127 - Time Has Come

As his mother and sister bickered back-and-forth, Jesse sat and listened, wavering between shock and disbelief. Now, as an awkward silence descended upon them with the closing of the door, he turned and looked at his mother. 

Taking a deep breath, Dorothea ran her fingers through her dark hair and looked over at her son.

 

“Well. Do you feel the same way?”

 

Not knowing how to answer his mother, he shrugged. “Sorta.”

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.

 

“Mom, I’m not looking to fight with you.”

 

“And you think I am?” she shook her head in disbelief. When had this happened? Her children thinking, she was a troublemaker.

 

“Yes. No. Honestly, I don't know. It’s just every time we try to talk to you it turns into a fight or yelling match.”

 

“Fine.” Folding her hands together, she placed them in her lap. “Talk and I’ll listen.”

 

And true to her word, Dorothea listened as her son explained what and how he felt about the ongoing situation. He talked about how sad he was that his parents had gotten divorced, but that he wasn’t blind either, and, despite what she or his father thought, he could see for some time that they were not getting along. Was he shocked to find out about Ariana? Yes. Was it more shocking to learn just how long they’d known each other and the rest of the story that came with it? Of course, who wouldn’t be. Did this make him angry? Not really. He knew his parents loved and love each other very much. And just because they were not in love anymore, didn’t change how either of them felt about their kids.

 

Jesse told his mother he knew how much she loves him and his siblings and would do anything for them. But so would their dad. They talked about his siblings, what their feelings were about the whole thing. Romeo being the youngest and not fully grasping what was going on, to Jake being torn because he didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. As for his sister, he did his best at explaining what she was going through. 

 

The past couple of months, he and his sister had talked a lot about many things, and from those conversations, it was his understanding that Stephanie just wanted to know how their mother felt. What was her take on things? He made sure he told his mother that it was not about taking sides or liking one better than the other. 

 

“Put yourself in our shoes, we just want to know how you feel."

 

“Thank you.” she placed a gentle hand on his. “Our little chat has helped me understand a little more now. That still doesn’t condone how your sister talks to me, but I will address that with her later.”

 

“Mom…”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Can I ask you one more thing?”

 

“Absolutely.”

 

“Have you ever cheated on daddy?”

 

Knowing what she knows now, Dorothea realized she had no choice but to answer his question. If she didn't, there would be no moving forward in the future. Choosing her words wisely, though, would satisfy them a little longer... she’d hoped. “Yes.”

 

“But why…”

 

“Honey, listen to me. I know you have questions, but…” she stood and walked over to the window. The evening's sky had turned to night and the lights of the city illuminated the skyline. “I can’t, at least not just yet.” His disappointed sigh ripped through her. The last thing she wanted was to hurt her kids, but facing the validity of it all was not something she was ready for.  

 

Jesse collected his things off his brother's bed and prepared to leave his mother with her thoughts. "Ma" he stopped at the foot of the bed, and waited till she was looking at him, “only you can change this now. If you can’t talk to us, even a little bit, I don’t see it happening.” Her small smile was her only answer. Walking over to her, he placed a sweet kiss on her cheek. “Love you.”

 

“Me too.” She ran a smooth hand over his face. “Give me a few minutes and we’ll go grab something to eat.”

 

“Kay. I’ll go get Thing 1 and 2 ready to go.”

 

“Thanks. Be down in a minute.”

 

Dorothea returned to looking out the window and her thoughts. Her talk with Jesse helped her to understand a little better now. She needed to take what she had learned and figure out what and how to do with it.

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

Leaning back against the bar, Ariana allowed herself to pause and take it all in. Not once did she ever think this is where her life would lead and she'd end up here? The room, reminiscent of times gone by, smelt of cigarette smoke and whiskey, Aerosmith's Walk This Way thrummed loudly in the background as the chit chatter of friends and family filled the air. After another amazing show, a good portion of the crew was sent home. They instructed those who were dear to her and Jon to head out to the waiting vans to be escorted to an undisclosed party.  

 

Once they arrived at Petit Soho, they feasted on a smorgasbord of Ariana’s favorite foods and a very well-stocked bar. They had set the renovated stage up with a couple of stools and guitars. The guest unsure why they were there didn’t make a difference. They were having a good time. Scanning the room, she could see Jon was deep in conversation with his brothers, though now and then, she would catch him stealing glimpses of her and she of him. Some of the older crew members who’d she’d worked with and who knew her father were playing pool. Richie, Teek and David were up to no good for sure, talking with Jonas in front of the stage.  

 

Approaching the bar, Max and Cara took up the empty stools and set their empty glasses on the ledge.

 

“Hey. You having fun?” Cara asked.

 

“Yeah. How ‘bout you two?” Ariana removed the empty glasses and replaced them with two freshly poured beers, courtesy of the hired bartender.

 

Raising her drink to her friends, she took a sip, “Always.”

 

“I hate you. You know that?” Ari threw a crumpled napkin at her friend. “Two things I’m craving the most and I can’t have either of them.”

 

“And what would that be?” Max asked.

 

“Beer and Chinese pâté.”

 

“Ari, if you want pâté, all you have to do is ask. I can have them whip you up some in the kitchen. It will only take a few minutes.”

 

“Thank you, Max, but like I said, I can’t. As much as I want it…” she patted her stomach, “this baby girl does not.”

 

“Thank God!” Jon voiced as he stepped behind the bar and next to Ari.

 

“Hush it, you. Just you wait, I’ll have her eating pâté before she can ask for it.”

 

“Someone gonna help me here?” Jon threw up his hand.

 

“Sorry, rock star, you’re outnumbered. I’d say we have a Chinese pâté party as soon as my niece is born.”

 

Bowing his head, Jon laughed. “Can you at least wait till I’m out of town?”

 

“Sure, baby.” Ariana ran her hand along his shoulders.

 

The bell over the door chimed, and Father Gaten, standing in the doorway, interrupted their conversation.

 

“Ready?” Cara asked.

 

“As I’ll ever be!” Ariana answered as she and Jon made their way over and greeted him.

 

As the music lowered, Max raised his right hand to quiet the room of about twenty-five. “Can I have your attention, please? Most of you don’t know the reason you were asked to come here tonight. We are here to celebrate two very special people who are not only important to me, but to you as well. Ariana and Jon. Tonight is the night they will start the rest of their lives together. Now, if you will all please make your way out to the yard, we can get started.”