June 6, 2005

Jackie

Thud!

The sound of something falling? pulls me out of dreamland. I stretch my arms up and yawn.

For some strange reason, this is the sound that wakes Nathanael up, not all the racket Mom or Dad is making downstairs.

Because the room is dark, I can only make out his body shape through his crib.

"Mommy?" He says, though it kinda sounds like a whisper, sitting up and puts his tiny little thumb in his mouth.

"No Nathan," I get up from my bed and walk to a few steps to his little cage. "It's Jackie." Crabbing his hand gently, and pulling his thumb out of his mouth.

"Food!" He squeals when the thumb is free.

"Shhh! We don't want to wake Mom or Dad up!" I whisper-yell at him.

"Food," Nathanael repeats himself, but quieter this time.

"Ok. I'll go get you a cookie, but be quiet."

I know Mom is downstairs, why else would there be so much noise?, so I don't bother stopping at her room on my way downstairs.

Looking back now, I wish I'd taken that stop.

WC: 185

_________

"Hell no, Robert. I went through way more than your lazy butt did: I had to explain what a period is. You want to try that?"

"Sounds way easier than explaining birth...especially to a kid who wanted pictures." He glares at Jace.

"Wel-"

"I'm gonna eat, I hope you guys don't mind." Jaylin butts in.

For the first in the whole twenty-four plus hours I've to know her, I couldn't agree more.

What went from friendly teasing was escalating into what might be a fight.

"You do that." Jace starts. "I want to hear more of this." He nods towards his parents.

They both glare at him, saying at the same time: "You're grounded." And then grinning at each other at how in since they are.

"Whatever." He mutters, giving his attention to the food in front of us.

I join in on this, having no interest in watching Robert and Beatrice display their affection towards each other.

A part of me is disgusted and wonders: are they always like this?

But another part wishes for something like this in the future: I want to grow grey and old with a guy. To have him love me as much as I love him until we take our last breaths.

"I'm sure you're wondering: are they always this annoying?" Jace starts, whispers quietly enough so only I hear. "Answer is yes."

"Good to know."

"I have a puke bucket under the table, feel free to use it if they start kissing."

I'll leave the table if their little kisses on the cheek become more, but it's cool of Jace to offer, so I thank him nonetheless.

"So, how was your day, Family?" Beatrice's voice is airy and sweet. It seems to float over all our heads like a little cloud of happiness.

Robert is the first to answer. "Good. Sold two cars."

"What kind were they?"

I'm so glad that I sit besides Jace instead of across. The guy is awesome as far as I know, but it seems like he can't for the life of himself or me, chew with his mouth closed.

"Toyota truck and Ford's van."

"Nice. Coach assigned me, team captain, today."

"Nice job! I've always known my baby was going to be a legend."

"Great going, Son." He smiles at a beaming Jace.

"Thanks."

We go quite as the people who can eat right take the time to finish up before talking. "How about you,  Jacqueline. Anything interesting happen today?"

"No, not really."

My life is pretty boring, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

"That's a total lie: Jacqueline here has a not so secret admirer."

"Really? Already??"

"Yup," Jace answers for me again. "Hudson's been all over her since day one."

"Really?" The fork that was just about to hit her mouth stops as Jaylin quirks an eyebrow up.

"Yeah, he ditched King and I for her. Stacey also says he bought her food."

"Wow...nice of him." She smiles at me, though it doesn't reach her eyes.

I wonder why... did she and Finn ever have/have some type of thing?

Call it selfishness, but I really hope not: I like Finn --even with the perfect image of him I'd created being cracked--and if she does too, imagine the drama that's going to cause.

"Yea, it was." I return her smile while wondering: did I thank him?

"I'm happy for you, Hon. Finn is a great kid."

"Thanks."

I've known Beatrice for no more than two days, and she already feels like a Mom to me. Despite this feeling though, I know I'll never call her Mom.

The conversation drifts off into more personal aspects of life. I, not wanting to open up yet, stick to just listening, and occasionally saying a couple of words when my opinion is asked.

Dinner ends soon enough, and after helping out with clean up, I head to my rooms for some peace and quiet.

A.K.A. Playing on your phone.

Yup.

I'm about to follow through with my plan when Jaylin bursts through the door.

"Sup, Sista!" She sings. "I'm busy tomorrow, so let's get our outfits ready for tomorrow now."

"Oh, that's not necessary," I really don't want to come off as rude --it really seems like she's trying to be nicer-- but I'm tired. Its one of those nights where doing nothing is the best idea. "I already know what I'm going to wear."

"Oh really?" She takes a sit on my bed.

Well, there goes my lazy me time.

"Yup." I try to keep the sigh that leaves my lips quiet as I unplug my charger from the wall, and rest my butt down on the bay window.

"Can I see it?"

"Why not?"

I planned on wearing whatever my eyes first saw the next morning, but now I guess I have to come up with something cute.

That's gonna be hard with that bag of trash you got there.

Deep breath. Smile. And focus.

Isn't such a shame that you can't hurt something that doesn't really exist?

With the fake smile plastered on my face, I pull out a pair of white skinny jeans and this plain maroon tank top. "This is what I plan on wearing."

"That's so cute!" She claps her hands in joy. "But, I have this really cute shirt that would look so much better. Lemme go get it." Before I mouth any protest, Jay's out of my room and into the hallway.

Thoughts of locking the door on her cross my mind, but even with the intense temptation to act upon them, I leave my door alone.  Choosing to instead pull out my phone.

I'm beyond surprised to see a message from contact from a '509' area code. Most of my friends from past homes have had either the numbers 207, Maine's area code, or the 909, California's area code.

Curiosity kills the cat in me within seconds, so I'm left with no choice but to open up the message.

509-8940-3569: Central Park. 4 pm? - Finn

The smile that takes over my whole face is contagious. It's like I'm filled with a brand new energy: one moment I was tired, and now I feel like dancing around my entire room.

Life is good!

_______

Hello beautiful people:) Thank you for reading. Vote, comments, and share if you liked this chapter.

Stay tuned...big things are coming your way...

Love you all, Liv;)

DP: Aug.28.17
WC: 1,222