Teacher: Act Two (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy Book 2) (23 page)

Danny ordered room service the next morning because neither of us “lazy butts” would easily wake for him. As usual, he'd been up for hours, playing guitar quietly while she and I slept like the dead. He tried to be patient while we dragged our feet getting packed.

To save time on Friday, he booked us a room at the Hilton near Fremont so we wouldn't have far to drive and would be right on the freeway the next day to come home. This road trip had been a whirlwind so far. I'd learned a lot about Danny's family and was having a wonderful time with him and Jane. We seemed to travel well together. So far, so good.

Danny asked Jane to take a walk with him while I took a shower. He told me to take my time, so I did. The hotel was beautiful. I had never stayed any place so nice before. Well, not including Danny's. They returned about a half hour later and Jane seemed sullen. I asked him if everything was ok. He just shrugged and said, “as far as I know.”

We grabbed sandwiches on the way out of Los Gatos and drove north toward Fremont. We stopped at Lake Elizabeth and had a picnic. It was a gorgeous day, not quite as hot as the weather we'd left. We enjoyed the people watching. Jane was still quiet and I was worried.

I called my mother when we left the park to let her know we were on the way. She was delighted.  Dad would be off at 2:00 and was planning on grilling up some BBQ for that night. Danny insisted we stop at a florist so we could take some roses to my mom as well. His thoughtfulness touched me. I could tell how important it was to him that this meeting go well.

The nervous flutters started up in my tummy as we neared my parent's house. We took the Thornton Avenue exit and turned next to my old Jr. High school, which Jane got a kick out of. My folks lived a few blocks away in a one-story, three-bedroom house on a cul-de-sac. Dad worked hard to keep the yard pristine and planted lots of annuals each year in containers for Mom, who adored them.

We pulled up and I took a deep breath. Danny’s jaw was tense again. Jane leaned between the seats, looking at both of us curiously.

"It's a little late to be nervous, Daddy. She already moved in with us." She rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag before climbing out the passenger side back door.

Danny shot me an anxious smile. "She’s right, as usual.”

I kissed his cheek and we both climbed out of the car to join Jane at the front door. Before we could knock, my mother opened the door and held out one hand to me, the other rested on her cane to steady her.

“Jesse! Oh sweetie, I’m so glad to see you.”

A lump formed in my throat and I felt tears sting my eyes. It was always difficult seeing my mom after a long absence, seeing what further damage her disease had caused. At her tallest, she had been 5’9”, but after RA, she’d shrunk down to about 5’6”. She’d had to have back surgery to fuse some discs together at one point, which also took away from her graceful physique. She was still thin like me, but her perfect ballerina posture was gone. Her movements were stiff and her hands were minimally functional. But even now, at 50, her long blonde hair still shimmered elegantly, and her smile was still captivating. After hugging me, she turned to Jane.

“You must be Jane. I’m Lydia. I’m so happy to meet you.”

I could see in Jane’s face a hesitation to accept my mother’s hug, probably because she was afraid she’d hurt her. She stepped forward and embraced her gingerly.

“Mom, this is Danny,” I said quietly.

Danny quickly masked his terror at seeing my mother’s condition by offering her one of his million watt smiles. “Mrs. Martin, I’m so glad we could come.” He handed her the flowers, which she set down lovingly on the buffet in the hall.

Then he took her free hand gently in his. I could see my mother was very affected by him.

She gave him a motherly once over, but her blush at the end was all woman. “Please, call me Lydia. Won’t you all come in?”

We followed her into the house and I could see Danny’s muscles clenching behind his jaw even through his smile. I guess I hadn’t really told him what to expect with my mother. I told him she was sick like me. I knew he was seeing what could be my future, something that scared the hell out of me and probably affected him similarly. I couldn’t help but be afraid that his feelings would change for me with this little glimpse of his bride-to-be’s potential.

Mom led us into the living room, which was spotless as usual, and the three of us sat on the couch with Danny in the middle.

“Can I get something for you to drink?”

I shot up off of the couch. “I’ll get it, Mom. You just relax.” I walked quickly into the kitchen and could hear nervous conversation get started without me. I took a couple of deep breaths and started pouring lemonade into glasses. I carried out one for my mother and one for Jane, and then returned with one each for Danny and I.

Mom caught my hand as I walked past to sit next to Danny. She gave it a squeeze, like touching me made it real that I was home. I knew she missed me, and I missed her, too. Sometimes it was easier to live further away, though, because I could be braver when she wasn’t near. When I was with her, I was her little girl again, and she was there to take care of me. To a point. The adult Jesse knew that mom wasn’t capable of taking care of everything anymore, but she still sometimes wished for her mommy.

“Jess, your father should be home soon. He wanted to stop at the butcher and get those steaks you like.” She smiled up at me and I knew just how much it meant to her to have us here.

“Oh, that sounds so good! He didn’t have to go out of his way, though.”

Mom shook her head, laughing. “You know he loves to BBQ for you. He’s been excited about it since you called to tell us you were coming! He made the salad last night and everything!”

We both rolled our eyes. That sounded like Dad. And at that moment, he came stomping in the front door. “Lydia, are they here,” he called out in his gruff voice.

Danny stood up, rubbing his palms nervously on his black jeans. He wore a black button down, long sleeved, and boots trying to dress it up a bit. I couldn’t believe he was so nervous about this. Mom looked surprised as well.

My father ducked through the doorway then, his 6’5” frame filling it. At 52 he still had a powerful build, probably weighing in at 250lbs or more. No fat, just hard muscle and toughness. His golden-blonde hair was still thick and full on his head and only slightly peppered with white and grey. He laid eyes on me and his tough guy facade slipped away. “Baby! Come here!”

I walked over to him and let him crush me in a bear hug, lifting me off the ground. “Dad! Can’t breathe!”

He laughed and kissed my forehead. “I can’t help it, Jess. It’s been too long.” He smiled lovingly at me. Then his attention turned to Danny and he was all business. “You must be Dan.” He stalked over to him and stuck out his hand, taking Danny’s measure. Again, I probably hadn’t prepared Danny for the force of nature that was Jack Martin. He handled it with the charm I knew to be effortless.

“Mr. Martin, I’m pleased to meet you.”

Jane’s eyes were wide looking up at my hulking dad.

“And who is this,” my dad said in a lower voice, bending down closer to Jane’s height.

“I’m Jane Black,” she said, sticking out her hand. Brave little girl.

My dad’s face broke into the hugest grin as he took her tiny hand in his. “Good handshake, young lady. Make sure you always shake firm like that. You’ll scare away unworthy males.”

Jane blushed and laughed out loud. “Ok, I’ll remember.”

Dad winked at her and then said, “Dan, you want to come help me get these steaks on? I think I’ve got some beer in the fridge.” Danny agreed and followed him into the kitchen, his eyes only slightly going wide.

Jane and I sat with Mom and I noticed Jane looking around. “Jesse, do you have any pictures of you dancing?”

My mother and I looked at each other and she smiled, only a little sad. “Why don’t you show her your room, Jess?”

I took a deep breath for courage and smiled at Jane. “You sure you want to see the shrine? I keep telling Mom to put this stuff away-”

“And I keep telling her that I never will until she takes it to her own house and puts it out. She has a lot to be proud of.” Mom was so proud of me. I wished Jane could experience having a mother beam with pride at every accomplishment. I was determined to give her that.

I took Jane’s hand and said, “Alright, let’s go. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. The cheese factor is pretty high in here.”

Jane laughed as we walked down the hall. My room was at the end. I really had asked mom repeatedly to put away my things, but she wouldn’t have it. Neither would Dad.

I opened the door and Jane gasped. “Oh, wow! This is like a museum!”

Lining one wall was a huge glass case with all of my trophies, photos, shoes of various sizes, and even two of my costumes on display. If it were anyone other than my parents who had these things up, I’d say it was creepy. But we had an unspoken agreement that we’d keep things around as a reminder of all that we’d been blessed with and all we had accomplished. The opposite wall had several large framed photos of my mother dancing with the Oakland Ballet. Her toe shoes hung from a hook. Jane oooed and ahhhed over all of the things to look at. Surprisingly, I wasn’t angry and bitter looking at them. This time home, I looked at them with a sense of peace and acceptance. That was my life. I had a wonderful time and accomplished more than most dancers my age ever could dream of. I had new dreams now.

“Jesse, this is amazing! Do you have any videos of you dancing?”

I sighed. “Probably. You’d have to ask my mom, but I’m sure she has them around somewhere.” She bounced on her toes a little, grinning at me. Then I asked her about something that was bothering me.

“Jane? You were awfully quiet when you guys came back from your walk this morning. Everything ok?”

Her grin faded a little and she looked down at her feet. She wandered back over to the display case. “Yeah, I guess.”

I frowned. “That doesn’t sound like ok. I don’t want to pry, sweetie. Is there anything you want to talk about?”

Her blue eyes looked so vulnerable when she looked up at me. “Jesse, are you going to marry my dad?” I stepped over next to her and leaned back against the case. She took in a shuddering breath. “Daddy told me this morning that my mom is going to get married. He also said that he wants to marry you and wondered what I thought about it.” That’s what the long face was about.

“And how do you feel about all this, Jane? It’s an awful lot of change for you.”

She nodded, her finger tracing over the glass. “It is. I’m kind of surprised about my mom. It just kind of came out of nowhere with this guy. But with you two, I’ve had time to get used to you being together. And I like you together.” She looked up at me with wet eyes. “I love you, Jesse. And I want my dad to be happy. I just don’t know where I fit in all of this.” A tear slipped down her cheek and she dropped her head again.

I took a deep breath for courage. “Jane, can I give you a hug?” She nodded without looking at me and I pulled her into my arms, tight against me. My heart was breaking for her. I hated that I had anything to do with her current feeling. “You fit in right in the middle of all of this, Jane. Your father and I would never do anything to make you feel uncomfortable. If you aren’t ready for us to get married, it ain’t gonna happen! I can’t do anything about your mom, but I’m sure not going to do anything you aren’t ok with. You mean the world to me, Jane. To me and your dad. We love you.” And then I was crying and then she was crying and we were holding onto each other for dear life. There was a soft tap at the door and my mother came hobbling in with her cane.

“Oh! Oh, girls, what’s wrong?”

Jane wiped at her eyes, but I didn’t let go of her.

“We’re ok, Mom. It’s just been a heavy summer for Jane. Lots of changes. And that’s not even counting the fact that she starts middle school in a couple of weeks.” This got a chuckle from Jane. I hoped she didn’t mind that I was diverting attention from the real conversation.

“Middle school! Oh dear. When Jess started middle school, I thought our lives had been hijacked by terrorists! Talk about emotional upheaval! Her dad even threatened to move out until after puberty was over!” Jane giggled like crazy. I was so grateful to my mom for the save.

“She’s really not exaggerating that much, Jane. I was pretty emotional. But it was mostly centered on dancing and whether I was pushing myself enough, whether I was working hard enough, whether we were going to win our competitions. We went through equal amounts of Aqua Net and Kleenex during those years.”

My mom put her free arm around my waist and I leaned over and hugged her close, kissing her hair. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I wanted to ask if you would help me set the table, Jess,” she said softly.

“Of course, Mom. I’ll handle it. In fact, Jane here was asking if you had any of my old performance videos. Maybe you can show her one while I get everything set up? That way I don’t have to sit through it and critique myself again.”

They both laughed and my mom opened a drawer on the dresser. Inside was a stack of DVDs. “I had them all burned to disks so we wouldn’t ever lose them. They’re part of history, our history.”

Jane smiled brightly at Mom, her eyes dry. She took a couple of disks from the drawer and glanced at the titles. “Are there any of you, Mrs. Martin?”

My mom smiled shyly and said, “Yes there are. But you don’t want to watch an old ballerina prance around the stage.”

Jane nodded vigorously. “I do! I do! I used to take ballet and Jesse is going to take me to her classes in September!”

Mom winked at me and said, “Alright, if you insist. Let’s go take these to the other room. Maybe we should check on your dad. He might need to be rescued from Jack.”

Jane nodded, took my mom’s hand, and they went out to the living room. When she looked back at me, her expression was one of acceptance, of agreement. I tried to give her a reassuring smile in return.

I hurried to the kitchen to grab what I needed and, of course, to spy on Danny and my dad. The two of them stood near the grill with bottles of beer in hand and smiles on their faces. This scene did not look like a nervous boyfriend and the intimidating father. It looked like they were conspiring against me! I quickly set the table in the dining room and then stepped through the slider to the patio.