Grief is a five letter word
Disclaimer: I don't own Twisted or the characters. They belong to ABC Family. Some of the dialoged belongs to ABC Family.
Johnny Cake's
Jo's POV
I am sitting in the diner with Danny and Rico. We are working on proving Danny's innocence. "The text was the only reason he brought you in, right?" I ask Danny. He nods. "Yeah, one booty call text. One disturbing booty call text." I laugh a little at the face he makes. "God, I hate when that happens. It's hard out there for a pimp." Rico jokes. Rico always knows how to make me laugh. "What else did he ask you?" I ask Danny getting back to the case. "Not much." Then my Dad has nothing. That's good. "Okay. In mystery text it's known as red herring." Rico informs us. "Yeah, a red herring my Dad is basing his entire case on." This is not like him. I can't believe he is so focused on Danny with such little evidence. He is being unreasonable. He won't even let me hang out with Danny. "Then it's a weak case. They have nothing unless they can connect Danny to the crime scene." Rico is right. And there is nothing to connect Danny, right? What am I thinking? Of course not. Danny didn't do this. He just couldn't have. "Are you sure you wanted to do this Rico? I mean Jo is kind of stuck with me after her little speech in front of the whole school, but you can still avoid the hassle." Danny is so sweet letting Rico of the hook like that. He is right after the speech I gave at school everyone knows I'm on Danny's side and they weren't my biggest fans to begin with. "No, if Jo trusts you I trust you. Besides I love solving mysteries." Rico is really excited about getting to solve a real life mystery. "Murder She Wrote is Rico's favorite show. He has a weird thing for Angela Lansbury." I inform Danny. He seems to be as amused by this as I am. "No I have a thing for her character Jessica Fletcher. There's really a big difference." I laugh at that. "Is there?" Rico starts to defend himself. "Yeah, Angela Lansbury is an actress and singer and Jessica Fletcher is a mystery writer and amateur detective." I love getting him all worked up like this.
Danny's POV
Jo is teasing Rico just like she has always done with me. As much as I'm getting a kick out of their interaction it also hurts. Seeing Jo like this with someone else makes me miss what we had. I am even more determined to get it back. I want to make Jo laugh like that again. I love her laugh even though she always hated it. And that smile takes my breath away. "What is it that attracts you so much? Is it the tweed? Do you like tweed or I don't…" Jo stops when she looks up at me. I guess she can see how hard this is for me. "She's a classy lady." Rico again defends himself. I have to say the guy makes me laugh. I can see why he and Jo are such good friends. "So if my Dad is focused on this text um we need to figure out who else would want to hurt Regina." Jo says getting us back on topic. "Jessica Fletcher would start with the people closest to the victim." All her friends seem to be jerks. "Well, Archie's an ass." I say. Which is an understatement. He has been harassing me since my first day. "Scott's a groping douche with impulse control problems. Sarita probably drowns kittens for fun." Jo adds. I still want to punch Scott really hard in the face for touching Jo. If he ever touches her again I'll do worse than that. I got really good at fighting in juvie. I could take him. "What about Lacey? I mean she's Regina BFF right?" No. Never. Not the Lacey I knew. "Yeah, but Lacey wouldn't hurt anyone." I say. Jo rolls her eyes. "No stone unturned right?" What happened with them? Does Jo really think Lacey would do this or is she just that angry with her? "J Fletch would totally agree with that." We haven't figured out much, but at least it's a start. I don't know if I should ask Jo to hang out later. Is this only about helping me or does she really want to be friends again?
Outside of Johnny Cake's
Jo's POV
"So once all this craziness blows over we can actually start talking about other things. You know normal stuff, like movies, books, music. Popular culture, you can explain to me who the Kardashians are for example." Danny says as we walk out of the diner. "You don't want to know." He seems to be looking forward to when we can hang out just for fun. I can't wait either. I'm ready for me and Danny to get our friendship back. Maybe even more. My feelings for Danny haven't been purely platonic. We have been flirting a little. I think. "Jo." I turn to see my Dad pulling up next to us. I'm in such big trouble. I know I'm not supposed to hang out with Danny, but I can't help wanting to be around him. There is just something about him that just draws you in and won't let go. "Danny and I were just…" He doesn't let me finish. "Get in the car." He orders me. Why does he have to be this way? "Okay. Calm down." This is so embarrassing. He is making such a big deal out of this. "Car now." Poor Danny. I'm sure my Dad treating him like a violent criminal is hurting his feelings. He just wants to move on from his past, and wants to be a normal teenager.
Danny's POV
Jo gets in the car like her Dad orders her to. Maybe I can smooth things out a little. "Chief Masterson. Hello sir. We were just grabbing a bite is that a problem?" You can catch more flies with honey then vinegar. My Dad always used to say that. He was always very good at charming people. "I'm trying to give you a fair shake don't make it harder for me." How is blaming me for a murder I didn't commit fair? Or not letting me see my best friend. My only friend right now. "I don't know what you mean sir." I'm not staying away from Jo no matter what he says. "Stay away from my daughter." He gets back in the car and they drive away. Jo is the only one who can tell me to stay away from her. As long as she wants me around I'm not walking away from her. I lost her once and I'm not doing it again. Especially now that there is more than friendship between us. At least I think there is. I have been flirting with her a lot, and I'm pretty sure she has been flirting back. There was this one intense conversation were I felt like kissing her, but it was too soon. I need to know she wants more from me then friendship. I keep looking for a sign.
Cafeteria
Danny's POV
I walk into the cafeteria. I can feel everyone's eyes on me, but I only have eyes for the beautiful girl in the ugly yellow sweater. That may be an ugly sweater, but Jo still looks beautiful in it. I walk over and she doesn't seem to notice. I slam my cup down startling her. At least I got a smile. "This okay? Your Dad doesn't have psycho cams everywhere does he?" He can't keep us from seeing each other at school. "I have a plan." She seems a little unsure about it. "Does it involve brain washing?" I tease her like I used to do. "Sort of actually. My Mom. Okay I say we do a fun low key dinner just us and our Moms. If we just show my Mom how normal you are she can convince my Dad to tone it down a little. He listens to her." Uh oh. Just yesterday I got the impression my Mom isn't the biggest Tess fan. "Jo, I don't think our Moms are that close anymore. I'm sorry it's kind of naïve." I hate to burst her bubble, but this plan isn't going to work. "So I'm naïve?" What? No. "No that's not what I was saying…" Archie the ass interrupts me with a rude comment to Jo about me. I really hate that guy. I don't know why I continued to antagonize him, but he really pisses me off. When he pushes me into the table I just loose it. In juvie if someone challenges you to fight you don't back down. And I'm not backing down from this asshole. I feel someone pulling me out of the cafeteria. I hope Jo's not to mad at me, but I wasn't going to let him talk to us like that. I'm sure she'll be fine. I was defending her honor after all.
School Hallway
Jo's POV
I am putting books in my locker thinking about what happened earlier in the cafeteria. I'm still shaken up from seeing Danny just whaling on Archie like that. Seeing him like that reminds me of what he did and where he has been. It's not like I can really forget, but spending time with him has made it a little fuzzy. He is just so charming and funny. Just being around him makes me feel good, and I haven't felt this good in a long time. I can't believe he did that. He wants people to get over his past, but how are people supposed to do that if he gets in violent altercations. What if my Dad hears about this? This isn't going to help us convince my Dad Danny couldn't possibly have killed Regina. What was he thinking? I'm just so mad. Danny walks up and starts telling me what happened with Principal Tang. "Hey, the Tang has spoken. I have to start seeing a school sponsored therapist. Better than being expelled though, right?" I ignore him. "What are you mad at me?" Of course I'm mad! "No. I'm just not wasting any more of my time helping someone who doesn't want to help himself." He's acting like it's no big deal. Does he not understand what he has done? "I do want to help myself." It doesn't seem like it. "Really? Let's look at the evidence. Um, you won't tell anyone why you killed your aunt. I know your protecting me. Fine. Whatever, but you also refused to use Lacey as an alibi." I explain to him. "I told you…" I cut him off before he can finish his lame excuse. "You were asleep. Lacey was asleep. I get it. Then while I'm sticking up for you with the entire school and defending you to my parents you go and get into a huge fight in front of everyone. Maybe you are the delinquent my Dad says you are." I see the hurt in his eyes. Sometimes when I'm really mad I run off at the mouth and say things I later regret. I'm already starting to regret saying that. "Nice." I'm still mad, so I turn to leave. "I need to go meet Rico to study. I'll see you later." I walk away. He follows after me. "Wait, is this all because I rejected your little Mom dinner idea or what?" Is he kidding? He is completely clueless. "Do think after the way you just acted I'd let you anywhere near my Mother?" I walk away leaving him behind. I just can't deal with him right now.
Jo's Front Yard
Danny's POV
After talking to Lacey I realized how much I've let Jo down. She has every right to be mad. I went straight to Jo's house after Lacey left. She is in her front yard studying with Rico. "Hey. Your Dad isn't home is he?" Jo stands up as I walk over. "No he's working late tonight. My Mom's going to be home any minute so…What do you want?" She seems less mad then she was earlier. I'm sure she is more disappointed than mad at this point. "I think he wants to apologize. Just based on body language and the way he said 'Hey'." Rico says trying to relieve some of the tension I think. "I'm sorry Jo. Okay. My fight with Archie was stupid. Really stupid." I really hope she can forgive me. I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't. She is all I have right now. "Extremely stupid." She adds. I guess Lacey was right. It does take a lot for Jo to give up on something. "Extremely stupid. And I know how secretive I'm being. How complicated I'm making your life, but please don't give up on me just yet." I continue my apology. I want her to know that I know she was angry about more than just the fight and dinner. "What's going on here?" Tess asks as she approaches us. "He was just stopping by for a minute." Jo tries to explain. I don't want her to get in trouble because of me. I have an idea that might keep her out of trouble and show her how sorry I really am. "Actually I was going to invite you and Jo over to my place for dinner tonight." I see Jo smile. I really needed that smile after our fight earlier. "Tonight? Danny I don't ah…" Tess starts to decline my offer when Jo interrupts her. "Mom just think about it. It's not like I'm asking to go hang out with him by myself. You and Mrs. Desai will be there." After Jo's argument I think Tess might be considering it. "It sounds like a delightful evening." I'm not sure if Rico is trying to help or if he is just really uncomfortable. "You're invited too." I invite Rico hoping his skills will be able to help defuse some of the tension tonight as well. "Really? Thanks man." He seems excited to be included in this destined for disaster dinner party. I guess he doesn't get out much. "All right. I guess it will be alright. What time?" Tess thankfully gives in. "Uh, 7 okay?" She nods and takes her bags inside. I look over at Jo. "I hope you are right about this dinner." She gives me a worried look. "Me too."
Danny's House
Danny's POV
I don't know what my mother wants to talk about, but right now really isn't a good time. I'm really nervous about dinner. I need everything to go right. The doorbell rings and I go to answer it. To my shock and horror Chief Masterson had decided to join us for the evening.
Dining Room before dinner
Danny's POV
"A heads up would have been nice." I tell Jo as we set the table. I don't want to sound mad, but I'm really irritated. "He decided to come last minute. Didn't you get my text?" I haven't checked my phone in a while. I guess I should have. "No I was cooking apparently for the man who wants to pin a murder on me. Why did he even come?" I wonder what he's up to. "I don't know. Maybe my Mom convinced him to lighten up a bit. Whatever, he's here so charm him. You're really good at that." I don't think he's lightened up. He is probably looking for more evidence or he wants to show Jo I'm some psycho murder. "Can I help set up?" You mean set me up for murder. "No thanks sir. Actually we have it covered, but thank you." I wonder if that was charming enough, or at least enough butt kissing. "You're very welcome Danny." That's a big attitude change from the other day. He has something up his sleeve for sure. "Wow, this place hasn't changed at all. It's like going back in time." I really don't trust him. Where is he going with this? Is he going to bring up the past to remind Jo I'm a horrible monster. "Yeah, my Mother isn't big on change." This whole place is like a museum dedicated to my childhood trauma. A reminder of a day that still haunts my nightmares. "I get it change is hard, but necessary. If you spend too much time trying to recreate the past you can miss what's happening in the present." I knew it! He is trying to poison Jo against me. "I agree Dad, but if you spend too much time obsessing over the past or something that happened in the past you can lose focus on the present situation." That's my girl. Oh, crap! I forgot that picture of my Aunt Tara was there. Damn it! Why can't my mother change anything? This whole place is morbid. I need to keep Chief Masterson from seeing the picture, because she is wearing the necklace. "Refill on the wine sir?" Polite and hopefully distracting. "Sure. I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back." I'm glad I don't need to find an excuse to get him out of the room, but I'm not sure I trust him to wonder around alone. After I get rid of the picture I'll go and check on him. "You're doing great. Let's just get through the night, okay? I'll get him his wine." That's easy for her to say she isn't trying to hide evidence that could put her away in prison for life. When she goes in the kitchen I quickly remove the photo. I better make sure Chief Masterson doesn't find anything else that could connect me to that necklace.
Dining Room at Dinner Time
Jo's POV
Rico was going on and on about the Avenger's movie. It was a welcome distraction. There's a lot of tension at this table. Our parents can't even look at each other. Danny was right when he said this dinner was a bad idea. This is so not going to help him at all. Especially with my Dad being here making it more uncomfortable. "Yeah, that sounds crazy." Danny says bringing my thoughts back to the conversation. "Yeah, you'd love it." I say joining in discussion. "Hey, we should rent it. We can show Danny the scene that looks like it was filmed in McNally Park." Rico suggests. That would be great. All three of us hanging would feel so normal. "Oh, right. Danny, have you even seen the new McNally Park?" Maybe my Dad will let me hang out with Danny if Rico is there. "I didn't even know there was a new McNally Park." I feel bad that he has missed so much. I forget sometimes that he has. "Well, they renovated it last year. We should check it out." I suggest. "Yeah, that sounds good. Saturday night?" I'm really excited at thought of spending more time with Danny. "I don't think that's a good idea." Of course my Dad doesn't think it's a good idea. "And why is that?" Mrs. Desai asks, speaking for the first time since dinner started. "I'm sure it wouldn't be safe." He is so over dramatic. "You mean it wouldn't be safe with my son there." Mrs. Desai sounds pissed off. "Karen that's not what he meant. It's just not appropriate to let your kid go to a park at night. You know sexual predators." My Mom says awkwardly trying to keep the peace. "Well thank you Tess on the lector on appropriate parenting. I'm not sure there's much of a sex crime problem in Green Grove." Mrs. Desai sounds just as mad at my Mom as she is with my Dad. I don't know why. "There's a bit of a murder problem." I can't believe my Dad said that. He is being such a jerk. "Dad." I warn him. "Say it Kyle. You think my son's a psychopathic murder." Oh God this is getting ugly fast. "Karen everyone is trying to deal with a very difficult situation." I hope Mom can calm everyone down. "A situation you blame on me." Why would my Mom blame Mrs. Desai for what Danny did? "Alright. Mother I think you have had enough wine." Danny says stepping in to calm down his Mother. "Danny you wanted this dinner. Well, here it is." Mrs. Desai spits back harshly. "I don't blame you for anything." My Mom defends herself. "Really? Then why did you call me a bad mother?" What?! My Mother would never do something like that. "That was 5 years ago." My Dad says. I wonder what they are talking about. How did I miss all of this going on? "And what you were asking of us was completely unreasonable." My Mom says. "Wait, what are you guys talking about?" I ask very confused. "My late husband and I wanted you to be a character witness at Danny's sentencing hearing. And they turned us down." They never told me that. "Jo was 11 Karen. We were just trying to protect our daughter." My Mom explains. "And I was trying to help my son! I know what Danny did. It was…but Jo knows Danny. The real Danny since they were babies. Her testimony might have made a difference." Mrs. Desai yells. "It would have no difference." Okay everyone has lost their minds. "I lost my son for 5 years!" Mrs. Desai yells slamming her hands down on the table. "He's lucky he got 5 years." My Dad went too far this time. I look over at Danny and I can see the hurt on his face. I look over to poor Rico and see him shoving food into his mouth. If I wasn't so mad at my Dad right now I would laugh.