Sometimes it’s hard to continue when so much negativity about LGBTQ+ rights and politics get me depressed. But I will strive to continue, thanks for your encouragement… and for all the support Substack and readers, Di
Joseph L. Wiess Kathrine Elaine Mr. Troy Ford
PART 7 cOLOR mE kELL damn cap locks…
Color Me Kelly….
Previously on CmeK…. Kelly made Jen a make-shift closet. Jen is relegated to the basement of her mother’s house, until she can save enough $ to get her own place. Which is not soon enough for her...
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Jen slept most of the day Sunday, and only roused slightly when she heard her mother bring down the laundry. Jillian Peterson had stopped beside the easel again before turning to see Jen throw the covers over her head and turn her back to the invasion to go back to sleep. When Jen finally did wake up enough to get out of bed and go to the bathroom, she discovered a sticky note attached to her mirror.
Nice closet! We’ll talk later, lol, Mom
Great, either she was pissed Jen had done something without asking, or she really did like it. She could never tell how Mom would react. And Jen was certain her mother didn’t have a clue as to what lol really meant. She heard footsteps coming down the stairs as she got out of the shower. Mom was on another fact-finding mission. She toweled herself dry, and when she went to throw damp on into the hamper it was empty.
Had Mom been snooping?
Jen put on her robe and stepped out of the bathroom to face the inquiry. “Hi Mom,” Jen said. “I found your note.”
“Good, I did some of your laundry. I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t have a full load.”
She placed a stack of folded clothes on her daybed. “I thought you had company last night I heard vibrations. Must have been the closet thingy.”
Jen had an image of her mother scowling and wondering what kind of things were going on in her basement. “Kelly used a drill to do the closet. Was that okay?”
“Yes of course. Glad to see you are making some changes.”
Was she really?
“Kelly said she could come back next Sunday to finish it.”
“Oh, okay.” Jillian Peterson nodded and then headed for the stairs.
“Mom?” Jen asked. She wanted to say she thought her mother would like Kelly, but she wasn’t sure that was true. “Can we park on the street? Kelly needs to set up a sawhorse and work in the driveway.”
“I don’t see why not.” She turned back around. “Is that all?”
“I thought you wanted to talk?”
“Why?”
Damn it her mother was frustrating. “Your note, talk later?” she pointed to the bathroom.
“Oh. Talk later, see you later, you know what I meant. No, I’m good.”
“What was so funny then?”
Her mother scrunched her eyebrows, clearly confused. “Huh?”
“LOL you know it means laugh out loud, right?”
“Oh. I thought it meant lots of love.” She laughed and shrugged. Then turned to take the empty basket and ascended the stairs.
Of course, her mom wouldn’t say she loved her, she’d never been demonstrative. The sentiment of lol seemed like a sweet sign off to her mother’s notes. She could tell her mom was trying to get closer.
Jen put her clothes away, and then realized she was hungry. At the mini- fridge in the kitchenette, she grabbed a hot-pocket and threw it in the microwave. After she finished her snack, she looked at the easel in her studio corner. Taking the kelly-green tube of acrylic, she squeezed a dab onto her painter’s pallet. She added more feathery soft accents on all four corners. Green had become a color she was drawn to lately. She hadn’t remembered using it much in the past. She giggled to herself. Kelly’s name may have something to do with that.
A couple of hours passed before Jen went into the utility room to wash out her brushes. She found another note from her mom.
On second thought… I like the painting it’s growing on me. Keep up the good work, Mom
Wow. That was high praise from Jillian Peterson. Jen was touched. She took the note and the one from the bathroom mirror. She found her journal and placed the sticky notes on a fresh page.
Sunday May 2023.
I think Mom is trying to be supportive. She’s done some nice things and is interacting more with me or trying to. Wonder if she really does need to talk? Do I really want to know? Maybe I should be receptive and listen.
Couldn’t hurt, or could it?
We soldier on, Diana. Hugs.💪
Definitely what D. C. said. It’s hard but we got this 🫂