Disclaimer: I do not own Instant Star or any of the characters affiliated. I do, however, own my characters (Gabriella, David, Finnegan, Eric, Honey, and Violet).
Synopsis: Jude's husband, Jamie, has been away at war for two years, and Jude cannot take being alone anymore. When she meets a mysterious and passionate stranger, she commits adultery. Her friends shun her and her parents disown her, but she continues the affair. When the stranger reveals his habits and secrets, she is enticed even more. Can she quit her addictions before her husband comes home, or will she experience a head-on collision?
Setting: Jude is 23, and Tommy is 30. They live in California during the Vietnam War. Jude works as a voice teacher at a private school. Obviously, she never won Instant Star. Tommy lived in New York, but came across the country to get a new start at life after two tragic relationships. Tommy is sweet, charming, and introverted. Jude is quiet, calm, and extremely sensitive.
A/N: I'm going to try to make this story as historically accurate as possible. I will mention the sources I use in each chapter. Also, I'm going to do my best to complete this. I am very busy, but I take great delight in writing and having people read my work. I hope everyone enjoys!
Chapter 1
The bed was damp and pungent. Although these facts disturbed her, she swallowed her pride and accepted them. It was all that navy housing would pay for. Jude dragged a chenille comforter over the mattress, and tried to make a sufficient nest for her new visitor. The child's name was Gabriella Shepherd. She was a student at the Villson's Academy, the school where Jude taught. She was a brilliant and quite talented, but was often seen committing disturbing acts. The authorities at the academy had discovered why she was acting so carelessly.
It turned out that her mother, a prostitute, had died of VD. When Jude heard about this, she agreed to house the girl temporarily. She soon found it would be a nightmare. The girl didn't speak, and she was extremely secretive. However, when she did speak, her language was riddled with profanity and insults. The worse part was her eyes- they were continually set in a penetrating glare. It was nauseating if one didn't ignore it.
The girl knelt against the bed and placed her hands together.
"What are you doing, little G?" Jude whispered, attempting to befriend her.
"I'm praying. What does it look like I'm doing? Numbskull," She snapped. Jude's stomach flopped and she stepped back a few feet. As Jude went to make herself a tea to calm her nerves, she heard a frightening noise. There was a loud banging on the door. Jude knew that this was it.
"Gabriella, sweetie." Jude was forced to confront her newest enemy. "Go pray upstairs, would you?" She knew confronting her would only further ignite her anger.
"No," She replied, firmly. She shifted so her legs would be underneath her, and covered her body with her plaid overcoat.
"The conversation I'm going have is private, and...I can't have nosy-posies listening and telling all of their friends," Jude responded, turning to the door that was still being pounded on.
"I said no. And how do you know what sort of conversation you'll be having? Are you psychic? Or do you know who it is?" She pursed her lips, and transitioned her position once more.
"I have a fine idea of who it might be...oh, why am I telling you this? Go upstairs this instant and I don't want to hear one more peep out of you!" Jude felt exhilarated as she shed her calm exterior.
The girl rose to her feet, and glided over to the staircase. "I'm going to get my doll, but as soon as I do, I'm coming right back," She intoned, keeping an unyielding grip on her guardian's eyes.
The air felt as if a phantom presence had settled within the room. Jude shivered.
She figured the person who had tapped upon her door had surely realized no one was going to answer it, and departed.
But she unlocked the door anyway, and a man in a blue surveyor's suit with stiff lapels was perched on her stoop. He waved at her limply, and smiled. His teeth were florescent white and perfectly aligned.
"Good morning. Is Ms. Harrison here?" He read from a miniature address book.
"I am she," Jude put one hand on her bosom, and sighed. She prepared herself for the announcement- Your husband has been killed in battle. You'll, of course, receive any medals... It had happened three times on the street in the past five months. Silver stars adorned mutiple flags, but the widows were adorned with grief and misery.
"Ms. Harrison, I believe this is for you." Surveyor unfolded a letter and handed it over to her. He rubbed a spot on the back of his neck, and waited.
She unfolded the letter, and couldn't force herself to begin reading.
"It's good news, Ms. Harrison, I assure you," He grinned.
Puzzled, she questioned, "How could my husband's death be good news?" She fiddled with a folded corner on the paper.
"Husband's death? I'm from CLSA...I survey land. This letter was suggested to be brought to you by your grandmother. She's giving you 10 solid acres. I would celebrate if I were you," He said in his soft, reassuring voice.
"Te-ten acres?" Nothing's wrong with Jamie? Hallelujah! She sputtered, biting her lip to stop the happy look from consuming her whole face.
"Yes, and I'd be happy to take you to your new farm. What do you say we visit the place at ten o'clock tomorrow morning?" He asked. "I'm bring the champagne."
"If you'll excuse me, I just have to look this over. Ten acres. That's a large hunk of land, isn't it? I always knew my Grams would come through for me," Jude nodded at the man and walked into her kitchen. She lay the paper across her island, and scanned through it.
"May I come in?" The surveyor asked from the doorway.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, please do."
He mosied into the house and planted himself on the sofa. "I'm so excited for you." He wrung his hands and his eyes flicked around the household. "It'll be much better than this sloppy old place."
"I'm sure it will be. Now listen, I'm wondering if I'll have any animals of any sort that I'll have to care to..." She wondered aloud.
"There's two horses and one cow. But your grandmother has already secured maids that will tend to the creatures," He told her.
"I know how to milk a cow. My father taught me when we went up to Retland Ranch. I was 6 years old and I was willing to learn anything," She giggled.
"You'll have to teach me. I'm a city boy. I don't know much about cow-milking. My hobbies include wine-tasting, soccer, and a little bit of cigar smoking."
"You're not that complicated, are you?" She inquired.
"Those were just my hobbies, Ms. Harrison. Wait until you learn my real skills," He chagrined.
"Alrighty then. Well, I'm going to sign this paper and our meeting will commence tomorrow at the crack of ten," She winked. She scrambled to find a sturdy ballpoint pen. She zig-zagged her signature across the acceptance line, and returned the document to the surveyor.
"Oh- and you can call me Jude," She said into his ear. "What's your-" She was interrupted by Gabriella, who was holding a raggedy doll.
"This is Clementine. She wanted to say hello." She thrust the doll into the man's face and he was greeted with a haunting face. Clementine's fake skin was melted off, leaving a lipstick-smeared lopsided frown on its face. "Would you like to eat croissants with her? She's a great cook."
"Um, we'll save that for another time, honey. Right now, I'm dealing with your mommy."
"Mr-"
"Quincy."
"Mr. Quincy," Jude started, "This isn't my daughter. I'm just her legal guardian for a while." She couldn't be plagued with a daughter, not at this age.
"I understand. Jude, I'll be going now. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" He jumped up quickly, but she pushed back down forcefully.
"Wait a moment. I have to go upstairs for a second. I'm going to make a phone call. Stay here, please."
He agreed, albeit reluctantly, as she clutched the girl's hand and tugged her upstairs. The child fought her with all of her might, kicking and screaming, and even resorting to a few punches and a hard bite to her fist.
"Calm down, now." She continued to move her, trying her best not to injure her. As soon as they reached the second floor, Jude's mood changed.
"I was having a serious conversation with an important businessman, and you ruined it for me! He thinks I'm a loony because of you. God, you're so--I'm getting the ruler." Jude found the stick on top of her armoire and instructed the girl to lean against the working table. They frequently used this form of punishment at the academy. "Apologize," She ordered.
Gabriella bent against the desk and gulped. She closed her eyes, and clasped her hands. "I deserve this, I know. I'm a bad girl," She whimpered under her breath. In her mind, she was laughing. It wouldn't hurt her. It never did.
Jude raised the tool high over her head, and lowered it quickly. It flew through the air, about to crash onto the girl's bottom. The numbers would leave small black imprints on her skirt, a reminder of the foolish thing they had done. The phone alarmed them at that exact moment.
"Good timing, huh?" Jude spat, picking up the phone. "Yes?" She muttered, angrily.
"I've been calling all of this morning, but you didn't pick up. You've had me worried sick." The voice on the other end of the line was her best friend, Kat.
"I'm sorry. I received the greatest news. My grandmother is giving me half of her farm! She knows I haven't been getting much money lately, and I've told that my home is not adequate."
"Oh, darling, I'm so glad! Most of all, I'm joyful that you're okay. Is anyone there at the moment?"
Jude remembered the adorable surveyor and smiled. "Yes, I have a member of the CLSA here. With his suit, I'm sure he's the president. He's gorgeous," She squealed.
"Jude, I've told you the stories. Bad wives bring sore luck on the home front. You wouldn't want our country to lose the war because of some stranger."
"Oh, stop being so superstitious. All of those silly tales don't mean a thing to me," She snorted.
"Fine. Pshaw about the matter all you want, but when we get bombed," Kat replied, "because of your need of an affair, don't come crying to me." As Kat said this, Jude picked up a stray cloth.
"Katerina, don't you say about me. I would never-" She stopped short and covered her mouth with her handkerchief. "I wouldn't? Would I?""Don't ask me. I'm just a spectator that repeats 'silly tales.' We'll see what happens, Jude. I'll see you at the Fourth of July fair this Thursday. Farewell."
Jude had forgotten about the Independence Day parade and festivities. Maybe it would be a nice place to take a date. Oh, what I am thinking? She sighed. I'm married to Jamie. She shook her head.
"Why are you shaking your head? Are you trying to get the fleas off?" Gabriella asked, still bent against the desk.
Jude chuckled. "Funny. I'm not angry at you. I'm angry at myself. I'm the one that deserves punishment."
"Apologize," Gabriella ordered, picking up the ruler.
"Hardy har. Let's go, you comedian." She caught the girl's hand and led her down the steps. "What'd you do up there? Throw a party? Without me? I heard a lot of commotion," Mr. Quincy questioned.
"Oh, I told you. I had to make a phone call."
Jude tried to play as nonchalant as she could. She knew he was watching as she adjusted her belt. She smiled slyly, and brushed back a lock of her honey-blonde hair.
Teasers for Chapter Two:"She's a beauty, isn't she?" He said, patting the hind of the calf.
"So you slowly work your fingers...What?"
"Don't touch me!" She screamed, stepping on the sole of his shoe.
"This is peaceful, isn't it?""It'll be a date?" Butterflies sloshed in her stomach. Then she realized it was probably hunger.
The jam poured down the side of the counter, soaking the carpet.
"Funny seeing you here."
She put on the apron carefully, tied it and smoothed the bottom. It looked like a potato sack, but it would do.
"Is this a bomb?" The beeping sped up, and Tommy's nostrils flaired. "It's going to detonate. Run!"