just jenny [Complete]

[bloodtypeespresso]

Okay so I just wanted to re-format things a bit but it's the same story if you already read it.

[Chapter 1]

Once upon a time…it seems we all grew up hearing those words. They are the implication that something wonderful, and amazing is about to be told. Whether be a romantic tail, or that of magic and adventure, the phrase is the gateway to another world, a better world, a world which only seems to exist through the ink of a pen, or if we’re lucky the much edited film behind a camera’s lens.

Growing up, I always wished for my ‘Once upon a time’, for that moment when I knew my life was just as I’d imagined it. Now here I am at twenty, on my own for the first time in my life, in a great little apartment that looks oddly like a coffee shop, ready to start an awesome job, and yet it seems so anti climatic. In fact, it feels like I’ve been in this place my whole life.


“Moreno!” Came the gruff voice of my editor, as he stormed down the hall of cubicles in my direction.

“Yes Chief?” I asked tipping up the fedora I’d taken to wearing to mock him.

“I’m not Perry, you’re not Clark…heck you’re not even a reporter, and must you wear that silly hat?” he grumbled trying to bite back a smile.

“Aw, you know you love me, so what is it you need boss?” I asked getting back on track. I made the mistake of running with our banter too long last time and he forgot what he was saying only to remember a week later which as luck would have it was a week too late.

“How’s the new comic strip coming? You know “Based On A True Story…” has become one of our most popular comic strips.” He smiled, yep that’s right I got big ol’ David Danes, to crack a smile, even though lets face it we all know he’s a big softy.

“All done, actually I drew a few different segments, so there’s a variety and you know some cushion on the off chance that I don’t humiliate myself throughout the week, I have stuff for next week anyway.” I smiled cheekily. Yeah that’s right I’m a “funnies” artist, not just that but the comic is my life, as in I fall, then I draw it so the world can read about it on Sunday. But I love what I do, heck it’s what I’ve always done anyway only now I get paid for it.

“Slow down mini me,” he chuckled, “but that’s good to hear, see people have been writing in wanting to know what Jenny is up to when she’s not dressing up as a superhero without a cause, or drinking a coffee shop out of business.” He said the last part eyeing my now empty coffee mug.

“Um, I don’t understand, you want to change the dynamic of the caricature?” I asked pulling my pencil out from behind my ear and grabbing a sketchbook, ready to take notes.

“Just the opposite actually, we still run the strip as is, same high jinx, only in addition you get a column as well, we run it during the week, maybe with a cute little drawing to tie it all together on the real Jenny and all the crap she seems to get herself into, and trust me I know you well enough to know you can’t walk down the hall without incident so don’t even start.” Well with logic like that how could I argue…oh yeah I’m an artist not a writer! Heck I’m not even that great at the art thing I just happen to get myself into stupid fixed, it’s like an accidental Lucy, without the awesome hair, or the friend to bail me out!

“Okay, so I’m a crazy magnet, I’ll give you that, but Chief, I don’t write, I mean I know how to, I’m not incapable, but I’m not a reporter, you said so yourself.” HAH! Using his logic against him!

“Nice try, but I’ve seen you write before, you keep flooding my email with mindless drabble, which it turns out is exactly the kind of writing I’m asking you to do. This isn’t about some ivy leaguer crashing daddy’s yacht. This is about a smart, funny, if at times clumsy, girl and all the crap she does anyway, only now when you email me about your latest adventure it gets printed. Plus you already have the hat.” He winked smacking it with a rolled up copy of last weeks issue.

“So what you’re saying is I just have to be me?” I asked uncertainly, I mean this sounds a bit too easy right?

“Exactly, nothing new, except the by line, and they pay raise.” He called walking away. And I believed him.

[bloodtypeespresso]

[bloodtypeespresso]

[Chapter 2]

So I was on my way to work, and seeing as I was early I decided to stop at a local Starbucks for some caffeinated sustenance. So, java junkies like myself stopping at a coffee shop, harmless right? Oh, so wrong! There I was at the pick up counter grabbing my ventí café americano, minding my own flipping business, all decked out in my white button up shirt, a funky plaid vest, and brown pinstripe slacks, when out of nowhere some menso (Spanish for moron), comes up to me and pours…yes pours his coffee on me! And as if that isn’t bad enough he’s standing so close he caused me to dump my own steaming cup all over myself.

“Hey Jenny, that’s pretty funny and out of the ordinary why don’t you write about that?” he asks looking genuinely proud of himself. That’s what I get for being a regular everyone here knows me. Oh, and I intended to let this guy get to know me better, when out of nowhere I heard someone interject.

“Nice try pal, but I got to her on her way home last night I guess you’ll have to wait your turn.” Looking up I just caught the crazy-coffee-dumper walk out the door looking a bit crest fallen, and whom I assumed to be my make shift white knight looking after him to make sure he left.

“Thank you, but I could have taken him you know.” I called out trying to lighten the mood a bit.

“Oh, I know he should thank me. I saw the coffee deprived look in your eye, now mix that with a first degree burn, and that guy had it coming.” He managed to get out with an almost straight face. And dang what a face it was! Those huge hazel eyes, and that dark curly hair! “Speaking of which,” he said reaching into his LV laptop bag, and pulling out what looked to be a black ball of fabric, “here why don’t you go change into this, while I get you a replacement?” he smiled handing me what turned out to be a black t-shirt.

“Oh, you don’t have to…”

“It’s the least I can do, plus I’d love to hear what you were planning to do to that guy.” He smirked, leaving me no option but to comply.


Walking into the bathroom, I did my best to wash the obviously over sweetened (judging by the stickiness) coffee out of my curly hair hoping that the mud bath at least enriches the already dark color. Then quickly tried to salvage my white blouse. Though, I’m not holding out much hope, I might just end up dyeing it some other hue…maybe red? Any way I shoved that into the back pocket of my shoulder bag along with my vest, trying to keep them as far from my sketchbook as possible, then proceeded to put on the black t-shirt. Standing in the cramped bathroom I couldn’t help but laugh at the shirt I was now wearing, which proudly proclaimed how much I love coffee, because even on a crazy day like this it seems to be the driving force behind my life.

I quickly spotted Mr. White knight, sitting in a corner with two coffees and that seemingly ever-present smirk.

“Looks nice on you.” He smiled standing up to hand me my coffee then waiting until I took a seat to do so as well. Huh, I though that kind was extinct.

“Thank you,” I said taking a sip of my coffee expecting it to be overly bitter, only to find it sweetened to perfection. “Mm, this is perfect.” I must admit I’m a little shocked, even my barista gets it wrong when thy try to do it for me.

“Really? The barista told me how you like it, well he tried, so I figured preparing it to my liking was safest, since, the worst that could happen is you wanted milk, or more sweetener.” He smiled sheepishly. Aw, he’s sweet! Crap, Jen calm down! You don’t even know this guy, well not really even though if I’m not mistaken he looks a heck of a lot like… “I’m Kevin by the way.” He said sticking out his hand and confirming my suspicions.

“Jenny, and thank you again, for everything, from the slightly ironic t-shirt which I will wash and return to you, to the amazing coffee.”

“Keep it, it looks better on you than the person it was intended for anyway, plus we share a coffee bond.” He smiled, lifting his cup of coffee in a silent toast.

“It’s like no other, I’ll give you that. Heck it’s better than the bat signal, how else could you have possibly known that the crazy coffee catastrophe was about to take a complicated… no I have nothing, oh well, I tried.” Okay so more than likely I’m wearing his girlfriend’s shirt, and here I am rambling like a moron smooth, Jen, very smooth.

“What can I say, my coffee senses were tingling.” He laughed. Dang nice laugh, oh well I can look right?

“Nice, but are you sure about the shirt I can pay you back for it at least, that way you can buy your girlfriend another one.” Subtle, I know but I had to check.

“Don’t worry about it really, it’s my pleasure, and it was a bad joke anyway she doesn’t even like coffee.” Now I’m sure I had a horrified look upon my face here because he laughed before making a face of his own and adding an amused “I know, I don’t get it either.”

“Well, maybe I’m bias considering I pretty much owe my livelihood to the stuff.” Which is true, without the coffee, “Based On A True Story…” wouldn’t even exist, the whole thing centers on “jenny” which is basically me, being a klutz, usually while in search of coffee.

“Really?” he asked with what if I’m not mistaken is genuine interest.

“Yeah I have a comic strip, and well a column as of a few weeks ago, but that’s not as coffee crazed as the comic. Basically the main character gets herself into all sorts of ridiculous situations in the pursuit of coffee. Well for the most part.” CRAP WORK!!! “Speaking of which, I’m late! Thanks again this was fun and I appreciate it, but I have to run…oh, get her something flowery, it’ll fly better than coffee.” I said before running out of there like a mad woman, knowing David Danes was about to serve my head on a platter.

[Anna]

wow, i really like this. its a really clever idea.
and i love how you actually have her(your?) comic drawn out. haha future graphic novelist perhaps?

[Sunshine93]

love it! more pLease

[bloodtypeespresso]

Aug 26, 2008 21:37:23 GMT -5 Anna said:

i love how you actually have her(your?) comic drawn out.

LOL, thanks, yeah i figured i draw them anyway, i might as well post them. I'm glad you like it

[bloodtypeespresso]

[Chapter 3]

[glow=red,2,300]Kevin’s POV[/glow]

After finishing my coffee I decided to walk around a bit and see if I could indeed find something “flowery” for Brittany while I was here. Sure being a model she’s been to New York plenty of times, but she lives in LA, and I still like to get her something from the road. But what the heck constitutes as flowery?

Apparently I contemplated this question a little too deeply because next thing I know I’m tripping over some trash on the ground and landing in a heap in front of a street vendor. “Whoa, careful there pal, you practically pulled a Jenny!” He exclaimed helping me up. Wait What?

“Um, thank you…but did you say ‘pull a Jenny?’ what does that mean?” There’s no way that this guy knows the coffee girl, I mean seriously? If I didn’t know any better I’d think it was some weird meet-cute, but I have Brittany so it’d not relevant...but still!

“Yeah, it’s from the comic strip “Based On A True Story” in the Daily Observer, “ he said motioning to his stand containing hats, and shirts with strange tag lines such as ‘Ping Pong is Dangerous.’ “Hottest thing at the moment, I’ve already sold twenty shirts this morning.”

After thanking the man, and buying a shirt for every member of my family (man that guy is persuasive), I continued on my quest finally settling on some slinky pink shirt with flowery gold embroidery. Well, if it has flowers it has to be flowery right? Man I feel like Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” walking around with all this stuff. Okay so I only have three bags, but if you add my laptop bag, and my awesome outfit it at least has the same feel. Wow, that’s sad, I should at least feel like Richard Gere…they should really have more movies where the guy ends up buying a bunch of stuff. I mean shopping can be manly right? Well if it’s done properly…

“This is a call to the colorblind
This is an IOU…” Blaring from my cell phone pulled me out of my potentially embarrassing train of thought.

“Hey Joe what’s up?” I asked not bothering to look at the screen, if I’m right nick is freaking out right now.

“Dude! ‘What’s up?’ You were supposed to get coffee, and come back, that’s ‘what’s up’. FroBro over there is about to burst a blood vessel, keeps threatening to leave you behind.” I knew it.

“Look, Joe, just tell him to calm down, I got sidetracked and I just have one more thing to pick up before I head back, I’m not too far now, and I even got you all gifts.”

“Presents! Cool, I’ll make sure we don’t leave you!” I chuckled in response; sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s the youngest, Frankie or Joe.


[glow=red,2,300]Jenny’s Pov[/glow]

“Jennifer Moreno, you best have a DAMN good reason for breezing into this office half an hour late, dressed like some street punk on the day of your deadline!” Mr. Danes bellowed, making me cringe. Sure I expected it but dang, did he have to call me Jennifer?

“Sorry, Chief, but you wouldn’t believe the morning I just had!” Okay so I know it sounds like the dog ate my homework but it’s true! “I was on my...” I started to explain when he lifted his hand motioning silence.

“Save it, if you’re involved kid I’d believe almost anything, but let me tell you this, it better make a damn good story because I expect to read it; and I expect it to be on my desk by noon. This is a news paper not study hall, so don’t let it happen again!” now that would have been scary, had it not been for the discreet wink sent my way once his rant was over. No, it’s not some creepy thing, it’s an ‘I want the dirt once you’re done doing your job’ wink. Chief and I are pretty close, he’s the one that offered me a permanent slot after a few weeks of free lance work, and then sort of took me under his wing. I guess I remind him of himself when he started, he actually did start in the mail room, just like in the movies!

So taking my beat up tan corduroy fedora off my desk lamp and placing it on my head, I started drafting a “formal” version of the coffee incident for the paper. Now I know what you’re thinking, Kevin Jonas just swooped in on his white horse to save you, and you conveniently leave his name out!?! But it just wouldn’t be right, he’s a nice guy, and the last thing he needs is the press (oops, I guess that’s me too) making it seem like there’s more than there is to this story. Especially since I doubt I’ll see him again any time soon, he’s a rock star after all, and me…well lets just say there’s a reason my columns entitled “just jenny”


“MORENO! MY OFFICE NOW!!!” Dang, that guy has some lungs on him. Setting aside my sketchbook and slipping my feet back into my red pumps I quickly made my way into Chief’s office.

“You bellowed?” I asked sauntering in.

“Close the door.” I did as I was told then took a seat in the char across from his desk.

“So what’s the real story here, not that this isn’t a fine piece, but I know when you’re holding something back.” He smirked.

“Off the record?” I have to be sure, he didn’t get where he is by being a nice guy you know, he had to be sneaky! I waited for him to nod the affirmative before continuing. “He’s not just some guy, he’s a celebrity, at least I’m pretty sure he is, I haven’t googled his picture to confirm anything.”

“Oh jeez, you really do get yourself into a pickle every day don’t you?” he laughed. “So who is he…allegedly?”

“Kevin Jonas. And I’m like 98% sure it’s him, he did say his name was Kevin after all, but I haven’t checked my facts.”

“Kevin Jonas…” he paused a moment trying to make the connection “…from that band…the Jonas somethings…they started out not to far from here, I remember the little one on Broadway, right?” laughing internally Chief knows the Jonas Brothers!

“Yeah, that’d be them alright.” I sighed getting comfortable.

“So which one are we talking about here?” he asked with a strange gleam in his eye worthy of Albus Dumbledore.

“The oldest, I think he’s maybe a year older than me? I’m not sure but I know he’s at least my age... well he looked my age.”

“So you’re not a fan? I thought all the girls were swooning over them, like Frankie at the Sans.” he quirked his eyebrow with a smirk.

“Well, I’m not obsessed, I mean their music’s good, and I have a couple of their songs on my ipod, but I don’t know all the personal details.” Oh my gosh, I am so dense! I recognize that gleam!

“Mm-hmm, so this attractive famous fellow, walks into a coffee shop, protects your honor…”

“I’d hardly call it that…” this simply earned me a glare as he continued.

“…Buys you coffee, and offers you a shirt to change into, then insists that you keep it…am I right?”

“I never told you he insisted I keep it.” i stated suspiciously. Did I? Nope pretty sure I kept that little tidbit to my self.

“But he did, right? It’s a classic meet-cute kid. So when are you going to see him again?”

“Oh, I don’t know… never?” I sighed. Hello he’s famous, I didn’t get his contact info, and he’s taken! Well the last one isn’t that much of a problem it’s not like I need a boyfriend.

“Explain your self.” He demanded crossing his arms and raising one eyebrow.

“We didn’t even exchange contact information, I vaguely mentioned a have a comic strip, and then I realized I was late and ran out. Plus to top it off he’s probably touring, and I know he has a girlfriend, so the meet-cute is kind of out the window.” I said in one breath.

“Hmm, to be young again." he chuckled shaking his head. "Don’t worry kid, it’ll work out. Now get back to work.” With that I got up and made my way out of his office and headed towards my cubical hearing a vague “…and get a new hat!” before his door closed.

[michelle]

i've meant to comment sooner....but i do love this. this is a different type of story line and i think it's cool....can't wait to read more.

[bloodtypeespresso]

i've meant to comment sooner....but i do love this. this is a different type of story line and i think it's cool....can't wait to read more.

Aww, thanks so much!

[bloodtypeespresso]

[Chapter 4]

The next week went by without incident, at least by my standards. The only major change was the over whelming amount of fan mail. It seems that by not being more specific about my “coffee guy” I opened myself up to a bunch of crazies claiming they were him, and consequently offering me their names and phone numbers. How this makes any kinds of sense I don’t know, I mean think about it. Hypothetically, I call random email number one hundred thirty-two, and set up a date, does he think me stupid enough not to know what he should look like? Don’t answer that, I’ve seen my comic strip…heck I drew it! But come on, creative liberty people, I’m not really that blind! So after a week of weeding though fan mail ranging form strange to stranger, the last thing I expected to find was an email holding something akin to credibility.

“Ahh! Stupid bird!!!” I yelled finally making my way into my second floor walk up. It’s not some ritzy loft apartment; in fact the whole place feels like a mom and pop coffee shop. I have a chalkboard covering most of one wall, bookshelves bursting at the seams, Rat Pack memorabilia, half finished sketches strewn about, and my favorite part, a big comfy dark red couch. Kicking off my plum patent leather pumps, I made a bee line for my bedroom leaving a trail of clothes in may wake as I searched for my old *NSYNC shirt and some boxers to change into.

Once I fixed some dinner and poured my self a large iced diet coke, I grabbed my Tough Book (the only laptop a girl like me should be allowed near), and my food then made myself comfortable on the living room floor, preparing for a long night of checking my email. Something I’ve realized I have to do almost daily now. So after about an hour, three diet cokes, and two servings of stir-fry I stumbled upon it…the last email in this account (fine you caught me, but it was the last email I was going to respond to tonight).


To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Coffee Bond

Coffee Girl,

So after reading some of your back issues I’m sure you must be bombarded my fan mail, which is why I initially tried to get your personal email from your office, but it turns out that security at the Daily Observer is tighter than at one of our concerts (Big Rob could take some lessons), as I was constantly redirected to the publication’s web page and asked to click on the “just jenny” link, then proceed to fan mail link, which as you can see is what I ultimately ended up doing.

Now I realize you’ve probably gotten a lot of crazy emails in your day, which is why I used my work email, I figured it would be a bit more credible, and perhaps let you know it’s really me. Oh, man I just realized that I’ve been going on as if you naturally know who I am and what I do for a living! Well, so you know it is indeed me, the guy at the coffee place I’ll wait a minuet while you google my name (Kevin Jonas) and that way you get a visual.

See, it is me, though depending on what shot you looked at I may look a little different, some of those pictures are from when I was seventeen. But I didn’t email you so you could look at my picture, or even to rant about my picture.

I actually felt bad for making you late, though from your latest piece it seems that I gave you some great material. Well, okay I can’t really take all the credit; I’ve read your stuff and it seems you can turn almost anything into a funny antic dote. Which reminds me, Joe wants to know if you really have a monkey hat. Also I realized that for possessing such a strong, and natural bond (coffee that is), we forgot to exchange numbers and contact information!

I realize that being bonded and all, we both must of assumed we could always rely on the natural powers of coffee to keep throwing us together, but as I am currently sitting on a tour bus, I figured cell phones and personal email might be better than a work account (which is bombarded with fan mail, and/or work stuff) and chance meetings in New York coffee shops.

[e-mail]

Cell: [phone]

Now this message has run a bit long, so I’ll let you go (in a non controlling way since you could take me if deprived from caffeine. ;-p), and I hope to hear from you soon.

At your service,
Coffee Guy

Ps: Brittany loved the floral shirt I got her, so thanks.



To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Could still be crazy

Coffee Guy,

It seems that our bond must be strong, if you’ve managed to track me down even after being given the run around (which I’m sorry for), but you have to admit it is kind of funny, THE Kevin Jonas, couldn’t get through to talk to me? Me, the girl who started out as a freelance “funnies’ girl here at the D.O. Well, that totally made my day, although I must really talk to those girls at the front desk, I mean how do they expect me to expand my social life if they withhold all human contact?

Oh well, on to more serious matters, you READ all that? Great that means that you no longer think the coffee incident was a freak occurrence, and have come to startling realization that stuff like that happens to me all the time. Well, with the exception of being rescued that is. Still, I am your everyday dork, I’m clumsy, and now with this column I seem to attract even more embarrassing situations than I normally would (which is saying something!).

But I suppose it’s for the best, after all, if you’re going to be bonded to somebody you might as well know their faults right off the bat right? I guess I could google some of yours now that I think about it, but I think I’d rather wait for you (or your brothers) to tell me.

Speaking of which, to answer Joe’s question, yes I do have a monkey hat. My sister (Jessica) gave it to me as a joke some time ago, and after a while it just turned into a thing. I honestly don’t remember how it grew so much that I had write/ draw about it, but before I knew it the hat became a character of its own. On the up side it is very warm and great for cold weather.

As you’ve gathered (well at least I hope you have, or else I have a lot of work to do before your next interview), this is my personal account, and my cell phone number is [phone]

The illusive,

Coffee Girl

PS: I’m glad she liked it!

Not even five minuets after I hit send I got a google chat request from Kevin


K2: Hey

Ibleed.Coffee: Hey

K2: Do you mind if I call?

Ibleed.Coffee: LOL, not at all


“So she said what’s the problem baby…” Blasted from my cell phone immediately afterwards.“Hello?”

“Hey, sorry if this is weird, I just prefer a phone over text.” Came his sheepish reply.

“Not at all, I’m the same way, it’s more personal, plus I write for a living.” Although I must admit I prefer talking in person to a cell phone, but I’ll take what I can get.

“Excellent, so what are you up to? Not getting into trouble I hope?” he asked conspiratorially.

“Well I was attacked by a bird earlier, but that’s all over and done with” I laughed, glad to hear him chuckle on the other end.

“I’m glad you taught it who’s boss.” He stated.

“Hehe, honestly I just finished checking my email, as I’m sure you know, and now I’m just on the phone with you…so what about you what are you up to?” Wow, I’m boring!

“The same actually, we’re headed out to do a show in Arizona, so I’m pretty much stuck on the bus.”

“Stuck? I thought you’d like it, I mean it’s not like a normal road trip where you’re cramped n the back seat between your brothers, while your parents find the one annoying cd in the pile and put it on loop.” I don’t know much about the band, but I know enough to know they have a really cool bus.

“Yeah, okay you got me there, but still I live on this thing with my parents and three brothers while on tour, and it can get pretty intense.” He sighed good-naturedly.

“Tell me about it.” I said setting aside my laptop and curling up on the couch.

“Um, okay. Well, take today for instance, we’ve been on the bus since last night right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Okay, well by the time I woke up everything was chaotic, Nick was making a fuss over Joe taking his socks…again. Mom was alternating between reprimanding Joe for bugging Nick, and telling Nick to calm down because he was obviously over reacting.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at this.

“Nick is quite a bit younger than y’all right, I’m guessing three...maybe four years?” I asked amused.

“Yeah he’s fifteen, Joe’s nineteen, Frankie’s seven and I’m Twenty one.” He answered.

“Yeah, the sock thing makes sense.” I giggled.

“How?”

“I don’t know, it just does, it’s a younger sibling thing, my sister is three and a half years older than me.” Lord knows I went through it with her. “So back to your story.”

“Right, well after that I go into the lounge to find that Frankie, remember he’s seven, decided to play my guitar. Meaning he ended up breaking three strings.” He sighed. “But it’s not like I could get mad at him, he’s just a kid. So I just told him to be more careful and ask me next time.”

“Aw, you’re a good big brother!” and I just sounded like a dorky sap!

“Hehe, I guess, after the first two, this one seems like a snap. Plus if I made him cry I’d have to deal with it, I’m locked in remember?” He chuckled.

“Well it definitely seems like you’ve had an eventful morning.” I replied happy I only have one sister.

“Yeah, it’s not too bad, in fact it’s usually funny, but after a full day I’m just glad to get some time to myself.”

“I thought it was close quarters in there, where is everyone?”

“It is, but Joe’s watching a movie in the lounge, Nick’s working on a song in the kitchen, I’m not sure what mom and dad are up to, but they’re downstairs, and Frankie’s asleep. So I’m upstairs.” He chuckled a bit. “But that’s enough about me, I called to learn more about you.”

“Me? What could you possibly need to know about me you haven’t already read?” I laughed.

“Well let’s start with your day then take it from there.” He suggested.

“Okay, well today was pretty uneventful. I woke up a little late so I was in a rush to get to work, but nothing too bad. Once I got there I really spent most of my time talking to Chief or doodling drafts for Sunday’s issue, since I turned my article in yesterday. Although I was attacked by a bird when I got home!” Was he laughing?! “Hey it just swooped out of nowhere!”

“I’m sure it did, it’s just that, you were serious earlier when I asked if you were getting into trouble?”

“Well don’t blame me, blame the bird!” seriously those things are creepy!

“Just as I think your day is at all normal you get attacked by a bird!” he continued to laugh.

“Yeah, yeah…”

“Sorry, so who’s this Chief guy?” he asked calming down a bit.

“Oh, well technically he’s my editor David Danes, he’s a cool guy. Very old school reporter, looks like he should be saying Smittie, or Ace. He actually got me the permanent gig after only a few weeks of free lance, we’re pretty close.”

“Well he’s smart, now what about your family, you mentioned a sister?” did I?

“Yeah, I have one older sister Jess, she’s twenty four, and currently living in Washington. My parents are divorced, My mom’s in Texas, and my Dad lives in Burbank, California.” Yeah we’re all over the place.

“Wow, so I guess you travel a lot too huh?” he asked genuinely curious.

“Yeah, some, not as much now that I’m on my own but I grew up moving a lot, and going on a lot of road trips, so I’m kind of a gypsy.” I laughed I know it’s hard for some people to understand the fact that I don’t really have a hometown.

“That’s cool, glad to know I’m not the only one. But this sister of yours, is twenty four you said, and almost four years older…that would make you twenty…one?” he asked mischievously.

“HEY! Mr. Jonas you my friend are taken!” I laughed.

“Not for me, Joe’s still bugging me to give him your number.”

“Mm-hmm,” I teased. “I’m twenty actually, and you would set your little brother up with a girl your age?”

“Hey, I’m older than you! And a guy’s allowed at least one older woman, though I never had any intention of giving him your number, I’m not that mean.” He laughed, man I like that laugh.

“HEY! I’m not that bad!” I said with mock indignation.

“Well, I saw the look you gave that guy at the shop!” Which caused me to laugh. “But I was really talking about not wanting to subject you to Joe.”

“Aw, poor Joe.” I laughed.

“Yeah, poor Joe. He only has half the tween population swooning…dang, poor Joe, those girls can get creepy.”

“Hah, I can just see it now ‘Kevin Jonas: Scared of Little Girls’!” I laughed in my phony announcer voice.

“It all happened so fast, I was just standing there when all of a sudden there they where…there were just so many of them!” came the mock scared voice, soon followed by someone yelling his name in the background. “Coming!”

“It seems I have to go…”

“Okay, that’s fine.” Stupid now it sounds like I’m giving him permission!

“Well, I’ll talk to you later, but um…Jenny?”

“Yeah Kev.”

“I’m glad you responded.”

“Me too.” And this, my dear seems like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.