Fall Rising: Chapter 8

CJ, LEGEND, MORGAN, LIBBY AND EM:
JON CALLED LAST NIGHT AND SAID FOR THE MONDAY MEAL TONIGHT HE’S TAKING US ALL OUT TO EAT SOMEWHERE, ON HIM. EVERYBODY BE READY TO GO WHEN I GET PICKED UP, SO WE CAN MEET WHEREVER JON DECIDES.
LOVE MOM (JESS)

Jon was sick of this. Liam and Nate had been acting like asses for too long now. He swore he had heard nothing but Liam yelling and Nate slamming doors for days on end, all because Nate’s brother was white. Liam was so dense he had yet to figure out at least from observing Legend, Christian and even Morgan, that sometimes, people came in different combinations of colors. Jonathan had gone to school with tons of them. It didn’t mean the Joey kid was Nate’s boyfriend. It didn’t mean he wasn’t either, but seriously. This crap was getting old.

Not only that, but Liam insisted that his eyes were still sore from when Jess pepper-sprayed him. Jon thought that had to be the funniest thing he saw so far this year, but he was sick of hearing Liam whine about it. Of course, that meant Liam insisted he couldn’t cook this week. Nate was being pissy, and refused too, so that left Jon, who could rarely manage to successfully heat a baked potato or frozen dinner in the microwave by himself.

So, he did what any stuck college student would do. He asked his mom for money. He already knew he could count on his mom to clean his room and do his laundry according to the label-instructions, so he knew this would be no problem.

Jon would have asked his dad, but doubted he would have agreed to drive out here with it on such short notice. Four hours one way wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, but his mom had already called and said she was almost there. He loved his parents so much. They were awesome.

Now if he could just convince Liam to let Ashley come along for the meal, his night would be perfect. He already had his rationale planned. Liam got to have Morgan there, and Coby had Jess, so Ashley shouldn’t be excluded, just on principle.

Jon was waiting outside listening to his I-Pod when his mom drove up in her sporty little red car.

When he walked back inside, he was suddenly two-hundred dollars richer. She made it so easy and didn’t guilt him at all. Just asked how many people would be in his party, and forked over the money. Plus, some homemade beef-vegetable soup, with heating instructions, and pumpkin bars. Jon took his stash inside, and prepared to label it with threatening words if anybody besides himself or Ashley dared touch it.

Jon smiled to himself. He was a lucky man, indeed.

--

Bryan was so sick of Ramen noodles. He had been eating them for nights on end.

He knew that Morgan was fond of them, but even she admitted, when she came by for a Friday night movie a few nights ago, that she couldn’t live on them for days at a time. Bryan had seriously contemplated giving them to her, but then reconsidered, realizing if he did that, they would probably starve. So he was more than grateful that Jon had offered to take them all out for a meal.

He didn’t care where it was or what they had. It had to be better than Ramen or chips and M&Ms which had also been a supper option in the last week.

Now all he had to do was find a clean shirt, and tell Aaron to meet them on time. For Coby, Bryan knew, that wouldn’t be a problem. Anywhere Jess was, Coby was happy to go.

--

If Jess was being honest, after working a horrible shift like today’s, the last thing she wanted was to go out somewhere and be served by someone else. She knew all she would do is feel bad for that person, and simultaneously critique their speed of service, and how much attention they paid to their customers.

As a server, she hated large parties of people. She had just gotten done serving the most obnoxious group of about fifteen college friends who had simultaneously gotten drunk and kept snapping their fingers at her, sending perfectly good orders back to the kitchen, and dropping things, just so she would bend to pick them up, and she would get her butt grabbed. Plus, the total tip was pitiful.

One thing was for sure, she was going to make sure that wherever they went, everybody behaved themselves. In fact, she spent her break calling to make sure they all did just that.

--

Christian stomped his foot. He was excited all day because Mom told him sometime this week he could have cheese pizza for supper. And Christian knew that “sometime this week” probably meant today. That was his second-favorite thing after his Mom’s spaghetti, but she only made that on special days. Like his birthday, or when they had company.

But now, Legend told him they were going to a restaurant instead. And she was making him change out of his Spiderman shirt. Even though CJ knew there was nothing wrong with it. It was such a good shirt, he was still wearing it after a lot of days. Even though his mom made him wear other shirts to school.

“Seriously, Christian, you need to go change. We’re going to be late if you don’t hurry.” They weren’t really running late. Yet. But Legend knew if she didn’t keep Christian moving, they would be, for sure.

“Mom’s note didn’t say change my shirt, it said be ready,” he answered back in a sassy way. But he really did know that. Legend even told him what it said. “I just changed into this shirt anyway, and I like it.

Legend rolled her eyes. “Being ready means changing your shirt if it’s dirty,” she said impatiently. “It has fruit punch all over the front.”

“Christian, just do it,” Emily called, walking out of the bathroom.

She smelled stinky like a lot of perfume, and it made Christian cough. “No! You’re not the boss of me, Emily and Legend! Only my mom is!”

“Just let him wear it,” Libby argued. “He’ll probably spill more food on it anyway while he’s eating.”

Morgan came into the hall jingling her keys. “I’m out of here,” she called, stopping short as she walked through the pungent cloud of Emily’s cherry blossom perfume. “Jeez, Em!” she gasped. “You planning to work the block after dinner?”

Emily slapped Morgan on the butt with her purse, and Christian ran up to her.

“Morgan,” he said, squeezing onto her leg with all his muscles. She was wearing those short girl-jeans and a yellow pineapple shirt that made Christian think about the special sandwiches he helped make. He looked up at Morgan, and tried very hard not to whine, because she was almost his favorite person. “I don’t want to change my shirt. So, do I have to?”

Squatting down, Morgan took Christian’s hands. “Were you asked to?”

Christian nodded yes. “But my mom didn’t say I have to.”

“You know,” Morgan said, pulling Christian onto her lap. “Sometimes it’s nice to dress up a little when you go out to eat. Wear something a little fancy? Why don’t you go find that nice blue shirt you wore to church yesterday? That’s still clean, isn’t it?” she asked, because she knew it was.

Christian squinted his eyes. “I think so. Ooh! Can I wear your lei for fancy if I change my shirt?” he asked. Morgan had the best flower-necklace from Hawaii. She let him try it on one time, and told him it was for special.

“Sure, I’ll have Legend get it for you,” Morgan said giving him a kiss. “Now hurry up and get changed. Have Libby help you wash your face, too, so you can be all ready when I come back with your mom.”

Morgan pulled open the door and jumped back, seeing Nate on the other side, holding a fresh bag of Thanksgiving blend coffee. He was dressed in khaki pants and an awesome maroon button-down shirt that was almost the same color as the robe he wore this weekend.

“What’s up, Natey?” she asked happily. “I’m on my way out to get Jess.”

“Joey left this for me, but it’s coffee beans and I don’t have a grinder. Do you think Jess would mind if I used her bike tires to roll over it?” He looked at her hopefully.

“Sure,” Morgan answered, laughing. “Just put it back when you’re done.”

--

It didn’t take Christian that long to put the blue shirt on, and Morgan’s lei. He didn’t really feel like getting washed up yet, and now Legend was in the bathroom anyway, so he peeked out the bedroom door and then sneaked down the hall to check on Libby and Emily, real quiet.

But Christian got a big surprise when he looked in the kitchen and saw Nate riding his mom’s bike over a lots of little plastic bags that crunched.

One giggle got out of Christian by mistake, and Nate looked up and grinned.

“Can I do that?”

Nate shrugged. “Sure. Here, stomp this one,” he indicated a bag with mostly whole beans. “I don’t have a grinder, so I have to do it this way,” he offered, wanting to fill the awkward silence.

“Is Joey still here?” CJ asked, as he stomped, feeling much better about not getting pizza and having to change his shirt. Joey was Nate’s little brother. He made Christian wish that he had a little brother, too. They seemed like lots of fun to have.

Nate shook his head. “He had to go home yesterday.”

Libby walked out to where she could swear she heard Nate’s voice, and found him grinding coffee beans, what she guessed was the old-fashioned way. She didn’t know if she’d seen anything cuter recently than the sight of Nate and little Christian stomping and rolling over coffee beans together.

“What are you guys doing?” Emily asked, laughing. She finally looked amazing for their meal out, and she was starving. But she forgot about that when she saw Nate and Christian.

“He doesn’t have a grinder,” Christian supplied matter-of-factly. “And he’s too poor to buy one, I guess. ‘Cause that’s what happens when you’re in college. So we’re crunching up the coffee like this!” For a good measure, Christian stomped on his bag again.

“Morgan’s back!” Legend hollered. “We gotta go!”

--

Jess sat uncomfortably wedged between Christian and Jonathan at two large tables in the worst-lit, most non-kid-friendly restaurant there was. She could only remain grateful that Jon hadn’t had a craving for steak, and ended up taking everyone to hers and Morgan’s place of employment for a meal.

Worse than all that, Jess found herself directly across from Liam, who saw fit to immediately share that he forgave her for what she had done and had no ill feelings toward her, but only after he announced to everyone that he was glad the lighting wasn’t too bright because his eyes were still sore. That alone had been super-awkward and embarrassing, and now, she could feel him watching every move she made, and glaring at her adorable son, who had come to dinner in his church shirt and Morgan’s lei. Come to think of it, Jess was pretty grateful to Morgan for keeping Liam occupied with long jokes that he seemed to think were absolutely hilarious. That, at least, kept his attention off her and Christian for a while.

“Hey, Jonathan!” Emily called from way down the table, where she was pouring over the dessert menu with Libby and Legend. “Do we have money in the budget for dessert? I see this amazing chocolate cake that’s just calling my name.”

“Yeah. That cake is great. Sometimes, I come here and just get that. I guess if you wanted to split something, it could work,” he said, trying to be gracious even though Liam had flat-out refused his asking Ashley to join them. The only way she would be allowed to come is if she joined the Bible study. And Jon knew already that wasn’t happening.

Jess glanced over to check on Christian. He was on his knees on the chair, intently coloring in a picture on his placemat in the light blue dress shirt she had splurged on while shopping for shoes and a backpack for him. He was also inexplicably wearing Morgan’s lei Aaron was beside him, coloring, too. Both were intently focused on their picture of a puppy dog.

‘Hey. Can I have the brown?” Aaron asked as Christian colored so hard the crayon nearly broke.

“When I’m done,” CJ told him, standing on his knees to make the brown look better.

While he waited for the brown, Aaron watched the football game on TV. He cheered so loud it gave Jon a headache.

Their waitress came around then to take their drink orders. Jess got water for herself and a kid’s milk for Christian. She cringed as she heard Nate order a glass of wine, and Coby request a beer. Jess hated alcoholic beverages, and felt her defenses go up immediately, even though she knew Nate was twenty-one and Coby was twenty-four, both plenty old enough to enjoy an adult beverage. Still it made Jess squirm. She hoped she wouldn’t have to smell it.

But all too soon, the drinks arrived, and Jess flinched as Coby chatted animatedly with her about what he was planning to have. His breath smelled of alcohol as he talked to her about the Mexican platter in detail. Jess braced her body for a blow, as the waitress returned to take the rest of their orders.

She was busy pleating a napkin nervously in her lap when she noticed Christian reaching across the table where an errant crayon had rolled. In trying to get it, he managed to spill the nearly full beer across the table. It somehow missed Jess and landed all over Jonathan, who jumped up, cursing.

“Damn it, Jess!” he snapped, flashing an accusatory glare in her direction.

She flinched at his sudden movement, and hurried to clean up the mess, using napkins to soak up the drink from where it dripped off the table.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized quickly. She tried unsuccessfully to mop up the spill with shaking hands.

“It’s all right,” Bryan reassured quietly. He handed Jonathan napkins, wishing this whole thing hadn’t happened.

Beside Jess, Christian was crying - his head buried in his arms on the table.

It was making Jess crazy. All she could think about was how often she’d be hit or locked somewhere small and dark for a few hours for doing the same thing as a toddler. When her dad came home, he always found her, and then there had always been a fight. Jess knew it never mattered if she said she was sorry. She would still have to pay for her mistake.

Legend got up quickly, whispering to Morgan to have their food boxed, and to take it home with her. She recognized the look and the skittish behavior in Jess, and knew it wouldn’t get better unless she could get away from the situation.

Wordlessly, she picked up Christian, and talked to Jess quietly until she followed her outside and to her car.

--

“So, you’re having a hard time again?” Legend asked, as she bustled around the kitchen getting tea bags and heating water in the microwave.

Jess nodded, feeling miserable and stupid. She felt tears behind her eyes and blinked them back. She would not cry about this.

Christian, at least, was happier now, having eaten some Ramen - his favorite thing for some reason - and was now watching and singing along to cartoons on TV.

“Was it talking about it?” Legend guessed, thinking of the previous Bible study. She set a cup of tea down in front of her friend and one down for herself.

Jess shrugged. “I guess.” She stared at the tea, not touching the cup.

“How are you sleeping?”

Legend felt bad asking something she already knew the answer to, but thought it might help Jess to talk about it. She had gotten up early this morning to use the restroom and found Jess shivering in the corner by the tub, still asleep. Legend had just walked in and did what she came to do, taking Jess back to bed and tucking her in.

“Fine. Why?” Jess asked. She felt numb.

Jess didn’t mention the nightmares. How every night since she shared, she now dreamed that she froze to death waiting for someone to help her outside that stupid movie theater.

Legend shrugged, keeping things casual and not pushing the point. If she did, Legend knew Jess would shut down even more than she already had.

Reaching out, she covered Jess‘s hand in her own. “If you need anything, I’m here, you know?”

“I know,” Jess managed.

Even though she didn’t know much of anything anymore, Jess knew that. But it always felt good to hear it.

--

The next day, after what had to be the weirdest Bible study ever with Liam having crap feelings for Jess, Bryan, and Nathaniel, Coby ran to catch Jess as she made her way to Morgan’s car afterward.

He made sure to call her name first, and was careful not to touch her when she turned around.

She didn’t look well to him. Really pale with dark circles under her eyes. And she’d seemed extra jumpy lately, like last night when his beer got spilled.

“What, Coby?” she asked irritably. ‘I’ve got to get to work for a shift that I hate.”

He smiled gently. “I was wondering how you’d feel about me taking you and Christian out for dinner tonight? I know you said you weren’t thrilled about hanging out alone with me, and I’d like him to come. I think he would have a good time.”

“I don’t know,” she hedged. “I’ve got a test coming up that I’m not ready for at all.”

Coby kept smiling, knowing he probably looked ridiculous. He couldn’t help it. The idea of spending time with Jess and Christian uninterrupted made him so happy. He wondered if Jess knew she twirled her hair when she was nervous. “Come on. I feel bad you two didn’t get to enjoy last night.”

“That wasn’t your fault,” she protested weakly. She vaguely registered Morgan standing beside her.

“Still, I’d like to make it up to you,” he tried. “I can pick you up after work and then we can go get Christian and go out. I’ll have you both back before his bedtime, I promise.”

Morgan elbowed Jess a little. She knew if Liam ever asked her out before they both graduated college, it would be a miracle.

“Okay,” Jess said, biting her lip. “I’m done at five.”

“I’ll be there,” he promised.

--

Sitting across from Jess and Christian in the little booth of the Italian place couldn’t have felt anymore amazing even if Coby wanted it to. Jess looked absolutely beautiful - her bruises were finally starting to fade - and Christian looked adorable.

Jess was grateful she could shower and change quickly instead of being whisked out of the house in her gross uniform and greasy work-hair. She’d put on make-up and earrings, a black sparkly top and her last clean pair of jeans. Christian willingly put on his church shirt for the third special occasion that week.

Coby had shaved, and borrowed some of Bryan’s hair gel. He wore black jeans, because he didn’t own another color, and a red dress shirt with a collar and cuffs.

“Your face looks different when it’s all shaved off,” Christian said.

“Thanks,” Coby laughed. “What are you two going to have? Anything you want,” he added. “It’s on me, of course.”

Jess had already decided to go with soup and salad. She appreciated Coby’s generosity, but didn’t want him to break his bank on her and Christian.

“What do you want, baby?” she asked Christian.

Christian’s eyes got very big as he saw a picture of the biggest plate of yummy spaghetti he ever saw in his whole life. “That spaghetti,” he said, licking his lips.

Their waiter was back already, refilling their waters, since none of them requested another beverage, and took their orders. Jess modified Christian’s request so his spaghetti came in a child’s portion and then ordered soup and salad for herself.

“You’re not sick. Why are you getting soup and not lasagna?” Christian asked. His mom loved lasagna. Probably as much as he loved spaghetti.

“She’ll have the lasagna,” Coby amended. “And I’ll have the burger and fries.”

When the waiter left, Jess smiled at him. “Why are we at an Italian place, if you hate Italian?” she pressed.

“Who said I hate Italian?” he asked. “I just feel like a burger tonight.”

The food arrived and they all ate hungrily for several minutes until Coby cautioned them to save room for dessert. The announcement made Christian drop his fork.

“We get dessert, too?” he shouted in his outdoor voice on accident. When his mom gave him that look, he dropped his voice to a whisper. “I’m sorry for being rude. Sometimes I just get very excited.”

Jess and Coby laughed, and Jess tried to coax Christian to eat a few more bites.

“I like yours better,” he whispered in his mom’s ear. He didn’t want to hurt the restaurant’s feelings.

--

Jess had thought she was too full to eat one more bite of anything until she saw where Coby had brought them for part two of their date. It was an ice creamery with more flavors and treats to put in it than Jess could wrap her brain around. Of course, for his part, her son was freaking out in joy. Jess just smiled and let Coby hold him up to see everything.

It warmed her heart to see Christian so happy. It made her want to let go and enjoy herself. So she indulged, getting a waffle-cone with chocolate-brownie and vanilla bean scoops. She let Christian and Coby decide on Christian’s flavor together, while she sat at a table and watched them.

“Mom! They have Spiderman ice cream!” he shrieked in delight, making her laugh.

Sure enough, Christian came back with a scoop of Superman ice cream - which Coby must have changed the name of for Christian’s benefit - topped, of course, with sprinkles, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry. The cherry was immediately taken off and plopped into the top of Jess’s cone.

“I don’t really like cherries,” Christian confessed. “But it’s not really a sundae unless you get one.”

“Too bad. I love cherries,” Jess told him, snatching it up and eating it quickly.

“Not to worry!” Coby bellowed in a funny deep voice. “I have more!”

He took a chair, scooting it close to Jess, and showed off his Black Forest German Chocolate ice cream creation, which sat in a sundae bowl like Christian’s, decked out with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and half a dozen cherries.

“That looks amazing,” Jess breathed. Seeing Coby’s ice cream made her wish she had taken more time to consider all the flavors. Now, she felt like she was missing out.

Coby grinned, reading her thoughts, and easily took the cone out of her hands. He pushed his sundae in front of her.

“Oh, I can’t eat this. It’s yours,” Jess said apologetically.

Christian grinned, with ice cream and toppings all around his mouth. “Give it to me! I can eat it!”

Coby raised his eyebrow, and quickly licked around the entire ice cream cone. “Now, it looks like you have to eat it,” he said, winking at her.

So, Jess did, feeling more grateful to Coby than she ever expected to the first day she saw him. It made her glad she hadn’t given in to her own fear and dismay just based on his appearance. Because Coby didn’t just make up for a bad dining experience. He had treated both Jess and her son kindly. And more than that, he allowed her to forget her pain.