The Hidden Life

The Hidden Life Chapter two

I got out of school on Tuesday and my phone was buzzing telling me I have a message from Matt Rosemen Sr. I listened to it and it was him reminding me that I have to pick up Jesse from the bus station at 3:45pm. I jumped into my truck, headed to the bus station and got there with five minutes to spare. I got out of the truck and started yelling: "JESSE ROSEMEN!!" Over and over again until I heard a boy yell back. "I'm here Meredith!" A five foot eight inch boy came up to me carrying two bags of clothes and a cage with something barking in it. {Dad ain't going to like the barking thing in the cage.} "You're Meredith, aren't you?" He asked me, cocking his head to the side. "Well if I'm not then I'm sure I wouldn't be driving her truck or smoking her New Ports." He gave a little laugh, threw his bags in the back of the truck and put his barking cage in between us in the front. "Fasten your seat buckle Jesse." He did what he was told and looked in the cage. "Do you mind? He hasn't been out much today and he needs out." I look over at him. "Sure, just make sure he doesn't piss everywhere." Jesse opened the cage and the puppy jumped out of the cage licking Jesse like crazy. The puppy is all chocolate brown but his ears, feet, tummy/chest and eyes. His eye color is greenish blue. "What's his name?" I reached over and rubbed his head. "It's Klaus, and he is a pitbull mix with lab. My mom got him for me. She thought I might want a friend in the big apple." Klaus stopped licking Jesse and lay down in his lap. "When was his last pee break?" Jesse looked over at me. "Don't worry about him. He used the lawn at the bus station before you showed up." I reached over and patted Klaus's head. He barked in his sleep. "He must be dreaming of chasing a cat or something." Jesse said with a carrying voice to klaus. "I hope he is chasing Eddie. I hate him." I give him a weird look. "Eddie is mom's husband. They have been married for a few months. The guy and I don't see eye to eye." I look at the clock. "You want to get something to eat? I have cash from dad to get something." He thought about it for a second and rubbed his stomach. "I can go for something. Is there a fast food place around here?" Two minutes later we were driving down Fast Food Ave. "Pick one dude." We drove down the street slowly so he could see them all. "I pick McDonalds. It's fast and cheap." I laugh. "Wow you are a Rosemen." I drove into the parking lot and parked. "So what are we going to do with Mr. Klausy here? Leave him in here with the windows open halfway or is he coming with us?" Jesse put the leash on Klaus and jumped out of the truck, we walked into McDonalds and got some food then sat down. Klaus sat under the table waiting for us to drop down a fry or two for him. "So, I had another reason to come here, I mean to New York. My mom told me that my father used to live here and maybe he came back here after he left mom and me when I was six months old." He pulled out an old photo with a young man on it. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes and had a smile as big as his face. I flipped over the picture and see the name Jimmy Burdatte. 1991"So you want to dig some dirt on this Jimmy Burdatte guy?" Jesse dropped a fry for his little guy. "Yeah I know it's a long shot and all but I want to try and see if I can find out about him and hey if he still lives in New York..." I give the picture back to him. "First things first we got to find out about him and then see if he still lives here but I don't want you to get your hopes high and have them knocked down by some greasy guy named Abe. Okay?" Jesse gave me the mom has already told me this look."So, are you ready to see your new home? You don't have to share a room with Matt Jr or a bathroom with Maddie, me and Matt Jr. But I might have to use yours when, well you'll know when after I start hitting on your door any day of the week." Jesse stood up and grabbed Klaus's leash, walked over and dumped his tray. We drove home listening to Jesse's music while Klaus chased a cat/Eddie in his sleep.We got to the house around seven. "Home crazy home." I said jumping out and grabbing one of Jesse's bags. We walked in and saw a sign that read "Welcome home Jesse.""Sorry about that cuz, my mom goes over the top every now and again. By the way, you are going to have to tell her your favorite food so she can make it for you." I showed Jesse to his room and Klaus chased after us. We got to the guest room and found another sign that said Jesse's Room. Klaus ran into the room and jumped on the bed then jumped off. "Didn't you say he might have to, you know....?" Jesse grabbed Klaus and took him down stairs and let him out the back door so he can do what he needs to do.I tell him what teachers not to piss off and which ones are pushovers. The rest of the family got home around 8:30 right after Jesse put Klaus in his room so dad won't find him. The next day Jesse and I went to school together mostly because my sister doesn't have a car and Matt Jr is sleeping in. Jesse locked Klaus in his room and put a pee pad down so he won't piss everywhere. We make a fast stop at the gas station so I can get some coffee and Jesse can meet Jack.They talk about cars and other things I won't understand unless I had boy body parts. "So you two done talking boy stuff and ready to go to the prison called Brickfield High?" The both of them laughed. "Come on you know how Blaste is." Jesse gave Jack a sideways look. "Blaste is the math teacher. He is also is..... Well I can't say what he is because there is a lady here." I roll my eyes at Jack. "I'm a lady since when Jack?" Jack said: "Since I've seen you in a skirt and heels...." Jack grabbed me and kissed me long and hard. "Guys that is all nice and stuff but I don't want to be late for the first day of my new school."Jack stopped kissing me. We jumped in the truck and went to school. I showed Jesse around. "Here is your map and class list. You think you can make it to lunch without getting killed?" Jesse nodded. "I'm just worried about Klaus." I patted his back. "Don't worry Jesse, he'll be okay. If you want we can go home at lunch and check on him." Jesse nodded once again. "Meet me at my truck at lunch bell and we'll go and make sure he is okay." Four classes later, Jesse was in my truck waiting for me jumping up and down like a crazy person. "Wow you really must want to make sure Klaus is okay. Next time just hotwire the damn thing. I'm sure Jack will teach you how he has worked on this truck so many times." Jesse jumps in the truck as soon as I unlock it. "Can we just go please?" I get in the truck and drive home. "Can you go any faster Meredith?" I get stuck behind a low life riding a bike in the road. "Hey if you don't know the laws of the road get off of it!!" I yell at the biker. "Come on, I'm sure Klaus is going crazy by now." I look over at him. "Speak for yourself Jesse." We get to the house in five minutes and Jesse runs to the door. He unlocks the door then runs upstairs. I hear the bang of his door hitting the wall. I run up the stairs and see Jesse getting licked to death by Klaus. "Wow it's only been five hours and he is going nuts." Jesse laughs and gets Klaus to stop. "I'm not sure I can leave him alone if he is going to be all alone like this. He misses me too much." I sit down on the bed. "Yeah but you have to go to school Jesse." He patted Klaus' head. "Last time I left him alone Eddie hurt him. He kicked him. I don't want Klaus getting hurt." I rubbed Klaus's ear. "That is sad that Eddie did that. But you gotta know we won't hurt him. I love the little guy and I know everyone else will too." We go back to school for the rest of the day.Somehow Jesse and I kept Klaus away from dad for a few days until Friday when we heard Dad yelling. We both ran down stairs at the same time without Klaus. "Something or someone has been chewing on my one of a kind German leather shoes!!! Who did it? Tell me now!!" Dad held up his shoes. They are all chewed up with the strings and leather tangled up. "I told you to housebreak Matt Jr or he'll do this all the time." Jesse tried not to laugh at what I just said. Klaus came running down the stairs in search of Jesse. "Is that a dog? This house isn't made for dogs. Whose dog is this?" Dad picked up Klaus who started licking him. "See Dad he is sorry. Klaus didn't mean to do it. Jesse and I will get him some chew toys." Dad patted Klaus's head rubbing behind his left ear. "Who does he belong to? What kind of dog is he?" Jesse stepped forward and took Klaus from dad. "He is mine Uncle Matt. Sorry about him. Mom got him for me so I won't feel lonely here. He is a pitbull mix with lab. He is fixed. He hasn't hurt anyone and he won't. I'll train him to love. I'll even make sure he doesn't chew on your shoes anymore. Just don't take him to the pound. They'll put him down for being part pitbull." Dad stood there thinking about what Jesse just said about his loving puppy. "Let me talk it over with your aunt Mary. We'll think it over and tell you what we say on Sunday. But he can't chew on any of my shoes anymore." Dad looked at Klaus when he said the chew on shoes part. Klaus barked at dad. Dad went to the kitchen to get a bag of chips. "Don't worry Jesse, dad is a softy when it comes to dogs. He used to have one named Cornbread when he was a kid. You'll get to keep Klaus."By Sunday, Jesse was walking back and forth in front of dad's study with Klaus following him with every step he made. Dad walked out of his study with a smile on his face. "So is Klaus staying with me or is he going to get killed at the dog pound?" Dad put his hand on Jesse's shoulder and gave a sad look. "So....? Dad picked up Klaus and patted his head. "Where is his leash?" Jesse pointed to the hook next to my keys. "Why does he need his leash?" Dad patted Klaus's head. "I just thought he might need a walk if he is going to stay here and he is going to need toys and new tags and stuff if he is going to be part of the family." Jesse looked at dad trying to figure out if he should hug him or not. "So I get to keep Klaus? For real?" Dad put Klaus down so he could run around. "Yes you do, but you've gotta make sure he is well taken care of. Meaning bathroom breaks every so often and make sure he has food and water in his dishes all the time and most importantly he stays away from my shoes."Jesse picked up Klaus and started jumping up and down like a crazy person. I watched it from the living room while my show was on break. Maddie came in the house and walked past Jesse holding Klaus. "So you found a dog or something Jesse?" He looked at her and shook his head. "He is mine and he doesn't hurt anyone." Maddie patted the dog's head. "Just keep him away from my room and stuff. Okay?"Jesse rolled his eyes at Maddie. I walk in the hallway. "Hey Klausy do you want to go and bug Maddie for a while?" I took Klaus out of Jesse's arms and put him down so he can chase Maddie. "Jesse get your dog away from me!!!" Jesse and I both laughed. ( I think Klaus made a new friend)All week long, Jesse kept Klaus away from dad's shoes. On Monday we had to go to the vets so we could get Klaus his shots. Needless to say Klaus was mad at us for the rest of the day. We told him he was going to the park to play and sniff other dog's asses. I don't think he'll trust us for a while. We made it up to him by buying him some toys he chose from hundreds. He was only allowed to choose 5 toys. He got two noise bones, a stuffed animal, a pull rope, and a ball. He wanted to play with that one in the store. Tuesday, we did all our homework in one sitting in the kitchen. Within an hour, Jesse was done with his school work and a full family size bag of chips. My dad can't even do that. (And he has tried along with Matt jr.) The rest of the week went on dragging on like the clocks stopped or something. By Friday I feel as empty as my box of Newports. I dropped Jesse off at the house and went over to Jack's work to hang out for a while. "Hey Mr. Sexy man." I said coming into the auto shop. Jack jumped the table and hugged me. "Hey" Jack kissed me. "You." I love how he does that. "So I'm off in ten, you want to grab a pizza burger or something?" I give him a weird look. "What is a pizza burger?" Jack smiled."It is a burger with pizza stuff on it. It's really good, my mom makes them. In fact she is making them tonight. With curly fries, I know you love those babe." {Damn Jack and his knowledge of my love of curly fries.} "Let me call my dad and tell him to give my food to the dog or to Jesse." Jack jumped on his motorbike and took off. I followed him to his house. We got there in twenty minutes. Their house is small but roomy at the same time. We walked in the door with our arms wrapped around each other."Hey kids, how was your day?" Mrs. McKinney asked, putting the buns on the kitchen table. "It was fine, just counting down the days until we can get out for behaving." I said with a smile. Mrs. McKinney smiled at me sweetly and gave a little laugh. "What is so funny?" Mr. McKinney asked walking in the room. "Hi Mr. McKinney I was just being funny about school." I said walking into the kitchen. "You are always funny Meredith. Jack, you missed a call from your brother today. Patrick called while you were at work. He asked how you are and how you like having the room to yourself." Mr. McKinney said. Let me explain, Patrick McKinney went into the army this past summer. He is training in the south to become an army medical type person. For a while before he left for boot camp he tried to get with me. I told him no, that my heart belongs to Jack and I'm not his (Patrick's) type. This is the second call they got from Patrick since July, he signed up right after his 19th birthday. "Next time he calls tell him not to worry and I made a full bed out of both our beds. Ha-ha" Jack and Patrick have shared a room since they were born. For years I heard how Patrick snored so loud that Jack couldn't sleep at all. Mr. McKinney gave each of us a bun for our burgers. "Meredith honey, would you like some sweet tea? I made it fresh this afternoon." Mrs. McKinney said getting glasses for everyone."Sure Mrs. McKinney. Thanks" All through dinner we talked and joked about different things. I felt more at home here than at my own home. I know what you are thinking, that is good. The boyfriend's family loves you. How can you feel so off? Well I do; I feel like I'm their kid because that is how they treat me. It's like I'm already part of the family like they are waiting for Jack to ask for my hand or something. If he does I don't know what I'm going to say to him. But I'm getting off track again, sorry about that. The pizza burgers were so good Jack and his dad ate three a piece while us girls had only one each. I dipped a fry in the pizza stuff and it was so good. I did that with all my fries. I even got Jack doing it. After dinner Jack and I went to his room even though the McKinney's love me they make us have the door of Jack's room open. We turned on the radio then I sat down on his bed thinking if I move again I might throw up. Jack stood up with his hand reached out for me. I took it then stood up. He put my arms around his neck and his arms around my waist. We started dancing to slow soft music. It was Josh Turner's Will you go with me song playing we danced to. I had to put my head on Jack's chest. It felt like forever just dancing slowly breathing in Jack's scent , feeling him kissing the top of my head. It was all sweet and romantic until my phone went off. I let it go to voicemail cause even though the romance was gone with the first ring of my phone I still just wanted to dance with Jack.We started dancing again to a different song on the radio. We were talking sweetly to one another and were about to kiss when my phone started to ring again. Jack grabbed my phone from my pocket. "You have another boyfriend babe?" Jack said, joking with me. "Hello? Hello?" I heard barking on the phone. Then Jesse yelling at the dog. "I'm sorry about him Meredith, I didn't know he had my phone until I caught him. Sorry cuz." I laughed "It's no big deal Jess' just make sure he can't call anyone anymore or you'll have one hell of a bill." We got off the phone and I started heading for the door. "Why are you going Mere? Just cause Klaus wants you home?" I laughed. "I'm not going anywhere, I was just shutting the door so we can do something." I walked back to Jack and pushed him to the bed. I sat on his lap then bent down and kissed him. No, sorry readers we didn't have sex I'm not ready and if I was I wouldn't put it in the book. If you want that stuff you are going to have to go on the net and find it yourself. It's been weeks since Maddie's birthday and she hasn't picked out her car yet. Dad is about to say never mind you aren't getting a car but to make daddy's little girl cry is a big no-no. So this past weekend, Dad, Maddie and Jack went car shopping in Queens. I told them to take Jack cause if anyone knows cars it's him. He'll make sure they don't get screwed over. (Plus someone has to drive the car after dad jumps off the bridge from Maddie driving him crazy.) They left at 10:00am on Saturday and they were gone all day long. They didn't get back until 6:00pm. Everyone but Klaus and I was out of the house when they got home. I was reading a book for Webber's class. It was the book called Speak. We had a test on Monday for the first half of the book. (By the way I got an A+ on it) It was getting to what happened to her when a horn went off. At first I thought Klaus got mom's keys and was chewing on them again. Klaus has a thing with keys, he loves them. I started reading again when the horn started going off again. I ran downstairs to get the keys away from Klaus but he didn't have them. He was lying on the floor watching Dogs 101. My brother put it on for him. It seems to make Klaus happy when he sees other dogs. I hear the horn once again and mom's keys are nowhere in sight. I run out the door and see my sister going crazy on the horn of a car that probably cost dad an arm and leg and maybe the house. It's a little white Miata car with black leather seats. The year on it was 2005. "A little white car Maddie?" She gave me an odd look. "What's wrong with white?" I waited until Dad went in the house. "Like you don't know. Or don't you remember Kevin Webber, you know your best friend Carrie Anne's twin brother. You know a year ago you and Kevin went into the closet and didn't come out for an hour and half." She rolled her eyes at me. "That doesn't count and you know it. Don't worry about my car, I'm going to get a big pink M on the hood. Jack said he'll get me a deal on it." She walked into the house. I got closer to Jack then put my head on his shoulder. "How much was the car hon'?" Jack put his arm around me and looked down at me. "Trust me, you'll hear it when Maddie crashes that car cause she ran into a phone line cause she was putting on makeup. Why did New York let her drive?" I answer: "She cried when the D.M.V gave her a girl instead of a guy so they switched teachers. Then she flirts her way to get what she wanted. As soon as I can, I'm moving the hell out of New York so I don't have to worry about her running her little white virgin car in my truck." Jack laughed. We started kissing one another sweetly. It was a good weekend. Mom made my favorite meal and Matt jr even covered for Jack so we could have coffee together. What a good brother right?