Jen climbed out of the car and as she did so felt she was somehow stepping intoa time-warp, where she was once again a wild, screwed-up fifteen year old. As she walkedslowly up the front path, she was almost surprised not to hear her Grams’ exasperated, disapproving voice calling her in for dinner. It was as she was inserting her key into thedoor that she heard his voice.

“Jen?” Dawson’s tone conveyed disbelief. “It is you,”

Jen smiled as he hurried to join her on the steps. “In the flesh,”

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, well, you know, when people die they tend to leave a lot of loose ends behind them. Grams didn’t really have her affairs in any kind of order before she . . . left. I’m here toput everything straight,” she said evasively.

“Yeah, I was really sorry to hear about her death. She was always a good neighbour.”

The sincerity in Dawson’s tone made her laugh. “You don’t need to be nice; I know shewas a holy cow to you and your family.”

Dawson shrugged uncomfortably. “Well, it’s good to see you, anyway -- despitethe circumstances. You look great.”

“You too.” Jen smiled knowingly. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen how hard Dawson wastrying not to notice how great she looked in her formfitting, black sun-dress.

“So, would you like to see the house?”

“The house?” Jen echoed uncomprehendingly.

“Yeah, Joey and I just moved in to my folks’ old house,”

“You moved in next door? Wow, that’s . . . great,” She smiled politely.

“Well, we just figured since it contained so many wonderful memories from when we were kids, it would be the perfect place to bring up our own children,” he beamed.

Jen bit back a sneer. The idea was so Dawson. Personally, she didn’t think she could stand to live in the same town her whole life, let alone the same house. Talk about monotony.

“Children?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? Joey and I are expecting a baby!”

“Congratulations!” Jen said, attempting to sound enthusiastic, but inside she was scoffing. A baby? At their age? She, herself wasn’t about to lose her figure for some snotty-nosed brat just yet. “So I guess you’re really into this whole, married with children,thing, huh?”

“Absolutely! Speaking of which, how’s Barry?”

“Barry’s history. For all I care, he’s six feet under,” Jen gave him a tight smile. “Let’s just say, the life of a bond trader’s wife wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.”

“Oh, but you seemed so happy . . .”

“Yeah, that was before he took to beating me up after one too many shots of Jack.” At Dawson’s appalled expression, Jen hurried on. “Don’t worry about it though, he’s paying for it -- literally. If I get a good lawyer, I’m thinking I should be able to get a settlement of 200 thou. Not bad for a scum-sucking bastard,” Jen was gratified to see Dawson at a loss for words. Him, with his sheltered little life, just didn’t get the real world.

“Well, here we are!” he said at last, when they reached the front door. As they stepped inside, Jen marvelled at how this house, just like the rest of the town, seemed identical tohow she’d left it.

“Dawson, honey, is that you?” Joey’s voice came from within.

“Yeah, and guess who I ran into?”

“Sweetie, I don’t have time for guessing games. You know I have that business meeting this morning . . .” Joey entered the hallway, pulling on one shoe, whilst trying to insert an earring (which Jen privately thought was the tackiest thing she’d ever seen) into her leftear. She stopped short however, at the sight of Jen.

“Jen!” her voice held not exactly thrilled surprise.

“Joey,” Jen returned pleasantly. “How are you? Still in the decorating business?”

“I’m fine and yes, I’m still an interior designer. Not all of us can be ladies of leisure, likeyou,” she answered, her voice laced with disdain.

Jen shot her an icy smile. “So, I hear congratulations are in order.” When Joey looked ather blankly, she elaborated. “You know, about the baby?”

Jen wasn’t sure, but she thought she saw Joey blanch. “Honey,” Joey’s voice was audibly strained as she turned to Dawson. “I thought we agreed to wait a little while beforeannouncing the, uh, big news.”

Dawson shot her a confused smile. “I’m sorry, Jo, but I just don’t understand why youdon’t want people knowing . . .”

“We talked about this last night, sweetie,” Joey’s voice rose to notch belowshouting level. “You know I--”

“Umm, maybe I should come back some other time. It looks like you two have some issues to deal with,” Jen interrupted, surveying them with raised eyebrows.

“Yes, maybe you should,” Joey declared tersely. “I have a meeting to go to. Dawson, canI have the car keys?”

“Joey, you know you can’t take the car today. I have to attend that film festival inProvidence.”

Joey’s jaw tightened. “But, honey, how am I supposed to get to work without acar?” she asked through gritted teeth.

Jen bit her lip, fighting back the laughter she felt bubbling up inside her. It seemed allwas not well in paradise.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Joey, I was just wondering if I could give you a ride. TheMerc’s right outside . . .” Jen offered blithely.

The look of pure horror which crossed Joey’s face at the prospect of spending even asmall amount of time alone with Jen, was enough to make the whole trip to Capesideworthwhile.

“Well, umm, I . . .” she stuttered, visibly searching for a plausible excuse not to stay in the close proximity of Jen any longer. “Actually, I think I’ll walk. The exercise will do megood.”

Snatching her purse from the floor, Joey ducked out the front door before Dawson or Jenhad a chance to respond.