Ch 104: Popular Guy

Popular guy

Janet stood in shock as everyone at the party knew her dad—or at least knew of him-- even before she got the chance to introduce him. Who knew he was such a popular guy?

What was even more strange, however, was that no one cared that he was there at Wes' house—except for Jasmine it seemed. Janet couldn’t believe it. Jeff was, after all, an intruding adult at a kids’ party so nobody should have wanted him there. He should have been…well, not exactly persona grata.

“You probably don’t remember me,” Peter said to Jeff.

He stared at him in concentration. “You do look familiar. Are you related to Mike Chandler?”

“Uh…dunno him, so I’m guessing not,” Peter replied with his easy, crooked grin.

“He went to school with us for a few years, but he moved away and I never saw him again,” Jeff said. “You look remarkably like him. Same eyes, same smile. Even the dimple. You could be twins…several years apart though.”

Peter shrugged. “My mom calls those dooplegangers or something. Your double in the world. But anyway, my father used to bring me to your store every time he wanted to get something nice for my mom, but I was a little kid then, so I can see why you wouldn’t remember me,” he said.

“Who’s your father?” Jeff asked.

“Brad Adams,” Peter said, his smile suddenly replaced with a grim line.

“No kidding. I went to school with him, too. Then you’re Peter. I do remember you,” Jeff said, shocked by this information. “Haven’t seen your dad in a long time and you…last time I saw you, you were this tall.” Jeff held his hand below his waist.

“Yeah, we moved away to a Baltimore suburb for a while, but when my parents divorced my mom brought us back home,” Peter said, sounding slightly bitter.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Jeff said, grimacing at the word divorce.

Peter grinned. “What, that we came back?” he joked.

Jeff burst out laughing and shook his head. “Not exactly. I’m glad you’re back.”

Janet, who had been discretely listening to them, caught her father’s eye. She knew what he was thinking even as he faked a smile. Peter turned back to his girlfriend and Jeff came toward Janet.

“What’s wrong, Sweetie?” he asked.

“Dad, it’s not gonna happen to us. You don’t have to worry. You and Mom will get back together. I promise!” she earnestly said.

He smiled, albeit sadly, and kissed her forehead. “You’re my good girl. Now go have fun with your friends,” he said before turning away from her and walking away.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“In the other room. Watch TV or something. Call me if you need me,” he said, but he didn’t take three steps before he was accosted by Billy who threw his arm around him and steered him to the kitchen.

“You look hungry, dude, and I’ve got some of the best pizza ever. Remember that when I come into your store for a diamond ring, okay?" Billy said.

“Pizza sounds good,” Jeff said, looking back at Janet and winking at her.

She sighed and watched them disappear just when two arms encircled her waist giving her a start. She soon relaxed when she realized it could only be Wes.

“You okay?” he asked, kissing her cheek. “Your dad doesn’t look mad.”

She shook her head. “He’s not. I don’t even think he’ll tell your dad, in case you’re worried about it.”

“No matter if he does,” he said with a casual shrug. “My dad would only get angry for a while.”

“Okay,” she said, resting her head on his chest.

“If it’s not your dad, then what’s wrong?”

“I wish my mom was home already. I have to talk to her.”

“She’ll be home soon.”

“Not soon enough for me. I want my family back together,” she whined, pouting ever so slightly as she looked up at him. “I just don’t know if… if it’ll ever happen.”

He chuckled. “I have total faith in you, Janet. If anyone can get your parents back together it’ll be my yenta.” He then kissed her. “Now, come on. Luke’s been asking for you.”

“He has? Why?” she asked, a bit taken aback.

“I’m thinking he want’s his real backup singer.”

“Real?”

“Yep. Jasmine has been bugging him and he doesn’t look too happy about it.”

“Oh, no! What is she doing?”

“Auditioning, I suppose you’d call it,” Wes said, grimly. “She’s been really mean to Alana, too, so she could sing better than Celine Dion and I’m pretty sure Luke would still not like her. Pretty sure he won’t want her joining the band any time soon.”

Janet groaned. “And she’s gonna blame me!”

“No, she won’t. I won’t let her and neither will Luke. Come on. I wanna hear you sing some more,” he said kissing her again. “And don’t feel guilty!”

She nodded and followed him even as dread filled her. Easy for them to say, don’t feel guilty! They don’t know Jasmine as she did. There will be no living peacefully with Jasmine if she doesn’t get a chance to be on stage... with or without Luke.

*********

“How did I miss this?” Wendy said, looking at her phone.

“What is it?” Donny asked.

“My sister left me a message last night,” she said, putting the phone to her ear.

“Must have been while we were at the party,” Donny said as he continued eating. 

He watched in fascination as the expression on Wendy’s face went through several changes as she listened to the message. It started as curiosity, changed to surprise then to happy and ending in a combination of panic and uncertainty.

“Oh, dear,” she muttered, as she put the phone aside.

“Trouble?” he said, sipping his coffee.

“May Lyn is coming home, at last,” she said, biting her bottom lip.

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Yes, but, she’s sending little Tristan ahead while she takes care of loose ends, and in typical May Lyn fashion she’s given me zero notice. I won’t be done in New York in time to bring him home with me,” she said, slapping her hand on the table. “Shoot! I’ll have to cancel with Alec. Oh, he won’t be happy.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Donny said. “This is your big opportunity and you can’t miss it. I’ll get him.”

“But he doesn’t even know you!” Wendy said.

“So…we can do face-time before I get him so he knows who I am. I’ll make a big sign with his picture on it and his name and, hey, whatever it takes. And we should make sure it’s okay with your sister. I’m sure she’d like to know I’m not a serial killer.”

Wendy stared at him, the romantic wheels spinning in her head. “Would you really do this for me, Donny? For May Lyn and Tristan?”

“I just said I would, didn’t I?” he said.

She grinned and grabbed her phone. “You’re the best, Donny. I’m going to tell her right now and if she objects… well, I can always disown her.”

Donny laughed and then finished the last of his coffee.

“Hello, Wendy,” May said at the other end. “Wondering when you’d call me back. I'm packing for Tristan as we speak.”

“Well, I wasn’t home,” Wendy said.

“So I gathered when I called the house and I got Jeffery. Care to explain that? You two back together, only not?”

Wendy took a deep breath. How to explain? “Um… no, not yet. He’s there with the kids while I’m in Bost…uh…New York for work related stuff. We were at a lovely gala dinner last night and…only just got your message. Sorry. Hope I didn’t wake you. I forgot about the time change.”

There was a long pause then May said, “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing, of course,” Wendy said, glancing at Donny. “Except, I won’t be able to get Tristan at the airport. I do have a friend who is able and willing to, though.”

“Who is she?”

“Um…it’s a he actually. He’s a very nice person with two kids of his own. Much older than little Tristan though. He’s right here if you’d like to talk to him. Donny thought about doing some face-time with Tristan so he’s not upset at the airport when it’s not me getting him. He won’t be, right?”

Another long pause ensued. “What are you not telling me, Wendy? You know I can always tell when you're hiding something,” May said, her tone excited. “Who is this guy? Are you…moving on? Is Jeffery out of the picture now? Tell me!”

“No, no! nothing like that,” Wendy said. “Donny is Janet’s boyfriend’s father and we’re friends.”

“Wait, Janet has a boyfriend? Our Janet?”

Wendy laughed. “Yes, our Janet has a wonderful boyfriend. You will absolutely love Wes when you meet him. He’s funny and smart and cute and charming and…well, just like his dad, actually. I promise he’s not a serial killer, neither one of them, but Donny in particular. I’m pretty sure he won’t kidnap Tristan even though I told him he’s a darling boy. Here, you talk to him and he’ll tell you himself.”

Donny took the phone and laughed. “Hello, May. This is Donny Sebastian. You’re funny sister seems to think I can help you if I can convince you I’m not a serial killer.”

Wendy smiled behind her coffee cup listening to half the conversation. One thought ran through her head, “Janet may not be the only match maker in the family.”