When Sunday afternoon finally came around, Spike called Jay's parents and invited them over for a "chat." Jay stayed home alone and Emma continued to simmer in her room. In a fit of rebellion, she had turned her stereo up to a notch just below ear-splitting because she did not want to have to answer to her parents for a little while. She would grace them with her presence again when she was good and ready.
When Jay's parents arrived at the Nelson-Simpson house, Spike was the one who answered the door. "Thanks for coming over. My husband, Archie, and I thought it was time to discuss the kids' relationship with you both."
Penny, Jay's mom, nodded in agreement. "Yes, we think so too. In fact, I was going to call you to set something up, myself."
All four adults sat down in the living room. They continued to introduce each other and shook hands.
"We're concerned that they are moving too fast." Snake interjected after introductions.
Jay's father, Richard, spoke up. "Things do seem a bit intense between them."
Penny squeezed her husband's shoulder and nodded again before she added, "And, with Jason getting into fights and being arrested…We just think he needs more help then we can give him here. He needs some reformation and a little separation could be good for the both of them."
Spike looked at Snake and they smiled at each other. "We completely agree," Spike announced.
"That's good," Richard began again, "because Penny and I have already discussed this and we want to send Jason to the boarding school in Oregon, that I graduated from, for awhile. The school is very strict and did wonders for me. Once we check him in, he will not be able to leave without our permission. We have to stay here for our jobs while he's there, but we'll take a few days off to get him settled."
Spike was a little surprised that Jay's parents already had a plan. "Wow, I had no idea, you both had already put so much thought into this, but that sounds great. When are you thinking about doing all of this?"
"I have to make a few more calls," Penny answered, "but everything should be set for us to take Jason down there this coming Saturday. Also, it might not be a bad idea to wait until then to tell the kids."
Spike nodded one more time. "Yes, that probably will be best. I am so glad that we are all in agreement here."
…
That following week was one of the best weeks of Emma and Jay's lives. They were blissfully happy and completely oblivious to what was coming.
One day, at school, Jay was leaning against his locker as Emma stood in front of him with her arms around his waist. He tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "You are so beautiful."
Emma smiled. "So…when can we have a repeat of Friday night?"
"Whenever you want." Jay smirked. "We just have to be more careful this time."
"Yeah, I can't be staying out all night anymore."
"That's not exactly what I meant." Jay's face turned serious.
"I know. I just wanted you to know that I trust you…completely."
"And, I'm glad, but we can't be reckless with our lives right now. Not with only one year left 'til graduation."
"Message received." Emma put on her best 'I'm so innocent' look and batted her eyelashes as she changed the subject. "I love you."
Jay rolled his eyes at her. "Yeah, yeah, I love you too." He pulled her into a kiss and then the bell rang.
…
When, Saturday afternoon finally arrived, Emma, her parents, and her little brother Jack were at the park. Emma's parents had decided to tell her about Jay's parents plan to take him away after a little long lost bonding time with her. What they didn't know was that Jay's parents had brought him to the park, too, on the same pretense of some quality family time. However, for Jay's parents, it was much more than that. They wanted one more nice memory with their son, before they took him from the only life he has ever known, for his own good, or so they believed…
Snake pushed Jack along in a stroller, as Emma and her parents came to a big clearing in the park. Emma spotted Jay and his parents at the other end of the park heading toward the parking lot.
"Oh, there's Jay and his parents," Emma announced. "I'm going to go say hi, okay?"
Spike suddenly felt a twinge of sympathy, but she still went ahead with the plan. "Emma, there's something we have to tell you, first."
Emma was unnerved by her mother's serious tone. "What is it?"
Spike began to tell Emma that Jay's parents were taking him away, but she did not tell her where. At the same time, Jay's parents were leading him to their car. The plan was to tell him everything once they were in the car and already on their way out of Canada, but they did not reach that point before panic struck Emma. Everything started to feel like it had been switched into slow-motion.
"Jay, they're taking you away!" Emma yelled across the park, as she swung her arms all around trying to make her parents let her go.
Jay turned in the direction of Emma's voice. They tried to run to each other, but their parents held them back.
"Emma!" Jay yelled back, as he struggled against his own parents' dual strength.
To her parents, Emma screamed, "Why are you doing this?[!]"
"It's what you both need," Spike tried to reason.
Emma scoffed. "This is the absolute last thing I need. Let me go!"
"Emma, I love you! I'll find a way to get back here!" Jay promised, just before his parents used their last bit of desperation and strength to overpower Jay and force him into the backseat of the car.
"I love you, too, Jay!" was the last thing Jay heard Emma say before the car sped away from her.
Ok, so, I know this chapter was a little all over the place, but I did not want to break it up into three smaller chapters. Plus, I think the erratic structure of the chapter matches what is going on here. I hope you enjoyed the drama! There is much more to come!
I also know that this is one of the worst places to leave this, so I will try to update very very soon! Preview: Emma's friends try to help her deal.
