Part I: PartingChapter 1: ThursdayChapter 2: Intermission Chapter 3: Responsibility Part II: Conditional LoveChapter 4: SalvageChapter 5: Compomise Chapter 6: Appearances Chapter 7: Steadfast Chapter 8: Scorecard Chapter 9: Middle Chapter 10: Haunting Part III: The ReckoningChapter 11: DeparturesChapter 12: Endurance Chapter 13: Letters Chapter 14: Contrition Chapter 15: Waning Chapter 16: Intervening Chapter 17: Detour Chapter 18: Reunion Chapter 19: Exclusive Chapter 20: Gifts Chapter 21: Pennance Part IV: The Third EventChapter 22: ConfidenceChapter 23: Priorities Chapter 24: Dichotomies Chapter 25: Questions Chapter 26: Inattentiveness Chapter 27: Impetuous Chapter 28: Caged Chapter 29: Secrets Chapter 30: Family Chapter 31: Unfulfilled Chapter 32: Drowning Chapter 33: Persistence Chapter 34: Falling Chapter 35: Promises |
Chapter 7: Steadfast“Jessica!” called Nancy urgently. Jessie was trying to solve her fifth problem of elementary fluid dynamics of the current chapter of physics homework as the panicked call ran up the stairs. Jessie pushed the pages of equations away and clumped down the stairs.“Are you wearing that?” Nancy’s voice covered the initial gasp that left her mouth. Jessie looked down and saw a white polo shirt and jeans. “It’s Saturday.” She shrugged. The ‘appropriate attire’ conversation had sunk a new low. In fact, the only conversation remainders of Jessie choosing her own clothes resulted in sighs and disparaging glares. Glares such as the one Nancy commanded at this very moment, which left Jessie unimpressed. “It’s a committee meeting day. Go upstairs and put on the dress I bought you.” Nancy turned around again and busied herself with arranging the hors d’oeuvre trays, thoroughly convinced that the ‘matter’ of Jessie’s appearance for the afternoon had been settled. Jessie was hoping that she could have escaped the garden club’s arrival. Without hesitation, Jessie has been more than helpful in preparation for the event, but she was banking on the chance to just disappear in the shuffle of the event’s rush. “It’s five inches too short.” Jessie wouldn’t have worn it anyway- it was ruffled and pink. The shopping trip to purchase the aforementioned abomination to teenagers was in itself a struggle. Jessie thought just about everything she owned was perfectly fine for the pending events. And why would anyone want to be inside if they didn’t have to? Jessie saw through the front windows that it was yet another picture perfect spring day. “You’ll look lovely in it.” Again Nancy Caudill insisted, not taking her eyes off the trays as she arranged the tea sandwiches. “It’s too short.” Jessie sensed the urgency in Nancy’s voice, but it wasn’t countered by the fact that she was clearly being ignored as the garden club’s impending arrival was more important than a dress that was five inches too short and definitely too pink and frilly for the likes of Jessie. Nancy stopped what she was doing and stared straight at Jessica. “Stop fussing and put it on. And then come down and help me.” “I have homework.” Jessie lowered herself to whining; it was her last card. “And you should have done it last night.” Nancy shook her head and corrected herself. “It’s the weekend, you should not be doing your homework now.” “I was doing it last night until you insisted I go to bed at seven at night.” Jessie crossed her arms. Exasperated, Nancy sighed. “You shouldn’t have that much work. You’re much too young to be working that hard on schoolwork. It’s like you’re taking rocket science.” “It is physics, basic rocket science. I have enough work without you insisting that I do things your way.” Jessie wished she had a deeper voice and could growl at Nancy. Maybe then she’d back off this silly dress idea. “Get dressed Jessica. You heard Nancy.” Paul stepped into the hall way and set down his golf clubs. “Enjoy yourself Paul.” Nancy kissed him chastely on the cheek. “Are you playing with the partners again?” He nodded and then turned to Jessie. “Behave yourself I don’t want to find Nancy crying again when I come home.” He glared at her. Only three days ago, Nancy broke down unable to do anything that night, including making dinner. Jessie was still teeming from being accused as the root of the breakdown. Jessie had spent five hours explaining to Nancy that Jessie really didn’t need fifty-five cupcakes on her first day of school to meet new friends. Jessie scoffed as he left the house. The chimes of the hallway heirloom grandfather clock rang dutifully ten times. “Oh no, only half an hour before they all get here.” “Everything will be fine Nancy. They aren’t going to care if the green in evergreen tree are lighter on the side that the sun always hits.” Jessie was trying to be helpful as she spoke. Maybe I can get time off for good behavior. She kidded herself. “It is?” Nancy’s response was distant and hollow, as if the comment didn’t register as funny, but as a criticism. Jessie raised an eyebrow and slipped back upstairs, wondering how much longer it would take before Nancy would remember she was gone. Jessie crossed her fingers hoping on at least long enough to get through the next two assignments for the week. At eleven, the guests began to arrive and cackling resonated throughout the house. “Oh Nancy where is that delightful child I keep hearing so much about.” Asked one of the women as she looked about. She was trying to imagine Nancy with a small child covered in dirt or chocolate from a cookie. But there was no evidence a child was present yet in the living room. Nancy whirled around trying to remember when Jessica took off. “She’s probably upstairs.” “Oh poor dear, shy isn’t she?” clucked another. “Horrible things happen to foster children in those group homes.” Whispered another. “I wonder if she’s all right.” And with a perfunctory nod, the cackling group agreed. They all looked generally alike in age and dress, but all considered themselves socially aware and did what they could for the betterment of their hometown. “I’ll be right back I’ll just go get her. Please help yourselves to the refreshment on the table I’ll be only a minute.” Nancy glided up the stairs quickly and then entered into Jessica’s room finding her bent over her books and papers still not dressed in the dress Nancy had selected for her. Nancy held her voice low, but with all the frustration she commanded, as this was the most important of all her meetings. “Jessica! I can’t believe you. There are guests downstairs; you are supposed to be downstairs with me helping to entertain them. Get into this dress now, and come down stairs.” Nancy held the dress up against Jessie who stood up trying her best to contain her own annoyance. Nancy sighed. “It’s too short on you. You’ll look like a street floozy. Come along then, and meet the women downstairs.” “I have three more pages of physics to finish before Sunday night.” “You can take four hours out of your day to help me.” Jessie cringed but she knew Nancy was right and followed her downstairs, tucking the tails of her polo into her waistband hoping that she’d be able to once again slip away without anyone noticing. “Nancy this can’t be the child you and Paul took in, why she’s almost all grown up.” Gasped one older woman in a flower print blue summer dress. The other twenty women in the house all whispered furiously. They too had imagined that the troublesome child was young and helpless, and not a teenager. “This is Jessica, Jessica this is Mrs. Gregor.” Introduced Nancy. “Nice to meet you Mrs. Gregor.” Jessie forced a fake smile and manners. “What were you doing upstairs? Dreaming of your boyfriend?” teased the senior woman. “I was doing some homework for physics.” Jessie answered honestly. “Physics?” The woman was clearly of an era before science. Jessie simplified her answer as far as she could. “Science.” She replied. “Oh dear, what are they learning in school these days? What next they’ll be talking about family matters in school.” The older woman covered her mouth as she giggled a little. An evil thought flickered through Jessie’s mind as she refrained from the desire to enlighten the woman as her attention was directed to yet another elderly woman. “I’m Mrs. Jacobs.” Jessica shook the woman’s hand. Does Nancy ever socialize with people her own age? Wondered Jessie as she assessed all the other expectant faces in the room. “Oh so strong, I guess Paul doesn’t have to worry about chaperoning such a sweet looking girl.” Jessie tried to fight down a sudden wave of nausea that passed through her mind as she thought about Paul accompanying her on a date. She then fought the urge to laugh in this woman’s face on the topic of being on a date. The afternoon droned on in whispers, twitters and stifled giggles. Jessie fixed a smile on her face and just nodded on whenever someone spoke in her direction. “I have just a wonderful grandson, just Jessica’s age. Would you mind if I gave him your phone number Nancy? He’s a bright boy. I’m sure Jessica and Lonnie would get along wonderfully.” Mentioned yet another older woman. “I was thinking that Jessica could get more settled before we started her off on a good stable relationship.” Nancy politely declined for Jessie, for which Jessie was very grateful. Jessie dug her fingers into the seat. How dare they play cards with my future and life! Jessie seethed blocking out all sound wondering how much longer she would have to endure the little gathering. “Nancy,” whispered one of the other women, “Is Jessica all right?” Indicating Jessica’s fixed glare. Nancy looked at Jessica for a moment. “I don’t know; we’re still getting used to each other.” Nancy shook her head and then sliced the cheesecake that Mrs. Muir had brought. “Pity, she is such a pretty girl. Too bad that she isn’t all together.” The woman laced her voice with sympathy. Nancy nodded slightly watching Jessica’s painted reaction. “Maybe you should get her some help, Amy Boston is a good doctor I hear.” “I’ve met her a few times.” Agreed Nancy. “She seems to be very good despite the fact that she’s,” Nancy paused and lowered her voice, “the divorced one.” The woman nodded. “But she is good. She kept the Nelsons from getting divorced after Kerry’s... indiscretion.” “Really?” Nancy turned her attention to the bit of gossip the woman seemed to command. But, much to her dismay, the woman focused on Amy Boston. More whispers about a woman who could easily be a member of their circle, but chose to spend her free time devoted to her family, albeit broken. “She’s very good Nancy. Maybe she’ll be able to help Jessica.” I doubt anyone could help Jessica. “Thank you, I’ll look into it.” “Don’t despair Nancy, you’re doing the right thing, even if she’s not all right.” Assured Mrs. Muir moving around to help pass out the delicate plates with the desert. Nancy flashed one of her famous ‘I’m grateful’ smiles and continued through the afternoon.
Posted 200311.30-RHM |