Earth Angel

Chapter 9

When I came home from dropping off Dominic, I immediately told Jan everything. Even the drinking part, which she was sort of excited about.

"Oh my God, Margie! You're so badass!" She nudged me. I rolled my eyes and played with the tassels on one of her pillows.

"I only tried it because Dominic did.. it was kind of fun." I admitted. She laughed and laid back on her bed. She seemed really happy tonight.

"I can't believe you, Margaret Eve Young, the girl who never wanted to miss a day of school because she wanted perfect attendence, drank underage and undressed for a hot Italian boy! Not to mention, you made out with him."

"Okay, okay. You can shut up now."

Jan just laughed and shook her head.

Later that night, Joe came over. This seemed like the first time I'd ever seen him. He had a dirty blonde crew cut and light freckles. He was also really tall. He wore a flannel, jeans, and some leather shoes. When I came down and discovered this, my mother called me over. My parents, Jan, and Joe were all sitting at the dinner table. I looked around, wide eyed and confused, and sat next to my mother. Jan let out a breath.

"Uh, okay.." She said. "Well, it's simple. Joe proposed to me.. and I said yes!" She was so excited, while my parents didn't seem too joyful. I felt sorry for Joe, because I knew they weren't thrilled. We hardly knew him. My mother looked confused on how to feel, while my father's face was red. Joe and Jan looked nervous, and I just sat there. I did't really care. If Jan wanted to get married and he treated her right, then I had no problem.

"I.. I am so glad for you, Janet Marie." My mother smiled and put a hand on Jan's forearm.

"Janet, when did he propose?" My dad asked. Jan looked down.

"Well.. a few days ago."

"A few days ago?! Why didn't you tell us then? Janet, I'm sorry but we hardly know this man! You're 21, you're still in college!" My sympathy for Joe grew stronger, I knew he was a good guy. There was no need for my parents to know every single detail about him. I guess it was pretty bad that they had never met him.. but they needed to trust him.

"So? I love him, and he loves me!" Jan stood up, and Joe did too. He looked upset and confused.

"Do you really know that?"

Jan glared hatefully at my father. I'd never seen her so angry.

"Of course I know that! Why would I say yes if I knew he didn't care for me? Most importantly, why would he propose if he didn't fucking love me?!" Tears were streaming down her face now and my dad slammed his fists on the table.

"Don't you ever use that language!" He shouted. I did understand that we hardly knew him, but I had nothing against it. My mother obviously didn't either.

"Jack, calm down. Please," my mother pleaded. Jan was crying into Joe's shirt and I realized how disastrous this was.

"Janet... this is unacceptable. You are not getting married to this man!" My dad shouted. Jan sobbed, her makeup streaming down her cheeks, and Joe bit his lip and scrunched his eyebrows together. "Margaret, what do you think? Your mother isn't thinking logically." Why did he have to drag me into this?

"Uh.. I don't know. I don't think I should really..."

"No, Margaret. You talk to Janet all the time, do you have anything to say?"

I swallowed hard and looked at Jan. She was looking at me, I could see it in her eyes that she was pleading I wouldn't tell him anything.

"Well.. I guess not."