The MakeUp Artist Internship

The Proof Is In The Pudding

      March came in like a lion, but then a rainy, warm foggy day happened.   I worked and I got an email.   "You have a cousin, a first cousin, M. Depp from Owensboro, Kentucky.   My jaw dropped.   I messaged this person and asked if they were related to Johnny.   She says, "Yes.  He is my first cousin."   I said, "Oh."   "Is there something I can help you with?"  I politely declined.  Paul was leaving for a case.  He paused and says, "You look like you've seen a ghost.  Are you okay?"   "Okay to find out that I just found out Johnny Depp is my dad."   He pauses.  He looks at me and my mom knows  him so he knows.   He knew of my search and part of the story.  He looks at me and says, "I can see it."  I show him M Depp's DNA.  HE SAYS, "I studied biology and that is a good possibility.  Twenty three percent is pretty high.  If you need any legal help and want to see him, I can pull some strings.  I bet this is a scary, yet great answer for you."  He hugs me.   Paul is like a dad to me.  He also is a paternity lawyer.

    Things are okay with Sadie, so I test her and her answer perplexes me.

    "I think Johnny Depp is my dad," I tell her.
"I am at work and I have a lot more going on than to hear your trivial things, Jade."
"Aren't you happy for me?"
"I guess.  However, you horning in on my day without my permission is really off putting."
"I'm sorry,  I won't bother you again,"
"ASK next time."  

     This really hurts my feelings.  I have to stop the world when she has cramps and I have to get her pads, medicine, or help her out when she is broke when my bank account sucks.   I am hurt that I have to stay up late for her because she was upset and I have a problem and she tells me I am being a "baby" and I am just a "weak duck".   Our relationship was so one sided.   Do I break up with her?   I was tired of her wasting my time and I want to tell her one thing and she goes off. I call Lisa and she says, "Dump her and marry Scott.  He IS the one.  Dump her and marry him.   He deeply loves you."   I call my best friend.  He is resting at the firehouse.

     "Scott?"
"You got a few minutes?"  
"Sure."
"Well I got some news today."
"And?"
"My mom has a lot of explaining to do."
"JD is your Dad-D?"
"Yes."
"Wow..."
"Then I tell Sadie and she goes ballistic on me, saying that I was bothering her."
"Fuck her, man."
"She's my lover."
"You can do better."  
"Love you best friend."
"Love you."

     I remember when we were kids, when he had hair.   We played together all of the time. When dad was on house arrest, that was our refuge.  We are baloney and mustard sandwiches with his brother Sam.  When dad was in jail for driving drunk, I spent the night at his house with Hannah so we didn't have to go to my grandparents.   His mom Tammie was so sweet.   She used to braid my hair for school.   Mom was doing skin during the day and waiting tables at night.  Something comes to me.   "In the end, you will end up with the one you love...". 

    I call my mom.  

     "Dillard'sBeauty Salon,"  a kind voice says.  
"I need to speak to Amy Thompson."
"She is with a client.   Can she call you back."
"It's Jade.   Can you have her call me?"
"Oh Jadie!   How are you?"
"I have been better, Marcy."
"I will have her call you."

     Three minutes later she calls me.  

     "Are you okay, Jade?"
"When are you home tonight?"
"Last appointment is at 5:30.  Is everything okay?"
"I just want to run something by you."  
"Okay.   Are you okay?  Did you and Sadie break up.   Just do it!  Jeff was pissed, but I am happy.   Single and free is for me."
"Not even Johnny Depp?"
"Oh.   Well I will see you at seven."   She sounds concerned.  

      I pace like a tiger at work and then at home.   I drive to my mom's home, a fifties ranch in Mirro Village.   Mom has done well for herself.   She has a totally preppie eighties bathroom.   Floral wallpaper, a French door, and red accents.   Mother likes pretty things.    Mother is pretty.   Her little Cadillac crossover is in the drive.   I walk around the back and into the kitchen.    Mother looks nervous.   She has been found out.   She has been busted.   It's almost like the day mom had to tell Rob she was cheating on him and he went ballistic,. She is standing there looking very chubby Charlize with her short hair, black uniform, smoking a cigarette, and then I hear "it"   The sound of urine running onto the floor.   This was something mother never wanted to admit.    She thought she could carry the secret to the grave and I would be "Okay, mom."

      "Tell me mother.   Tell me," I say.   I am ruthless.   She farts again.  She's lost control of bodily functions.
"I-I just don't know.  No one would believe me.   Plus, I didn't want to bother him or cause problems.  He wouldn't have wanted to ruin his career for me."  
"Mom, you are smart and beautiful.  Still are.   Your career could have been better.   You did give me a doll of a sister from Rob though."
"We lost contact.  I had to go back home after the summer.  I gave him my number in CA but I had to leave.  I couldn't say goodbye.   Then I got the job at Dillard's, threw up every third morning, had to tell my parents after they looked at my belly at five months, and then I had you in June 3.   I wanted to tell him, and then he hooked up with Kate."  She is crying,  
"Mom, I didn't mean to make you cry."
"I still love him.   Even though it was only July and August we were together. It was a great time.  He was kind, gentle, and a male version of me,  he was so beautiful.  He was so thoughtful."  
"You dated him?"
"I did.  She bites her lip trying not to cry.  I feel my life has been a lie.  

      I am in for the best few hours of my life..... I am going to know my mom on so many levels. She dated Johnny from July of 1993 to August 20, 1993. She DATED him. It wasn't a fling.