Here Lies Jane Doe

Take it to the Polls

As the car weaved in and out of the traffic, urged by Victoria squealing at the driver to hurry up a bit, I felt nervous. I didn't really know what I was doing coming along. Things between me and Henry were still a little bit weird as we hadn't properly spoken about what happened.

Sure. It was only a kiss, but it made me see Henry in a whole new light.

Whilst Victoria seemed pleased that I was there, I just wasn't sure it was my place to come in and stick my nose into Henry's family business. I didn't care who knew about my parent's marital relationship, or lack thereof. But Henry was different, he seemed keen to keep to himself and be private. I had no idea how he'd react to me and Victoria arriving on his doorstep. Looking at Victoria's elegant red dress, I was glad to be in something with a little more movement.

"Are you coming in?" Victoria asked as we pulled up. "I'd understand if you'd just want to go home."

I couldn't say no, I climbed out the car and followed Victoria up the stairs. Out of the corner of my eye, I did notice a couple of kids pointing at us and making some kind of comment.

My mind whirled with questions about Henry and how I really felt about him. I liked that he was outgoing and funny at times. He maybe wasn't the kind of guy I liked based on looks alone, but I couldn't deny that he was good looking.

I knocked on the large glossy brown door and waited, listening to the thudding of my heart in my ears.

A girl answered the door. I assumed she was Henry's younger sister from the similar facial features.

"Can I help you?" she asked in a sassy tone.

"Tiffany, we're here to see Henry." Victoria peeped around me and smiled politely at the younger Bass child. "Can you sneak us in?"

"Sure. Mom is in that room with the lawyers and Daddy so be quiet..." Tiffany pressed a finger to her lips and let us in.

Despite it being a week since we last came here, the Bass house still looked immaculately kept. There wasn't a speck of dust in the air or on any of the ornate furniture. Either that, or the house's staff had coincidentally been through not moments before we had arrived.

Victoria led the way to Henry's room, up the stairs and along the balcony like corridor. It gave a great view of the floor below as I walked behind Victoria. Part of me kept thinking I could have just left and gone home but I just couldn't... My gut told me not to leave.

"Henry, can I come in?" Victoria asked, knocking on the door. "It's just me... and Violet."

The door opened slowly, enough for me, Victoria and the mass of material that was her dress to slip into the room.

"I guess you saw Jane Doe," slurred Henry, leaning back against the wall. "I mean, it's Jane Doe so everyone in the Upper East Side knows."

Victoria sighed loudly. "Look Henry, it's not the end of the world. I- you, I mean-" Her sentences couldn't form; she was flustered and had no idea how to deal with it.

So I decided to open up.

"Henry, sit down," I said, patting the bed beside me where he slowly sat down at almost the other end of the bed. "Come closer, stupid... Yeah. Let me be honest with you. It is not the end of the world that your parents are in a position where they need to see a divorce lawyer. Nothing is set in stone - they are just in a talking phase, it might not even end in divorce. I can't tell you the amount of times my parents have seen different divorce lawyers only to decide they don't want to get divorced." When I noticed Henry and I were staring at each other, I looked away just in time to see Victoria slipping out the door, the red material disappearing from sight. "Not that my parents remain true to their marriage, but it works for them."