Undercover Superstar - Ch 2

CHAPTER 2


CHAPTER 2

| Next Day |

Janine walked into the office half an hour early wearing a black peplum dress and pumps. She even decided to curl her hair that day due to sheer excitement. No, Janine had no plans of flirting with this man but she didn't want to look stupid, either. She knocked on Jay's office door and once she heard him call her in, she closed the door and quietly screamed, "I am so awesome!"

"Indeed you are, however, lie to me again and you're suspended," the tall, fit man with loose curls in his blonde hair, and a killer smile, responded, "Maddox is headed up and the conference is in room B. A camera man has already gotten set up."

"But I succeeded. That's really all that matters," Janine took off to Room B and waited.

In the elevator, Maddox Ames, stood at 6'4" in a navy suit with a black military styled pea coat. His assistant, Cheyenne stood next to him. His facial expression was grim and dark, but surprisingly he was in a good mood. Cheyenne was on a phone call as they exited the elevator and found room b. She walked in first, and he followed, catching sight of the beautiful ebony woman. On his face, what was once grim, became friendly, inviting, and sexy as hell. Janine being that woman, greeted him.

Janine stood up when the assistant walked in, then smiled when she saw Maddox, quietly coaching herself not to act excited. She'd met plenty of pop stars before but none like this. She kept her cool and walked to him, giving a quick smile to Cheyenne, then looking way up at Maddox, "thank you for coming. I'm Janine."

"Thank you for having me," he smirked and shook her hand.

"Thank you for doing this ... Sit, please," once they all sat, Janine glanced at the camera and smiled, then looked at Maddox. "What's the response been like? It's been only 2 days since the Grammy performance, then your album is streamed online."

"It's been good, I'm not too surprised by that. The positive response, I mean."

"Why choose to stream before release? Generally one or two songs will be streamed but an entire album ...? Coming from someone whose proven themselves time and time again, it almost seemed to be unnecessary. What prompted that action?"

"You want the real answer or the safe answer?"

"The real one," she grinned.

"It's simple, because I'm THAT good. If you stumble across a bar of gold you know could help your family's living situation out, are you going to wait till rent day comes or are you going down to their renter's office that day?"

She nodded, "definitely that day."

"Ok, so why deprive my fans of something almost as life changing?" He chuckled, "no but, I knew theyd appreciate it and still support me."

"Definitely. So you had a smash album, world tour, and then a 4 year break. We would see you pop up only once in a while and out of sight again. What made you come back aside from the millions of fans that went crazy when we found out you were in the dungeon?"

"While, all I did was create music," he only partially lied, "and I finally settled on what you all know as 50/50."

"Cool. Now!" She backed up just a little, "yesterday, I asked the readers of my blog and viewers on my Vlog what they would ask you if they could ask you anything. Their seemed to be more that I couldn't ask than could," she laughed, "but Corinne from Denmark wants to know if you're single."

He smiled, "yes and no ..." He simply responded as Cheyenne nudged him, he shot her a look.

Janine half grinned, "Madison from South Beach wants to know why the songs on the album are so long ... That happens to be something I love about the album."

"Well who really wants their favorite song to end after 3 minutes? I mean you tell me, Ms. Janine, if you're getting the business handed to you in the bedroom," he paused for better effect, "dick is getting good and your favorite slow jam is on. Would you really want it to end, and kill your vibe? How would that make you feel?"

She laughed out loud, I would be pissed."

"Most women would, what's your favorite to fuck to?" Maddox turned the tables on her

Janine blushed a little, then paused as she thought about it. Shaking her head, "Red Slip Dress."

"Great taste ... Another question for you. Why is it, I'm better at asking exciting questions? Don't make me regret this interview, Janine."

She tilted her head to the side and lifted an eyebrow, "alright ..." Janine made herself comfortable, crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair, "I wanted to keep it strictly professional ... How are you single and not single at the same time?"

He smirked, "hmm I don’t know, I'm taken, but I'm still looking."

"Not fair to the girl who thinks she's got you."

Maddox laughed, "you think she doesn't know? That's cute."

Smiling, "and she's ok with that? Wow ..."

"Pipe game is like 'wow' and that's why she doesn't care."

"Has a woman ever told you no?"

"Once ..." He answered honestly.

She looked him in the eye, "wasn't expecting that."

Cheyenne pointed to her watch.

"One last question beautiful..."

"At the Met Gala ... It was rumored that you got into a verbal altercation with Madonna. Why?"

"Because she's a self-centered, bitch, who needs to climb up off her high horse ..." He stood, "it was a pleasure meeting you, beautiful. I hope to see you in the future."

Janine stood with a huge smile and shook his hand again, "thank you again ... This was fun."

"We're past hand shakes now.." He pulled her in for a hug, "give Cheyenne your info, she'll send you some tickets and back stage passes in your area."

"I will," she rubbed his back and made a mental note of the Cologne he was wearing, "I feel so much smaller now."

He chuckled, "right..." Kissed her temple waved and then exited.

Janine reached under the table and grabbed her purse, pulled out a card, then wrote her cell number on the back of it and handed it to Cheyenne. Janine thanked her and watched her rush away behind Maddox. Once Janine saw them get in the elevator and go, she rushed to Jay's office, "PLEASE DON'T FIRE ME! HE BAITED ME! What else was I supposed to do? I was gonna keep it strictly about the music and he was like MAKE IT INTERESTING and then what do you do?"

"I'm not going to fire you, but I will tell you this. Research. Next time you need to have interesting 'music' questions available and ready to read. You are v logging for vibe magazine Janine, so gossip isn’t entirely bad, but be sure to keep his language as clean as possible. Unfortunately, we can't even use most of the interview. Although I'm not gonna fire you now, I will tell you this. Two more interviews like that and it just might happen. Understand?"

"But ... But ... I was prepared! How was I supposed to know he was gonna want to talk about the messy stuff?"

"We're done here. You may go home."

"How was I supposed to keep HIS language clean?" She really wanted to an answer to that question.

"Janine! By avoiding certain questions that's how! He is not God, and he doesn't hand you the pay check, I do! If he would've walked out of that office because you stick to your guns we'd be having a different kind of conversation. However you, being the Maddox crazed woman you are... Like all others, you failed. FACE it, you fucked this up, no one else. You are dismissed."

"Great ... Thank you," Janine shook her head and left before she did or said something she had no business. Janine went downstairs to her black Audi, rubbed the top of the car, then got in and rubbed the dashboard, "you still love me, don't you?" Nodding slightly, she started the car, pulled off, then called Tarin, "I fucked up."
"Oh shit, what happened?"
"The interview was going fine. We were talking about the music and it was nice but he was getting bored I guess. Anyway, he started talking about the length of the songs and the he asked me what I like to have sex to. After the interview, jay got angry."

Tarin paused a little, "that nigga Maddox asked you what type of song you like to tale the dick to?" Was all Tarin got.

She laughed, "yea ... He did ..." Shaking her head as she pulled to a stop light, "I was prepared, Tarin. I know all his shit. I know all the gossipy shit but Jay told me to keep it professional. I tried that, he didn't want it. I didn't want him to leave but I got screwed for it."

"Admit it, you were a little starstruck. Why else would you allow that to happen?"

"Of course. But I was so smooth," nodding.

Tarin laughed, "or so you thought. How did the interview end?"

"Uh ..." Pulling off again, "he hugged me and told me to give my info to his assistant. Said he'd send me some tickets and backstage passes. He was probably just being nice cause he screwed me."

"Orrr!" She exclaimed, "just theory, he wanted to screw you?"

"No."

"Hmm, ok, so how many tickets?"

"Didn't say. I'm not even worried about it. I just have to claw my way back into Jay's good graces so my Ed Sheeran and Icona Pop interviews better go as planned. Icona Pop are two lesbians so pray for me."

"Yea good luck girl."

| 1 Week Later |

Janine was back in the office again. She'd done the other two interviews and delivered them to Jay's approval, "I can get Lil Mama, Keke Palmer and Drew Sidora interviewed for that TLC biopic people are mad about," she told him.

"Very good, how soon?" He raised a brow.

"They told me two days since they'll be filming here at that time."

"Ok good, and you'll have finished footage to me by?"

"Friday ... Or same day, Thursday, if you want."

"Either will work. So how would you like the chance to redeem yourself for the Maddox Ames situation?"

Janine's entire body relaxed, I would love that."

"We have the female equivalent to Maddox Ames willing to interview with us: Beyonce, and I thought you'd be perfect for the job."

"FUCKING BEYONCE!?" She nearly jumped, "she's a queen! I am about to pass out."

"Calm down, this is huge."

"I will be ... I'll be cool, Jay ... I totally promise. Thank you!"

| 3 Weeks Later|

"Thank you so much , for having me," Beyonce humbly shook Janine's hand.

"Are you kidding? You're so busy. Thank You ..." They finish shaking and sat, "you're touring, putting an album out, keeping H&M on lock, bring wife and mom ... When do you sleep? I see footage of you on stage and its 200% every show."

Smiling, Beyonce rested her hands in her lap, "its tough, even when I'm allowed to sleep, I can't. My brain is constantly working up new ideas. Especially with the new album coming out."

"And 'Grown Woman' is getting great reviews. What kind of feel is the new album?"

"Well, of course I wanted to evolve, so i wanted a lot of high energy drums and hot beats. I definitely had to get H-town on them," she laughed at herself, I wanted anyone who listened to feel it in their gut."

They went on talking. The interview was easy and the conversation was fun. Janine started to wrap it up, "I gotta ask how the baby is doing. She's getting big so fast ... That has to hurt."

"Girl, I cry every night, its so hard being a mother and to see your baby begin to gain her own personality, then begin to verbally express herself, hurts, AND makes me smile and feel warm inside."

Janine nodded, "well I've already got my ticket to see you tomorrow night. Having you here to sit and talk about the millions of things you're doing right now drives it all home. You have a show to prepare for, Blue Ivy to go see so I won't hold you any longer. I can't thank you enough for stopping by today."

"Absolutely ..." Graciously, shaking Janine's hand, Beyonce was escorted out of the room.

Janine stood there and watched her float away, then smiled and walked to Jays office, I love her."

"You did amazing! Now THAT is how you interview! You kept it light, you guys made a bond, and she will always want to interview with you!"

"Yes yes praise me now and then yell at me tomorrow," she chuckled.

"You get me now."

"I don't know. You're a little Moody sometimes," she smiled, "can I go?"

"You are free to go Janine. Keep up the good work."

"Thank you," Janine went home and changed into some running clothes then left again to get to the gym, on the way, she called Keith, "I'm going to the gym, shall I come pick you up?" She grinned.

"Yes, I'll throw something on. How was Beyonce?"

"Royalty. So freaking sweet and awesome and amazing ... Completely cool," she detoured towards KBs place.

I meant her ass." He snickered.

"You know she wears padding. You don't even like ass. Hesh up."

"First off she doesnt, ive seen her bare assed, and I like her ass. Do you know why?" He waited and Janine said nothing, "its stuffed with benny's and dollar coins. I need a sugar mama in my life."

"Get off my phone. I'll be there in 7," she hung up.

When Janine pulled off, Keith opened the door. "So..." Keith started when he sat in the car, "what do you think of Lana?"

Janine held her tongue until she found a delicate way to put it, "she's nice. Pretty. But ... I always thought you would take on someone ... And I'm only saying this because I love you and because I've only met her once ... Someone a little less airy."

"What does that mean?"

"She was falling all over you at my apartment. Wiped your mouth for you. Laughed at all your jokes ... Even when they were lame," she chuckled.

"What? Woman ... I am hilarious."

Janine only shrugged, "that's my opinion."

"Do you think she's terrible for me?"

"I think you'll get bored without someone to challenge you. It's fine now. Yall are still new but after a while ... You'll be wanting more from her that she can't give you. Who knows, though ... She may want to change to accommodate."

"Hmm, we'll see."

Undercover Superstar

 CHAPTER 1

Despite the fact that Janine told them 7, they always showed up early. It was a little after 6 when KB arrived, then Tarin came a little after him. Janine was excited to be hosting her first small get together in her new apartment that she'd purchased after receiving a major promotion. She went from running a music blog to hosting a music Vlog that was sponsored by one of the top music magazines in the country, The Source.

Now, she and her friends were getting themselves ready to watch the Grammy's. They had their food and the flatscreen's surround sound was up high. Janine kicked back with her laptop open, twitter logged in and the notepad so she could take notes about performances. "Tarin ... No drooling over your faves, ok?" Janine grinned.

Tarin just swatted a hand at Janine. "If my husband comes on, you know I'm gonna have to hoot," she gave a slight disclaimer, "I should be telling you the same thing!" She shot Janine a look as Keith, KB for short, put his phone down.

"So, Janine ..." He smiled sweetly, "I have a favor to ask."

Janine shook her head at Tarin, then looked at KB, "mmhmm?" She folded her arms.

"Ok, my girlfriend, Lana is coming over to join. Is that okay?" He waited for her response.

"Why wouldn't it be?" She sighed to herself and turned back towards the TV. This chipper ass bitch.

"Just wanted-" the door bell rung, "to know" he smiled and went to get the door, "be nice Tarin!" He yelled.

"I'm nice to you, Janine and God. That's all the nice I got, you hear?"

Janine chuckled as KB opened the door. Lana immediately hugged him and kissed him, "I brought wine."

"Thanks sweetie," he hugged and kissed her back as he led her and all her exotic-ness into the room, "Janine ... Tarin, this is Lana. Lana, these are my two best female friends."

"Yo," Janine told her, "sit ..." As she only glanced at her, then smiled at Keith for good measure.

"Ok," Lana sat and so did Keith. Tarin remained quiet.

"Quiet now," Janine readied herself as the show started, "time for mama to get to work."

"How cool to have this kind of job," Lana threw in her 2 cents, remembering what Keith had told her.

"It'll be even cooler if I can get one of these performers on my Vlog show before I have to post on Thursday." Janine started typing on the laptop.

"I use to write for a paper," Lana slightly fibbed.

Tarin then looked from her phone, "yeah right, the show is on. Shhh!" She glared at Lana, and then smirked at KB.


| Later |


The show ended and Janine saved all her work. She'd add to her blog later, and then start working on contacts for the Vlog in the morning. "Everybody and they mama is gonna want to talk to Miguel after that hot mess." Janine complained, "no way I can get him before deadline to talk to him about his Hulk Hogan Leg Drop."

"Yea good luck ..." Kb added.

"And what about my husband Maddox? Looking as fly as he wants." Tarin grinned at Janine.

"Please ... I get him for my Vlog and I'll probably be too stupid to talk to him," Janine shook her head, "makes me wanna giggle and all that stupid shit."

"He's a fuckin chump!" KB exclaimed.

"Oh shut up ... You just mad cause he's like 6 feet taller than you," Janine cackled.

"I'm tall as fuck, what are you talking about?"

"I was only joking, sweet cakes." Then walked past him and ruffed up his hair, "so seriousssss. Tarin ... Kitchen," then kept going.

Tarin stood and followed Janine. Kb sighed, "Secrets get you loaded." He yelled after them.

The ladies walked into the kitchen and Janine started fumbling with the faucet and ran some dish water in the sink. "Now you know every time we want to do something, he's gonna bring her."

"She's annoying but ok," Janine shrugged, "she's cute and he likes them overly sweet."

Tarin shook her head, "so why are we holding this conference?"

"Because YOU are known to hurt feelings," she laughed.

"Hmph, well are we done? Mama has got some place to be," she lied, meaning the living room.

"Sittin on my couch," Janine mumbled and walked out, flopped down in her spot and flipped on VH1, "Keith ... What you doin tomorrow?"

"Doctor's appointment, and then Lana has a performance at the convention center later tomorrow. What about you?"

"Getting your tubes tied like I told you to?" Janine batted her eyes, ignoring the rest of what he'd said.

"I want kids Janine ... Eventually."

Janine and Tarin both rolled their eyes.


| Next Day |

Janine posted on her blog that night and then got her butt up early to get to work to get some folks for her Vlog. On her laptop, the stream of Maddox Ames' new album was playing. It had yet to be released but the bastard was so sure people would love it that he streamed it. Of course she loved it, then decided to send an email to his camp to ask for an interview. She laughed at herself as she sent it, not sure if she would even get a reply but would bug the shit out of em and pray she'd get him to talk to her about his new album before even a magazine could. After the email was sent, she put together some shit that she was hoping would get her a TV spot one day, then called KB to fuck with him, "don't procreate with her," she said when KB answered, "I'll cry when you bring the baby for me to babysit and it has your hair but her face."

"Shouldn't you be getting interviews with some Grammy winner right now? I'm busy, writing," he snapped at her.

"Got Ed Sheeran." She chuckled, "and got Icona Pop for Friday. I stan for those bitches."

"Who? Look, can I call you back? I love you but I'm busy."

"Yes," she sighed, "love you too." She hung up and went through her emails.

20 minutes into Janine's work, and she got a call from her boss. "Janine …" he greeted her.

"Afternoon, Jay." Janine answered and picked up a pen and clean sheet of paper.

"Janine, I just got word that Maddox Ames' team received a message from someone from my company and are pissed about it." Jay sounded annoyed.

She nodded, "probably."

"Do you know who it might be?"

"No, Jay ... God, no." She sounded completely shocked, even put her pen down and clutched her pearls. "I don't know anyone with that much initiative, moxie ... GUTS ... if you will ... To send an interview request to Magic & Hype in order to obtain an interview with an artist who hasn't released an album in 4 years or an artist who has won more awards than Michael Jackson. I don't know who would want that kind of notoriety!"

Jay shook his head, "That's too bad because they wanted to set something up."

"Jay ... You know ..." She chuckled, "I can be really resourceful at times. I may know who did that. And not to toot her horn but it was ME!" Laughing still, "you don't sound happy about this at all. This is HUGE!"

"I was pulling your leg, to see what you'd say. Tomorrow, 10am, here at the office. Be on time, look professional, and come prepared. You understand?"

"God yes, I understand. Thanks jay." Janine hung up and texted tarin and KB, 'got Maddox Ames for interview. Suck It!'

Tarin quickly responded, 'may I hide under your skirt while you interview him?'

'You'll drown if you do.'

'gross'

Happy 2015!

We've been consistently writing on a new story. Hopefully it will get finished and edited before the month is out! Woooo!

Name Yourselves!

As much as I love the word 'anonymous,' I'm sure it is not your name. When leaving a comment, please use your name in the name field. I like to address you guys when you comment but I ignore 'anonymous.'




Deva

P.S. More will be posted soon.
When this what-if is finished, I'll post a brand new story. If you want the new story, leave a comment with your name please! I want to see whose hanging around.

WHAT IF - 25 YEARS LATER - 10

PART 10

| 8 Months Later |

Maddox's tour was on break. A few days after the fact, the twins were visiting with Janine when Maddox decided to pay them a visit. The twins were well aware, but Janine was not. She went to answer the door barefoot but wearing a strapless print maxi dress. Her short hair was freshly done and she was finally beginning to look like her old self. When she opened it, she tilted her head to the side, "I think you've gotten taller."

"I’ve been 6'4 since college," Maddox smiled and pulled her into a hug, "how you been? You look damn good."

She smiled, "really good actually." Janine rubbed his back, "come on, then," stepping back, she closed the door behind him.

"That's good, where's my offspring?"

"Dining room ... Table duty. Hungry?"

"Very much so ..." He smiled, "what's cooking?" They headed to the dining room.

"Catfish, roasted corn and a few other things. Where do you live now?" She was curious since he basically just popped up.

"Here in new York." They entered as Jiselle jumped up, "baby girl, hey!"

"Hi daddy," she cheesed and walked towards him with her arms out. "Dante is here!"

"Aw shit, he bet not step out of line," he came out of the hug and into one with Lucky," what's up Luck?"

"Shit ..." He responded, then laughed, "I didn't tell her you were coming. Elle told me not to."

"Why is that?" He hugged Gigi next.

"So she wouldn't make any excuses."

"Almost ready!" Gigi smiled and kept arranging things on the table after the hug

"Excuses for? Less abstract, make more sense sweet heart."

"It was a precaution," Jiselle explained, "in case she decided she mysteriously had something to do so she wouldn't see you. She's intent on us having a relationship with you and her staying out the way as much as possible."

He laughed, "gotcha," he said as the doorbell went off.

Janine had forgotten Jeremiah was coming when Maddox showed up. She huffed and went to the door and pulled it open. Jerry walked in immediately, grabbed her around the waist and kissed her. She smiled and even laughed a little bit, "heads up ... Maddox is here."

"What? You're lying."

"No. The twins must have called him over. I should have known something was going on when they showed up WITH Anya and Dante." She sighed and rubbed his arm, "whatever you wanna do ... I'll go with it."

“MOM, IT’S READY!” Gigi yelled.

"Coming!" She yelled back and waited on Jeremiah to answer.

"Elle and Lucky must want you with Maddox."

"Probably. It's only natural. I can't be upset." She paused, "when was the last time you spoke to Maddox?

"Like 2 years ago," he walked further into the house, making his decision.

"I think it'll be ok," Janine nodded and put an arm around his waist, walking with him to the dining room.

Jeremiah rubbed his hand over her head, kissed her temple and strolled in with his other hand in his pocket, "hey chillens ..." He greeted everyone.

"Mothafucka ... No hello for me?" Maddox stood up and walked over to him.

Jeremiah chuckled, "you know you get a hello." They met each other in the middle to greet while Janine shot lasers with her eyes at the twins.

Jiselle cheesed while Lucky hunched his shoulders. "What are you doing over here? I didn't know that you found Janine!"

"Ran into her a few months after she got out of the hospital."

Genevieve cut in, "he asked her out so many times before she said yes. IT WAS SO CUTE!"

Janine laughed, "It was only twice. The only reason I kept saying no was because of my insecurities. Once I got passed them ... It's been great ever since," she shrugged and sat down, then Jeremiah took the seat next to her.

Maddox just stared at them. It got real awkward as he shoot daggers through them, "is that so?" He smirked and them chuckled, face a faint beet red, "some miracle, my brother and my kids mother... Together. Its about time you found each other," Maddox said sarcastic. He was crushed.

Leave A Comment!

So I hadn't checked the mechanics of this blog in quite a while. I saw where Hollie commented that if she didn't have to log in, she would speak more often. Thanks for giving me that heads up, Hollie, because I forgot all about that.

So ... Leave us a comment any time. I turned the login feature off but it will be moderated in the case of spammers.

Also ... I have something new to give you guys :-) Yes, that was sneaky. However, the ending isn't in tact. So I'm going to attempt to wrap things up nice and tidy and then post it. That cool?

Deva

WHAT IF - 25 YEARS LATER - 9

PART 9

"Really?" They asked in unison and looked at him at the same time.

"Mom is single." Jiselle reminded him. "Probably not looking ..."

"She could be." Lucky challenged her.

"She's probably tired, Luck."

"But later ..." Lucky went on and the bickering started again.

"Your mom doesn't want me. I wouldn't want me. She's doing better without me in her life." Maddox had convinced himself.

"Better? Being married was hell for her. She won't admit it to us," Lucky told him.

"It's true," Jiselle tapped her chin, "and if you really think about things ... Antonio was the rebound guy. A rebound thing NEVER works out."

"yea, well if something ever happens it does and of it doesn't, it is what it is."

Jiselle sighed overly loud, then plopped a hand on his shoulder, "wrong attitude to have, daddy!" Then took a sip of her drink with her free hand.

He laughed, "it'll have to be after this tour. This is going on for a year and a half."

"What a bunch of crap!" She huffed.

"uh... Excuse me?" He was surprised by Jiselle.

"I'm talking about right now! A grand romantic gesture like Dante did for me," she smiled.

Lucky almost spit out his drink, "which one? He proposed 3 times before you said yes."

"Oh shut up."

"You need to relax, Elle... You're mom made it very clear to me that she couldn't be with a man as busy as me."

"As long as you love her, then ..."

"Elle ..." Lucky stopped her, "let it go.

“I don’t know … We’ll see.”

"This is why men don't get the woman they want. They give up too easily. Mommy told me that if i'm really worth it to him, he won't give up ... Dante didn't."

"who said i was giving up? What you have to understand is that, i want to give your mom everything she wants and needs, not just the grand gesture, but me being there as much as I possibly can. I want to be her everything."

Jiselle gasped and tears formed in her eyes, "oh my God ..."

"Here we go," Lucky looked at her as she started to sniffle.

"oh my good what?"

"It's so beautiful! You still love her ..."

He shook his head, "you are definitely your mothers Child."

"I've had to deal with this my whole life," Lucky sighed.

"that is insane.." They continue to go through the rest of the pictures.

| Months Later |

Genevieve received a bronze medal in the 400 meters at the Olympics. Pretty good for a first timer and only 16 years old. Janine was more than thankful she was there to see it. She arrived in London only a day before Gigi was set to race. She got to see her semifinal heats and the final and cheered as loud as any mother could despite obviously not being well enough to be there yet. Once back home, she took the necessary rest ... Or as much as she could with Gigi asking her if she was alright. The girl had a heart of gold and nothing would change that. The rest of the family had gone back to their lives while keeping a watch and Janine went back to painting. Normalcy felt good. 

Cold as hell out but still a pretty day, Janine left the house in search of lunch. She took a window seat at a Puerto Rican restaurant and looked at the menu. Every now and then she'd glance at her reflection in the window. Her short hair was still a bother to her and she never knew what to do with it so she kept it straight to frame her head. The bangs were a little long in the front with a slight ducktail in the back gave it some shape. The family thought it looked nice but they always thought she looked nice. They couldn't be trusted with this.

No sooner than she could look back down at the menu, someone touched her back, then stopped in front of her, "I knew it was you!"

“Jerry?!” Janine stood and smiled, “no way …”

“I heard you had cancer …” He hugged her, then sat down in the empty seat in front of her.

“I did. Beat it … Don’t know how but I did. Had to have a double lung transplant.”

“Wow! I’m glad to see you came through,” he smiled. “How is the basketball team?”

“Good. Still hovering like I’m dying but really good. How are you? Where have you been?”

“I mostly live in Vegas. I own a couple of cabarets and a casino.”

“Cabaret’s?” Janine lifted an eyebrow and smirked.

Jeremiah laughed, “yea … Yea … But I’m in NY a lot. I have a place here.”

“Can’t believe I hadn't run into you before now.”

“Yea …” Jeremiah just stared at her and smiled, “me either.” Jeremiah realized that they were both in their 40’s and single. Maddox was like a brother to him but it had been 25 years since all the mess in high school happened. So would he care if tried to get close to Janine? At that moment, he didn't care. He watched Janine and listened to her as she went over a few details about her art work, kids and future plans for herself, then cut in, “before I forget … Give me your number. I want to see the troop.”

“Oh sure!” Janine dug her phone out and handed it to him.

Jeremiah worked with it, then handed it back. The waiter approached to take their orders and Jeremiah enjoyed Janine’s company … Planning their next encounter that he would hope would be a date.