by Stefanie
Hi Angels!
I'm SO glad to be back online! For those of you who don't know what I'm talking
about, my computer got totally fried when my my sister started downloading
something and we got a power surge. Everything's fine now, we got a new comptuer.
Anyway, I'm sorry for not posting a new chapter in a while. I hope this chapter
starts to make up for it. Remember: Feedback is ALWAYS welcome! Enjoy...
Stefanie
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"Always"
Chapter 17
***********
(July 3, 1998; Gatehouse; 2:30 P.M.)
"So, is everything set?"
"It sure is, babe. The showcase is set for next Saturday at eight."
"Great! Thank you so much, Luke!"
"No, thank you. Word of mouth must be spreading pretty fast because I've already got dozens of reservations pouring in."
"Really?! Oh, whatever you do, don't tell Brenda! She's already terrified, and if she knew how many people were going to be there she would probably chicken out..."
"Don't worry, she won't hear it from me."
"Thanks Luke, I really appreciate it. I'll call you later to work out the details, okay?"
"Will do. Bye"
"Bye"
Lois hung up the phone as Benda and Ned walked into the Gatehouse.
"Look who I found" he smiled.
"Hey Bren! How are you feeling?"
"Great!"
"Really?"
"Yeah...why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know, I just thought you'd be nervous about the gig next week."
"I was, but then I decided that I'd have plenty of time to worry about it next week" she laughed. "Right now I should concentrate on rehearsing and relaxing."
"You're exactly right....good for you, Bren. I'm so proud of you!" Lois smiled as she rushed to give her a hug.
"Thanks! It's kinda weird...I'm really looking forward to this. I can't wait to start rehearsing!" she grinned.
"That's great! If you're ready we can start as soon as possible!"
"Good....anyway, I came to invite you and Ned outt o dinner with me and Jax tonight."
"Oh, it's alright with me. How about you sweetie?" she looked over to Ned.
"Sounds great. What's the plan?"
"We were thinking Luke's at seven. How's that?"
"Perfect"
"Good. Hey, I gotta go. Lucy wants to see me about some kind of 'business opportunity'"
"Okay....we'll see you guys at seven."
"Alright, bye!"
"See ya later!"
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(Penthouse; 5:00 P.M.)
While BRenda was out running her errands and finishing up some business, Jax took the opportunity to try and get some work done. He sat down at his laptop and began typing away at some documents when Jerry entered the room. Not really noticing that anyone else was in the room, Jerry started pacing in front of the window.
"What am I going to do?" he murmured.
"What did you say, Jer?" Jax asked.
"Oh!! Hey bro, I didn't see you there."
"I noticed. Are you okay? You look like hell" he said, surveying Jerry. His eyes were bloodshot from not sleeping since he arrived in Port Charles almost two weeks ago. The makings of a beard were clearly visible, since he had obviously not shaved recently. His clothes were wrinkled and he looked like he had lost a little weight.
"Thanks so much for the compliment" he said.
"Seriously, what's going on?" Jax asked, very concerned.
"It's nothing, really. I've just had a lot on my mind."
"You wanna talk about it?"
"No, I've got it under control"
"Oh...well, I'm always here Jer. If you wanna talk just let me know."
"Okay....thanks"
"No problem"
RING....RING....
"Excuse me," Jax said, reaching for the phone. "Hello?.......Hello?....." he heard the dial tone.
"Who was it?"
"I don't know....they hung up"
"Really...." Jerry said, looking a little worried.
KNOCK....KNOCK....
Jax jumped up and opened the door only to be greeted by a very passionate kiss from Brenda.
"Wow!" he smiled. "What was that for?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"Never" he kissed her again. "So, how was your day?" he asked as they walked into the penthouse.
RING....RING....
"I'll get it" Jerry answered. "Hello?"
"Meet me on the docks in ten minutes"
"Okay....I'll see you then" he answered. "Jax, I've gotta go....I'll see ya later."
"Oh, alright. Remember what we talked about earlier, okay?"
"Definitely....don't worry, I'm fine. I'll be back later."
"Bye" Jax and Brenda responded.
"Now, where were we?" Jax asked, slowly kissing Brenda's arm and working his way up.
"You were asking me about my day" she laughed.
"Right. So....."
"It was amazing!" she giggled, jumping up from the couch and doing her trademark 'Brenda dance.'
"Oh? Do tell...." he smiled.
"You are NOT going to believe what happened today!!!!"
"Tell me!" he laughed.
"Well, first I went to see Lois and Ned about dinner tonight, and they're in."
"Good...."
"And then Lo and I got to talking about my showcase next Saturday...." she grinned, clearly excited.
"Let me remind you again how glad I am that you're doing this" he smiled, pulling her close.
"Thanks.....I'm so excited!!!!" she started jumping up and down. "And now the best part...."
"What?"
"I told you that Lucy called earlier and she said she had a 'business opportunity' for me, right?"
"Uh huh"
"You know she's the owner of Deception Fragrences and Cosmetics, right?"
"Yeah"
"Get this....she wants me to be a model for Deception!!! Can you believe that?!" she asked, dancing around the room.
"Brenda, that's wonderful!" he laughed, grabbing her and twirling her around the room.
"I know!!! This is almost too good to good to be true!"
"You deserve it!!" he kissed her tenderly. "Wait....but what about your music?"
"That's the beauty of it! Lucy wants to work with Lois and use the modeling to enhance the music, and the music to enhance the modeling...she wants to try to blend everything to make one huge hit! That way everyone's happy and nobody gets left out....what do you think?"
"I think you're pretty amazing!" he whispered, spinning her around the room.
"I think you're pretty amazing too" she smiled. "I love you Jasper Jacks"
"I love you Brenda Barrett" he grinned as they kissed, basking in the glow
of their happiness.
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Jerry stood on the docks, looking out into the dark water.
"How did I get myself into this mess?" he thought, taking his head in his hands. "Why am I always so stupid?!" he screamed.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" asked a shadow that came out onto the docks.
"Miranda!"
"I wish I could say it's nice to see you again, Jerry," she smirked, walking into the light. "But it's not."
"The feeling's mutual"
"Ouch, I'm hurt. And here I thought we were making a real connection...."
"Stuff it, Miranda. What do you want?"
"Don't act stupid with me, Jerry. You know what I want.....half of J&J Jacks of Alaska, or I tell Jax EVERYTHING!"
TBC......