Ch 136 Change things up a bit

          Luke absently smiled at the crowd and mumbled to himself, “I gotta change things up a bit,” as he waited for the applause to die down.

“What?” asked Janet, standing by his side.

He looked at her for a long moment, then towards stage right where Alana stood with Billy. All of a sudden he bolted from Janet’s side and went back off the dais.

          “Luke!” Janet shouted, as the applause died down and nervous mutterings started.

Luke looked around, saw Stevie milling aimlessly and grabbed him by the arm, whispering something in his ear. Stevie looked stunned at first, but he nodded and ran off seemingly on some secret mission. Then Luke returned to stand next to Janet and miraculously the crowd started cheering again.

          “What’s going on?” Janet asked, covering up her mic to speak.

          “You’ll see,” he said, then smiled again and addressed the crowd. “How we doing, folks? Having a good time?”

          The resounding response made him laugh, but after a few minutes of what he considered excessive cheering--especially for two people who hadn’t done anything yet-- he impatiently held his hand up trying to stop it from going all night. “Good! That ought to get you in the mood to break open those piggy banks and give to this great cause.”

          Giggling, chuckles and outright guffaws broke out, but Luke continued. “Mr. and Mrs. Adams plus the entire Adams family have always worked diligently to ensure the Adams Foundation is always there with a hand up for those who fall between the cracks. We should all follow their example. I know I am, right, Janet?”

Ch 135 As Good as Justin Bieber

             

 

As good as Justin Bieber

          “You’re as good as Justin Bieber!” the girl squealed.

         

           Luke gaped at her. “Did you just …” he started to say.

Janet grabbed his arm and forced a smile. “Sorry, girls, but we have to get going. We have to prepare for our next show,” she said, to the throng of teenaged girls closing in on them, all of whom were practically drooling over Luke, much to his distress and now he was royally insulted.

          “Oh, we’ll love to hear all the songs again,” the second girl said.

“I’d never heard them before,” the third girl said, jumping on her toes.

“Not even Justin Bieber sing them!” the first girl said again.

Janet felt Luke stiffen by her side and she clamped down harder, lest he do something stupid, like hit the girl upside the head. “Well, if you like them, you’ll love the next show. All new songs!”

The girls squealed with delight.

“You can always buy the CD of our performance, which should be out soon. You just subscribe to Luke’s new website and then you’ll get a notice when it’s available for purchase. Okay, thanks!” Janet said pleasantly and half dragged Luke away, steering him behind the bandstand.

“That girl did not just compare me to Justin Bieber!” Luke said, fuming mad.

“No, she didn’t,” Janet said soothingly, looking all over for Alana.

“I am not a spoiled brat Hollywood punk!” he yelled.

Ch134 That Girl could Sing

 

         

          “That girl could really sing!” the man said.

          “And the boy, too,” the woman beside him replied. “And is there a better looking guy around for miles? I don’t think so!”

          Jasmine rolled her eyes, muttered a nasty sting of curses and left the table in a huff.

          Cindy stared after her, aghast. “What the heck’s wrong with your sister?” she asked.

          Stevie smirked. “Jealousy,” he said. “She can’t stand it that for once Janet is getting all the attention and Jazz is getting none.”

          “Really?” Cindy said. “That’s it? I would be so happy for my sister if…”

          “If you had one?” he said, laughing at her.

          She giggled. “And if she sang as good as Janet.”

          “You know, I always thought she sang nice, but now she’s like really good!” Stevie said.

          “Of course she is,” Cindy said eagerly, her pretty, dark eyes dancing with excitement. “Luke probably taught her. He’s so awesome!”

Ch 133 What’s up with you

What up with me? The unbearable heat!

“What’s up with you?” Dawn asked.

“Nothing,” Jeff snapped, gulping the rest of his beer, slapping the empty glass down and asking the bartender for another.

“Forget it, he won’t be needing that,” Dawn said, grabbing his arm and pulling him away.

“How many times do I have to remind you that you’re not my mother, Dawn?” he snapped.

“Let’s say several million and we’re nowhere near that mark yet.”

“Getting close though,” he retorted. 

“That happens when you’re acting like a two year old. Now, what is going on?”

“With what?”

“With the moon, the stars, the bug up Uranus,” she said. “What do you think, you idiot? I thought you wanted to get back together with Wendy and all I see tonight is you ignoring her and her looking like she’s two second away from crying her heart out. She won’t even talk to me about it, so here I am asking you. So, what the hell is going on, huh?”

Ch 132 I should tell you something

I should tell you something

          Wes stopped short of the stairs, pulling Janet back.

          “What’s wrong?” she said. “I have to go. The car’s waiting for me.”

          “I know, but I think I should tell you something,” he said, looking worried.

          Her eyes widened as they always do when she expects bad news. “Don’t you dare, Wes! Don’t you dare tell me you’re not going, cuz I will kill you!”

          He shook his head. “I’m going, but…I never did tell you who my client was and why the project was so important and why it had to be done tonight.”

          “I thought the deadline was Monday?”

          “Got moved up.”

          “And you’re not done?” she shrieked.

“I am done…sort of. Thing is, I have to work tonight…at the gala.”

          “What?!?!”

          “The website is for… it’s the official Luke Tramaine website, a fan page I guess we’re calling it.”

          Janet’s mouth fell open. “Luke didn’t tell me about that!”

          “Course not…since he doesn’t know about it…yet,” Wes said, bracingly.

Ch 131 Do not disturb

      Wendy led Jeff into the kitchen, and she fleeting wondered if she ought to put up a do not disturb sign. She stood before him nervously fiddling with her hands, and for several minutes they just stared at each other in silence.

      She noticed his tie was still undone, but with her shaking hands she knew she’d make a mess of it. “You look wonderful, Jeffery,” she finally said, in a voice barely above a whisper.

      He grinned and in a low voice said, “Why are we whispering? Do you not want anyone to know I clean up good?”

      She laughed. “Well, I’d hate for someone to snatch you away from me,” she said before she could stop herself. She could feel her cheeks glow pink.

      “Like that’s likely,” he replied, stepping closer and taking her hand. “You look so beautiful, Wendy. Every day more beautiful.”

      “It’s just the dress and makeup,” she said, shrugging.

      “No, it’s not,” he replied seriously.

Ch 130 Talk with Mom

          

          Janet stood outside her mother’s bedroom door drumming up the courage for this most important talk with her mom. At last she knocked softly. “Mom? Can I come in please?”

          “Sure,” came Wendy’s muffled voice from inside the room.

          Janet opened the door and was immediately treated to her mother’s nearly bare backside. “Really, Mom, a thong?” Janet said, rolling her eyes while closing over the door.

          Wendy laughed and continued slipping the stockings over her long, shapely leg, hooking it in place with the garter and proceeding to the other one. “I don’t want VPLs. The dress is so tight it’ll show everything!” she said, then looking over her shoulder she smiled. “You look stunning, Honey!”

          “Thanks,” Janet said, chewing on a thumb nail.

          “Oh, Janet, don’t bit your nails. You haven’t done that in years. It’s nerves, isn’t it? Well, don’t be nervous. You’ll be wonderful!”

          “Being biased again, Mom,” Janet said, but it helped calm her nerves slightly and she put down her hands, clasping them in front of her. “I’d like to talk if you don’t mind.”

          “About the birds and the bees?” Wendy said, half joking.

Ch 129 The Best Yenta deserves Jimmy Choo shoes

“Wes, are you listening to me?”

“Janet, come quick!” He grabbed her arm and pointed down to the ground “You see that? You did it! You got them together. You are the best yenta ever! Anything you want, Baby, it’s yours…even a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.”

“Jimmy who? What are you…” She gasped. She suddenly spotted Wes’ father with her aunt and they were kissing…like right in the middle of the crowd of teenagers! “But I didn’t…”

“Sure you did! You just don’t know your own strength, cuz you’re that good. Oh, Janet, this is awesome! My dad’s in love! Come on, let’s go see them!”

“Wes, what are crazy?” she said, trying to hold him back, but in vain. Wes tugged her all the way down the bleachers, pushing passed people getting back to their seats. “Wes, listen to me. One kiss does not make you in love.”

Ch 128 The tired little man

“Mommy, can we go home now?”

May Lyn scooped up her tired little man and gave him a hug. “Not just yet, Honey. The game’s only half over and don’t you want to find Mr. Sebastian first? Stevie said he was going to be here with Cindy and…”

“Der he is!” Tristan suddenly shouted, squirming out of his mother’s arm. “Mr. Bashan!” He hit the ground running, sprinted forward and got instantly swallowed by the milling crowd.

“Tristan!” May shouted. In panic mode she ran after him, but the crowd closed around her and she couldn’t see him anywhere. She was trapped in a sea of people all pushing her further away from her baby.

“Oh, dear God! Tristan!” she shouted breaking free at last.

Ch 127 Glad we did this

Janet sighed contentedly. She loved the feel of Wes’ arms around her. Her head lay on his shoulder, so she was comfy-cozy as you please. She smiled and turned to kiss his neck. “I’m glad we did this,” she whispered.

“Me too,” he replied, kissing her temple and pulling her closer. When she looked up he kissed her sweet lips and they fell into bliss again.

Anyone seeing them like this would think they were miles from anyone in a romantic setting, perhaps sitting by a lake watching the sunset. Instead, they were high up on the bleachers at Orianco high school smack in the middle of a boisterous crowd of football fanatics, mostly West-Castillo fans alternately cheering and moaning as their team did well or poorly. They were mostly moaning and groaning.

Janet and Wes, however, were not in the least interested with the game. Neither did the noise bother them, not one bit. Even the kid next to Wes suddenly jumping up when a touchdown was imminent, and accidently stepping on his foot in frustration when Luke Tramaine himself ran the ball over the line, didn’t register. When they broke apart from their kiss, they smiled and continued ignoring the game, speaking softly amongst all that noise.

“I missed you so bad, Janet. I didn’t like sharing you with Luke,” he said.

She giggled and had been about to say something sarcastic about Luke being a

Ch 126 What’s the big deal

              

          “You’re home… finally!” Wendy said.

          “Sorry I’m so late, Mom,” Janet said, still watching the clip Wes had just given her. “Luke wanted to stay a bit longer since we’re not practicing tomorrow.”

          “I’m glad you’re home. I was hoping we could talk,” Wendy said. When Janet didn’t reply she added, “What are you looking at?”

          “Um…Wes just gave me these two clips of me and Luke singing,” she replied.

          “Ooh, let me see!” Wendy put her face right beside Janet’s and watched the video with her. “Oh, honey, you’re wonderful!”

          “Thanks, but I’m better in this one,” Janet said, showing her mother the next clip. “Practice makes …well, not perfect, but, you know, a little better.”

Ch 125 Even better

   

          “Tell me, Janet, is Luke Tramaine as good looking as I’ve heard?” asked Lydia, Troy’s mother.

          Janet laughed. “Definitely,” she said. “He’s very cute, but he’s super nice, too, so that makes him even better.”

          “Nice!” Lydia said turning onto the road the GPS indicated. “And you get to sing with him, huh? And possibly do other things?”

          “Mrs. Wellington, hasn’t Troy told you I’m dating his friend Wes?” Janet said pointing to the fifth house on the right. “The one with the red beech tree in front is Luke’s.”

          “Yes, he told me, but…I remember how it was in high school with gorgeous bad boys all over the place. Nice boyfriends take a backseat to them.”

          “That’s just it. Luke is gorgeous, but he’s not a bad boy. He’s got a girlfriend—a very nice girlfriend. Alana and I have become good friends, so even if I did have the hots for Luke—which I don’t—I would never move in on my friend’s guy.”

          “Wish I had friends like you in high school! Can’t even count how many friends of mine stole my boyfriends,” Lydia said, pulling in front of the house.

          “You needed better friends, I think,” Janet replied. “Anyway, thanks for the ride here. I really appreciate it.”

“You sure you don’t want me to pick you up after your rehearsal? I have some shopping to do after the dentist appointment…give me a chance to see this stud.”

Ch 124 Prom gowns and dancing

            Wes stepped into the unusually quiet house, put his car keys down on the half-moon accent table his mother bought expressly for the purpose and frowned.

          “Dad? Tristan?” he spoke into the apparently empty house. His father’s car was in the driveway, however, so they had to be here somewhere. It was just a matter of finding them. He walked through the house eventually stopping in the kitchen for a drink. As he popped the top on a can of ginger ale, he heard a shout coming from the backyard.

          He grinned. “Shoulda known,” he muttered, leaving through the back door and stepping onto the patio. He looked around and saw no one, so he walked down the gravel path, skirting the perennial bed full of buzzing bees taking advantage of the sprawling, late-blooming asters, short, compact mums and tall, dark purplish-blue monkshoods. Here Wes could hear more distinctly his father’s low baritone and Tristan’s infectious laughter. He finished his drink, set down the can and climbed up the ladder to his old, no-longer abandoned tree house.

Ch 123 Come on, Janet

          “Oh, come on, Janet!” Wes pleaded. “Let me take you over to Luke’s today.”

          Janet shook her head. “No, Troy’s mom is giving me a ride. She has a dentist appointment in town so she doesn’t mind, and Luke said he’d bring me back home,” she said, before turning serious. “You have to finish up that project proposal so you can come to the gala. You promised. You are working on it, aren’t you?”

          “Yes, of course, but…we’ve hardly spent any time together this week,” he whined as he put his arms around her waist and pulled her close to nestle into his chest. “I miss my yenta.”

          “You make me laugh, Wes! We see each other all day long at school,” she said, her voice muffled as he hugged her tighter.

          “Two minutes here and there isn’t enough,” Wes said.

“You forget English class and we even spend lunch together, and now you’ve brought me home, which, come to think of it, is a waste of precious time…time you should be spending at your computer getting some work done!” she said poking her finger into his chest. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you don’t want to come to the gala with me.”

Ch 122 Don’t judge me

    

      May Lyn popped into Wendy’s kitchen, expecting it to be empty, but found her sister baking.

“Hey, I thought you were going to work,” she said, setting her jacket onto the back of a chair.

          “Yeah, well, no use going if Alec doesn’t get up til noon. It’s not like I can do anything without his approval,” Wendy replied.  She smiled at her sister as she scooped cookies off a baking sheet and set them to cool. “Soooo?”

          “Don’t judge me,” May Lyn said, staring hungrily at the cookies.

          Wendy paused with the cookie-laden spatula halfway to a colorful storage tin. “I’ll have you know my cookies are the most non-judgemental, unbiased and unprejudiced baked goods around. See for yourself,” she said putting the cookie temptingly under her sister’s nose. She smiled as May grabbed the cookie, taking a bite, moaning in delight and closing her eyes as she ate it.

          “You make the most wonderful cookies,” she moaned, taking another bite. “Always have.”

Ch 121 Who is that man?

        

  One thing popped into Donny’s head after he and Tristan left the gift shop and he glanced across the street to where May Lyn stood. Who is that man talking with her?

           He unwittingly felt a twinge of jealousy when the man hugged May Lyn and she kissed his cheek. Just great, he sarcastically thought. Would every woman he became even remotely interested in belong to someone else?

Apparently so!

          Tristan, on the other hand, couldn’t care less what his mother was doing. He, after all, was enthralled with the collection of vintage cars Donny just bought for him. He carried the bag as if it held all the precious jewels of the world, instead of small metal and plastic cars.

“Thanks for da present, Mr. Bashan. Can you tell me da name of all da old time cars?” Tristan asked as he placed each one on the hood of Donny’s car.

          “Gees, kid, you make me feel old when you call them that. They’re classics, okay?” Donny said, as he watched May Lyn and the unknown man while pretending not to be doing so. His curiosity, however, got the better of him and he casually asked, “Tristan, do you know that man talking with your mom?”

Ch 120 How long has it been

       

When we were young

   “How long has it been since you’ve been back home?” Donny asked.

          May Lyn sighed. “Too long. Since Chad and I got married and we went to Texas…almost ten years ago.”

          “So…glad to be back?” Donny asked, as he pulled in front of Wendy’s house.

          “Oh, yes!” May Lyn said, gazing up at the house, noting any differences, but it was too dark to see much. “I’ve forgotten how much I love it here.”

          “Go on inside,” Donny said, smiling at the eager look on her face. “I’m sure they’re waiting on pins and needles for you. I’ll get Tristan and put him straight to bed.”

          “Are you sure?” she asked, getting out of the car and turning to see him tenderly scoop up her son, not even awakening him.

          “I’ve done this before…just this week, in fact, several times,” he said, motion her to lead the way to the front door. The door opened before they even set foot on the first step.

Ch 119 Stuck at the airport

        

  Being stuck at the airport was not for the faint of heart. Neither was it for a little boy waiting for his mother to come home, especially when his mother’s plane was delayed because of unknown reasons and he simply couldn’t be appeased—no matter how many times and different ways you tried to explain it to him.

          “When is Mommy gonna get here?” Tristan whined for the umpteenth time.

          Donny sighed wishing he knew. They had been stuck at the airport now for three hours and even his patience was wearing thin. “Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for you to come with me. I’m sorry you’re so bored, Tristan, but they said it was on time when it left Dallas, so it must have been delayed somewhere along the way.”

“Why?” Tristan asked petulantly.

“Oh, I don’t know…maybe there was a storm or a tornado or something like that and they...”

“Did da plane get sucked into a tornado and went to da Wizard of Oz?” he shrieked.

Ch 118 Just perfect

          “Just perfect,” Wendy muttered, slamming down the phone.

It never failed. Without so much as consulting her, May Lyn decides to hop a flight tomorrow and expect Wendy to drop everything to go get her at one of the busiest airports on the east coast and during rush hour. Oh yeah, it’ll be fun and games!

She had so much to do even without this bit of bother. She had to help Alec get the restaurant ready to open next week. She wanted—no, needed—to hear what Janet had to add to the Jeffery/Karen Harris situation, and then there was Jasmine’s thing and having to tell Jeffery about that and… oh, what a complicated mess her life had become! It was as if her sister was intent on causing her as much disruption of her already kooky life as possible.

Ch 117 Crying

          Because Wendy spent the bulk of the night crying  her eyes out, she had only dropped off to sleep just before dawn. So, you will forgive her for imagining she was dreaming of leisurely Sunday breakfast with Jeffery and the kids laughing and joking together, when the heavenly scent of her favorite muffins drifted into her bedroom from downstairs.

It took some time for her olfactory sense to fully awaken her. After all, she never remembered smelling anything in her dreams, so she couldn’t be actually dreaming, right? She lifted her sleepy head from the pillow and sniffed the air. She wasn’t imagining that! It smelled too good. But how was it possible? No one had that recipe except for her…that she knew.

Ch 116 Breathe again

“Thank God he’s gone. Now I can breathe again.” Wendy sighed and placed the last of the dessert dishes into the dishwasher.

“Who? Mr. Sebastian?” Janet said, coming noiselessly back into the kitchen, making her mother jump.

“Janet! I wish you wouldn’t do that,” Wendy snapped.

“Sorry,” Janet replied, frowning.

“Thought you went up to bed. Is everyone gone now?”

“Yes, Wes, Cindy and Mr. Sebastian went home,” Janet said. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing…just tired,” Wendy answered, avoiding meeting Janet’s eyes while drying her hands. She hung the towel on the oven handle and forced a smile. “I’m going to bed.”

“Mom, we have to talk…about Dad and...”

“Not now, Janet. I can’t handle anything else tonight,” Wendy said, leaving the kitchen after turning out the lights.

Janet followed her upstairs. “What do you mean handle anything else? What happened?”

Ch 115 Promises you don’t intend to keep

     “Wes, will you promise me something?” Janet asked as they walked hand-in-hand to the house.

          “Not unless it’s a promise I don’t intend to keep,” he replied.

          “Like what?” she asked, turning at the top step so they were now at the same eye level.

          He grinned, putting his hands around her waist and pulling her closer. “For instance, I can’t promise to keep my hands to myself.”

          “Oh, really?” she said, pretending to scowl. “You better or I’ll smack you or something.”

          He laughed. “Yes, ma’am, but I can’t promise not to kiss you,” he said, leaning in and kissing her. 

          She smiled and tossed her arms around his neck. “So, this is what it’s like, huh?” she said.

           “What is?”

          “Being your height,” she said, bumping her nose with his and giggling. “I’m your size now.”

          He grinned. “Guess so,” he replied, “Do you like it?”

          “Better than getting a crick in the neck from looking up so much,” she said.

          “You’re not that little,” he protested.

Ch 114 Bad influence

          Much to Wes’ relief, he finally arrived at Luke’s house. He had only just finished several appointments with customers he admittedly had been neglecting of late. He supposed some might call Janet a bad influence, at least for his work, since it was mostly due to her—or rather Wes insisting on being with her for as much time as possible--that he hadn't been keeping up with work stuff, but he’d kill anyone who actually said it!

He was gone far longer than he hoped; almost all afternoon. No matter what Janet said, he still didn’t like leaving her in the clutches of babe-magnet, teen heart-throb Luke Tramaine any longer than he had too, even if they were chaperoned by his very capable manager/lackey/girlfriend Alana.

          He couldn’t wait to get inside and listen to them sing. It was like getting a free concert every time. There was no denying they really were great together…another bone of contention for Wes. Who wants their girlfriend singing romantic love songs with another guy? Not him, that’s for sure!

Ch 113 Just like old times

           Just like old times,” Jeff muttered to himself, smiling as he parked his pickup in the driveway right beside Wendy’s SUV.

“Wendy, I’m here,” he said, coming in without knocking and hanging up his jacket. He followed the sound of laughter into the family room. He stopped dead in his tracks and his smile slipped from his face. There he found Tristan, giggling like mad. He sat on the floor in front of an ancient board game on the coffee table. 

Donny and Wendy, sitting on either side of the boy, were also laughing up a storm and looking entirely too much like a self-contained little family to suit Jeff. 

“Hello,” Jeff said.

          “Jeffery!” Wendy said, flushed and a bit flustered. She stood up and brushed her hair back from her face before facing him. “Hi, I forgot you said you’d come over.”

Ch 112 What are you doing?

“What are you doing up so early?” Janet and Wendy said this at precisely the same time and then laughed at themselves.

“Well,” Janet said, wrapping an apron around herself. “I got used to making breakfast for everyone this week. What’s your excuse?”

“I got used to it after doing it for the past umpteen years,” Wendy replied, grabbing her own apron. “I suppose we can do it together.”

Janet hugged her mom. “And we can talk…about  stuff…and Daddy… and stuff,” she said, anxiously.

Wendy stiffened and the expression on her face didn’t look inviting.

“But that can wait, if you want,” Janet added, taking out the skillet and placing it on the stovetop while trying not to sound as disappointed as she was. She frowned as she watched her mother relax and take items out of the refrigerator. 

Janet thought this would be easy. She had hoped to have her parent back together and her dad home in two minutes. Not likely!

Ch 111 Going Back home

                            

“Wendy? Helloooo, earth to Wendy!”

“Huh?”

“Did you hear anything I’ve been saying?” Alec whined.

“Uh…”

“What is up with you, girl?” he said, exasperated. “Past two days you’ve been an absolute zombie!”

“Oh, sorry, Alec,” she said, as she stared out of the window to the fluffy clouds finally giving way to reveal a lovely sunset and city lights popping on one by one. “We’re landing already?”

“Well, it seems I’ve been talking to myself for the past hour,” he said in a snippy voice. “Although I love me a soliloquy every once in a while I do prefer to be heard.”

“I’m truly sorry, Alec. I’ve just been…”

“Stressing out? Well, don’t! You’ll do great now with your own restaurant…not that you weren’t wonderful before, but…woo-wee! Port Orianco won’t know what hit them when le chic gourmet Wendy’s come to town from the big NYC.”

Ch 110 Back to normal

Back to normal

                   

“Hello, Jasmine,” Jeff said, as he came into the house, removed his jacket and hung it up. 

He hoped things were back to normal with his daughter, but she merely glared at him and walked right past without responding. 

So much for hope. 

“Where’s Troy? You two are usually glued together,” he said, casually.

“What do I care where he is?” she replied.

He ran frustrated fingers through his hair. “Have you started dinner yet?” Jeff asked.

“Why should I?” she said.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, just as Janet came into the foyer and smiled at him. “Oh, I dunno, cuz maybe we’d like to eat. I could call for pizza I suppose.”

Ch 109 Listen to me

“Wendy, listen to me. I screwed up big time.”

She sighed and held the phone away from her ear. Here we go again, Jeffery and his endless I’m sorry, take me back, never do such a fool thing again, forgive me crap. She leaned her head back on the cushion and let the warm water seep through her achy bones, only half listening. 

Who knew cooking could be such a physically exhausting activity? She had always been exhilarated by it when she cooked at home or for parties. She had even had a grand old time in the Picadillo’s kitchen. All the folks there were such fun to work with and so helpful and eager to please. Of course, that was once they realized Wendy was nothing whatsoever like Viktor the dragon.

Ch 108 Queen of Mean

Queen of mean

“So, how’s the big super star?” said the Queen of Mean.

Janet had just pulled the night gown on and popped her head out of the neckline in time to see Jasmine’s snide expression as she-- with arms crossed rigidly in front of her-- leaned on the door frame leading to their shared bathroom.

How the heck was she to answer that? She sighed and ignored her sister, then jumped into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin and snuggling in.

“Oh, I see; too much of a hot shot to talk to commoners,” Jasmine goaded.

“What do you want, Jazzy?” Janet said in exasperation.

“Not an autograph, that’s for damn sure,” she snapped.

Ch 107: Just call her

Jeff wandered out onto the porch. He wore no jacket even though it was a bit chilly. It was late enough he should be thinking about getting to bed. Janet, however, wasn’t home yet and he was starting to worry. She had never been out this late before, and it didn’t help knowing that it might be because she also never had a boyfriend until now. 

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Wes…okay, let’s face it, that is exactly what it was. Wes was a teenage boy, after all, and Janet was…well, just as beautiful and as naïve as her mother had been.

Jeff sighed, hating that Janet was now the age Wendy had been when he and she… He forced his thoughts away from such. He would give her ten more minutes and then he’d give her a call…or call out the Marines.