Chapter 6
Stepping outside as I needed a breather from the family. Getting the thousand question scenario every few minutes was driving me nuts. Walking into the backyard, putting my hood of my sweat shirt up as I seated myself upon the picnic table. I must of been lost in my thoughts as I felt a hand upon my shoulder, “I thought I would find you out here.” Sighing a bit as I looked to my brother, “Just needed to get away from the million one question session.” “Uncle Jerry right?” Nodding my head, “Yep. Driving me nuts.” John chuckles as he seats himself next to me. “About earlier Jess...” Shaking my head as I lowered my hood, “Don’t even start John. I was going to tell you and mom about that. But Dave and I thought it would be better if it wasn’t mentioned until we thought it was right time. Plus Dave wanted to talk to you about dating me, man to man. Because he knows how you are.” “Whoa hold on now. I was going to apologize for how I reacted. I’m sorry Jessie.” John lifted his arm up, placing it along her shoulders. I slid over and leaned against him, “It’s alright bro. Just looking out for me as you always have. But you’ve gotta chill out. It’s not going to be another CJ mishap. Dave promised me that.” John nodded his head gently, “I know. Dave pulled me to the side earlier today. Him and I had a long talk. Everything is on the table between us.”
I sat up and looked to John, “Is that why it took you two a long time in the garage earlier?” John nods his head gently, “Yea. Him and I were talking.” “Good at least you two see eye to eye. That’s a good sign.” John chuckles a bit, “Yea it is. Do you know who mom’s dating?” Chuckling a bit, “Bro if you haven’t noticed the googly eyes towards mom from a certain someone then you are blind.” John looks to me, “Your kidding? You’ve noticed that too?” Nodding my head, “The family isn’t paying attention, but I noticed it.” John chuckles a bit, “That’s kind of a scary thought...” “What is?” “Knowing that he’s dating our mom. Kind of creepy..” John commented. Lifting a hand up, patting my brother’s shoulder. “Think of it this way. Mom’s happy and if he breaks her heart, you get the legs and I get his arms.” John busts up laughing, “That’s very true. But I don’t think we will have to worry about that. I’ve never seen him so focused on one woman like this before. Maybe it’s a whole new side to him.” Shrugs a bit, “Maybe he knows it’s our mother and knows he’s being watched like a hawk. He knows not to fuck up.” John nods his head gently, “True. He was there while Mom was recovering from the Bruce episode. He wanted to kill’em worse than the two of us together. Wait, that was Dave..”
Chuckling a bit as I nod my head, “That’s true. By any chance do you know where Dave and Layfield disappeared too?” John shook his head, “They had to make a beer run. Mom sent them out, they should be back in a bit.” Lowering my hand to my side, shoving my hands into the pocket in the front of my sweat shirt. “How’s your arm feeling?” John asked. Shrugging a bit, “It’s fine. Can’t wait to get this cast off. It’s driving me nuts.” “Not much longer, but it was worth the break. You’ve got to admit that.” Nodding my hed gently, “Yea it was actually. To break his nose was worth it. But it didn’t bring any justice to the damage he has done John...” Sighing as he held his sister close, “I know it doesn’t bring Terrance back Jessie. But you did what you’ve always said you would do. Kick his ass and make him pay.” Chuckling a bit, “I know I said that I would do that. I still miss him though. It sucks not having him around...Especially..” John looked to his sister, “Especially what Jess?” Slowly climbing to my feet as I shook my head, “Nothing John...”
John climbed to his feet as he stood before his sister, “What’s wrong Jessie?” Sighing as I looked up to him, “I got a call yesterday that I was dreading. They told me it wasn’t going to happen until after the holidays..” John placed his hands upon his sister’s shoulders gently, “What happen?” I swallowed hard as I sighed, “I was let go from the Marines John...” John sighed as he looked to his sister, “I’m sorry Jessie you lost your job.” I shrugged, “It was bound to happen. Our division lost it’s funds before I left. I’ve been living off my savings and such. I’m slowly loosing everything that I’ve ever worked for. Except my military honors that I have left.” Lowering his hands to his sides, “That’s no way to treat a vet that has sacrificed some years of their lives to help the country hm?” Shrugging a bit, “They don’t care after a certain point John. Just how it works. When you’ve been hurt, recovered and placed at a desk job. They don’t give a hoot.”
“Still isn’t fair though. But don’t worry Jess. We’ll find you something else.” Nodding my head, “I know. But finding a job is going to be hard. My shoulder is messed up from combat. I’m scrapping to survive and about to loose everything soon. What else can happen?” John looks to her, “Nothing else can happen. Not while you have family and friends that care about you Jessie.” Nodding my head, “I know but I rather handle this on my own.” John shakes his head, “Not this time sis. Let me help...” Sighing as I nod, “Alright John. But don’t you dare tell mom about this. This stays between you and I. Got it?” Nodding his head as he salutes me, “Yes Ma’am.” Giggling as I punch him in the shoulder gently, “You’re too much sometimes.” John shrugs, “Hey so aren’t you. After all we’re twins.” Started walking away, “Please don’t remind me.” “Hey what’s that suppose to mean?” “Nothing..” We started messing around as we headed back towards the house and inside to join the family once again.
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Sighing as I helped mom clean up the kitchen, while the guys headed into the living room to either watch football or sleep off dinner. Most of the family had left to other locations. Only one still hanging around was my mom’s sister Sam. Finishing up as my mom looked to her, “Like I told you. We’re doing fine Sam. As you can see the three of us are alive, well and such like that. No need for you to move in here and take over.” “But I insist that I do. Come on Ev, I’m not going to let that Bruce bastard do what he did to my sister again.” Sam complained. I slowly turned around and faced my aunt, “We don’t need you around. Like mom said Aunt Sam, we’re doing fine.” Sam looked to her niece, “She’s just saying that because you and Johnny are here right now. What happens when the two of you leave to head back to your own lives?” Leaning against the counter behind me, “Whatever mom does is her business. But when John and I go back to our ‘lives’ as you say... We keep tabs on mom. She isn’t alone.” Sam lifted a brow as she placed her hands upon her hips, “What makes you so sure Jessie?”
Before I even said anything, Layfield stepped into the kitchen, “Because she’ll be traveling with me when I go back to work.” He said as he looked to Sam. Sam jumped as she looked over her shoulder to Layfield, “Your kidding me right? How do you expect to keep my sister safe from all those other men you travel with?” Evelyn walked over to Layfield, wrapping an arm around his waist, leaning against his side. Wrapping an arm around Ev as he spoke, “I’ve got my ways. So don’t worry your pretty little head off. Your sister is safe with me.” Sam turned her attention back to Jessie, “Can you trust any of these people from your brother’s company?” I hopped up on the counter, seating myself as I nod my head. “Mhm. I would trust any of them with my life. Why do you ask?” Sam sighs, running a hand through her black locks. “I ask because at this moment I don’t trust any of them. Not even with you or your mother around them.” Snorting as I crossed my arms over my chest, “News flash Aunt Sammie. I would trust them with my life. I have ever since John joined the company. They all look out for me and mom, when we travel sometimes with John.
You don’t understand nor know this because you just see a bunch of men, that you think will hurt us at the tip of a hat. Plus when you say you don’t trust any of them, that means you don’t trust your own nephew either.” Sam scoffed, “That’s not what I meant Jessie and you know it.” Nodding my head, “That is what you meant. Think about what you just said.” Sam was about to say something, then thought other wise. I slid off the counter to my feet, “I rest my case.” Walking towards the living room and stopping before Layfield and my mother, turning and facing Aunt Sam. “I would trust Layfield here with mom more than anybody. You might not see what I see. But he’s just as good as any of the guys in the company. We are a family, you don’t see that cause your too damn blind to open your eyes and see how happy your own sister is. Get over yourself Aunt Sam. Lighten up and take a good look before you open your mouth again.”
Narrowing his eyes to her niece, “You have no right to talk to me like that Jessie.” Stepping up as I looked to her, “Yea I do. You talk down to us all the time. Just because your rich and what not, doesn’t mean your not damn human still. If you don’t like how things are around here, then you know where the door is.” Sam looked to her niece, then to her sister, “Your going to let your daughter talk to your own sister like this?” Evelyn slid out from under Layfield’s arm, stepping up laying a hand upon Jessie’s shoulder. “Hold on Jessie..” She spoke softly. I looked to her as I nodded my head, turning and walking off, heading outside. Evelyn sighed as she looked to her sister, “If you can’t except the life style I have Sam then we have nothing else to say. Answer is still no. I’m happy with what I have and where I’m going with it. Then I bid you a good night.” Sam growled under her breath as she looked to her sister, then she realized the guys had stepped into the kitchen from the living room, standing behind Layfield.
John stepped up, placing his hands gently upon his mom’s shoulders. “I second that motion.” He said as he looked to his aunt. Sighing as she walked to the door, grabbing her coat, then her purse. “If this doesn’t workout for you Evelyn, don’t come crying to me.” Sam said as she opened the door, slamming it behind her as she left. Evelyn sighed as she shook her head. John squeezed her shoulders gently, “It’s alright mom. She was always jealous of you anyways.” Evelyn nodded her head to her son’s comment. “I know. Just wish for once she would be happy for me.” John sighed as he removed his hands from his mom’s shoulders, as she turned and walked off, heading upstairs to be alone. John sighed as Layfield excused himself to follow Evelyn upstairs.
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