Tragic Love Friday: Postcoital

Ah, Friday. Was there ever a better day?

This week has been long, what with staying late to oversee shooting for some marketing videos, lamenting over the unruly state of Luke's and my apartment, and following All My Children via message board threads until I was finally able to catch up on my recordings last night. But all of that is done--for now, anyway--which means it's time to prepare for the weekend, a weekend that will include a much-needed haircut, visits with family, and a Memorial Day that will probably be spent close to home. We're also waiting to see on a two-bedroom apartment currently on hold for us within our complex, and if all goes well, we'll be moving at the end of June.

Actually, no matter what we'll be moving at the end of June, but I'm really hoping this particular unit works out because it's in the building right next door and we wouldn't have to rent a truck.

But enough about boring old me. A girl was raped last week! How could the following chapter possibly live up to that?

The answer is it can't. But you'll read it anyway, won't you?

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CHAPTER EIGHT - JENNA

I rubbed my eyes and stifled a yawn as I started to put my work away. It was three o'clock on Wednesday morning, and I was dead tired. I had finally finished the Folgers presentation.

It had taken me a week to find all the materials and resources, and after that, I was always working on it. The result was two outlines, three poster graphs, one five-page report, and five poster boards that illustrated a way to advertise the coffee on TV. It was all extremely professional-looking, and I was proud. The presentation was scheduled for Thursday.

[If Jenna's done all this, what the hell was left for her boss? Who would've thought an administrative assistant with no college degree and no previous advertising experience would have so much responsibility on her plate? Girl needs to join a union, stat!]

Michael was awake when I crawled into bed a half hour later.

"What are you still doing up?" I whispered, fighting to keep my eyes in focus. He pulled me to him and kissed my neck.

"I've missed you," he murmured, burying his face in my hair. "You're never home."

[Yeah, Kay and I talk all the time about how my wife is a workaholic and never has time for her family. Bastard.]

"Neither are you," I pointed out, pushing him away. "Please, just leave me alone tonight, Michael. I need at least four hours' sleep for work."

"Jenna...." I gazed into his eyes.

[Did you realize that "eyes" without an "e" is "yes"? You learn something new every day.]

He seemed so sad, sad and lost. I could tell he wanted to talk, but my head suddenly felt as heavy as a truck. It fell on the softness of my pillow. "Tomorrow," I mumbled and closed my eyes.

* * * *

I felt exhilerated when I got to work that morning, presentation in tow. It was held in a special case so it couldn't get bent or dirty. I slid it next to my desk. Mr. Crawford asked to see it, but I refused. I wanted to see the admiration in his eyes when he saw it with the representatives tomorrow, for the first time.

[In real life, they would do a trial run-through, and the head honcho would not so much be taking "no" as an answer from his secretary, but hell, the only thing lil' Frema knew about advertising was what she saw on Melrose Place--in eight-second intervals, of course, because she always had to change the channel when a parent was suspected to be in the vicinity. At the very least, I'm thinking Crawford would have the secured the presentation in his office. But whatever.]

Only Agatha remained silent. I smiled sweetly at her that day when I left work with nothing to take home with me. Take that, bitch.

[Save them fightin' words for the tramp seducing your husband.]

At home, I was surprised to see Katherine was already there. [I have a daughter? Cool!] "Hi, hon," I said. She was in the living room on the couch, in a raggedy sweat outfit, and bundled in blankets. Her hair was stringy and dull-looking. She was staring at the TV, which only showed static.

[The only piece missing from this Cry For Help puzzle is a gun to her temple and a note stapled to the collar of her shirt.]

Her eyes met mine briefly, then turned back to the TV screen. "Hello, Mother."

My daughter was scaring me. [You fucking think?!] "How was your day?" I finally asked. No reply. "Answer me, Katherine."

"My day was lovely, thank you for asking." Her tone wasn't sarcastic; it was flat, with no emotion. I didn't know what to do, so I touched her cheek. It was burning. I quickly pulled away. "Kath, get rid of those blankets. You're hot enough."

"No. I'm cold."

"Do you think you're getting sick?" I asked her. Her eyes locked with mine.

"Yes, I think I'm sick. My body feels heavy and I'm sweaty all the time. My eyes sting, and it hurts right here." She put a clenched fist over her heart. "It hurts a lot," she whispered and closed her eyes.

"Oh," I breathed, relieved now. "I bet it's the flu. You'll be OK, Kath, but I know that doesn't help. You can stay home from school tomorrow if you don't feel better tonight."

"I'll go to school," she replied, all emotion leaving her voice again. "Don't worry about me. I know you're busy."

"OK, hon. Just rest," I told her, leaving the room before she could reply.

[Parenting test number 389,234: failed!]

I checked the contents of the pantry, and decided to make a pot roast for dinner. I wanted tonight to be special. It'd be the first time in two weeks I'd have a nice, sit-down dinner with my family. I also wanted to be with Michael, just the two of us.

After I had the roast, rice and vegetables started, I made sure the house was clean. "Kath," I called, "come keep an eye on the food while I take a shower."

"OK."

I took a long time, soaking first in a perfumed bubble bath, and then rinsing off in a shower. Once I got out, I put on a robe and went through my wardrobe. I ended up putting on a blue silk shirt [why is lil' Frema so obsessed with silk shirts?] and a pair of jeans I'd bought a few weeks ago. I curled my hair and left it loose. A little makeup prettied my face, and I was finished.

"You look real nice, Mom," Katherine commented.

I smiled. "Thanks. I hope your father agrees with you."

Lucas and Leigh [I have twins? Awesome!] came home an hour later. Luke whistled and Leigh winked at me. "Please don't aggravate your father tonight," I said. "Let's act like a family."

Two hours later, dinner was ready and Michael still wasn't home. [Geez, what is it now, like nine o'clock?] The twins were hungery, and my oldest was acting like a zombie. A half an hour later, the four of us sat down to dinner. Oh, well. At least I can catch up with my kids.

[Offspring: the best consolation prize you'll ever have.]

"How's school, guys?" I asked.

"It sucks," replied Luke.

"Watch your mouth," I snapped.

"Mr. Allan was fired for touching Annie Marshall's chest," Leigh said with a mouthful of food.

"Oh God! That poor girl!" I cried. She shrugged. "Annie's a slut. She probably asked for it."

[My goodness, have Jenna and Michael raised polite, socially responsible children or what?]

"Shut up, Leigh," yelled Katherine. "That girl didn't know what was gonna happen. He made her trust him!"

"You don't even know her," Leigh replied, "so stop yelling at me."

"I don't have to know her. It's people like you who make things worse. He got her, so now she's a slut. Everybody's talking about her, even her friends. How would you feel?"

"Kath," I said softly, "leave your sister alone. It's not her fault." Leigh was wiping tears from her eyes. Katherine closed up and picked at her food.

[Um, how about saying those same words for Annie Marshall so your youngest daughter doesn't grow up blaming the victim?]

"I think I'm gonna try out for a sport next year," Luke said, to break the silence I think.

"Good. I think you'd be good on the soccer team," I offered.

"I'm not hungery anymore," mumbled Kath. She cleared her plate and I heard her door slam a moment later.

"I'm going out," declared Leigh, sniffling. "I'll be at Claire's house."

"Fine." I closed my eyes and gently massaged my temples. [Parenting is, like, so hard!] "You can go out, too, Lucas." They were gone in a flash.

[I hope they remembered to grab a tooth brush, because at this hour, they may as well spend the night. Also, at twelve years old, I NEVER informed my mother that I was "going out." That would have earned me a raised eyebrow and a guarantee I'd pass the evening watching Family Feud.]

I cleaned the kitchen quickly, waiting for Michael to come through the door, or at least call. Nothing.

He's probably tied up at school with conferences, I thought at 8:30. It's happened before. Even though dinner was a flop, the night could be a success. I smiled to myself as I put on a short black lace nightie and turned down the bed.

I watched TV. I thought about my presentation. At 10:30 I got tired of thinking and changed into a tee-shirt and sweatpants. I rid my face of all makeup. I left the nightie on the floor where Michael would be sure to see it. I closed my eyes.

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So, nothing terribly exciting today, but you did get a chance to see the Spencer family in all its alarmingly dysfunctional glory. Where's Dr. Phil when you need him? Or hell, even Jerry Springer?

Comments

[Rachel]

Seriously, Michael and Jenna have got to be the two most clueless idiots in Iowa!!!

So it sounds like Kyle has been telling people that he slept with Katherine? And now she's the school slut? I feel bad for her! As if she wasn't put through enough!

And, since when does the flu cause your heart to hurt, Jenna!??? Stupid!

[Frema]

Rachel: Don't you be putting even more bad ideas about Kyle into people's heads! Lil' Frema just thought Katherine would just be sensitive to stories of young girls being assaulted. At least, I think that's what she was doing. I haven't skimmed through the next few chapters yet!

[Silly Hily]

They fail to put the "fun" in dysfunctional. I mean, if they are going to be all screwed up, couldn't they at least be funny about it and make us laugh? What is it with the graduating class of whatever year they graduated? I wouldn't send my kids to that school if my life depended on it. Michael can't tell "Kay" is Kayla. Kayla can't see that her children were getting too close. Jenna can't see that something is seriously wrong with her daughter.
I just wonder when Katherine is going to start really feeling sick and start peeing all the time and have tender boobs and wonder what on earth could be wrong with her.

[casey]

Nice.. dysfunctional for sure.. or my childhood.. whatever.

[TasterSpoon]

Even after all the murders and popping bellies, this may be one of the most tragic of Tragic Love Fridays. You can just feel the storm clouds gathering.

[Katie]

This is my favorite part - so dramatic!

'"Yes, I think I'm sick. My body feels heavy and I'm sweaty all the time. My eyes sting, and it hurts right here." She put a clenched fist over her heart. "It hurts a lot," she whispered and closed her eyes.'

[Fraulein N]

Damn, this family needs help.

"I just wonder when Katherine is going to start really feeling sick and start peeing all the time and have tender boobs and wonder what on earth could be wrong with her."

*raises hand* Was wondering the same thing, because really, that's the only thing missing from this tale of woe.

[Katie]

Wait a second! I just realized that Katherine's symptoms *are* pregnancy symptoms!

- body feels heavy? check!
- sweaty? check! Pregnant women are notorious for being hot.
- eyes sting? hmm, I'm pregnant, and my eyes sting, so check!
- heart hurts? check! (heartburn)

[the mrs.]

I've been looking forward to today all week long!

I found your blog and TLF through a link of a link. Can't remember for sure where, but thank the good Lord I did. I spent the majority of last week neglecting my children to catch up on the previous weeks, and I'm hooked. Thank you for giving me a reason to wake up each Friday. =)

[debi]

All I can say is"rice with pot roast"?

[Molly]

I love how Jenna kept going back to, "but it could still be a good night." Quite dysfunctional, to agree with everyone else. My heart is still hurting for poor Katherine.

[Cazzie]

You write of a roast, so I immediately decided this is what my family will have for tea tonight :)

I hope you do get the flat you want..how are you feeling lately?

[Sant]

Okay, I failed to comment on last week's again, but not because I didn't read it... I just had no idea what you say to follow up on the rape post... except sonofabitching Kyle. From the start of part 2, I was under the impression it was consensual incest (which makes it all right, right?) Point in case, I'm so sad for Katherine, especially in this week's post where she's slipped into a Bianca Montgomery-esque state after her rape.

Okay, moving on to less serious (as-if), I think there's about to be serious trouble for Jenna at work. I know she was all about calling her co-worker woman a bia, but I think said co-worker is going to steal Jenna's work... being that she left all of it there the night before the presentation.... and because she is a secretary and likely has no office of her own to lock her precious poster boards up, I think I may be onto something there.

She'll get fired. Michael will be whoring it up for another week. Lucas and Leigh will be playing chicken with nearby traffic, and poor Katherine will be showing up for school to face Kyle. (btw, since I am dual commenting on this week and last weeks' posts, I thought he was giving her cab fare, being that you set us up with your cab story at the beginning).

Alright, hopefully Katherine can find someone to help her through the flu... though if I had to make a guess, I would say eptopic pregnancy... no idea though. Last time I checked, all I had was my BA in Art. yo.

Til next week!

[Isabel]

I'm no doctor, but what happens to a baby born to siblings?

And also, would Katherine be feeling pregnancy symptoms already???

I can NOT wait for next week!