Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [126]
Still, she couldn’t believe that she was taking advice from Jake’s old girlfriend. A worldly girl’s advice. When they passed through the living room, Jessie drew her finger to her lips. Katy saw that Minnie was resting in an armchair. Her head hung to the side, and her mouth emitted soft snoring noises. They tiptoed past.
“Is Ann gone?” Katy whispered.
“Yes. Grocery shopping. Should be home soon.”
And to think they weren’t having a bit of trouble with the ornery older woman. The longer she stayed in this home, the more her pride was brought down from its lofty throne. The only thing that would clinch it would be for Ann to come home and find her chasing after her son. Katy hoped she was gone before then. Ann might not want Katy at the house again after all her blunders. Yet if things went as she hoped with Jake, she would have to face Ann sometime.
When Katy realized where Jessie was leading her, she instinctively hesitated.
Jessie placed a hand on her black belted hip. “I’m staying in Jake’s room while he’s gone. I brought my laptop along.”
A pang of hurt shot through Katy. But she quickly closed her mind to it, and when she did, the thought came to her that it was just her pride rearing up again. Pride was a hard foe to quell. Much of the hurt and jealousy she had battled against was caused by the injury to her pride. No wonder God had allowed her to get to this place. Feeling more humbled than ever, she followed Jessie into Jake’s room.
Jake’s room was different, chaotic from all of Jessie’s belongings. Even her perfume overpowered his masculine scents. His computer was missing on his desk, replaced with her backpack and her laptop. Katy couldn’t tell if the objectionable photograph was still gone because the nightstand was draped with feminine clothing. So was the bed. Clothing also spilled from an open suitcase. Katy’s gaze lingered on the high-heeled shoes cluttering the floor in the middle of the room, the ones Jessie had worn on Sunday. Katy couldn’t imagine how anyone could wear them without breaking their neck.
She felt a touch on her arm and looked up.
“I know this is hard for you. It’s kind of weird for me, too. First Jake getting all religious, and now Erin. Then Jake running away. You showing up while I’m staying in Jake’s room—”
Katy interrupted, “Erin’s religious? Was that why she was at church on Sunday? Do you know? Is she returning to the church?”
“Yep.” Jessie’s face contorted. “Claims she’s had some epiphany.” She stooped, picked up the heels, and dropped them into the suitcase. “That’s why I followed her here for spring break. I’m trying to figure out how this family operates.”
Katy gave Jessie her first genuine smile. “It doesn’t have to be weird with us. I never thought I’d say it, but I kinda like you. In fact, you’re a little like my roommate.” Her lip quirked into a smile. “Wouldn’t you love to see the look on Jake’s face when he realizes I e-mailed him from your computer?” It wasn’t necessary to add, Because you were the reason I couldn’t forgive him.
Jessie’s dark-rimmed eyes lit with amusement. “He’s going to flip!” As they booted up Jessie’s computer, they giggled.
Jessie pulled up Jake’s e-mail address and a page from which Katy could send her message. “You want me to leave?”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all.”
“Thanks, Jessie.”
Jessie waved her appreciation away as if it were a natural thing for
the two of them to conspire together. She started to leave then paused. “I’m going to go see what’s going on between Erin and David. I didn’t see that one coming. Did you?”
“Actually, he hinted to me earlier that he had a thing for her.”
“They’re cute together. Does he always look so…perfect?”
“Yes, he does. But he doesn’t always act that way.”
“Interesting.”
Katy couldn’t blame David for his ulterior motives. Once Katy was alone, she glanced at the empty e-mail form. This was it. Her last chance, albeit a slim one. After that, it was