Jill

1

Terry and I met at my father's funeral. My father died with no money to his name. He worked all his life and we lived pay check to pay check. He had no life insurance because of his health so I was left with nothing and at seventeen; I had no way of fending for myself.

I sat in the front row of my father's funeral numb. My father was forty when he died. He was a diabetic with high blood pressure and a heart condition. My father hadn't slept in three days because he was feeling so sick, but refused to go and see a doctor. The medical examiner said that my father had developed pneumonia but, what killed him was a heart attack. Before today, I have been feeling both devastated and angry, but sitting here today and actually seeing my father's body, I just felt numb. People came by offering their condolences, but I heard none of them. I didn't cry, I didn't move, I'm not even sure if I blinked. I was jolted out of my daze by a soothing voice. "Jill?"

I looked up but didn't respond.

"I'm Terry, a friend of your dad's. Do you need a ride home?"

It was then that I realized that everyone had already left and Terry and I were the only ones left in the funeral parlor. "Um, no I can walk."

"I know you don't remember me but your father and I were friends in high school and I met you when you were about three."

"When my mom died?"

He looked like he was sorry he had mentioned it. "Yes"

He held his hand out to me to help me up from my seat. "I'm okay."

"Have you eaten today? Would you like me to get you something to eat?"

"No, I'm just going to stay here, thanks."

"Well, it's already after nine and the place is closing. You and I are the only ones left. Come on, I'll take you home."

"Thanks mister, um… but I can walk."

"Terry, just call me Terry."

"Well, Terry I'll be fine. I mean my dad didn't care enough about me to stick around and I have to figure out how to take care of myself from now on; don't I?" My tone was a mixture of anger and hurt as I stood up.

"Well, I know for a fact how much your father loved you. You were his world."

"Then why…why?" I began to sob uncontrollably and collapsed in Terry's arms. He caught me and helped me to his car waiting outside.

I don't remember much else from that night, but I did wake up the next morning to the smell of bacon. I was in my bed with everything on except my shoes. I sat up and had a massive headache. I walked out of my bedroom and into the bathroom that was directly across from my room. I looked at myself in the mirror "You look terrible" I said out loud. I had bags under my eyes and my skin looked gray and dry. I opened the cabinet and looked for the Motrin. I took three of them out of the bottle and placed them down on top of the sink then sat on the toilet to pee while taking off my tights and underwear and left them on the floor. I wiped myself, got up, flushed the toilet, washed my hands, brushed my teeth and took the Motrin with a handful of water I had in my cupped hands. I walked out of the bathroom and down the short hallway towards the kitchen where I saw Terry making breakfast, I didn't speak but he must have heard me because he turned with a smile "Good morning, have a seat, breakfast is almost ready. I wasn't sure what to make for you so, I made a little bit of everything." He responded while showing me all of the food on the table with a sweep of his hand.

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry."

"When was the last time you ate anything?" he asked with a spatula in his hand.

"Um" I paused to think "Ummm"

He interrupted me "That's what I thought. Have a seat." While his voice was gentle and he was smiling, I knew it more of a statement than a request.

I pulled out a chair and sat down. "I'm not used to having breakfast made for me, ya know. Daddy was always working and tired and usually just ate whatever he could get from the drive thu."

"Well then relax and let me finish up here. You have had a rough couple of days."

I let out a deep breath and put my head down. "I'm alone now you know."

"Did you say something?" Terry asked as he came over to the table with a stack of pancakes.

I didn't respond because I was trying to hold back my tears. He sat down across from me. "You're going to be okay."

I raised my head in anger "Really? And how do you know that?"

"Listen, I understand that you're scared and angry but I am here to tell you that you are going to be okay. Your"

I interrupted him "Listen, I don't even know you! How can you come in here and tell ME what's going to happen around here?"

"Well, like I said, your father and I have been good friends since we were kids and have always kept in touch."

I interrupted him again "yea, so how come he never talked about you?"

"I'm not sure but we have always kept in touch and he reached out to me last week and asked me to look out for you if anything happened to him. Your father loved you very much, Jill."

"Well, why didn't he say anything about that to me?"

"He said he knew you would just worry and he didn't want that?"

"Okay so, if he thought something might happen to him, why didn't he go to the hospital?"

"I told him to go but, he said he couldn't afford anymore hospital bills."

"Well, now he doesn't have to worry about that now does he?"

Terry grew silent for a moment before he spoke again "I'll tell you what. How about if you eat a little bit then you can go and shower, it'll probably make you feel a little bit better."

"I don't want to eat. I have a huge headache and I just want to lay down."

"You probably have a headache because you haven't eaten. So, just have a little bit." He said as he put some bacon, eggs, pancakes and home fries on a plate before handing it to me.

I started laughing before I took the plate "that is a little bit? Oh God, my head is killing me."

He chuckled "Just eat what you can."

"I started to nibble on the bacon and before I knew it, I had eaten all of the food on the plate.

He stood up and took my plate "it's a good thing you weren't hungry." He smiled. "Hopefully now you will start to feel better."

I blushed, "Thank you for breakfast."

"No need to thank me, I told you that you're going to be okay; I am going to take care of you going forward."

I got up from the table and headed back into the bathroom, closed and locked the door and started the shower. I got undressed and stepped into the tub. While I was in there, my mind began to race. "Who is this man? Why hadn't my father ever mentioned him? Well, then again, my father was always working and never brought friends around or talked about his friends to me much. Okay, well just relax. Relax? How can I relax when I have NO idea what's going on. How can I relax when I have no one? My mother and father were both only children. Hell, so am I! I'm alone…OH GOD, I'm really alone now. How could my father be so…." My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Jill, we have to get going. The funeral service is going to start soon."

"Okay" I said but, it wasn't okay. I'm not ready for this. All of the people at the funeral parlor were strangers to me. My mind started racing again. I'm not ready to see my father lowered into the ground. Why do I have to go? I don't wanna go. You can't do that to your father. SHUT UP JILL, lets just get through this day It was hard to quiet my thoughts and they weren't helping my headache much. I stepped out of the shower, dried myself off, wrapped the towel around myself and walked back to my room to get dressed. I put on a simple black dress and some black sandals before tying my hair up into a ponytail. I opened my bedroom door and yelled out "Okay, I'm ready…I guess."

Terry appeared in my doorway, "Okay. Just remember what I told you at breakfast, you're going to be okay."

"Okay."

The funeral service and burial were all a blur. After the service, everyone went back to my tiny apartment and ate food that Terry had had catered. As everyone was leaving, I sat on the couch were my father had slept while Terry thanked everyone for coming. As I looked around the living room, it was then that I realized how much my father had sacrificed for me. There was only one bedroom and one TV in our house and they were both mine. My father slept on a futon in the living room and I have NEVER seen my father with a woman. His days off were all spent with me. While we didn't have much, my father never said "no" to me; if there was something I wanted, all I had to do was ask. I hadn't realized how long I had been sitting there in thought when Terry came over and sat on the couch next to me. "You were very brave today and I know you miss your dad."

"Yeah, I do. He was a great dad!"

"Yes, I know and he really did love you very much."

"I know…."

"I know that you have lots of worries so I'd like to reassure you again that you are going to be okay. I promised your father that I would take care of you and I will."

"I don't understand why you want to take care of me and you don't even know me."

"Well, like I said, your father and I have been good friends for a long time and when he and I spoke, he always talked about you"

"How come I've never seen you before? How come I never spoke to you before?"

"Well, I live in New Jersey and the only number I had for your father was his cell number."

"We don't have a house phone."

"As far as not seeing me, I always told your father that I would fly out here since he was always busy but, he was always busy."

We both laughed. "Yeah, that was my dad."

"So, I'm not sure if your father told you but he made arrangements for me to be your legal guardian if anything ever happened to him."

"No, he never told me that."

"And like I said before, I live in New Jersey so you'll have to move with me."

"To New Jersey? I've never been to New Jersey."

"I think you'll like it"

"Yeah, what make you think that?"

He laughed "I don't know. I like it!"

"When do we have to move?"

"We can fly out next week if you want. Or if you need more time here, we can wait."

"My last day of school was last week so, whenever."

"Okay."

"What are we going to do with all of this stuff?" I asked looking around again.

"Well, the stuff out here can be donated; the stuff in your room is up to you."

"Do you have room for me?"

Again he laughed "Yes, I have enough space for you and all of your stuff. But, like I said, if you just want to pack your clothes, we can buy you new furniture once we get to my house."

I looked at him in surprise "Really?"

"Really! I want you to be comfortable so it's totally up to you."

"Okay but I think I'd like to take my stuff with me, if you don't mind." I mean, do I really want to leave my stuff only to have to go thrift store shopping again for more stuff?

"No, not at all."

While Terry was getting the paperwork done and getting our stuff packed, he moved us into the Embassy Suites Hotel. I had never stayed in a hotel before because my father never had enough money for us to go anywhere. He got us a two bedroom suite with king beds in each. By the time I woke in the morning, Terry was already at the table having breakfast. He looked up from his laptop, "Good morning, sunshine." He smiled.

I returned his smile "Morning."

"Have a seat."

I sat at the table across from him.

"What's the matter? You look worried about something."

"Well, I was just wondering if we can afford this room."

He laughed and put his laptop off to the side. "Listen baby girl, I know that your dad taught you how to do lots of things because he was in such a bad way. I also know that in a lot of ways you have grown up faster than a lot of girls your age but, you never have to worry about bills again. You will never have to worry about money. Like I told you yesterday, I promised your father that I will take care of you and I will."

"I don't understand. My dad didn't leave you any money to take care of me."

"I know but he didn't have to, I can take care of you. I just want you to relax and not worry about anything. Leave all of your money concerns to me."

"Okay" I said in a hesitant voice. I looked around the suite again. "Terry?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you rich?"

He smiled, you could say that.

"But if I did, would it be true?"

He laughed "Yes. Yes it would."

"Oh"

"So eat up you have to keep your strength up."

"Do we have to go back to my house so that I can pack my stuff?"

"No, I have someone taking care of that."

I grew concerned "Who?"

"Don't worry they are professionals, you won't have to worry about your stuff."

"Where is it going?"

"It'll be at my house by the time we get there"

"Okay"

"See. You have nothing to worry about."

"I see"

"Is there anything that you need?"

"Like what?"

"Like clothes, shoes, anything."

I was embarrassed knowing that the underwear I was wearing were filled with holes. He looked like a light bulb had gone off in his head.

"I'll tell you what. Why don't you go out and get what you need. Do you have a friend that can go with you?"

In my mind I thought No, none of the girls like me because I fck all of their boyfriends "Um, no"

"Well, I have a friend that lives here, I can call her and you two can have a girl's day out. Would you like that?"

"I guess so but I have no money."

He ignored my comment "Okay, why don't you go and get yourself together while I call her."

"Okay" I replied as I finished the last of my food. When I was done, I got up and went to my room to shower and get dressed. When I came out of my room, the food had been cleared off of the table and the room was silent. "Terry?" I called out but got no response. Terry's room door was open and I headed towards his room. As I got closer I could see his reflection in the mirror; he was changing his shirt. I couldn't see his chest because his back was to the mirror but what I did see looked mighty good. I knocked on the door. "Terry?"

"Yes?"

"I'm ready."

He appeared in front of me wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. "Okay, good, let's go"

"Is your friend here?"

"Yes, she's in the lobby waiting for us"

We rode down in the elevator together. When we stepped into the elevator he asked "So, would you feel more comfortable going out with her if I hung out with you girls a little bit first?"

I nodded "Yes"

"Okay then"

Just then the elevator doors opened. We stepped into the lobby and were greeted by his friend. She was an average looking woman with a warm smile. "Oh my goodness, it's been so long" she said as they hugged.

"It has" he replied. "Jill this is April; April this I Jill!"

She extended her hand "Nice to meet you, Jill"

"Nice to meet you too, April." I replied as we shook hands.

"Well, I think I'll hang out with you girls a little bit if you don't mind."

"No, not at all" April responded.

By the time April brought me back to the room that evening, I was hot, exhausted and bogged down with bags. April slid my key card into the reader and we entered the room. "Terry?" I called out.

"I'm in the room, I'll be right out."

I put my bags down and sat on the couch. Terry appeared in the room still wearing his jeans and t-shirt but no shoes. "Wow, it looks like you girls had a good day."

"I did!" I replied

"So did I!" April added "Jill is a very sweet girl."

"Thank you"

"Yes she is and she has been through a lot in the last couple of weeks but she's a trooper"

I could feel my face getting hot as I tried to keep myself from blushing. "do you mind if I take all of my stuff to my room now?"

"No; not at all. Do you need help?"

"No, thanks; I got it!" I retreated to my room with all of my bags. As soon as I got in the room, I dropped all of the bags on the floor and fell face down into the bed. I could hear Terry and April talking because I hadn't bothered to close the door.

"She's a great kid. It's too bad that she's had such a hard time." I heard April saying before I drifted off to sleep. When I woke up again, it was dark in my room, my shoes were off and I was lying under the quilt. I could hear April's voice but couldn't really make out what she was saying. I got out of the bed and walked over to the door of my bedroom and opened it. There was no one in the living room. April's voice was coming from the bedroom. "Guuurl, I don't even think I can find the words to do him any real justice." Silence. "Uhuh, you know it!" I realized she was on the phone but it didn't sound like Terry was in the room with her. "Big? Hum, let me think; I don't think BIG would be the right word to describe his dick. It's fat and long. Oh God girl, it's HUGE and I LOVED it."

Were they fucking while I was sleeping? Damn

"Of course, I'll finish telling you when I get home. Let me go and wake this girl up so that she can get ready for dinner. Terry is taking us out before they leave…okay, I'll see you later. Bye"

I ran back to my room and got back in the bed then I hear the door open.

"Jill?"

I didn't respond.

"Jill, honey get up so we can get ready for dinner."

I put on my best sleepy voice and face "Huh?"

"Hey sweetie its time for dinner. Are you hungry?"

"Uhuh"

"Okay, get up so that we can go and eat."

"Okay" I replied as I sat up in the bed.

"Okay, Terry ran out to run an errand but he'll be back soon. Okay?"

"Okay"

She left my room closing the door behind her. I got up from the bed and looked in the mirror at the not so white t-shirt I was wearing and my worn sneakers. I took my clothes off and headed into the shower. It was so hot outside when we went shopping that I was really sweaty when we got back earlier.

I showered and washed my hair then changed into a pair of jean shorts, t-shirt and flip flops. As I was slipping my feet into my flip flops, I heard a knock on my door. "Come in" I yelled out.

April came into my room. When she came in, she was smiling. Her smile quickly faded, "Oh sweetie, what happened to the dress we bought?"
"They're still in the bag. I don't really feel comfortable wearing dresses."

"That's okay but you have such a cute little body, you shouldn't hide it behind such big t-shirts and pants."

"Really?"

"Yes; really! Haven't you ever been told that?"

"Well, boys always tell me what nice tits and ass I have but when they say that it's usually while we're naked." I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

She was taken aback "Oh"

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to say that out loud!"

"Listen, I was a girl your age once too! Don't worry about it…"

I remained silent out of fear of what else I would say.

"Well, let's get going. Terry should be in the lobby by now."

"Okay, let me just brush my hair" I put my hair up into a loose ponytail and was ready to go. Terry took us to the Hard Rock Café; the place was awesome! While I missed my dad dearly, I could get used to this life. While at dinner, Terry told us that while the paperwork hadn't been completed yet, we could go home. He said that he had hired an attorney that would take care of everything on this end. I explained to them how I never had any female influences in my life and that I saw myself as one of the guys. I liked boys; sure but I didn't consider myself a girly type of girl! I saw girls in school with their tight jeans on and their tits hanging out to get the boys attention and it always annoyed me. I started wearing baggy tops back in the sixth grade. I was the only girl in my class who wore a D cup and got the nick name "Big titty Jilly". UGH. I hated it! Not to mention the fact that my dad knew nothing about buying bras so I never had the right size and always had a double breast! It was terrible so, my solution was to start wearing extra baggy tops; problem solved! While the other girls were wearing lip gloss, I stuck to my chap stick. Most girls wore lip gloss to accentuate their lips; I was trying to hide mine. I had a set of full, pouty lips.

"So, Jill are you looking forward to going to New York?" April asked.

"I am but I am going to be sad to leave. I have lived here my entire life."

"I understand that so if there is anything I can do to make you feel more at home when we get to New York, just let me know. I want you to feel comfortable." Terry replied.

After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and watched a movie together. The movie wasn't sad but, it made me cry anyway. I didn't want Terry or April to know that I was crying so I cried silently to myself; not making any noises as the tears rolled down my face. Whenever my dad had a day off of work, he would always rent a movie for us to watch. At one point, Terry looked over at me and simply put his arm around me. He didn't bother me or ask me what was wrong because he already knew. The next morning, we were all packed up and ready to go back to what was going to be my new home.

At the airport, I was extremely nervous; I had never been on a plane before.

As we began boarding Terry looked over at me "Are you okay? You look very anxious."

My mouth was dry and my hands were shaking. "Yeah" I said weakly. "its jus that I have never been on a plane before."

He gave me a reassuring smile "Its okay to be nervous but, you're going to be fine. Would it make you feel better if I held your hand?"

My hands were clammy so I wiped them on my jeans. "Yes"

"Okay then" he reached for my hand and held it. Once we got to our seats, we fastened our seat belts and I grabbed his hand again, he looked over at me and laughed.

"What?" I asked.

"I didn't realize how strong you are! That's a mighty strong grip you have there."

I let go of his hand "Sorry" I said, embarrassed.

He didn't let go of my hand "Don't be sorry, its okay. I was just trying to make you laugh"

"Sorry"

Again he laughed. As our plane began taxing, the flight attendants gave us the emergency instructions but I heard none of them. I was too busy paying attention to what was going on outside of the window. The plane took off into the air. My ears were clogged and my hands shaking. Terry was already holding my hand but put his other hand on top of mine and started rubbing it. "Relax" he said in a soft soothing voice "You are going to be okay."

He was right; we landed at Newark airport without incident. That is where we were met by Eva.