Friendzone Skeptics: Part 1.

Old classmates spend a week together, and find more.

Based on a post by cilma
rae. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.

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Chris Benbury and Jennifer Sanders tell the tale of how
their friendship took decades to transform into a life connection. We're going
to let them tell just how it happened.

I'm Jennifer Sanders. In high school, I was Jenny, or Jenn.

One fall day in the early nineties, Chris and I met at our
high school. When? What, like the exact moment? Heck, I dunno. It was a small
school, and everyone knew everyone; for the most part. It wasn't until after
college that we'd connected again. Just friends, we'd meet up for lunch here
and there. A text about family would show up, and one of us would respond with
a smile or a few updates on their own life. He was always supportive of my
goals, and I was very proud to know him and to witness all he had accomplished
as well.

Chris would date here and there, but there was never
anything serious. I was so busy trying to move up in my career field that
sometimes, I'd not even realize that two months had gone by since my last; um,
well, even the thought of sex was rare. I was pretty happy excelling in the
successes of my own business. It was when I turned 35 that I realized I might
have let a little too much time go by.

"Jenn," my mom lamented in her usual way on our
weekly call, "when am I gonna have grand babies?"

"Um, Mom? You have six grandchildren," I reminded
her as I thought about my three nephews and three nieces produced by the mix of
my three brothers and their amazing wives.

"Oh, Jennifer," Mom chided, "you know what I
mean. You're my only daughter. No boyfriend, at least that I've heard of. No
talk of relationships at all. What about Chris? Do you still talk to him? He
was always such a sweet boy in high school. You mentioned that you two keep in
touch, right?"

"Oh, Mother!" I argued. "Chris is a friend,
a very good one at that. It's not like that though."

"Well, just think on it, OK?" she requested as if
my answer wasn't acceptable. "You never know. I mean, remember how I told
you that I didn't realize I was meant to be with your father until;"

"Until he kissed you, I know," I mocked and shook
my head as I had said each word exactly as she had, only my words were dripping
with sarcasm. "Mom, I have never been in a position to kiss Chris. He's a
good friend. He dates. We share stories and encourage each other in our work
ventures. It's just not like that."

"OK, I'm just saying;" she announced as she always
did when she finally gave up. "Are you coming for Easter?"

"Of course, Mom," I answered as I pinched the
bridge of my nose. "I'll bring the pistachio salad as usual, and it's my
turn to bring their basket contents this year."

"Oh, honey," Mom noted and signed. "I know
you're the only one without kids, but the boys sure do appreciate that you
participate in the 'taking turns' idea for the kids."

I couldn't help but smile as she called my 31 , 32, and 34 year-old
brothers "the boys." I think I'd actually have to put more brain
power into grasping who they were if she were to refer to them as "my
brothers." She had always grouped them together when speaking with me.

"Oh, believe me," I corrected of her apology,
"it's not only no bother, but I'm stoked to get to fill their baskets once
every four years. I look forward to earning my properly worded title of 'Best
Aunt Ever' twice in those years. Naturally, I have that honor every
Christmas!"

"Yes, well, just don't show up your brothers with too
expensive gifts," she reminded me as she did all the time. She was
unaware that I made sure to reach out to my sisters-in-law each year to not
only get great (and appropriate) gifts for the family celebration, but also
added a few for under their trees in their own homes which would be marked from
"Santa." It made my heart full to give them a little extra since I
had the means to do it.

As I laid in bed that night, I thought about what my mom had
suggested. Chris? Really? Had I ever thought about that option? I scoffed and
shook my head in the dark. Nah. He was just a friend!

I was about to fall asleep when my phone chirped. It was
charging on the table next to my bed, so I reached over blindly and picked it
up.

"I'm really sorry if this is waking you, but I need to
talk to you."

I didn't think twice and called Chris' sister, Cindy, to see
what was going on. We hadn't talked in a long while, but I had her number saved
from a surprise party we had thrown for Chris when he had turned 30.

"Jenn?" Cindy questioned when answering on the
second ring.

"Yeah, Cindy, it's me," I confirmed. "What's
up?"

"Chris was in a car accident!" she exclaimed and
let out a sigh as she took the moment to catch her bearings.

"Well, oh, gosh," I reacted as I wasn't sure what
the severity was. "Is he OK?" I asked as most humans would think to
ask next.

"Yes, thank God!" Cindy answered and hiccupped.
"Oh, I guess I should have led with that. His car is totaled thanks to the
jerk who cut him off, but we are at the hospital because he has some
injuries."

"That makes sense," I replied and shook my head.
"Cindy, what's up? I mean, I appreciate the call, and I am happy to check
in on him tomorrow, but;"

"Well, that's just it," Cindy quickly interrupted.
"Um, yeah; so, Dex and I were supposed to be leaving tonight for a
week away. Chris is going to need some assistance, so I was wondering, you
know, if maybe you could help out?"

"Help out?" I asked, dumbfounded. "Cindy,
what exactly does 'need some assistance' mean?"

"Um, well; he has a concussion, so the doctor mentioned
that he shouldn't be left alone for a while," she explained. "No more
than a week or so, I think. I mean, as his only sibling, it was logical that I
was asked to do it, you know? But we have these tickets, and the trip;"

"So, how would it work?" I asked before she rubbed
in her little romantic vacation anymore. "He will obviously not be able to
work. Would he be able to come to stay at my place, or?"

"Oh, I asked that too," Cindy answered. "The
doctor said it is best at his place since he knows it the best. You know,
corners, walls, and stuff in case he gets dizzy."

"So, I'd have to move into his place?"

"Yeah," she answered and got quiet.

I ran over the short list in my head of other people who
could possibly take the position of which I was being offered and realized
there was no one else who could do it. His mom was too old and didn't get
around very well. His dad was out of the picture. His guy friends were either
busy with their married lives or irresponsible enough to not trust in such a
position. No, Cindy was right to call me. Now I had to get going. Did I pack?
What about my place? Could I leave to check on it throughout the week? Could he
come with me? So many questions.

"Jenn, are you still there?"

I nearly dropped the phone when I heard Cindy calling out to
me.

"Shoot! Oh, Cindy, I'm sorry. Yes, tell the doctor I'll
be there within the hour. I'll grab my things and figure out the other stuff
tomorrow. Will you be there?"

"Oh, um, we were going to go since he's asleep. Did you
need me to stay;"

"No, go," I answered and shook my head as I said
it. "Go have a blast on your trip. Check in as you can, but don't worry.
I'll take care of him."

"Oh, thank you, Jenn! I knew you'd be there for
him."

We continued our niceties as I got dressed again and packed
while she told me his room number and promised to text me the information too.
We hung up as I zipped my bad shut and headed for the bedroom door. I pointed
at the several places my most immediately needed items were usually located and
found that I'd packed them all, including my phone charger.

 

 

When I entered the hospital, I made my way to the elevator
to go straight to Chris' room. I knew it was after hours for the most part, but
if I was going to be his person, I had to get in there to speak with the doctor
to find out what was required of me.

"Excuse me? Can I help you?" a nurse asked as I
was looking at the wall to find which direction I needed to go to find the
room.

"I'm here to see Chris Benbury," I explained.
"My name is Jennifer;"

"Sanders?" She questioned and nodded when I showed
surprise. "Sorry. Chris' sister, Cindy, told us to be expecting you. I'm
Marita, and I was here when Chris was brought in, so you can come to me if you
have any questions or concerns until 6am when the shift changes. Come with me,
hun, and we'll get you comfortable in his room. When I see the doctor, I'll
send him in to answer your questions."

"Thank you," I answered quietly. The severity of
Chris' injuries was still in question, but the fact that I was walking in a
hospital being led by a nurse hit me a little. I felt the emotions welling up,
so I put up my finger as if to request that we stop so I could collect myself.

"Oh, honey! It's alright!" Marita sympathized and
rubbed my back. "He's going to be just fine!"

I laughed a little at her need to comfort me and shook my
head as I