It had been almost a two weeks since Eddie had been discharged from the hospital. She had heard he was feeling better, and wanted so much to see him, but knew she would not be welcome. Janet had ruined everything, and would have to deal with the consequences. Those consequences being life in the Ridge with everyone knowing what happened and just how it went down. She looked out the window and replayed the events in her mind once again. No matter how many times she thought about things and tried to understand, it didn't change the fact that she had cheated on Eddie. Something she never thought possible. She loved him, she was certain, but that didn't matter now. All she had the ability to focus on right now was her empty suitcase lying on the bed. She had a plane to catch and her clothes would not pack themselves.
She had ended her friendship with Rooster. She couldn't handle how he was acting. No remorse at all. He had taken advantage of her emotional and drunken state. Not to mention he did everything in his power every day to make her feel that she was out of Eddie's league. He reminded her constantly that Eddie would never take her back. At this point it really didn't matter if he would take her back or not. She was not going to be with Rooster. Janet asked Sully to do his best not to schedule any of her shifts with Rooster, and for the most part, things had worked out fine. Still hoping after her time off, she would have some direction, she wasn't optimistic. Janet walked to the kitchen and put her coffee cup in the sink. Before she knew it the tears were flowing again.
"Taking Janet to the airport? What do you mean? What…Where is she going? " He was enraged. Eddie had been stewing since the day she came to the hospital and told him what happened with Rooster. He could not get the image out of his head. All he could think about was Janet, and the way things used to be. She had messed up everything. It was over, and she was to blame. Now she was being a coward. Fine time for that. Pizza Girl could read Eddie pretty well. "Dude, she is not running away from this situation." She said softly, "Honestly. Her brother is being deployed to Iraq and this is his last assignment. She is going to see him and help move his wife and kids back to the Ridge. That's all. Time with family, that's it." Eddie just looked away. He had forgotten she had a brother. He was about eight years older than Janet and had been away from the Ridge since joining the Marines. "Eddie" Phil piped in," this trip probably comes at a good time. Janet's got a lot of things to work through, and you are still very angry. Knights Ridge is a small town and you could use a few days to get back in your routine without the fear of running into her at every turn." Pizza Girl gave Phil a goodbye kiss. "Well actually you will have a little more than a few days." She said, "Janet will be gone for a couple of weeks. Maybe when she gets back you guys can sit and talk. "Eddie turned and headed up the stairs. It really didn't matter anyway.
Much to her surprise, this trip was just what the doctor ordered. Janet's brother Lance left for assignment a few days after she arrived. She then spent the rest of her time with BillyJo and the kids. BillyJo was great. She was the sister Janet never had. Lance had met her at a party in Memphis one weekend when he was living it up on Beal Street with some fellow Marines. That had been seventeen years, and two kids ago. They had always been there for Janet and she was so glad they would finally be moving home. Not too sure what a southern girl like her would think of Massachusetts, but it was time. Too many years of phone calls and emails. It was time to have some family around. She couldn't wait to introduce BillyJo to Hannah and Pizza Girl. She knew they would hit it off great. BillyJo had listened intently to Janet tell her everything that happened with Eddie. From the first kiss to the ordeal with Rooster. She hurt for Janet, and Eddie.
After a couple of weeks of packing and late night talks, Janet had a little clarity. She has so many issues to deal with. She thought so little of herself. It was really exhausting to think about. "Janet, I'm telling you. You have been hiding behind that bar at Sully's way too long." BillyJo's voice echoed through her empty house. "You never finished your teaching degree, and you should. Now's the time." BillyJo was a nurse and had been for years. She had always wanted Janet to finish school, but Janet had let the voices in her head tell her she would never make it through. "Not that Sully's isn't a great place to work, but I feel like you are settling. You would make a wonderful teacher." Janet just looked at her. Sully's. They would be heading home in a couple of days and she would have to get back to her life in Knights Ridge. God she missed Eddie. Every night when she drifted off to sleep she would say a prayer that he would forgive her. She didn't think that would happen. He had probably moved on. Anger will do that to you. "I have been in this family a long time. I know exactly why your self esteem is shot. I understand. It is no wonder you got out of that house alive, but that is in the past. You have to realize that you have the potential to do anything you set your mind to. It's time to deal with the past and embrace the future."