Chapter 11: Memories
Jocelyn had told her mom she was going to Joey’s parents for desert. For some reason she couldn’t will herself to tell her mom about Lance again. She knew she couldn’t keep lying to her but she didn’t want to explain things not now anyways. She got dressed again in jeans and a turtle neck sweater. She put her hair up in a clip and some make-up it was just desert. She couldn’t believe how nervous she was though. She looked at herself once more then walked out. Her mom and dad were sitting on the couch watching TV again. Jocelyn laughed to herself so predictable her family never changed, the town never changed for that matter. Her mom turned as she walked out of the room.
“You leaving?” Dianna asked
Jocelyn nodded “Yea for a lil” she said
“Ok, give the Fatone’s my love will you?” she replied
“Will do, I won’t be too late” she said
She went and hugged her parents then grabbed her purse getting her keys out. She then walked to her car and headed over there. She had talked to Lance earlier and got the directions, he lived a little out side of town nice and quiet. His parent’s didn’t stay long after he went to college. When he went to Florida for college they bought an RV and traveled the states. They’re now in Chicago, that’s their home. Lance said it didn’t matter but sure he missed them. She reached his home about half our later she drove up the dirt drive way her lights on. It was pitch black; the house was about half a mile up the road. You could see the little porch light and hear his dog barking. There were a million trees surrounding the place. She looked around as she drove she parked her car on the side of the house. Cocoa was barking as she stepped out of the car.
“Cocoa!!” Lance scolded “Down!”
Cocoa stopped and looked at Lance, then headed towards Jocelyn as Jocelyn walked towards them. She bent down when Cocoa came up to her, Cocoa sniffed her hand and remembered her from the other day she then began to lick her hand as Jocelyn smiled and pet her.
“Good girl” Jocelyn said petting her head.
Lance watched as she played with Cocoa and smiled. She was perfect for everything she could get along with everyone and be able to adapt to anything, he was sorry he was an idiot. He cleared his throat and she looked up at him.
“Did you find the place ok?” he asked
She stood up “Yea…” she then looked at the house behind him her eyes got big “Wow” was all she could manage to get out.
Lance smiled “You like it?” he asked
She looked at him then at the house and nodded “It looks great so far” she said
She remembered the house; they all used to hike to it in their younger days. No one lived there and Lance would talk about one day owning it and fixing it up. And now he was, Jocelyn smiled he did everything he said he would do…well almost.
“I want to add a second story to it” Lance said looking up at it “and add onto the bottom floor”
“What do you want to add?” Jocelyn asked
“Well…a music studio” he said “With all the equipment and everything”
Jocelyn nodded “Make scenes” she said
“And maybe an office or something, a guest room I haven’t decided yet” he said
“It’s gonna be great no matter what you do” she said
He smiled “Thanks” he said “Would you like a tour?” he asked
“Sure” she said and adjusted her purse on her arm
Lance turned and headed into the house, Jocelyn followed along with Cocoa who rushed ahead of Lance. Lance showed her around the bottom floor, pretty much everything was the same. He was starting to build the stairs to the second floor the kitchen was huge he made it bigger and there were the boards to make the extra rooms. One room in back had a mattress, pillow, sheet and a dresser with clothes spewing out.
“You live here?” she asked
He laughed and nodded “me and Cocoa here” he said patting his dogs’ head she barked.
They both laughed.
“There’s a roof don’t worry I will be ok” he said
“Who said I was worried” Jocelyn said
Lance looked at her and laughed, he showed her the rest of the house.
“Now for the best part” he said smiling
He went and opened a door that was in the back of the house. He stepped out after turning a switch on the wall and a light came on outside you could see it from the window inside. Lance walked out and told Jocelyn to follow him. She did so she stepped out and door and gasped. He had completely re-build the deck it was beautiful and huge. That was one of his plans from the beginning the deck was so small in first place so when they went there not everyone could sit and talk. He made it huge added swinging benches and everything lights were everywhere. It was amazing. She was looking around in amazement as Lance looked at her.
“So…” he said
“It looks great!” Jocelyn said she was still in shock.
She walked around it, towards the railing you could see for miles in the trees and wilderness it was peaceful.
“You did a great job” she said smiling
He smiled looking down “Thanks…” he said “I make it a habit to come out here after dinner and play my guitar and grade some papers if possible”
“It must be so nice…” she said
He nodded “Sure…” he said “It gets lonely…but I got Cocoa here…so”
Jocelyn looked at him, she felt her face turning red and she quickly turned and looked out again at the trees.
“So you ready for desert yet?” he asked
She looked at him “What do you have?” she asked
He smiled “Sit down and I’ll be back” he said
She smiled and walked towards the swinging bench. Cocoa followed her and climbed on next to her. She pet her as she looked out, the house really looked great and so did he. She gulped as she thought that thought, feelings were coming back, thoughts, things that made her love him so much. She hugged Cocoa to her and Cocoa turned and licked her face, Jocelyn made a face and backed away laughing. Lance had gone into the house to get desert ready but he was watching her from the window. He smiled as she watched her talk to his dog. He missed her all this time; he didn’t know why he had to ruin a good thing. He was stupid and wasn’t thinking the worst thing he ever did was sleep with April. He shook his head free of those thoughts then walked into the kitchen. He opened the oven and took out the pan of sugar cookies. They were still warm; he put them onto a plate. Those weren’t normal sugar cookies though, he bought them pre-cut. But he had mixed cinnamon and sugar together then dunked the cookie in it, they were like snicker doodles…but easier. They had discovered the receipt one night while hanging out at her house while her parents were away. He put them on a plate then went and got the mugs out of the cupboard. Put hot cocoa mix in them and hot water, she was never one for coffee didn’t like the after taste. He got everything ready and put it on a tray. He took a deep breath then walked back out to the back yard. Jocelyn was now tossing a tennis ball with Cocoa playing catch. She turned when she heard the door opened and looked at him.
“Your favorite” he said smiling putting the tray down on the lil table in front of the bench.
Jocelyn looked at the tray and laughed “oh my god!” she said and looked at him
He smiled “Our imitations” he said
Jocelyn laughed, tears started to come out of her eyes and she tried to wipe them. He laughed nervously he didn’t want to make her cry. He sat down next to her
“Are you ok?” he asked
She kinda laughed and nodded wiping her eyes “Yea…sorry” she said “You know how long it’s been since I had one of these” she asked
He shook his head. She took one and bit into it and groaned in pleasure. “I think I lived off these when I started college” she said “I was so damn broke”
He smiled and watched as she ate the cookie. She was in total ecstasy from a cookie. He then took one and stuck it in his mouth.
“They’re still warm too” he said
She smiled “The best” she said finishing her 2nd cookie
He then handed her a cup of cocoa “And hot cocoa” he grinned
She smiled and took it from him carefully, their hands touching. Jocelyn’s flesh tingled and she thought she was going to drop the cup. She nodded her thank you and leaned back to drink her cocoa. He took his cup too as leaned back drinking his. There was silence as they drank and ate looking out in the back yard laughing at Cocoa who was chasing his own shadow. A few minutes later Lance spoke.
“Don’t you ever dream about being a teen again?” he asked
She looked at him then out at the sky again “Sometimes…” she said
“Times were sure easier…” he said
“Yea…but harder in some ways” she said
“Yea…” he said “I guess you’re right…”
They had finished their cocoa and put their cups back onto the tray and were both leaning back on the chair. Jocelyn leaned against him just looking out; her head fell to his shoulder. Before she could realize was she was doing he had his arm around her shoulder as her head was comfortable. It felt so good to be in that same position again she didn’t want to think about anything else.
“I remember Joey’s birthday senior year” she said smiling
Lance laughed “He was so wasted” he laughed
“Thanks to you…” she said “and Allyson was so mad at you…”
“How was I supposed to know there would be a party after dinner” he said innocently “You told me to take him out, you never said anything about a surprise party”
“Cause you would have blabbed it” she said laughing
He laughed “Yea you’re right…I would have” he said
Jocelyn rolled her eyes.
“It’s ok…they’re fine now” he said
“Yea…they are…happy and married with a family” Jocelyn said wishfully
Lance looked down at her; he closed his eyes kissing her head smelling her shampoo. “I’m sorry” he thought to her, he could feel his insides breaking he had to control himself.
“Are you and Joey close anymore?” she asked knocking him out of his daze
“Oh um…we’re getting there…” he said “We hang out every once in awhile…”
“Were you at the wedding?” she asked
“No…” he said he didn’t go because he thought she would be there “Weren’t you?”
Jocelyn sighed “No…” she said “I had a book signing that day….”
“I didn’t know that…” he said
“Yea…I think she still hates me for it…” she said
“No…I doubt it” he said
Jocelyn stayed quiet. She was becoming depressed all of a sudden and he didn’t know why, maybe she missed Josh or … she missed him. Then Jocelyn turned and looked up at him and he looked at her.
“What?” he asked
She licked her lips, and then sighed. She was going to regret this…but she had to do it. She leaned up and pressed her lips firmly to his. Lance shocked kissed her back she groaned as she felt his tongue mess with hers. She broke the kiss realizing what she was doing and she looked at him, Lance’s eyes opened and he looked at her. Tears began to glisten her eyes and she quickly sat up.
“Thanks for desert Lance…but I have to go” she said getting out of his arms.
Lance sat up “Joc…wait…” he said “I-“
But he was too late. She rushed off the deck and out around to the front into her car and zoomed out of the drive way. She was gone…again. Lance watched her car leave and sighed. He walked back into the house to be alone again.
Jocelyn quickly got as far away from Lance’s as possible she couldn’t believe she did that. She kissed him, after all this time she did it; after promising she would never. She reached home soon later, her parents were asleep she rushed into her room and closed the door lying on the bed crying herself to sleep.
Chapter End Notes:
*&*Traci*&*
Comments? Questions? E-mail me at Spacey1141@hotmail.com
Comments? Questions? E-mail me at Spacey1141@hotmail.com
Story Tags: Be the first to add a tag to this story
