Thorny Thursday part 8
Color Me Kelly-trans romance
PREVIOUSLY…. Jen goes back to work, and Mom is acting Weird….
Jen pulled into the drive at almost six-thirty Tuesday night.
The bosses were in meetings all day and she had to play receptionist because the secretaries were taking notes and running around for the big wigs. Rumors were they were cutting staff. She just smiled and sucked up her disappointment at the duties she’d been assigned. At least she had a job. Heck she’d taken out the trash when the cleaning crew didn’t show up today. She would rather be at her desk designing client swag. At least that part of her job was creative. She’d barely gotten to sit at her computer at all today. Were the rumors true? The first two days at work had been grueling and Jen was happy to get home.
Once inside, she dumped her backpack on the daybed and went to her closet to change into comfy clothes. As she stood there she decided to ask Kelly if it was possible to put some kind of doors in the nook so her entire wardrobe wasn’t on constant display. Then because she’d been thinking of Kelly, she took the only green t-shirt she owned off a hanger. It wasn’t Kelly green, but neon green would work. Now that she was comfortable in her tie-died yoga pants she decided to get something to eat. Upon opening her fridge she found a Tupperware container with another note.
Made too much- Enjoy- Mom
She pulled off the top and inhaled. Oh, boy it was her favorite childhood meal. Jane and she had called it Mama’s Stuff back in the day.
Jillian Peterson was no cook. But she’d come up with one flavorful recipe. Somehow, she’d taken pork and beans, onions, and ground beef and created magic. The Peterson sisters used to put it over corn chips add shredded cheese to the top and pop it in the microwave. It was an easy go to meal when mom couldn’t get home for dinner.
Jen waited for the microwave to ding. Taking her heaping bowl with her she sat in her rocker and called her sister. She put it on speaker. It hadn’t rang twice when Jane answered.
"Jen, is everything okay?”
“Yeah, guess what I’m eating?”
“Huh? Are you at home?
“Yeah,” she said and took another bite.
There was silence on the line for a minute. “Ah, if I know you, it’s a hot pocket or pizza rolls. You sure you’re okay?” Jane asked.
“I’m great. I’m eating Mama’s Stuff.” She could feel the melancholy in the silence.
“Weird, I haven’t had that in like forever. Did you figure out mom’s recipe?”
“Nope, Mom made it.”
“Okay I’m going to repeat myself. Weird…” Jane drew out the word longer this time.
“Why do you say that?”
“Well… Mom’s called me three times in the last two weeks. She’s acting weird if you ask me. Is she okay?”
“As if I would know. But she did do my laundry yesterday, and has been leaving me notes. You think somethings up?”
“Yes. It sure doesn’t sound like the Jillian Peterson I know.”
“Hum.” Jen considered this. “Me either, maybe I’ll look for pods in the yard?” She laughed.
“Well, you enjoy your supper,” Jane said. “My lecture is in ten minutes. I gotta go.”
“Okay, just thought of you when I found this in the fridge. Love you.”
“Love ya back,” Jane said then ended the call.
Jen finished her meal and went into the utility room to rinse her plate. She was going upstairs to return the bowl upstairs, but she thought she heard her phone rang. She raced back to her living area and rummaged through the back pack when the ringing stopped. She grabbed the phone and smiled when the name Kelly displayed on the recent missed call screen. Dang it she’d loved to hear that sexy voice after her long day. Wait, there was a message coming in. Three dots…
You home?
Yes. Long, day, just got in, she typed. Was just heading upstairs.
Did you ask your mom about Sunday?
Yes. She’s kewl.
Do you need to go?
No, I don’t. How was your day?
Got some remnants from a job site today.
Great! I got some ideas too.
Oh, yeah been wondering about those since I left Saturday. Me too.
About my apartment silly
Oh yeah that. What ideas?
Doors for the closet?
There was nothing for a few minutes. Had she asked for too much?
Three dots… three dots…
Was Kelly writing a book?
I am way ahead of you there. That’s what I’m planning to use the remnants for. LOL… I have a meeting I have to attend now, can I call later?
Sure, TTYL, Bye
Jen headed upstairs to return the bowl and to thank her mom for supper. No one was home and the kitchen was spotless. A spiral notebook sat on the counter. Big letters stared back at her.
Jen, Meeting tonight, talk to you later. LOL-love, Mom.
She smiled as she saw her mom’s efforts. Her mom didn’t know TTYL was the same as talk to ya later, and she’d crossed out lol. She was trying.
Jen washed and dried her bowl then put it back in the cabinet. Funny everyone she knew was at meetings tonight. When had Tuesday night become the night to socialize? She scribbled a thank you for dinner on the notebook and turned to go back down stairs. She hesitated.
With mom gone, this was the perfect opportunity to snoop. She’d been acting strange too. Jen opened the spiral notebook to the first page.
Jen, in case you come up. I’ll be right back.
I went to the grocery store. Text me if you want anything.-LOL, Mom
At the top of the next page, read.
Jen, If you come up- I ran to the neighbors to take back a casserole dish.-Be right back- Mom
She thumbed through half the notebook. Each note started with her name. How long had her mother been leaving them? She’d never told Jen she was going to.
Suddenly Jen felt terrible about this discovery. She rarely left her domain in the basement and had only used the back entrance since she’d moved downstairs. She’d been down there several months now. OMG maybe her mom was lonely? Without any responses in this notebook, she’d started leaving post-it notes downstairs.
Jen went back to the most recent note to add more.
The Mamas Stuff was delicious. It hit the spot after a long hard day.
Thanks again.
Love you, Jen
She added a big smiley face and then returned down stairs.
