a few minutes after he opened by asking her if Sunday would be alright. She was more then excited and said that would be fine that she had some things to do Saturday anyhow. He wanted to ask if she had seen Damon but decided against it. There would be too many possible questions which he wasn't ready to answer. That night after his parents went to sleep he once again tried to call Damon. And once again he was told Damon wasn't there. He went to sleep wondering where his friend could be and hoping he could get hold of Damon before Saturday.

Twice more on Friday Jeff attempted to contact Damon, first during his lunch hour and then again in the evening after work. He had hoped on making definite plans for Saturday night for the two of them to get together. But it looked like he would just show up and hope for the best.

Jeff woke up early hoping to get an early start. He knew his father was always an early riser and would be able to give him a hand attaching the camper shell to the ten year old Dodge Ram. But his plans were changed when his mother insisted that he eat breakfast. He tried to say he would grab a sandwich at the mini-mart but she would have nothing of it. Before he could say no she already had the makings out for a full country breakfast. After filling his stomach with his mother's greasy food he was finally ready to head out. He made sure he left the keys to the Jeep in case anybody needed it, but both his parents said they doubt they would use it.

Jeff made record time getting to town and went straight to the frat house. But of the three guys there none knew where Damon was. They knew he had been there that morning but he had left early, but his stuff was still in his room so they knew he hadn't left town yet. Jeff left his name and said he was in town and would try again to get hold of Damon.

After sitting in the Jeep for a few minutes contemplating his next move he decided to head to the hotel where he had stayed on his previous visit. It was close by and he could easily get there from campus. The young lady who was working on his previous visit greeted him as he entered the lobby. As he filled out the paperwork he asked is Danny was working that night. He was hoping not as he didn't want another confrontation. He was informed that Danny had been terminated after a guest complained Danny made a pass at him. But the last straw was when Danny walked in the room unannounced while the guest was with a lady friend. Jeff pretended he was sorry, but at least glad he wouldn't be having an unexpected guest. In the room he was going to try the frat house one more time but noticed the sticker listing local calls being charged .75. There was no need calling Sis since she wasn't expecting him until tomorrow. He waited around the room for about an hour before he decided to head back over to the house. If Damon wasn't there he would just leave the number to the hotel to have him call.

"Yeah dude, your name Jeff?" Jeff confirmed to one of Damon's fraternity brothers. "Man, DJ was here and I told him you were looking for him."

"Is he here?"

"No he said he had to run over to a friend's and took off. He figured you might be there."

'Well at least he's still in town.' Jeff thought to himself as he walked back to the truck. 'But how am I supposed to know this friend? DUH!' He then headed around the corner to the apartment he had been to with Damon the previous month. He found a parking spot in front of the building but the blue Jetta was no where in sight. He decided to check it out anyway.

"It's about time you get here your wife is going crazy!" Josh scoffed as he opened the door.

"Huh?"

"Come on in," Josh said opening the door wide enough for Damon to come into view. Both their eyes light open wide upon seeing each other as they both rush to each other and meet with a hug usually reserved for lovers who haven't seen each other in a while.

"It is you!" Damon said placing a quick kiss on his boyfriend's lips.

"In the flesh." Jeff responded stepping across the threshold and pulling the door closed behind him. Immediately the two lock into another embrace and a much more passionate kiss.

"What are you doing here?" Damon asked.

"I used the excuse of picking up Jen to see you, but didn't think I was going to find you. I've called the frat house every day this week and you're never there."

"I've spent all my spare time in library studying, it's quieter and I can hook my laptop up to the DSL connection there. Why didn't you leave a message, or send an email?"

"I never got a chance to, as soon as whoever kept answering told me you wasn't home he hung up on me. And we never exchanged email addresses. Since I didn't have a computer at home I figured what's the use."

"That's about typical of them, I am actually so over the fraternity. So how did you know to look here?"

"I was just at the house and one of the guys said you went to a friend's so I took my chance. But I found you now so it worked out. Got plans?"

"Actually yes, I was just heading out for home. My grandmother is having some kind of deal this evening and she asked if I could be there." He could see the disappointed look on Jeff's face.

"Why don't I call her and tell her you can't make it."

"I can't do that, I have never lied to my grandmother, she's expecting me."

"I already have a room."

"Hmm, I guess I could tell her, something has 'come up' and can't make it until tomorrow."

"Miss Thang I have trained you so right! That's something I would do!" Josh said, they had forgotten he was still in the room. This brought laughter from all three. Damon made a quick call and apologized to this grandmother who told him not to worry about it.

"So what are you guys going to do?" Josh asked, rubbing his hands together. "You know, if you don't have a place to go my bedroom is always available." He said that last line with just a little too much anticipation.

"Thanks Josh," Jeff give him a smile of appreciation. "But I've already got a room, and I have a couple surprises there for Damon."

"I bet it's like a couple surprises and one big surprise." Josh said.

"Your mind is always in the gutter my friend."

"Just where you like it." Josh responded.

"Don't ever change for me," Damon placed a friendly kiss on Josh's cheek. And then turned to Jeff and said, "I'm ready when you're ready."

"Let's go."

"Don't you want to stick around for a drink or something?"

"Um, I'll catch ya later Josh, if I don't see you before I leave town have a great summer."

"You too bitch, send me an email from Rome."

"Rome?" Jeff asked as they exited the apartment.

"I'll tell you about it later." Damon said as they descended the exterior stairway to the ground level.

"Got your car here? I didn't see it."

"Yeah but I had to park it around the corner on the side street, where's the Jeep?"

"Spring Hill," Jeff replied, "I was told it was too small for all her stuff. I'm in the Ram here." Jeff pointed at the truck as he pulled the keys from his pocket and unlocked the aging Dodge.

"You drove here in that? You're braver then I am!"

"Funny, want to ride with me?"

"Nah, I'd better at least move my car, just as easy to take it there."

"K, you know where we're going. By the way, same room!" Jeff winks just before blowing a kiss. He sees Damon's car around the corner and waits for his friend to start the ignition and change the gear to Drive before heading to the hotel with Damon just behind him.

As tempted as they was to re-create their parking lot session of the previous visit they decided that may have been fine at 1:00 AM but would not be wise in mid afternoon. But as soon as they are in the room they waste no time recreating that part of the visit.

After they were both naked and their clothes all in a single pile Jeff took role of aggressor as he grabbed Damon and literally threw him on the bed he climbed on top grabbing Damon's arms and pinning both of them over his head. Damon had no reason or will to resist as he let his body be used by his lover. Jeff took position merely inches above Damon's face. So close they could feel each other's breath. Damon lifted his head wanting badly to kiss his lover but Jeff also lifted staying just out of reach.

After they are both sated, for the time being anyway Jeff places a quick kiss on Damon's cheek before jumping off the bed and heading to the bathroom then returning moments later with a towel. He uses it to clean his lover before doing the same to himself. Once finished he throws the towel aside and hops on the bed straddling Damon directly over him and engaging in a long slow passionate kiss. "Damn I've missed that!" He said as he breaks the kiss.

"You can surprise me like that anytime you like." Damon responded with a smile while running his hands along Jeff's sides.

Jeff momentarily has a look of confusion before it hits him. "OH, No, that wasn't the surprise. I thought it was your 'welcome back' to me?"

"Well it was at that." Jeff gave Damon another quick kiss before once again hopping off the bed. He turned around and opened the drawer of the credenza and removed a folder contained several sheets of paper, the printout he had made at the Spring Hill Library earlier in the week and handed it to Damon.

"What's this?" Damon asked.

"Read it frat boy!" Jeff said, but a smile replaced the scourge he had the last time he used that tern in reference to Damon.

Damon took it and began reading, in the first sentence he sees all he needed to. His eyes light up and a smile came to his face. "You're going to school here?"

"Yep."

"Cool!" Damon said as he jumped off the bed and grabbed Jeff in a hug. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I just found out Thursday myself and haven't had the chance. They rushed it through, since I'm former military I was able to get a few strings pulled to speed things up. But my academics did get me in!"

"What are you going to major in?"

"I have no freakin idea, I guess I'll figure that one out as I go along. I was able to take a few courses at a local community college while I was in the Corp and those credits will transfer. For now I'm just going to take a few basic business and communications courses and see what I like then go from there."

"That is fantastic Jeff! That means we can see each other!" Once again they kiss.

"That's what I was hoping you would say. And now the other surprise." Damon rolled over to allow Jeff up. Jeff returned to the credenza followed by Damon where he retrieved a leather case. He gently sat the case at the foot of the bed and opened it to reveal it's contents.

"Dude, you got a Dell?" Damon exclaimed doing his best to imitate the commercials.

"Yep, I always was a gadget geek. I figured I could use one for school, plus, this way we can keep in touch by email."

"Cool," was all Damon could say in reply as he watched as Jeff fire up his new laptop. They spend close to an hour playing with the new toy. Damon was impressed with the new computer and a bit jealous. His was now three years old and far from the latest technology. Jeff had already done a lot of the set up the previous night at home but Damon helped him with a few other necessary items including entering his own name, address and email into the Outlook address book.

"Well my dear," Damon said leaning over and placing a kiss on Jeff's cheek. "I think all this news deserves a steak dinner. My treat!"

Jeff smiled and returned the kiss, about that time his stomach growls. "I'll take you up on that." They both laugh.

After the boys cleaned up and dressed Damon took to Jeff to his favorite local steak house. Immediately on entering Jeff looked around and felt out of place with the obviously higher class clientele. It was still early so they were immediately seated. Jeff noticed how at ease Damon seemed to be which allowed himself to relax a bit. But as he scanned the menu and noticed the prices the discomfort returned. He knew he couldn't afford this and wasn't sure whether or not Damon could either. He followed Damon's lead and ordered the same thing thinking he would be safe. They both enjoyed their meal and the light conversation. When the check comes Jeff happened to see the total and his eyes practically fell out of their sockets. He noticed that Damon didn't bat an eye as he pulled a platinum card and placed it with the check at the edge of the table and left a tip bigger the what he would normally spend on a whole meal. After the mean they decided to just head back to the hotel, Jeff sat in silence during the trip back the quietly lay on the bed and turned on the TV. He flipped through channels a bit, not really paying any attention.

"So what are you doing this summer?" He asked Damon.

"Well, Damon responded. He knew that Jeff was going to be working all summer and was afraid to say the wrong thing to embarrass his new lover. "It's been a tradition as long as I can remember to take a family vacation in June. This will probably be the last one."

"Why is that?"

"Riley, that's my brother. He hasn't joined us for several years now. He's seven years older then I am and married with two kids. I think he would like to go but his wife wears the pants and always finds an excuse not to. And since I'm going to be graduating and next year and joining the working world I don't know if we'll take one or not. My parents always look forward to it, my dad considers it he yearly three weeks of sanity."

"Where are you going for three weeks?"

"Europe."

This got Jeff's full attention as he rolled over and propped himself up on his elbow. "As in the continent?"

"The one and only."

"Damn,"

"We'll be leaving a week from next Monday and flying to London. From there we're taking some castle tour, my Mother made all the plans and has the itinerary. All I know for sure is that we will take the chunnel train to France and see a few more castles there and in a few other countries ending up in Vienna. From there we're going to spend a week in Germany." Damon went on to explain that his grandmother was joining them for the trip and wanted to visit her childhood home.

Jeff lay silent listening to Damon in awe at how comfortable Damon seemed to be talking about jet setting around the world. Jeff hadn't been more then one-hundred miles from his home in his life until he joined the Marines. He couldn't imagine someone being able to go to such places and was beginning to wonder what kind of person he was becoming involved with.

"Damon?"

"Jeff," He responded.

"Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Shoot."

"Oh I'll do that no matter what here in a little while" Jeff gave him a sly smile and leaned over for a quick kiss.

"I'll hold you to that," Damon returned the kiss.

"But seriously," he paused wondering if he should go on. "Are you," another pause.

"Horny? Hell yeah!" Damon jumped in to bring his obviously nervous friend to ease.

"I bet you are," laughter from both, "are you rich?" He was finally able to bluntly ask.

"Why would you ask that?" Damon got serious. His financial situation was something he preferred to keep to himself.

"It's just the way you carry yourself, you're not like anyone I know in Spring Hill. Not just anybody can hop off to Europe for a month."

"Three weeks," Damon corrected.

"Close enough." They share a chuckle. "The way you flipped out your credit card tonight. Man that was a platinum card, and I saw the total. Dude, I can eat for a week at Mickey D's for that kind of cash."

"No, I'm not rich, I'm a struggling college student,"

"Come on dude, I mean last time you bought almost all our drinks at the club without blinking, then you bought the pizza for us and those kids, and groceries for Josh. Look at those shoes, I know those Nike's cost over a hundred bucks." He pointed to Damon's shoes on the floor. "I saw them on line last week, man I do good to buy el cheapos at K-Mart."

Damon smiles. "But to answer your question honestly, I personally am not rich. My dad has a good job so I've never had to want for anything. And the card is my grandmother's."

"Excuse me?" Jeff is surprised at this nonchalant admission.

"I'm her favorite grandchild and she's rich."

"Oh,"

"She had the card issued in my name so that I have money when I need it. Neither her nor my parents wanted me to work while I'm a student so I can concentrate on studies. She's never set spending limits or restrictions but then again I've never really taken advantage of it."

"And what you spend last night wasn't taking advantage?"

"Admittedly it's nothing I would do on a regular basis, but I was in the mood. She doesn't care if I indulge from time to time. Trust me."

"OK, but."

"But what? She probably will never even know how much or where I spent it. She has accountants that take care of all that." Jeff just looked away in shame.

"I don't know if I can keep up with you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Jeff rolled over onto his back and stared up at the ceiling for a few moments. "I'm not rich; I can't do things like spend a hundred bucks on a steak dinner, or a pair of shoes."

"Who said you had to?"

"I just feel weird that way, I can't explain it."

Damon rolled over so his head rested on Jeff's arm looking him in the eyes. "Dinners like that are rare for me too. It's usually Subway, McDonald's, order pizza or whatever they're serving in the cafeteria. Like I said, I'm personally just as broke as you are. When I graduate next year and start working she'll probably take the card back and I'll have to live on a salary just like every one else. Make you feel better?

"Yeah," Jeff responds after thinking about it for a bit. Damon notices the change in emotion and moves over for a kiss. That was the last of conversation for the evening.

* * *

They wake early the following morning and make love again, then shower before heading to Bob Evans for breakfast.

After reluctantly parting company Jeff headed to the sorority house where Jennifer had just finishing packing and was ready. Jeff was astonished at the quantity of possessions his sister has collected. The two quickly loaded her wares into the family truck and were on their way. For the first time in four years they would spend the summer together in their childhood home. Little did they know it would also be their last.

"Sis, could you do me a really big favor, no questions asked." Jeff asked shortly after they left the city limits.

"I guess, I could try what is it Bubby?"

"If Mom or Dad ask, I was here with you yesterday and overnight."

"I guess I can do that," Jen responded giving him a questioning look which quickly changed to a smile before she asked. "So big brother, who was she?"

Jeff just looked in her direction and gave her a large devilish grin. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Jen returned a smile that could only be shared between brother and sister then dropped the subject. It was never brought up again.