CHAPTER FOUR
The Perfect Man
Jennifer happily discovers that her father won’t come by until late Saturday afternoon. After negotiating heavily with her mother, promising to be home in time for his arrival, Jen is allowed to spend the day with Tammie. Jennifer is almost out the door when Becky grabs her hand.
“Jen?” Becky calls her.
“Yes Becky?” Jennifer replies, irritated by the delay.
“Can I talk to you before you go?”
Jennifer looks at her watch, sighs heavily, and walks with Becky to the living room sofa.
“So, what is it?” Jennifer asks impatiently.
“Well,” Becky hems. “I have a question.”
Jennifer blinks at her. “Well? What is it?” Becky is quiet for a long time. “I don’t have time for this, Becky,” Jennifer starts to get up.
“Wait,” Becky begins speaking quickly. “There’s a boy that I like and I don’t know what to do about him.” Becky’s cheeks flush and Jennifer’s expression softens.
“Is that what this is all about?” Jennifer asks.
Becky nods.
“You’re trying to wear makeup and watch what you eat and all that because you want some boy to like you?”
Again, Becky nods.
“Jen, he’s the nicest boy and he goes to church and he’s so cute and funny and everybody likes him.” Becky gushes.
Jennifer pauses and considers her sister’s dilemma. “Becky,” she says seriously, “You’re still very young. Just be yourself and any boy with good sense will like you. Alright?” Becky frowns and sighs.
“Tell you what? When I come back from Tammie’s you can tell me all about him, okay?”
Becky smiles brightly and hugs her sister. “Thanks Jen!”
“It’s alright,” Jen laughs. “Now let me get going!” Jennifer kisses her sister on the forehead and steps out the door.
•••
Tammie is standing outside talking on her cell phone when Jennifer arrives at her house.
“Okay, I love you too! See you in a minute!” Tammie giggles and closes her phone. “Hey Jen!” Tammie literally skips down her front steps towards Jennifer. “I just got off the phone with Devon, and he’ll meet us at the theater in about twenty minutes.”
“Okay,” Jennifer replies, nonchalant. “So, how’s everything with you two?”
Tammie smiles. “Jennifer, I really think he’s the one! He is so right for me! And he makes me feel so special.”
“But you haven’t really known him that long, Tammie,” Jennifer comments. “You’re already telling the guy you love him.”
Tammie shrugs. “Well I do, and I can’t help it, Jen! I’m so excited that you get to meet him!”
“Well alright,” Jennifer replies with less excitement. She hopes Devon really is as sweet as Tammie says he is, but her instincts tell her that even if he is, Tammie is moving way too fast. In all the years she’s known Tammie, she has always been quiet. Some might call her sullen, but Jennifer knows she is shy and takes a while to make friends. Unless she is around people she knows, Tammie keeps to herself. Now she is as bubbly as a varsity cheerleader.
“So, are we going to head that way now, or do you need to make a stop first?” Jennifer asks.
“First I need to ask you whether or not my clothes look okay.” Tammie looks nervously at what she has on, and Jennifer does a double take. She didn’t notice it before, but Tammie is wearing a low cut gray shirt and a knee length skirt with a slit that goes up almost to her waist.
“Does your mom know you’re wearing that?” Jennifer asks before thinking.
Tammie rolls her eyes. “C’mon Jen, just tell me if it looks cute or not.”
“Well, I guess so…” Jennifer hesitates. “It just doesn’t seem like…you.”
“I know,” Tammie scrunches up her face when she looks at her shirt. “It’s just that Devon is always telling me ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it,’ and I think maybe I should try something different. I mean, why should I hide that I have a nice figure?”
“Maybe it’s so you can surprise your husband on your honeymoon,” Jennifer jokes. They both laugh and Tammie looks down at her skirt.
“I think I’ll keep the shirt and ditch the skirt,” she finally says. “How’s that sound?”
“Much better,” Jennifer is relieved. The shirt isn’t that bad, it is just unusual for Tammie’s taste. “You can get rid of the skirt, so long as you plan on replacing it with something else!”
Both girls laugh as they walk inside the house. A few minutes later they are on their way to the movies. Tammie parks her car at the theater and they meet Devon inside. Tammie greets Devon with an affectionate kiss and introduces him to Jennifer.
“Jen, this is Devon! Devon this is my best friend, Jennifer!” Tammie introduces them to each other with a big smile.
Devon barely glances at Jennifer and looks intently at Tammie. “See? I told you that shirt looks good on you, Tams.” Tammie giggles as he kisses her again.
Jennifer swallows a cough and reaches out her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Devon. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Devon finally looks at Jennifer and smiles. “Where are my manners?” He holds out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you too, Jennifer. You’ll have to forgive me. When I’m with Tams, it’s hard for me to see anything else.” He grabs Tammie’s hand and kisses it softly.
“Ready?” He coaxes both girls toward the theater doors. Tammie and Jennifer go to the lobby while Devon buys the tickets.
“See how sweet he is?” Tammie smiles at Jennifer.
“I guess so,” Jennifer is unconvinced. “Handsy maybe.”
“Oh, he’s just affectionate, Jen,” Tammie laughs it off. She gives a start when Devon sneaks up behind her and grabs her waist.
“Devon!” Tammie laughs nervously. “You scared me,”
A red flag goes up in Jennifer’s mind, but Tammie and Devon are already past the ticket booth. Jennifer has her ticket torn and follows them inside the theater and down the aisle.
Devon picks out a row in the middle section, allowing Jennifer and Tammie to pass in front of him.
“Ladies first,” he smiles at Jennifer, who returns a half-sincere smile of her own. She would prefer to sit in between Devon and Tammie, but Tammie won’t leave his side. Jennifer frowns as she slides past several vacant seats, searching for one that isn’t too gross looking. As soon as she sits down her shoes begin to squish with the dreaded feel of half chewed gum.
“Great!” she mutters to herself. Tammie sits down beside Jennifer and Devon sits next to Tammie. The theater lights dim and the movie begins to play. Devon puts his head on Tammie’s shoulder and grabs her hand. Jennifer watches him whispering in Tammie’s ear and tries to ignore the queasy feeling in her stomach.
Devon removes his head from Tammie’s shoulder long enough to offer Jennifer concessions.
“Hey, Jennifer if you need anything to drink or eat, let me know, okay?”
Jennifer gives him a weak smile and nods.
At least he is considerate, she thinks to herself. The movie is okay, but Jennifer spends the first part of it closely monitoring Tammie and Devon. He doesn’t try to make out with her; Jennifer is thankful for that. He does keep her hand in his most of the time, unless one of them asks for something from the concession stand. Halfway through the movie, Jennifer relaxes.
Maybe he isn’t so bad after all, Jennifer thinks. She still has her doubts, but so far he hasn’t done anything wrong. Jennifer sits back in her seat, a cherry slush in hand, and tries to enjoy the rest of the movie.
Don't Judge Me Page 4