I want Jenny to see me as her man, because she sure as hell isn’t getting another one. It may take some time, but I’m okay with that. I have Jenny home now .
I have nothing but time .
“Did you hear me, Carson?” Jenny’s sweet voice asks, and I shake my head free from my thoughts, glancing at her before turning my attention back to the road .
“Sorry, honey, what were you saying?” I ask, the endearment slipping out naturally .
“I was asking if you had plans tonight. Because if you hadn’t planned anything, I was thinking of going to stay with Donna for the night .”
“Donna? It’s your first night home, Jenny. I thought we’d stay in and watch a movie after dinner. Like we used to,” I answer, irritation firing inside of me. Jenny hasn’t even walked through the front door and she’s already planning on leaving? I want her sleeping under my roof tonight .
“I know, Carson, but I haven’t seen Donna in months. I’d like to catch up with her and it’s planting time on the farm. You won’t be in until late. I’m surprised you could tear yourself away to come pick me up,” she answers and my fingers tighten against the steering wheel .
“I always put you first, Jenny,” I answer, my voice tense. I need to calm my ass down, but I’m having trouble with that, considering Jenny hasn’t even been home for five minutes and is making plans. Plans that do not include me .
This is not how I envisioned her first night home going .
“You always have, Carson. I know that. I don’t want to be a burden to you though .”
“You’ve never been — ”
“I don’t want to be just another chore you cross off your list, Carson. I may be home now, but I’m not going to get in your way or become a liability .”
“A liability?” I ask, dumbfounded and fucking confused. How could she ever think I would view her like that ?
“Exactly. I refuse to inconvenience you any longer. You will see. Things will be different now that I have my degree and I’m ready to start my own life. I just need a little bit of time to get my feet under me. That’s all .”
“You can go to Donna’s tonight, but I’ll have the corn planted on the east side of the farm done by tomorrow. Tomorrow night is ours. Understand ?”
“If you’re sure? I mean, I can always — ”
“I’m sure,” I tell her, interrupting her before she can upset me further .
I didn’t see this problem arising. I’m not altering my plan, but I’m starting to realize it might take me a little longer to get Jenny under control, to make her see what plans I have for us .
That’s okay. I always did like a challenge .
Chapter 4
Virginia
T he smell and feel of Donna's house brings back memories. I used to come here almost every weekend before my father died. We would watch cheesy romance movies, stuff our faces with popcorn, and even occasionally sneak some of her mom's red wine. But her parents have since moved to Florida and left her the house. Even still, it's like being back in a very good dream .
I hear her banging around in the kitchen and I snuggle deeper into the plush, yet ancient couch. This is the same furniture, same decor as it was all those years ago. The TV has been upgraded to a flat screen instead of the old box model, but aside from that even the seventies themed wallpaper is still in place .
I think about Carson and how he acted in the truck just earlier today. He seemed upset that I had plans with Donna, although I can't understand why. Yeah, maybe I should've given it a day or two and caught up with him and Mavis, but honestly I need to get my head sorted out. I need to figure out what I am going to do. I know I need to move on. I can't waste any more energy or my feelings on something that will never happen .
Donna comes in a few minutes later with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn, two glasses, and a bottle of white wine under her arm. She grins at me and sets everything on the coffee table .
“Brings back memories, doesn't it?” She smiles wider. And right on cue the doorbell rings, signaling our pizza has arrived .
When Donna comes back in with a large pizza box and sets it on the coffee table, my stomach gives a loud growl. We both laugh. For the next twenty minutes we eat and drink our weight in pizza and wine .
Donna leans back and pats her stomach, a contented sigh leaving her. “Man, I haven't eaten pizza and drank wine like that in forever.” She glances over at me, this little snort of laughter leaving her. “Remember when you used to come over and spend the night and we'd sneak into the kitchen and do shots of red wine like it was hard liquor or something?” We both start laughing so hard that tears trickle out the corners of our eyes .