Hey guys...
sorry for being kinda MIA lately
I have a lot going on... kinda stressed
I'm supposed to go to Florida next monday for a week but I might end up going sooner
my grandpa is in the hospital, so we're kinda worried...
sorry if this chapter is kinda bad... im not really myself
hopefully you like it
there should be more up soon, i tend to write when im stressed...
<3
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Chapter 7
Jennifer awoke the next morning to Joe’s face, peering through the curtains in her bunk. “Up and off the bus! Pancakes!” he said before running to the front and dashing off their home on the road. Groaning before reaching for her phone, she gently pulled back the covers. Once her feet hit the floor she stretched as best she could due to the limitations of space around her. Jen reached into her drawer and pulled out her travel bag, making her way to the back of the bus to the bathroom. Upon opening the door, she encountered Nick who was brushing his teeth. He graciously stepped to the side to allow her access to the sink as well. One he finished, he escaped to the front of the bus, to wait for her there.
Ten minutes later, Nick a few groans followed by a series of sobs and he immediately knew where they were coming from. Dashing back to the bathroom, he found Jen trying to position the tangled wig on her head. “What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly. Jen glanced at herself in the mirror and sighed before turning to him, “I look like a freak. That’s what’s wrong.” Last night upon entering the bus, she carelessly took off the hairpiece and threw it in her drawer. When she woke up this morning, she found that it had been tangled beyond all extremes.
This was the one thing that allowed Jen to feel somewhat of a normal person. It helped her fit in with the crowd, something she longed to do. She hated that a material possession could hold so much value to her; but it helped her not feel like the outcast she often felt she was. Now that it was no longer wearable for the time being, she felt vulnerable; people would finally see the weaknesses she was trying so desperately to hide.
Nick glanced at the girl crying before him; he wished with all of his heart that something would cure her of this terrible disease. Every night before bed, Nick bowed his head to pray, most times including a special prayer for Jennifer. He didn’t know what it was about her, but she had this ability to see him as a real person, she was the only one Nick could talk to openly. But most of all what he didn’t understand was why something like this had to happen to such an amazing girl, someone who meant so much to Nick in just so little time.
“Don’t cry. Please.” Nick said hugging the fragile girl. This only made matters worse. Taking her by the shoulders, Nick looked Jen directly in her deep green eyes, “Listen to me. You don’t need the wig to look beautiful. You already are.” Jen quickly shot back, “But people will stare at me!” Nick shook his head slightly, smiling at her antics, “Jen, what makes you different, makes you beautiful. Trust me.” She smiled warmly back at him and nodded, slowly making her way out of the tight space and into the hallway. Opening the drawer below her bunk, Jen pulled out a Yankees hat, placing it upon her head before flashing a grin at Nick who in turn laughed in relief.
Breakfast was an experience in itself for Jennifer. She had never had a formal meal with her family. Her mom was always too busy working, trying her hardest to support her two girls. Her dad had passed away when Jennifer was only a few years old. The best memories of him had to be relived through pictures because she was too young to truly remember anything. Jen found herself trying to hold back laughter as their meals were brought to the table. Kevin sighed, “I didn’t want fruit on my pancakes.” Joe looked over and got an idea, “Give me your plate.” Kevin did as he was instructed, watching as Joe took off his top pancake covered in fruit, placing it on his own plate. Joe handed Kevin the plate back and smiled, “Here ya go.” “You took one of my pancakes. Give me one of yours from the bottom.” Joe looked appalled at this idea, “What?! No! Just eat and be quiet!” “Joseph, you have five now. I doubt you are going to eat all of them. Just give me one.” In a serious tone Joe shot back, “Wanna bet?”
When their meals were finished, they watched Joe shovel the last few bites into his mouth before returning back to the bus. They laughed as he sat on the couch moaning, “I feel sick.” Kevin shook his head, “If you would have given me back a pancake, this wouldn’t be happening.” Joe groaned, “Shut it, Kev.” Nick and Jen tried to stifle their laughter but when Frankie came over to Joe and patted his belly, the bus exploded. “Where did you put it all?!”
Jen felt her phone vibrate and quickly excused herself. While they were busy laughing at Joe, her mother called and left a message. She was reminding her daughter of her chemotherapy treatment tomorrow, and apologizing because she could no longer make it. If there was one thing Jen came to hate, it was doing things alone. Having someone there to support her made the whole experience less stressful, something Jen came to enjoy. For the first time she would have to go through her treatment alone; as she glanced out the window Jen thought to herself, “There’s a first time for everything.”
