January and the Single Heart by Vi Zetterwall Read Free Book Online Page B

you would knock off the nickname thing.  He certainly had a lot to say about you!”  Aunt Marion was actually smiling … and smiling at Jan.  That was a first.
    “Oh really.  I hope he said nice things.”  Jan tried to give a little laugh but it came out more like a cough.
    “He described you quite glowingly.  In fact, I believe he used every complimentary term in the dictionary to describe you.  The man has a wonderful vocabulary.  Looks to me like you have him hooked pretty well.”
    “Oh, I don’t know …”
    “Trust me”, Aunt Marion continued, “he won’t be fighting you much as you reel him in.  And, by the way, he even added that you mentioned me to him on several occasions and always said how much you admired me.  I found him to be refreshingly honest and I would have to say that you have my wholehearted approval with this one.”  With her blessing given, Marion turned and walked away.  Jan stood there shell shocked for a few moments and then scanned the room in search of Glen. 
    She looked all over the living room but could not see him anywhere.  She checked the kitchen, the food tables, the wine bar, the hallway, and even stood outside the Men’s room to see who came out.  Glen was nowhere to be found.  A small part of her panicked.  What could he be up to?
    She heard the kids playing in Mom’s painting room which had been transformed for tonight into the children’s play room.  She walked up to the doorway and peered in.  Hannah’s sons were playing with little race cars on the floor to the right.  And, there, in the middle of the floor, was Glen, sitting cross-legged with three five or six year old girls.  They had their play dolls and plastic tea set laid out and each was sipping their pretend drink.  One of the girls, someone Jan did not know, said, “And Uncle Glen, would you like another cookie?”
    Glen made a dramatic pat of his tummy and reached out to take one of the invisible cookies from the plate.  “Oh Miss Kaitlyn, I would be so happy to have one more.  The last one was so light and delicious it just melted in my mouth. You are a very fine cook.   Thank you.”
    Little Kaitlyn gave the appropriate ‘You’re welcome’ response and passed the cookies to the others.  Glen made a big show of finishing his tea and then stood up, spotting Jan in the doorway.  “I think that was the finest tea I have ever had, girls.  Thank you for inviting me to your tea party.”  The girls all laughed and waved goodbye as Glen turned to Jan and walked out into the hallway. 
    “Found some new friends, I see” deadpanned Jan.
    “I sort of stumbled onto them.  I heard little voices laughing and I was drawn to them.  I like the way youngsters think and express themselves.  I wouldn’t mind having a whole brood of those little rug rats someday.”
    “You like kids?”
    “What’s not to like?  They’re full of wonder.  They have no hidden agendas except that they want to be loved and cared for.  They are fascinated by all the wondrous things on this earth that we take for granted and they start out with such a pure intent.  I always thought I’d have a slew of kids to play Daddy to but I’m getting kind of a late start on that now.”  Glen stopped walking and looked back at Jan.  She was looking at him in a way he had not seen before.  “Sorry”, he added.  “Long answer to a short question.  Yes, I like kids.”
    Jan started to say something but Jennifer and Hannah entered the hallway, grabbed Jan by the arms and almost carried her away.  Jen looked up at Glen, smiled and said, “Sorry, we must borrow your squeeze for a moment.  We promise to return her later.”
    Glen just watched as they carted her away.  They moved on, practically dragging her into the den, closing the door behind them. 
    “Where have you been keeping him?  He is a walking Ken Doll, Jan!”  Hannah was gushing with excitement.
    “Oh, geez, I, you know, just wanted to not