Author's Note: I know, I know. You are all waiting for the continuation of "The Night That Changed Everything." I promise, I'm working on it, but I was listening to some of my favorite songs from before I was born got an idea for a story after hearing "You Don't Own Me" by Leslie Gore. I've always enjoyed the song, but it took on a whole new meaning to me with my mind in the Plum universe. I heard a few other songs that day and started to piece the idea for this story in my mind. It is complete, and I'll be posting every other. As always, I love hearing from you all, so please comment.
A huge shout out to my phenomenal beta Susan for editing this document for me. Thank you to the wonderful songwriters who wrote these brilliant songs and the artists who brought the songs to life.
Disclaimer: Everything familiar from the Plum universe belongs to JE.
Song: You Don't Own Me as performed by Leslie Gore
Warning: Adult Situations
You Don't Own Me
Chapter 1: You Don't Own Me
Stephanie's POV
I slam the front door open and walk into Joe's house ahead of him. We arrive home after another one of my POS cars went to car heaven courtesy of the Bombshell Bounty Hunter. I had dropped off Mooner and Dougie at their house after taking them to get rebonded for the umpteenth time when a senior citizen rear-ended me. For some reason, the crash caused a car fire in their car. I had gotten out of the car to exchange information when their car started to smoke first, which ignited mine. We had both gotten out of the way before the explosion, so other than being car-less and having a minor heart attack; we were both fine.
Joe came to the scene and stomped over to me, starting his usual rant and rave over my ineptitude. He wouldn't listen when I tried to explain what happened, as usual. Ranger arrived on scene about five minutes after Joe. He asked if I was okay and if I needed wheels. I told him I'd borrow Big Blue but thanked him for his offer. He tucked a curl behind my ear before leaving with Lester for parts unknown. That only made Joe angrier. Finally, when I could leave the scene, Joe drove me back home, to his house, where I was living while my parents were renovating the kitchen and bathroom in their house.
"Joe, enough. You don't own me. Why do you keep treating me like a possession, as one of your toys?"
"Stephanie, you keep getting yourself into dangerous situations. You hang out with Ranger and those thugs. Nothing good can come out of being seen with them." Joe replies.
"You can't tell me who I can see and who I can't see, Joe. I'm thirty-four years old! I'm a grown woman, and I can do what I want and see who I want when I want."
"Not when being seen with someone is going to damage your reputation or mine, Cupcake."
"Joe, you need to stop telling me what to do and what to say. I am going to live my life the way I see fit."
"Cupcake, your life is a disaster. You are the laughing stock of the Burg. You know that, right? Come on, now, Cupcake, marry me already. Then you can quit that crazy job, start having our children and raise them in my house. You can be the Burg wife and mother that you were raised to become."
"Joe, you don't love me. If you did, you wouldn't keep trying to change me. I don't want to be a Burg wife and mother. If you try to tie me down in that role, I won't survive."
"Yes, you will, Cupcake. You'll see that it's for the best. Come on, Cupcake. Marry me already."
"I don't tell you what you can and cannot do. I don't tell you what you can say or who you can see or be around. Why can't you let me be me? Am I asking you too much?" I pause before continuing, "I'm still young, Joe, and I want the freedom to fly. I want to live my life MY way, and if that means that I'll never have children or never get married again, then that's fine for me. I don't want what you want."
"Stephanie, when are you going to stop this foolishness and listen to me. I'm putting my foot down. You will stop this nonsense. You will marry me, have my children, and keep my house. I already applied for a marriage license. We're going down to City Hall tomorrow. Be ready."
"Don't you dare tell me what I will or will not do. I will NOT go with you tomorrow to City Hall. I will NOT get married. Stop trying to control me. I don't tell you to quit your job. I don't order you to stay away for Terry. I don't stop you from going undercover. Stop telling me what to do. You don't own me, Joe. I swear, if you don't stop, I'll leave this house and never return." I finally say to him. I don't know what I said, but suddenly, I see a look on his face that I've never seen before. I think now would be a good time to leave.