Chapter
eighty six:
Christy
and Becky wandered down the stairs at the exact same time, linking arms in the
upstairs hallway, and walking down the stairs together.
They
had decided between the two of them that the best thing to do in order to cheer
Jenna up was to go out for a day of shopping. And they had formed an ally
together, refusing to take no for an answer from the body guard.
“Jimmy?”
Becky began, as the two girls discovered him in the living room, reading the
paper.
“We
need to talk.” Christy said pointedly.
“Alright.” He said, with a slight look of confusion.
“We
know we’re not allowed to leave the house,” Becky began.
“But
as you know, Jen has been upset lately.” Christy continued.
“And
we feel like the best thing to do is to get her out of the house and help her
feel better.” Becky finished.
The
body guard nodded.
“And
we’re willing to sneak out with you, and be back before the guys so they never
have to know.” Christy added. “We know it puts your job in jeopardy, but we are
willing, as a group, to co-operate willingly from here on out if you will grant
us this one day of freedom to make Jen feel better.”
“Okay…”
Jimmy said slowly. “That’s actually kind of funny.”
Becky
made a face in confusion. “What? We’re being serious!”
“No, not that. I mean that
Becky
and Christy exchanged glances. It was definitely weird that
“You
mean, you’ll take us out today?” Christy asked.
“Yeah of course. Under the agreement that we stay together at
all times…”
“Would
it be inappropriate if I hugged you?” Christy gushed. “I am simply dying to get
out of this stupid house!”
“Wait
a minute, wait a minute!” Becky held up her hands in defense. “What’s going on?
Why does
Jimmy
shrugged. “I don’t know, he wouldn’t say.”
“Who
cares?” Christy interrupted. “We get to go out! My god, my nails are such a
mess!”
Becky
sighed. “Alright, I’ll call and see if I can make us appointments.”
“I’ll
get Jen up!” Christy practically skipped up the stairs.
<%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%><%>
Zac
dialed Becky’s cell phone number, after trying numerous times to call her at
the house.
After
three rings she finally answered.
“Hello?”
“Becca? Hey!”
“Zaccy! How are you?” She asked.
“I’m
good. How about you? What are you up to?”
“Just a second.” He could hear her walking past other people who
were talking around her, then suddenly she appeared to
be standing near traffic, with the sounds of cars and horns honking around her.
“Zac?”
“Yeah.”
“We’re
spending a whole day trying to cheer up Jen.”
“Is
it working?”
“I
don’t think so. It’s hard to cheer someone up when they won’t admit there’s
something wrong.”
“Yeah,
that’s got to suck. Where are you?”
“I’m
standing outside the nail salon. Jimmy brought us here to have our nails done, then we’re going to the mall after.”
“Oh…
okay.” He didn’t remember having a discussion with his brothers about letting
the girls leave the house, even with the body guard. But he wasn’t about to
start a fight with Becky. “Are you having a good time?”
“I’m
giving a blast. It’s so much fun just being with the girls again… no offense or
anything. I love being with you too… just in a different way.”
Zac
laughed. “I know.”
They
were both silent for a moment.
“Well,
are you shopping for anything in particular this afternoon?”
“Clothes mostly. I’m in desperate need of clothes.”
He
knew this wasn’t exactly true. She had a closet full of clothes, many of which
she never wore.
He
heard a voice on the other end.
“Oh, Zaccy? I have to go, it’s my turn now… I can call you
later… when do you take a break?”
“Um…
I don’t know. How about I call you?”
“Alright
that’s great.”
“Talk
to you later, babe.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
He
listened to her click her phone off and sat in silence.