Johnson Memories

Chapter 13 The talk

Wes's pov
Jenny's just left for school and looked like she was in a rush. She didn't talk to us, say bye to us or even make eye contact.
Mari's taking Daniel to school.
I offered to take him but she insisted because I got home from Vegas last night.
I'm worried about Mari because when I got home, I noticed she was drinking vodka and she stopped drinking alcohol eight years ago.
She told me that she needed it because of what Jenny said.
When Mari gets back we're gonna talk about it and when Jenny comes home, we'll talk to her.
I hear the door open and head to the door, knowing it's Mari.
"Daniel's in school, so I we can talk" Mari says.
I nod and we head to the back yard because it's really warm today, so we sit on the back porch to talk.
"Start from the beginning" I tell her.
She tells me everything that was said between them.
I'm really shocked. I would never image Jenny to say anything like that.
And she tells me about a new boy at Jenny's school that she's crushing on!
I told her, no dating until AFTER college and she's disobeying that!
That might sound harsh but I only want what's best for her and I'm trying to protect her.
Mari told me about when she met Peter in high school and that her parents didn't approve of him but she disobeyed them and got cheated on.
We definitely don't want that for both of our kids but we know that they won't listen because we were once like them.
"We really need to talk to her" I sigh.
"We need to make sure she listens. She didn't even look at us this morning or even acknowledge that you were home" Mari replies.
"I know. I was worried that once she became a teenager that she would change" I state, looking at my wife.
"She's growing up, Sweetie. Something you didn't want to happen but it is happening. We were once very young and I bet our parents didn't want us to grow up too quickly, no matter how strict they were but look at us now" She rants.
"We changed because we fell in love. When I met Peter, I became more rebellious and wild but when I met you, I changed even more. Granted, I was still a bit wild and very stupid for getting pregnant but falling in love causes you to change" Mari continues.
I think back on my past and realise she's right.
I was always so focused on my studies and grades but when I met Mari and fell in love with her, I changed.
"I really changed. I was always smart and athletic at the same time but I became careless about all that after I met you" I tell her.
"Exactly, everyone changes for different reasons and Jenny's changing because she's growing up and the same thing as us. She's got a crush" Mari tells me then stands up and goes back inside.
After five hours, Mari leaves to pick up Daniel while I keep thinking about what I'm gonna say to Jenny.
I then hear the door open and close and hear a pair of fast footsteps, heading my way.
"Dad!" Daniel exclaims, excitedly and jumps onto the couch then hugs me.
"Hey, little dude" I greet my son and ruffle his hair.
"How was your day?" I ask him, smiling.
"I had so much fun. We had a substitute teacher, we got to listen to music and it's Cameron's birthday at the weekend and he's invited me and more friends to go to a trampoline park. Can I go Dad? Please?" Daniel tells me then begs at the last part.
I laugh at his puppy eyes and get an idea.
"I'll make a deal with you. If you can do your homework all by yourself, meaning no help from Jenny and get a good grade on it, you can go" I propose, smiling mischievously.
"Awww! Fine" He agrees.
"Well, better get started on it, if you wanna go" I state.
Daniel gets off the couch and drags himself upstairs.
He needs to learn to do his homework himself and if he does good, he'll get his reward.
I stand up and go into the kitchen to see Mari holding a bottle of champagne.
I quickly run to her and snach the bottle out of her hand.
"What are you doing? I thought last night was a one off?" I question her.
"I'm sorry honey, I'm just stressed" She replies, rubbing her forehead.
"I understand but you can't start drinking again. You've been off alcohol for eight years, do you wanna break that streak?" I ask her.
She shakes her head and wraps her arms around me.
I return the embrace and hear the bus.
We pull away then walk to stand near the front door.
The door opens and Jenny walks in.
"Hi cupcake" I greet her.
She looks up me in surprise.
"Dad! You're back" She squeals and hugs me.
"I actually came back last night but you didn't notice me this morning" I inform her.
"Oh! You were?" She asks, confused.
I nod.
"Well, sorry but I have to work on a project" Jenny states and tries to escape to the stairs.
"Oh no you don't young lady. We have to talk" Mari tells her.
Jenny looks at us a bit scared but tries to look innocent.
"About what?" She asks, pretending to sound confused.
"About what you said to your Mom last night" I reply, sternly.
Jenny reluctantly follows us to the back porch.
We sit down.
"Why would you say anything like that?" Mari asks our daughter.
"I just want to be a normal teen. You know I've had some people who have wanted to be my friends so they could know you and with every time we go out, we sometimes hide from your fans and with Dad not letting me date, I feel left out at school" She explains.
She's right. Many people have tried to use our kids to get to us and we're always careful when we're out.
"Jenny, I'm doing what's best for you" I tell her.
"How is it the best for me? You guys weren't careful when you were young" She snaps.
"Don't use that tone with me, young lady" I warn her.
"You actually think that it's good for me. But I don't understand how" She says.
"It's so you won't make my mistakes and feel my pain" Mari cuts in.
She then sighs.
"When I was your age, I met a boy at school and it felt like love at first sight. He asked me out and to go on a date with him and I said yes. He later came to pick me up and met my parents but they didn't like him and they forbidded me from seeing him but I didn't listen and dated him for three years, without them knowing. And just before we were graduating, I caught him kissing another girl and broke up with him. I was so heartbroken that I cried in bed for a week and wished I'd never met him and listened to my parents. After graduating, I never thought I'd fall in love ever again until I met your Dad. I don't want you to go through my pain, Sweetheart" She tells Jenny, leaning on me.
Jenny looks at her mother with a shocked expression, tears in her eyes and looks sorry for Mari.
"I'm sorry that happened to you, Mom. I'm really sorry" Jenny sobs, tears now streaming down her face.
"Sweetheart" Mari whispers, pulling Jenny into a loving embrace.
I watch the two important girls in my life, hugging each other and immediately think back to when Jenny was two years old and started having nightmares of Peter and we'd be by her side, comforting her.
"We don't want you to think that you've found true love but then get your heart broken. That's why I said to wait until after college so then boys will be mature and treat you better" I confess to Jenny.
"Really?" She asks, curiously.
"Yeah, it may sound unfair but it's so you don't go through it" I tell her.
Jenny sniffles.
"I'm sorry for saying those things, I just wanted to be a real person" She apologies.
"You already are a real person, Angel. You're one of the realist people I know" Mari tells her.
We embrace each other in a family hug minus Daniel but everything's ok.
"Oh! I better help Daniel with his homework" Jenny says, pulling away, standing up and heading towards the door.
"No need, cupcake. He's doing it himself" I tell her, smirking.
"Why would he do it himself?" She asks, confused.
"To get to go to the trampoline park for his friend's birthday, at the weekend" I reply, chuckling.
"Oh Dad, you're so smart" Jenny giggles.
"Well, why don't you get started on your project while we pick up some McDonalds?" Mari suggests, smiling.
"Ok" Jenny replies then goes inside.
"We're doing great" I tell Mari, flirty smiling on my face.
"We go now, we can make out for fifteen minutes in the parking lot" She says.
We quickly stand up, rush to my car and drive the nearest McDonalds for a make out session and food.
We're in our early thirties and have two kids but we can still be immature and fun.