The Vicarage Bench Anthology (7 page)

Now that this day had arrived, he was glad he had kept his body fit and strong and stayed in good health so that he would be here to see the exchange of Jake and Jenna with his own eyes once again, only this time he would witness them being replaced into their own bodies.

He still lived in his family home, situated close to the vicarage, and every six months or so he would read again the extensive files he’d kept for forty-three years. They explained why it was so important that these events be allowed to happen in sequence, how the young people involved benefited so greatly from knowing each other, and how enriched their lives were from the shared experiences they had lived through. No one must interfere or change the past or the future.

He had arrived at the scene just in time to help the young secretary Marnie with two body shells that needed to be looked after. For the next week neither of them had a moment to spare, because the nursing duties had taken all their time, but now the week had passed and it was the next Saturday, coming up to the noon hour. They were pushing the wheelchairs with Jake’s and Jenna’s bodies in them towards the bench.

“First we’ll prick Jake’s finger. Then I’ll take Jake’s right side if you’ll take his left, and we’ll swing him over to sit on the bench,” Dr. Andrews said, taking charge.

“Right. Put the brakes on, and ready—heave,” said Marnie. Her voice stressed from Jake’s dead weight. She’d never realized what a tall man he was, probably because Jenna was a little over six feet and when the two were together they fit so well. He’d always insisted on dressing formally while at work or at social functions with Jenna; maybe that was his way of remembering she was his livelihood, not that she didn’t remind him often enough. One never did realize that the man in the suit had the body of a Rocky Balboa.

Curls attacked his hair, which had grown longer and framed a strong face with magnificent, deep-set, golden-tiger eyes. Larger-than-normal lips, with the top one somewhat protruding, added a sexy pout to a smile that would start at one side of his mouth and work its way across when he was amused.

The last week had been grueling, and Marnie didn’t know what she would have done without Dr. Andrews’ help. At first, when she had to face the fact Jake had somehow disappeared, leaving the empty shell of his body for her to collect, she just wanted to sit and howl.

Dr. Andrews had calmed her, supported her and coerced her into going along with the swap one more time. He’d spent hours describing how Jenna had joined with Lucy and how both girls had benefited by the change. Outwardly Lucy showed the greatest difference, but in getting to know Jenna during the lengthy counseling sessions they’d had, he’d realized that Jenna had gained much more from the time they were together.

Because Lucy was such a sweetheart, some of her sweetness had rubbed off onto her complete opposite and, vice versa, in all fairness it could be said that many of Jenna’s strengths were lessons Lucy needed to learn. Lucy had lost over thirty pounds, gained oodles of self-confidence, learnt how to dress and apply makeup, and switched from a frumpy old-maid-in-the-making into a lovely modern young woman.

Jenna’s lesson, on the other hand, was to learn that the best way to keep people near her was not to overpay them, or order them to leave and then fear they would, but to care about them and let them care about her.

“I’ll have to see it to believe it,” Marnie muttered. “I’ve worked with Jenna for over five years, and all I can say for her is she respects the work I do, she pays me exceedingly well, and she doesn’t throw things at me like she does at Jake.” Being an honest person, Marnie added, “Of course, he pushes her buttons. She’s fired him so many times and he’s never left. Just shows up at the office the next day same as usual.”

“She needs him in her life, and by firing him she’s testing him to see if he’d leave her.” Dr. Andrews was so definite on this shocking point that Marnie, leaning forward with her mouth open, just had to ask.

“What makes you say that?”

“She’s in love with him and isn’t aware of it.”

Marnie knew that Jake wasn’t aware of it, either. She kept to herself the knowledge of all the hours Jake had spent with Jenna’s comatose body and how lovingly he’d taken care of her. After all, it was his business, and over the years Marnie had learned one very important lesson. The best way to lose a job was to gossip about the boss.

“Tell me again how you planned the switchover today.” Marnie was still confused.

“When I arrived at Lucy’s a few nights after the debacle of trying to extricate Jenna from Lucy and instead ending up with Jake, I explained to them that when Jake received the tape it proved that neither Lucy nor John had contacted you and Jake about Jenna’s situation. Something obviously had happened to them, but what about me? My genetic background was one of longevity on the male side and since I was only forty in 1963 it was quite plausible for me to be still alive in 2006.”

“But how did you know it would work?”

“Quite simple. The next Saturday at noon Lucy and John and I went to the bench and the exchange happened without a hitch, and that’s when I knew.”

“What did you know?” demanded Marnie, still at a loss.

“That I’d be alive and here to help you. You see, my dear, I sent myself a tape so I would be sure to appear at the right time.” He didn’t bother to explain about the files he’d kept all these years.

“Well, in that case, why didn’t you send yourself the tape to stop the whole situation from ever happening?”

“How could I? If it never happened, I would never have known about it, right?”

“Okay, I can see that, but then when you realized something could go wrong with Jenna coming back, which it did, why didn’t you appear then?”

“I could have, but I honestly didn’t even know if the tape would work. It wasn’t until Jake came through that we realized it had worked.”

“Okay, now I understand, but I’m still not too sure of how you’re so certain that our switch tomorrow will work.”

“Because tomorrow is the exact day forty-three years ago that Lucy and John said goodbye to Jenna and Jake. I was there.”

“So what you’re saying is, it worked.” Marnie’s voice was rising in excitement.

“Yes, my dear. It worked brilliantly.”

Chapter Fifteen

Dr. Andrews proved to be right. When they settled Jake solidly on the bench, strapping him down, he was limp for a few moments. Then the flinching started, first in his hands and then in his feet. Next his spine straightened and his head moved. Quite suddenly his eyes opened wide and he had reoccupied his body fully. It took a little while longer before he became conscious, but as soon as he was, he started to bark orders.

“Quick, help me out of this rig.” He was weak and needed Dr. Andrews’ support to make it over to his chair. He looked all around and spotted Jenna by the gate.

“Bring Jenna here now. Did you prick her finger?” His voice shook from his throat being dry.

“I’ll do it right now, Jake,” answered Marnie, who had run over to Jenna and taken her finger and felt a spurt of mean satisfaction when she pricked it darn good and hard.
Make sure it takes
was the thought that popped into her mind.
Damned if I want to be doing this again.

Jake stared up at Dr. Andrews hovering over him, checking his pulse and looking into his eyes.

“Hel-lo, Dr. Andrews!” Jake glanced over to see Marnie pushing a wheelchair close to the bench. “I love you, Marnie, my girl. First thing tomorrow you’re getting a raise.” He shoved the doctor lightly aside and stood up on wobbly legs.

“Let’s get that gorgeous body on the bench and get this switch over and done with. I can’t wait to hold my girl in my arms again.” He looked away from Marnie’s shocked expression, but not before she saw tears glinting.

He winked her way while at the same time his jaw trembled with emotion. God, it was good to have him back, she decided. She’d missed him much more than she’d missed her employer.

Jenna’s pallor was disturbing to Jake, but he knew her wan, ashen face and thin body would resume its healthy glow in a matter of weeks with good food and care. They set her in the same place where he had sat only moments before, strapped her there, and then collectively held their breaths.

Flutters of movement started in Jenna’s hands first, her fingers twitching. She whimpered and tried to force her body erect, but it quite simply was too weak. Her blue eyes opened and were glazed with tiredness.

“What is wrong with me?” Croaking out each word in a pitiful, feeble voice, she glowered accusations. Then she looked around, saw her friends and relaxed. She was home.

“My love, you’re frail from lying in a coma for months. Give it time. You’ll get your strength back, I promise you.” Jake hovered near her on his knees.

They bundled her into the wheelchair and made their way into the vicarage, where Dr. Andrews did a cursory exam of her vital signs.

Marnie fell back into her old habit of staying close but in the background. Jenna’s eyes roved the room until she spied her. “Thank you, Marnie,” she said. Her voice was already stronger. She stretched both hands up to grasp Marnie’s hand and repeated emotionally, “Thank you so much for staying with me.”

“You’re welcome, boss. I’m glad to see you again.” Upon saying the words, Marnie realized how very sincere they were. She had missed her lively, bratty boss.

“Jake,” Jenna ordered next. “Please, take me to the mirror.” Since she couldn’t stand, Jake had to wheel her over and help her up so that she could see for herself—she was truly back.

The screech could almost be heard on the street.

“What the hell have you done to me? I look horrible! Where’s the rest of me?” she whispered fiercely, gripping her cheeks in her hands.

This was too much. Marnie jumped to her feet in fury. “Why, you ungrateful little bitch! Do you realize how hard it was to take care of you, a dead weight lying there? We had to feed you through tubes, administer your medications, wash you and turn you every so many hours, and talk to you till we were hoarse. We brought you here to…”

Jenna cut in, her voice pathetic. “Please, Marnie, forgive me. It was the shock, and I think some of my bitchiness must have remained in my old body after all. I’m sincerely sorry, my dear, and I’m lucky to have you and Jake and Dr. Andrews as my friends.”

Jake, trying to help settle emotions, turned to Dr. Andrews. “You were right all along—your idea worked.”

Dr. Andrews looked searchingly at Jake. “What do you remember about the last week?”

“If you mean do I remember being a roommate in John Norman’s body, then yes, I remember it all.”

“Jenna,” Dr. Andrews interrupted her catch-up conversation with Marnie. “What do you remember about the time you were away?”

“I remember everything, doctor, especially about how brilliant you were—are—whatever.”

Laughter is touted as being the best of medicines and for the next hour giggles and reminiscences evoked medical miracles.

Chapter Sixteen

The next night Jake crept into Jenna’s bedroom after Marnie had retired.

“Are you sleeping?” he whispered quietly.

“I drifted off earlier, for an hour or so, but now I’m wide awake. I’ve been hoping you’d come to me.”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d welcome me or not. I picked up on your goodnight smile and sensed an invitation—or should I say that I prayed it was an invitation? These last two days have sped by so fast, and we really haven’t had any time alone…”

Jenna burst out laughing, and after he thought back over what he’d said, he had to join in.

“You know what I meant. It’s hard for a guy to make out with his woman when she’s in someone else’s body.”

“Am I your woman?”

“Uh-huh!”

“And you want to make out with me?” She wore a witch’s smile, tantalizing and provoking.

“More than I want to breathe. Unfortunately, I’m a gentleman, and it wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of you in your condition. You’re weak and have been through so much. I can wait…”

“Oh, shut up and get in here,” she ordered as she lifted the blankets on his side of the bed.

He had her in his arms in seconds, cuddled against his length. Her eyes had widened when he’d first entered the room wearing only pajama bottoms and in the glow of the bedside lamp she’d been able to see his muscular shape.
How marvelous,
she thought giddily. His chest was wide and tanned, and the triangle of chest hairs he sported was so macho and so unlike the Jake she had thought she knew that it took her breath away. He was a gorgeous male specimen, right under her nose all that time, and she hadn’t even seen it.
Goes to show how right Lucy was.
Just call me superficial
, Jenna thought.

He held her tenderly and smoothed his hands up and down her arm like he was patting his dog, which finally got to her. She realized if she wanted anything to happen she’d have to start it herself.

Little did Jake know that with each passing hour, her strength was returning. True, she couldn’t walk any long distances or sit for long periods, but lying here in his arms she felt energized and for the first time in so long she felt passion saturate her body, and that gave her power. Walking might still be a problem, but making love would be a snap. She needed this to happen, needed to feel alive.

Her hands lifted and pushed him away as she sat up and pulled off the ruffled monstrosity they’d laid out for her. Not wanting to push buttons again, she’d worn it rather than complain, but now she was glad to be rid of it for more than one reason.

The light from the same bedside table that had highlighted him to her now did a similar favor for Jake, throwing a golden halo over her beautiful, frail body. He shook with needs tamped down for so long.

“Now,” she said. “I want you to treat me like a woman, your woman, and not a pet poodle.”

With adoration stamped over his features, he touched her breasts, hand fillers so beautifully formed, with hard, pink nipples distended and begging to be kissed. He leaned up and gently cupped one breast while he kissed her neck as she arched above him. He treated one side the same as the other and covered both with kisses, licks and little love bites until she collapsed over him and nestled right in.