The Strange Life of Jonas Marks - 16. Chapter 16

I returned from my lunch break to find Opie waiting for me in my office.

“Ah, Jonas. I have a few quick questions for you.”

I paused in the doorway. “This doesn’t have anything to do with that woman who came through here earlier, does it?”

“No.” Opie smiled and leaned against my desk.

I sighed and walked over to sit down. I wasn’t sure exactly what Opie could want from me and my mind was already swirling with a dozen or so other problems. “So, um, what is going on, sir?”

“Sir? Really, now, Jonas?”

I smiled and shook my head. “Sorry. So what is going on, Opie?”

“Better.” Opie smiled and showed too many teeth again.

I sat down and noted that Fire was still leaning against the side of my desk. I felt better knowing she was close at hand.

“I wanted to let you know that we will be having more guests showing up tomorrow.”

I took a deep breath before I spoke. “So there will be more like the one from earlier today?”

Opie laughed loudly. “I don’t believe so. We have had a number of requests, as you know, and I finally think we have some possible matches. You’ve been doing a great job, Jonas, but tomorrow I’m afraid you are going to have a much different schedule. We are expecting a number of our guests to arrive to meet their partners tomorrow evening. I believe the first is due here around five in the afternoon.” Opie paused as he glanced at the paper he was holding. “Yes, five tomorrow and the last is due to come in about two in the morning.”

I nodded as I heard my whole schedule for tomorrow go right out the window.

“Don’t worry. I plan to ask your friends to switch to that schedule. Considering it is an evening tour and crossing midnight, that means time and half till midnight and then double time. I am sure both Dan and Charlie will appreciate the extra money.”

I smiled and nodded, knowing that Daniel and Charlie would love the extra money. Both had things they were saving for, so this windfall would help them a lot.

“So, just make sure you adjust your schedule accordingly.”

“No problem. Do you need anything special for tomorrow night?” I figured the last time we worked an odd shift he wanted the donuts, so I assumed with the new guests we might need some sort of food.

“I know what you are thinking, but with this group …” Opie paused for a moment and shook his head. “I think it is best that we just keep water around. Even coffee might be too much for a few of them.”

I nodded, and couldn’t help but feel the butterflies in my stomach suddenly multiply.

Opie stood and began walking toward the door. He paused for a moment and shot me an odd look. “By the way, Jonas, you should probably wear something special tomorrow.”

“Um, why?”

“Oh, some of our guests are rather special. I worked hard to make sure that people were matched up to someone who really would fit into their lives. Besides, I don’t remember if yours is among them.”

“Okay, Opie, I can… huh?” I felt like someone pulled the rug out from under me. What could he mean?

Opie laughed again and shook his head. “If you remember, you did say you were single, but you never did say if you wanted family involvement.”

“Single?” I sat for a moment until it struck me. On the day I was hired, I filled out that page. It is just like the ones I had been entering for Opie since I was hired. I had filled out a form and said I was looking for a male. As the sheer horror of the situation hit me, I froze in my seat, and suddenly I couldn’t think straight.

“Did you plan on having him meet your family, or do you mind going to live with his?” Opie stood smiling at me, his head tilted to the side like he was trying to puzzle me out.

“My father sort of disowned me for….”

Opie’s eyes narrowed and he bent his head down. “I see,” came his deep gruff reply. A moment later he looked back up at me. “Oh well. Not a problem, Jonas. Just a little something I can take care of.”

Before I had a chance to say I didn’t want a romance or anything else, he was gone from the room. I sat with my elbows on my desk and my hands in my hair. How did I get myself into this?

I had very little to do for the rest of the afternoon. I ended up sitting and just creating a list of the stuff I would need for dinner, to keep myself from considering what might happen tomorrow. Things in my life just never seemed to go smooth. It was nearly quitting time when I finally got up the nerve to go tell Opie I didn’t need a date. I got to his office to find the outer door open, but Opie was nowhere to be found. It was the first time since I had begun working at Krogers that my boss wasn’t where I expected him to be.

“Hey, Jonas. Just heard we are working late tomorrow. Bonus time!”

I turned to find Daniel smiling and leaning against the doorframe.

“Yeah, Dan. Did you see Opie?”

“Your boss?” Dan immediately stood up straight and looked around. “Um … no, haven’t seen him. He talked to my boss and I got the job for tomorrow.” Dan shrugged his shoulders. “I guess he must be talking to Chris’s boss now. Why?”

“Nothing. I guess it is time to head home. Just let me lock up my office.” I walked back to my desk, grabbed the list and put Fire back in place on the wall. I checked to make sure everything was put away and locked up. I found Dan waiting by the main door.

“You okay?”

“I guess so. Just had one of those days, is all.” I shrugged and waited Dan did his final round so we could leave.

“Do you want to come over to my place? It would be nice if you could meet Clarissa.”

I smiled. “Sorry, Dan. I would love to meet Clarissa, but tonight I am cooking for the family. Jenny has her boyfriend coming over, and trust me, you can’t leave her to cook.”

Dan laughed. “No problem, bud. We can get together another night. Clarissa really does want to meet you. We should have fun.”

“Sounds like a plan. I got to get going. Need to grab a few things for dinner yet. See you tomorrow night.”

“You bet.” Dan waved and headed off toward his car while I did the same.

I just had to drive to the local Shop Rite to pick up a few items. I figured I would make chicken parmesan for dinner. So I grabbed some fresh seasonings, spaghetti, and a bottle of basic sauce. I knew I would have time to doctor it for dinner.

I rushed home to find Jenny and the twins battling it out.

“I told you little hellions to go get that room cleaned up. I don’t want Michael to know what a mess this place can be.”

“Give us a break. Just cause your boyfriend is coming over is no reason to scream at us.” Kyle stood with a plate full of cookies in one hand and a glass of milk in the other.

“Yeah, we didn’t ask him over, you did. The house is fine.” John sat down and shoved his school stuff onto the floor.

“Is it too much to ask you to clean up in here? I mean, it looks like a pig stye.” Jenny began picking up the books and cups she found all over. “How do you even know where your stuff is?”

“Give us a break. We don’t have to deal with the same classes you did. Some of our stuff we can even do online.” Kyle shook his head as he flipped through channels.

“Alright, enough of the games. Guys, help your sister out and clean up in there. If you find anything of mine, just tuck it into Jenny’s room.” I stood holding the groceries and watching as Jenny pulled out one of the twins’ sneakers from under the chair.

“Jonas, you’re no fun,” John griped as he got up to help his sister.

“Thanks. So what are you making us?” Jenny looked over and smiled.

“Nothing, if I don’t get a move on. What time is he due here?” I asked as I set everything on the counter.

“At six,” Jenny said as she took a seat. “I have about a half hour before I have to go get ready.”

“So less than an hour till he is due. Damn. I really have to get a move on.”

I figured dinner tonight would be chicken parmesan with spaghetti. I grabbed a loaf of frozen bread out of the freezer and set it on the side while I cut up some fresh seasoning and added it to the jar of sauce I had bought at the store.

“Do you need a hand with anything?” Jenny watched me running around the kitchen from her seat at the counter.

“No. Just do me a favor and find something for me to slip into. I am going to have to try to change just before this is served.”

“No problem. Your stuff is in my room right now, anyway.” Jenny headed down the hall to her room.

“Jonas?”

I looked up to find Kyle standing at the entrance to the living room.

“What’s up, Kyle?”

“You know we wouldn’t do anything to really hurt Jenny, right?”

The poor kid looked so stressed, I did my best to keep from laughing.

“I know you and John will tease Jenny, but you two are good guys.”

Kyle smiled.

“Just make Jenny and your mom happy and make sure everything is cleaned up.” I was about to start cutting up the chicken, when I heard the sound of someone approaching.

John came around the corner, his phone in his hand. “Don’t worry. Mom just shot me a text, telling me to make sure things are ready for the guest or she will deal with us when she gets home.”

I laughed at that as the two of them looked around the room.

“Good thing we cleaned up, then.” Kyle smiled as he looked down the hallway. “What do you say we get a shower so we are nice and clean for her boyfriend?”

“You mean so she has to slightly rush to get ready?” John asked and smiled.

“Guys … behave.” I tried to give them a stern look, but found myself smiling back at John.

“Us?” Kyle and John asked simultaneously, as they rushed down the hallway.

I just shook my head and began getting everything going.

_ * _  * _ *

Dinner was a success. The boys had let Jenny into the bathroom ten minutes before Mike was due to arrive. Luckily, Mrs. Meyers got home just before Mike arrived, and that ended any more problems.

I was just clearing the table when Kyle decided to ask about dessert.

“So, what did you make us for dessert, Jonas?”

“He didn’t make dessert, Kyle. I bought it.” Mrs. Meyers smiled and tapped her finger nails on the table.

Kyle looked at his mother and got very quiet.

“It will be a little while before we have dessert. Guys, why don’t you go watch TV for a while?” I stood with a hand full of dishes.

“Yes, Jenny,” Mrs. Meyers looked at her daughter and the three guys still sitting at the table, “and gentlemen, why don’t you all go sit and watch TV. I’ll help Jonas clean up and get ready for dessert.”

“Alright, Mom.” Jenny took Mike’s hand and led him into the living room, followed by Kyle and John, who started to mimic Jenny and Mike.

“Boys!” Mrs. Meyers spoke at barely a whisper, but both of the twins stopped immediately.

I turned on the water and began to fill the sink with hot soapy water.

“Thanks for a delicious dinner, Jonas.”

“No problem. I was glad to help out Jenny.”

Mrs. Meyers looked toward the living room and then back at me.

“I’m glad we have a moment alone. I never got to tell you about yesterday.”

I was completely confused. With everything happening at the job, I had no idea what she was referring to.

“Jonas,” Mrs. Meyers paused and then she reached over and turned off the faucet. “Sit down for a moment.”

I was worried. It wasn’t normal for her to take that concerned tone with me.

“I ended up picking up your mail yesterday. I also got a chance to talk with your…,” there was a pause as I watched Mrs. Meyers take a deep breath. “Father. To put it mildly, your father isn’t the man I thought he was.”

“It’s okay.” I felt embarrassed that she had to even deal with him. I had learned the hard way what he thought of me.

“It’s not okay. None of it is okay.” Mrs. Meyers walked over and hugged me. “Look, I arranged to have your mail sent here from now on. Your father was trying to have your scholarship cancelled. I can’t believe that man. How he and your mother ever stayed together is … never mind. Your mother wouldn’t have let you be hurt and I sure as hell am not going to see you lose your scholarship over him. Just know that you have a family that loves you and is here for you.”

I couldn’t help but wipe at the tears. Ever since I had come out to my father, my life had been nothing but one problem after another. Whatever I did to end up with Jenny and her family, it was just the best thing possible for me.