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.”

          “I think it’s perfect. You did very well with both of them.”

          “I guess, but I can’t take your word for it, Mom,” Janet said. “You’re biased!”

          Wendy laughed. “Maybe a little. Janet, would you mind if we talked…about your father… and stuff?”

          “What?” Janet distractedly said, critically watching the video. “Um…can it wait, Mom? I’m kind tired. I never asked Luke if I have to use a microphone.”

          “Sweetie, I’m ready to listen to you…you know about… what Karen told you,” Wendy said, watching as Janet started up the stairs, barely listening to her. “Janet?”

          “What? Oh…uh…tomorrow, okay? After school…” Janet said, getting to the top and turning the corner down the hall to her room.

          “But I won’t…be here,” said Wendy to no one. Frustrated and annoyed, she stomped her foot.

          “You look like you did when we were kids,” May Lyn said, coming into the foyer. “Janet didn’t get a lollipop?”

          “Funny,” Wendy snapped. “I feel like I’m back in high school. I thought after graduation I wouldn’t have to deal with that total bitch.”

          “Janet?” May Lyn shrieked.

          Wendy laughed. “No, Karen Harris.”

          “Oh, dear Lord!” May Lyn said rolling her eyes to the ceiling. “Is she still after Jeffy?”

          “She said as much…according to Jeff, but I want to hear what Janet says about it. She talked to her and she would be objective…I think.” Wendy sat at the bottom step and put her head in her hands. “I should’ve listened to Janet when I had the chance. She’s always blowing me off now. She must hate me and resent me and...”

          “No, she does not! I’m sure she’s just preoccupied with the gala, plus that fine boyfriend of hers. You should talk to Jeffy directly,” May Lyn said.

          “Already did,” Wendy said.

          “And?”

“And I don’t know if I believe him.”

          May Lyn sighed. “Well, then, what’s the use?” She went up the stairs and left her sister to her miserable musings.

*****

          “So, my singing’s improved. Aren’t I supposed to get better?” Janet said, watching herself on her smart phone for the tenth time. “What’s the big deal? How does this prove Wes is bad for me?”

          She rolled over onto her back and watched both clips again. She didn’t get it. She imagined Wes was already asleep, but she needed to talk to him about this. She sent a simple text, “You awake”, then waited for a reply.

          He answered, “No, I’m sleep texting. LOL”

           She smiled and waited. Sure enough, he called. “Hey, baby, what’s up?”

“Were you sleeping?”

          “No, watching the sports channel. You mad at me and gonna yell at me some more?”

          “No…not yet.”

          “So you’ll be mad soon? Great,” he said.

          “Not what I meant. I’ve been looking at the video clips you gave me, and I don’t see what you’re talking about. I don’t see why you say you’re not good for me.”

          “Alana said you sing better when I’m not around…like a lot better. That’s why she and Luke wanted me to stay away from you at the gala. So you’ll have a great performance…without me around.”

          “That’s silly,” Janet said. “Why would she…omigosh! Did you make up the proposal? You’ve been lying to me all this time about that? Making that the excuse for staying away?”

          “No…okay, maybe a little,” he said, hurrying on. “No, Janet, please listen. I do have a proposal to put together and I’m almost done, but…”

          “But you don’t have to miss the gala?”

          “I should…but not because of work. I think I can finish by Sunday night.”

          “So, you were going to miss the gala just cuz Alana said so?” she shrieked, then lowered her voice realizing she might awaken everyone. “You can’t do that.”

          “It’s not just her. Luke thought the same thing. He wouldn’t make Alana tell me to stay away if he didn’t really think I would ruin your performance. Janet, I don’t want to be the cause of that. You could be a super star. I know you can if I’m not there.”

          “Wes, don’t be an idiot,” she said, “I’m not gonna be a rock star.”

          “Why not?”

          “Cause…cause when I was a little kid I didn’t go around saying, I wanna be a rock star when I grow up, that’s why.”

          “So what? I didn’t go around saying I want to be a computer genius, either,” he said. “Sometimes…things are thrown in your path. This thing with Luke is one of those really magical things that can change your life.”

          “Who says I want to change my life?”

          Wes laughed. “Babe, turn on the video chat. I wanna see you.”

          “Uh…I can do that? You’ll have to walk me through it,” she said, looking at the menu on the phone and following his instructions. “Um…see me yet?”

          “There’s my pretty yenta! Can you see me?”

          She could, indeed. She could see him from the waist up and he was bare. “Wes, are you naked?”

          He laughed. “I rarely wear a shirt to sleep, but I’ve got boxers on. Wanna see?”

          “No!” she said, even though she kind of did. “So why’d you want to see me?”

          “Why do you think?”

          She quickly looked down at what she had on and was suddenly thankful she had felt cold enough to put on her footie pjs. “So, what are you going to do?”

          “I thought I’d just look at you until I fell asleep,” he replied, smirking.

          “Not that! I mean about the gala. Are you really not gonna come just ‘cause Luke and Alana say so?”

          “I’m just thinking about what’s best for you and know I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe Luke’s got it right. I’ll come for the second set.”

          “But then I’ll be nervous for the first.”

          “No, you won’t. Your whole family will be there and all your friends and…”

          “But not you,” she whined.

          He smiled. “Careful, Janet, or I’ll start thinking you love me,” he said.

          “Shut up,” she mumbled, just as Jasmine shouted to her to shut up herself. “I gotta go, Wes. I’m keeping Jazzy up and if she doesn’t get her beauty sleep…”

          “We mustn’t do that. She’s nasty enough when she’s well rested. She’ll eat us alive come morning. Good night, baby. Love you,” he said.

          “Wes?” she quickly said, before he clicked off.

          “Yeah?”

          She stared at him and she couldn’t help wishing she was with him.

“Janet, you okay?”

“Yeah, I… I wish…”

“What?” he said.

“Nothing.”

“Wanna know what I wish?”

“Okay.”

“I wish I was there with you.”

She stared at him. “Me too.”

“Oh yeah? What would you do if I was there right now?”

Janet shrugged and said the first thing to pop into her head. “I’d like to fall asleep with you holding me.” She saw the surprise on his face and wished she hadn’t said it.

“Maybe one day we can,” he said.

“Don’t get any funny ideas, Mr. Genius. I just said sleep.”

“I know,” he said, unable to stop smiling. “I’d like to sleep with you too.”

“Just sleep!”

“Shut up and just sleep yourself!” came Jasmine’s grumpy voice muffled through the wall.

Janet covered her mouth and tried not to laugh. “G’night, Wes,” she whispered.

“See you soon,” he said. “In my dreams!”

She clicked off, set the phone down and shut off the lights. She rolled onto her side and hugged a pillow. Then she smiled.

Okay, so she wanted to sleep with Wes, just sleep. Was that so terrible?