Jolene's Difficult Decision

All of my writing is fiction, and the stories and characters are products of my imagination. They were created for my fun and, hopefully, your enjoyment. Some of the events in the stories are not particularly condoned nor encouraged by the author but are there to create and enhance the story of the imaginary characters and their lives. Comments are always encouraged and carefully reviewed. All characters within the story that need to be are 18 years of age or older.

This work of fiction picks up a character from my "Phil's Cabin Works Out Well" story, as many of the comments left there encouraged a follow-up. Reading the first story would give a little background, but I think this one can stand alone.

Thanks in advance for reading, and I'd really appreciate it if you'd take a few seconds to rate and comment on the story. It helps me greatly.

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Jolene stood in the center of the small living room of her cabin, gazing around and remembering. Just three weeks ago, it looked nothing like it did today. Dirty, loose hinges and latches, peeling paint, and crooked doors were just a start. The cabin had been her divorce settlement, and she had no choice but to live there--twelve months a year. There was no insulation, and she'd been terrified of freezing to death during the coming winter.

Then Phil had come by with that beautiful dog, Ingrid. He was a good-looking guy, and when he offered to repair things for her, she thought she knew what payment he'd want. But she'd been wrong. Not only had he completed the repairs, but he'd paid for everything, and the only repayment he'd asked was for her to maintain the property...and look for work.

She'd been so overwhelmed by his kindness and generosity that she'd been more than willing to do all of that. When he'd paid to repair her car so she could get to her new job at the diner in the village, she was suspicious of his motives once more, but she discovered he had a girlfriend who actually came and helped him do some of the work.

She loved the new job at the Olde Village Diner, and Charlene Hames was wonderful to work for. She understood where Jolene had been as she'd been there herself. She took extra time to train Jolene and diplomatically corrected any errors she made. With the steady business at the diner and the consistent tipping of the customers, she was making enough money to survive comfortably. She was happier than she'd been in some time.

And she was even happier when Phil and Nina came through the door.

"My favorite people," she said, giving both of them a big hug. They sat down at their usual table as Jolene fetched two glasses of sweetened iced tea.

"What's good for lunch, Jo?" Phil asked, glancing at the carefully lettered chalkboard.

"Charlene's meatloaf and mac and cheese is up today. And it's good, too," she added with a big grin.

Phil glanced at Nina, who nodded. "Two of them, Jo."

"School going okay?" Jo asked Nina.

"Classes are good, and this guy is making the rest of it better than I'd hoped for."

"Not surprised," Jolene said, giving Phil a fond look. She headed to the kitchen and was back quickly with two plates. "Do you guys need anything else?"

"We're good, I think," Phil replied.

Jolene looked from Nina to Phil.

"Go on," Phil said. He'd gotten good at reading Jolene's face.

"No big tips tonight, please."

"If we get good service, I can tip."

"With all you've done for me and given to me..." Her words faded away, and she looked ready to cry.

Nina stood and gave her a hug. "Don't worry," she whispered. "I'll make him understand."

Jolene smiled through her tears and glanced at a puzzled-looking Phil.

When Jo began taking care of other customers, Nina leaned in close to Phil.

"Babe, you've done so much for her. Her life was a mess, and she felt like a failure. You rescued her and gave her a chance for a new start. Now I think she wants to show that she's learned from her experiences and can be successful in that new start. As long as you're still

helping

, it's not just her doing it."

"Can I leave twenty percent?"

Nina kissed him on the cheek. "I think that would be fine."

When Phil and Nina left, they both received a warm hug from Jolene.

It was only about fifteen minutes later that Jo spotted a familiar face coming through the door.

"Hey, girl, I haven't seen you for a while."

"Brenda, how did you find me?"

They hugged, smiles on both faces.

"I moved back to town and asked around. Someone said your ex was bragging about sticking you with the cabin, so I came out here and asked around."

"Wow! It's so good to see you again."

"So, are you back in circulation looking for a guy?"

"Well, at least you haven't changed," Jo said with a laugh.

"I owe you for having introduced you to Zach."

"Eh, we all thought he was a good guy."

Brenda's phone began buzzing.

"Crap. Hello. Really? Okay "

She returned the phone to her pocket.

"Sorry, work calls, and I have to respond. I'll get back with you, and we'll go out and have some fun and excitement. Some of our old-fashioned fun."

"I'm not sure I'm ready for that," Jolene replied, not smiling now as she remembered what their

old-fashioned

fun was like.

"Don't be silly. I'll give you a call, and we'll get together and have some fun. Bye-bye, now." Brenda gave a little wave and was gone. She hadn't even stayed long enough to eat.

Jolene couldn't help but wonder what her best friend had up her sleeve in the way of fun.

She saw him come through the front door as she exited the kitchen. He looked around, spotted an empty table, and sat down. She thought he looked a little familiar but couldn't place him. But he looked hungry, and she needed to help him with that.

"Hi," she said, a big smile on her face.

He looked up, a flicker of recognition on his face. "Hey," he answered, still looking at her curiously.

"My name is Jolene, and I'll be taking care of you today."

Now he was studying her carefully. "Sorry, but you just look familiar, somehow."

Jolene chuckled. " Same here, but I haven't figured it out yet."

"Let's work on this," he said. "I'm Mark Barnhart. Does that help?"

Jolene shook her head. "Not so far."

"Well, do you go to the Baptist church?"

"Nope. Never been there."

"I'm sure I've seen you," Mark said. "I run the Masonville Auto Repair shop."

"Ah-ha. That's it. I had my car fixed there not long ago."

"Wow!" He looked at Jolene and smiled. "I'm surprised I didn't remember

you.

Cheeks a little pink, Jolene replied, "I look a little different than I did then."

"Really? Maybe that's it. I think it's all been good, though."

He was pushing a little but doing it in such a kind and gentle way she couldn't complain.

"Can I start you out with something to drink? We have Coke products, tea, lemonade..."

"Lemonade sounds good...and give me a burger with tomato and pickle--no onion, and some crispy fries."

"Got it. I'll bring the lemonade, and the rest will take about ten minutes."

"Perfect."

Jolene was back in thirty seconds with the cold glass. Mark took a big drink.

"That...is...good. But I still don't see how I could forget you."

"Well, I dropped the car off, but a friend of mine picked it up and paid."

Mark's eyes widened. "Ah, now I remember. How's the car working?"

"Gets me to work every day."

"Whew," he said with a chuckle. "Always glad when that happens. Creates repeat customers."

"If anyone asks, I'll recommend you," Jolene said, smiling.

"I haven't been in the diner for a while, but I'm sure I haven't seen you here before."

"I just started."

She heard a call from the kitchen and was quickly back with Mark's burger and fries.

"Enjoy," she said and watched as he sampled the fries. A thumbs-up sent her off to take care of the other customers.

She'd nearly forgotten about Mark when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Thanks for the good service. The burger and fries were great, so I'm sure I'll be seeing you again." He winked and left.

When Jolene returned to his table, she found a five and two one-dollar bills there. As she tucked them into her pocket, she couldn't help but wonder.

◇-◇-◇-◇

The smile on Brenda's face was almost frightening. Her threat to take Jolene out for some fun and excitement was about to come to pass, and Jolene was a little nervous. Brenda liked men and everything that went along with them. And, as always, she expected Jolene to keep up. Jo didn't have a wide variety of clothes, but she found a skirt that was a little tighter than she'd remembered, a blouse that buttoned high enough to hide her cleavage, and some flats since she was sure there'd be dancing. Her blond hair, held in a snug ponytail, completed her look.

"So, since you've been out of circulation for a while, we'll start off slowly tonight."

"I want to start off slowly and keep going slowly," Jolene responded nervously.

"Aw, Jo, you'll get back into the swing of it quickly. You weren't married that long.

Bringing that up wasn't going to help, Jolene thought, since it reminded her of what a crud her ex had been, which she now applied to all men, except Phil, of course. She wasn't ready for men to hit on her yet, if ever, and that's what was bothering her about the evening. But she had agreed to it, under fairly heavy pressure from Brenda, and would go through with it.

"Where are we going?" Jo asked.

"I don't want to ruin the surprise," Brenda said, chuckling. "You'll enjoy it."

When they pulled into the parking lot, Jo's heart began to pound. The Carolinian Club. The place she'd met Zach, where they'd hung out on weekends getting drunk and acting like idiots. Lots of memories, and Brenda had been a part of lots of them.

"Surprised?"

"Yes. I had sort of pushed this place out of my mind, you know?"

"Not surprised, but it's still a great place to have a good time. Nothing much has changed, so you'll feel right at home."

So much had changed in her life that Jo wasn't sure she'd feel right at home. But just looking at the place had memories rushing through her brain, almost pushing each other aside to get at her. But Brenda had her hand, directing her inside. The moment had arrived.

"Brenda, baby, we thought you'd never get here!"

"And who's your gorgeous friend?"

No, it hadn't changed, Jo decided.

"Leave her alone. She's not up for grabs," Brenda called loudly.

"Is that true, beautiful blond lady?"

Jo smiled and nodded.

"Okay. We'll have to see, though."

The small group of men broke up and headed toward their tables.

"Hasn't changed, has it?" Brenda asked through her laugh.

Jo shook her head. "At least they weren't hooting at me this time."

"Something else hasn't changed, either."

Jo sucked in her breath. "I'm not doing that."

"Why not? You were the most popular of all when you used to do it."

"That was a long time ago, Brenda."

"I don't think that's something you lose."

"Well, I don't plan to find out."

They found a table, ordered drinks, and caught up on what was happening in each of their lives.

With that, a loud voice came across the PA.

"Okay, everyone, it's karaoke time! Who's going to be first?"

A lady sang, followed by a man, neither of whom was outstanding.

"That's it," Brenda said, grabbing Jo's hand and pulling her off her chair.

"No, Brenda, I'm not doing it." But she was losing the tug-of-war and getting closer to the microphone. A man's voice called out loudly.

"Hey, I remember you," he said, pointing at Jo. "The voice of an angel is back. And where have you been?"

Jo's cheeks were bright red as she attempted a smile.

"Get up there and sing for us, lady."

It wasn't at all what she wanted, but there was almost no way to avoid it now.

She stood for a moment, trying to think of a song whose words were still in her memory. There was one, but she wasn't sure if was appropriate, at least for her just showing up tonight. Lots of male eyes were watching her, eager to hear. She whispered to the man at the karaoke machine, and he nodded. Trembling, she stepped to the microphone as the first notes of "The Power of Love" began to play...and Jo began to sing.

Her voice was gorgeous, even with the mediocre sound system at the club, "the voice of an angel" seeming very appropriate. And when she finally came to the familiar refrain, mouths fell open, and certain eyes looked at her enviously.

'Cause I'm your lady and you are my man

Whenever you reach for me I do all that I can

Cheers, applause, and whistles accompanied that, and Jo wasn't trembling any longer. She was singing, and that enveloped her whole being. When she finished, there was loud applause and cheering, everyone's attention focused on the lady at the microphone.

Her cheeks pinked once more, and she was ready to step away from the microphone when a voice called out.

"Don't move," the voice said and Jo watched a tall, dark-haired, and nicely dressed man walking toward her, accompanied by some murmurs from the crowd. He leaned toward her and whispered.

"Will you do me the honor of singing with me?"

Now Jo was flustered, being caught totally off-guard by his request. But she needed to answer.

Quietly she said, "I don't think I can...I've forgotten most words and..."

"Don't worry; you'll do fine. A gorgeous voice like yours needs to be heard."

"I don't know." Not exactly frantic yet, but she was close.

"We'll do "The Prayer," he said simply.

A look of disbelief crossed Jo's face. "We haven't practiced."

"You can hold my phone with the words. I'll have my arm around you, and I'll squeeze when it's your turn to sing, and I'll squeeze again when it's mine. When his arm went around her, and he spoke to the man and the machine, she knew she had no recourse.

The music began. She felt a squeeze and began singing, the words returning to her quickly/--the phone helping her confidence, however. She felt a squeeze, and he took over the singing. It was an ah-ha moment, and she understood the murmurs when he'd come to the microphone. He wasn't exactly Josh Groban, but not too far from it. Another squeeze, and she sang again. She waited for the next squeeze.

It didn't happen.

Instead, his voice joined hers in wonderful soaring harmonies. It was as if her soul was escaping her body, and she wondered if she was floating. It went on for two more minutes before the song ended and the applause began. She was hugged warmly.

"I'm Andre Schneider," he said, " and two people told me you have the voice of an angel. We must sing together again, if only here at the club. I'm here every karaoke night."

By this time, Brenda had joined them.

"I'll make sure Jo is, too," she said before Jolene could answer.

"Jo?" Andre questioned.

"Jolene Baughman. And I admit I was terrified...but I did enjoy singing with you."

"Glad to meet you, Jolene," he said, shaking her hand. "Until we sing again."

Andre slipped away into the crowd.

"See," Brenda said. "I knew you'd love to be singing again. And that guy, Andre. He's a surgeon, you know.

Of course, Jolene didn't know, not that it mattered. She'd enjoyed singing with him, and he'd been pleasant to be around. She found herself looking forward to singing with him again. Of course, he was a singer...and a surgeon, and she was a singer...and a server at a little diner in the village. And she'd never been anything like a surgeon. She stopped, closed her eyes, and growled at herself. She didn't need any "poor me" tirades considering where she'd been a few weeks ago and where she was now.

"He was a pleasant guy," she said. Ignoring Brenda's obvious fascination with his profession. Surgeons could be bastards, just as her ex had been. She doubted Zach could even spell surgeon. "Plus, how many drinks have you had since I went up there to sing.?"

Brenda giggled. "My friend, Ed, bought me one, and I think that's all." Another giggle. "Why? Do I sound drunk?"

"Not totally sloshed, but you sound like you've been having fun."

"That's why we're here, Jolene. So you better start having some of that fun. Go find that guy, Andre, and see what he's up to."

That had about a snowball in hell"s chance of happening, so she needed to do something else.

Brenda waved and was gone, probably looking for Ed again since her glass was nearly empty. Jo was listening to the last of the singers when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Andre's huge smile looking down at her.

"Didn't I see you here with a friend a few minutes ago?"

"Yeah, but she's off searching for another drink, I think."

"Mind if I sit here with you then?"

Yes, and then no flitted through her mind, but... "Sure, sit down."

He did.

"Your glass is empty," Andre said, looking alarmed.

"I had one drink, and I'm not planning on getting too tipsy since, the way Brenda is going, I may have to drive home."

"Sounds sensible. But maybe you could try something on the less alcoholic side. Do you like wine?"

"I've only had a glass once in my life, and that was many years ago." She was embarrassed to admit that to...to a surgeon who probably had a wine cellar, but it was the truth.

"Oh no. We have to take care of that. You can sip a glass of wine, enjoy it, and only get the tiniest buzz. Let me get you some. Red or white?"

A puzzled look crossed Jolene's face.

.

"Of course," Andre replied quickly. "Hmm. Maybe we'll start with a white and see how that goes. Be right back."

Jo hadn't particularly wanted to go out with Brenda, had certainly not wanted to sing again, and surely wasn't looking to have a man buy her a drink. But life had a way of intervening on our wants and desires, and she was none for three so far tonight. She wondered what might happen next.

Andre was back with two glasses of a pale yellowish liquid. He sat one down in front of her, then sat down himself and watched anxiously as she lifted her glass and took a sip.

"Well?" he asked cautiously.

Jo smiled. "I couldn't imagine myself drinking wine, but this is good."

"Fantastic!" Andre seemed as happy as if he'd found a diamond in the grass or something.

"I don't know. Wine always seemed like it was for rich people. But it's good." Jo was totally surprised that she liked it, even though there was no reason she shouldn't.

"I'm a curious person," Andre said, smiling at Jo while holding her eyes with his. "Do you mind if I probe a little?"

"That depends," she answered, ready to fence with him just a bit despite her earlier resolve.

He laughed. "Nothing out of line," he assured her. "You're just an interesting person who I had the pleasure of singing with tonight, and I'd like to find out a little more about who you are."

Jolene shrugged. "Fire away," she said, taking another sip of her wine.

"Some of the people here seemed to know you, which tells me you've been here before, but I'm guessing that was a while ago."

"A matter of years," she answered. "When I was younger, and before I was married, I started coming here."

"How long have you been married?"

She thought that question came with a look of disappointment but wasn't sure.

Rather than answer directly, she said, "I met my ex here."

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said quickly.

"Don't be. It was awful."

"Now I'm doubly sorry."

"It wasn't a match made in heaven, that's for sure."

"Not many are, I'm afraid. They take work, and too many people don't want to put in that work. It's easier just to quit. And don't take that personally," he added with a smile.

"No, I don't. And I know what you mean. Been there, done that."

"Moving on, do you sing professionally at all?"

Having just taken another sip of wine, Jolene snorted and nearly spat wine on Andre.