Jodie's Family

The month of December was a rollercoaster for Jodie. The first Monday was the start of her new position as Cynthia's assistant. After seeing and experiencing how the rest of the rest of the women in the office were treated she looked forward to working with an intelligent woman that commanded respect, even if she did need work on her makeup. "Good morning, Ms.Abella! I'm, like, totes excited to start working with you." Jodie beamed.

"Oh God you're a morning person." She paused, taking a sip of her coffee. "First thing, no talking before my coffee. Second, you'll be shadowing Macy today while she shows you how things are done up here." She gestured to Macy before walking into her office. Jodie recognized Macy as Cynthia's frumpy assistant she met a few months ago when she spent a trial day with them. The woman still wore very bland clothes and no makeup.

"Hi, Macy. It's, like, so good to see you again."

"Totes." She sneered, giving Jodie a once over. Jodie was dressed in her usual five inch black high heels, sheer stockings, deep red skirt and white blouse showing ample cleavage. "So first off let's get you used to the filing system. It might be a bit complicated for you."

"Oh, okay." Jodie frowned, she didn't want to learn a whole new system after getting in trouble for not knowing the last system. Of course Jodie was happy and frustrated to find that the system was no different than she had already been using, and Macy spent the entire time talking down to her.

Finally, lunch time rolled around and she actually learned something that would help Cynthia. "She takes her lunch in her office, so you'll have to go get it or have it delivered ahead of time."

Unfortunately for Jodie it had been over a week since she had her usual lunch with Adam and being that their relationship was still on the mend Eric and Jodie, mostly Eric, decided to take things slow, as such she found herself once again incredibly hungry and distracted.

"And what can I get you ladies today?" The cute cashier asked with his customer service voice.

"A ceasar salad and a strawberry banana smoothie." Macy answered while Jodie was clearly staring at his crotch and biting her lip.

"Alright, that'll be-" the boy noticed the gorgeous woman beside Macy clearly staring at him.

"I, um like, love your hair." Jodie said nervously, knowing she had been caught.

He smiled genuinely for the first time that day, "Thanks. It's got apricot in it, I think."

"Sounds," she paused, glancing at his pants once again, "tasty."

Macy rolled her eyes and waved the card at the distracted cashier, "Oh, uh. It's on the house."

"Really?!" They both said together, though Macy's was disgusted and frustrated while Jodie was shocked and happy.

"Yeah. In fact…take a brownie." Jodie jumped happily as she took the offered brownie from the cashier.

"You're so sweet!"

"If you like that, maybe I can buy you dinner sometime?"

Before Jodie could answer Macy grabbed her arm, "Come on Barbie. We've got to get back to work." Macy picked up the lunch as she dragged Jodie out.

The rest of the day was one meeting after another. Jodie did her best to keep up with the conversations and take notes as best as she could but more than once she was lost in thought staring at a male client's crotch as she chewed on her pen. When she tried to resist the urge to look at the handsome salt and pepper man she only seemed to make things worse by crossing one leg over the other and bouncing it, her heel fell off and when she bent forward to pick it up the meeting stopped dead as the man stared directly at Jodie’s cleavage. After the final meeting the client shook hands with both Cynthia and Macy, but walked with Jodie to the elevator and discussing “fun places to take a beautiful woman” as they went. Jodie of course mentioned Howlin’ at the moon among other clubs she loved along with some of the finer restaraunts Adam had taken her to when they were dating.

On her walk back to Cynthia’s new office she saw the other women staring at her, which was something she had gotten used too in the last few months but instead of looks of envy or even lust they watched her angrily. The short lived hope that it was her imagination was crushed when she saw one woman lean over to another and whisper something, she didn’t hear everything but what she did was enough to know they all considered her the “office slut”.

Slipping into Cynthia’s office she quietly approached her new boss’ desk as she busied herself on her computer. “Ms.Abella, can I ask you something?”

“I’m fine on coffee, otherwise, no.”

“I was just, like, wondering, is there a dress code I’m not aware of?”

Cynthia finally took Jodie in and examined her, she was barely dressed properly for an office of course, “What you’re wearing is fine.” Jodie smiled, “You could flirt less with the other employees however.” Her smile quickly faded. “Oh you can still flirt with the clients. That is what you’re here for after all. You make for a good distraction.”

“T-thank you?”

Returning to the office she found Macy packing up the last of her things, “Macy, did I, like, do something wrong?”

“You managed well enough.” She clicked off the lamp on her desk.

“You sure? I could’ve sworn the other secretaries were mad at me.”

“Oh that. They are.”

“What? Why?”

“Ms. Abella is an amazing boss and she’s one of the few women in this place that holds a high ranking position. She actually started as an ‘Administrative assistant.”

“Okay? But what’s that got to do with me?”

Macy laughed derisively, “Everything. Women here barely get a chance let alone a fair one. Any woman here with any bit of power had to fight tooth and nail to be taken seriously. And then there’s you. You come in, sleep with your own boss-”

“We were-”

“Yeah, I know you were his little love bunny or whatever. But no one would care, except you’re now Ms.Abella’s assistant. A position any of these women would kill for. And why do you think she picked you out of all the dozens of capable women out there? Pretty sure it’s not how well you fetch coffee.” Jodie frowned, “Think about that the next time you’re drooling over some client’s package.” Macy pushed passed Jodie and to the door. A million thoughts ran through Jodie’s mind, the first being she should just leave and never come back, maybe even call up an old friend, she could probably get a discount looking like she did now, the second being incredibly violent but would ruin her new heels, another being how she wished she were in her club right now, she could just call Tommy the bouncer to throw her out, and the last was simply how tired she was of everyone being cruel to her for being herself.

“Wait.”

Macy stopped at the door and sighed. “What?”

“I think you are really smart. Def smarter than me. I’m not like you or them, you’re right, but like, I work hard too. And not just here, I play piano and, like, a handful more instruments, and I’m actually good. Do you know how many years it takes to just be decent at the piano?! No you wouldn’t. And none of that was given to me by talent. You, like, didn’t bother to get to know me. Or you would’ve known I’ve been through a lot and had to fight so much just so I can stand here in front of you and say this; I like myself, I like who I am, it doesn’t matter if anyone else does, because it’s not their life. It’s mine. Can you really say the same, being mean and looking down on people?”

Macy thought for a moment,“…Have a good night, Jodie.”

“Good night, Macy.” Macy quietly left.

When Jodie turned around to pick up her purse she saw Cynthia standing in the doorway of her office. “That was a very interesting speech Jodie.”

Jodie swallowed hard, she was utterly terrified as standing up for herself was a completely new concept, “I meant...all of it ma’am. I think you’re a great boss but, like, I respect you and all but, like, I’m not trash just for not being you.”

Cynthia thought for a moment before walking to the door, her briefcase slung over her shoulder, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Miss. Applegate.”

“Good night Ms.Abella.” Jodie smiled.

Things did not immediately calm down at work but eventually she did find a rythym with everyone, even Macy and to an extent Cynthia, so she once again was eager to go to work, most days. The hardest, or at least most awkward was her relationship limbo with Eric. They were still dating of course, but they did not share a bed that first week. Instead Jodie shared the bed with Lauren who was being very understanding about the issue. Both of them wanted to fix the relationship immediately but neither knew how to jump the chasm that had come between them. The time Jodie and Eric did get to spend together was as equally as awkward as sharing their bed, the attempt of trying to strike up a casual conversation was worse. Neither of them really knew what to say for the longest time. It was actually Jodie’s doctor’s appointment that opened the flood gates. While they were sitting in the waiting room when Jodie finally spoke up. “I hate sitting here.”

“I know, baby. But it’s for your health, right?”

“They’re just, like, so annoying. I get, like, super emotional after.”

“I don’t think that’s the shot as much as you think.”

“What are you talking about? I never ate tubs of rocky road and chubba hubba while watching sappy movies before and, like, cried like a baby.”

“Yeah but, think about it your songs were always super emo.”

“I thought you liked my music?”

“I do. I’m just saying, maybe it’s not making you more emotional so much as it is...helping you express it in different ways.”

“...maybe.”

“You know, another way some people in your situation have found help is with therapy.”

“I doubt that...I do want to be better for you.” Eric sighed, “What.”

“Don’t be better for me. Be better for you. I’ll love you no matter what.”

“I’ll...think about therapy. I just…I know they’ll ask me stuff I’ve tried to, like, not think about for so long.”

“I get it. As much as I can.” Eric put an arm around Jodie, and silently held onto her for a moment before speaking again, “Do you want to talk about it with me?” Jodie shrugged. “Do you want to talk about something else?” Jodie slowly nodded. “Okay...how was your first day with Cynthia?” Jodie smiled as the two talked. It was certainly a small gesture but one she appreciated nonetheless. And one that opened the door for much deeper conversations for the couple later on that week. By the start of the second week they were once again sharing the same bed, and Jodie had returned to her spot wrapped around Eric as much as possible. As often is the case with repairing relationships there was no easy or immediate fix, but they found with a little bit of bravery they did not have to leap a great chasm but rather build a bridge and meet in the middle. Jodie’s biggest issue was convincing herself she was worthy of Eric, while Eric had to put effort into the small things. Grand gestures and proclimations were easy to him, but much like in the smaller romantic moments were much more important.

By the end of the second week Jodie was informed that Eric and Lauren’s mom would be visiting, a fact that was worrying both her and Eric, though Eric was much better about hiding it than she was. At work her absentmindedness and distracted demeanor went unnoticed by the majority of her coworkers except for Tiffany and Lauren. Tiffany was shocked to discover that Jodie and Adam broke up so suddenly. Even more shocking to her was finding that Eric wasn’t Lauren’s gay brother. At Howlin’ at the moon her condition was certainly noticed by a few of the workers. On one such night Jodie was attempting to count her tips for the evening and kept losing her place. Either someone would try to buy her a drink, or she would have a sudden onset of anxiety as she imagined every nightmare scenario her mind could come up with in meeting his mother. As the bar was slowly clearing out, a man sat beside Jodie offering to buy her a drink and a car, explaining she had both and a boyfriend did little to deter the man. Of course this was simply to cover the fact he was sliding a few bucks here and there whenever she wasn’t looking. As the man slowly took another five off the top a large hand clamped down around his wrist. Silently the bartender turned the man’s hand over and pried the bill from his hand. “What the he-” The man felt another much larger hand on his shoulder turn him around and empty out his pockets. The security guard handed the money back over before carrying the cursing man off out of the club.

“Here you go.”

“Ugh, I’m so stupid.” Jodie hid her face behind her hands.

“Nah. Creeps and scuzzballs are everywhere.”

“Yeah...I should, like, know better by now.” Jodie sighed, “It’s just with this new job, Eric and Lauren’s mom coming over...my brain is so frazzled.” Nick frowned and gathered Jodie’s money in a pile, “I wasn’t-”

“I know you weren’t. But I’ve been at this longer. I can count pretty fast.”

“That’s very sweet of you, Nick.”

“Anytime, kid.”

The following week Jodie hurried around the apartment frantically cleaning more in the last week than she had in the last four years combined. "Move your feet." Jodie ordered Eric who had been untangling a small box of Christmas tree lights

"Jodie there's no reason to go to this extreme. She already likes you."

"That was Jordan! Your best buddy with the cool hair and a flat chest! Not…Jodie." She gestured to herself. Jodie wore a small apron over an off the shoulder elk print dress and black bodice top.

"Did you change your clothes again?"

"Ugh you're a guy you wouldn't understand." She quickly swept under Eric's feet for the fifteenth time that day.

"At least my mom wont threaten you with a knife." Jodie hurried to the kitchen to scrub the counters again. "My mom only said that because you took me across state lines."

"Me?! You took me to that Alice in chains concert. I didn't even like the band!"

"Eh, you loved them. Besides, like, it was so long ago who even remembers."

"Your mom probably." Eric muttered as he sat one completed strand of lights to the side.

"What?"

"Nothing. Look, if you're not comfortable with this…what?" He asked as Jodie stopped in the middle of the living room with a strange look on her face.

"My shoes don't match my dress anymore." Jodie hurried and pulled off her five inch pink heels and hurried into their now spotless room.

Eric followed Jodie, and watched her pull out several pairs of shoes. "Hey look, we have a floor again." Jodie lobbed a red heel at Eric, not even coming close to hitting him but felt she got her point across.

"Shut up." Sitting on the floor with her legs tucked under her she lifted three shoe boxes up until finally, "Ah perfect!" quickly she sat on the bed and slipped on six inch white

slingback pointed toe pumps.

"You always look perfect."

"You don't count! You always say that." Jodie stood up and hurried to Lauren's room. "Lauren, do you think I should wear my hair up?"

"Ooh that sounds great. Come here, let's see what we can do."

Two hours later and Eric walked into the apartment carrying his mom’s suitcase. “We’re home!” Eric yelled to the quiet apartment.

Lauren walked out of her room and excitedly hugged her mother. “Mom! I missed you! What you bring me?!”

“I missed you too sweetie.” Mary smiled. She handed over a small container of cookies, “I was just telling your brother these are for the both of you to share.”

“If he’s fast enough he can have some.”

“Lauren, we’re not twelve anymore. And besides I’m still totally faster than you.”

Mary shook her head and rolled her eyes, her kids will always be kids to her, especially when they continue to act like children.

Jodie silently emerged from her room, her hair pulled back into a half updo into a falling cascade of curls. “He-hello Mrs Morrison.” Jodie did her best to sound confident in front of one of the few people from her past she actually cared about.

“Did she-” Lauren cut off Eric’s question with a quick elbow to the ribs.

“You must be Jodie.” Mary smiled warmly as she approached the timid girl in front of her.

“I-I am.” Jodie stared at the floor in an attempt to hide her face as much as possible.

“Eric, you should have told me…” For a brief moment both Jodie and Eric froze, “that she was so beautiful.”

Jodie smiled and relaxed enough to finally look the woman in the eye. “Thank you, Mrs. Morrison.”

“You are always welcome, my dear. But do me one favor. Call me Mary.” Jodie's smile somehow brightened and she had to actively resist the urge to hug Mary. “And I must say, I absolutely love your hair.”

“Lauren helped me.”

“She’s just being modest, Mom. She’s crazy good at makeup and hair.”

“Well maybe you can give me a makeover while I’m in town.”

“I’d, like, love that.”

“Okay, I’ll put your bag in our room and we can head out for dinner.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to put anyone out. The couch is just fine.”

“No way!” Jodie and Lauren shouted.

“I mean, it’s, like, no trouble.”

“Yeah, besides the couch pulls out, they’ll be fine.”

“Wait,” Eric stopped, “the couch pulls out?”

“Duh!” Eric rolled his eyes and headed off, mumbling something about folding Lauren up in the couch as he did so.

Later, while Eric drove, Mary asked Jodie so many questions about herself and her life that Jodie didn’t notice when they pulled up to Howlin’ at the moon. “What are we doing here?”

“I thought you might want to show mom where you work.”

“I doubt she’d want to see a dive bar.”

“I would love to actually. If you don’t mind, of course.” Jodie blushed and agreed. Her mind was reeling, hoping and praying that she wouldn’t think less of her for working here. Nervously Jodie gave Mary a tour. When they came to the stage Mary was excited to see two pianos on stage. “Oh that looks like a fun time. Would anyone mind if I played a bit?”

“It’s just us so, go for it.” Jodie smiled as her former surrogate mother climbed the steps to the stage and sat at the piano, a sight she truly never thought she’d get to see again. Mary played a few keys before starting into ‘Deed I do’. Jodie smiled and leaned against Eric as she listened. Everyone knew it to be Mary’s favorite song. Her children remembered her playing it on many occasions for her husband. Jodie, remembered it as the first full song she learned to play under her tutelage. The song slowly changed and several lights kicked on as several people from the club, and from the office, walked onto the stage holding a cake. “A little birdie told us it was your birthday.”

Jodie erupted into a fit of nervous and happy giggles as everyone sang happy birthday.

After the singing and wishes of happy birthday died down, Tiffany was finally able to ask, “How come you didn’t tell me your birthday was coming up?”

“I, like, totally forgot. Honest.”

Tiffany laughed, “I’ve done that before. I love you girl.” Tiffany kissed Jodie on the cheek and she handed her a present.

“I love you too!” Jodie returned the kiss and hugged her friend before even opening the small gift wrapped box. The first of several gifts she received that night were; a pair of sapphire earrings from Tiffany, a small stuffed doctor bear from Bob, Brit had gifted her a new pair of heels, a nice bottle of wine from Vince, and a bottle of perfume from Janet, along with several birthday cards from her friends expressing their love and friendship for the birthday girl, including one from Mrs Bridgette who unfortunately couldn't be there who did send a bottle of nail polish with her love.

"I saw this and thought of you…" Eric smiled nervously as he handed her the small rectangular box, knowing he was never the best at gift giving. Last year on Jordan's birthday he had bought her a gift card to a clothing store, and while Jodie definitely loves shopping and clothes it just didn't feel like an appropriate gift for someone who was now his girlfriend.

Opening the box a smile crawled across her face. She held the necklace up so everyone could see the silver necklace; the heart shaped pendant that hung at the end glinted in the colorful light of the club as the arches were encrusted with small diamonds while the bottom were lined with piano keys. "I love it!" She smiled and happily kissed Eric before handing him the necklace and turning around and pulling her hair out of the way so he could place the necklace around her soft, delicate, neck.

"I love you too, Jodie." He kissed her cheek before whispering in her ear, "And I always will."

The two kissed again for a moment before Lauren finally broke through the small circle of friends, "Alright you lovebirds, there'll be time for that later. Right now you have one more present to open, and it is absolutely the best one."

Jodie smiled as Lauren gently placed a large box on the table in front of her. "Wow! It's h-" the box suddenly moved and a tiny furry paw poked itself out of a small hole. "No! You didn't!" Jodie gingerly lifted the lid and immediately squealed in delight as she saw a beautiful black kitten meowing up at her. "Ohmagoditsakitty!!!" She screamed happily. The kitten loudly meowed back at her when she picked it up.

“You got her a cat?”

“I told you I got her something amazing.” Lauren smirked.

“It is amazing! Lauren I just love it!” Without letting go of her new kitten Jodie hugged Lauren tightly.

“Her name is Elpis.”

“Aww, hello, Elpis. We’re your mommies.” Jodie nuzzled the kitten that currently was pawing her face. Little Elpis meowed at Jodie and kneaded Jodie’s shoulder.

“Me too?” Lauren smiled, scratching Elips’ head.

“Well yeah, like, she can totally have two mommies. I mean, like, if you want.”

Lauren held her sister close as the kitten chewed on a loose strand of her hair, “Of course I want.” The rest of the night, Jodie spent talking with her friends, eating cake, and playing with her knew kitten. Another performer at the club had taken to the piano and played alongside Mary as the guests broke into dancing with one another, Lauren and Jodie taking turns watching Elpis so the other could dance with their boyfriend.

Several hours later and the party had ended and Jodie had gone on a quick shopping trip for the newest fuzzy being she had fallen for. Bringing Elips a new toy to tear up Jodie found both the Morrison women sitting at the kitchen table. “Hey, guys. What’re you doing?” Elips tore at the large fake carrot.

Mary smiled, “We were discussing what to make for Christmas dinner.”

“Oh.” Jodie awkwardly scratched Elips’ neck.

“You want to join us?”

“I mean, like, I think a pie would be great.”

“That does sound good.” Mary smiled, “But I did mean, would you like to help us cook?”

“I...um, I don’t know how to cook.”

“Nonsense.”

“No, fer real, I burnt water once.”

Mary shook her head, “I can teach you if you’d like. I taught Eric and Lauren, I have no doubt I can teach you.”

“I don’t know...I’m not that smart.”

For the first time Mary glared angrily at Jodie, “Never say that about yourself again, is that understood?” The room filled with a long heavy silence as Lauren stared between Jodie and her mother.

“Y-yes ma’am.”

“You give yourself too little credit.” Jodie nodded as the woman’s face once again softened, “If you truly do not wish to cook no one will fault you for it but you should be nicer to yourself.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Would you like to sit and look at recipes with us?” Jodie nodded and sat with the Morrison women.

Even later that same night, Eric had fallen asleep on the fairly comfortable mattress. Jodie assimilated well into her new role and allowed herself to pretend she was part of the family again. She even felt the nostalgic joy of being under the same roof as the family she had adopted all those years ago. While the family slept Jodie however found herself laying awake in the darkness of their living room when she heard a soft shuffling of feet entering the kitchen. Sitting up she saw Mary pouring a glass of milk and taking out a small plate of cookies. “Oops,” Mary whispered when she turned and saw Jodie, “Caught me in the act.”

“I won’t tell.” Jodie whispered back.

“Care to join me?” Jodie nodded and Mary poured a second glass of milk. They both sat silently at the dining table with their milk and a plate of cookies between them. “I really enjoyed meeting your friends this evening.” She spoke in a hushed voice as to not wake Eric.

“They really are great.” Jodie smiled. Her smile slowly faded as she took a bite of chocolate chip.

“That reminds me, I found myself so distracted this evening I left your gift in my bag.”

“You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Nonsense. I’ll be right back.” As she left Jodie nervously bit her lip, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep lying to someone she cared so deeply about. If everything went as she hoped she would be in her life a long time. But the truth would spell disaster and she would lose another mother from her life. “I’m afraid it is paltry compared to your gifts tonight.”

“I’m sure it’s wonderful.” Jodie smiled and hoped she hadn’t seen her jump out of her skin when she suddenly began speaking beside her.

“You’re too sweet.”

Jodie smiled and read the card, “On this most Joyous day, I wish you happiness and love for all the years to come my sweet and beautiful daughter, Jodie.” Jodie bit her lip, and fought the tears behind her eyes. “I love it...but…” Jodie thought a moment, she would always cherish the card but she didn’t feel right lying to such a kind woman, “I’m uh...it’s, like, complicated but, like...I’m Jordan.”

“I know dear.”

Jodie bit her lip hard, “No...um...you remember-”

“Forgive me, but would you mind opening my present before you continue?” Jodie frowned but nodded and carefully opened the small wrapped box. Inside was a framed picture of Mary and a young Jordan at the piano while Eric stood by watching a pregnant Mary teaching the young wild haired boy how to play the piano. “I don’t know about you, but that is one of my favorite pictures.” Jodie stared at the picture in stunned silence, “I hope you know that I’ve always considered you one of my own and always will.”

“You...knew?”

“Not at first.”

“Do..does this mean that Lau-”

“Oh, no. I don’t mean anything like that, you’ve changed so much over the years I don’t think anyone from the old neighborhood would think once let alone twice, but...a mother knows her child’s eyes no matter what form they come in.”

“You’re...okay with it...and...me and Eric?”

Mary frowned, “Sweetheart, all I ever wanted was for you to be happy. You are happy aren’t you?” Jodie nodded, “Then of course I am.” Mary cleared her throat and for a moment appeared to have lost the calm composure she always held as sadness flashed across her face. The truth was, though she never told anyone besides her husband, she knew exactly what kind of home life Jordan was trapped in for so long, and had once contacted a lawyer about adopting Jordan, but that proved an impossible task and when she was thrown out it became a moot point. "When you…when you left after…I was so worried for you. I…I prayed everyday that you would be safe and maybe, hopefully, find the happiness you deserved all along. And to know you not only found that happiness but you came home to your family…it makes me happier than you’ll ever know.” With that, Jodie could no longer hold back the flood and immediately hugged her mother.

“I love you, mom.”

Mary in turn hugged her daughter in the way only true mothers can. “I love you, Jodie.”

So it was on Christmas day, just before dawn, that Jodie received the best gift she could ever want. A family that loved her and always would.