The J's Story

By Sally A Allen

Everyone in the Jackson family had names starting with the initial J. This novel is the story of their lifes circumstances and lovessome serious, some funny, and some tragic, keeping the readers attention until the ending, which is the beginning of their new lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524587031

Sally A Allen

Sally A. Allen is originally from Wisconsin and currently lives in West Central Florida with her schnauzer, Sibby. While her novels are fiction, she draws from the many experiences she’s had in her life. Visit her website at www.sally-allen.webs.com.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

A FTER TEN YEARS OF marriage and numerous trips to different doctors, Janice and Jamie Jackson couldn’t believe she was pregnant. Janice was pleasantly plump and didn’t realize her condition until she was three months along. Her periods had always been irregular so she didn’t think anything of it when she went several months without having one. It was only when her stomach became queasy in the morning and her breasts became swollen that she dared to think she was pregnant. Janice made an appointment with her family doctor without telling her husband, not wanting to get his hopes up.

Dr. Graham gave Janice a thorough examination while she lay on her back with her eyes squeezed shut and her fingers crossed. After the doctor was finished, he said Please get dressed, I’ll be back. There is another patient I must see immediately.

He quickly left the room, leaving Janice there alone. What was so important that he had to leave without telling her if she was pregnant or not? The minutes ticked by and fifteen minutes seemed like an hour.

Finally Dr. Graham hurried into the room with a broad smile on his face. Congratulations! he beamed. You are going to have a baby my dear.

Janice’s eyes welled with tears while she smiled. Thank God, she said. I can’t wait to see the look on Jamie’s face when I tell him!

Dr. Graham patted her shoulder. All the doctors and fertility pills were worth it, weren’t they? Janice nodded yes vigorously.

She drove home faster than she should have, then ran into the house. We’re going to celebrate tonight she thought excitedly. Janice threw her jacket over a kitchen chair, opened the freezer and took out two stuffed pork chops she’d purchased at the butcher shop. Then she scrubbed and scored two baked potatoes and quickly mixed up a tossed salad. She took out a bottle of White Merlot from the cupboard and placed it on the rack in the refrigerator to chill.

When Jamie got home from work, the dining room table was set with their best lace table cloth and crystal wine glasses stood by the fine china they’d gotten for their wedding.

Janice hurried to the bathroom and took a shower. Smiling to herself she put on her pink peignoir set and went back into the kitchen to wait for Jamie to come home.

Jamie glanced at her when he entered the room then looked at his wife again. He looked at the fancy table, then at her, What’s up? he inquired.

In answer, Jamie threw her arms around him, I’m pregnant! she whispered in his ear.

What? Jamie asked loudly. What did you say? I said I’m pregnant, Janice said dancing in front of him. She took him by the hand pulling him down the hall toward the bedroom.

Inside the room, Jamie stopped abruptly. Are you sure it’s Ok? he asked.

Janice punched him on the arm, Of course it is, she laughed. Enjoy it while you can babe, soon you’ll have to become celibate. Janice jumped on the bed and held out her arms, Come to me, she invited.

Jamie ripped off her nighty then took her in his arms. We’re having our dessert first, tonight, he said joyfully, then nipped her on the ear and their love making began. Janice and Jamie ate their dinner at midnight.

At Janice’s next doctor’s appointment with Dr. Graham, he asked her if she wanted to know if she was having a baby girl or boy. She debated because Jamie wanted a boy and she wanted a girl. Maybe it would be better if it was a surprise. But wouldn’t it be nice to know so she could decorate the nursery in the right color? Janice didn’t like either yellow or green, so she told the doctor yes. He gave her an ultrasound that same day and to Janice’s delight, the infant was a girl.

Although Jamie was disappointed that they wouldn’t have a boy to carry on the Jackson family name, he told Janice he would love his daughter and would try not to spoil her but he knew he would.

Janice was in her third trimester when she brought up the subject of a name. What are we going to name our little girl? she asked Jamie.

He thought about it then suggested they call the baby Janice too.

Absolutely not! Janice exclaimed. I’ll get a name book and we’ll choose a name from there. However none of the names appealed to them, so they stopped trying to select one for their baby. Finally, when Janice was in the eighth month of her pregnancy they knew they had to make a decision. After dinner they sat down in the living room intent on finding a name.

Well? Janice asked.

Jamie shook his head. I still don’t know, he replied.

How about Edna; after your sister?

Yuck, Jamie answered, I don’t like the name and besides its old fashioned.

I think it would be nice to begin her name with a J, after all we started it.

I agree, how about Julie?

Janice wrinkled up her nose, No! There was a girl in school by that name that I absolutely hated. I’d never give my child that name!

Jamie tried again, Alright, how about Jenny after my mother, he suggested.

Janice clapped her hands. What a wonderful idea! Jenny it is!

Even though it was a first baby, Janice’s contractions began five minutes apart. Jamie had to get her to the hospital at once. Janice was rushed to the maternity ward and situated on the birthing table. Where is the doctor? she screamed in agony.

Be still, sweets, a nurse said, He’ll be here soon, he’s on his way.

She wants to come out! Janice cried, spreading her legs apart. She’s going to be born now, doctor or not. She pressed down with a new contraction and the baby’s head emerged. The next push delivered the infant.

As soon as the birth, Dr. Graham came rushing through the door. I’m too late, he said in dismay. Nurse, he commanded, Clean the baby up and I’ll check the mother to be sure she’s alright.

Little Jenny squealed loudly and wiggled in the nurses arms. She’s a feisty one, the doctor commented. If this is any indication, she’ll be a handful, he laughed. You take care, he said to Janice. I’ll be back to stitch you up. She made a pretty fast exit. Little did he know just how obstinate this new baby would become.

From the beginning Janice had her hands full. Jenny wouldn’t eat or sleep on schedule. She’d wake up every two hours screaming. Exasperated and suffering from lack of sleep Janice tried to breast feed her. Jenny clamped her lips on Janice’s nipples and wouldn’t let go. Exasperated she bought some pabulum and began feeding her. The baby rebelled and spit the formula out.

Not knowing what to do, she phoned Dr. Graham. He advised Janice to stop trying to force feeding her. Let the baby get hungry. Soon enough she’ll eat gladly. Janice tried it but it didn’t work. Finally she purchased some soft baby food and mixed it in with the formula and it satisfied young Jenny for a while.

CHAPTER 2

S OON JAMIE STARTED COMING home late every night. Janice always had a nightly meal ready for him but sometimes he showed up and sometimes he didn’t. Where was he, Janice wondered, not wanting to believe what she had thought. Probably he was sleeping with another woman.

Janice fell into a deep depression and continued on with her life like a robot, feeling nothing and running away from the truth. Then one day, Jamie showed up with his friend Jake’s pick- up truck. In the back was the baby’s furniture, hidden from view as the vehicle pulled into the driveway and parked.

Janice looked out the window and saw Jamie sitting in Greg’s truck and lost her cool. So that’s where he’s been all the time, she fumed. When those two got together, nothing good would come of it, she thought. She ran to the door, opened it and shouted, Where have you been? Out at Rambler’s bar?

Greg and Jamie looked at each other surprised by Janice’s outburst. What’s up with her? Greg asked.

Since she had the baby she goes off for no reason. The doctor says it sometimes happens after childbirth.

Lucky for you. Let’s get this stuff unloaded and I’m out of here! The two of them had built a small rocker for Jenny and a larger one for Mom. For the future baby’s, they’d fashioned a bassinet on wheels.

When Janice saw what they were doing, she slapped her hand over her mouth and began sobbing. What is wrong with me, she wondered. Then she ran to the bedroom and lay down on the bed shaking. Janice cried herself to sleep and didn’t get up until it was dark. She couldn’t believe she’d slept so long. My God, I didn’t make dinner, she cried out loud. Jamie, are you here? she hollered. There was no answer, everything was silent.

Janice hurried down the stairs thinking he had fallen asleep in his recliner watching the news. However, he wasn’t in the living room or the kitchen. A half full bottle of Jim Beam stood on the counter next to a dirty glass. Janice’s heart fell. Jamie didn’t quit after one drink. After the first, he drank shots one after another. Janice knew she had chased Jamie away and felt a cold shiver of fear run through her. Had she chased him away for good?

It was then she noticed the piece of paper lying on the table. You’ll see me when you see me, it read. The words were smudged with ink and the words were run together. There was no doubt Jamie was drunk.

Janice put her head in her hands. Dear God, I’ve driven him away, she whispered and wondered if he’d ever come back.

After two lonely miserable days in which Janice couldn’t sleep, she heard a sound coming from the garage. Her heart jumped. What was that, she cried to herself.

Then the kitchen door flew open and crashed against the wall. Jamie walked nonchalantly in the door carrying the small basinet. Don’t say a word, he ordered. What’s done is done and I don’t want to go there!

Janice stood there unmoving and watched her husband carefully. She told herself everything would be alright. Janice was already planning to make him one of his favorite meals that day. She thought foolishly that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

For the next few days, Janice and Jamie’s conversation was strained and little was said. Then something happened to break the impasse’. Jamie, wrench in hand, bent over to wipe up some coffee that had spilled from his cup and his work pants split down his backside leaving his underwear in plain sight. Janice tried to keep from laughing but didn’t succeed. Instead she bent at the waist and howled with glee. Jamie looked at her with disgust but then saw the humor in the scene too. He joined Janice in her laughter and when they finally stopped, he took her in his arms. The two of them wordlessly made a truce. The tough days were over as each of them wanted to start all over.

CHAPTER 3

J AMIE WAS DISGUSTED WHEN Janice became pregnant again five years later. He thought one child was enough. He prayed Jenny would grow up to be the first woman president or at the very least a beautiful, well known fashion model.

Janice’s second pregnancy went better than the first. She didn’t have any morning sickness and her skin absolutely glowed. Together she and Jamie painted a room pink for the unborn little girl, then she made up the bassinet with little sheet blankets she’d purchased.

This time Janice gained forty pounds and was very uncomfortable in the last few days. Finally the contractions started. She waited until they came ten minutes from each other; then Jamie drove her to the hospital. It was an easy birth and mother and daughter were home in three days.

Little Jane was a happy baby and blew bubbles when she saw her parents. Janice rocked her constantly in the rocker. Jenny had cried and kicked in her bed constantly when she was young. How could two girls be so different? They had opposite personalities. Jenny had curly blonde hair while Jane’s was black and straight. Janice dressed the girls in the same outfits until Jane was five years old, when Jenny threw a fit. From then on she dressed Jenny in bright, primary colors which showed her flamboyant personality. Jane preferred darker colors; navy blue, dark green, and maroon.

By the time Jenny was in junior high she was wearing bright red lipstick and makeup.

Jane mostly kept to herself reading one book after another. She was quiet and obedient. Janice couldn’t believe the difference in her daughters.

By her senior year in high school, Jenny was a beauty and had many boys chasing after her, the phone rang constantly. They were so disgusted with her, Janice and Jamie threatened to send her to an all-girls high school.

Jenny made good on her promise and ran away from home. Her parents were frantic and called all the girls they knew were her friends but most of them said they hadn’t seen her, except for one. Julie Peters paused when Janice asked her point blank if she knew anything. Well, yeah, I think I might know where she is.

Please tell me and I’ll check, Janice answered.

Jenny will kill me if she finds out who squealed on her.

Please tell me.

Oh. Alright, Jenny’s been hanging around with a girl called Betty James and we hardly see her anymore.

Who is she? Janice asked exasperated.

She’s one that runs with a bad crowd. Jenny is thick with her.

Do you know where she lives?

On the other side of town, on Elmore Street. I don’t know the exact number. If you’re thinking of going there alone, I wouldn’t. It’s a bad area.

I’ll go with my husband to check it out, Janice said angrily. She would talk to Jamie but as far as she was concerned Jenny was definitely going to Lakeside, the girl’s school.

When Jamie heard the story he was incensed. We’re going right now, he said sternly.

When they left, Jane shook her head. She didn’t know what was wrong with Jenny. She had a perfectly good home here. Why would she go and stay in a shack with five unruly kids? It’s not my business she thought and sat down at the kitchen table with her math book. She had some homework that was due the next day.

Jamie and Janice drove to the street the James lived on. At the very end of the road stood a house badly in need of re- pair. Several windows were broken and the lawn was covered with knee high weeds. A broken bicycle lay on the ground. Two filthy boys about ten were playing with toys in front of the house.

A girl about Jenny’s age appeared at the door and hollered, If you’re looking for Jenny she’s not her! she shouted.

I’ll see about that, Jamie answered and got out of the car. I’ll handle this, he said to Janice and marched up the cracked sidewalk to the house. The girl tried to stop him, but he shoved her roughly out of the way and entered the cluttered living room. Jenny crouched in a corner and when she saw her father she burst into tears. You’re getting out of here right now! Jamie shouted. Jenny got up from where she was sitting and meekly followed him to the car.

Janice glared at Jenny. That’s the last straw! she said sternly. To the girl’s school you go!

Calm down, Jamie said. We’ll talk about it when we get home. Janice looked at him with rancor but didn’t utter a word. When the three of them arrived home, Jenny was told to go directly to her room and Jamie looked at Janice, We have to talk, he said firmly and taking her hand led her to the den and closed the door.

Watching the scenario Jane wanted no part of it, so she hurried outside and sat in a lawn chair letting the soft sun warm her body. She hated the family being in such turmoil and wished she was anywhere but there.

In the den both of the girl’s parents sat down on the daybed. Janice looked expectantly at Jamie. What? she asked.

This is Jenny’s first real mistake. I think we should give her another chance. She will have the threat of going to Lakeside hanging over her head and she doesn’t want to go there. Let’s ground her for a month and only let her out of the house to go to school. Let her think about what she’s done and we’ll see what happens.

Janice frowned. She’ll never do what we tell her! she wailed.

I said we’ll wait to see what happens, Jamie said firmly and that was that.

For a while Jenny obeyed Jamie’s orders and acted like an obedient girl. Jamie watched her closely, but she came home directly after school and even studied every night. She was home in the evening, either watching television or playing video games. She couldn’t make any phone calls because her cell phone was confiscated until she was off probation.

A week after Jenny was confined to her room, a boy called and asked to talk to her. Janice had answered the phone and thought how intelligent the young man sounded. My name is Paul Livingston, he explained after he’d asked for Jenny. I’m in biology class with her and have the answer to an equation she can’t figure out.

Because he sounded so pleasant she called Jenny to the phone. It’s some Paul, she said handing her the phone. Jenny made a face but greeted the boy curtly. The conversation was short, but Jenny had the answer to the Algebra equation she needed. After Jenny ended the call, Janice asked who the young man was.

Oh, some nerd from school, Jenny scoffed. It’s fun to pick his brain, but he has a bad crush on me so I pretend not to know it. She laughed heartily. He even asked me to the prom, like I’d really go with him. I would be the laughing stock of the school.

When did you become so high and mighty? Janice wanted to ask her but held her tongue. She just watched her wayward daughter walk down the hall to her room and shut the door. In a few minutes Janice could hear music playing so loud she wondered why Jenny’s ear drums were still intact.

The next night Paul called and asked for Jenny again. This time Jane answered the phone. When she heard his voice Jane immediately perked up. I’ll go get her, Jane promised and pretended to call her sister to the phone. I’m sorry Paul she must be in the shower, Jane lied.