"And maybe someday you'll get it through your head that cutting into people's private conversations is rude."
"Oh shut up Stacy!"
"Um, here's a thought… NO!" Janet sprung out of the kitchen chair she was sitting in and physically stopped Eddie and Stacy's argument.
"Okay! Okay, we don't need to start another fight in this kitchen for the second time in one night. Stacy, thank you for bringing Eddie safely home, and for our little chat, but I think I got the floor again. Do you want a ride back to the Johnson Inn?"
"I don't think that is a good idea… both of you had too much to drink tonight, I can take care of myself. Thanks though Janet."
"Yeah ok, I'll walk you to the door." Eddie kept silent and just watched the girls leave the room. Stacy gave him a "you better behave" look and he nodded in response. He was secretly happy that Stacy was finally leaving, but part of him didn't want her to leave. Once Stacy left, that meant he would be alone with Janet for the first time since their big blow out. He didn't know what to expect from her at this point and was kinda afraid as to what he might do too.
Janet opened the front door and leaned against it, inviting Stacy to leave. "Thanks again, really."
"Eh, no biggy. I expect an update later about you two though…" Janet smiled and Stacy smiled back. "Get some rest, don't try to solve everything now. Like you said, you might regret what you say later." With that said, Stacy left Janet and Eddie by themselves in a quiet, but not peaceful, house.
"She gone?" Janet walked back towards the kitchen to start cleaning from their not-so-happy dinner earlier. She figured it would keep her busy, and maybe Eddie would leave her alone then.
"Yeah, she's gone."
"Finally. Thought she'd never leave!" Janet half smiled at him and proceeded into the kitchen. Eddie felt like he should say something to her regarding their fight, or Stacy, or his drunken stupidity… but he couldn't. He just wished he could take this whole night back; up to the point when they sat down for dinner.
Janet really didn't want to talk at all, she just wanted to clean the kitchen and go to bed. Surprisingly, Eddie started to clear the dinner table and help her with the dishes. As Janet washed, Eddie dried. Not knowing why or how he did it, Eddie tugged on Janet's shirt. She looked down to see what was pulling at her and saw his fingers wrapped around it in a knot. She knew if she looked up her heart would begin to melt for his adoring face, and that could not happen right now. He lifted her chin up so she had no choice for her eyes to meet his. It was the first time he had the chance to really look at Janet since Stacy brought him to her place. He couldn't help but notice how drained she looked. He had seen her tired before, but she was never this exhausted. A slight frown came upon his face at the sight of her. Janet pulled away so his fingers declawed her shirt.
"Can we just please wash the dishes without any physical contact? I know it's not our normal style, but I don't really feel like being physical with you right now. In fact, I don't even know why you would want to be physical with me right now." Eddie once again, kept silent. He just cleared his throat and took the next bowl from her wet hand. As she washed, her charm bracelet would clink. A flash memory from 5 hours earlier came into his head; she was so happy when I gave her that new charm. It's not a diamond necklace or a ruby ring, but she made it seem like it was... the way she got excited over it. She was beaming! Even though 'J.E.L' are my initials, I can't help but hope they will be her's too someday soon. GOD DAMNIT! I have to stop saying that word... some freakin day indeed.
When they were finished cleaning the kitchen, they agreed to just go to bed. Eddie got the couch (still littered with cheese puffs that Janet flung all over) and Janet slept in her own bed. As Eddie cleaned the puffs from the floor and couch, she fished through her dresser for a pair of his boxers or something for him to change into.
Janet startled him as she threw a pair of his basket ball shorts at the back of his head. "I believe these are yours. You know where the extra blankets are, see ya in the morning."
"Janet! Wait… I uh. I feel like we should, um…"
"Not now, okay? I just want to go to bed Eddie."
"Yeah- okay." He watched her race to her room and could swear he heard her sniffle a few times before she closed the bedroom door behind her. Eddie had no choice but to try and sleep away his confusion.
No matter how hard he tried, Eddie could not get comfortable on her couch. Usually he has no problem falling asleep on it when he and Janet are relaxing and watching tv or something. But then again, this was the first time he was alone on her couch. He went to the hallway bathroom, popped some Aspirin in his mouth, splashed some water on his face and came up with an idea. He tip-toed to Janet's room, creaked the door open and sure enough, she was asleep. He continued to tip-toe over on his usual side of the bed and crawled in next to her wearing nothing but his basketball shorts.
Okay… now what? I'm in the bed, all I wanted to do was sleep next to her. Do I hold her hand? Caress her skin? Should I just let her figure out on her own that I'm here? God why am I nervous? I am more uncomfortable now then when I was on the couch!
At that moment, Janet rolled over so they were now facing each other. She was still asleep but unconsciously entangled her arms with his. Eddie just went along with it knowing that if they were on good terms, she probably would have done that anyway. Janet was a snuggler but not when she was sleeping. Eddie learned this the hard way before… holding hands or crossed legs was enough for her while sleeping.
It only took a few minutes now for Eddie to be completely asleep as well. And Janet's house was as peaceful as the second he first walked through that door before their not-so-happy dinner.