Stuck on You, 18: Surprise, surprise.
Andrew Jackson.
“Hungry?” I asked Jen as I opened the passenger seat’s door for her.
She smiled thanks and said, “Kinda.” I closed her door and hurried up and went in the driver’s door. “Why?” She asked as I got in.
I shook my head, “Nothin’, I’m gonna order take out, if you want, I can buy for you, too.”
She put on her thinking face, fastened her seat belt, then finally faced me, “Which take out place are we going to?”
***
“Wow, they weren’t kidding when they say guys’ world revolves around their stomachs.”
I scoffed, “I didn’t order a lot.”
“Hm, let’s see… Two large fries, one large coke, a chocolate sundae and a double cheeseburger…” Jen pouted, “Yep. That ain’t a lot, alright.”
I rolled my eyes, “Really. I just like eating.”
“That’s what she said.” Jen started giggling.
“Who said?” I asked.
“… Never mind.”
“Weirdo.”
“You, too.” She winked. “So, where we eating?”
I thought about it and… “Your place?”
Jen considered this for a moment and put on a smile, “Sure, why not? No one’s gonna be home anyway.”
I returned her smile, “Race you to the car. Loser gets to treat the winner a double cheeseburger.”
“And you’re sure it’s gonna be you, Jackson?”
“Oh yeah, you’re looking at the star athlete of Paddington here.”
“Ex star athlete of Paddington.” she winked before running.
***
“Sorry, Jackson. I guess you owe me a double cheeseburger.” She said as I finally caught up with her, out of breath.
“I let you win.”
“Sure you did.”
“Just get yer arse in the car, Shay.”
“Oooo. Using yer Bri’ish voice on me now, eh?” She mimicked me.
“Please, sweetheart. It’ll take you years to speak in fluent British.”
“I’ve got time.” She said before I started the engine and drove away.
***
The neighborhood was dark and quiet when we reached Jen’s apartment. I got out of the car and rushed to the passenger’s door and opened the door for her.
“Thanks.” Jen said as I closed the door behind her.
“No problem.” I replied. “So, shall we?”
She nodded in reply and lead me inside.
“… Just passed by the workshop and decided to say hello.” I heard a woman’s voice say.
“Well, I’m glad. How’ve you been?” I heard a man’s voice this, time, who I guessed was Jen’s dad, even though I’ve never met him yet.
I looked at Jen’s face, eyebrows raised as if to say, what’s-going-on-I-thought-your-dad-won’t-be-home-tonight-and-who’s-other-voice-was-that-I-heard? But the look on her face told me she had no idea who it was, or what was going on.
Jen took off her scarf and coat and placed them on to the nearest couch, and handed me her take away bag to me before heading towards the kitchen.
“Well, this is awkward.” I said to myself.
I placed the take away bags on to the nearest table, and headed my way where Jen disappeared.
When I reached there, I could here Jen’s voice, “Dad?”
“Oh, hello sweetheart. Home already?” I heard her dad reply.
“Um… Yeah.” Jen said, “And… so are you.” She pointed out.
Her dad laughed, “You seemed surprised.”
“Well, funny thing is, I actually am.” She replied quickly, “You’re never home early.”
“Jen—”
But before her father could say anything, the woman’s voice I heard earlier, cut him off by saying, “Well, at least be happy to your father home, dear, I know he barely goes home early but, aren’t you the least bit happy to see him home?”
Who was that woman? That’s definitely not Jen’s mom. I mean, Jen just told me her mom died.
“Well, I’m happy my dad’s home, but what are you doing here?” Jen asked, I could tell by her voice that she’s annoyed. Or maybe even angry.
The woman chuckled, “Just dropping by to say hello.”
“That’s what you said, last time, Jessica.”
“And it’s my second time saying it, Jennifer.” The woman replied cooed, and immediately changed the subject. “Hungry? We’re about to have fish and chips for dinner.”
“We?” Jen asked, “Um, like, including you?”
“Yes. Why ever not? I hope you don’t mind.”
Instead of answering the woman’s question, Jen said, “I thought you wouldn’t be home. So I brought a friend over for dinner.”
Uh-oh.
Jen coughed, “Andrew?”
I inhaled and exhaled, and made my way towards the kitchen. “Hello.”
Jen gave me a small smile, and looked from me to her father.
He didn’t really look like Jen. Except the eyes. Especially the eyes. Instead of having sandy-blond hair like Jen, her dad was redhead. I gave him a smile before I landed my gaze on to the woman sitting next to him.
She looked middle aged, had blond hair, blue eyes, her hair in a neat bun, and… I guess she put on too much lipstick on her lips. I pretended to cough to hide my laugh.
“Dad, this is Andrew. Dad, Andrew.” Jen said.
“Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Shay.” I held out my hand.
Jen’s father shook my hand, “Likewise. So, we just met? You’re not one of Jen’s old friends?”
“No, sir. I’m new here. Just moved.”
“He moved from Paddington, London.” Jen elbowed me.
“Ah!” Jen’s dad said, “That explains the accent.”
Before I had the chance to reply him, the woman- Jessica, cleared her throat. We all turned to face her, a smile plastered on her face, but that didn’t cover up the fact that she was annoyed.
“Hello, Andrew.” She finally said.
“Uh… Hello.” I replied.
I looked at Jen, and she rolled her eyes. “Andrew, Jessica. Jessica, Andrew.” She said quickly, “Okay, we’re done here. I’m starved, so we’re just gonna head to the living room and eat. You two enjoy your… fish and chips.” She got on to her toes and kissed her dad on the cheeks. She gave Jessica an insincere smile before she grabbed my hand and let me out the kitchen.
“Ugh.” Jen said as she finally let go of my hand, and sat down on to the couch in the living room.
“Your dad seems pretty cool.” I told her as I took a seat next to her.
She looked at me and gave a small smile, “Best dad in the world.”
“And… the woman? Jessica?”
“Ugh. You mean Barbie, in there? I don’t know, she just… I met her a few days back. Dad said she was an old friend from high school, one of mom’s friends, and a regular customer.” She said. “Well, they’re really good friends now.”
I gave her a smile, “Her name’s Jessica.”
Jen snorted a laugh. “What a coincidence, eh? As if Barbie number 1 wasn’t annoying enough.” She grabbed my hand again, “C’mon, enough Barbie talk, let’s eat.”
***
“Thanks for having me for dinner, I had a great time.”
It was already 9pm, and I was on my way out the door.
“Touche.” Jen winked as she opened the front door for me. “Maybe we can do it again some other time. You know, instead of my place, how about yours? I’d love to see your superstar palace.”
I put on my jacket and scoffed, “Next time.”
“Soon.” Jen corrected. “You owe me my double cheeseburger, remember?”
I groaned. “Right. How could I forget.”
“Short term memory loss, probably.” She teased. ”I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Definitely.” I replied. And as if we’ve been friends since forever, I gave her a hug. Which surprised both me and Jen, because she literally jumped when I hugged her, but she returned the hug back. “Good night, Jen.”
“Good night, Andrew.” She replied as I headed down the stairs, a smile plastered on my face as I heard the door close.
