Teen-Adulthood 101

Chapter Eight

Returning home, we noticed two more cars parked in our driveway and Jana groaned.

"What are Joni and Alden McKann doing here?" she asked, looking at the tan Lumina.

Ryan shook his head, "Logan must have invited them, who invited Jocelyn and James Hunter."

"Oh my gosh. They must be here to meet you and Rain to give you some bogus crap on "How to have a Successful Marriage!"

"I know you're right, baby, but try to be nice. Okay?"

"I am nice, sweetie," Jana scoffed, as we exited the car, "but if she starts something, I will send her to jail."

We entered the house and while Jana and the guys took the stuff to our room, Amanda and I went into the living room and saw Rain and Logan talking to three buxom women and two scrawny guys on the couch. Not wanting to interrupt, we turned to leave when Rain spotted us and said. "Hey, Haley and Amanda! Come and meet some new friends!"

Nervously, Amanda and I walked over to the couch and the brunette shook our hands.

"I'm Joni McKann," she greeted, then pointed to the blonde guy, "and that's my husband, Alden."

Then, the blonde introduced herself, "I'm Jocelyn Hunter," then pointed to the dark-haired guy, "and my husband, James."

"My name's Kayla Danles," followed the redhead, "and my fiancé's working, so he's not here tonight."

I nodded. "It's nice to meet you! I'm Haley Richardson!"

Then, Amanda followed suit. "I'm Amanda Morgan. It's nice to meet you all."

"Good to meet you, too." Joni replied. "So, what went on with y'all, today?"

I took a deep breath. "Jana and Sara took us maternity shopping and we saw Jana's band play."

"That's cool! Anything else?"

Amanda took the floor. "Sara had her baby."

Nodding, Joni was about to reply when the others walked in and greeted our visitors.

"Hey, Kayla," Jana hugged her, "what's going on?"

"Nothing much. Matt and I are staying with Joni until a trailer becomes vacant, then we're getting married."

"Kayla, you're fifteen, in Grade 10, and wanting to get married? Are you nuts? What about your dream of being a Forensic Scientist?"

That's when Joni stepped in. "Don't worry about her, princess. Matt is working, so all she needs to be concerned about is taking care of the home, making the meals, and looking good while doing it. Besides, she can do all that later, but for now, she has a man to take care of her, not going to college, playing in cheap bars, and running a recording studio with has-beens."

"Excuse me, honey!" she retorted. "Number one, I go to school because I want to get an education and succeed in my goals. Number two, I also play in stadiums and events that sell out instantly and number three, those 'has-beens' and I have recruited successful bands that sold millions in stores and concerts ever since we started Black Rose Records, including my band! Oh, and furthermore, I do keep house and cook meals, but I share the duties with Ryan since we both work! So, what do you think of that?"

Wrapping his arms around Jana, Ryan turned to Amanda and me. "Can you two come with us, please?"

Amanda and I nodded and followed them outside.

Arriving at Jana and Ryan's fifteen minutes later, Ryan took Jana's hand and led us all inside.

We went into the living room and sat on the couch, while Jana played some Trapt and started talking.

"Girls, you're my best friends and I love you both, which is why I need to warn you about Joni McKann. She cannot be trusted with a ten foot pole!"

I became curious. "Why do you say that?"

"She is a man-stealer and Class-A manipulator. Two years ago, Logan was dating Sara and they were entering a year into their relationship, but Joni came into the picture and slept with Logan."

"How did Sara take it?" Amanda asked.

Jana smiled at that question. "When she saw it, she told them that they belong together and she could do better, but Joni took it as an insult and attacked her. That's when I got involved and broke her arm, had her arrested for assaulting a minor, and got her on five years probation."

Astonished at this, I stared at her. "Wow! So, why did she marry Alden?"

"Logan's uncle forbade them from dating because Joni was twenty and she moved to another part of town afterwards and met Alden; then, after they got married, they moved to Gulfport."

"So, why are they back," I asked, "and if what you say is true, then why did we leave Jake and Kyle there?"

"More than likely, Logan called Joni and told them of your marriages, which caused her to want to meet you and advise you on "How to Keep a Man" in her version," Ryan answered, handing us each a bowl of ice-cream, "and as for the next question, Jake and Kyle are getting information for us and know her tricks and are not easily duped."

As I was about to respond, Jake and Kyle entered the house and asked Ryan to go outside with them for a minute.

"I wonder what that was about." Amanda asked.

Fortunately, neither of us had to wonder for long because they came back in a minute later and Ryan started talking. "Well, they're staying until Friday and they're wanting us to spend the weekend in Gulfport; I said yes."

Hearing that, Jana replied. "My dear hubby say what?"

"They're wanting them to go and I thought it'd be best to even the playing field."

Looking at Jake, I realized something was up. "Sweetie, what's going on?" I asked.

Sighing, he answered. "Joni wanted you, Rain, and Amanda to stay home for the week, so she could talk to you all about 'being women' and keeping house."

"I can't do that." I replied. "I have an English test, Wednesday and an English Lit essay due tomorrow. No way I'm missing school!"

"Neither am I." Amanda added. "I'm not giving up a week of school just to get lessons on cooking and cleaning. My mom gives me those lessons on the weekend."

Jake and Kyle just laughed, then Ryan interjected. "Don't worry! They told Joni the exact same thing you just said. Hey, sweetie? You think Haley can have one of your cars for the week?"

"I was just thinking the same thing." replied Jana, tossing me her car keys. "Congratulations, Haley! You just won my Mazda 3 for the week!"

"Thanks, Janey!" I excitedly replied. "This will help us out a lot this week!"

"No problem, honey!"