Chapter 2
In Philadelphia, Jenna made her way through the streets to the diner where her mom worked. She parked the truck and lightly touched Don's arm to wake him up. He rolled his head back and forth, and then barely opened his eyes. She smiled when he looked at her.
"We're here, sleepy head," she told him as she watched him stretch.
He looked around and put the back of the chair up. "Where are we? I mean I know we're in Philly, but where exactly are we?"
"West Philly, at the diner where my mom works." She smiled. "Are you ready to get out, or do you want to wait a little bit? We can get some breakfast here, and coffee."
He perked up at the sound of coffee. "I'm in."
They got out of the car and he took her hand as they made their way inside. Jenna walked up to the counter and an older black woman recognized her and gave her a hug.
"Kerry, there's someone here to see you," the woman yelled behind the counter.
"Who is it?"
"Some pretty young girl that looks a lot like your daughter."
The other woman spun around and looked at Jenna. She ran from behind the counter and to her daughter. They stayed in a hug for a good minute before Jenna pulled away. "Mom, this is my boyfriend Don Flack. Don, this is my mom Kerry."
"It's nice to meet you, ma'am," Don said as they shook hands.
"Ma'am? I'm not that old yet. You can call me Kerry." She turned to her daughter. "Polite and cute." The two women smiled. "I can't believe you're here, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"I wanted to surprise you."
"Why don't you guys get a booth and we'll have some breakfast?"
They all sat together, and Don became more awake as their conversation progressed and he got coffee in his system. He decided right away that he liked Kerry; Jenna reflected her perfectly and she had all of her mother's good attributes.
That day they toured around Philadelphia. Jenna showed Don where the lab was that she worked in and the various places around town she loved to go.
At the end of the day they went back to Jenna's mom apartment. It was the same one they had lived in together when Jenna had lived there. Don had only slept for about three hours in the car, so he went straight into the bedroom to take a nap. Jenna sat in the living room with her mom on the couch.
"I'm really happy for you Jenna," her mom stated and out her hand on her daughter's.
Jenna smiled. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. Don, he's a really great guy. He's outgoing and personable. He's just got it all, nothing like Eddie."
"Yeah, I think I'll keep him around," Jenna joked.
"You better. So, how's work going?"
"It's different. I'm always busy."
"It's New York City, what did you expect?"
"No, I expected this. I'd rather be busy, to be honest." Jenna looked at her mom. "You ok, by the way? You've seemed a little distracted."
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"You're sure."
"Yeah, really I'm ok."
"Ok, because I know if there is something wrong everyone else will be the last to know," she told her. "I'm kind of tired too, I'm gonna go lay down with Don." Jenna got up from the couch.
"Ok, but no hanky panky in my house."
Jenna laughed. "Mom, seriously, hanky panky? Who says that?" she giggled again. "Just get me if you need help with dinner."
For dinner Kerry made them barbequed chicken with a baked potato and corn on the cob. They all conversed over dinner about their jobs and Don told Kerry about his family. She enjoyed hearing the similarities between his and her daughter's lives. Jenna told her mom about what a nice time she had when she got to meet Don's family, and how much fun they had when her brother, Evan, had come to visit. After dinner Don offered to clean up, but Jenna said they could all do it together.
Don flipped on Sports Center in the living room while the girls sat at the table with a mug of tea. One would think that there couldn't be much more for them to talk about, but that was one thing Jenna and her mom had never had a problem with. She was Jenna's best friend, and Jenna always had something to tell her and her mom never ceased in giving advice on different matters.
Later that night Jenna went into her mom's room to say goodnight while Don waited for her in bed. He was close to falling asleep when he felt her on the bed. He was rolling over to put his arms around her when he noticed her sitting on the edge of the bed. She had her head in her hands and she was sobbing.
"Jenna? Babe, what's wrong?" he put his hand on her shoulder.
She turned her head to look at him. "My mom," she started. "She just told me…she has ovarian cancer." Her tears came in steady streams down her cheeks.
He pulled her to his chest, and she sobbed uncontrollably. He stroked her hair as she cried. "Is she gonna be ok?" he finally asked.
"I don't know she said she's gonna have chemo therapy and that should get all of it," she leaned forward off of his chest. "I'm just scared. My mom has always been real strong and never sick, and now…" she trailed off and put her hand to her face again. "I'm, uh, I'm gonna go lay with her, ok?"
"Yeah, that's fine," he rubbed her back. "I'll be alright without you tonight."
She forced a smile then leaned to him and their lips met.
