Author: Vix
Email: Vix_Chic@hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13 (Abuse)
Category: FC
Dedication: To my ‘oh so patient’ fans that will hopefully not behead me for the lateness.
Distribution: If you want it ask… or else I’ll sick Mark and Matt on you! =0)
Disclaimers: I own every single kid! MINE MINE MINE… The adults are the UPN/WB/Melinda Mentz(sp) property. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Thomas looked around the hall searching for his cousins. Instead his eyes briefly caught Jenny Selle’s as she walked, alone, down the hallway towards the cafeteria.
Instead of calling out, for he knew she wouldn’t respond, he settled for a small nod that only she would notice.
In return she smiled a little more and did the same.
Thomas watched her walk away… something was wrong. Her eyes had circles under them. They always had but now they were getting even worse and Thomas didn’t even want to think why… but his mind never obeyed him, his visions came back as did her nightmares and even his own.
Before he could stop himself he turned around and threw his fist into the locker as hard as he could. Nicole, Eddie, and Josh raced up to him as his fist sliced through the locker.
“Great job Rambo!” Nicole hissed as she helped him remove his hand from the metal. Josh healed his cousin’s hand as Eddie fixed the locker.
“I can’t stay here… I don’t feel good. I think I’m sick.” Thomas mumbled as he began to walk away.
“Thomas, we don’t get sick.” Josh called over to his cousin before he could walk away.
Surprisingly this didn’t stop Thomas Whitman, he didn’t even hear it he just kept walking, and he walked right out of the school and eventually into the desert.
He glanced around, it was dark now. He checked his watch: 8:30 P.M. He had walked for over six hours his mind in total Chaos. Had it not been for his wonderful Alien side he would have been able to, but then again if it wasn’t for his alien powers he wouldn’t have to. His mind wouldn’t be jumbled as it was now. His thoughts wouldn’t revert back to those horrible thoughts every five seconds if he were human…
He sat down on a near by rock and pulled out his cell-phone to call his mom, who was probably hysterical. He turned it on and dialed.
“Thomas, where in the world are you?” Isabel asked her voice sharp as she picked up.
“The desert.” Thomas offered awaiting the first serious blow.
“You ditched two classes for the desert?” Isabel asked her voice slightly higher.
“I just wanted to tell you where I was so you wouldn’t worry.” He said getting ready to hang up.
“It’s a little late for that,” Isabel spat out her anger clear, “Get home as soon as you can. We have to talk.”
Thomas hung the phone up and put it back in his baggy jeans. Going home would be certain death. He slowly lowered himself to a rock and brought out a picture of Jenny he had cut from the yearbook.
He slowly made a connection trying to get into her head. Just to see what she was doing. Suddenly he was bombarded with her thoughts and senses.
Alcohol… the smell was so strong it made him want to gag. The scene before had the same effect.
Thomas’s eyes raced around the sight that lay before him. Jenny was coward between her wall and her dresser. Her face marred by a quickly forming bruise across her cheek. Her eyes were red and blood shot. Her lips slightly swollen.
His fist clenched at his side. Anger began to pump through his veins. He couldn’t even believe…
At that moment a drunken Mr. Selle stumbled into Jenny’s room, breaking the lock. He set his beer bottle down on Jenny’s stand and walked out side of the room to find something. When he came back he had a leather belt in his hand.
Jenny cringed as he opened his mouth, “Jenny, honey, you have to come out and take your punishment like a grownup. I wouldn’t do this if you wouldn’t make me.”
Jenny tried as hard as she could to curl into a little ball and die.
“Jenny, you did this to us, to your self, to your mother. You killed your mother. It’s your fault, and now I’m going to discipline you! Get your sorry ass out here you little whore!” He screamed.
“Dad, go to bed. You’ve had too much to drink.” Jenny croaked out as she pulled her knees tighter to her chest burying her head in her knees after the words left her soon to be swollen lips.
“You don’t tell me what to do!” Her father screamed as he walked towards her belt lifted above his head ready to swing.
When the belt made contact Thomas felt it. He was shoved back into his own consciousness. He opened his eyes and took deep breaths. It had felt as through the belt had hit him.
He slowly raised his hand and reached towards the spot that was pulsing on his back. He clenched his teeth when his hand made contact with the sore flesh… it had hit him.
Suddenly Thomas realized that he had gotten a small, extremely diluted dosage of what Jenny had, and that Jenny, at that moment, was getting beaten with a belt by a man who deserved it more than anyone else.
Thomas then did something he had never before done; he hit his knees and threw up. He was truly sick… sickened to the core.
Thomas wiped his mouth as he stood up… he could barely think straight. All he knew was that he had to get Jenny out of there and soon.
Thomas picked up his cell phone and called home.
“Mom,” Thomas said as soon as Isabel picked up, he knew it was her, he could feel it.
“Thomas, what happened? Are you all right? I feel so much anger and pain… what happened?” Isabel’s frantic voice cracked over the phone.
“Come and get me, I’m still in the desert. You can feel me.” With that Thomas hung up the phone and sat back down, pulling out the picture in his pocket.
He could not only feel his emotions, and his mothers, but he could feel Jenny’s too. She was so scared. She was so angry and hurting so much. Thomas was happy that he couldn’t feel her physical pain. He didn’t know what he would do to that man if he was aware of how bad he was hurting Jenny right now. He had to stay out of prison or a science lab to help her… but if he saw her father any where private, ever…
Suddenly Isabel’s headlights came into view as she slammed on her breaks mere feet away from Thomas.
“Explain.” Isabel demanded as she jumped out of the car and threw her arms around him.
“Mom I’m fine. It’s one of my friends I have to help. She…” Thomas began as his father came up beside him.
“We’ll talk about it as soon as we get home.” Alex said wrapping an arm around his son and guiding him towards the car.
*
“OK, Thomas you said you had to help a friend, right?” Alex asked as he started a pot of coffee.
“There’s this girl at school, Jenny Selle. We worked on a project together a while back.” Thomas began searching for any recognition on their faces.
Once his mom nodded he went on, “Remember the one and only time I have came in after curfew? I was walking her home.”
Isabel began to open her mouth to ask something but Thomas silenced her with a hand in mid-air, “On the way to her house we stopped in the park to warm up a little. I made a small connection to her wanting to get her warmer. When I did that I got a flash of her standing in a mirror with all these bruises on her body. And then, in the flashes, I saw her father holding a beer bottle. After I got home I went into her dream and it wasn’t good. Her father that bastard, he hurts her.”
“Thomas.” Isabel said standing up going to comfort him.
“Don’t touch me.” Thomas warned his voice loud as he jumped back.
Isabel looked hurt by her son’s movements and words, “I’m sorry mom, I just don’t want you to make a connection to me on accident.”
“What happened in the desert? I felt this wave of pain… and nausea.” Isabel said sitting back down next to her husband.
“Today at school I saw Jenny walking by and the circles under her eyes were worse than usual. That made me start thinking about all of her nightmares, in the dream world and in reality… then mine. I just couldn’t take it. I snapped. I broke a locker by punching it. Nicki fixed the locker, and Josh took care of my hand. I couldn’t stick around so I started walking. Some where along my walk I went to the desert and it got dark. I tried to get inside her head, you know, to see what was going on.” Thomas started to explain as his fist clenched and unclenched with his jaw.
“When I finally got in she was huddled in a corner in her room hiding from her father. He had already hit her at least twice. Her cheek was beginning to bruise and her lip looked swollen. He came to her room, beer and leather belt in hand.” Thomas had to take a few deep breaths to continue.
“Oh my God.” Isabel said as she tried to imagine what that poor girl was going through.
“It gets worse,” Thomas said with a sardonic smile on his face, “He hit her with the belt. When I say hit her he hit her hard. I was connected and I felt it and… Let me show you.”
Thomas pulled up his shirt positive that there would be a mark.
“That bastard. Where is he?” Alex growled as he looked at his son’s back. He had kept quite, waiting for everything to be out on the table before interrupting… but that stupid son of a bitch hit his son.
“Dad, I got this through a connection.” Thomas said trying to get his point to sink in.
“That poor girl, he probably broke a bone.” Isabel mused to herself as she rested her head on her hands.
“We’ve got to get her out of there.” Thomas said his eyes firm and his jaw set.
“But how? What could we do? Where would she go? Does she have family?” Isabel’s questions just started flowing out of her mouth.
“Uncle Michael got emancipated…” Thomas suggested.
“I suppose we could try, but she’d have to do it willingly. She’d have to admit that he beat her.” Isabel began jumbled thoughts pouring into her brain and out of her mouth.
“I can take care of that.” Thomas said as he walked towards the front door.
“Thomas! What are you going to do tonight?” Isabel asked shooting up from her chair.
“I don’t know but I have to do something.” Thomas said turning to face his mother, “I was so angry, and so upset, that I did something that I’ve never done before, I got sick and threw up. I have never been this mad or this determined. I can feel her pain mom. I try keeping it at bay but ever so often it gets too strong. Her pain, and anger and deep sadness. I can’t leave her there with him all night. By morning there might not be a Jenny… there might just be a corpse.”
Thomas spun on his heel and grabbed the keys off the key ring holder before slamming the door.
Isabel put her hands over her face as she felt Alex’s arms wrap around her.
“What are we going to do?” Isabel asked as she turned in his arms burying her head into his shoulder.
“Whatever it takes.” Alex offered holding her close, “He’ll be OK. He has your power and my smarts. He’ll fix it as best it can be. We have to trust him.”
“It’s not him I don’t trust.” Isabel sniffled.
*
Thomas examined Jenny’s window, there wasn’t any light coming from it. He thought of throwing a rock but he didn’t want to alert her father, but he still had his school clothes on, and blood was never easy to remove.
He decided it was the best bet to climb the trash cans and use a little extraterrestrial skill to jump up and grab her window.
Thomas stepped up on the first trash can and landed right back on the ground… trash cans might not be the best idea.
He decided he’d shimmy the tree… now exactly how did one shimmy? To top it off ever sense he had ‘gotten in touch with nature’ that one fateful Saturday morning he wasn’t a real big tree hugging kind of guy…er…alien.
Suddenly he felt a great ache come over him… he had never felt so empty in his entire life… he had to get up there, and now.
His hands burned as he took the final steps to her window seal. Now that he was eye level with the window he could see that his original assumption was wrong, there was light. There was a faint glow of a candle and a crying Jenny Selle on her bed.
Thomas reached out and pushed the window up slowly, to his surprise it wasn’t locked. As he began to hoist himself up Jenny rolled over scaring him and herself.
She opened her mouth to scream but Thomas stopped her, “Jenny it’s me. Thomas Whitman.”
Jenny looked at him and moved backward in her bed making sure he couldn’t see her.
“Thomas right now isn’t a good time. Go home. We’ll talk later.” Her voice was slightly wavy due to the tightness in her throat.
“Jenny.” Thomas continued paying no never mind to her request.
He fell through the window more than climbed. He quickly stood up and walked towards her bed, sitting down beside her, “Jenny, are you OK?”
“Leave. I’ll call my dad, the cops! Leave.” Jenny hissed quietly as though not wanting to wake anyone.
“Jenny, I can see the bruises.” Thomas said his hand resting on the side of her neck, where it looked to be a normal shade of skin. He gently turned her face from side to side examining best he could in the rather faint light. A tear ran down from the corner of her eye and shimmered in the candlelight.
“Come on.” Thomas ordered as he stood up releasing her face.
“What? No! Where?” Jenny asked drawing the covers around her tighter.
“Jenny, if you can tell me you didn’t get those bruises from your dad then you can stay here. And I’ll leave. If you can’t I’m taking you to my house and you’re going to stay there.” Thomas said his voice gentle to her ears but firm.
“Thomas, what makes you think my father did this?” Jenny asked her voice the complete opposite of Thomas’. It wasn’t gentle or smooth it was ragged and raw. Her tone was not steady.
“Jenny,” Thomas said looking down at her, “you can’t lie to me. I won’t let you.”
“Thomas I can’t leave. If he wakes up and I’m not here it’ll just be worse when I come back.” Jenny pleaded; fear embedded deep down in her voice and obviously heart.
“I won’t let him hurt you.” Thomas said firmly.
“You’re not strong enough to stop him. He’s my guardian I’ll have to come back.” Jenny said all possible scenarios running through her head.
“I won’t let him hurt you.” Thomas repeated holding out his hand to her.
She looked towards the door and caught a flash of her face in the mirror… she took his hand and he helped her out of the bed. She wore baggy sweats and a long sleeve shirt.
“Thomas, I need clothes and stuff.” Jenny said walking towards her bathroom.
Thomas caught her arm making her wince, “Sorry.” Thomas said as he retracted his arm quickly
“It’s OK.” Jenny said blinking back tears.
“We don’t have to worry about that. We have to get out of here and quick.” Thomas said looking from the window back to her.
“We could use the front door, if he’s passed out.” She said as she slowly crept towards the door.
“Jenny!” Thomas hissed as he walked fast enough to cut her off. “Let me go first.”
Jenny didn’t argue she just followed him and said a little prayer for both of them as he opened the door.
Jenny’s dad sat half way down the hall in his room with the TV on, “Thought I told you to stay in your room!”
Thomas quickly shut the door and bolted across the room to the window. Putting one foot through it and onto a branch of the tree, “Plan B.”
Jenny looked fearfully at the ground and then at Thomas, “I’m not a climber.”
“I’m not a knight in shining armor, we’re both winging it here.” Thomas said holding his arms out for her as she put her first leg by Thomas’s.
“OK, pull your other leg through and I’ll hold you while you get a grip on the tree and stand up.
“Huh?” Jenny asked panic coming to her voice.
Thomas helped her step by step, her muscles and other body parts aching step by tedious step.
“Now?” Jenny asked as they reached the last branch they were able to climb down.
“Jump.” Thomas said as he leapt off the tree and landed on the ground.
“That’s a seven foot drop Thomas.” Jenny protested her nails trying to dig into the tree.
“Get on my shoulders.” Thomas said backing up to the tree.
Jenny didn’t look very sure but she climbed on never the less.
As soon as she was on she was off again as Thomas dropped her gently to the ground.
“Now we walk to my house.” Thomas said as he began to walk along the road Jenny not following.
“Come on.” Thomas said turning around. He reached out to grab her arm but stopped himself half way, remembering what happened last time.
Jenny saw his hesitation and was slightly relieved, she didn’t know if she could handle anyone touching her at the moment.
Thomas read her like an open book, her eyes and intense emotions making it easy, “Let’s go.”
Thomas waited as she began to walk her steps slowly and concentrated. There was no telling what kind of shape her legs were in due to her father’s drunken adventures.
“If you need me to carry you, I can.” Thomas offered, as he looked her in the eye. His voice was smooth and strong.
Jenny didn’t want to be touched but the pain in her legs was making walking a non-possibility. She nodded her head.
“You’re going to have to tell me whether or not there’s a bruise where my hands and arms are, OK?” Thomas asked as if she were a child.
She bit her lip as he bent over and placed his hands behind her knees. She clenched her eyes tighter. Next he placed his arm even with her shoulder blade. She felt her teeth rip into her lip… once again tonight blood seeped into her mouth.
“Are you OK?” Thomas asked truly concerned.
“Let’s just go.” Were Jenny’s only words. It hurt to have pressure applied to her body but it felt good to have him touch her… she knew that he would never hurt her… not like her dad had hurt her… her mother…
She began to cry quietly, her head tucked into the crook of his neck.
“You want to talk?” Thomas asked nuzzling her head with his as best he could.
“No.” she whispered into his ear trying to desperately wipe her eyes and his glistening skin.
“It’s OK don’t worry about it I’ve been cried on before.” Thomas said trying to reassure her and make her comfortable, if that was even possible.
“Could you talk?” Jenny asked the warmth of his breath and smooth tone of his voice a lullaby to her ears.
“Yeah, I believe I could.” Thomas said smiling as she buried her face back into his neck, her deep breathing warm against his flesh.
“Let’s see… what would you like to know? How about how I won my first little league game? I didn’t win it everyone else on my team did. I was the only person on the team to drop every ball or completely miss it, I struck out every time I went up to bat, and when I would throw the ball it would miss my target by at least half the ball field. I almost lost the game for us. My try at basketball was just as bad if not worse. Safe in the knowledge that I’m not good at contact sports kept me from risking my life and trying out for football. The only thing I even remotely physically excel at is Dodge ball, which I inherited from my dad.” Thomas started to drone on and on plenty of thought’s filling his head.
*
As it neared midnight they neared Thomas’s house.
“Jenny, are you asleep?” Thomas asked as he felt the even breaths on his neck.
“No.” She said her voice quite.
“We’re here.” Thomas said as he reached the front door. It automatically swung open and Isabel helped them through the door.
“I’m going to take her upstairs to my room and get her ready for bed.” Thomas said as he walked towards the stairs.
“No, bring her into my bathroom. I can help minimize the bruises.” Isabel commanded as she blocked the stairway.
Thomas obediently walked into her bathroom and sat Jenny down on the edge of the large bathtub, the hard material painful against her tender legs.
“Go into the kitchen.” Isabel said as she pushed Thomas out of the bathroom and turned to Jenny.
“Hi, I’m Mrs. Whitman, you can call me Isabel.” Isabel moved over to the counter and removed all of the first aid kits she had rounded up when Thomas had left.
“Mrs. Whitman…” Jenny began her voice wavered.
“Jenny, let me help you. That’s all I want to do.” Isabel said as she turned to look her in the eyes.
“Take off your sweat pants.” Isabel said as she set out and ordinary bottle of lotion on the surface near Jenny.
“What’s that for?” Jenny asked as she stood up and did as told.
“It’s minimize the bruises and help ease your muscles.” Isabel lied as she took in Jenny’s legs. They were mostly purple and big welts were forming on her calves… definitely a belt.
“Why don’t you tell me what happened while I fix you up?” Isabel asked as she sat in front of the girl and carefully picked up one of her legs and set it on her own, lotion in hand.
“You won’t believe the whole- fell down the stairs excuse?” Jenny joked, “I’m sorry Mrs. Whitman but right now it’s a lot for me to take in that I’m even here. I would really rather not talk about this.”
“I can understand that.” Isabel said giving her an understanding motherly smile as she ran her hands up and down Jenny’s legs, unnaturally healing some of the bruises and muscles.
“Better?” Isabel asked as she finished the legs.
“Yes ma’am.” Jenny said her eyes slightly off focus.
“Would you mind taking off your shirt so I can do your arms and back?” Isabel asked as she went to fetch Jenny her pants to slip on.
“No ma’am.” Jenny said as she lifted the material over her head.
Isabel inwardly cringed when she saw Jenny’s back. If her legs were bad her back was hell on flesh. Her entire back was swollen with red and blue marks.
“Jenny,” Isabel said as she gently worked her ‘magic’ on her back.
“Yes?” Jenny asked as she tried to not focus on the pain.
“Whoever did this to you can’t reach you here.” Isabel said as she moved on to the lower back.
Jenny stayed silent as Isabel moved on to her arms, “We won’t let them.”
“That’s what Thomas said.” Jenny commented as Isabel handed her the shirt.
“That boy, I don’t know what to do with him half the time.” Isabel said a proud motherly smile came to her face.
“Let me see your face.” Isabel commanded softly as she brought out some band aids and more lotion.
After bandaging her Isabel stood up and went into her room commanding her to stay put. She came back with a pair of pajamas in hand.
“These might be more comfortable for you. We keep it pretty warm so those might be a bit much.” Isabel said as she handed her the close and excused herself.
*
“She OK?” Alex asked as he handed his son a glass of Tabasco Coffee.
“No.” Thomas said his eyes trained on the counter top as he plopped down in a chair.
“What about you?” Alex asked his eyes held deep concern.
“I don’t think I have ever wanted to cause one person that much pain in my entire life.” Thomas said sipping the liquid slowly.
“We’ll fix it.” Alex said placing a hand on his son’s back, “You did what was right, and I’m very proud of you. You’re shaping into such a great person.”
“Thank you.” Thomas said looking at his mug then back to his father.
“I’m going to take her up to my room to sleep. I’m going to sleep in there with her if that’s OK. I don’t think she should be alone. Not right now.” Thomas said standing as his mother walked into the room.
“The patient should feel better tomorrow.” Isabel announced as she wrapped her arms around her son hugging him close.
“Is it OK if we skip school tomorrow? It’s Friday.” Thomas asked as he hugged his mother back.
“Don’t worry about any of that just go get her and go rest.” Alex instructed him as he too hugged his son.
*
Thomas knocked on the door lightly.
“Come in.” Jenny called as she turned her head towards the door.
“Hey. You feel better?” Thomas asked as he opened the door to find her clad in his mother’s pajamas.
“Kind of.” Jenny admitted as she managed a small smile.
“Are you thirsty or hungry or…” Thomas began to ask.
“Tired.” Jenny offered truthfully.
“Can you walk up the stairs or would you rather me carry you?” Thomas asked.
“Would you mind?” Jenny asked.
“Never.” Thomas was beside her in an instant. His parents made themselves scares as he walked towards his room, try to make Jenny as comfortable as possible. And some how avoiding awkwardness seemed like a good idea.
He slowly laid her down on his bed as he moved back reaching for the light switch. He walked towards his dresser pulling out a pair of night pants and a wife beater.
“I’m going to take a shower really quick.” Thomas said standing back up and turning towards her, “If you need anything at all just call my mom or dad. They’ll be up for a while and they won’t mind at all. It won’t take too long. Feel free to get comfortable or even zonk out.”
Jenny nodded her head slowly.
Thomas smiled at her before he made his way into the bathroom.
Jenny looked around the room. An array of candles littered his desk next to the bed. She slowly stood up and carefully walked over to the desk looking for matches or even a lighter.
She found a full box of matches in a drawer on top of several notebooks. She lit the candles and picked up one of the notebooks reading the first line: “Hide within my self. Screaming to be freed. Still held at bay are you my sweet release?”
She picked up the one underneath it and carefully walked towards the door, shutting it and turning off the light. She then took small steps until she sat down on the bed, her muscles aching even more than before.
She pulled the covers back and nestled under them careful not to put too much on her legs. She leaned back into the pillows and started to flip through the pages reading them.
She came to a page and stopped. Rereading several times until the page became blurred by her tears.
“From a time unknown you have been shown
My dreams forever true
I seek beauty from within
I find you
You have hidden yourself ever well
But one can’t hide from your spell
A deep sadness has saturated your soul
But joy is a song I shall use to Lul.
You’ve been caught in a web of despair
From that position you shall be free
I swear
Light will shine once you are mine
A truth from which none can hide
When the shall be twined with my side.”
Thomas came out of the bathroom dressed in flannel night pants and a white wife beater, “Whatcha’ readin’?”
“Your poems.” She said closing the notebook and wiping at her eyes.
“I didn’t know they were that good.” Thomas said taking the notebooks and setting them on his desk.
“Where are you staying tonight?” Jenny asked trying to change the subject.
“On the floor.” Thomas said as he walked to the door and disappeared into the hallway.
He soon returned with a bundle under his arms consisting of a pillow, two blankets, and a sheet. He set the blankets down leaving one laid out and the other to the side. He hazardously threw the pillow down, laid the sheet down, next he placed the last blanket over the ‘pallet’.
“You’re sleeping on the floor? Wouldn’t the bed be better or even the couch at the worst?” Jenny asked trying to sit up.
“Stay down.” Thomas commanded firmly as he gently pushed her towards the mattress, “I’m not leaving you alone tonight and there is no way I’m letting you sleep anywhere other than in a bed.”
“I’m too beat to argue.” Jenny said not realizing the words’ true meaning until they escaped her mouth.
Thomas was quite for a moment his eyes off focus and his teeth clenched. He slowly calmed the muscles in his jaw, “Would you like me to do anything before we go to sleep?”
“Yeah,” Jenny said scooting over slightly, “I’d like you to sit here and talk to me.”
Thomas nodded his head obligingly as he sat down beside her stiff as a board.
“So that corpse thing, it’s comfortable?” She asked mocking him from a memory.
Thomas smiled as he laid down parallel to her, “So what do you want to talk about?” Thomas asks as he reached across Jenny and grabbed a pillow to elevate his head, which was facing her.
“Anything.” Jenny said as she snuggled under the covers.
“I don’t think there’s anything left to tell after all the talking I did carrying you here.” Thomas said shrugging his shoulder slightly.
“Thank you for carrying me, and bringing me here.” Jenny said her eyes misted over.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?” Thomas asked cautiously.
Jenny swallowed hard; she didn’t want to tell him. She didn’t want to talk about it… not yet.
“You sure you’re out of stories?” Jenny asked attempting a weak smile that died.
Thomas brought his hand up and gently stroked her hair before speaking, “Well there was this one time, at the public pool. My cousins and I were swimming. Well, Josh couldn’t swim, not that it stopped us from pushing him in…”
*
Thomas watched her features in the dancing candlelight. The slow in takes of oxygen as she breathed were calming. He slowly ran his hand through her hair convincing him self she was there and that she was really out of harms way.
He brought his hand to his side as he slowly crawled out of the bed. Lying down on the floor beside the bed. She was close enough for him. She wasn’t a foot away but an inch more would even be testing the limits for him at the moment.
He didn’t know what he was going to do about her. He wasn’t exactly sure how he was going to keep her father away… away for now- yes… but not forever.
Thomas slowly closed his eyes as the candles around him flickered then died.
*
Thomas awoke to the alarm clock he had forgotten to turn off. Before it could wake Jenny he discreetly glared at it proficiently silencing it.
He slowly pushed himself off the ground and walked to the bathroom a rather unpleasant, yet familiar morning taste lurking in his mouth.
He exited the bathroom to find his ‘pallet’ completely gone. Mom was up. And cleaning… not a good combination. Thomas walked to the doorway and slowly stuck his head out looking about for any sign of his mom.
There was none so with great precaution he continued down the hall. Checking the stairway as he crept the rest of the way to the kitchen; where he found his father asleep in his bowl of fruit loops.
“Dad.” Thomas hissed at his father as he made his way to the counter, the kitchen floor sparkling beneath his feet.
Alex made a gurgling noise as his head popped out of his breakfast.
“Hey son.” Alex said as he wiped at his face with the hem of his shirt.
“You know, most people sleep in bed, not food.” Thomas said opening the refrigerator searching for the milk and Tabasco sauce.
“Yeah and most people don’t have to sleep with your mother either. She was twisting and turning all night. She finally gave up on sleeping around four this morning and has been cleaning ever since.” Alex said shaking his head visibly worried.
“She’s a neat freak.” Thomas said as he got a bowl out of the cupboard.
“Yeah, well she’s been doing it the human way.” Alex said his eyebrows brought together.
“That’s what I figured.” Thomas said as he mixed the cereal with the liquid before putting everything away and taking out a spoon.
“So,” Alex said looking at his son, “How’s Jenny?”
“Asleep.” Thomas said sitting down across from his dad.
“Your mom is trying to figure out a way to help her. She’s all wound up. It’s like your Uncle Michael all over again to her.” Alex tried to explain as he stood up to get a cup of coffee.
Suddenly there was laughing from upstairs before Isabel made an appearance.
“Jenny is starving so I’m going to make some pancakes, eggs, bacon, and biscuits. You guys want anything?” Isabel asked smiling a little.
“Dad might need a new breakfast.” Thomas said his eyes trained on his mother’s smile… fake. It was hard to tell when Isabel had a real smile or a fake one.
Isabel set to work as she riffled through the refrigerator.
“Mom,” Thomas addressed her as he walked towards the island, hopping up on it.
“Yeah?” She asked now searching for a pan to fry the bacon.
“Have you figured out what we’re going to do?” He asked his eyes searching for something… anything of reassurance.
“For today yes.” Isabel said her smile fading, “You,” Isabel began poking him in the chest, “ are going to school, with an excuse for why you weren’t there all day yesterday. You’re going to get homework for Jenny, your dad is going to work, and I… I am going to figure out a plan with Jenny.”
“Do I really have to go to school?” Thomas asked bummed out.
“Yes,” Isabel said some of her smile returning, “And don’t mention anything to your cousins, please.”
“Then what am I going to tell them? I told them I was feeling sick yesterday and I think since we’re all ‘alike’ they’re going to figure out I was lying.” Thomas said his voice getting higher as he but literal bunny ears in the air when he said alike.
“Tell them I said they’ll find out later and not to press the matter.” Isabel said turning back to her cooking mission.
“Yes Ma’am.” Thomas said going back to his breakfast.
*
“Good morning.” Thomas said as he walked into his bedroom finding Jenny still in bed clutching his Robert Frost poetry book.
“See you’ve found our favorite man.” Thomas said gesturing to the cover.
“I have.” She said smiling as she greeted him with a small wave.
“Mother dearest said that I have to suffer through a whole day at school while you get to relax in my bed.” Thomas said pretending to sulk all the way to his closet, “I don’t think I have ever envied someone so much.”
Jenny stuck her tongue out at him jokingly as he threw a pair of baggy blue jeans and a black Save Ferris tee shirt on the bed by her feet.
“Nice apparel.” She said shaking her head in disapproval.
“Some of us like looking like high-school rejects.” Thomas said nodding his head vigorously.
“Could you throw me that shirt?” Jenny asked pointing to flannel over shirt in his closet.
Thomas went back to his closet and picked the warm blue shirt off its hanger and handed it to her.
“I’m not wearing that.” He protested instantly.
“I wasn’t going to make you.” Jenny said feeling the material under her hands, “May I?”
“Yeah. You can basically use anything out of here you want.” He said gesturing to his closet and dresser.
“Thank you.” She said as he gathered his clothes and went into the bathroom to change.
As Thomas exited he found Jenny standing beside the bathroom door.
“Are you sure you should be walking?” Thomas asked his eyes concerned as he went to grab her, ready to pick her up if need be.
“I’m feeling a lot better than I usually do after one of his… Your mom’s massage last night really helped ease the pain and stiffness.” Jenny said her voice not as steady as she wished it was.
“Jenny I…” Thomas began trying to organize his thoughts.
“Can I take a shower in here?” She asked looking into his eyes silently willing him to not ask any questions… not yet…
“Yeah, of course.” Thomas said making his way back into the bathroom to show her where everything was.
*
“You’re going be late!” Isabel said into the unusually silent room.
To her surprise the room was empty, and the shower was going. She walked out of her son’s room and walked down the hallway towards the guest room, and there in the dark sat her son his elbows on his knees and his head bent to rest on his fists. Obviously trying to think.
“Hey.” Thomas called out feeling his mother enter the area around him.
“How are you?” Isabel asked sitting beside him.
“Not good.” Thomas said leaning back into his mother.
“Worried?” Isabel asked taking an aura check. Such mayhem didn’t belong on a teenager’s mind.
“Worried, anxious, and happy.” Thomas said trying to categorize all his feelings, “Worried that she’ll have to go back, anxious to see what happens, and happy that, even if it’s just for the moment, she’s not there. She not with that…” Thomas wisely stopped himself before he could say something to offend his mother.
“I have plenty of names for him too, you know?” Isabel asked wrapping her arms around his shoulders holding him tight, “I’ll take care of her while you’re gone. If anything happens you’ll know.”
“And if he comes for her, or calls the police?” Thomas asked pessimistically.
“He doesn’t know where she is, but, if he comes I’ll deal with him. If he calls the police, Kyle and I will deal with him.” Isabel said patting his chest reassuringly before willing him to his feet, to face another day at West Roswell High, with a burden set upon his shoulders.
*
“Have fun honey.” Isabel said giving Alex a kiss on the cheek as he stepped out the front door and shut it behind him.
“Mrs. Whitman?” Jenny asked as she slowly descended the stairs; the aroma of foods calling her from Thomas’s bed.
“Jenny, I could have just brought the food up to you.” Isabel said in a motherly tone as she hurried over to Jenny’s side to help her down the stairs taking notice of her son’s shirt and a pair of his old shorts.
“It’s OK. I can walk a little better now.” She said running a hand through her wet hair.
“How do you feel?” Isabel asked as she looked her over.
“There’s no permanent damage.” Jenny said with a shrug.
“Not physically anyway.” Isabel grumbled under her breath.
“What’s for breakfast?” Jenny asked as she looked toward the kitchen.
“Come find out.” Isabel said smiling as she walked with Jenny into the kitchen where there was food everywhere.
“We have eggs, bagels, toast, biscuits, eggs in a basket, pancakes, monkey bread, sausage, and bacon.” Isabel counted off all the foods littering the kitchen table, save for two eating areas for her and Jenny.
“You didn’t have to fix that much Mrs. Whitman.” Jenny said her eyes exceptionally large, “We can’t eat that much.”
“Trust me what we don’t eat Thomas and his father will easily consume.” Isabel said with a smile, “And please call me Isabel.”
“Oh, yes Ma’am, Mrs. Isabel.” Jenny said pulling her hair up into a knot in the back of her head and then releasing it.
“It’s a start.” Isabel said shrugging slightly as she went to the counter to fetch two plates for them.
Once they had started in on their breakfast Isabel began to try and strike up a conversation about their predicament.
“Jenny, I know it might be hard to talk about this but we really need to figure out a way to get you out of that house.” Isabel said as she took a large sip of her orange juice and Tabasco.
“OK.” Jenny said quietly knowing what had to be done.
“I’m not sure you know this but I am a lawyer.” Isabel said getting up and grabbing a notebook that was open on the counter top and the pen beside it.
Jenny just watched as Isabel flipped through the pages to the beginning where there were a series of questions.
“I need to ask you some question and I want you to answer as many you can as best you can.” Isabel said posing her hand to write.
Jenny merely nodded her head.
“All right. Now I need you to tell me what happened last night- who hurt you like that?” Isabel asked even though she already knew the answer.
“Well yesterday my dad got drunk and he beat me. Thomas showed up and brought me here.” Jenny said her eyes not meeting Isabel’s as her voice wavered uncontrollably.
“Where was your mom?” Isabel asked as she wrote a few things down.
“My mom’s dead.” Jenny said her voice very low.
Isabel looked up at the girl with sadness and surprise.
She quickly looked back down, not wanting to make any more uncomfortable, “Jenny, has this ever happened before?”
“Yes. He usually doesn’t hit me in the face so it’s pretty easy to conceal at school.” Jenny said as she fidgeted with her thumbs.
“Jenny, you won’t be able to go back there. You will no longer go live with your father if I take this case and file it. Do you understand that?” Isabel asked.
“I can’t not go back there. It’s my home. He doesn’t mean to hurt me. He just drinks too much.” Jenny said trying to figure out a way to defend her father.
“Then why does he keep drinking if he knows it’s hurting you?” Isabel asked.
“Because he’s hurting.” Jenny said; a few tears trickling out of the corner of her eyes, “My father loved my mother very much, and when she died he started to drink. It wasn’t a constant thing… but it became a constant thing. There isn’t a day that he doesn’t have some kind of alcohol in him.”
“Jenny, I can get you some where safe, some where away from him where he can’t hurt you when he’s drunk. But that means you can’t live with him anymore. You have to get out of there.” Isabel said as she made some more notes.
“What are my choices exactly?” Jenny asked.
“Well we could send you off with relatives. We could try for emancipation, and that means you would be living on your own, or you could find foster care.” Isabel said listing the choices.
“I don’t have any relatives. Both my parents were only children and my mothers parents died before I was born… and my fathers parents died two years ago.” Jenny said trying to narrow down her options, “I couldn’t make it on my own.”
“We can try for adoption.” Isabel said marking off something on her paper.
“Who would want to adopt a teenager?” Jenny asked her eyebrows raised in skepticism.
“We’ll have to find someone because there is no way you can go back there.” Isabel said sternly.
“I want to stay in Roswell. I want to be able to go visit my father on holidays. He couldn’t take losing us both completely.” Jenny said more to herself as she ran ideas through her head.
“I don’t want to move in with anyone I know. If word of this got around school I’d never be able to look anyone in the eye.” Jenny said clarifying the purpose behind her requests.
“Jenny, your father will go to jail.” Isabel said lowly looking her in the eye.
“He can’t. If he goes to jail… He can’t I won’t let that happen. If the only way is for him to go to jail then I’m not going anywhere.” Jenny said sternly after her babbling cleared.
“I can talk with the sheriff. See if we can’t get him some classes, but that means that he’ll have to sign you over to another guardian.” Isabel said jotting something else down.
“OK, I like that idea, but that could be difficult.” Jenny said finally returning to her eating.
“I can work it out with him don’t worry.” Isabel said reassuringly, “But the hard thing to do is to find a couple in Roswell who will take in a teenager, and there is no way you’re going to the group home.”
“How long will this take?” Jenny asked as she watched Isabel stand up and walk towards the portable phone holder.
“Just a sec.” Isabel told her as she dialed her office number.
“Yes, This is Isabel Whitman. No, I’m not coming into the office at all. I would like you to look something up for me. I need you to go to the adopter files. Yes look up any couples in Roswell that would like to adopt a teenager age ranging from 15-17 female. Thanks.” Isabel sat and tapped her foot against the floor as her secretary did as asked.
“Really? Are you sure? Can you check again?… OK, thanks. No, that’s all. Thanks you. Bye.” Isabel clicked the phone off and sat it back in the holder before walking back to the table a puzzled look on her face…
“None?” Jenny asked her voice weak.
“Zippo.” Isabel said thumping down in the seat.
“Back I go then?” Jenny asked her voice trying to stay steady but quivering none the less as tears formed in her eyes.
“Not yet.” Isabel said as she stood up suddenly and ran back to the phone.
“I’ll be right back.” Isabel excused herself with the phone in hand and went into her bedroom.
Jenny stared after her. She was a nice lady. She was so kind to her and a great mother. Jenny forcefully swallowed another bite of food before wiping the on coming flood from her eyes.
*
“Alex?” Isabel asked into the phone as she heard someone on the other line pick up.
“Is there something wrong?” He asked slightly panicked.
“I need you to come home. Now.” Isabel said quickly.
“I’ll just close down and be right home.” Alex said instantly.
“You have to pick up Thomas from school first, and don’t forget to get Jenny’s work.” With that she hung up and went back to the kitchen to find Jenny clearing her plate.
*
“Mr. Whitman, is everything all right?” Asked the clerk as he watched his boss busy around closing the shop.
“I have to leave, you get the rest of the day off.” Alex said to his employee as he locked the back door.
*
“Explain this to us one more time.” Nicole commanded sternly, “You got sick and went home.”
“Yes.” Thomas hissed back at them.
“You don’t get sick.” Josh said beginning to get frustrated.
“Listen I can’t tell you guys why I wasn’t here yesterday.” Thomas said closing his eyes.
“Why not?” Eddie asked.
“Because my mom told me not to, but if any of you would like to go question her about it feel free.” Thomas snapped irritably.
“Excuse us if we worry about you.” Nicole spit back.
“I know you do but right now I have too much on my mind.” Thomas said rubbing his eyes furiously.
“Thomas Whitman, Please come to the office to check out.” Called a voice over the loud speaker.
Thomas eyes widened, “Oh, God”.
Nicole, who had blocked his locker so they could talk raised her eyebrows at him in question.
Thomas pushed Nicole aside and opened his locker before hastily throwing his homework in his book bag.
He quickly made his way to the office a terrible knot forming in his stomach.
His dad was waiting in the lobby, “I already checked you out. Got Jenny’s homework?”
“Is she OK?” He asked ignoring the previous question.
“I don’t know.” Alex said before turning towards the door and walking out into the parking lot.
“What do you mean ‘You don’t know’? How can you not know?” Thomas questioned his father as he ran his free hand through his dark hair.
“Your mom called and told me to pick you up and come home.” Alex said starting the car as Thomas got in beside him.
As they arrived they rushed through the door to find both girls crying on the sofa.
“Oh God, what happened?” Thomas asked as he dropped his book bag.
“He… he… he cheated on her.” Isabel said fanning her face as she kept her eyes glued to the TV.
Alex and Thomas looked at each other then back to the women… then finally at the TV… chick flick.
Thomas and his father breathed a small sigh of relief.
“Why did you call us home?” Alex asked interrupting their movie.
“I need to talk to both of you outside. Jenny, would you mind staying in here and watching the movie?” Isabel asked as she removed a tissue from the box between them and sat up.
“No ma’am.” She said wiping at her face.
“Come on you two.” Isabel said standing up and walking outside Thomas and Alex close at her heels.
“What is this about?” Thomas asked as he closed the door behind them expecting his mother to stop, but instead she made her way to the mailbox in the front of their yard.
As her husband and son caught up to her Alex asked, “Think we’re far enough away?”
“I didn’t want her to hear.” Isabel said as she wrung her hands together.
“Hear what?” Thomas anxiously.
“We talked today and figured out that the only way for her to get out of there is if she’s adopted or if her father signs a guardian ship over to another person.” Isabel said quickly.
“To another relative, or adoption?” Thomas asked.
“She has no other relatives. It’d have to be adoption, but there’s a small problem. She refuses to leave Roswell and…” Isabel said starting to fidget with the flag on the mailbox.
“There’s no one who want’s to adopt a teenager in Roswell.” Alex finished for her; his head nodding up and down slightly.
“There is one person.” Isabel said looking into Alex’s eyes.
“You.” Alex said simply.
“Yeah.” Isabel said her voice small and questioning with a small trace of hesitation.
“Can we afford that?” Alex asked knowing his wife had already worked out some of the details.
“It’ll be hard, but the biggest thing is adjusting to having her with us. Our finances are in order and there should be no serious damage to our over all financial statuses.” Isabel said instantly.
“Thomas?” Alex asked smiling at Isabel.
“What are we supposed to tell her when strange things start to happen around the house? I don’t want her to be brought into our freak show.” Thomas said vehemently, Jenny didn’t need to deal with their problems on top of her own.
“She won’t be. We’ll be careful. I lived with my parents for 12 years and they never knew.” Isabel said surprised and yet, not, “If we don’t take her she’ll have to go back to him.”
Thomas stayed silent for moments that lasted what seemed an eternity as his brow creased.
“When do we get her stuff?” He asked at last.
Isabel let a sound of joy escape her mouth as she enveloped both of them into a hug.
They found Jenny watching the same movie as they made their way through the front door.
“Jenny, we’d like to ask you something.” Isabel said seriously as she moved to turn off the TV set.
Jenny merely nodded as she followed Thomas and Alex through the kitchen entrance and to the table.
“Jenny,” Isabel began as she joined her husband at the head of the table, “as you know there’s not a couple in Roswell that’s looking to adopt a teenager.”
“But we found a family that would like to take you in.” Alex said grabbing Isabel’s hand under the table.
“I know you didn’t want anyone that would know you but it’s with one of your school mates.” Isabel said cautiously easing her into the idea.
“Who?” Jenny asked a little upset at the thought of what her friends would say and think.
“Me.” Thomas said trying to make eye contact, “Jenny, we would like you to move in with us.”
“What?” Jenny asked as she became flustered.
“We thought it over and we think the best solution is that you move in with us.” Isabel said worried about Jenny’s reactions.
“You really don’t have to do that for me.” Jenny said overwhelmed.
“We want to.” Thomas said resting a hand on hers.
“Thank you so much.” Jenny said exhaling greatly as she stood up and hugged Isabel.
*
“Where are you going?” Alex asked as he watched his wife bustle around the house searching for her keys.
“To see Mr. Selle.” Isabel said calmly as she started to go through the kitchen drawers again.
“Isabel,” Alex said his voice an advertisement for his worries.
“I’ll be fine.” Isabel said as she slammed the door shut and looked through her purse.
Alex just looked on watching her dump out her entire purse until she triumphantly pulled them out.
She threw everything hastily back into place before kissing her husband good bye and walking out the door.
*
“Mr. Selle?” Isabel asked as a man opened the front door to a beautiful two story house.
“Yes?” He replied opening the door to reveal himself dressed in a nice dress shirt and a pair of black slacks.
“We need to talk. May I come inside?” Isabel asked forcing a fake smile to stay on her lips… looking at him made her so very angry.
“Of course, Miss?” He asked stepping back to let her enter.
“Mrs. Whitman.” Isabel said as she made her way inside the house.
“So,” Mr. Selle began as he showed her to a seat in the living room that was done in all oak and was quite immaculate, “Mrs. Whitman what do we need to discuss?”
“Your daughter.” Isabel said laying her briefcase on her knees and opening it to get some papers out if needed.
“Jenny isn’t here at the moment. Did she do something or…” He began confused as he watched her extract some folders.
“No she did nothing Mr. Selles. You did something.” Isabel said her voice calm and cool.
“I did?” He asked standing up and walking towards the bar, “Care for a drink?”
“No thank you.” Isabel said glaring at his back as he turned to pour himself one, “Do you drink often?”
“Should I have a lawyer present?” He asked a small nervous smile gracing his lips as he came back to the sitting area and placed his drink next to him on an in table.
“I am a lawyer, Jenny’s lawyer.” Isabel said setting her case on the ground and crossing her legs, “Mr. Selle last night you got extremely intoxicated and physically abused your daughter to an excessive degree. My sources lead me to believe that this is not the first occurrence of this sort.”
“Where do you get your sources because you have been miss informed.” Mr. Selles commented confidently as he took a sip of his beverage his hand shaking ever so slightly.
“Mr. Selle, Jenny is at my house. She has been there since your last… episode. She informs me that there is no family that she can take residence with, and that moving outside of Roswell isn’t in her best interest school wise.” Isabel began.
“You can’t take my daughter away. I demand to speak to a lawyer before you continue and make any false accusations.” Mr. Selle raised his voice as he leapt to his feet, glass in hand.
“Mr. Selle, you can call your lawyer; and we can set up a meeting; and then me, you, your counsel, and the judge will take a nice long look at Jenny’s bruises and your bill for the liquor you purchased Friday night at the Quick Stop.” Isabel said as she picked up one of her papers, “Or you could sign her guardian ship over to someone in Roswell that will take care of her and keep you out of court.”
“What happens if we go to court?” He asked as he sat back down.
“Then the judge will most likely sentence Jenny to a foster family and you to at least 15 years in prison for assault and battery of a minor.” Isabel said staring him straight in the eyes.
“Who would she be signed over to? Would I get visitations?” He asked as he set the glass down and rested his head on his hands.
“We would settle visitation outside of court. Jenny will see you when she wants if your schedules permit. She will be under no obligations to contact you at any time. You can call her, send her letters, and request visits. She also made a request that you join some kind of drinking program such as Alcoholics Anonymous.” Isabel explained as she handed him the papers.
“What’s this?” He asked skimming over it.
“It’s a document that restates and goes into detail about the guidelines I have just explained. It’s not legally binding, but if you have any questions and you can’t get a hold of my office this is just something for you to keep on record for your convince.” Isabel stood up and grabbed her briefcase.
“I will call you with a court date in which we will go before the judge and you will sign the guardian ship over to the people Jenny is to find new residence with.” With that Isabel went to the door of the house and opened it to leave.
Mr. Selle called her back, “Can I see her?”
“She will be by later to pick up some things. I’ll be sending a friend along with her.” Isabel said shutting the door behind her.
*
“You sure you can do this?” Thomas asked as he watched Jenny stare at her house with tears forming in her eyes.
“I have to, don’t I?” Jenny asked as she let her headrest against the seat back and took a long breath before shoving the door open on Thomas’s car.
“I’m here if you need me.” Thomas said as he stood behind her his hand grazing the small of her back lightly.
“Should I knock?” Jenny asked her hand poised to do so.
Before Thomas could answer the door swung open and there stood her father ready to greet them. He looked at Jenny’s swollen face and could not meet her eyes.
“Dad,” Jenny began gesturing to the boy standing behind her, “this is Thomas.”
“Hello.” Mr. Selle said as he offered his hand for a handshake.
Thomas’s eyes were trained into Mr. Selle’s; Thomas’s hands remaining at his side.
Mr. Selle slowly let his hand fall back into place as he stepped aside to let them pass.
“I’m not going to get everything tonight, just some of my essentials.” Jenny explained as she moved forward and headed for the stairs Thomas right behind her blocking her father from her.
“Jenny, could we talk alone before you leave?” Mr. Selle asked as he watched Thomas place his hand on the back of his daughter’s back.
“Sure dad.” Jenny said leaning back wards slightly to feel the warmth of her self-claimed protector.
Jenny offered a small uneasy smile as she turned and made her way upstairs to her room.
Thomas walked slowly into Jenny’s room taking in the sight. There were no signs of last night’s catastrophe.
Everything was normal. Normal… there was a very disturbing word that held no precedence when describing anything in Roswell.
“I only need a few things. We shouldn’t have to be here very long.” Jenny said as she walked to her closet and pulled down two big suit cases.
“Take how ever long you need.” Thomas said as he walked into her bathroom. With wide eyes he examined the interesting shower curtain that had little green alien heads all over it.
“Don’t worry I won’t bring it.” Jenny said as she walked past him and picked up a few things off the counter.
“You should.” Thomas said smiling as he thought about his mother’s reaction.
“Which room do you want?” Thomas asked as he turned around looking at her.
“You mean I have choices?” Jenny asked her eyebrows drawn together as she unclipped the shower curtain and rolled it into a ball.
“Yeah, mine or the guest room.” Thomas said shaking his head.
“I am not going to push you out of your room. It’s bad enough I am moving in with you. You’re parents are really nice to take pity on me and take me in.” Jenny said as she walked back into her room and tossed some things into her night bag that lay unzipped by the cases.
“You honestly believe we’re taking pity on you?” Thomas asked as he followed her.
Jenny lowered herself to her knees by her open dresser drawer and began to take out shirts and pants.
“Jenny we’re not taking pity on you.” Thomas said as he leaned his head against the door.
“No one else would adopt me. I have no where else to go. Your mom saw that the only way I was going to get out of this house was by her or death.” Jenny said as she moved on to another drawer, not looking up or making eye contact.
“That’s not what my mom saw.” Thomas said shaking his head.
“Don’t get me wrong, I owe a lot to your family for letting me stay with you- imposing on you, but I still feel like it’s because I had no other options.” Jenny said shutting the last drawer.
“You’re not imposing on us. We want you there. We want you to be a part of our family. We don’t pity you just like we don’t pity uncle Michael.” Thomas said pushing himself off the door frame.
“Uncle Michael?” Jenny asked scavenging through her closet.
“My uncle. He had a really tough child hood. He was adopted into a not so loving environment. My mom spent nights crying about it when she found out. My grandfather was a lawyer and got my uncle emancipated.” Thomas began to explain as he walked over to her bed, “My mom needs you as much as you need her. You need her for support and all that good stuff right now, she … she needs you for closure. This time she’s the one that’s helping. It killed her that she couldn’t do anything for my uncle.”
“So your family grew up here?” Jenny asked confused.
“Why do ask?” Thomas questioned.
“Well your uncle can’t be your mom’s brother because they had different parents seeing as they lived in separate houses. And that means that he’s your father’s brother. That means that your mom and your uncle were really good friends. Meaning they grew up together.” Jenny said as she tossed her shoes into the case beside him.
“My family is very confusing in terms of who’s kin to who. It’s easier if you just think of everyone that isn’t your parents as an aunt, uncle, or cousin. That way you don’t get too confused with the technicalities.” Thomas said chuckling slightly.
“Will I meet your family?” Jenny asked smiling at him.
“Yeah, about that, tomorrow is the first Saturday of the month.” Thomas began trying to figure out how to explain that she was going to be on display tomorrow.
“Yeah?” Jenny asked zipping up the first case.
“Every first Saturday we have breakfast with everyone.” Thomas said using his hands to emphasize the ‘everyone’ part.
“Everyone? Who is everyone?” Jenny asked her eyes wide with surprise.
“Nicole Guerin and her parents; Josh Evans and his parents; Eddie Valenti and his parents; and us.” Thomas said grabbing the closed cases off the bed.
Jenny let out a long breath as she walked towards the door not saying a word.
Thomas picked up her cases and went to follow her.
“I’m not leaving yet,” Jenny said as she halted him, “I’m just going to see what my dad wanted and say good-bye.”
Thomas dropped her cases by the door and reached out for her shoulders, “I know you feel bad about moving out, but if he says anything to try and… persuade you to stay just remember what happened. Stay strong because you and I both know it’ll happen again if you don’t.”
Jenny nodded her head slowly before pulling away and walking down the stairs and into the living room where her father sat.
“Dad?” Jenny asked taking a seat across from him.
*
Thomas lowered himself onto Jenny’s bed.
Ever since the last connection he made with her he could easily access her emotions. He couldn’t bring himself to break the connection, so he always had some knowledge of her emotions, especially when she was really happy or scared… right now she was really scared.
He concentrated on trying to send her out some kind of reassurance that wouldn’t seem suspicious.
*
“Jenny, are you sure this is what you want? Moving in with complete strangers?” Mr. Selle asked.
“They’re not complete strangers.” Jenny protested.
“They’re not your family.” Mr. Selle said brushing off her comment.
“They don’t hit me.” Jenny said her anger from the incident finally surfacing.
“Jenny, I know I hurt you and I didn’t mean to. If I could take it back I would in a heartbeat.” Mr. Selle said desperately.
“Yeah I know you didn’t mean to dad, not that time or the time before or even the time before that one. You can’t control it and I can’t risk getting hurt again. Did you know that when you left me in my room I couldn’t walk?” Jenny asked her brows furrowed together.
“I set up meetings, AA, I’m going to the next one. We can work this out. You and me. Family.” Mr. Selle protested reaching out and grabbing Jenny’s hands.
“Dad I love you, but I can’t stay here. What if we get into a fight and you resort to booze? I’ll be a punching bag, again. I’m tired of it. I can’t wake up again with pain aching all over my body and having to wear long sleeve shirts in the summer… dad, we can talk after you’ve been through the meetings. After you resolve this problem.” Jenny said jerking her hands back and standing.
“Jenny…” Mr. Selle said as he too stood up.
“Dad I love you. You are my father that will never change. I will come visit you and talk to you, but I can’t live with you. Not now and probably never again.” Jenny said kissing her father on the cheek and hugging him, “Good-bye.”
As she rounded the corner she found Thomas standing at the top of the stairs.
“Bag?” He asked as he held up her over night bag.
She held up her hands to catch it as she motioned him to throw it down.
*
“I’m just saying we could change the colors a little. You know just a little… touch up?” Isabel asked her husband as she looked around Jenny’s soon to be room.
“We don’t even know what color she likes. We should just wait for her and do it the human way.” Alex protested.
“You spoil all my fun.” Isabel protested as she sat down on the bed her arms crossed over her chest.
“All your fun?” Alex asked leaning over and kissing her fully-passionately on the lips.
*
“MOM, DAD, WE’RE HOME!” Thomas yelled as he walked through the house Jenny’s bags in his hands.
“Did they go out?” Jenny asked following Thomas as they ascended the stairs
“No the car’s still in the driveway.” Thomas said as he stopped at her door, “Welcome to your new room.”
As he pushed it open his jaw hit the floor.
Isabel and Alex sat on the bed deep into a heavy make-out section.
Jenny couldn’t contain herself as she began to laugh at not only Thomas’s parents’ display but the repulsed and embarrassed look portrayed on his face as his jaw collided with the floor.
“MOM! DAD!” Thomas yelled throwing his hand over his eyes.
Isabel bolted up immediately followed by a confused Alex.
“You two are worse then teenagers!” Thomas said his hand still over his eyes as he listened to Jenny gasp for air she was laughing so hard.
“Why don’t you go down stairs and get some money from my purse? You can take Jenny to the hard ware store and get some paint for her room.” Isabel said as she grinned at the floor her cheeks bright red; her husband, on the other hand, remained silent.
“You two better behave while we’re gone!” Thomas warned as he blindly pointed a finger before turning around, removing his hand, and walking into the hallway.
“Are they always such…” Jenny began not knowing what to term them as.
“Horndogs? Every once in a while but not usually.” Thomas said shaking his head at the thought of an all day every day romp feast between his parental units.
They quickly made their way to the money and then to the car.
As they entered the store Jenny got a sour look on her face.
“It’s the plant feed.” Thomas explained as he steered her away from the plant section and toward the home improvement isle.
“OK, what color do you want?” Thomas asked as they came upon a color rack that had every color sectioned off into it’s own division: Red, Pink, Magenta; Blue, Old-Ladies-Hair blue, Sky blue; etc…
“Something pinkish?” Jenny asked looking over the wall of color.
“Pinkish isn’t my department.” Thomas said holding up his hands.
“Would you mind if I painted the room pinkish?” Jenny asked quickly.
“I’m not the one living in it. If you want pink go for pink.” Thomas said as he enthusiastically picked out every ‘pink colored card’ he could see.
“This one?” Thomas asked pointing at a bright electrical pink.
“No.” Jenny said shaking her head, “This really isn’t your department, is it?”
“No, I leave all my painting decisions up to Nicole.” Thomas said off handily as he sorted through the color cards.
“She paints?” Jenny asked her eyebrows quirking.
Thomas was about to respond when he got an inspiration. He grabbed Jenny’s hand and pulled her towards the exit.
“Thomas… we need paint. Paint is in the store.” Jenny said slowly as he unlocked the car doors, “We’re not in the store. Why?”
“I’m taking you some where.” Thomas explained quickly as he unlocked her door and buckled his seat belt.
*
“What is this place?” Jenny asked as she looked through the door into a lobby.
“This is the art gallery my uncle runs.” Thomas said walking past the doors that read ‘employees only’.
“You have got to see this room. It’s magnificent.” Thomas said as he lead her down one of the corridors.
“It’s beautiful, Nicole and Randy painted it little while ago.” Thomas said opening the door.
“For the love of…” Thomas began as he turned around the picture in front of him burned into his eye lids.
Even Jenny was shocked into silence before she started to laugh, “What is it with your family?”
“This is gross you guys!” Thomas cried as he waited for his Uncle Michael and Aunt Maria to say something.
“Hello Thomas.” Maria said blushing deeply as she ran a hand through her hair and rubbed at her smeared lipstick.
“What are you doing here?” Michael asked sitting up on the couch, “And who’s your friend?”
“Uncle Michael- Aunt Maria this is Jenny Selle, Jenny these are Nicole’s parents, My Uncle Michael and my Aunt Maria.” Thomas said; introducing them as he turned around.
“You can call us Mrs. Maria and Mr. Michael if you want.” Maria said as she stood up, “So what brings you here?”
“My parents making out in Jenny’s room.” Thomas said not believing his hormonal-driven relatives.
Michael chuckled to himself as he stood and joined his wife only catching ‘the what’ portion of the statement not ‘the where’.
“What were they doing in Jenny’s bedroom?” Maria asked puzzled.
Jenny began to wring her hands together, what were their reactions going to be?
“You need to call my mom.” Thomas said in way of explanation.
“We’ll go do that.” Michael said placing his arm around Maria’s waist and urging her to a more private area.
“Sure you will.” Thomas said as they exited the doors.
“They’re interesting.” Jenny said her eyes following them out and keeping station on the door as it swung shut.
“Horndogs.” Thomas muttered sitting down on the couch and motioning her towards him.
“So what did you want to show me?” Jenny asked looking into his eyes.
“Look around the room.” Thomas said as he turned his head to take in the site.
Jenny looked puzzled before she obediently relocated her train of vision to the wall across from her.
There, painted in the most extravagant details, was a beautiful castle with clouds surrounding the highest tower. The painted blocks looking ever so real with their visible faults. Sprigs of Ivy crawled up the fortress aging it’s existence but not it’s beauty.
She spun her head towards the wall to her left, there was a beautiful garden full of exotic plants and beautiful creatures of light that looked vivid on the background jungle green, shimmering hue that was there.
On the wall behind her there was a path, a worn dirt path that lead to a river in the distance. The pebbles along the road were as if 3-D. The worn marks by many feet were visible and the river seemed as though it would start flowing right off the wall on which it sat.
Turning yet again to make a complete journey Jenny’s eyes found a sight that was off setting and dazzling. A wall of stars. Brilliant sparkles were twinkling due to the flickering of her eyes and the light. There were spots that were more defined and shaped and brighter than others but that’s because they weren’t just stars they were plants and different systems of brilliant, subtle colors.
“This is…” Jenny began searching for words to vocalize the magnificence she was taking in.
“Yeah I know.” Thomas said having the same reaction the first time he had seen it, “Look up.”
“Whoa.” Jenny said as her eyes focused on the beautiful dragon that had it’s wings spanned across the ceiling.
“Nicole and Randy painted this room.” Thomas said taking her hand and leading her to the door and farther down the hall to another room.
Thomas went to open it but thought better of it, “NICOLE! RANDY! We’re coming in.”
“OK.” Nicole yelled back throwing a questioning look back to her boyfriend who merely shrugged his shoulders and continued on what he was doing.
Thomas meekly peeked inside the room to find them both at separate easels.
“Thank God.” Thomas said motioning for Jenny to follow.
“Thank God what?” Nicole asked not looking back to her cousin until she sensed an unfamiliar presence.
“I caught my parents making out, so they sent me out for paint. When I came in I found YOUR parents making out. And since you weren’t – Thank God.” Thomas finished quickly.
“Poor baby.” Nicole sympathized before looking over at Jenny Selle, “What are you doing here?”
“Jenny is looking for colors for her bedroom, and I figured you would be the best person to ask considering I’m not much help.” Thomas explained.
“I thought you said your parents sent you out for paint.” Randy said finally lowering his paint brush.
“Nicole will explain after she talks to her mom.” Thomas said not wanting to go into it.
“OK,” Nicole said a little confused, “so how can I help you?”
“Could you paint my room?” Jenny asked.
“How big is your room and how much would you pay me?” Nicole responded plunking her paint brush in a cup of liquid.
“I don’t know.” Jenny said as she looked towards Thomas for some help.
Thomas sighed, he didn’t know either.
“You know the guest room. It’s that size.” Thomas said hoping to satisfy Nicole.
“Again how much will you pay me?” Nicole asked.
“How much do you charge?” Jenny challenged.
“A hundred dollars a wall.” Nicole said quickly.
“Nicole. A family discount price please.” Thomas said noticing Jenny’s eyes go wide.
“Why?” Nicole asked confused, she was beginning to be very confused.
“Your mom will explain.” Thomas said hoping she could take that as an answer.
“Thomas.” Nicole warned in a low voice.
“Trust me?” Thomas asked causing Nicole to sigh heavily.
“Fine fifty dollars a wall.” Nicole said wiping her hands clean.
“Three hundred. It’s a deal.” Jenny said happily.
“Three hundred?” Thomas asked confused.
“Four walls, one ceiling, and one floor.” Jenny explained.
“OK,” Nicole said evenly as she walked towards the locker that held the paints.
“Any idea of what you want on it?” Nicole asked bringing out a can of green paint.
“Not yet, but I’ll tell you soon.” Jenny said in her usual school manner.
“Is that all?” Nicole asked.
“Yes.” Jenny said as she turned to go, “Oh, I loved your paintings. They are very beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Nicole said casually.
“Bye.” Thomas said as he walked over and kissed Nicole on the cheek and waved to Randy.
“Bye.” They replied as he followed Jenny out of the doors.
There was silence for a few moments before Randy got up and walked towards Nicole, as he stood behind her he could smell the fruit shampoo she used.
“Now that they’re gone… can we finish what we were in the middle of?” Randy asked kissing the back of her neck.
“You are such a dork.” Nicole said spinning around on her stool and kissing her boyfriend.
*
“How are you going to pay?” Thomas asked as he walked back to the car.
“I have my ways.” Was all Jenny would say as she jumped in.
*
“OK, this is time to lay down the ground rules.” Isabel said as she seated herself at the table.
Thomas and Jenny looked up from their pizza to see Alex and Isabel looking very serious.
“Rule number one. No sex.” Isabel said very bluntly.
Alex, Thomas, and Jenny almost choked on their food.
“Rule number two, you are not to spend the night in each others bedroom unless you have good reasons.” Isabel said remembering how at times when she was younger she had needed Alex to hold her.
“How many rules are there?” Thomas asked as he forced himself to take a drink.
“A few.” Isabel said, “Number three- no detention, suspension, or expulsion. Number four- you must pull above a 3.5 GPA. Number five- no unknown long distance calls. Number six- If you want the car you and Thomas have to figure out a schedule or something. The last one to drive fills up the gas. Number seven- Every first Saturday we have a family breakfast, which we would like you to attend.
Number eight- no illegal substances are allowed in this house. You’re not allowed to drink or smoke. And since you’re not under this roof at all time we can’t expect you to follow the no sex rule- but please if you’re going to have sex use some form of protection.”
Thomas’s mouth hit the kitchen table as his mother finally took a breathe. His gaze slid over to Jenny’s face she looked as stunned as he was.
The entire table was silent as Alex shook his head at his food thinking of his insane wife.
“Any one want more pizza?” Isabel asked as if the last things that had come out of her mouth were mere shop talk.
*
“You forgot rule number nine.” Alex said as he helped his wife wash dishes.
“Nine?” She asked her eyebrows quirking up.
“Yeah number nine- you know, if you see anything float around the house or mysteriously change shape or color no screaming or running to a tabloid.” Alex said as he stacked the bowls up and put them in the cabinet.
“Funny.” Isabel said with a strained smile.
“I thought so.”
*
“That was an interesting dinner.” Jenny said as she sat on Thomas’s bed brushing out her wet hair. The glistening strands leaving water drops on her shoulders that were exposed by one of her crop top night shirts that stopped mid drift right above her baggy silk night pants with little silver moons on a black background.
“Tell me about it.” Thomas said as he exited the bathroom in his sweats and a wife beater.
“Is she always so blunt?” She asked as she tossed the hair brush on his desk.
“I don’t know. She’s just my mom, you know?” Thomas asked grabbing a CD and popping it into the player.
As Save Ferris came on Jenny’s eyes lit up, “This is such an oldie.”
“You like Save Ferris?” Thomas asked smiling as he turned the music up slightly.
“I’m a closet freak fan. I love Eagle Eye Cherry, Creed, Garbage, The Toys, and one of my favorites is Metallica- yeah they’re way old but they will always rock.” Jenny said with such exuberance it made Thomas’s pulse speed up.
“You will get along just fine with the Guerins. They are Metalica lovers.” Thomas said shaking his head and walking over to the door and propping it open.
“I guess it’s time I went to bed so I can get up bright and early to be ogled at.” Jenny said as she stood up.
“Would you like to know the… what is it you and your friends say?… the 411 on everyone?” Thomas asked trying to help her adjust to the idea of tomorrow’s lunch.
“Sure.” Jenny said sitting back down and leaning against the wall on the other side of the bed.
“OK, well let’s start with Nicole and her family. The Guerins are very peculiar…” Thomas began as Jenny took this as her cue to sink down and snuggle into a pillow.
*
“Rise and Shine! It’s morning time!” Alex said cheerfully as he looked down at two sleeping teens.
Thomas merely rolled over and threw his arm around Jenny. Jenny curled into his chest and stayed that way.
‘How long will it last?’ Alex asked himself mentally as he smiled at the adolescents.
“How long will what last?” Isabel asked from the hall.
“Look at them.” Alex said reaching towards his wife who went easily into his arms.
Jenny slowly came to consciousness.
“Sleep well?” Isabel asked smiling down at her.
Jenny groaned as the impending breakfast came to mind. She closed her eyes once again.
“Na-huh! You two get up and come down.” Alex said with a chuckle.
Isabel and Alex made their way down stairs to the awaiting chatter.
“Thomas,” Jenny called to the boy beside her.
“No.” Thomas said not opening his eyes.
“Get up.” Jenny commanded as she propped herself up.
“No.”
“Thomas Whitman.”
“No.”
Jenny placed her hands on his chest and gave him a shove.
Thomas made a thud as he connected with the floor beneath him.
“You suck.” He croaked out before he propelled himself off the floor.
*
Jenny threw on a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt on before walking back into Thomas’s room, her brush in hand.
Thomas was rooting through his closet trying to find his navy blue ‘Alternative’ shirt.
“You take too long.” Jenny said sitting down on his bed and brushing her hair.
“If my mom would’ve left my closet alone, instead of organizing it, I’d be fine.” Thomas said turning to look at her.
“MARK!” a voice yelled downstairs followed by inaudible talking.
“Time to meet my doom?” Jenny asked as Thomas picked up a shirt and pulled it over his head.
“They’ll love you like any other member of the family.” Thomas said trying to reassure her.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
*
“Go.” Thomas said calmly into her ear as she hesitated outside the kitchen.
“No.”
“Only works for me.” Thomas smiled as he pushed her into the kitchen.
The kitchen suddenly got quite; something that almost never happens in this family.
Jenny looked at everyone with weary eyes. And them the same.
“Why do they get to sleep in?” Eddie whined.
“We’re special.” Thomas said sitting at an empty set; Jenny beside him.
“Whatever Whitman.” Eddie scoffed as he reached over and started to take more bacon before Mark and Matt jumped on his hand.
“HEY! Play nice!” Michael barked at them as they started to fight over the food.
Jenny let out a breathe she wasn’t even aware she was holding… so this was it… this was now home… this would be interesting, very interesting.
The End