The next morning, Jo got up and out before Jesse could start in again. She didn't get much sleep anyway. Since Dan left, her so called best friend had been talking at her about how good girls shouldn't be so trusting.
"What kind of a fool knocks a girl up and leaves her? I tell you what kind. The kind that would trick a good girl into bed, that's what. You gonna eat that toast? I told you to stay away from that boy the day I figured it out, but no. You had to go and get seduced."
Jo frowned into her cereal, "I was not seduced..."
"That is some bullshit! I was there night before last. I saw you run back to him like he had your quim on speed dial."
"Quim?" Jo rinsed out her half eaten bowl and pulled her backpack over her shoulder.
"See. You don't know shit about anything. It's a word for your kooch. You're coming straight back from class, right? We're supposed to go to the store. I'll make out the list."
"Yeah," Jo grumbled. 'It's not like you cook anything, so why do I have to buy what you want?' Her fight was gone. She wasn't sure why she was so submissive, but today she just wanted out of the house. "I'll be back at about three."
"Remember what I said. He's gonna lie like a dog, so make him work for it."
*
Dan scratched at his stubble as he typed furiously into his laptop. The paper would be garbage, but it would be turned in garbage. His heart was elsewhere. His restive sleep didn't help his brain, either. He'd tried after every class to speak to her, but she just brushed by him as if he didn't exist. The chime sounded. 2:45. He quickly slid his laptop into the back of his case and strode down to her. If he didn't try now, he knew he wouldn't get another chance until after the holiday break.
"Jo," he breathed as he caught the shoulder strap of her bag. His other hand went to her arm as he shielded her from the students rushing past. "We need to talk."
"I know," she frowned up at him.
'Oh, that beautiful frown on those lips. Those sad eyes looking back at me. Focus, Dan. Just tell her.' "I'm an idiot. I want you to know that I would have told you about the whole Candy thing..."
"When?" The question pushed him back.
"When the time was right. You haven't told me about the guy, either."
"The guy?" She looked away from him. "What guy?"
"You know what guy I'm talking about." He moved in close and pressed his lips to hers. He gripped her arm and moved her into contact with his crotch. Instinctively she pulled back and turned her body away from him. He watched her expression become less certain. "That guy. The one that you say doesn't exist. I thought we agreed that I wouldn't ask about your relationships if you didn't ask about mine. I thought Candy fell under that category, but she doesn't. I should have told you. I'm willing to lay it all on the table, but you're not ready to listen, are you? I'll be around when you're ready." He let her go and walked away.
*
Joanne spent the entire Christmas break with her parents. She even stayed behind when they went out for dinner. They thought this was so odd that they kept asking their only child what was wrong. She had always been the one to choose the restaurant and be the first one to be ready to go. Her father didn't want to complain. He had his favorite TV companion back, but she seemed lost in thought during their favorite programs. Once she finally zeroed in on the general area of her only daughter's distress, her mother kept asking about her sex life. Nonexistent was not an acceptable answer.
"Honey, I was married by your age. You're saying you haven't met anyone?"
Joanne grumbled over some leftover turkey, "I've met a few dogs, that's it."
"Dogs?" Her mother frowned her perfect frown at her.
Joanne had always thought that Karen Davis Croix was the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen. She wore the best clothes, said the right thing, and had a facial expression for every occasion. This particular occasion warranted the 'what in the world just came out of my girl's mouth' look. Jo never felt she could match up to that kind of an inheritance, so she just didn't try.
"Yeah, ma. Guys that only want one thing. Nobody worth my time," Jo sighed as she got up to pour herself some more grape juice.
"Don't try to lie to me. I can see it on your face. There was somebody really nice. So who was it?"
"Nobody. Some jerk, who had a girlf...fiancé he dumped but is still seeing."
Karen let out a sigh and then an unexpected laugh. "That's a relief."
"A relief?"
"Honestly, hon. I thought you might have been gearing up to come out of the closet or something."
"What?"
"Face it. You haven't stayed home during a break since your freshman year. The last boy you brought around here was when you were...14 years old. Your 21, Joanne. That's a pretty long time. I figured I'd have to start looking for girls you might like. I'm not much of a judge of women."
"There've been men," Jo started to lie but knew by the look on her face, that her mother wasn't buying it. "Okay, fine. I haven't dated at all."
"I didn't date, either. Your father was it. He literally fell for me. Head first into the fountain, right hon?" Her father, James, raised a hand from the couch as he pretended not to listen. She turned back to Jo and smiled knowingly, "I'd hate for you to miss out, because you didn't put yourself out there. No more hiding behind those books. Pretty soon, you won't have them anymore."
"I tried, Mom. I just can't do that again. He was so... I was completely fooled. You'll have to hold off on those grands you keep talking about. Maybe, when I'm in my thirties..."
***
Daniel paced in front of her apartment. He knew he'd seen her walk past the shop the day before. He wasn't imagining seeing her on the street. He wasn't crazy. She returned from her trip, but she didn't call him or stop in at the shop. He'd pressed her buzzer and she reluctantly agreed to come down. He'd thought that a few weeks would be enough for her to cool off. It had been more than enough for him to realize that he couldn't be without her. There was no way he would let her forget about him.
"Daniel," her voice had been firm when she finally came out to stand on the top steps. He smiled to himself. 'It took her a while to put up the front. Good. It's not entirely lost.'
His freshly cut hair shone black in the winter sun, as he moved up a step to be eye level with her. Though dressed in a heavy coat, he could see her shivering. He wanted to touch her, but understood that they weren't close enough for him to do that anymore. He searched her face with those slate blue eyes and breathed, "Are you ready to listen, now?"
"I..." He had looked her square in the eye. She hadn't been ready for that. She thought he'd avoid her, since Jesse said he was obviously back with Candace.
He frowned at her, "I think we should talk about this before you decide to write me off. I'm willing to stand out here for the duration if necessary. Say yes now, so that you can get out of the cold."
"Uh, not here. Jesse..." They were both surprised at the softness of her voice.
"Fine, meet me at the shop in half an hour."
