SoMS:2 (Jenlisa)

seven

Lisa

When I got up in the morning, I rolled over to find the space beside me cold, with the sheets still tucked in and her pillow missing. I sat bolt upright, switching off my alarm and shuffling into slippers. I could hear the coffee machine more clearly as I neared the bottom of the staircase, tying a knot in my dressing gown and peering into the room.

She stood facing the backyard already dressed for work, heat from the mug in her hands rising to create a swirl of steam that surrounded her petite frame. I quietly watched her for a minute in the doorway, unsure of how what exactly to say. Jennie's never slept apart from me since we moved in and I can't help feeling hurt, but I know a fight isn't what we need right now. Not at 6:45 in the morning.

Instead I left her be and headed back to our room to shower and get changed before getting the kids dressed for the day. By the time I emerged from Luca's room, Jen was gone without so much as a hug or kiss goodbye.

---------------------------------------

"So, you'll come?"

I shrugged, seating myself opposite Ten in some campus coffee shop. I'd brought a blueberry muffin as well, but I haven't been in the mood to eat much lately, let alone attend yoga classes.

"I'm not feeling up to it, sorry."

He groaned, pinching off a piece of my cake. "What's up with you lately, you're all...mopey." I slid him the whole thing, nursing my latte instead.

"Mom's are always mopey."

He scoffed, jabbing my cheek lightly with his finger. "You know you're so much more than just a Mother, right? Shit, you look younger than me and the boys are all over you." He slumped back with a sigh. "I'm so jealous of you girl!"

I gave him the sincerest smile I could muster, but I was feeling far from desirable at the moment. "They're all kids who don't know what they want, and besides, I'm done with men." Maybe even women for that matter, but I chose to keep that to myself.

"Okay, seriously, what's up? Ten Ten is all ears."

It was my turn to sigh, sipping slowly from the cup to stall time. "Just...relationship stuff."

"Girlfriend stuff?"

"I wouldn't call her my girlfriend." I giggled. "That sounds so...immature."

"Fiancé then? Or future wife?" He wiggled his brows and I shrugged.

"Jennie. She's just my Jennie, and these days, she's been acting off with me. One minute she's sweet and dependable and affectionate, then the next she shuts me out completely. Like, ice cold. I don't know whether she misses being single or if it's work." I took a moment to pause when I felt my voice wavering. "All I know is that something's wrong, something she feels she can't tell me."

Ten took another bite out of the muffin, pondering my words. "Maybe she's just stressed. I'm sure it's nothing personal, I mean, you're raising kids together, right?"

"Yeah, mine from a previous marriage."

"Shut the fuck up, you were married?!" His eyes practically popped out his head. "But you're like 22?"

"Correction, 25 actually, and yeah, lets just say it didn't end well."

"But Jen's stuck by you through it all, don't you at least owe her a little credit? She clearly loves you, and your children."

"I don't doubt she loves the kids, I just worry that this has become too much for her and she's only just realizing it. Plus..." I chewed my nails for a moment as I debated whether opening up to a 19 year old was such a good idea.