The MakeUp Artist Internship

A Tale Of Two Dads

My time with Johnny came to an end at six a.m. on a Sunday and I flew back home. Scott was there to greet me and to ask how it was. I said, "He is nothing like Rob. He listens. He's tender. I felt so loved. I feel like I knew him forever.   Mom is going out there in two weeks. Alone. He confessed he still thought of her and made her cry. He cried, too." I did enjoy Johnny. He didn't try to one up me, talk over me, or talk at me. I liked Lily. I could see us getting in trouble together. I loved Hannah but she was so career oriented and serious. "It was nice to get talked to but not talked at," I told him. "Sounds like you had a great time." I really did. 

When I got home I fell asleep for a minute, but Hannah called and said, "We are going to see grandma. Wanna come?" I agreed to go. I was so tired. I wanted to tell Hannah and dad all about Johnny. However, I did not.  I texted him.  When I was with him, he made me feel so important. Hannah picked me up first before dad, but I did not say a thing, as I didn't want to hurt her feelings. When we picked up dad, he talked non stop the whole way to the complex. He talked at us the whole time. I could tell Hannah was so frustrated.  He told us what we could do for our careers and I needed to "get off of my ass and go to law school."   "Jade,you just can't keep answering phones for people and not make money."  I have two art work commissions, one "for free" for Sophie.   I didn't want to but she told me she was "strapped". 

   "I am home," I texted Sadie.
"Great.  Look, my energies are really low.  I made a TON of money on readings yesterday.  We can talk about it soon."
"K."

   I learned K meant "fuck you" and I meant it to Sadie.  What a bitch.  This is big in my life and she blows it off?!   I used to run her all over town when she had a car,   I used to stay up at all hours when she as upset at trivial things, but listening to a simple text was too much for her,   Why did I stay with her?   I was scared that if I did, Scott wasn't guaranteed and I didn't want to end up alone or a fool.  I guess I was like mom in that respect. 

   "Did you get home okay?"
"Yeah.  Visiting my Gramma.  I had a great time with you.   I hope mom has an even greater time."  
"I look forward to seeing her.  You are a smart lady.  I am impressed."

     Gramma is doing well and I felt a bit guilty seeing Johnny, but a lot was covered this weekend and mother was soon going to get the happiness she so deserved since 1993.

     "Here is my brown eyed doll," she told me,   "You are so pretty,  you know, you really need a man.  Quit hanging out with that stinky girl!"   You know, she was right.  
"I am thinking about it."
"You know, I am telling her ALL of the time, she is too pretty and too smart to be a lesbian.  She is a catch.  I don't mean it in a sicko way either."
"I know, dad."
"She's so smart, works for a top lawyer.  She needs to be one not answering their phones."
"Dad!"

     I was really becoming irritated with him.  

     "Robert, she's fine answering phones.  Her painting is beautiful.  If you could paint pretty flowers on the walls here like my apartment, I would let you.  If you could paint pretty flowers like on that dresser, you'd make millions."  

     This is when the guilt pours all over me.   Maybe I shouldn't have gone to see Johnny....  She always adored me.  I was her first grand baby and there were lots and lots of weekends my mom worked and dad was hungover, so I spent Saturdays with her.   I went to the dime stores and sometimes I even dreamt of them.  The guilt I was feeling was way, way too much.   We leave abruptly.  I could have sat with grandma for days.  She looked beautiful,  but I knew her time in earth was limited.  

      We drop dad off and mom's really is closer and I asked Hannah to drop me off at mom's.  

       "Yeah, I can go see her.  I feel guilty about not seeing her.  I remember dad was beating her there day and I told her to 'stop'," she said.  It was hard for her to come home.  She had a blonde Bob and he was pulling her across the kitchen slapping her.  "To be honest, I understand now why she did."
"Yeah."

Dad talked at all of us for an hour and a half, including Gramma,   He tells us how to feel and what we should do,   Like when mom got that job in a downtown salon and he kept trying to talk her out of it.   "Going downtown costs too much money", "you have to eat everyday downtown", "you would be eating your profits".  He feared her getting out of line.  He ultimately feared her meeting someone and falling in love and she thought she was doing that with Matt Nichols. That day was one of the worst days of my life. I was twenty, going to school, and I came home from classes that day. Dad was screaming, "You fucking whore! You fucking cum dumpster!!!" I begged him to stop. Hannah begged him to stop. He shoved mom against the counter and tripped her. She deserved so much more. I t was wrong that she cheated but she deserved so much more.

Mom was in the sun room talking to someone. She was beaming. "Well the girls are here. We'll continue this soon."

"Hi girls. How was grandma?"
"Good. It was like she had. Never had the stroke."
"She called me her brown eyed doll."
"Well you are, Jade."
"Who were you talking to?". I ask.
"Someone from my makeup artist days. Do you girls want to eat? Do you want to go get some wings?"
"Sure,". I say.
"Rajiv's parents are having food, so I Have to go over there."
"Awww.... Well I can take you to dinner and you home. It's so great to see you, Hannah Banana."
"Love you mom."

Hannah talks for a few ore minutes but then mom and I get in the CTS.

"Who were you talking to, Mom?"
"Two guesses?"
"Johnny."
"Yes. He loved your visit with you. He feels terrible for what has happened over the years and if we need ANYTHING, we are to call him. I am sorry I didn't want to meet him."
"Mom, he thinks you are gorgeous and loves your bathing suit picture. It was an error and Blanche not telling him your phone number is to blame."
"He said your were beautiful and looked a lot like Lily Rose."

We talked of other things besides Johnny, She told me "the sooner you break up with Sadie, the better off you will be." I needed to. She hasn't called or texted, not even when I got home. I did bring mom in though. "I love this old house," she told me. Brian was in his room and she told him hello. She did look cute in the little sundress from Total Woman, a big girls shop. She told me when she left dump her and get with him. You two have what Johnny and I have....

I was in for a real surprise next week.