The wonderful 21st birthday evening we spent with Jenni ended abruptly when Jenni's cell phone rang. It was her mom, who immediately began yelling at her. It was loud enough that Bobbi and I could hear.
Her shrill voice pierced our bubble of joy, "Where are you? It's after your curfew!"
Jenni rolled her eyes. Her response was calm and quiet. "I'm at Garry's. Bobbi's here too."
Jenni's mom got even louder. "You get home this instant! It's past your curfew! And you're with that boy? The one in that old truck? You're at his house? What are you thinking?"
Jenni's body language changed, and her voice did too. "Listen Mom. I'm 21. I don't have a curfew. Plus, Garry is a man, not a boy. He's 32, he's a pilot, and he likes old cars. I think..."
Jenni's mom interrupted her, the volume of her yelling intensifying. "You get home right now young lady! Right this minute or I'm calling the police!"
Jenni got pissed then and stood up, raising her voice. "Why don't you do that mom? When they get here and discover I'm an adult spending time with two other adult friends maybe they'll charge you with filing a false police report."
Jenni had walked away, so we could not longer hear anything intelligible from her mom. All we could hear was the sound of her shrill voice screaming at Jenni.
Jenni turned, grinning at us, and shook her head, letting her mom run out of steam.
When the phone got quiet, she told her, "I know what I'll do... I'll tell them I'm seeking asylum with my two best friends, and that they've decided to help protect me from a lunatic mother. After meeting you, I'm sure they'll understand."
More yelling started. Jenni hung up.
She looked at us and said, "She's so stupid. I've gotta move out."
Just as Jenni sat down next to us the phone rang again.
Bobbi said, "Just don't answer. You can stay here." Bobbi looked at me as if to ask,
'She can, can't she?'
I said, "That's right. I'll grab one of my t-shirts or night shirts to wear to bed."
Jenni picked up the call, "What?"
The yelling continued. "Don't you ever hang up on me again you little brat! You get home this instant!"
Jenni then lost her cool, yelling into the phone. "I'm spending the night! Don't ever threaten me again you stupid bitch!
"I've also just decided to go to the District Attorney. I'll tell them all about your abusive husband. You're both pathetic. You're both going to jail."
There was silence then, and Jenni's mom became too muted to hear.
Jenni's response was, "That's your problem. I'm doing what's best for me. You're the biggest problem in my life right now, so I'm getting rid of you. Goodbye."
Jenni's mom got loud again, "No! Jenni wait!"
Her mom sounded like she was in a panic now. More low conversation.
Bobbi and I were holding hands, watching Jenni get braver and bolder right before our eyes.
Jenni looked at us, shaking her head. "It's way too late for sorry mom. It went beyond sorry years ago. I'm embarrassed to have you as a mother. I should change my name. I want nothing to do you or that asshole you married."
There was more muffled conversation, this time riddled with sobs loud enough to hear.
Jenni was shaking her head. "Call 911 then. Tell them you feel suicidal. Actually, that's probably a great idea. Let me call them for you."
Jenni hung up and did just that.
Bobbi and I both hugged Jenni. She was very determined to leave her mom's house, no matter what. The three of us sat and talked about the situation, and possible solutions.
We got Jenni calmed back down. It was good to see the fire in her. The trip to Japan had done her good.
The police dispatcher called back about half an hour later. The officers came by my house to talk to Jenni and take a report from her.
After taking her statement, one of the officers suggested that Jenni come back to her mom's with them, but she was steadfast in her refusal.
She told them, "The only reason I have to go back there is to pack my things and move out. If she tries to stop me, she'll end up in the hospital. I've had it with her."
The other officer suggested that she call when she returns to the house so nothing bad happens. He handed her his card, telling her, "Don't do anything violent or physical. Don't put your hands on her. Call us first. I mean it. We'll help keep things from getting out of hand, okay?"
Jenni thanked both officers. They said goodnight and left after assurances that Jenni could stay with us that night.