Jenny: Chapter Four
1988 Words
Jenny: Chapter Four
Out of Contact
Dare
To: Jenny
Jenny,
Remember how I mentioned a big trip with work? I’m leaving today. Not sure about cell coverage where we’re going. Spotty Wi-Fi for sure. I might not be able to respond for a while, but I’ll be in touch when I can. Until then, take Bigfoot repellent with you when you hike. Can’t have you trapped in his lair again. And be careful when you go out on dates. Please remember the precautions I told you.
Take care,
Dare
****
Re: Out of Contact
Jenny
To: Dare
Dare,
Thanks for letting me know. I hope your trip goes well. Safe travels! Repellent is in my purse. Might come in handy in other situations. No more dates planned, however. The message-in-the-bottle list is good at weeding people out. If someone does meet the requirements, I will be careful and remember your precautions. Promise!
Thanks,
Jenny
****
Been a while
Dare
To: Jenny
Hey, Jenny,
Sorry to be out of touch for so long. Okay, two weeks isn’t that long, but it feels like forever. It’s been crazy busy here. I had a free minute and an internet connection, so I wanted to say hi and that I was thinking about you.
That’s probably weird when I know nothing about you except your first name and the state where you live, but I miss our texting. Can’t wait to get home so we can do that again. Unless, of course, you’re dating someone and he’s the jealous type. Totally would understand if that’s the case. If you were my girl, I wouldn’t want you texting some random dude. If you’re not with someone, I hope you haven’t had to use the repellent!
As for life here, it’s not bad. Food sucks, and I’d love a burger, fries, and chocolate milkshake right now, but things could be worse. We’re getting the job done, and that’s what matters.
Take care,
Dare
P.S. Dare is a nickname for Darragh. A family name. My great-grandfather. Don’t think I ever told you that.
P.P.S. I was outside last night and looked up at the sky. It was a clear night and breathtaking. I thought of you and wondered if you had the same view. I know some parts of Washington get a lot of rain, but I hope it wasn’t cloudy where you live.
****
Re: Been a while
Jenny
To: Dare
Hey, Dare,
Great to hear from you. I know business trips can be insane so not surprised you’re busy.
No burgers where you are? In your honor, I ate the meal you’ve been wanting, and it was delicious. Especially the shake, but how can you go wrong when chocolate is involved? The hamburger was grilled just right, slightly juicy but not too much pink (not a fan of rare), and the French fries were waffle-cut with seasoned salt. Yum!
And not weird. I’ve been thinking about you, too, even though I only know your first name and that you live in Georgia. My real name is Jennifer, in case you hadn’t guessed, but Jenny fits me better, and is what everyone calls me.
But this might be weird. I was so happy when I saw your email in my inbox today. It put a big smile on my face. Not that I was frowning or sad, just tired and a little overwhelmed with work.
No dates, but that’s okay. I’ve had a lot to do, and my sister-in-law’s having a rougher time than usual. My brother died six years ago, and the anniversary of his death was last week. She’s stronger than she realizes, but they got married a week after high school graduation, and he was her world. I keep telling her there is no time frame for grief. I just wish there was something else I could say to make things better.
She’s into animal rescue, and I help her sometimes. The other night, we were out until two in the morning with her rescue group trapping feral cats. They have a program where a vet will neuter or spay and give shots before the rescue releases the cats back where they were found.
I so wish I could see your sky. I love stargazing, but even though it’s summer, the nights have been overcast. I’ll keep trying. The clouds can’t stay out forever.
Well, I guess that’s all for now. Hope you’re managing to have some fun!
Jenny
P.S. Repellant remains unused. Very pleased about that.
P.P.S. Any chance you’ve had time to date while on the road? I went on mine, so it’s your turn.
****
Re: Re: Been a while
Dare
To: Jenny
Jenny,
Great to hear from you! I figured your name was Jennifer. I like Jenny.
Thanks for eating in my honor. I have another meal mission for you should you choose to accept it:
Corn dog, tater tots, and soda (no diet, full-on sugar).
Glad I could put a smile on your face. Your email did the same for me. Guess I was smiling more than usual because I got some ribbing from the guys I work with. I told them they’re jealous. I probably shouldn’t have said that. When I told them we’re just friends, no one believed me.
I’m sorry about your brother. I’ve lost a few friends, and it sucks. Your sister-in-law is lucky to have someone like you. Not sure it’ll help, but the wife of a good friend who died is now remarried with a baby on the way. She was in a dark place for a while, but then she realized her husband wouldn’t have wanted her to stop living (and she wouldn’t have wanted that if the situation had been reversed). She knows he would want her to live the life they’d planned and make their dreams come true. So that’s what she did. I didn’t want to like the guy she married, but I must admit, he’s good for her. Totally different from my friend, but that’s what she needed.
Animal rescue in the dead of the night, huh? Good work and glad you were with a group, but be careful when you’re out late in the dark. Please don’t do that alone or with just your sister-in-law. Not to harp on this, but you really should take a self-defense class. Better safe than sorry.
Sounds like you have enough going on not to be dating. That makes two of us.
Have the clouds parted so you can see the starry night? I hope so, but if not, I’m watching the skies for both of us. I took a few pictures I’ll share when I’m home. Sorry, no UFOs that I could see, but I keep looking for them. There’s a particularly bright star (had to make sure it wasn’t a planet) that I call Jenny after you. So beautiful. I’ll try to figure out the real name and location so you can look for it.
Not much else is going on. Ready to go home, but not sure when that will be. More work to do.
Be safe,
Dare
****
Mission Accomplished
Jenny
To: Dare
Sorry for your friends’ ribbing, but let them believe what they want. We know the truth! BFFs! And in case that’s a new acronym for you, it stands for Bottle Friends Forever!
I don’t know when I last ate a corn dog (maybe a fair when I was a teenager?) but meal mission #2 is completed. I’m not a fan of soda (diet or regular), but I suffered through the sweetness for you. Happy to take on another meal mission should you desire.
I shared with my sister-in-law what you told me about your friend’s wife, and Missy got really quiet. She said to tell you thanks. I don’t know if it’ll make a difference, but she needs to hear stuff like that from people other than me. Thank you! I hope someday she can remarry like your friend’s wife. Though at this point, going out on a date would be a huge step for Missy. She was also very happy I have a new friend. She thinks I don’t get out enough, but what can I say? I’m a homebody.
I wish I could see the Jenny star. Thanks for telling me about it. I’d love to know what star it really is. The clouds cleared for a brief time last night. I stood on my patio bundled in a blanket. Lots of stars, but the best part was imagining you looking up at the sky, too.
I hope you’re home soon.
Thinking about you,
Jenny
****
Re: Mission Accomplished
Dare
To: Jenny
I’ve never had a BFF. Glad my first one is you! My team still thinks there’s more going on than friendship, so I smile and nod when they ask for details.
Looking at the sky each night and knowing you’re doing the same makes me feel like I’m not so far away from home. It’s a good feeling, just what I need. Thanks.
The Jenny star seems to be even brighter than before. I’m still trying to figure out the official information. I may have to make a wish that I can get that for you.
I hope Missy is doing better this week. You’re a great sister-in-law to care so much about her. It’s a good sign she listened even if she was only humoring you. Stuff will sink in eventually—probably already has—but as you wrote, grief doesn’t have a time frame. When I’m home, I’ll reach out to my friend’s widow. She might have more ideas.
Nothing wrong with being a homebody. After a while, the bars and clubs all look the same.
No meal mission for you, but I’d love if you could go on a dessert one—I’d like a warm chocolate brownie, two scoops of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Make that two cherries. One for each of us.
I’m out of time, so I’ll sign off. Can’t wait to hear from you. Your emails are keeping me going, Jenny. If that’s weird, I don’t care.
Your BFF,
Dare
****
Re: Re: Mission Accomplished
Jenny
To: Dare
Hey, BFF!
Guess what? I made a wish on a star, too. I can’t tell you the wish, but I hope yours and mine both come true. There’s no rush on getting the star info. It might be fun figuring that out together when you get home. Any word when that will be?
The dessert mission was completed. A total success. Excellent choice, but totally decadent. The calories went straight to my hips. Not that I minded because it was that delicious.
I really could use a BFF, especially if you can be a voice of reason because the logical side of my brain has gone missing. Missy is fostering a litter of kittens. They are the cutest things ever. Tiny and a ton of work. We’re bottle feeding them around the clock. They make these little mews and are so soft and cuddly. They fall asleep on you. My heart melts every time I’m around them.
Please tell me I don’t need to adopt a kitten. They are adorable, yes, but would be a huge responsibility. One I’m not sure I’m ready for. Did you know there’s a cat that is thirty-one years old? That’s the same age as me!
Missy says I’m overthinking this, but I’ve had this plan, sort of a life plan, for a while. It’s old-fashioned, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing things like my parents or grandparents did (i.e. fall in love, get married, have kids, adopt a pet or two in that order). That makes logical sense to me. But what happens if I do stuff out of order? If I adopt a kitten, will it mess up everything else? I’m not the spontaneous type, but I fear one of those cute bundles of fur will be my downfall.
Not much else is going on other than the kittens and work. I’m going to head outside in a few minutes to look at the stars and will be thinking of you doing the same.
Wishing you were here,
Jenny
P.S. That wasn’t my wish on a star. Just in case you thought I’d let it slip.
- Writer
