Picket Fences! Part 25.2





Rhys finished cleaning the aquarium, removed one of the fish that was dead and flushed it down the toilet.



Then he took a quick shower and changed into a fresh outfit.


He went outside, found Ericka Jayapalan, the gardener and gave her a romantic kiss.


"I've finished my work. Do you want me to stay and hangout?", she asked.

"Sure, I believe we can find something to do", he said.




Rhys went down to his bedroom, relaxed on his bed and asked Ericka to join him.



They cuddled and . . .




They madeout.


"Do you want me Ericka?", he asked.

"YES!", she said.




"Has anyone told you how great you are?", said Ericka.



"Sure, but I don't mind hearing it again", he said.



"I better go. I got another yard to do today", she said.

"Maybe we can hangout again sometimes", said Rhys.




Then Ericka left to go to her next job.


Ryan came home from school all excited because he got an A+ report card.



Rhys gave him a friendly hug to let him know he was proud of him.



"I smell hamburgers!", said Ryan.

"Your mama must be here already", said Rhys, "Let's go eat!"




Jasmyn watched Rhys and Ryan for a few minutes . . .

"Ain't you going to eat with us Mama?", asked Ryan.

"Yes, of course", she answered.


Then she took her place at the table.

"This is as close to being a real family as we'll ever be", she thought to herself.





After supper Jasmyn played Red Hands with Ryan.



Ryan was reading a book and wasn't paying any attention to . . .



Rhys and Jasmyn cuddling on the couch until Rhys said, "Somebody has a birthday coming up soon."



Ryan looked up from his book when he heard that.



Ryan got up and went over to his parents and said, "My birthday is next week."

"Well, that's the somebody I was trying to remember", Rhys said jokingly.



Then the telephone started ringing and Ryan answered.

"Dad, it's for you!"



"Hello", said Rhys.



"Rhys, can you come over?", asked Claudia.

"I'm kind of busy right now", he said.

"Please Rhys, it's important", she said.



"I suppose coming over couldn't hurt. I can't promise, but I'll try", he said.



"Can you stay and hangout with Ryan? There's somewhere I got to go", said Rhys.

"Sure, I'll stay until you get back", she said.



"Thanks, I won't be gone long."



At Claudia's house . . .



After she hung up the telephone, she rubbed her belly.



Then she sit on the couch and wondered if Rhys was going to show up.



When she heard a noise around back she went out to investigate.





She was halfway down the stairs when . . .



She loss her balance and landed in a heap at the bottom of the stairs.



Rhys arrived a few minutes later.




He went inside but didn't see Claudia anywhere around.



He went out onto the backporch.


He started down the stairs and stopped when he saw Claudia laying on the ground. He called her name but she didn't answer.


He ran back inside and called the hospital . . .

"Send an ambulance to Claudia Alan's house", he said.

To be continued . . .