Short Story: Life of Jennifer [March 27th, 2020]

[storytellersilvic]

It was a quiet evening. The sun slowly goes away as the sky turns dark and the stars slowly appear. The light on the apartment complex slowly went away. Inside one of the apartments a mother is preparing a table with food. Three plates with utensils on the side of the plates, all having white rice with mixed vegetables with teriyaki sauce on top, teriyaki chicken and broccoli to the side of the rice.

    “Great now everything is done.” - The woman said. Her short messy black hair, tired red eyes and dirty clothes. “Jenny! It’s time to eat!” 

The apartment went quiet. No response. 

“Jenny!” - she repeated again.

 The sound of a door opening and closing echoed in the hallway. A little girl came out of a dark hallway and into the living room. Wearing a black dress that went down to her knees and white socks. Black messy hair and burgundy eyes that looked hopeless.

”I made your plate for you. Just sit down and eat while I go wash up okay?” - Mom said.

    “Ok…” Jennifer said under her breath. She went to the table and sat where her food was.

The mother went to the bathroom and went to clean up. While Jennifer was eating she looked at the table and saw the other two plates of food that hadn't been touched.

    ‘So the loser is coming over.’ - Jennifer thought. There was a knock at the door. Jenny looked at it and ignored it. Another knock at the door and Jenny ignored it.

    “I’m coming!” - the mother yelled. She rushed out of the bathroom and answered the door. Her hair was straight down and her face looked like a young adult. “You came, Don! Sorry for not answering.”

    “It’s no problem Alessa. I was already running late so we’re even.” - Don said. A tal man with a brush cut and wearing a white dress shirt, blue vest and black pants.

    Alessa's face began to turn red and said “You didn’t have to dress like that. It’s just dinner.”

    “You know I try my best to impress you.”

    “Well come in Don. I don’t want the food to get cold.” - Alessa said.

Aleesa and Don sat across from each other and began to eat. Don peeked at Jenny and her eyes were dead shifted on him. Her eyes and attitude looked like it could kill just by looking at her. He shifted his eyes back to Alessa. The aura in the room felt empty as the clock ticked in the background. 

    Don decided to break the silence and said“So tell me. How have you been doing, Jenny?” Before Jenny put the fork in her mouth she looked at him as if he did something wrong?

    “It’s none of your concern. Also don’t call me ’Jenny’ , it's Jennifer.” - Jennifer pointed out.

    “Jenny...please don’t be rude to him.” - Alessa advised.

    “It’s alright. I apologize for my rudeness Jennifer.” Don said. “Can you at least try to talk?”

“Why don’t you just go away? It will make me better.” - Jennifer dared Don. She stared at her food and kept playing with the broccoli.

    “Jennifer. Please...be respectful to Don. Don’t bring this attitude up again.” Jennifer tossed her plate, got up from the table and went to the door. Alissa got up from the table and her hands on Jeniifer’s shoulders. “Where are you going?”

    “Out.” - Jennifer said. She took her mother’s hands off her and left.

Alissa put her hand on the door but didn’t open it. Her hand was shaking in fear on what to do. Don got up from the table, lifted her up from the ground and put her on the couch.

    “Sorry about what happened. I know you’re trying your best to make her like me. But I know well she won’t change.” - Don said.

    “No matter what I do or say. You won’t change, will you Jenny?” Alessa said while tears rolled down her cheeks “I’m sorry Jenny. I must be hurting you so much.”

Don wiped the tears off her face and said “Please try to relax. Let me try to do this.”

“You saw how she acted towards you now. You can’t change her.” - Alessa clarified to Don but he just laughed it off like it was no big deal.

“I’ve dealt with worse things in my life. She won’t be any different.” Don got up from the couch and before he went outside the door he said “I’ll be back with your princess.”

In the darkness Jennifer was clutched up to herself just looking at nothing. Then a bat flew in front of her face. She didn’t feel scared about it but rather surprised. She put her finger out and the bat went and landed on her finger.

    “I see you’re enjoying the pet.” - Don said.

    “How did you find me?” - Jennifer asked

    “The cute little bat you have. It seems to like you.” - Don said.

    “Please get away from me. Last warning.”

Don ignored her and took two steps, Jennifer then quickly got up from the ground and punched him in the stomach. Don sighed,  grabbed it and crouched to her level.

    “Talking won’t do much so why don’t I show you.” Don backed up away from her. He closed his eyes and hunched forward. Then a pair of bat wings came out from his back, ripping his clothes. Don opened up his arms like he was waiting for a hug.

“What are you doing?” - Jennifer asked

“It’s the best way to hold on unless you like falling.” - Don said.

“Why should I trust you?” - Jennifer asked.

“I’d rather show and not tell. I promise it will help you.”

Jennifer slowly got closer to Don. She was hesitant at first but she hugged him tight. Don hugged her back as well and his wings started to flap fast and slowly levitate him from the ground. Then he got higher and higher and flew away from the apartment and high to the sky. For a while they have been flying high in the air. Jennifer still has her eyes closed in fear of falling. Then the wind slowed down.

    “Did we stop?” - Jennifer asked.

    “Yes. Now I want you to open your eyes and look.”

Jennifer slowly opened her eyes and saw the city. The lights shining in the buildings and the beautiful colors that shine in the dark. In Jennifer’s eye’s the world felt wide and breathtaking to her.

    “Your mother told me. You dreamed of becoming a hero but you have no powers. I’m here to show you what you want to protect.” - Don said.

    “What are you trying to say?” - Jennifer said and felt confused about what’s happening.   

“You can be a hero and I will help you.”

Jennifer started to bawl her eyes out in pure joy to finally hear those words. It felt like she finally had the small hope she needed in her life without realizing it.