The MakeUp Artist Internship

Did You Sleep? (2022)

I got home at eleven fifty eight and fell asleep at 12:30. 4:00 came too soon. I gotmup, drove to the gym and worked out. I came home, noodled around on social media. I looked at a fan page for Johnny Depp. I thought to myself, "He's really my dad." I drove into work. Judy, Paul's wife and mom's client walked in.

"Good Lord, did you sleep?"
"Not much."
"Kind of a shocker yesterday. Don't worry. You are family and we love you."
"I know. You have helped mom over the years."

Paul walks in. "Good morning, Jade. Good Lord, did you sleep?"
"Mom and I had a long talk."
"I am sure. How did she take it?"
"Better the I thought."
"Do you want to meet him?
"I am not sure."
"I do know one of his attorneys. He has got a big trial and maybe in the fall?"
"I think he will be upset."
"Why?"
"I don't want go upset his life."
"It might be a blessing. Think about it. This is all new to you."
"Yes. I am scared."

Mom calls me at lunch.

"How are you?"
"Tired."
"Same. I just called to see how you are doing."
"I kind of had my world turned upside down. It's okay mom. Don't apologize. Paul asked me to meet him. I think you should. You are still in love with him."
"I wouldn't say that."   She always got defensive.   "Paul said we should meet him."
"I don't think he wants to meet a fat middle aged woman who he porked a lot and then met a supermodel.   I don't think so!"
"Mom you are so beautiful.  Scott said so."
"He used to look at my boobs at the Marco Pool."

Mom looked like a shorter Charlize Theron.   She had short hair but sometimes she threw in a wig in for good measure.  Sure Mom was sort of chubby but she could pull it off.   Of all the moms in the neighborhood, she still had a nice body except for her belly.   My mom was very pretty but she thought she was hideous.   The last boyfriend she had was really creepy.   He didn't even want to talk to me.  He wanted her for himself, would get mad if we were at her house.  He lived in a shitty, unkempt house and mom was the dollar signs and a grievous home she worked for .   She said the cruise ship was the final straw for her.   "He wanted to consummate the relationship and I just could not."  Sometimes I weighed the "what if's" and Paul said I had forever to decide, so I went home and slept on it.  I was tired. I slept from,five forty until four.

I went to the gym with Scott. He looked really good that morning. Sadie hadn't called me. We had a wedding we were supposed to go to. It was two friends of ours. Rusty and Danny. Two people from church. She didn't tell me not to go, but I guess Faye, a slight blonde was another fuck buddy of hers. I was just too blind to see it.

"So, how is Lauren?" I ask.
"Wants a commitment."
"Why don't you give her one, she's pretty, has a good job."
"Not what I want," he said as he quits his reps. "Why do you date Sadie?"
"She eats a mean pussy."
"I have no complaints."
"Women are just better at it."
"So, what are you going to do about your dad?" He changed the subject.
"Part of me wants to meet him. I wish my mom felt the same.  She doesn't want to meet him. She thinks he will be repulsed by her."
"Is she blind?"
"Rob wasn't very nice to her."
"Yeah. Does he still drink?"
"Yes."
"Is he still married?"
"He never married that girl. She dumped him. He promised the world and never delivered. She got tired."
"Why did he marry her?"
"Pregnant for Hannah."
"Ah."

I go to work. Paul wishes me a good morning and I said, "Paul, I want to contact him." He smiles and says. "I can see what I can do."

I knew something was going to come out of it. It wasn't going to be bad.