Miss Jackson {b.u.}

{40}

Joanne opened the front door to Nicolette and Ronnie. She didn't want them here, but her mom insisted that Brendon and Joanne at least spend some time with her today and then they never have to talk to her again. Joanne shut the door and Nicolette walked in. She didn't say anything and neither did Brendon. Clover was sitting in her high chair, Brendon feeding her baby food and fruit. Joanna walked into the dining room with Nicolette and Ronnie and they all sat down. Not a single word spoken between them, "glad you let us come, Jo."

Joanne glanced at Nikki and nodded her head slightly. She hated the fact that Nikki had to stand in front of her, "and thank you for apologizing to me, Joanne."

"I didn't apologize to anyone, asshole."

Nikki furrowed her eyebrows and set her arms on the table, "mom said you did."

"Well fuck mom because I didn't."  a devilish smile painted across Joanne's face.

"Just leave her the fuck alone, Nicolette, god." Brendon chimed in. Today wasn't a good day, he was in a shitty mood.

An hour had passed with no conversation, no eye contact, nothing. Ronnie and Nicolette drank some beers and began dancing around the room while Brendon and I sat on the couch playing 'dj.' The music blared through the house and Brendon hung his head low and his arms rested on his thigh. His fingers clasped together and I cleared my throat, "Hey! Joanne, real talk! Why are you so quiet?! Like, you never say anything when you're around us! Why is that?!" Ronnie yelled over the music so they could hear him.

Before Joanne spoke, Brendon's head popped up and glared at them, "because she doesn't fuckin' like you guys."

"Okay and with that, party is over." 

She nodded her head and Joanne walked away.  Joanne walked toward the door and Nicolette and Ronnie were getting their things together. Brendon was nowhere to be seen at that moment, so she said goodbye to everyone and shut the door behind her. Joanne sighed and walked back to the living room, where Brendon was leaning back on the sofa and his head was tilted up, slightly facing the ceiling, but his eyes were closed, "that was a little bitchy, Brendon."

He didn't open his eyes, "does it look like a care?"

Joanne adjusted Clover on her hip and cleared her throat, "well get up, we have to go."

Brendon groaned and got up. He was wearing a loose white t-shirt and a black leather jacket and still, wearing the same black skinny jeans he always wore. A chain placed around his neck and his hair was messy. He walked by Joanne and grabbed his shoes, "what are we even doing?"

"We have to go buy clothes for our son, you know."

Brendon nodded his head and slipped his shoes on and grabbed the keys. Joanne walked outside and opened the car door, setting Clover in her car seat and buckling her up. Brendon walked outside with Clover's bag and Joanne got into the passenger seat slowly. When Brendon got in, the car door slammed shut and he buckled himself in and pulled out of the driveway.

Brendon's driving position changed, but not very often. His hand was placed on Joanne's bump and he would caress is gently with his thumb. The one thing that never changed is that he drove with one hand. He just barely stopped and Joanne gasped, "Brendon!"

He rolled his eyes. "We're fucking fine. Chill out."

Joanne jerked her head back and turned her head to look out the window. She didn't utter a single word. She didn't want to get yelled at.

They walked into the store. Joanne was pushing Clover in her stroller and when they walked in, Brendon grabbed a basket and cleared his throat. It's not that he didn't want to be here, but he didn't want to at this moment. He hated it. He just wanted to lay down and sleep. Joanne turned down an aisle and stood at the start of it. Already picking out clothes. A couple men walked by and looked Joanne up and down, checking her out. Brendon saw and he turned his head and rolled his eyes, "do you really want to like be liked by men?"