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.

      Her heart fluttered, just as it did the first time he ever told her that. “Thank you,” she said, and they lapsed into silence again.

      “I’m pretty sure I know what you want to talk about,” he said.

      “I doubt that,” she replied, then her eyes went wide. “Unless…have you already spoken to Jasmine?”

      He nodded. “I sent her to get dressed.”

      “Did you? Well… you shouldn’t believe her, Jeffery! I did not sleep with him or anyone else,” she heatedly said.

      Jeff gaped. “What the hell are you talking about?”

       Suddenly feeling like a fool—a fool with her foot firmly in her mouth, she tentatively asked, “What are you talking about?”

      He frowned and dropped her hand. “Jasmine and the fact you don’t want her going to the gala with us because of what she did with Troy. What are you talking about?”

      Wendy could have kicked herself. She took a deep breath and said, “She’s blackmailing me.”

      He frowned. “How is she doing that… exactly?” he carefully asked.

      Wendy sighed and rubbed her forehead as if ridding it of a sudden ache. “Perhaps Janet was right. I should have let her tell you,” she mumbled.

      “Tell me what?” Jeff said sharply, stepping even closer. “Is Jasmine pregnant or something?”

      “No,” Wendy said shaking her head. “At least, I don’t think so. We aren’t exactly on speaking terms at the moment, and it’s not like she tells me anything anyway.”

      “You had to have known she and Troy…were…”

      “Not that it matters, “Wendy interjected bitterly. “This has nothing to do with her except that she was planning on telling you some big exaggeration if I didn’t allow her to go to the gala, but I wasn’t going to let her get the upper hand and hold this over my head forever especially when it’s not true. I was going to tell you myself. It was nothing anyway…not really.”

      Jeff stared at her, baffled. Then he recalled Donny who was at this moment in the other room. Jeff always thought there might have been something there; the way Donny always looked at Wendy bugged the hell out of him. Like an idiot he assumed Donny was here to pick up May Lyn, but was he instead here for Wendy? Had he truly lost his wife? His heart sank.

      “Wendy, is Donny your date tonight?”

      “What? No, of course not! He’s here for May Lyn,” she said. Then she squeaked, “Why? Do you have a date?”

      “No,” he said. “I was kinda hoping… we could go as a family…for Janet. That’s why I didn’t think you should leave Jasmine behind. I know you’re mad at her for deliberately defying you and all, but…”

      “But this is Janet’s big night and her whole family should be there for her,” Wendy finished for him. “Then Jasmine wins any way you slice it,” she mumbled, wanting more than ever to kick herself.

      “I didn’t say we couldn’t punish her after the party,” Jeff said. “Now, tell me what all this blackmail thing is about.”

      “It doesn’t matter anymore. Let’s go out with the others. I want pictures of the whole family with Janet and…” she swiftly said, turning away from him, but she didn’t go far.

      He grabbed her arm. “Tell me now, Wendy. If you’ve done something or you’re contemplating something… I want to know now. Just get it over with.”

      “Jeffery…”

      “Please, Wendy, if you ever cared at all about me, just tell me,” he pleaded.

      She gulped. “Even if it upsets you, Jeffery, even if it hurts you?” she whispered. “Even if it…  breaks us up for good?”

      He closed his eyes for a minute, his breathing quick and harsh. “I’m already there. Just tell me already,” he growled.

      She nodded and motioned for them to sit down at the kitchen table. This wasn’t going to be easy.

******

      Jeffery had listened without interrupting, not even once, and now he just stared at the table, digesting all Wendy confessed. His eyes darted about the embroidered swirling flowers on the table cloth while his heart beat pathetically hard for a man sitting perfectly still—except for his leg, the one with the Elvis tick.

      Wendy watching him with her bottom lip caught between her teeth. He was so still and so quiet for so long she might have thought he had falling into a trace had his right leg not been jiggling so much that it shook the table and the vase of late blooming mums which sat upon it. Much to the amusement of his friends and family they teased him about his Elvis tick--which always happened when he was upset or nervous. No one was amused now, however, least of all Wendy, who might just jump out of her skin if he didn’t do something, and quickly.

      “Jeffery, please say something,” she whispered, laying a hand on his shaking knee, making it cease at once, but now the fingers on his left hand started drumming frantically as if he was playing the Minute Waltz at double speed.

      He continued looking down at the table.

      Wendy touched his hand and she begged, “Please look at me, Jeffery, and say something.”

      He opened his mouth and shut it again, twice, then shook his head. “I don’t want to…”

      “Jeffery, I’m sorry. I….”

      He held his hand up, stopping her. “You didn’t let me finish.” He put his hand down, continued staring at the table and breathed deep and slow. Wendy could only watch and wait. Then he abruptly stood up and said, “I don’t want to say anything now I may regret later.”

      “Okay,” she said, standing up, too.

      “I don’t want to ruin Janet’s night,” he added, tugging on his tie at both ends then letting it go. He’d only make a mess of it in his present state. “Just…let’s go see Janet.”

      “She’ll be wonderful tonight,” Wendy said, half relieved, but the other half was terrified. The worst would come later, surely, and there was no telling when.

      He said nothing, and only then glanced at her briefly, and quickly looked away, as if the sight of her angered him more. Then he walked out of the kitchen without saying another word. Wendy sighed. It could have been much worse, she supposed. She followed him out of the kitchen.

*******

      Janet slumped against the banister. “Please, Aunt May. No more pictures!” she whined.

      May laughed. “One more, of just you and Wes,” she said, and she proceeded to pose them facing each other, holding hands. “Oh, shoot! I need my other card. Hold still for a minute while I get it.”

      Wes laughed. “Take your time. This is the longest I’ve had Janet to myself in a long time.”

      “All to yourself?” Janet repeated. “With everybody looking at us?”

      “I can pretend, can’t I?” he whispered and he leaned forward and kissed her. “You’re so beautiful, Janet.”

      “Oh, stop that!” May Lyn shouted at them, as she worked the cover off the battery and memory card compartment. “Not until I’m ready to take the picture!”

       Janet rolled her eyes and Wes laughed. “I don’t mind doing it again for the camera, Ms. London,” he said. “As many times as it takes until you get the exact right picture.”

      “There’s my good boy!” May Lyn said cheerily.

      “No, he’s just a guy hot for his girl,” Donny muttered under his breath.

      “Hush!” May Lyn said, laughing at him. “Janet, kiss Wes again, just like before.”

      Janet sighed. “If I must,” she said, acting as if it was a sacrifice in the worst degree.

      “My pretty yenta, don’t you love me?” Wes asked, before he kissed her slowly.

      She opened her eyes as they parted and stared at him. “We need to talk.”

      “So, talk,” he said.

      She shook her head. “In private,” she said. “Come up to my room.”

      “Wait a minute,” Donny said, stopping them before they took one step up the stairs. “I don’t think your parents would be okay with that.”

      “You’re right,” Jeff said coming out of the kitchen with Wendy right behind him.

      “I just want to ask Wes… something,” Janet said. “We’ll be right back.”

      “I said no!” Jeff snarled.

      Everyone gaped at him.

      “Really, Dad?” Janet snapped. “Jasmine gets away with murder and I can’t talk to my boyfriend for five minutes?”

      “Not in your room you don't, not with him,” Jeff said, glaring at Wes.

      “Janet, we can talk in the kitchen or the living room,” Wes said, his voice soothing.

      “No!” she shouted. “I never gave them reason to not be trusted, unlike some people I know!” Janet glared at her father. “I wasn’t the one caught in bed with anyone, so I deserve to be trusted for that reason alone.”

      “If it’s really only for a few minutes, go ahead,” Wendy interjected, placing her hand on Jeff’s arm.

      He brushed it away. “I have no say, is that it? Then why don’t you ask Donny’s permission? I suppose his counts now,” Jeff said.

      Donny and May Lyn exchanged bewildered looks, then simultaneously walked toward the living room, away from the scene.

          “Your ride will be coming soon anyway,” Wendy said, fighting the urge to cry. “Be quick, Janet, please.”

      Janet looked from her father to her mother and her heart sank. Things hadn't gone well, as she knew would happen. “Okay,” she said, grabbing Wes’ hand. “Call me when the car gets here.” She then turned and tugged Wes up the stairs.

      “Janet, what’s going on?” Wes asked, following her. “What did I do to get your dad so mad at me?”

      She shoved him into her room and closed the door. She leaned on it breathing fast as she stared at him.

      “Janet, what’s wrong?”

      She shook her head, then burst into tears.

      “Baby, what’s wrong?” he said again, this time cradling her in his arms. “This isn’t just nerves, surely.” He held her close for several minutes, letting her cry, and slowly she stopped.

      She shook her head again and sniffed. “I’m sorry.”

      “Don’t be. Just tell me what’s wrong.” He pulled a few tissues from a box on her night stand and handed them to her.

      “So many things, but…” she said pushing out of his arms, taking the tissues. “Nothing I can do about them so… forget it.”

      “Them? I don’t get it. Then why am I here if you’re not going to tell me what’s wrong? Your dad already wants to kill me and I don’t even know why!”

      “Just forget that part for now, okay?” she said, tentatively wiping her face. “I need to ask you something very important and I want the total truth. Do not lie to me, Wes, or I swear…”

      “I won’t…not any more, I told you I wouldn’t.”

      She paced in front of him back and forth a few times, sniffing and gingerly wiping her eyes trying her best not to damage her makeup. Finally she turned to him and told him to sit down on her bed.

      “Are you breaking up with me?” he asked.

      “That depends on your answer.”

      His mouth fell open, but he quickly shut it. “What’s the question?”

      “Why did you give me these shoes?” she said, lifting her skirt just enough to show the Jimmy Choos.

      “Because I thought you’d like them. Don’t you? Are they too big? Too high?”

      “No, they fit perfectly.”

       He frowned, looked down at the shoes then back at Janet’s face and the worried expression on it. “So, what’s wrong with them?”

      “Jasmine told me they… they’re very…that you gave them to me… expecting ….something,” she said, her nervous fingers twisting the tissues in her hands until they shredded.

      “Only that you’ll like them,” he said utterly confused now. “What did Jasmine say exactly?”

      “That they’re very expensive….like eight hundred dollars or more,” Janet said carefully watching his face for a reaction.

      “Okay. Something like that,” he said with a careless shrug.

      “How much were these?”

      “I don’t know exactly. What does it matter?”

      “But… you shouldn’t buy me stuff this expensive, cuz… cuz…I don’t know what a Lowinski is and don’t wanna do it anyway…not cuz you think you own me!” she shrieked.

      “What the f… what are you talking about, Janet? Lowinski? Do you mean…? Oh, hell no!”

      “Jasmine said…”

      “I can only imagine what your stupid sister told you!” Wes shouted. “Do you actually think I expect sexual favors for a pair of shoes?”

      “Then why…”

      “My God, Janet,” he desperately said, grabbing her arms and just barely stopping himself from shaking some sense into her. “Don’t you know me by now?”

      “I thought I did, but Jasmine says…”

      “Your first problem is listening to her!”

      “But…but she knows more than me about…about boys and what they want,” she mumbled, her cheeks blazing red.

      “Yeah, but she doesn’t know me and for a yenta, you know nothing about love,” he said sadly. “That’s the worst part.”

      She stared at him, more confused and unsure than ever. “So, you gave me these shoes…because…?”

      “Because I wanted you to have them,” he said, caressing her cheek. “Why is that so hard to understand?”

      “Cuz I’m not worth eight hundred dollars.”

      He burst out laughing. “You’re right, you’re not. You’re only worth like… a million or two.”

      “You’re making fun of me,” she said, pouting.

      “I’m allowed, especially when you’re being so…cute,” he said, before leaning down and kissing her. “Okay, I gotta confession to make, and hopefully it’ll stop you from all this worry. I didn’t actually buy the shoes.”

      She gaped at him. “Then who did?”

      “My mother.” He shook his head at the bizarre look she was giving him. “I mean…they were given to her as a thank you gift for mentioning them in one of her last books. Gave them a real boost in sales or something and…it was their way of saying thank you.”

      “So…so…” Janet said, then looked down at the shoes. All of a sudden she felt like Dorothy Gale from Kansas, wearing special shoes given to her by…what, a fairy? No, more like an angel from heaven, only her shoes weren’t ruby red. “Your mom… she wore these? She was my size and everything.”

      Wes shook his head, and struggled to speak. “No,” he said, at last. “She died a week before they…I remember the day the UPS guy handed me the box and made me sign for them. He said that his wife loved my mom’s books and that she cried when she heard she died. I didn’t know what was in the box, but I put it under my bed hoping for a miracle. For some crazy reason I thought if I kept them, that she would come back looking for them and… man, kids can be so dumb. I’ve kept them ever since…didn’t even tell my dad or Cindy about them. Just…kept them…until now.”

      “Oh, Wes,” Janet said. “Why would you give them to me if they’re so special?”

      He smiled sadly. “Because you are special. My mom would want you to have them. She’d really like you, Janet.”

      She stared at him for a minute in silence, then slowly walked into his arms and hugged him tightly. “You make me feel special.”

      “And you make me happy,” he said. “I’d do just about anything for you, and I definitely don’t want anything in return. Jasmine is totally wrong about that…about me.”

      “I really don’t have to….do anything to pay you back?” she asked.

      He smiled. “How about a dance? Will you dance with me at the gala?”

      The first sign of a smile appeared. “Really? That’s it?”

      He nodded. “That’s my price,” he said. Then he abruptly turning toward the window. “Think your ride is here.” He walked the few steps to the window and looked out. “Wow, they sent a stretch limo for just you?”

      “They did?” she said going to look for herself, just as she heard her mother shouting from downstairs.

      “Janet! It’s time for you to go,” Wendy said.

      “Coming!” Janet shouted, then she turned back to Wes. “I’ve gotta go.”

      “First, are you okay now?” he asked.

      “You and me, yes, we’re okay.” She held out her hand to him and he took it happily. Wes was one thing she could count on now; she knew this for a fact…perhaps the only thing in her life. She took a deep breath and went downstairs to her family and the waiting limo.

©2013 Glory Lennon All Rights Reserved