Loved You First (Jenlisa) COMPLETED

4

The next day was about as beautiful as they came. It was April, an even seventy-one degrees with a pleasant breeze moving the trees in delicate patterns. Lisa looked forward to spending the next hour or two outdoors. Already she could tell it was going to be a great day.

There was just something about it.

She set out for Jennie's house just after four. While she'd never been there before, she knew the neighborhood well enough, so it didn't take long to locate Jennie's block.

The quaint street felt lived in, comfortable, and screamed of backyard barbeques and block parties. She kind of liked it. Along her route, she passed overturned tricycles beneath shady oak trees, sturdy houses with colorful doors, and more "welcome" signs than she thought to count. It was a happy place and it fit Jennie to a tee.

Upon arrival, she didn't knock immediately and instead took a moment to study her task. The dilapidated shutter, while a pretty powder blue, sadly needed more than just a re-hanging, as did its three neighboring counterparts. The finish was cracked on all four and there was evidence of sun bleaching. Not to mention the fact that the hinges were rusty and would need to be replaced entirely.

"So what's the verdict?"

Lisa turned to see Jennie standing on the porch behind her.

"I don't think I have the heart to break it to you."

Jennie sighed. "I can be big about this. Give it to me straight."

Lisa walked to the nearest window and ran her hand across the wooden shutter. "I think if I just re-hang this one, you'll be right back here again in a few months."

"So they have to be replaced entirely?" She sat in defeat on the steps of the porch. "I lied. Not feeling big about this at all. How much is that going to cost, do you think?"

Lisa could sense Jennie's immediate hesitation when money became a question, confirming her suspicions.

"You know, I think we could save a few dollars if we just did a little rehab on these guys. Save their little shutter lives. It seems the humane thing to do. What do you think?"

"I think a pardon's in order. So we can actually do that?" Jennie asked in an adorably hopeful voice.

"The rehab thing?" Lisa took the spot next to her on the steps. "We can. Well, I can at least. You can tell me jokes that aren't exactly funny and I'll feign amusement at your attempts."

Jennie shot her a look of outrage. "I'll have you know that I'm incredibly funny and half this town will back me on this."

"They're laughing because they like you and you do this thing where you light up on the punch line. Regardless of the bad joke, it's kind of cute."

Jennie considered this scenario before seeming to reject it entirely. "Uh-uh. I'm funny. You're jealous. End of story."

"See? You're even kind of cute when you're angry. Well done."

Jennie slugged her hard in the shoulder. "Stop patronizing me."

"Ow. I'll definitely try. Color me intimidated."

She rubbed her upper arm.

"Thank you."

She paused and floated back down to sincerity.

"But back to the shutters. It sounds like more work than you originally agreed to. I don't want you to feel obligated to-"

Lisa pointed at her. "Back alley agreement, remember? Don't you dare back out now. I don't know how we'd get past it."