Ch 60 An ever fixed mark

The cell phone sounded just as Wes was in the middle of kissing Janet.

“Dad,” he muttered, annoyed as anything. He stared at Janet for a second and kissed her again while he dug in his pocket for the offending device. He put it to his ear only after he pulled away from her. 

“Hello,” he growled.

“Wesley, where are you? You do realize it’s a school night,” Donny said.

“I’m on my way home now, Dad,” Wes said, winking at Janet.

She shook a disapproving finger at him and she giggled when he went to bite it. He then covered her mouth so his dad wouldn’t hear her laughing.

“I realize you and Janet have made up, but…”

“I’ll be there soon, Dad,” Wes said.

“I can still ground you, you know.”

Ch 59: Crazy love

“See you at school, Steve,” Cindy said, hopping into the front seat of her father’s car.

“En Espanol, senorita,” Steve said.

“Hasta la vista,” she replied with a giggle.

“Um...I guess that’s right. I’m not too good at it yet,” he said, shrugging.

“You make sure I pass math and I’ll help you with Spanish, okay?” she said.

“Deal,” he said brightly. “Bye, Mr. Sebastian.”

“Don't think so. You have to come with us, kid. Your ride just left,” Donny said pointing at Wes’ tail lights, only just visible heading down the street. 

“What the heck!” Steve grumbled, just as Jasmine and Troy came out of the restaurant. “At least I’m not the only one left behind.”

Ch 58: Almost there

   

Janet and Dawn stared at the woman who just bounded into the restroom.

“Hey, is there a Janet in here?” she said. 

“Uh, yes? I’m Janet,” she said, a confused expression on her face.

“There’s a boy out there looking for you. He looks ready to call in the Marines. He must think you fell into the toilet and drowned,” she said, laughing and she walked off into a stall.

“Oh, that must be Wes!” Janet said, placing her hands to her cheeks.

“Who’s Wes?” Dawn asked.

“Um…my boyfriend,” she replied.

Ch 57: Back in the day

Janet waited with as much patience as she could muster as Dawn seemed to go back in time, her plump face acquiring a reminiscent glow. 

“I say this with the utmost affection, but your father was pathetic when it came to Wendy.  Frankly, not much has changed.”

“You think so?” Janet said, unconvinced.

Dawn smiled. “Yes, I do. Your mom was very popular back then, you know, from the moment she arrived in town. Why wouldn’t she be? She was perfect. Beautiful, charming, smart, sweet as pie and so witty. She had all the girls wishing to be her best friend and all the guys drooling at her feet, but none so much as Jeff. Love-sick puppy, he was,” she said.

“And this Karen person…where does she come in?” Janet asked.

Chapter 56: The substitute brother

Wes found Janet standing by the restrooms with his jacket neatly folded over her arm. When he approached her, she handed it to him.

“I’ll be out in a little while. Just want to wash my face,” Janet said.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded and had place her hand on the door ready to push it open, but then she looked at him again.

“What?” he asked.

“Can I ask you something else?”

Chapter 55: A Freudian Thing

It was a bit chilly outside, but the sky had cleared and the stars were out making it a nice night for a walk on the boardwalk. 

Wes and Janet followed Troy and Jasmine at a respectable distance walking painstakingly slow. He was still astounded that she allowed him to join her, although, he did suspect it had to do with her father and her desire to somehow punish him. So she was using Wes, so what? At least they were together. 

Did he dare put his arm around her? He certainly wanted to. Should he take hold of her hand? Would she rebuke even that tiny gesture? Very likely, yes. As luck would have it, he saw her wrap her arms around herself and shiver. He instantly pulled off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Then, with only a moment’s hesitation slipped his hand around her waist.

“I should have gotten your coat,” he said.

Chapter 54: Done deal

 “So, where’s your wife, Don?” Jeffery asked, looking around the table.

A cloud passed over Donny’s eyes for a split second. “She died a few years ago.”

“Oh,” Jeffery said, grimacing. “I’m so sorry. It does explain why you haven't been to my shop in so long.”

Donny nodded and an awkward silence ensued.

Chapter 53: Lucky to have you

                                             

“Janet getting a boyfriend,” Steve interjected. “Now, that’s a miracle and something to celebrate. At least Mom said that's what we were celebrating on Friday.”

“You did not, you big fat liar!” Janet snapped.

“Did, too. You weren’t home Friday or you would have seen that she did make a special dinner to celebrate you getting Wes,” Steve said.

“She did,” Jasmine interjected. “It was very nice.”

"I thought it was really weird...celebrating something for you when you weren't even there," Troy said.

Janet pressed her lips together and sat with her arms crossed over her chest refusing to notice the smug look on Wes’ face. 

Chapter 52: Doing great

                                      

“Janet, are you all right?” Donny asked.

“Yes, yes, fine,” she lied, setting her napkin on her lap. “It’s so pretty here.”

“It is. Mr. Frank takes great pride in…” Wes said, but Janet cut him off.

“Mr. Sebastian, tell me what you do for fun. We should do something crazy next weekend like bowling,” she said.

“Since when is bowling something crazy?” Troy asked.

“If you’d ever seen me with a bowling ball, you’d understand. I’m dangerous!”

Donny laughed.

“I guess there’s good reason to stay away from you then,” Troy retorted.

“Smart of you, Troy,” she said smiling at him.

Surprised, Troy stared at her, then turned to Jasmine. “She actually smiled at me,” he whispered to her. 

“So?”

“She never smiles at me. She usually insults me,” he said. “It’s just weird.”

Chapter 51: Dinner at the Picadillo

                                                 

“Come on, Wes. Turn the frown upside down,” Jasmine said coming out of his car. “You might not believe this, but you’re doing great… really.” 

Wes glared at her. “Janet doesn’t even want to ride in the same car with me and I’m doing great?” he growled.

“Yes, at least she’s not chewing you out at every turn,” she replied.  “You just gotta give her time.” 

“How much time?” Wes asked, locking the car and pocketing his keys.

“Only Janet knows that,” Jasmine said. “Just be polite and don’t get sarcastic or nasty no matter what she says. She’ll behave tonight cuz we’re here for Mom, so you won’t have too much to deal with.”