Jen's Journal

A few drinks into meeting Ivory, she asks, “can I straighten your hair?”
Be it the warmth from the shot of Jameson, or that I feel the need to fit in with Derek’s friends, I say yes.
Ivory smiled and led me into the bathroom. Ivory towered over me at 5’9. Her blonde hair fell across her shoulders like a curtain made of sunlight. She wasn’t flawless; there were freckles all over her cheeks and laugh lines along with her eyes. They didn’t take away from the way her smile made you feel. Warm and tingly.
Timothy walked in moments later and sat down on the toilet. There was an air of ease around him. It wasn’t me he was comfortable with; it was Ivory. I don’t know much about Derek’s friends, but I know Ivory is engaged, and Timothy has a family.
When the two wouldn’t stop glancing at each other in the dimly lit bathroom, I had to say something. “Are you guys fucking?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but-“
“Not my business? Respectfully, you two need to figure your shit out. Unless this is serious, cut it the fuck out.”
“Who do you think you are? Do not talk to me like that in my own home!”
“You know what, you’re right. I hope you two find what you’re looking for.” I stormed off with half straightened hair.
I ran into Melody on my way out. “You know.”
She knew him better than anyone, so I listened when she said, “I don’t like what’s going on either, but I also know Tim and Tracy have been having problems. He took her kids in as his own, and all she does is complain he’s not bringing home more money.”
“Won’t it blow up in their face one day?”
“Oh yes, it will. That will either be the best or the worst thing that ever happened to them.”