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Celebrating Seventeen  

 Monday Evening: After School 

It was a little after 7:00 in the evening when J.J. finally drove through the front gates. It had been a long day at school, made longer by the stop she made once she left campus, coupled with lingering concern over her missing friends.  

At least they had the decency to text, albeit both aggravatingly delayed and cryptic attempts at getting in touch. 

Marnie’s reply had been nothing short of succinct.  

“I’m at the house.” 

 Nothing more. 

Trust and believe you are not getting off that easily.

 If Marnie was at home as she had claimed in the text, and the Duchess’s car was out front like it currently was, that meant either Marnie had arrived there legitimately and was in the clear or, if she hadn’t, in all this time, she would have already been dealt with. In either case, the air inside should now be free of any residual tensions that might somehow include her. 

When she texted Tommy after her academic business was out of the way for the day, all she had gotten from him was a reply text: “Hung up. About to go into a meeting. I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

On the first reading, it struck her as dismissive, which of course didn’t initially sit right.  

I know you didn’t.  

Hung up? What meeting? You just got back in town. What could you have going on already to be ‘hung up’ or to have to meet with somebody about? Some girl, maybe?

Better not be.  Boy, do not try me. 

But after considering it from several angles while running laps on the track, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Tommy wasn’t a liar- typically.  

But then, too, he is a guy, so…

At any rate, as far as she could see, he didn’t have a reason to be deceptive with her; he hadn’t been back in town long enough to do anything to need to resort to that, and he really did have a lot going on in his personal life…. 

Maybe that was what the meeting was about. 

Makes sense. I’ll wait to see what he has to say.  

But it better be good and make crystal-clear sense.

 She cruised the final bend and pulled in behind her new car. In what remained of the waning evening sunlight, its pearlized exterior glittered as if sprinkled with a fine diamond dust, taunting her love of that sort of subtle, but classy, bling. 

She did get it right. You are lovely, and it is killing me. 

How-ev-errrr, I’ve got something for you. It’ll help both of us, and there won’t be a thing anybody- with red hair in the house- can say. 

Twisting around to the back seat, she tugged a heavy package by its attached handle up into the passenger seat. It took some jabs with the car key, and some fussing about why a zipper hadn’t been used, to extricate the contents from the thick transparent protective wrapping. She got out of the Beemer carrying the large cube of folded material in her arms. 

At the side of the Mustang, she placed it on the asphalt and began spreading it out to determine proper placement. Once she had it together, it took a few minutes to pull the tarpaulin cover over the car, securing it to the bumpers with the strong elastic bands sewed onto the fabric. When finished, she stood for a moment, hands on her hips, admiring the neat fit. 

Nice. 

And how can she fuss about it? I’m being proactive, taking care of it- especially since I can’t drive it. 

…  sitting there, all cool-looking, mocking me and what have you every day when I go out or come in….  

I’m not having it. Plus the birds won’t have a go on you before I have a go in you. 

Satisfied with her handiwork, not to mention ingenuity, she grinned, thinking of the Roadrunner figurine dangling from rearview mirror inside… 

It won’t be long, buddy. Just you and me, look for us and we’ll be gone.  

Imma be a roadrunner for real, baby. 

The dog met her at the front door, lacing himself in and out of her steps as she tried to close it, get inside, and shed her backpack at the bottom of the staircase. 

“Okay boy, okay! I’m glad to see you, too,” she assured him, laughing as she tried not trip over him in his animated excitement before being forced into sitting on the bottom step to fully pet him. “Somebody would think I’ve been gone for years.” 

“You have been gone all day.”  

Her mother’s voice turned the corner from the great room before she did. “Seems you’re getting in later and later.” 

The Duchess entered the foyer dressed in a lot more casual than usual fashion with her hair pulled up, signaling she had been home for a while, most likely writing. When her mother was deep into her work, that hair her husband preferred down and loose had to get out of the way. 

“Lots to do after school,” J.J. replied as she hugged the pooch to her, scratching and loving him up to his squirming delight. “French club field trip planning, quick study group for AP Lit, strategizing for the state track meet week after next, then practice.” 

“Still burning that candle at both ends, huh?” 

“You always like for me to be involved, Mom.” 

“I also like for you to be well-rested, Justine. You’ve been doing an awful lot lately on top of your studies, you had that episode at the party, and you have a full weekend coming up. Have you eaten at all? I had Marie wait dinner for you and me.” 

J.J. gave the dog a final vigorous ear rub and then released him to stand up and speak directly with her mother. “I’m sorry to hold you up from eating. I haven’t had anything since lunch, and I am hungry, but you didn’t have to not eat on my account. And speaking of people having a lot to do, Daddy not home yet? I didn’t see his car out front.” 

“Your father had an unexpected meeting, so he won’t get in until very late tonight. I wanted to wait for you, so I chose to delay eating. I’ve been at my desk working on a couple of articles most of the day, so it wasn’t a problem. Now why don’t you go up, put your things away, and then meet me at the table.” 

“Is Marnie okay? She slipped a note into my locker saying she wasn’t feeling good and was going home. Then she left me the car. Has she eaten?”  

“She came down earlier and had her dinner; I insisted after she slept so long this afternoon. She said she felt better when I last saw her. She’s been back in her room for a while. Go ahead up and put your things away. I’ll let Marie know you’re finally home.” 

Relieved that Marnie must have left school on the up and up, J.J. pulled her backpack up from the floor and onto her shoulder before starting up the stairs as instructed, still wondering about her friend. It wasn’t typical of Marnie to sleep during the day on her own. And for a long time like that?  

Had she been slipped a Mickey disguised as tea like the other time? 

And how did she get home from school? Her mother hadn’t said, and she hadn’t asked. And had Marnie really been sick like she said in the note? She appeared to be perfectly fine on the drive to school that morning when she was on the phone with her brother. She seemed okay during hall-passing the first couple of periods. 

Had a particular someone related to her somehow pissed her off to the point that she had to leave school? 

Only one way to find out.

 In her room, J.J. dumped the backpack at her desk and hung her jacket in the closet. Carrying a manila folder that she had separated from her own papers and binders, she left back out and went up the hall. At Marnie’s closed door she knocked before cracking it just enough to stick her head inside.  

“You decent, Marn?” 

“What if I wasn’t? You’re in here now, seeing me. Come on.” 

Marnie was lying on her stomach, across the bed, with her head facing the opposite side as she appeared to be watching Jeopardy on the television.  

J.J. went in and dropped the folder next to her. “I wouldn’t have seen anything that would have shocked me. We have the same parts; yours are just smaller.” 

“And cuter,” Marnie added, turning onto her side to slide the folder closer. “What’s this?” 

“Ms. Calvin said to give that to you. She came to the lockers and gave it to me to deliver since you, quote- ‘cut her class today’- unquote. She said it’s what you missed, and you need to do it for homework.” 

 “Bitch,” Marnie grumbled, as she flipped though the papers inside. “This is exactly why I hate her. Person can’t even be sick without her worrying the hell out of them.” 

“Maybe she’s just trying to keep you from falling behind, Marn. You do have a high grade in her class.” 

Marnie rolled her eyes up to J.J.’s face. “I know good and well you are not taking that cow’s side in this.” 

J.J. chuckled and sat down on the side of the bed. “Nah, we’re girls. I wouldn’t do you like that. So, what’s wrong with you? Cramps? 

“No, headache.” 

Although skeptical about that answer, J.J. thought better of challenging it at that point. “So, how are you feeling now?” she asked instead. “The Duchess said you slept for a long time. She drug you with tea again?” 

“Not his time,” Marnie said while still examining Ms. Calvin’s package, in an effort J.J. sensed was to avoid eye contact. “The Duchess sent Marie up to give me some Tylenol. I took them with clear water that I poured for myself. You had warned me about that tea.” 

“Good move. So how did you get home? I kinda worried about how you left the building. You don’t ever get sick, so I wasn’t sure you understood the protocol.” 

“I did have to think about it.”  

Marnie closed the folder and tossed it with unmistakable disdain back onto the bed. “You know I’m used to doing things on my own. I needed to leave, but you still had to get home, so my first thought was to call for a ride, a taxi or something, like I would have done back in the day. Then I remembered I wasn’t going to my mother’s house, where once I got there, I could just tell her off if she tried to get loud with me about taking off from school without permission. This time I would be coming here, and I didn’t think the Duchess would care too much for me just showing up without warning- in a hired car with a stranger at the wheel- even if I was sick.” 

“And you were right.” 

“So, I went down to the Counseling Center to let Grimsley know I didn’t feel good. She was like, ‘You never get sick,’ so she right away called the Duchess, and she came and got me. Tommy’s grandmother was in the car with her. I guess they had been hanging out before that. We dropped Ms. Fee off and then the Duchess brought me home and made me lie down. Did Tommy come up to the school?” 

Bypassing the last question, J.J. took her shot. “So, did you really have a headache, or did your mother get on your nerves that badly? And don’t tell me you don’t want to talk about it because I’m not hearing that.” 

It was the briefest second, but J.J. caught it when Marnie appeared stunned before she lowered her head to softly ask, “Why does it have to be my mother, J.? Can’t I just not feel good?” 

“I don’t’ think so, Marn. Even when you might not be feeling your best, you go to school, and you stay there. There’s too much going on at school, and you’re too nosy for you to not want to witness stuff for yourself. Maureen is the only person- only anything– I know to get on your nerves bad enough for you to have to leave school to get past it. You’ve been bottling up a lot that has to do with her, and you need to let some of it go before it blows the cap off. Who better than me to tell it to? Like I said, we’re girls.” 

“Did Tommy come up to the school?” 

“No, he sent me a text. Said he had something he had to do, and he would see me tomorrow. Don’t try to change the subject.” 

Marnie sighed. “I did have headache, and it was about my mother. She makes me sick literally and figuratively. J., I’m so tired.”  

She raised her eye J.J.’s. “I know the “Duchess gets on your nerves sometimes with how she can be, but you don’t know how lucky you are that you never have to think any more about if your mother loves you; she makes it known in all kinds of ways that even I can see. I mean, it’s weird; I know my father loves me, I know your father loves me, I even know and love that your mother cares a lot about me, but I-”  

Marnie stopped there and wearily shook her head. 

Anxious to avoid the possible shutdown, J.J. urged her on. “Wha’d Maureen do this time?” 

“First of all,” Marnie said through a heavy sigh, “she called my phone when I was in class. Whose mother is that clueless? How the hell was I supposed to pick up, and I’m in class?” 

“Maybe she thought you were on hall passing or at lunch.” 

“That’s my point. Maureen knows nothing of my schedule, my grades, nothing. Hasn’t asked about any of it not one single time in three quarters going into the last for this year, and you know I didn’t offer the info. The Duchess and Pat know more about me and school. Even my big Granny demands I send her copies of my class loads and report cards. Has your mother ever called you at school?” 

“Can’t say she has,” J.J. said. “The Duchess would just show up at school or anywhere else if she felt the message- or mission- was that urgent. In fact, we both know she has done that on a few occasions. 

“Well,” Marnie continued, “I ignored the call at first because I was annoyed about her doing that. But then I got to thinking that maybe she was calling to tell me something important about my father. That made me nervous- you never know with him- so I asked for a pass to the restroom to be able to call her back. I hit her up and she starts right in, fussing at me about not picking up right away and then about not calling her to check if she was okay or if she was coming for the prom this weekend.” 

J.J. bristled. “Call her? She told you she didn’t know if she was coming. Why should you have to call her to clarify?” 

“I’m asking the same thing! Can you believe her saying that? I almost blacked out in that stall from seeing red so hard. I just told her I had to go and clicked her the hell off. I was so mad, J., I almost threw up.  

“I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I knew I couldn’t go find you at lunchtime because you would have been asking too many questions that I wouldn’t have been able to talk about right then. There was no way I could stay at school. I did good to make it down to Grimsley’s office and hold it all in enough to just say I had a headache.” 

“Did you talk to my mother when you were in the car alone with her after you guys dropped off Ms. Fee?” 

“I think the Duchess knew it was more than a headache,” Marnie admitted in a near whisper. “She’s smart like that. She just told me if I wanted to talk, I could come to her when I was ready. She didn’t try to push me into telling her anything more, and I appreciated that. It’s kind of embarrassing sometimes, all this dysfunction I’ve got going on. I don’t even like bringing you in on it most of the time. Once she got me home, I just came up here and chilled. I wasn’t asleep all that time your mother told you I was. I just pretended to be when she came up and checked on me.” 

“Why?” 

“I didn’t want to bother her. And I guess-” 

“Guess what, Marn?” 

“J., you know, I had to think on it because I had to figure it out for myself. As crazy as it sounds, I realized that… I didn’t… I think I didn’t want the Duchess to be, I guess, mad at my mother. It’s weird, but I just don’t want that.”  

Marnie stopped and rubbed at her puckered forehead. “I don’t… I don’t know… I just don’t.” 

She rolled back over onto her stomach, putting her back to J.J. once more, her frustration trailing behind her in the movement like a thin, rust-colored plume of smoke. “I know you haven’t had dinner yet, and the Duchess will be calling up here, all on you about eating. Go on back downstairs and do that.” 

The conversation was over.  

J.J. had gotten all she was going to get from Marnie on the matter, but she couldn’t leave without saying something. Her friend was in pain, and it was a lot more than the residuals from any old headache. 

“I’m so sorry, Marn.”  

It didn’t come out the way she felt it, gut-deep sincere, but she hoped she at least choked it out loud enough to be heard. 

“It’s all good, J.” Marnie confirmed without turning around. “Thank you.” 

With that, J.J. backed out, softly closing the door behind her. 

In the kitchen, her mother, already at the table with her own food, looked up and smiled at her when she came in. Another filled plate was being set in the opposite spot at the table, the steam from its contents assuring it was hot and the smell that it would be good. Third grinned at her from his bed in the corner by the kitchen hearth, inside of which low flames from the gas logs entertained the room with a dainty, lighthearted jig. 

Up there in the room, Marnie had been wrong about one thing.  

She did know how lucky she was.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Late that night….  

Like many of his rides in from downtown after a long day, when the gates swung open before him, Jonathan realized he had no immediate memory of how he got to them. He was only grateful to have finally arrived. Tired was a definite understatement after four flights and two meetings in one day. 

So late.  

After midnight. But like always, once those same gates closed behind him, all tensions and worries remained on the outside. 

At the top of the main staircase, he stopped to give visual checks to the door on his immediate left and to the one farther up the hall, to the right. No light from underneath either. That was a good thing since both occupants of those rooms had school first thing in the morning.  

When he eased open the door to his own bedroom, he found Jennifer sitting up with an open book propped on her bent legs. Just the sight he needed despite his not wanting her to stay awake for him.  

She lowered her glasses to smile at him. “Well, hello, darling. You finally made it in. I know you must be tired.” 

“I am,” he admitted, closing the door and setting his briefcase in the corner before approaching the bed, “You didn’t have to wait up for me, but I must say, I’m very glad you did.” 

“You know I can’t sleep if I know you’re coming home late.”  

As he went around to her side, she closed the book, placed it and the glasses on the nightstand. She brushed his lips with hers before telling him, “Even when I know you’re not coming home at all, I have a hard time dropping off.” 

“Nothing like coming home to you. You make all of it worthwhile.” 

“And so do you. So, was the second trip worth your going?”  

Jacket shed and tie loosened, he began working on unbuttoning the shirt as he headed back around the bed to his side. “I think so. I hope so. I was only on consult for that one, so all I could do was listen and offer my solicited opinions. The rest is up to them and how they decide to handle things going forward, which will most likely help determine any final decisions. The outcome will still be dependent on the approval of other authoritative parties. How’s Marnie?” 

“The same as I told you on the phone. She was quiet and kept to herself for most of the evening. After I insisted that she come down to eat, she did, and then she went back up and stayed in her room.” 

“I take it you checked on her before you came to bed.” 

“Of course. She said she felt better, but I wasn’t entirely convinced of it. She was in the bed by that time. However, the phone was on the nightstand instead of up to her ear or on the pillow next to her.” 

“Um, that’s saying something, the phone I mean. Not a good sign. For her that thing is an appendage. It’s not like Marnie to be ill, or at least not to the point that she’s admitting it and risking getting shut down from her activities. Do you think it was really a headache?” 

“I don’t know. My heart says it was something more, but I didn’t press her on it. I just gave her the out to come and talk with me if she felt she need to do so.” 

He, too, sensed it was more than a headache. More like heartache, and he had a strong hunch about who and what might be causing it. 

“She say anything to J.J.?” he asked. 

“If she did, J.J. didn’t mention it. She went up to see Marnie once she got home from school. When she came back down to have dinner with me, she didn’t say anything about Marnie other than offering a cursory observation of her physical well-being, and I had to ask about that. But then, I wouldn’t expect that one to say anything beyond what she gave up. You know how close-mouthed she can be, especially when conscripted.” 

Speaking of close mouthed.

 The conversation having meandered over to J.J., he wondered about that car cover on the Mustang. When he pulled in and saw it, he thought he knew what that was about; after all, that was his clever kid. But Jennifer hadn’t mentioned anything about it. He decided not to ask- at least not right then. 

“I’m going to get a shower,” he said as he removed the shirt and started into the dressing room. “I won’t be long.” 

He stopped off in the kitchenette to make himself a quick rum and coke to take with him into the bathroom.  

Just to relax me along with this hot water. It has been quite the night. 

A short while later, refreshed and mellowed but ready to sleep, he returned to the bedroom. Jennifer was now lying on her stomach. Her head nestled in the pillow, her face turned in his direction, she appeared to be dozing off. Trying not to disturb her, he gingerly climbed in and pulled up the covers. He was mildly surprised when she slid over enough to lay her head on his chest. After turning off the lamp, he gathered her in his arms and kissed her forehead before whispering next to her ear, “So what’s with the car cover?” 

“What car cover?” 

“The one on the Mustang. It’s out there covered with a real nice, new, fitted car tarp.” 

Her head raised. “What?” 

She pushed back the bedcovers and slid over to her side. He watched her silhouette get up and go to the window where it pulled back the sheers to peer down to the driveway. 

“Well, I will be d- That girl. She is always- Jonathan Charles Hart, you better not be over there grinning at this little minx and her antics.” 

“I’m not,” he lied, as behind her in the darkness, he covered his mouth with his hand.  

After all, that was his kid. He knew her and, oh so well, how she operated. 

Jennifer returned to bed but got in only as far as her side of it, putting her back to him. He reached an arm out and moved in to spoon with her, whispering into her hair and neck, “J.J.’s just being proactive, darling.” 

Jennifer, of course, wasn’t buying it. “Yeah, right. I know better, and so do you.” 

He did.  

It was so good to finally be home with his girls. Never a dull moment.  

The rest, the parts he left on the other side those front gates, would have to work themselves out on their own.  

Consult had its limits. 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday 

If it’s not one jackass, it’s another! 

I hate when people are unnecessarily aggravating. 

Marnie resisted slamming shut her locker door. Instead, she eased it closed, taking the time to briefly lower her head to assume her game face in case somebody might be looking. Fortunately, no one else happened to be in the immediate vicinity, but being between classes, anybody could walk up and want to start talking. The irritation she had been harboring for two days had not let up in the least, and she found it taxing trying to keep it from bubbling past her usual smooth, jovial façade.  

When they left the house that morning, J.J. had gotten in on the passenger side instead of driving them in as she normally did to allow her the time to make her morning call to her brother, Kyle, to get him started on his day. J.J. didn’t say much on the ride in, and once they arrived at school, she had only come to use her locker twice. On both visits, J.J. had gotten what she needed and left with minimal conversation. 

Not like her at all. 

Something was wrong with her, and Marnie had a feeling she knew what it was. But she, of all people, understood the importance of not trying to dig too deeply, especially with J.J. Hart. 

 But …. 

She knows better than this. 

Just like J.J. had recently broken it down for her, sometimes stuff needed to be shared and talked out. And they would be doing just that once they both made it back to the house, if things hadn’t changed before they got there. She had a feeling she hadn’t gotten the whole story from her friend. 

The school day was almost over. One more period to go. 

Thankfully, it was the one day of the week that there weren’t any after-school activities to do or obligations to meet. On Wednesdays, she and J.J. looked forward to either heading straight home or hanging out to do what they wanted to do rather than what they were committed to do. 

“Marnie! Hold on!” 

It was J.J. calling to her from up the hall. Her locker was right next door, so Marnie waited. 

“Glad I caught you,” J.J. said as she walked up and immediately began to spin her combination. “You don’t have to wait for me after class. I’m going up to the sound booth after next period. I have a piece I want to work on. I don’t want you to have to stay late, though. I’ll get a ride home from somebody.” 

“From who? I’m not leaving you here without an established ride home, J. What if you can’t find somebody?” 

“Then I’ll call you, but I’m sure somebody will still be hanging around. Deon has weight training today. I can get him to bring me. After class, I’m going straight up to the music room, so I won’t see you after this until I get home, unless I do wind up having to call you to come get me.” 

Marnie eyed her friend, checking for signs of deception. J.J. had always had that annoying habit of slipping off on her own, and she was getting worse about it. At that moment, though, she was digging inside the locker, switching out one set of books for the ones she needed for the next period. Because of that, she couldn’t see J.J.’s eyes, but Marnie didn’t otherwise sense any hoodwinking on her part. Instead, it occurred to her how when something was on her nerves, J.J. tended to shut the outside world down and turn to her music. 

“You okay, J.?” 

 Not stopping what she was doing, she answered, “I’m good, Marn. I just want to work on a couple of bridge changes and do some mixing. Mr. Washington said he’s staying late for a meeting, so I could get into the booth while he’s handling his business.” 

Not quite satisfied with the response, but resigned to acceptance, Marnie shrugged. “Suit yourself, J. Just make sure you call me if you find yourself without a ride. And please call or at least text the Duchess to let her know. I don’t want to have to answer a whole lot of questions once I get home without you. You know how she is.” 

“I will,” J.J. said as she closed her locker door. “See you when I get home or before that if I come up short.” 

At that, J.J. walked away leaving her standing there, wondering. 

Um, she can say what she wants about not giving a …. 

I know better. “Specially when it comes to- 

Let me get to my class before I’m late, and I’m pushed into getting with Ms. Hearst. I like her, but she can get some of this, too, if she goes there with me. 

She reopened her locker to snatch out her jacket and tote bag. If J.J. was staying, then she would have no need to come back to get her things if she took them with her to class. When that last bell rang, she would be on her way to the car. 

Like somebody shot my behind out of a cannon. 

That last class was close to the back door, so when Ms. Hearst released them on the bell, Marnie headed straight for the parking lot door. She made it to the car and got in, grateful for not having run into anyone. With J.J. staying behind at school, she thought she might partake in a little retail therapy before heading home. 

God and I know I need it. 

She made a quick check of her face in the rear view, switched on the car, and was adjusting the radio volume when a shadow fell across the dashboard, followed by a rap on her closed window, startling her into a painful jerk.  

“What the he- Tommy?” She pressed the button to lower the window. “You jackass! You scared the hell out of me! Where did you come from?” 

Tommy leaned in once Marnie had the window fully open.  

“You should practice always being aware of your surroundings. You never know who’s lurking around. It’s been a while, Marn. So, what’s up? I see the nerves are still bad.” 

“That hasn’t changed, especially when somebody sneaks up on me like this. Yeah, long time no see. You ducked out of the party before I could get to you. Everything okay? How’s your mom?” 

“Yeah. It’s cool. She’s cool. Open the door.” 

She popped the locks as he went around the car and got in on the passenger side. 

“You must’ve been over here this morning,” he said as he reached down beside himself for the device that would slide the seat back to accommodate his long legs. “Where’s J.? I was looking for the Mustang in the lot, but I didn’t see it.” 

“J. was over there on that side this morning. I drove. She’s not as tall as you.” 

“How come she didn’t drive her own car? It being new and everything, looks like she would be in it.” 

“Long story,” Marnie said, checking out their long-absent friend.  

Had he gotten taller? Cuter? The long hair was a nice touch. “So how was Spain?” 

“It’s a beautiful place. I’m learning a lot. Where’s J. then if she’s not here with you? I know you and her are two for one. So, like did the Duchess commandeer the car?” 

Marnie rocked her head. “Dang Tommy, you have all these questions. Aren’t you even going to ask how I’m doing? You are in my vehicle, you know.” 

Tommy rolled his eyes and rocked his head one time in return. “How are you, Marnie? You’re looking good, as always. You still with the Harts?” 

“You’ll have to ask J. about the Mustang, and I’m fine- like always in all ways, but thank you for the compliment. And yes, I’m still with the Harts. Probably will be until I graduate next year. Our people have it set up that way, and I’m good with it.” 

“That’s great. It’ll help keep you honest. Now where’s J.? You conveniently didn’t say, but I know the Duchess must have shut her down on driving the car. That’s the only reason it wouldn’t be out here.” 

“For your information, Tommy Steele, I’m always honest. And where have you been? You were supposed to come see us yesterday.” 

“I got hung up. So, is J. riding home with you or not?” 

“Whatever. She was looking for you to show up yesterday. I’m pretty sure she’s sick of you and mad as hell by now. As for your last question, she said she’s staying after school today. She’s up in the music room. In the booth working on something. She told me she would get a ride home with Deon, or she would call me to come get her if she couldn’t get with him or somebody else to get home. I sure hope she remembered to call the Duchess and tell her that. I don’t want any questions asked of me should I get there before J. does.” 

“You don’t have to worry about coming back for her.” Tommy opened the door and swung his legs out of it. “I got J.” 

“You got her?” Marnie ducked her head down to see and speak to him through the passenger side window once he closed the door. “How are you going to get in the school, much less to her, to even let her know you’re here, although I guess you could text her to let her know you’re out here. But the office ladies aren’t going to let you in to just roam the building looking for her. You know security is tighter in there now than it used to be.” 

Tommy smiled. “The office ladies love me. They’ll let me in.” He patted the top of the car twice in dismissal of her concerns. “I’ll see you later.” 

Marnie returned Tommy’s parting wave as he walked off. She hoped he was right about the office ladies and that they didn’t force him have to resort to drastic measures to make his way up to that sound booth. 

Because Tommy would do just that. 

Just like J.J. would in his position. 

Hmmm, nice butt, too, to go with that face and those dimples. 

He’s going to need all of that and then some to- 

She shook her head and put the car in gear. 

  -not my circus.  Those two… I just can’t.  

She backed out of her space and pulled off, smiling at that last thought. The shops were waiting for her and her wallet to get there, unfettered by her impatient best friend.

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 

J.J. wound up down in the music room proper rather than where she had planned to spend her after-school time. Up in the sound booth, despite her best intentions, she hadn’t been able to concentrate enough on the things she wanted to get done. Too much on her mind. And this time, it wasn’t even her own stuff. 

I should be mad. 

I want to be mad. 

It would make sense for me to be mad. 

But… I just don’t know…. 

The “first” piano, the huge grand, was designated as hers during daily Jazz Band sessions. There were also two spinets in the room, but they were used by other pianists. The grand was hers at class time as well as in public performances, and she loved playing it almost as much as the one at home. Alone now, it was just the two of them as she closed her eyes and blindly ran an assortment of scales, her restless spirit somewhat soothed by the cool ivory beneath her fingers, by the rich, soulful tones their combined efforts produced. 

It felt as if things were happening, changing, way too fast. They had been for a while. 

For a whole week, she had carried the mental burden of the tension between herself and her mother. That pressure had been duly earned and had since been dealt with and offloaded. Thank heavens for that. No matter how right or wrong she might feel about the difficulties between them when they happened, she had always been uncomfortable about being on the outs with her mother. 

Now it was her friends over whom she worried. Although there wasn’t anything she could do for either of them outside of listening as they shared their thoughts and talking with them about the issues, even that was proving problematic. One was shut down and the other was missing in action. 

Marnie’s problem was a long-standing one, and it wasn’t likely to improve any time soon. But Marnie was currently housed in a safe place while she remotely maneuvered her sometimes complicated interactions with her own family. There was no longer the worry of her doing anything crazy out of anger or frustration, and Marnie’s mother, Maureen, certainly wouldn’t be bringing any of her crap to Marnie at Willow Pond. 

As for Tommy, who knew what was going on with him?  

After nearly a year, she had only seen and spoken with him at any length that one brief time out by the pond. Was he really the same person? It felt the same out there sitting beside the water, but was it really? Someone could change a lot in almost a year, especially when he had spent that time in an entirely new environment, with new people, not to mention in a completely different set of circumstances. 

Now he was back home with his mother, but facing another new situation, one that might- would most likely alter his relationship with her. Tommy and his mother had always been close, but revelations before his departure to Spain threatened to test that. Mrs. Steele had held out on Tommy over something extremely important.  

Now there she was again with another something extremely important to him. 

There had been enough time that night out by the pond for him to share that he hadn’t been prepared for this ‘new’ news. 

Now that it had been shared, how was it being handled? Tommy said he wasn’t angry about his mother and Uncle Marcus being involved with each other and planning to marry. Did he realize later, once he had more time to think about it, that he was angry? If so, why wasn’t he coming around to talk about it? Why was he staying away?  

It wasn’t like Tommy to be elusive, at least not with her. They had always been able to share their feelings about troublesome matters. His text said he would come by on Tuesday to talk, but here it was, the end of the school day on Wednesday, and he was still absent. 

Not a call.  

Not a text.  

Not even an email.  

There were too many ways for a person who really wanted to connect to do so. 

Could it be that he didn’t want to connect? Maybe staying away was his way of letting her know that he didn’t need or want her to help him with this. After all, Marcus Borland was practically a relative to her. Maybe that was the reason Tommy didn’t want to involve her in it.  

Quiet, serious, studious, kind Uncle Marcus. It twisted at her heart that he was caught between the woman he must love and her son, if indeed there was some disagreement between them. He had never been married, nor did he have any children, so would he know how to deal with something like that? Would he be feeling conflicted because of it? Tommy’s mother had never been married either, but she definitely loved her son by another man. Where would her head and heart still be in this if it was hurting Tommy? 

Maybe Tommy decided to go away. He did allude to that the other night. It would be like him to do that. Tommy didn’t like being the center of attention, and he certainly didn’t like messy situations, much less being part of one. Getting out of his mother’s way to allow her to get a life of her own was one of the reasons he decided to take his grandmother and uncle up on their offer for him to study in Spain for a year.  

But where would he go? In her own mind, she always felt Tommy left for Spain in the first place to get a life of his own- to find himself after finding out about his father. But if running off this time had been his own decision, wouldn’t he have at least said goodbye?  

He’s not that crazy. He wouldn’t leave without telling me. 

I hope he wouldn’t. 

I do not want to be angry, but if he-

 

Drained and becoming a tad lightheaded from thinking so fast and hard accompanied by the threatening rush of negative emotion, she left off playing the piano. Instead, she pressed her balled fists into her lap and her forehead to the cool ivories. 

“J., you okay?” 

She raised head and her eyes just enough to see across the room to Tommy standing at the open classroom door.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Despite getting home so late on the previous evening, Jonathan had gotten up and gone into the office at his regular time that morning. By mid-afternoon, however, he was forced to admit to himself that he was not in the right frame of mind to give Hart Industries the attention it deserved from him. With nothing going on that required his immediate personal attention, he decided to take a breather and cut out a couple hours earlier than normal. Notifying Liz of his departure and not wishing to run into anyone who might come up with something last minute on his way out, he used his private in-office exit to head down to the parking lot. 

He and Jennifer faced another busy weekend. Lately, most weekends found the family occupied individually and occasionally as a group with activities, civic obligations, or social engagements. The upcoming one included another prom, but this time it involved both girls, which of course would involve him and Jennifer.  

With Wesley Singleton officially placed for the last time on legal notice and reportedly back on campus, it wasn’t J.J. that concerned him. She would be accompanying Chase Barnett to his prom, only going with him to keep his mother off his back about not having an established date. The singular worry with those two would be an attempt to deviate from the plan in place to get into something more suited to their other borderline sketchy interests. Fortunately, J.J. currently had too much on the line to push against any set parameters. Chase would be on his own in that should he choose to accept any missions. 

This time around, it was Marnie on his mind. 

Despite her claims of having quickly recovered from her “headache” the other day and since then resuming her usual outwardly confident and congenial demeanor, he still sensed there was something very wrong with her. It wasn’t physical. It wasn’t likely mental. More concernedly, it seemed to be emotional. She was holding something in, holding it back. The problem with that sort of thing in Marnie was, as it was with water, the element would find its own level and its own way out. That last thing could be lethal either to the source of her distress or, more importantly, to her. Earlier that morning, he had spoken by phone about it with Marnie’s father, and they had come to the same conclusion about the probable source of her pain.  

In the parking garage, he got into his car, resolving to conduct a sit-down heart-to-heart with the young lady as he promised Carl.  

Before backing out, he checked his watch and realized it was still within Jennifer’s designated daily writing time, so he changed plans. It was already set up for him, Bill, Chuck Barnett, and Chuck’s brother to play golf on Saturday morning, while the girls worked on getting the kids together for the prom. Not wishing to disturb Jennifer from her work, instead of heading home, he decided to use the time to take care of a few personal needs before the weekend.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 

“How did you get all the way up here? I hope to God you did not sneak in because I’m too old to be getting detention because of you trying to be my unauthorized visitor.” 

Tommy sauntered into the music room, making his way through the back rows of players’ chairs to the piano where J.J. remained seated.  

“Relax, girl,” he said, pointing to a neon green “Visitor” label affixed to his jacket. “Got a pass, so I’m legit. I’ve always been cool with the office ladies. They like it when I smile at them, especially Metcalfe, and she’s the head secretary. On top of that, Grimsley happened to be in there at the time. I told her I was coming to see Coach, so-” 

“Oh, so you lied.” 

“- she vouched for me. I went to see Coach first. Deon happened to be in the weight room, too, so we all kicked it for a minute, then I diverted up here to come find you.” 

She raised an eyebrow to him. “Diverted? Okay, so you loopholed it.” 

He grinned. “I learned from the best how to do that.” 

J.J. sighed before lowering her head to cup her forehead in her hand. “How did you know where to find me?” 

Tommy went around the piano to slide onto the bench beside her. “I ran into Marnie in the lot as she was leaving. I had been hanging around out there, waiting for you because I heard this was your early day. I figured you for getting out of Dodge right on the bell.” 

“Heard it was my early day from who?” 

He pressed on with his story. “I thought at first you had left already because I didn’t see the car.”  

He leaned in to knowingly nudging her arm. “But I guess the Duchess got you for the birthday present as payback for the New York caper. Mustang got corralled, J?” 

Still massaging her forehead, J.J. wearily breathed, “Whatever, Tommy.” 

“Yeah well, no matter. We both know what happened. You shouldn’t have tried it, especially after getting away with absconding with her car a couple of nights before, even if it was to go and get Daria. Your mother has never played games with you, especially about you going off on your own without permission or advance notice.” 

“You seem to know an awful lot for somebody I haven’t been in touch with in forever, speaking of which-” 

At that, he stood up. “There’s a lot we need to get caught up on, J., and I thought maybe we could talk. But I mean, I don’t want to rush you if you’re working on something. I can wait here, or I can go back, hang out in the gym and come back when you text me. Whatever the case, I’ll be your ride home when you get ready.” 

Not to be deterred, she looked up at him through narrowed eyes. “What happened to you yesterday? Sunday afternoon? All day Monday? How come I didn’t even get a text from you on that?”  

Then she flipped up a hand. “You know what? I should just go on ahead and put you on ice, like I said the last time you showed up out of nowhere. I’m feeling real ignored right about now.” 

“Look, do you want to fight, or do you want to let me explain about where I’ve been and what’s been going on with me? We can do either one, girl. I’m up for it” 

“Boy, don’t test me. I’m not the one that left you sitting around, wondering and worried.”  

“You were worried about me?” 

Snatching at the strap of her backpack leaned against the legs of the stool, she shot up from the bench, pulling the bag up with her, snapping, “I’m ready. Whose car are you in?” 

“My mother’s.” 

“The Lexus?” 

“That’s the only one she has, J. I told you about my car and the bike being in storage.” 

“You did ask her for it, didn’t you? I’ve got too much going on right now to be caught in a hot car, getting pulled over by the police because it was reported stolen. Being an accessory. Your mother isn’t into game playing either. She will call the police on you.” 

He grabbed the backpack from her, slung it onto his shoulder and took gentle hold of her upper arm. “Come on, girl. She gave me the car to use, and I used it to come get you.” 

“Does she know she gave it to you to come get me? Did you tell her that was where you were going? And why did I have to find out from somebody else that you spent the night at my house? And also, why-” 

“Too many questions, J. Let’s go.” 

J.J. continued fussing as she allowed him to guide her through the chairs and to the door. “You are not the boss of my life. You have a whole lot of nerve trying to order me about after I’ve been sitting around all this time, waiting to-” 

“J., hush and just come on. I promise everything will make sense once I lay it out for you.” 

“It just better, Tommy Steele.” 

“And Marnie said she told you to let the Duchess know you’re getting a ride home. Did you do that? If not, make sure you do once we get to the car.” 

“You’re not my daddy.” 

“Good thing for me- and probably you right now- that I’m not.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

At the bottom of the staircase, they made the turn to the door that would take them to the parking lot, so caught up in their back and forth that they didn’t notice the two sets of eyes following them. 

Coach Adams and Ms. Grimsley had been talking outside of the Counseling Center, but simultaneously went silent as their attention was drawn to two bickering kids. They watched Tommy Steele and J.J. Hart until the doors to the outside closed behind them. 

“I knew he was up here looking for that girl,” Ms. Grimsley said. “In the office, he made out like he was trying to get a visitor’s pass to see you.” 

Coach softly snorted in amusement. “He did make it over to the gym. We talked, but I had enough sense to know I wasn’t the real reason he was here.”

_______________________________________________________________________________________

“Mom,

Stayed late to work on some music. Tommy came up to visit, so he will bring me home. Going to eat first, so please don’t hold dinner for me.  

Love you, J.J.💗 “

At her desk in the great room, Jennifer stared at the message in the display of her cell, reading it twice to make sure of what it said.  

Oh, I see.  

So, now you’re telling me what you’re doing rather than asking me if it’s all right to do it. That’s where we are with this?  And to minimize the interaction and negate any objections, sending a text message rather than phoning me.  

And then loving me, to boot…. 

Nobody could say that J.J. Hart wasn’t smart. Too clever at times. A bit calculating even, according to her Aunt Pat. The guidance counselor at the school once alluded to J.J. being somewhat manipulative.  

There was definite truth in all of that, as evidenced from that text sent to her Mama. 

But then, too, what could be expected of the girl when Tommy Steele was part of the hand J.J. Hart was playing? For some reason, all normal bets flew right off her table when that boy sat down at it. In a conversation with Tommy’s grandmother earlier that morning, it became clear that the two of them really did need to touch base. 

I’ll stand down on this one

She slid the phone back into her pocket, used the intercom to let Marie know about J.J.’s dinner plans, and went back to her own work.

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

Happy to have found the golf shirts he wanted on the very first stop, Jonathan refrained from whistling his satisfaction as he went through the pro shop doors to return to his car. Shopping for himself was not his favorite thing to do, so it was always pleasing to easily find what he was looking for and be on his way.  

Routinely checking his surroundings while walking down from the second level to the first where he had parked, a red car an aisle over from where he was headed caught his eye.  

Curious to see if the vehicle belonged to who he thought it might, he drove around to that aisle to check it out. Surely enough, the rear license plate revealed it was Marnie’s car, and there was someone behind the wheel. He pulled in close behind the vehicle and tapped his horn to get the person’s attention before getting out to go to the driver’s side window. 

It was Marnie. When she turned to see who was there, she appeared shocked to find him. He was equally stunned by her tear-streaked face that she hastily tried to wipe dry upon seeing it was him. His heart kicking into overdrive, he gestured for her to lower the window after instinctively trying the door that turned out to be locked. 

Still wiping at her eyes and trying to appear more composed, Marnie lowered the window. “I’m okay, Mr. H. Really.” 

“No, you’re not,” he said. “Unlock the door.” 

When she complied. he pulled it open and handed her the handkerchief from his pocket. “Dry your eyes then get your things. You’re coming with me.” 

“Huh?” 

“You heard me.”  

Marnie used the rear-view mirror to dab at her red eyes and flushed cheeks before reaching into the back seat for her school tote bag, pulling it to the front. 

“Mr. H., you don’t have to do this,” she weakly offered. “I’m okay. Really, I am.”  

“What did I say, Marnie? Give me your keys.” 

Without further protestation, she got out and, as instructed, pressed the keys into his waiting hand. He closed her door and used the remote to secure the car. 

“Let’s go,” he said, taking Marnie’s elbow to guide her around to the passenger side of the Bentley where he helped her inside. “Where’s your buddy? She’s not out here, with you, is she?” 

Marnie shook her head. “J. hates shopping. She stayed late, but she’s probably with Tommy by now. He came up to the school and was trying to get in when I left. You know security is kinda tight there now, but he probably talked and smiled his way in.” 

Jonathan nodded and closed her door.  

He drove them back around to where he had come down the stairs from the pro shop and parked at the curb. “Wait here,” he said to Marnie. “I’ll be right back.” 

On the way up the stairs, he flipped out his phone and hit the first speed dial button. 

When he returned, Marnie had completely dried her eyes and appeared to have glossed her lips. Still clutching his now crumpled handkerchief, she turned to him once he was back behind the wheel. “Where are we going, Mr. H.? What about my car?” 

“I just dropped your keys off with my buddy at the pro shop upstairs and called security at Hart to have your car picked up from here. It will be delivered to the house. That okay by you?” 

“I guess it’ll have to be,” she said as she closed her eyes and sat back, appearing to give in to the situation, not to mention the comforting plush leather seat, reassured by the company of her timely chauffeur.  

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

Well, there’s the other one that I won’t have to be looking for.  

I guess that’s my cue to stay in this chair a little longer. 

Jennifer returned cell phone to her pocket, smiling to herself as she did so. 

You and all your children.  Like the Pied Piper, you are, but leading them to safe waters rather than astray to the uncertain.  

You’re a good man, Jonathan Hart. An incredibly good man. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in life. With you, I know I made at least one instinctive snap decision that panned out. 

Miss Marnie Elaine, you are in the best of hands.  

She pushed the reading glasses farther up her nose and resumed her furious tapping of the laptop keys. 

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

“I hope that was your mom you were texting,” Tommy said as he pulled out of the parking lot after noticing J.J. give her phone a quick Swype as soon as she got in on her side before putting it away. 

“It was her,” J.J. said. “I didn’t want to put it off, then get too involved and forget to do it.” 

“Why didn’t you just call her directly and tell her? Would have been quicker.” 

“You know how my mother is, Tommy. A million and one questions. I just went on and texted her to give her the message. If she does have any concerns, she’ll surely call me back with them. If not, then I dodged that avoidable bullet.”  

Tommy shrugged. “I guess that makes sense. Anywhere special you wanna go?” 

“You came and got me. I would think you had someplace in mind already. It’s your call.” 

“Okay. How about the pier? It’s not that far a drive, there’s a bunch of places we can pick from out there, and we can be by the water. I know how much you like it out there.” 

His remembering that about her and, maybe, the good times they once had hanging out in that part of town was gratifying, although it seemed a lifetime ago for those experiences.  

“You like the pier, too, if I remember correctly.” 

“I did,” he said. 

Something she heard in that, “did,” caused her to look over to him as he focused on maneuvering the car from the end of the school driveway into the afternoon traffic.  

Somehow, Tommy seemed so much older than she remembered. It felt different between them. But then, maybe it wasn’t that. Maybe it was just her perception of him, of things. After all, it had been almost a year since they had been together for any real amount of time.  

“What you looking at, J.?” 

“Nothing,” she said, abruptly shifting her gaze straight ahead. “I was just thinking.” 

“That’s you,” he said with a smile she didn’t quite see, but detected, when that dimple flashed in the cheek on her side. 

Maybe it’s me that’s changed. 

_______________________________________________________________________________

“Jeez, Mr. H. You come here a lot?”  

Jake’s, the startlingly out-of-place diner Mr. Hart had pulled up to, was located between a gas station and a dry cleaner. On the other side of the strip center she noticed a combination barber shop and hair salon, a liquor store, and a small thrift shop, its smudged windows filled with assorted items. This certainly wasn’t a side of town that she frequented, at least not on the up and up and without at least one of her crew for backup.  

He smiled at her question and popped the locks before getting out and coming around to hold her door open. 

Marnie’s confusion skyrocketed when they went inside, and Mr. Hart was personally greeted by the seemingly lone server, a thin, weathered woman who hollered, “Hey Mr. H.!”  from behind the counter as she waited on several seated customers. She gestured with her free hand, “Your table is open!”  

“Thanks!” he called back as he guided her by the shoulder to the indicated area. 

Once seated, Marnie took quick visual inventory of the small establishment. It looked sort of grimy and smelled of cooked meat and onions. She had never been to a place like this, especially not to eat. Not even with her friends. How would somebody like J.J.’s classy dad know about a joint like Jake’s, much less choose it to bring her? 

“I come here sometimes,” he finally answered as he handed her one of the tacky-feeling menus stuffed behind the metal napkin holder, “when I need to unwind and just be me for a few.” 

“How ever did you find this place?” Then, only just hearing that last part of what he said, she tilted her head. “Just be me for a few?” 

He was looking at his menu as he spoke. “Yeah, I’ve been coming here for years. Since I first came to Los Angeles. Since before Hart Industries. Since before I became who society says I became.” 

Instantly intrigued, Marnie sat back to take in his words. “That was deep, Mr.H.” 

“What was deep?” he asked. 

“What you just said. You know, before society said who you were. That’s something to think about.” 

He put his menu down on the table and folded his hands on top of it. “What do you think that means, Marnie?”  

She pondered the question a moment, and then leaned forward resting her elbows on her own menu to vocally work it out.  

 “I think- Mr. H. I think it means you… you have to keep track in your heart of who you really are, not who other people make out to you to be… to you. I- I- I think it means we can get caught up and start thinking we are who other people say we are. We can start behaving according to how other people react to us, and then we start being that person, not who we are for real. If- if- if we’re not careful.”  

By this time, she was sure there had to be lines formed in her forehead from her efforts to process and express those thoughts. She stretched farther forward to ask, “Did that make any sense?” 

The man had a great smile; she relaxed with it. 

“Makes perfect sense to me.” he said. “So, now since we’ve got that hammered out, who are you, Marnie?” 

That question bumped her back upright to contemplate it.  

Interesting.

It took her a minute or two before she had to quietly admit, “You know, Mr. H., now that you ask, I’m not really sure. I mean, I never thought about me like that. I guess… I just… I just… always was. Am. Whoever I am.” 

“Marnie, getting to know yourself is the most important starting point in life, especially at your age, so let’s you and I get you figured out. We’ll start with what got us here- me finding you in the car. Those tears were real, not the kind you typically use for your own purposes. What caused that? That’s not who I thought you were.” 

Marnie slowly smiled and nodded. “I get it. See, that’s who you figured I was- manipulative. I am that; I admit it. When I tried it on her that one time, Mrs. H. told me crying to get my way only works on men. It surely didn’t work on her; I still had to stay in the next weekend after I didn’t quite make curfew. That five minutes meant nothing to her. ‘Late is late, Marnie Elaine Benson’.” 

He cracked up at that, and she went with him.  

It hadn’t been funny at the time, but after she was over being angry at not being successful in securing the sympathy and leniency she sought, she could see Mrs. H.’s point and filed the tip away for future use… on males of the species. 

“I do like for people to see me as confident,” she continued when they both stopped laughing. “Kind of unflappable, but I’m not for real-unflappable, I mean. I try not to let a lot get to me, but some of it does, depending on the situation or the person involved. I guess I’m a lot more sensitive than I think most people believe I am. Maybe more than I thought I was- am.” 

“So, what or who got to you today?” 

“Nobody,” she automatically replied.  

Without a doubt, J.J. Hart had inherited her father’s eyes. So blue. That probing, painfully direct gaze when going in for the delicate, intricate, but definite kill.  

She lowered her eyes from his. “Nothing.”  

“Then who knocked you down?” 

“Nobody.” 

He reached across the table and used his finger under her chin to bring her face back to his, unnerving her some with the intimate gesture. 

“Be straight with me, Marnie. It’s just the two of us here. Your dad asked me to find out, and as your stand-in dad, I need to know. You need to talk about it, so that you can get back to being you.” 

She didn’t want to talk about it, it hurt too much to talk about it, but… 

“You talked to my dad?” 

“We talk all the time. We both want the best for you. Now talk to me.” 

She wasn’t sure if she could. Wasn’t sure if she had thought enough about it to share it with anybody other than the bitter tidbit she had given to J.J. 

But it did hurt so very much to keep it inside. 

“I think I knock myself down, Mr. H.,” she finally admitted. “I think I let certain people get to me too much.”  

Feeling the tears trying to come, she put her head down on her arms and admitted, “And I don’t know what to do about it.” 

“It’s not people, Marnie,” she heard him say. “Tell me who it is specifically.” 

He knew. She knew that he knew, and she told him that he did. 

But he persisted. “Say it to me. Specifically, who is it? Say it out loud.” 

It was, after all, Mr. H. who was asking, and he didn’t insert himself into her personal life too often. He was important and busy and didn’t have time for a lot of petty kid-drama. But he had somehow found her car in that huge parking lot and now was taking the time to come to her aid, reportedly at her own father’s request. None of that had been accidental or coincidental. 

Steeling herself, she raised her head and admitted, “My mother, Mr. H. It’s my mother. I’m so tired of her. She’s so raggedy. About everything. So selfish. I’m just tired, tired, tired of her. You know, I can cut off, without the first hesitation, other people that get on my nerves, but how in the world do I cut off my own mother? I just want peace, Mr. H., that’s all. I told that judge that was what I wanted when I was in New York, but he didn’t want me to get emancipated since I was so close to being eighteen, and I had people in my life who cared about being in charge of me. I try with my mother, but every time…. every single time….”  

Feeling the tears threatening again, she couldn’t finish her thoughts, much less what she was trying to say. It was just too much. “I’m sorry, Mr. H. I just can’t do this.” 

But he wasn’t letting up. “Who are you, Marnie?” 

“What?” 

“Who are you?” 

This time, she was ready.  

“I’m Marnie Elaine Benson. I’m intelligent. I’m loyal- if I really like you. I enjoy helping people with their problems. In fact, people, their personalities, and their issues are interesting to me. In further fact, I like being up in other people’s business; it’s one of my guilty pleasures. I don’t have patience for fake or flaky people- well, I can take flaky if the person is interesting in their flakiness. I’m a good organizer and planner; I’m into lining up details and executing plans. I am usually responsible when it comes to the important stuff. I can be sharp-tongued, and I will cuss somebody out if I’m provoked, but I think I have a good heart. I love shopping, and I like to dress well. I like those two things a lot.  

And I’m cute.”  

He chuckled at the last thing she said. Then he replied.  

“Good. You seem to have good handle on who and what you are. Remember the story I told you and J.J. the other night?” 

“The one about the dance? And the priest found you after you ran off?” 

“Yes. Sitting on that bench when he found me, Father Franco asked me the same question I just asked you. I had to think about it a minute before I could answer him, just like you had to do. At the time that happened, I was struggling with a lot of personal problems. Couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t wanted. Why I was living in an orphanage, and why nobody seemed to want me to even foster, much less to adopt me. Then, trying not to be what other people were telling me I should be. Can you believe me being a priest?” 

She immediately swatted at the air between them in definite dismissal. “Nah, that would have been too much of a waste, Mr. H., on too many levels.” 

Again, she made him laugh out loud, and that made her feel much better about things. 

“Let me tell you something, Marnie,” he said once he had himself back together. “Once I took inventory of who I was out loud, I realized that inside of me, I had a lot to work with despite what I thought I didn’t have or how gypped I thought I was. Life often isn’t going to be the way we think it should be or the way we have it set up in our heads. You get to be a certain age, and you start to realize that life isn’t formulaic, like in the storybooks you read as a kid or what you see on television. Sometimes the people we think should be an active, important part of our plot aren’t. But the fact that they aren’t, has nothing to do with the part we have been given to play in the grand scheme of things. Sitting there with Father Franco that morning, I realized I wasn’t alone or without worth; I hadn’t been gypped. I might have been living in an orphanage, but I had a family there. Once I ran away that night, I found out that several people had gone out and searched for me. People I didn’t even know cared that I was hurting. They cared that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be. They worried about me, and they wanted to help me feel better. Sister Anastasia was the most stoic person I knew, but she had been crying over me.  

“Marnie, you’re old enough now to understand that you must consider what is best for you before you can worry about or help anyone else. Sometimes it’s necessary to move certain people, no matter who they are, into the balcony of your life. That way, you can complete the part you were given to play without being distracted from doing your best with it. People seated in your balcony can see you and what you’re doing. You know they’re up there, and you can acknowledge them if you choose, but from that emotional distance, they and what they’re doing have less of an effect on you and what you’re scripted to do.” 

Marnie’s fingers gently rubbed at her chin as she contemplated what he said. “The balcony, huh? I like that, Mr. H. It’s a metaphor, sort of. Putting somebody up there doesn’t require that somebody gets cut off completely; they’re just out of the way. I get it. I really like thinking of it like that. That’s doable.”   

She reached across the table, placing her hand on his arm which rested on the table. “Thank you, Mr. H. for sharing that with me and for being a main character in my script. Thank you for caring about me.” 

He winked once at her and picked up his menu. “You know what you want to eat?” 

“Mrs. H. know you eat at places like this?” 

He looked over the menu to her. “Our script this evening, Marnie.” 

“Bet.”  

She picked up her menu to peruse it while Mr. H. gestured over to the server. “Mum’s the word, Mr. H. Like I said, I’m loyal to people I care about.” 

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

Tommy and J.J. managed to agree on burgers, then it again got quiet between them.  

For the rest of the ride into Santa Monica, she had waited for Tommy to start the conversation he insisted in the band room that he wanted to have, but it didn’t happen. She resisted visually checking him out too closely in the attempt to gauge where his head was, but she had taken mental inventory of the things she did notice. 

He had bulked up some. Still tall and on the lanky side, more tanned, but… stronger… sort of… buff almost. He smelled good, too- a soft, warm, male scent, kind of like sandalwood. His hair pulled back into that ponytail added to his urban-rugged aura 

…. that smile hadn’t changed, though. 

They had been seated in a booth on the quieter end of the establishment and had given their drink and food order when she went ahead and ended the uncomfortable stalemate. 

“So?” 

“So, what?”  

“Tommy don’t play with me. You came and got me. Said you had something to tell me. I left off what I was doing to see what you had to say.” She rocked her head one time. “Sooooo?” 

He shifted from sitting forward, elbows to tabletop with his hands clasped in front of him, to a slow slouch against the bench back on his side. “I’m not playing with you, J. It’s just now that we’re here it’s- it’s so much that I don’t really know where to start.” 

“Okay then. Let me give you a little help,” she said. “What’s up with you? How come you’ve been so radio quiet? No phone call, no text, not even an email. I know you have a lot going on at home, but I would have thought that you would have gotten in touch at least once in some kind of way in these past few days. Have you been away so long that you can’t talk to me anymore?” 

Tommy slowly shook his head. “No. Nothing about that has changed. I just- I- now that we’re here I don’t know where to start. There’s just so much.” 

She sat back, too, crossing her arms. “Okay then, let’s go here. How did it happen that you spent the night at my house, and you didn’t tell me? Why did I have to find that out from Marnie?” 

His eyes widened. “Who told her?” 

With a quick flick of one long-fingered hand, J.J. swiped away the question. “Just answer me, boy.” 

“Girl look, I was trying like hell to get out of there before your mother woke up and found me in her house.” 

Despite her frustration with him, she suppressed the urge to laugh. Tommy was now huge compared to the Duchess, practically towered over her, but he apparently remained as unnerved as ever when it came to interacting with her.  

“Daddy had to have said it was okay for you to be there. What in the world is it about my mother that weirds you out so much?” 

“I don’t know, J. It’s like I’ve been telling you all this time, she looks at me like- her eyes, they- I just don’t want to get on your mother’s bad side ever. I give that lady al-l-l-l of her room a-l-l-l-l of the time.” 

Now laughing out loud, J.J. had to compose herself to advise, “You should have hit the intercom into my room and had me come down to let you out. You know I can bypass the chime, so they wouldn’t have been alerted to the door opening.” 

“Are you kidding? I was not trying to get caught again with you, especially not inside the house. It’s a wonder Hart didn’t let me have it when he found me asleep with you outside by the pond. I probably would have intercomm’d you, though, if Marie hadn’t met me as I came out of that bathroom in the den. She made me eat breakfast, fixed me a zip-lock baggie of cookies to go, and sent me on my way. She had the gates already open when I got down to them. I zoomed of there like the road behind me had caught fire.” 

The mental picture of Tommy making a run for it clutching his bag of goodies triggered her laughter again. Marie always made sure he had a ‘Care Package for the road’ whenever he left their house, and later her father would grumble about his stash being short because of Tommy.  

Cookie monsters, the two of them.  

Tommy frowned at her merriment. 

“It wasn’t funny, J. I woke up all disoriented at first, confused about where I was. When it did hit me… whew! Then, I got home and had to catch hell from my mother.”  

Tommy stopped and slowly shook his head again. “It’s always freaked her out that you and I are good friends.” 

“Why? I thought she liked me.” 

“It’s not you. She likes you a lot. It’s just that with your father, not only being her boss but the CEO of the entire company that she works- well, worked– for, she’s always worried about me imposing. So, to be right about things, after you and I talked, I had called Lamb to get clearance before I came over, and then he got in touch with your father for the solid okay.” 

That information brought back to mind her interactions with the two adults at the gate that early morning. “You know I thought Mr. Lamb and Ms. Chris were way too casual about you being there out of the blue.”  

“Because it wasn’t out of the blue. No way was I just going to show up at your house unannounced even with you telling me to come on, and I didn’t want to put you on the spot with trying to sneak me in. I figured Lamb for still being on the gate, finishing things up, so I took the shot.” 

“So, how did it happen that your mother found out about you being at my house?” 

“I must have been looking loopy to your father when he was trying to talk to me; I was real tired. He wouldn’t let me drive myself back home. My mother said he called her personally to tell her I was there, and that I would be staying the night because I was jet lagged. When I got home, she was like, ‘I know you had to have been jet lagged and half-crazy, getting into my car in the middle of the night to go back over there,” and then she got on me about driving impaired. I tried to explain to her that it didn’t hit me until after I got to your house. Then she fussed about me not telling her that was where I was really going. 

“When I got up the next day, well later on Sunday, she started right back in on me. It was weird. She can be strict, but she’s never come at me like that. She’s not a nagger typically; usually she says what she has to say, and that’s it. But this time, she was on a tear, hysterical-like. Kept going on and on. It made me angry, but I didn’t want to be disrespectful, so I finally just up and left the house to keep from saying something we’d both regret. After all, I’m not the one who- “  

He stopped there, lowered his head, and sighed, “I just started walking. I… I’m… it was a lot.” 

The tension from the described situation radiated across the table to J.J., making her uncomfortable and anxious.  

“Tommy, maybe she acted like that because this situation is so new to her, too. A lot’s changing for her like it is for you. Sometimes grownups don’t get it right either.” 

“I get that,” Tommy said, head low, speaking into his chest. “I thought about that when I was out there, cooling down. That made me even more grateful that I took off and kept my mouth shut.” 

“So, why didn’t you come over to my house or call me? Or I could have met you somewhere if you didn’t want to come over. We could have talked through it like we always do.” 

“My head was spinning, J. It’s all been too much at once. The only thing I could think of was not to go back home for a while. I felt like I had to think things out for myself this time, so I stayed away and off-grid until yesterday evening.” 

“Okay, so where have you been all this time?” 

“San Francisco.” 

“San Francisco?” Then, it clicked. “With Chase?” 

“Yeah. I caught a jump flight and went up there to meet him. I needed a guy’s perspective on the tentative plans I had come up with. Chase is good people, J. We talked, and it turns out he’s got some things he’s trying to figure out, too. He and your dad helped a lot of stuff make sense to me- helped solidify for both of us the plans on how to go forward.” 

“My dad? He was there, too?” 

“Yeah, once I got there, after me and Chase kicked it around, we called him to run some stuff past him, you know, just to get his opinion. Tripped us out when he opted to come up and to talk with us in person over dinner. I came back last night. He picked me up from the airport. When he drove me home, Marcus was there at the house. We all sat and talked for a while. I think things are pretty much back on track as far as home goes.”  

He finally raised his head to meet her eyes with his. “J., you know, I totally see how your father has made it so far in life. He’s smart, crafty even, especially when it comes to business, but he’s also diplomatic at heart. He’s wise. He’s concerned, patient, just an all-around nice person. Even though he’s the man out in the world, he’s never too big or too busy for the little guy. You have a great father, J. Don’t ever take that for granted.” 

She relaxed the arms she didn’t realize were so tightly crossed to silently process all he said. Of course, she knew she had a good father. She would never take him or that truth about him for granted. She was also aware that Tommy hadn’t had the opportunity to know his own father. He had been deprived of that. Was he feeling that lost opportunity as he spoke of her father? 

Tommy had been in Spain for several months, living among his father’s people. How much had he learned about his father, the person he had been aside from being his parent?  

Chase had a dad, too, one present in his life. A successful, good, and smart man in her opinion, with whom Chase had always seemed quite close. Why had he and Tommy called her father and not Mr. Barnett? What was it about what Tommy and Chase wanted to do or know that compelled her father to fly in to personally meet with them? 

“What’s going on, Tommy? You said, ‘us’.What’s up with Chase? What’s up with you and Chase?” 

“I need to fill you in on what I’ve been doing first, J.” 

“Okay, I’m listening.” 

“Gotta give you some background first, okay?” 

Exasperated, she rolled her eyes and huffed, “Boy, just go.” 

“Alright, alright. See, I’ve been immersing, J., but not in any program. I got to my uncle’s place and found out I wasn’t a stranger to him at all. He always knew about me. It turns out my father and my uncle were tight. When he was a kid, my father spent a lot of time in Spain with Uncle Josef, hanging out and learning from him. He even went to school in Spain for a while. All of them, my father, Uncle Josef, Fee, my grandparents were- are- heavy into design and architecture.” 

“That’s where you get it from.” 

“I guess. Anyway, my uncle was my father’s confidant, especially after my grandfather died. My grandfather died before my father and mother had me, so he let my uncle in on his having a kid, you know, the circumstances and all. Of course, he also told my aunt, his sister.” 

“The kidnapper.” 

“Yeah, her. Anyway, over the years, my father had shared with Uncle Josef and his sister everything he would find out about me. He was having me tracked and surveilled the whole time. My uncle had pictures he sent to him of me and everything. I was shocked.” 

Listening intently, taking in and processing the details, J.J. quietly observed aloud, “That’s actually a little bit creepy, Tommy.” 

Tommy shrugged. “I could choose to see it that way, but I don’t. I’ve accepted it, at least knowing my old man cared enough to keep up with me even if it was from afar. He didn’t just forget about me like he could have. When Fee finally found out that her brother- her twin- knew all along that she had a grandson, but didn’t tell her, he said she went clean off on him.” 

“As she should have,” J.J. interjected. 

“I guess,” Tommy said, continuing his story, “He said he had to hurry up to explain to her that my father had sworn him to absolute secrecy. My father didn’t want his mother to know that he had made a kid outside of his marriage. You know Fee’s kinda religious. He thought that knowing what he did would let her down. He also didn’t want yet another person trying to pressure him into bothering my mother about me. It seems my father’s sister, against his wishes, tried to take me away from my mother a couple of times when I was little. He wanted me to be with him legally, but that would have had to be full custody, like for my mother to sign me over to him.” 

“You mean with your mother completely out of the picture?” 

“He had a wife, J. He had cheated on her and made a baby with somebody else. And my mother was really, really young compared to him. Just the other side of jailbait.” 

By this time, J.J. was leaning forward once again, her palms pressed flat to the tabletop with intense focus on the story. 

“Dang, Tommy. That’s messed up. Did his wife leave him when she found out about you?” 

“No. I guess most women would have, but see, she couldn’t have kids, but she wanted one. Once my father confessed to her about the affair and about me, she agreed to raise me, but only if my mother wasn’t involved at all.” 

“That’s jacked up, too. Like your mother was some kind of surrogate for her. The nerve.” 

“Yeah, well that’s how me and my mother ended up here in California. After the second time my aunt and her flunkies tried to take me, my mother moved us from Florida to the other side of the country.” 

“So, your aunt was trying to kidnap you even way back then?” 

“That’s what I was told. Uncle Josef said he and my father were livid with her. He said she tried to have me taken me out of preschool on false pretenses. Of course, I didn’t know about any of it until I got to Spain,. But let me go back a little farther than that.  

“My mom was raised by her aunt, her mother’s sister, after both her parents died. Mom was an only child, so Aunt Elise took her in and finished raising her. After I was born, we lived with Aunt Elise until she died. That left just my mother and me, no other close relatives, so Aunt Elise willed her house and everything to my mother. To keep the Steeles and possibly their lawyers from trying it again, especially since it was just the two us alone, Mom sold that house and all the stuff she could and took us to the other side of the country.” 

“Then you and I got snatched from the coffee shop, and they actually only wanted you,” J.J. surmised. “It got started all over again.” 

“That’s right. When my father died, my uncle said my aunt was devastated, and she just flipped out. They were twins, too- my father and my aunt. She decided then that with her brother gone, it was time for me to come ‘home’.” 

“That twinning thing runs hard in your family.” 

“You’ve got twins in your family, too, J. Your grandmother and your aunt.” 

“That stopped after them, though. On my mother’s side, anyway. We’re not sure of anything on my father’s side, of course. As far as we know both my parents are only children, like you and like me- and your mom. That’s two generations without twins.” 

Their food arrived and for a few minutes, they set about preparing to eat- ketchup, mustard, salt, straws. After her first bite of burger and a few fries, J.J. asked, “So how’s your Spanish?” 

“Mi español es genial,” he replied with a self-satisfied smile. 

She clapped. “Bravo! You got the accent and everything down! I’m proud of you.” 

“Taking Spanish in Jr. High and going up to Spanish 7 in high school helped, but I wish I had listened to you and taken the speaking and listening labs more seriously.” 

“I did try to tell you. At least your reading and writing should have been on point.” 

“Pretty much, but you get fully fluent quick when your meals and going to the bathroom depend on it. Like I mentioned before, the formal immersion program went by the wayside once I got there, and Uncle Josef saw how tall I was and that I had skills. He called the people up and withdrew me. Then he hired Domenic to be my personal academic and social tutor, and then he put me right to apprenticing with him for the later part of the day.” 

“What exactly does your uncle do?” 

“Technically, he’s an architectural engineer, but at heart, he’s an artist. He’s a painter and a historian. Professionally, he specializes in restorations, architectural and artistic.”  

“That must be where you get it from. You draw and paint, and you can build and fix things up. You redid those rooms, built that deck on the back of your mother’s house when she bought it, and the two of you moved in. You were only like fourteen or fifteen then.” 

“I had all of that included in my portfolio that Fee said I should take with me to show my uncle. I told him about how the guys at the builders’ supply came and helped me with a lot of the work on the deck once they found out I was doing it alone; they completed a lot of the grunt work, but Josef was more impressed with my plans for it than the actual build.” 

J.J. nodded. “I can see that; the plans were your own ideas. They were the foundation of the build. I was so impressed when you showed me your designs. I knew you were good, but I had no clue you were that deep into it way back then. Remember when Daddy had to pull you in when he caught you skipping school to hang around and spy on construction sites?” 

Tommy, his mouth full, snickered. “Yeah, in middle school. I did that a lot,” he said once he was able to swallow. 

“I remember,” J.J. said. “I’d be all nervous in Homeroom when the teacher was taking attendance, and you hadn’t shown up. She’d call your name, and you would be absent, and I would get that bad feeling about where you were because you had mentioned having hung out there before. We didn’t have phones on us then, so I had no way to get in touch with you.” 

He chuckled. “Yep, it used to make my mother so mad when she would get the robocall from the office that I had been late to school or absent altogether. Then somehow Hart got wind of what I was doing, and he caught me out there twice. Put me in his car and hauled me right into the school office. Threatened me and everything. I quit skipping that second incident- at least until high school. The last time he caught me, he warned me about his foot becoming intimately acquainted with my ass. I was sure he meant what he said. He was like, I wouldn’t have to worry about him telling my mother I had been AWOL from school again because she would be the lesser of my worries that day.” 

“Daddy didn’t need to snitch on you for backup. On his own he will make sure a person sees his point, believe me. I’ve had a few of those episodes myself where he had to urge that reality back to the front of my mind.” 

Tommy grinned. “I’m sure you have. Did he go there with you weekend before last? Over your mother’s car?” 

“Now see, there you go with that. I told you it was an emergency. He was cool with it. She was, too, once the details came out.” 

They ate in silence for a short while, finishing up most of their meal, turning down the offer of dessert from the server, but Tommy accepting a refill on his large Coke. 

“So, you liked Spain?” J.J. asked as she wiped her mouth with her napkin and placed it over her emptied plate. 

“I love it,” Tommy said, finishing the last of his second drink. “I’ve been everywhere-Spain, Portugal, France…. So much history. So much beauty, even in some of the roughest areas, I’ve seen the most fantastic tile work used as just ordinary aesthetics on buildings, walls. Seems like every day I discover something new. But I’m sure you already know how that is.” 

“Europe does do it so much better when it comes to preserving and repurposing their architecture than we do here in the States,” J.J. said. “But then, too, the countries, and of course, the structures there are so much older.  

Tommy put his glass down and slowly sat back again, releasing a deep sign before quietly admitting, “I’m going back, J.”  

“Back where? To Spain?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well, I kinda figured you would be. The year you committed to isn’t up yet. But you’ll be back before summer is over. Probably by the time I get back from France.” 

He shook his head. “No, I won’t, J. I’m going back to stay until next year when I leave for the Navy.” 

Stunned, she dropped back against her seat, too. “Why? You said it would be just a year. You like it there that much?” 

“I do. And it will allow my mom and Marcus to do their own things without having to consider me in them. I want them to work on putting their lives together without me in the way.” 

“But what about school? What about graduation next year?” 

“J., you know school has never been to me what it is to you. That’s why I’ve been so “radio quiet” as you called it. Domenic told me about my being able to test out once he saw my transcripts. I had the grades, you made me take those two advanced placement classes, so that gave me even more credit, and I was of age. You know I’ve always hated being behind, and-” 

“But you weren’t behind,”J.J. cut in. “You started later.” 

“I felt behind,” he said. “At any rate, this whole time, I’ve been hyper-focused on getting ready for my finals, working, learning. I wanted to be ready. I took the exams the end of last month, and I got my results back the day before I came home. That’s why you didn’t hear from me. I’m done, J. I passed everything. I am officially finished and out.” 

J.J. didn’t immediately respond. When she did, she spoke slowly, concentrating on keeping her voice steady. “I wasn’t expecting this at all. Why didn’t you just tell me that was what you were doing?” 

“J., I kept it low from everyone, even my mother. Nobody knew what I was doing except Uncle Josef, of course. I didn’t need anyone to be embarrassed for me if things didn’t work out as planned, and I didn’t pass. I figured I could be disappointed by myself if it happened that I came up short.” 

“I see. So, this is what you had to tell me. And how does Chase fit into the story?”’ 

“After he graduates at the end of the month, he wants to spend his gap year with me in Spain. He’s enlisted in the Navy, too. If his parents okay it, we’re going to work and hang out over there until it’s time for us to come back here and ship out.” 

“This is what you and Chase talked to my father about? He gave it his blessing?” 

“Not so much his blessing, but he did let us know it sounded reasonable to him as a plan to present to our folks as what we wanted to do with this next year.” 

J.J. slowly folded her used cloth napkin, saying, “Okay.” Then she slid her purse onto her arm and looked her friend in the eye. “I’m ready to go, Tommy.” 

“You mad, J.?” 

“What difference does it make if I am or if I’m not? You’ve already made your decision. Sounds like a plan to me.” 

“You can’t be mad, J.” 

“Don’t tell me what I can or cannot be.” She stood up. “Like I said, Thomas Steele, what difference does it make?” 

Tommy stood up. “None, I guess.” 

He summoned their server, paid the bill, and they headed for the car.

______________________________________________________________________________

Early Evening…

Jennifer watched as Jonathan mix drinks behind the bar.

A man of not so many words when it came to his altruistic undertakings, she was sure she had only gotten from him the condensed version of what happened during his dinner date with Marnie. Her car had been delivered just as he said it would when he phoned her. Even though she had been fully aware of the girl’s whereabouts, its arrival without her behind the wheel had been a little surreal as she accepted the keys. It left her wondering just how bad off Marnie had been when Jonathan found her.  

However, judging from the improved vibe she sensed from her when she came through the door with him, Marnie had been helped out of the vaguely negative funk she had been in since her questionable exit from school earlier in the week.  

Now her buddy’s ominous aura on the other hand…. 

“Why are you looking at me like that? 

Caught unintentionally staring, she ducked her head, flames of embarrassment instantly igniting both cheeks. When she looked up again, it was with what she was sure was a shamefaced grin. “I’m so sorry, but I simply cannot get over you.” 

“And I hope you never do.” He squeezed juice from a lime wedge into her requested vodka tonic and slid the glass to her. “You’re so cute when you blush. But what’s got you saying that?” 

More than ready for the evening cocktail, she took a healthy sample. Like him, it was just right. A true classic. 

“I just find it amazing that with all your responsibilities in the business world, you somehow find time for these children when they need someone,” she said. “That they feel they can count on and confide in you has me admiring and loving you even more than ever.” 

Then tickled by the sudden thought, she asked, “So what did Marnie think about Jake’s? Was she appalled? I’m surprised you told me that’s where you had taken her when you phoned to say you were on the way home.You know I’m not crazy about you eating that type of fare, much less Marnie consuming it.” 

He gave her a quick wink and came around the bar to take her hand. He led her over to the couch where they sat down together, and he put his drink down to remove his suit jacket. 

“I started not to tell you,” he admitted as he also removed his loosened tie and tossed it onto the coffee table in exchange for his glass before turning back to her, “but then I figured, what the hell. If I did come up with indigestion later, you’d be asking, and I wouldn’t lie, so…. As for Miss Marnie, she ate everything she ordered, said it was delicious, which it was, and let me know she would be adding Jake’s to her list of dining venues.” 

She wanted to fuss, but the self-satisfied, impish look on his face shut down any further argument. There was nothing to be gained from it. Jonathan Hart had gone where he wanted, done as he wished, and had obviously been successful at it, not to mention, enjoyed every moment of it. Instead, she switched to another track. 

“Carolyn Barnett called me this afternoon.”  

“Oh yeah? Wha’d she have to say? 

“Well, she started out needing information for the hotel reservations for this weekend; she’s requesting that all our rooms be near each other, if possible, so she wanted to be sure she had everyone that will be in our group.” 

“That’ll be good.” 

“Then she brought up Chase. It seems he called last night saying he wants to talk with her and Chuck about a change he wants to make in his plans for his gap year. He wouldn’t elaborate with her on the phone; he wanted to wait and talk with her and Chuck together once he and Chance get home tomorrow. She’s worried, she said, since it’s Chase with the change.” 

“You didn’t say anything, did you?” 

“Of course not. You shared that with me in confidence. I am a little anxious, though, about how she’ll take it. That one of the twins keeps her on edge. She’s still upset about Chase signing up on his own to go into the Navy before she or Chuck could talk him out of it. She really wanted him in college next fall like Chance. It doesn’t help that Chuck is okay with Chase going into the Service. She had come to terms with that and the idea of his waiting a year to enter, but this….” 

“She’ll be okay,” Jonathan said, picking up his glass from the table.  

“You think so? He’s her firstborn, and she went through so much to get him and his brother here. She loves those boys. The time seems to have flown by.” 

Carolyn Barnett had been one of the first friends she made when they moved onto Willow Pond. She had suffered several miscarriages before finally becoming pregnant with the twins, and she spent most of that time bedridden. The boys had been born healthy but almost a month early. They spent three weeks in the NICU before coming home. When J.J. was born a year later, Carolyn was delighted to finally have “her girl”. Since then, all three of the children had been raised together and remained fast friends. 

Jonathan drained his glass and retired it to the coffee table with the tie. “Well, I’m sure once he sits down with her and Chuck, and he lays it out for them, she’ll come to terms with that, too. Chase and Chance are twins, but they’re nothing alike in personality. Chance is more focused. He’s said for the longest that he wants to go into the culinary arts, but mostly on the business end of it. He’s already researched and mapped out what he needs to do to get there. Chase is different; he’s still feeling himself out. All he’s sure about right now is he wants to be on the water.” 

“He does love hanging around the marinas and manning his family’s boats.” 

“Always has,” Jonathan concurred. “And he’s good at it. A while back, Chuck thought Chase might decide to go to business school and eventually join his firm, maybe operate the yacht division. I would listen to him, but I never thought Chase was cut out to be a corporate man.” 

Jennifer reached across to set her emptied glass next to his on the table. “I really don’t see that either, now that you’ve put it into words. He’s a good boy, but I can’t see him in a suit and behind a desk on a daily basis.” 

Jonathan laughed, “Me either. Chase is definitely a hands-on guy. He’s at that place in his life where he needs the room to figure things out for himself. It’s what I was allowed to do when I was about his age.” 

Something in the way he said it caught Jennifer’s ear. “Allowed?” 

“Yes. See, Anastasia was set on me going to college after I graduated high school. I’m talking dead set. Even though I had been with Max a few years by then, she kept close tabs on me. By the end, I had the grades and the extracurricular success to earn scholarships, but I wasn’t interested. I wanted to get out and see the world. I wanted to be on my own, earning my own way. When I learned I could become a Navy pilot and get paid to do it, I signed right up. Anastasia had a fit, and I felt horrible, but Max told me to go for it if that was what I wanted to do. He got Anastasia to let up and see it my way. I hated letting her down after all she had done for me, but in the end, it worked out for both of us.” 

“That it did,” she said, taking and squeezing her husband’s hand. “For all of us.” 

He moved closer and used an arm around her to draw them together. She relaxed into his warmth. 

“Things work out the way they’re supposed to,” he said. “Tommy’s mother wasn’t very happy about him remaining in Spain, but I think she understood, especially once he told her Chase wanted to come. I was really proud of him last night as he presented his plans to Brenda and Marcus. He’s grown up quite a bit in the short time he’s been gone. He’s always been old, but he’s growing into himself. Things are changing for them, and some rearranging and readjusting is inevitable with all three of them, but I believe everything will work out.”  

Then, as if he remembered something, he sat up. “J.J.? She’s not home yet? Marnie told me Tommy picked her up from school.” 

“She texted to tell me she was with him and that the two of them were going out to eat and talk. She’s not back yet. I do wonder how she’s going to take the news.” 

“I’m sure she’ll be okay, too,” he said. “And speaking of J.J., she say anything to you about the car cover yet?” 

The Mustang had been out there so long in that same space and in that condition, she had almost forgotten about it.   

“No. And I didn’t ask. I am not feeding into that. I am quite sure she wants me to ask, so she can give me some creatively loopholed answer that she’s had all this time to craft. I’m not falling for it. All three- no four- of us know why she did it.” 

“I have to give it to her, though” he said through his laughter, “J.J. Hart is beautiful inside and out, like her mother. But she’s also brilliant and a bit stubborn. Thankfully, her mother is even more brilliant… and stubborn.”  

She bristled, but with that one arm, he held her tighter and used the flat of his other hand to signal surrender. “Wait, wait, wait! Hold on. Let me finish before you go in on me. The stubbornness is a good thing.” Then he met her eyes. “And If you remember, it was your persistence, your perseverance and your ingenuity that first got you and me together. Remember?” 

She softened again in his embrace. “Okay, you won that one.” 

The man was irresistible. Simply too many endearing qualities. As quiet as she tried to keep it, Justine Hart most definitely had that in common with her father. Jonathan Hart- truly J.J. Hart’s daddy and muse.

The gate chime sounded through the wall console, alerting them to someone with the code coming in. 

“That must be her,” Jonathan said. 

“Brace yourself,” she told him. 

“For what?” 

She raised one finger, signaling him to wait.

Not much longer, the front door opened and J.J. came in. She closed the door and went right up the stairs calling out, “I’m home,” behind her. From the pass hall, Third appeared and bounded up the stairs, too.  

They heard it when her bedroom door closed a little harder than it should have. 

She looked up into Jonathan’s perplexed face. 

“That,” she said. 

 

To be continued 

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