Brothers & Best Friends

by Rose, Ashley

  They were silent while he cleaned himself up. Janine threw the tissues into her trash can, hiding them under some loose papers. She cuddled back up to Jess, her head on his chest as he stroked her hair.

  A moment later, Jess cleared his throat. "So…um…did you…?" He didn't finish his sentence. He wasn't sure how.

  Janine nodded shyly. "Yeah. My thigh muscles…they were kind of…clenching, I guess? The next thing I knew…" She let out a nervous giggle and Jess smiled.

  "Well, I'm glad you got some release too," he stated. "Even though you want to take things slowly, there's no reason you shouldn't enjoy yourself."

  Smiling up at him, Janine gave Jess a final kiss. "Good night, Jess," she whispered sleepily.

  "Night, Janie," he answered as his eyes drifted closed.

  ***

  "Get up."

  Janine groaned and buried her face in Jess' chest.

  "Now," she heard.

  That was her mother's voice. Janine reluctantly opened her eyes, rolled over and looked up at her mother. "Good morning."

  "I told you he wasn't allowed to sleep with you."

  "I know, but the couch wasn't comfortable and I wanted him to be comfortable. I missed him, and I wanted him beside me."

  "I'll be damned if you two are going to have sex under my roof."

  "Trust me," Jess mumbled, "if I had had sex last night, I would be a lot less grumpy." Then he pulled the pillow over his face and Janine smiled.

  "See," she said to her mom. "Nothing happened." She concentrated hard to maintain eye contact. If she looked away, her mom would immediately realize that she wasn't telling the whole truth.

  Her mother glared. "You snuck him in."

  Janine sighed. "Yes, Mom, I'm colluding with the enemy," she said sarcastically.

  Janet stomped out of the room and down the stairs.

  "Too early for words like colluding," Jess muttered.

  "You're under a pillow," Janine informed him. "No one asked you."

  "Has that ever stopped me from stating my opinion before?" he asked, removing the pillow.

  She smiled. "No, I guess it hasn't."

  "Exactly," he said, then placed the pillow back over his face.

  "We need to get up anyway. We have to go visit your mom."

  "You go visit her," he grumbled.

  "Fine," she chirped. "I'll just leave you here with my mom."

  He removed the pillow again. "You're evil in the morning. Has anyone ever told you that?"

  Janine grinned. "Actually, no. Now get up. I'll make you some breakfast."

  He groaned and covered his face with the pillow again. "Two more minutes."

  She smiled, lifted the pillow and kissed him on the cheek, then replaced the pillow. "Okay. I'll come wake you up when I'm pretty again," she said, climbing out of bed.

  He grumbled something that she couldn't make out and rolled over. She smiled, shook her head and followed her mom out.

  ***

  "You sure you're not hungry?" Jess asked as he turned.

  Janine shot him a look. "Quit stalling. We are going to see your mother, no more interruptions."

  "Not even pleasant ones? With all the enforced celibacy at your house, I've barely even had time to kiss you. We could pull off at the park and make out like a couple of teenagers."

  "We kissed last night."

  "Very briefly, and with you periodically telling me to be quiet."

  "Well, you kept talking," she said.

  "What did you expect me to do, mime?"

  She smiled. "It would have been more entertaining."

  He rolled his eyes. "Tell you what, I'll mime when we're at Betty's."

  "Your mom's," she said, shooting him a look. "And no, you won't. She's your mother, not mine, so you need to be the one to tell her what's going on."

  "She likes you better."

  "That's not true. But you haven't even seen her since you left, Jess."

  He shrugged and continued to look through the windshield.

  She sighed and looked out the passenger window.

  "So, what are you going to tell her?" Janine asked.

  "Don't know. Guess it'll come to me."

  She raised her eyebrows. "A vague outline?"

  "Well, I should probably tell her she's going to be a grandma. I don't know, Janine. I'll figure it out as I go."

  "Well, do you want to tell her what happened, or would you rather I do that? I wouldn't blame you if you wanted me to tell her that part."

  "What part?" he asked, frowning.

  "About the...rape."

  His frown deepened. "Janie, I don't want to tell my mom about that."

  She nodded. "No problem, I can tell her. I wouldn't want to—"

  "No," he interrupted. "I meant I don't want you to tell her either."

  She frowned. "What? Why?"

  "Because I would rather she not know the baby isn't mine."

  "But Jess—"

  "You got to decide what to tell your family. You didn't consult me to see what I thought. This time it's my family and I would rather my mother think that I actually fathered my own kid. Are you mad at me now?" he asked.

  "I'm not mad at you," she said. "I'm thinking."

  He sighed. "Janie, why is it that you don't want anyone to think I'm the real father? I mean, it's my mother. I don't see why you can't let me decide what to tell her. This isn't seeming equal, Janine. Everything is yours. It's your baby. Everything is your choice and I get no say in anything. Where do I even fit into the equation? 'Cause it seems like you're doing everything on your own. But you know what, fine. I guess it is just your baby, so we'll tell my mom whatever you want to tell her."

  Great, now Jess was mad at her. "Jess, everything is not mine."

  "Yes it is. You didn't think twice about leaving me because someone told you to, you decided to tell your family about the rape, and now none of them think of me as the father. I don't know what the hell I am right now, Janie, but no one thinks of me as the father, and I would like for my own mother to."

  "That's not true," she said automatically, but as soon as the words were out, she realized Jess might be right.

  "Fine." He went back to driving in silence.

  "I'm sorry," Janine said quietly.

  He glanced over at her. "For what?" he replied tonelessly.

  "For being such a jerk. I don't mean to be a jerk all the time, but I just keep screwing up. I don't know what happened. I never used to do that." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. You're right. We'll tell your mom whatever you want to tell her. She really doesn't even need to know about the rape. It would be different if she was my mom, but she's yours."

  He half smiled. "You are not a jerk."

  "Yes, I am. You're right. Even I'm not treating you like the baby's father. I'm a jerk."

  "At least you're not a bum," he said.

  She cracked a smile. "Thanks," she said dryly.

  "Anytime," he replied.

  She waited a second then gave him a puppy-dog pout and said, "Do you forgive me?"

  He glanced over at her and smirked. "I'll think of ways for you to make it up to me."

  She smiled. "I assume I'll have to wait until we're back in the apartment to serve my penance then?"

  "Absolutely," he said before taking another turn and sighing. "So, what are we telling my mother?"

  "Whatever you want. If you don't want to tell her about what happened, we won't. We can just tell her we're having a baby and leave it at that."

  He sighed and nodded.

  Another minute passed and then she asked, "Are you still mad at me?"

  He forced a half smile. "I'm not mad at you."

  "You were mad at me just a minute ago," she pointed out.

  "I'm not mad at you," he repeated.

  "Then what's wrong?"

  "Nothing."

  "You're brooding. You mostly only brood when you're in a bad mood or you're around people."

  He glanced at her out of the corner
of his eye. "Last time I checked you were a person, and I do just fine around you."

  "Well, yes, but I'm a different person. I mean people you don't know. You're a bit antisocial, you know."

  "Thanks for the news flash," he said.

  "What's wrong?" she persisted.

  He sighed. "Nothing's wrong, Janine. I'm always grumpy when I have to visit my mother. You haven't done anything. Don't worry about it."

  "Is there anything I can do to make you happy?"

  "Not while I'm driving," he stated.

  She smiled. "Either you have a dirty mind, or I do. Which is it?"

  He shot her a look. "Janie, I'm a man."

  She nodded. "Right. Silly question." She paused. "I could sing. I'm not very good, but I've been having the urge to sing 'Papa Don't Preach' for a while now, so I could get it out and amuse you at the same time."

  "We're going to be there in less than a minute, Madonna. I don't think you have time."

  She pouted. "Later then."

  "Later we're going to be on the road home, and we're going to be listening to my music."

  "Fine, after that."

  "After that we'll be home, and then I have a better use in mind for your mouth."

  She pointed at him. "Dirty and presumptuous."

  He smirked. "I meant kissing."

  She blushed. "Oh."

  He pointed at her. "Dirty and presumptuous."

  Jess turned on his turn signal again. Four mailboxes later, he pulled in the driveway and parked the car. Then he sighed and looked over at her. "You're sure you're not hungry?"

  She smiled. "Absolutely sure."

  "I guess we should go in then. But we aren't staying long."

  "Whatever you say," she said with a nod.

  "Whatever I say within what you approve of?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

  She smiled. "No, Jess, whatever you want. Really. I, more than anyone, know the terror of visiting family members. Once we get to the city limits of New York, I vote we don't leave again until next Christmas."

  He smirked. "Now that, I agree with."

  "You know, next Christmas will be our baby's first Christmas," she said as she got out.

  He nodded. "I'm aware of that."

  "I'm going to start picking up toys as soon as the new year comes, then I can say I'm buying Christmas presents for my baby's first Christmas."

  He nodded. "That you can."

  "You know, I should warn you, I'm going to want another baby. I want a little girl, too."

  "I should warn you, I want to practice as much as possible."

  She grinned. "Practice making babies? Don't you know how already?"

  He shrugged, shaking his head mockingly. "I don't know. I've never done it before. I think I need the help of an experienced woman like yourself."

  She snorted. "That's hilarious."

  Jess looked between the doorbell and the door and decided to knock on the door. "Must not be here. Oh well. Let's go."

  She shot him a look. "That was a baby tap. I couldn't even hear it, and I'm standing right next to you," she said as she pushed the button to ring the doorbell.

  He sighed and stared at the door.

  The door opened, revealing a woman a couple inches shorter than Jess with dyed blonde hair, blue eyes, and just a tad too much makeup, highlighting wrinkles that wouldn't normally appear. Her face brightened when she saw Jess, and she grabbed him. "Jess, honey! I didn't know you were coming home." She pulled back and looked him over. "Aw, you look so handsome."

  Jess shot Janine a look and she bit her lip to keep from smiling.

  She glanced over at Janine and then back at him. "You brought a girl home?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Come in, sweetie," she said, ushering Janine in.

  "Mom, you remember John's little sister, Janie."

  Betty gasped. "Janie? Oh, you've grown," she said, grasping Janine's shoulders and looking her over, starting a little when she noticed the bump. Then she looked up at Janine, not wanting to ask, but clearly curious.

  "Can she get in the door first?" Jess asked.

  "Oh, of course," Betty said, backing up and ushering them in. "I didn't know you were visiting," Betty said. "You should have told me ahead of time. I would have cooked something."

  "That's okay," Jess said. "We can't stay long anyway."

  "Oh. Why?"

  "I have to work tomorrow. We have to head out tonight."

  She raised an eyebrow. "We?"

  He nodded. "Janie and I have to leave," he clarified.

  Her eyebrows rose. "Are you two...?" she asked, gesturing between them.

  Jess nodded.

  "Oh, that's so sweet," she said with a smile. "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "We weren't dating last Christmas," he said.

  She frowned. "Oh. Well, you could have called me. It wouldn't kill you to talk to your mother more than once a year."

  Jess nodded.

  "So, how have you been?" Betty asked Janine, her gaze falling briefly to her stomach again, before darting back to her face.

  "Oh, I've been good. Um, I'm...going to the city with Jess, so we have to pack up the car and head out."

  "Are you moving to the city?" she asked.

  "She's moving in with me," Jess said.

  "You two are serious then?"

  "Yep," Jess replied, but seemed inclined to say no more.

  Betty nodded, obviously interested, but also not wanting to pry.

  Janine sighed a little bit and shot Jess a look, so he continued. "Yes, we are serious. In fact, we do have a reason for this visit."

  "Oh, do you? What's that?"

  "Well, we wanted to tell you that you're going to be a grandma."

  She gasped and looked back at Janine, then back to Jess. "Oh, congratulations, honey. Both of you. Oh, this is—is this exciting? I mean, was this a plan or was it...?"

  "Well, it wasn't exactly planned, no, but we're pleased about it."

  She grinned. "Oh, good. Aw, I'm so happy for you both." She hugged Jess again, and then it was Janine's turn. Janine smiled and hugged her back.

  "So, tell me how this happened? I didn't know you two were dating."

  Jess nodded. "Yep."

  Betty nodded, waiting for more.

  Janine stood there awkwardly. Betty coughed quietly. Janine shifted from foot to foot, searching her brain for something to say. Jess glanced longingly at the door.

  "Well," Betty finally said, "have a seat, have a seat. Can't keep a pregnant woman standing," she said with a smile in Janine's direction.

  Janine smiled. "Thank you." She took a seat on the couch and Jess sat next to her while Betty sat in a chair.

  Nobody said a word. Janine glanced at the floor, at her shoes, flicked a piece of invisible lint off her clothes, and uncrossed and recrossed her legs.

  Betty opened her mouth and Janine looked up, hoping conversation would start. Then Betty frowned and closed her mouth, seeming to think better of what she had to say. Janine's shoulders slumped and she looked over at Jess. He was staring off into space, not even aware of their discomfort.

  "So, do you want a drink?" Betty finally asked, sitting forward as if to get up.

  "No, I'm fine," Janine said.

  Jess just shook his head. "No thanks."

  Betty nodded and sat back in her chair.

  "So," Janine said. "We went to see the doctor yesterday. We have ultrasound pictures. You want you see them?"

  "Oh, yes," Betty said. "Did you find out if it's a boy or girl?"

  "Yes, we did. We're going to have a little boy."

  "Aw, a baby boy. Jess was an adorable baby. A lot of hair even then, though. Expect a lot of heartburn if he takes after his daddy."

  Janine just smiled and pulled out her pictures.

  "When are you due?" Betty asked.

  "March," Janine said.

  "Who's throwing your shower? Do you know when it is?"

  "Um, I'm not even sure if I'm having one. We're going back to the
city, so..."

  "Well, surely Jess' friends would come." She sighed. "I wish I could get off work." Then she brightened. "I want to take you out to Babies 'R' Us while you're here," she said. "I'll buy you guys some things now since I won't be able to come to the shower."

  "Oh, you don't have to do that," Janine said.

  "Nonsense, this is my first grandchild. How long do you have?"

  "Not long," Jess said. "We're leaving in a couple hours to get back into the city."

  "Aw," Betty cooed, looking at the pictures. "That's my grandson. I can't believe I'm going to be a grandma." She slanted Jess a look. "Thanks for all the notice, kid."

  "Anytime," he replied.

  "Aw, look at his little head. He's so precious."

  Janine grinned. "Isn't he?"

  "Grandma's going to buy you presents," she said to Janine's belly. "Yes, I am. Yes."

  "Mom, he can't hear you. You don't have to talk baby talk yet."

  "Oh, don't ruin my fun," she said, waving him off.

  "Just ignore him." Janine said. "I read to the baby as often as I can, and I have one of those little monitors that you can put headphones on and listen to the heartbeat. Much better than listening to the radio."

  "They never had things like that when I had that one," she said, gesturing to Jess. "I think it's great that you're so excited," Betty said. "I was about your age when I had Jess, and I don't think I was quite so thrilled about it."

  "Thanks," Jess said.

  "Well, of course now I am. But when you're eighteen, it can be scary. I was terrified. That loser father of yours was no help either," she stated.

  Jess's face was set into a familiar scowl.

  "I had to drop out of school in eleventh grade. His stupid father wanted nothing to do with me," she said, shaking her head.

  Betty sighed. "Anyway, as long as Jess doesn't plan to do that. I like to think I raised him better than that." At Jess's silence she prompted, "Well, didn't I?"

  "Oh yes, Mom. You did an excellent job," he replied in a bored tone.

  "I wasn't perfect, of course, but it's really hard being a single mom," she said to Janine. "Be glad you don't have to go through that."

  Janine nodded, more to appease Betty than because she actually didn't think she could handle single motherhood. "Oh yes, very glad."