Taking Charge

by Bridgitte Lesley

  Jordan smiled and whispered in Joy’s ear.

  “Don’t react. Okay.” Joy frowned and nodded.

  “Life is a highway. Rascal Flatts.” The band smiled as they started the song. Jordan sang most of the lyrics. Joy looked at Tanya and then at Shaun. He nodded. Joy nodded and smiled and looked at Jordan. He smiled and nodded. The entire pub sang out and sang the chorus. Shane grinned and watched her hand. She showed him one finger. He showed her five and she nodded. She moved over and whispered in Jordan’s ear.

  “The entire troop.” Jordan grinned and whispered.

  “They can stay at the folks. More than enough space.” Joy nodded. She looked around and spotted the family sitting with Jordan’s family.

  Quartz and Zeba were deep in discussion. Everyone chatted to each other. Zeba smiled.

  “Well we have news for you. Jordan and Joy are dating. And Joy has made so many changes to the school. She has brought this entire town to life.” Graham grinned.

  “Not to their knees?” They all roared with laughter. Zeba shook her head.

  “No. She is actually doing a lot of good. The kids in this town need her.” Roland nodded.

  “She is good at what she does.” They all nodded. Lloyd looked at Roland.

  “Are you overnighting?” Roland nodded.

  “We will try and get something at the motel.” Lloyd shook his head.

  “Gosh no. We have more than enough space at home. You can spend the weekend with us.” Roland grinned.

  “We could. Quartz honey. You okay with that?” Quartz nodded.

  “That would be much nicer.” They all nodded. Graham grinned.

  “Come Michael. Let’s go dance.” Quartz looked at them.

  “It’s okay.” Roland looked at them both and they nodded.

  They walked over and started dancing. Shane grinned.

  “Howdy doody boys!” Everyone chuckled as they listened. Zeba looked at Frank.

  “Frank I think we need to buy a bottle.” Frank grinned. Lloyd took out his wallet.

  “We no longer buy a glass. We buy the bottle Roland. Have you ever heard of anything like that!” Roland grinned. Frank walked over with a new bottle and two little glasses and poured. Roland took the glass.

  “Thank you sonny.” Quartz shook her head.

  “I think maybe two more glasses Frank.” Frank grinned as he walked away to get two more glasses. He walked over and poured their glasses. Lloyd smiled and nodded.

  “You can leave the bottle.” Frank chuckled as he walked off.

  Quartz looked up to check on the boys. They were dancing with Shane and Tanya. Dalton and Anne had joined them. They carried on sitting and chatting.

  Jordan smiled.

  “We need a break. A little Queen and then we will be back.” The pub almost erupted as Joy started stomping her foot. Everyone sang along. The song came to an end and they put their instruments down. Joy and Jordan walked over to the folks. Joy smiled. Quartz whispered.

  “We are going to spend the night at Lloyd and Zeba’s.” Joy smiled and nodded. The rest of the family joined them. They didn’t even talk to Joy. They knew there was a reason for the wig and all the makeup.

  Jordan smiled.

  “We will pop over a little later. I think we are going to be here all night.” Quartz smiled.

  “Not a problem. I am sure we might still be up. I am wide awake.” Jordan nodded. Roland smiled.

  “I hear good things Jordan. Dating a young lady now.” Jordan smiled and nodded. Craig handed both Joy and Jordan their special Irish Coffee. Quartz looked.

  “Oh Craig. I think we need a round of those please.” Jordan smiled.

  “Real deal.” Craig smiled. He looked at the table.

  “How many?” They all nodded. Craig chuckled. Graham grinned.

  “We can double up. Whoever is not sober enough can leave their bike here.” Jordan smiled.

  “No problem. Let’s get your bikes parked out the back for the night. You can take my van.” Graham nodded.

  “That would be better.” Roland looked up.

  “Frank you free?” Tanya got up.

  “I’ll step in.” Frank walked over.

  “Can you park our bikes out back for the night?” Frank grinned.

  “Sure.” He took all the keys and grinned. He walked out and started riding the bikes to the back. He sighed as he parked the fifth bike. He ran inside and smiled. He handed the keys back. Quartz smiled.

  “Thank you Frank. We don’t like taking chances.” Frank nodded and smiled.

  “We have ourselves a parking lot out there.” They all grinned.

  It was getting late. Jordan handed his car key to Tanya. The family all hopped in Lloyd and Jordan’s vans and headed home. They sat and chatted for ages. Even Dalton and Anne had joined them.

  The last patron left the pub just after three in the morning. Jordan smiled as they all sat and had a quiet cup of their special coffee. Joy smiled.

  “Quick change and I will be back.” Jordan nodded. She ran up the stairs and put her jeans on and took off her wig. She put her jacket on and walked down the stairs and joined everyone. Craig smiled and shook his head.

  “I think from next week you are safe to leave the wig off.” Joy smiled.

  “Just had to for a little while.” Frank nodded. Jordan locked up and they headed to his folks home. Joy smiled.

  “Thank you for this. We could have left it to the morning.” Jordan smiled.

  “I know you need to see them.” Joy nodded and smiled. They hopped out at the house and walked in.

  Everyone got up and hugged and kissed Joy. Jordan chuckled as he listened. Graham grinned.

  “We heard! We heard all about you! Bringing this town to a standstill! What next Professor Sheridan!” Joy grinned.

  “Minor, subtle little changes. Teeny weeny little ones.” Shane grinned.

  “Oh we heard. Joy you cannot even spell subtle!” Joy grinned.

  “This is Jordan by the way.” Michael groaned.

  “Yes we know Jordan by now. Is he the future Professor Sheridan?” Jordan grinned.

  “I am not telling you! If I told you the entire town would know!” Jordan chuckled and shook his head. Anne smiled.

  “Yes. He is the future Professor Sheridan. We all know you are dating. The whole town knows you are dating. The whole town thinks that the pub is Joy’s office. If there is business to conclude that is where it happens. And the adverts all go there.” Jordan grinned.

  “Joy is up and down all afternoon. Very busy.” Dalton grinned.

  “How can you shop that much? Every single day?” Joy shook her head.

  “I don’t shop every day.” Dalton shook his head.

  “We even know what you buy!” Everyone roared with laughter.

  Joy smiled and looked at Jordan. He pulled her on to his lap.

  “So what is the buzz? Did you come and visit?” Roland nodded.

  “We came to have a look at the school. See what changes you have made. See how you are doing. And see whether you have bought your property.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  “You will be pleased to know that my little patch of lawn is now a patch of lawn.” Quartz grinned.

  “You lousy critter! You bought shears!” They all roared with laughter.

  “Mum. Think about this. Sitting in a class writing lines. Over and over again. It doesn’t get anyone anywhere. But sitting on a piece of grass. Snipping away. You actually get to see something. No one complained. And it is more therapeutical. The only problem is I have no more lawn to use as discipline!” Jordan chuckled and nodded.

  Shane grinned.

  “And the chain and padlock?” Joy shook her head.

  “Which loops over the gate. It just looks good. Everyone is on time. We don’t have problems. All those kids needed was someone to guide them. Take a little interest in them. I might dangle carrots. But I don’t even need those carrots. There was so much wrong but no one was prepared to budge. They di
dn’t have Prefects. The kids were ruling the school. Now the teachers rule the school.” Shane nodded.

  “Do they need that much discipline?”

  “No but they needed a shakeup. We now have Prefects. We now have a school hymn. And the teachers are respected.” They all nodded. Joy smiled and looked at Tanya.

  “Some of the teachers had even given up. Thomas, Wayne and Paul. They were just plodding. Even they needed shaking up.” Tanya nodded.

  Quartz nodded.

  “It is costing you a bomb.” Joy nodded.

  “I will get every penny back. You need to give to get. I have the money. Money isn’t everything.” Roland nodded.

  “Sweetheart when it is finished. It is finished.” Joy smiled.

  “Dad there is no need to worry. I am in control of my finances. I had set aside a figure. I am nowhere near that figure. I know what I am doing.” Roland nodded.

  “Are you going to have enough for when you finally buy a house?” Joy nodded and smiled.

  “Dad I sold my house. At a profit.” Roland nodded.

  “A few million will not keep.” Joy smiled.

  “But a few million brings in the interest. That builds all the time. Dad there is no need to worry.” Jordan smiled as he listened.

  Dalton shook his head.

  “Backtrack a bit there. How much did you sell your house for?” Joy smiled.

  “Seven.”

  “Whoa! Where on earth was it?” Jordan chuckled.

  “On the beach front. But I bought it dirt cheap and had it renovated. And when I sold it was a sellers’ market. Made a whopping few million. Which is in the bank. I live on interest.” Dalton looked at Jordan. Jordan chuckled.

  Tanya shook her head.

  “You paid for the blazers and all of that stuff that has happened at the school. Didn’t you?” Joy nodded.

  “Once we get the ball rolling things are going to pay for themselves. We have the newsletter going which will cover the paper and printing costs. The civvies day monies will pay for things. We just need to get the ball rolling.” They all nodded. Roland smiled.

  “It is sickening to know that you have that amount of money stashed away! Sickening I tell you!” They all roared with laughter. Joy smiled.

  “Besides. We might like to buy a ranch one day.” Jordan grinned. Quartz smiled.

  “But you are controlling the spend.” Joy nodded.

  “I am controlling the spend. Everything has been catered for. I am on top of things.” Roland nodded.

  “Can I have a loan?” Everyone roared with laughter.

  Joy smiled.

  “You won’t see me till late. I need to print and staple the newsletter. And that has to be done by Monday.” Quartz smiled.

  “We will be gaddying about in town. Zeba is going to take us to the cheese factory and we are going to take a look around. And then we will pop in and take a look at your school.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  “And I think it is bed time.” Joy and Jordan got up. He smiled as they hopped in the van. Joy smiled and looked at Jordan. She was very quiet.

  “I hope that didn’t put you off. The money.” Jordan smiled.

  “No sweetheart. But now I realize how we have to think of ways to raise money. It isn’t right that you need to pay. But I do agree with you. You did have to get the ball rolling.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  “The civvies money is in the little kitty. That will cover all sorts of costs like tea and coffee. Milk and sugar. Daily things. You will see. Eventually I won’t have to spend much.” Jordan smiled.

  “The money that you make on the newsletter. Sweetheart the profits need to go into your pocket.” Joy smiled.

  “When the ball starts rolling we will reap the benefits.” Jordan smiled and nodded.

  CHAPTER 18

  Jordan headed home and chuckled.

  “Just look at all these bikes!” Joy grinned and shook her head.

  “Mighty fine sight!” Jordan grinned and nodded.

  “You didn’t tell them about your new van.”

  “And have them go over it with a fine tooth comb? No thanks! Then Dad will want to peruse my bank statements.” Jordan chuckled and nodded.

  “About time I started perusing.” Joy grinned.

  “I know you are coining it! How many millions are in your bank account?” Jordan grinned.

  “Not as many as yours.” They both chuckled as they walked inside and headed straight for bed.

  Joy woke up and looked at Jordan.

  “I better head to school. That newsletter awaits.” Jordan smiled and nodded. He rolled over and made love to Jordan and they both hopped out of bed smiling. Joy drove over to the school. She walked to the office and opened up and got the newsletter ready to be photocopied. She loaded the paper and started the tedious job. Penny walked in and smiled.

  “Here to staple!” They both got busy.

  The families drove over to the pub and had breakfast. They soon drove over to the school. Jordan drove with them. He smiled and walked in to the office. He walked over and kissed Joy.

  “How are we doing?” Joy nodded.

  “We are doing well. We might be here till midnight. But we will manage.” Roland sat down and took a newsletter. He paged through.

  “This is neat. When are you going color?” Joy chuckled.

  “Dad. If I went color that would be a whole different ball game.”

  “All it would mean is a new photocopier. They do those in color. Do you need a sponsor?” Joy smiled.

  “You sponsoring me Dad?” Roland nodded.

  “Sure. I will arrange a color copier. You don’t realize what a little gem you have created Joy.” Jordan smiled.

  “And the cartridges Dad?”

  “One step ahead of you kiddo. One step ahead.”

  Soon everyone was helping. The photocopier kept at a steady pace. They loaded paper continuously. Joy smiled.

  “Why don’t you go and have a spot of lunch. I can catch up with you later.” Shane smiled.

  “Show us where these go.” Penny soon had everyone helping to carry the newsletters to the hall. They piled them up in front of the stage. Penny did a count and nodded. They walked back to Joy. Penny smiled.

  “This is the last set and we have enough.” Joy smiled and nodded. They stapled the last few sets. Joy made another copy and put it on Penny’s desk. She put the original in an envelope. Jordan smiled and took it from her.

  “Thank you.” Roland grinned.

  “And the original goes?” Jordan smiled.

  “Can’t say.” Roland grinned.

  Joy locked up and everyone left. Roland smiled.

  “I think a spot of lunch at the pub. Penny I hope you are joining us.” Penny smiled and nodded. She followed in her car. Jordan stopped at the post office. Joy smiled and waited in the van.

  “Jill.” Jill looked up.

  “Highly confidential. But it is huge. Took us all morning. Can’t go out before nine.” Jill nodded and smiled.

  “Got it.” Jordan ran out and smiled.

  “Right. Lunch.” Joy smiled.

  “Are you and Jill in cahoots?” Jordan chuckled and nodded.

  “I am not saying.” Joy smiled and nodded. She knew Jill had the original of the newsletter.

  “She won’t.”

  “Nope.” Joy nodded.

  The family sat around and had their lunch. Zeba took them to the cheese factory to go and have a look. Every person went along. Even Penny was included. Jordan smiled as he sat with Joy.

  “I think they are having a ball.” Joy chuckled and nodded.

  “We need a nap. Or we are not going to make it through the night.” Jordan nodded.

  “When are we losing the wig?” Joy smiled.

  “Have to weigh this up. I need to keep up the appearance.” Jordan smiled and held her hand.

  “If you keep wearing it they are going to think I am a womanizer!” Joy roared with laughter and nodded.

  “Tonight.
But we do it a little differently.” Jordan smiled and nodded.

  “Tonight.” Joy headed upstairs and went and had a sleep. Jordan soon followed her.

  They got up late in the afternoon. Joy smiled.

  “I am going to get supper on the go.”

  “Seafood Paella?” Joy smiled.

  “I like that you make requests.” Jordan smiled and held her in his arms. Joy held on to Jordan.

  “I love you Jordan.” Jordan smiled.

  “I love you Joy.” He smiled as he kissed her. They walked through to the kitchen.

  “About that table and chairs.” Joy smiled as she stirred the contents in the pot. Jordan walked over and looked at the set.

  “I love it!” Joy chuckled. They heard the giggle and the voices. Graham walked in.

  “I am famished! Hey this is neat! Dig that table and chairs!” Jordan chuckled and nodded. Graham walked to the fridge. He looked through the glass.

  “Is that a Kebab?” Joy smiled.

  “That is a kebab.” Graham looked at Jordan.

  “May I?” Jordan roared with laughter.

  “Help yourself.” Graham took one of the kebabs and sighed as he ate.

  “This is so good!” Shane walked up.

  “Hey where did you get that? Oh check it out! Lollipop chairs!” He walked over to Jordan. He sat on one of the chairs.

  “This is swell!” He hopped off the chair.

  “Where did you get that Graham?”

  “In the fridge. Ask first.” Jordan chuckled.

  “Help yourself.” Joy shook her head. She put the pot off and dished up supper for Jordan. He grinned as he took his meal. Michael walked upstairs.

  “So this is where you hide out. I will have some paella thanks.” Joy stood and dished up for everyone. She carried on dishing up. Soon their little home was filled with the entire family. Everyone had paella. Jordan chuckled as all the men sat on the lollipop chairs and ate.

  Zeba shook her head.

  “Oh by the way. We brought you a pig.” They all looked at Zeba. She chuckled.

  “Not a live pig. It has been sliced and packed. We put it in your freezer.” Jordan smiled and nodded.

  “Thanks Mum.” Zeba nodded.

  “Next time I see it I would like it on my plate.” Graham grinned.

  “The whole thing? You glutton!” Zeba roared with laughter.