The Way We Were

The Way We Help A & J

Marcy massaged her temples. "Jack, I'm about to punch you."

"No!" Jackie wailed. "You gotta help me! Please, MA?!"

"You already missed Dya's birthday because you've been so wishy-washy! She's a year old! All you have to do is make sure she doesn't cry and everything will be alright!"

Jackie looked to her daughter, who was playing with Riley. The two had become fast friends when they'd been able to recognize each other. "I want her to have the best birthday ever."

"She won't remember it." Marcy stressed.

"I will!"

"Because first birthdays are about the parents! Stop being selfish!"

Jackie gasped. "You hired a band to perform for your daughter!"

"Because she likes ‪the Wiggles‬! Everything was really understated and down to Earth!"

Jackie gave her a look.

"You're going to stop calling me a snob." Marcy gave her one back.

Jackie whined.

"You get on my nerves! No wonder Dex gave up planning! It was you!"

Jackie threw herself back. "You're mean! I can't wait for you to have mood-swings again!"

"I don't think so!" The doorbell rang. "I'm not getting hormonal this pregnancy!"

"Do you have any cravings yet?"

"Yeah. To stop vomiting."

Jackie smiled. "Morning sickness is awful."

Marcy grinned evilly. "Mercy just got her first bout of it yesterday."

Jackie laughed. "Poor Mercy!"

Pendleton entered the living room. "Ms. Anna Picos, madam."

"Thank you, Penny." Marcy looked up at him.

He bowed and left.

Anna sat next to Marcy. "Hi, Marcy."

Marcy noticed her upset face. "A, this is Jackie Hernandez. Jack, this is Anna Picos."

"Hi." The girls spoke.

"What's up, A?"

Anna didn't want to say it in front of Jackie but she had to let it out. She couldn't catch Marcy Friday or the day before but now that she had her, it was bubbling over. "Artie got Tana and Britt pregnant!"

Marcy watched as she broke down crying. "Come here."

Anna scooted over and let Marcy hug her. "You know, don't you?!"

"A..."

"He told you but he didn't tell me!"

Marcy looked at the blatantly watching Jackie. "Hey, Jack? Can you go ask Manny to make a cup of chamomile tea and bring some butter cookies? Make the tea strong."

Jackie nodded and went to the kitchen.

"A." Marcy rubbed the younger girl soothingly. "This was before you."

"How?!" Anna wailed. "He and Rachel broke up Saturday! That Monday was our first date!"

"I think you should let him explain."

"Even if he didn't cheat, they've been pregnant all this time! It's October!"

Marcy couldn't refute that. "I want you to take a week. Cry, scream, curse. Then after that week is up, pull on your big girl panties and talk to him."

Anna sniffled. Except when she was being violent, Marcy had great advice. "Okay."

"Okay."

W.W.W.

"I'm going to slap you..."

"MA!" Jackie pouted.

"You got to get out of my house. I told you I'm not going to spend the rest of my life planning your baby's birthday party." Marcy loved her goddaughter but this was ridiculous!

Jackie whined.

Anna sipped her tea. "I know I don't have any kids but I think the first birthday should be intimate."

"Ew!"

"Not like that, idiot!" Marcy smacked her arm. "Just family and close friends! Or better yet, just the three of you!"

"My mom would kill me if I left her out!" Mrs. Hernandez had completely come around after meeting her granddaughter.

Marcy groaned. "How about you have a Minnie Mouse party?"

"Minnie Mouse?"

Marcy pointed to the two one year olds, who were enthralled with the cartoon mouse on the TV screen.

Jackie gasped. Dya never watched TV with her! "Yay!"

Marcy huffed. "Does this mean this is over?"

"Yes, MA. Minnie Mouse is the theme."

Marcy blew out a breath.

"But I need you to help me plan it still."