Chapter Fifteen
(Christmas Day)
Mimi was sitting on the couch in her parents living room next to her six year old brother Connor. He was absolutely destroying her on one of the new Playstation games she had bought him for Christmas. Mimi groaned in frustration as once again he defeated her. She tossed her controller aside and crossed her arms over her chest, pouting at her baby brother.
"Connor. This is not fair. I am twelve years older than you, you shouldn't be beating me at every single game."
Connor smiled victoriously and looked at his sister. "You suck at his game, Mimi. You really suck."
Their mother Maureen was walking through the living room, and she paused to scold her son. "Connor Brian Lockhart, do not use the word 'suck', please. It's not polite."
"Yes, mommy." Connor paused to think of a way to rephrase his statement. "Mimi, you sure are terrible."
Mimi laughed and ruffled her brother's hair. "Yes, I know. But, I'm old enough to drive a car and stay up as late as I want. So, I think I've got it better than you, kiddo."
The sound of their doorbell rang throughout the house and Mimi looked towards the entryway curiously. Maureen looked at her daughter and shrugged. "Are you expecting someone?"
"On Christmas Day? No, I'm not."
Maureen laid down the glass she was carrying and went to answer the door. A minute later, she came back into the living room and pointed at her daughter. "You may not be expecting someone, but there is someone to see you."
Mimi frowned in confusion and stood up from the couch, making her way to the front door. Standing on her porch, was none other than Josh Masters. He was a couple of inches taller than Jason, and had sharper features and hair a couple of shades darker, but otherwise looked nearly identical to his younger brother.
Mimi stared at him in surprise, barely able to speak. "Josh?"
Josh smiled the extremely familiar smile that he shared with his brother and nodded. "You remember me?"
"Uhm, of course I do. And even if I didn't, you look almost exactly like Jason, so I would have figured it out." Mimi suddenly remembered her manners, and ushered him inside, shutting the door behind him. "I'm sorry... Please come in."
Josh nodded in appreciation and glanced around her home. "Your family's house is very nice, Mimi. I like it."
"You don't mean that. I've seen the house you grew up in, there's no comparison."
"No, I do mean it. It's really a nice place, very cozy. More like a home, and not a museum like my family's house."
Mimi smiled in appreciation. Despite all of his accomplishments and his so-called perfection, there was not an insincere bone in Josh's body. "So... Why exactly are you here?"
Josh looked her in the eye seriously. "I wanted to talk to you... in private. Just for a few minutes."
Mimi nodded in understanding and peeked her head back into the living room. "Mom, I'll be upstairs in my room. Okay?"
Maureen nodded and waved her daughter away, so Mimi led Josh up the stairs and into her small bedroom. She shut the door behind her and motioned around the room. "Find a seat... Take it. Wherever is comfortable."
Josh sat in the chair that went to Mimi's desk, and Mimi sat directly across from him on the edge of her bed. "So... Josh... What did you need to talk to me about?"
"Well, mostly, I wanted to meet the girl who has stolen my brother's heart."
"We've met before."
Josh smiled and nodded. "Yes, I know, but that was a long time ago. Back in those days, you were just another kid that grew up with Jason. Now, you're an adult and my brother's girlfriend. Plus, I wanted to talk about what happened that night with my parents..."
Mimi looked towards the floor and sighed softly. "Ahhhhh yes... Dinner then disaster. That pretty much sums it up."
"Well, it's nothing new. My parents dislike everybody. Boy, they really hated Jan Spears."
Mimi grinned and chuckled softly. "Josh... *Everybody* hated Jan Spears."
"Good point. Now, listen Mimi, I know you're not like Jan. I know my brother loves you, and you love him too. But, if you ever plan on breaking his heart..."
"I -- I don't. I wouldn't. I could never do that. Hurting Jason would break my heart too... I would never hurt him."
Josh grinned knowingly. "I know... I just thought I would issue a warning. Jason is a lot more complex and layered than people give him credit for. And, I know he's trying to find his way in the world..."
Mimi smiled and interjected. "And, so am I. We're trying to find it together. I'm just as lost as the next person, but all this growing up... It's a lot easier with Jason around. You know, what you did for him this summer... It was amazing. It really was."
"Thank you. I just... I love my brother, and I hated seeing him on this path of destruction that he was on in high school. I knew that he could be so much more than that, and I wanted to find a way so that he could know that too."
"Well, it worked... I just... I wish your parents could see how special Jason is. I wish they could see what the rest of us see."
Josh looked at her curiously, his forehead wrinkling in confusion. "You don't think they do?"
Mimi sighed loudly and chewed on her lower lip for a moment. "No, honestly, I don't. And, I don't want to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong, but I will. Because, the way your parents treat Jason... It's not fair. All they ever do is build you up and tear him down."
"I -- I don't know why. I'm not perfect, Mimi."
"I'm sure you aren't. But, apparently they don't know that. You were the Valedictorian of your Senior class, prom king, student body president, quarterback on the football team, championship swimmer, you did community service, helped little old ladies across the street... the whole thing. You are on like every page of my freshman yearbook. How could Jason ever begin to live up to that? Aside from walking on water, I'm not sure *anything* he could do would ever be good enough for your parents."
Josh frowned and questioned her. "Is that how he feels? That he's not good enough?"
Mimi nodded affirmatively. "That's it. And can you blame him? He's not you, he can never be you... And, I'm trying to show him that it's okay to just be Jason. He doesn't have to live up to the expectations of everyone else. He just needs to be who he is... Because, that's the person I love."
"I don't get it. He talks to me about everything. But, he never talks about this."
"Well, what are you supposed to do about it? It's not like you can stop being who you are. From what I know, you're a really good person and your brother loves you just the way you are. You don't need to change, your parents do. This has nothing to do with *you* specifically, but it has everything to do with them. Parents are supposed to love their children equally, and I don't really see that happening with yours."
Josh ran his hands through his hair with a frustrated sigh. "This is ridiculous. You're right, Mimi. I've seen the way they treat him, and it's not right at all. And, I heard about the way they treated you... and that's just as bad."
Mimi shrugged nonchalantly, attempting to pass off their behavior as no big deal. "It's not like it was unexpected. A son of one of Salem's most wealthy and successful families falls in love with the poor, homeless girl... I figured that would be exactly how they would react."
"That doesn't make it right. Money should never be an issue. Love is the only thing that matters. And you love him, and he loves you. And, it's obvious to me that you want what's best for him."
"I do. But, sometimes I can't help but wonder if I'm what's best for him. Maybe they are right... Maybe I don't deserve him."
Josh leaned forward and rested his hand on her knee reassuringly. "Don't ever say that. You make him happy... When he talks about you, it's like I've never heard him sound. He needs you, you may not realize how much, but he does. Don't ever let my parents or anyone else make you think otherwise. Do NOT let them tear you two apart. My brother deserves some happiness, and that's what you give him."
Mimi smiled shyly and glanced up at him suspiciously. "Are you SURE you're not perfect? You sure seem to know all of the right things to say."
"No, I'm not perfect. I don't always know the right things to say, I just know what I see. And, if my parents knew *everything* about me -- well, they might not think I'm so perfect after all."
Mimi sat back in surprise. "Really? Saint Joshua has a dark side? A secret life? Very intriguing..."
Josh laughed softly and shrugged. "It's not like I'm a drug dealer or a pimp or something. I just... I make mistakes all the time, but I pick up the pieces and fix things. I am FAR from perfect, Mimi. And the longer you know me, the more you'll begin to see that."
"Oh good... Because, I grew up with a so-called 'perfect' best friend. I don't need any more perfect people in my life. Sooooo... does your brother know you're here?"
"No, but I'll tell him when I get home. I didn't want him to think I was coming here to inspect you."
"You're not here to inspect me?"
Josh grinned and shook his head. "Not technically. I just wanted to talk to you. And to thank you... I've *never* seen Jason this happy, and it's all because of you."
Mimi looked away from him bashfully. "I don't know if it's all because of me..."
"No, it is. There are a few other factors at work, but from the way he talks, you're the biggest part of it. Your friendship, your love... it keeps him on the right track... So, thank you."
"You're welcome, I guess... Thanks for the encouragement..."
Josh stood up and Mimi stood up with him. "You're welcome. You know, I have a feeling that I'm really gonna like you, Mimi Lockhart."
Mimi chuckled and raised both eyebrows curiously. "Better than Jan?"
"Hell, I liked you better than Jan before I even came over here today. I -- I guess I better go before they send out a search party."
Mimi nodded and walked him out, down the stairs and towards the front door. "Josh... Thanks for coming over. I'm glad you did."
Josh opened the door and took a few steps outside. "Me too..."
He impulsively moved forward and gave her a brief hug. "Merry Christmas..."
"You too, Josh..."
Mimi smiled as she watched him walk away. She shut the door behind him and wandered back into the living room, trying to figure out how two people like Douglas and Rachel Masters could raise sons like Josh and Jason. It had to have been purely by accident.
She went to sit on the couch next to her brother when the phone on the end table began to ring. Mimi leapt for it and grabbed it up quickly. "Lockhart Residence..."
"Helloooooo Lockhart Residence... Merry Christmas."
Mimi's face lit up instantly. "Jason! This is the fifth time today you've called to say Merry Christmas... Is it really that terrible over there?"
"Mmmmm... It's only terrible when my parents open their mouths. Other than that, it's just fine... I'm really hoping you get to meet Josh before he leaves."
"Really? That's good... Because I just met Josh."
There was a pause on Jason's end of the phone, mostly out of shock. "You did? He didn't come over and give you the third degree, did he?"
Mimi laughed softly. "No, no, he didn't. He just wanted to talk for a few minutes. He was very nice, and it was all very civil. I'm sure he'll fill you in on all the details when he gets home."
"So, now that you've spent a few minutes with Josh... are you still sure you're in love with the right brother?"
Mimi sighed softly and smiled. She knew Jason couldn't see her smile, but she hoped he could hear it. "I am absolutely sure that I am in love with you. There is only one man in this world I want to be with, and it just so happens to be you."
Jason could hear the smile in her voice, and he smiled as he replied to her. "Oh good. Because, there is only woman that I want to be with, and she happens to be you."
"Then it's unanimous..."
"I -- I better go. I just called so I could hear your voice again. It's about the only thing getting me through spending Christmas with my parents. I love you, Meems."
"I love you too... I'm sure I'll talk to you four more times tonight... So, I won't say good bye."
Jason laughed and agreed with her. "You're right. I'll talk to you later..."
Mimi sighed and put the phone down. She looked back at Connor who put his Playstation controller down to look at her with a grin. "Mimi... You have a boyfriend!"
"Yes, you knew that already, brat."
Connor giggled and teased her in a sing-song tone. "You have a boyfriend! You said you love him! Na na na na na na!"
Mimi laughed and pulled him into her arms to give him her patented tickle of death. "You're not allowed to tease your big sister, munchkin!!"
Connor erupted into a fit of giggles and Mimi continued her assault, putting her size and age difference to work. She was bigger and stronger, and would be until Connor became a teenager, so she had to enjoy it while it lasted.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(Christmas Day)
Mimi was sitting on the couch in her parents living room next to her six year old brother Connor. He was absolutely destroying her on one of the new Playstation games she had bought him for Christmas. Mimi groaned in frustration as once again he defeated her. She tossed her controller aside and crossed her arms over her chest, pouting at her baby brother.
"Connor. This is not fair. I am twelve years older than you, you shouldn't be beating me at every single game."
Connor smiled victoriously and looked at his sister. "You suck at his game, Mimi. You really suck."
Their mother Maureen was walking through the living room, and she paused to scold her son. "Connor Brian Lockhart, do not use the word 'suck', please. It's not polite."
"Yes, mommy." Connor paused to think of a way to rephrase his statement. "Mimi, you sure are terrible."
Mimi laughed and ruffled her brother's hair. "Yes, I know. But, I'm old enough to drive a car and stay up as late as I want. So, I think I've got it better than you, kiddo."
The sound of their doorbell rang throughout the house and Mimi looked towards the entryway curiously. Maureen looked at her daughter and shrugged. "Are you expecting someone?"
"On Christmas Day? No, I'm not."
Maureen laid down the glass she was carrying and went to answer the door. A minute later, she came back into the living room and pointed at her daughter. "You may not be expecting someone, but there is someone to see you."
Mimi frowned in confusion and stood up from the couch, making her way to the front door. Standing on her porch, was none other than Josh Masters. He was a couple of inches taller than Jason, and had sharper features and hair a couple of shades darker, but otherwise looked nearly identical to his younger brother.
Mimi stared at him in surprise, barely able to speak. "Josh?"
Josh smiled the extremely familiar smile that he shared with his brother and nodded. "You remember me?"
"Uhm, of course I do. And even if I didn't, you look almost exactly like Jason, so I would have figured it out." Mimi suddenly remembered her manners, and ushered him inside, shutting the door behind him. "I'm sorry... Please come in."
Josh nodded in appreciation and glanced around her home. "Your family's house is very nice, Mimi. I like it."
"You don't mean that. I've seen the house you grew up in, there's no comparison."
"No, I do mean it. It's really a nice place, very cozy. More like a home, and not a museum like my family's house."
Mimi smiled in appreciation. Despite all of his accomplishments and his so-called perfection, there was not an insincere bone in Josh's body. "So... Why exactly are you here?"
Josh looked her in the eye seriously. "I wanted to talk to you... in private. Just for a few minutes."
Mimi nodded in understanding and peeked her head back into the living room. "Mom, I'll be upstairs in my room. Okay?"
Maureen nodded and waved her daughter away, so Mimi led Josh up the stairs and into her small bedroom. She shut the door behind her and motioned around the room. "Find a seat... Take it. Wherever is comfortable."
Josh sat in the chair that went to Mimi's desk, and Mimi sat directly across from him on the edge of her bed. "So... Josh... What did you need to talk to me about?"
"Well, mostly, I wanted to meet the girl who has stolen my brother's heart."
"We've met before."
Josh smiled and nodded. "Yes, I know, but that was a long time ago. Back in those days, you were just another kid that grew up with Jason. Now, you're an adult and my brother's girlfriend. Plus, I wanted to talk about what happened that night with my parents..."
Mimi looked towards the floor and sighed softly. "Ahhhhh yes... Dinner then disaster. That pretty much sums it up."
"Well, it's nothing new. My parents dislike everybody. Boy, they really hated Jan Spears."
Mimi grinned and chuckled softly. "Josh... *Everybody* hated Jan Spears."
"Good point. Now, listen Mimi, I know you're not like Jan. I know my brother loves you, and you love him too. But, if you ever plan on breaking his heart..."
"I -- I don't. I wouldn't. I could never do that. Hurting Jason would break my heart too... I would never hurt him."
Josh grinned knowingly. "I know... I just thought I would issue a warning. Jason is a lot more complex and layered than people give him credit for. And, I know he's trying to find his way in the world..."
Mimi smiled and interjected. "And, so am I. We're trying to find it together. I'm just as lost as the next person, but all this growing up... It's a lot easier with Jason around. You know, what you did for him this summer... It was amazing. It really was."
"Thank you. I just... I love my brother, and I hated seeing him on this path of destruction that he was on in high school. I knew that he could be so much more than that, and I wanted to find a way so that he could know that too."
"Well, it worked... I just... I wish your parents could see how special Jason is. I wish they could see what the rest of us see."
Josh looked at her curiously, his forehead wrinkling in confusion. "You don't think they do?"
Mimi sighed loudly and chewed on her lower lip for a moment. "No, honestly, I don't. And, I don't want to stick my nose in where it doesn't belong, but I will. Because, the way your parents treat Jason... It's not fair. All they ever do is build you up and tear him down."
"I -- I don't know why. I'm not perfect, Mimi."
"I'm sure you aren't. But, apparently they don't know that. You were the Valedictorian of your Senior class, prom king, student body president, quarterback on the football team, championship swimmer, you did community service, helped little old ladies across the street... the whole thing. You are on like every page of my freshman yearbook. How could Jason ever begin to live up to that? Aside from walking on water, I'm not sure *anything* he could do would ever be good enough for your parents."
Josh frowned and questioned her. "Is that how he feels? That he's not good enough?"
Mimi nodded affirmatively. "That's it. And can you blame him? He's not you, he can never be you... And, I'm trying to show him that it's okay to just be Jason. He doesn't have to live up to the expectations of everyone else. He just needs to be who he is... Because, that's the person I love."
"I don't get it. He talks to me about everything. But, he never talks about this."
"Well, what are you supposed to do about it? It's not like you can stop being who you are. From what I know, you're a really good person and your brother loves you just the way you are. You don't need to change, your parents do. This has nothing to do with *you* specifically, but it has everything to do with them. Parents are supposed to love their children equally, and I don't really see that happening with yours."
Josh ran his hands through his hair with a frustrated sigh. "This is ridiculous. You're right, Mimi. I've seen the way they treat him, and it's not right at all. And, I heard about the way they treated you... and that's just as bad."
Mimi shrugged nonchalantly, attempting to pass off their behavior as no big deal. "It's not like it was unexpected. A son of one of Salem's most wealthy and successful families falls in love with the poor, homeless girl... I figured that would be exactly how they would react."
"That doesn't make it right. Money should never be an issue. Love is the only thing that matters. And you love him, and he loves you. And, it's obvious to me that you want what's best for him."
"I do. But, sometimes I can't help but wonder if I'm what's best for him. Maybe they are right... Maybe I don't deserve him."
Josh leaned forward and rested his hand on her knee reassuringly. "Don't ever say that. You make him happy... When he talks about you, it's like I've never heard him sound. He needs you, you may not realize how much, but he does. Don't ever let my parents or anyone else make you think otherwise. Do NOT let them tear you two apart. My brother deserves some happiness, and that's what you give him."
Mimi smiled shyly and glanced up at him suspiciously. "Are you SURE you're not perfect? You sure seem to know all of the right things to say."
"No, I'm not perfect. I don't always know the right things to say, I just know what I see. And, if my parents knew *everything* about me -- well, they might not think I'm so perfect after all."
Mimi sat back in surprise. "Really? Saint Joshua has a dark side? A secret life? Very intriguing..."
Josh laughed softly and shrugged. "It's not like I'm a drug dealer or a pimp or something. I just... I make mistakes all the time, but I pick up the pieces and fix things. I am FAR from perfect, Mimi. And the longer you know me, the more you'll begin to see that."
"Oh good... Because, I grew up with a so-called 'perfect' best friend. I don't need any more perfect people in my life. Sooooo... does your brother know you're here?"
"No, but I'll tell him when I get home. I didn't want him to think I was coming here to inspect you."
"You're not here to inspect me?"
Josh grinned and shook his head. "Not technically. I just wanted to talk to you. And to thank you... I've *never* seen Jason this happy, and it's all because of you."
Mimi looked away from him bashfully. "I don't know if it's all because of me..."
"No, it is. There are a few other factors at work, but from the way he talks, you're the biggest part of it. Your friendship, your love... it keeps him on the right track... So, thank you."
"You're welcome, I guess... Thanks for the encouragement..."
Josh stood up and Mimi stood up with him. "You're welcome. You know, I have a feeling that I'm really gonna like you, Mimi Lockhart."
Mimi chuckled and raised both eyebrows curiously. "Better than Jan?"
"Hell, I liked you better than Jan before I even came over here today. I -- I guess I better go before they send out a search party."
Mimi nodded and walked him out, down the stairs and towards the front door. "Josh... Thanks for coming over. I'm glad you did."
Josh opened the door and took a few steps outside. "Me too..."
He impulsively moved forward and gave her a brief hug. "Merry Christmas..."
"You too, Josh..."
Mimi smiled as she watched him walk away. She shut the door behind him and wandered back into the living room, trying to figure out how two people like Douglas and Rachel Masters could raise sons like Josh and Jason. It had to have been purely by accident.
She went to sit on the couch next to her brother when the phone on the end table began to ring. Mimi leapt for it and grabbed it up quickly. "Lockhart Residence..."
"Helloooooo Lockhart Residence... Merry Christmas."
Mimi's face lit up instantly. "Jason! This is the fifth time today you've called to say Merry Christmas... Is it really that terrible over there?"
"Mmmmm... It's only terrible when my parents open their mouths. Other than that, it's just fine... I'm really hoping you get to meet Josh before he leaves."
"Really? That's good... Because I just met Josh."
There was a pause on Jason's end of the phone, mostly out of shock. "You did? He didn't come over and give you the third degree, did he?"
Mimi laughed softly. "No, no, he didn't. He just wanted to talk for a few minutes. He was very nice, and it was all very civil. I'm sure he'll fill you in on all the details when he gets home."
"So, now that you've spent a few minutes with Josh... are you still sure you're in love with the right brother?"
Mimi sighed softly and smiled. She knew Jason couldn't see her smile, but she hoped he could hear it. "I am absolutely sure that I am in love with you. There is only one man in this world I want to be with, and it just so happens to be you."
Jason could hear the smile in her voice, and he smiled as he replied to her. "Oh good. Because, there is only woman that I want to be with, and she happens to be you."
"Then it's unanimous..."
"I -- I better go. I just called so I could hear your voice again. It's about the only thing getting me through spending Christmas with my parents. I love you, Meems."
"I love you too... I'm sure I'll talk to you four more times tonight... So, I won't say good bye."
Jason laughed and agreed with her. "You're right. I'll talk to you later..."
Mimi sighed and put the phone down. She looked back at Connor who put his Playstation controller down to look at her with a grin. "Mimi... You have a boyfriend!"
"Yes, you knew that already, brat."
Connor giggled and teased her in a sing-song tone. "You have a boyfriend! You said you love him! Na na na na na na!"
Mimi laughed and pulled him into her arms to give him her patented tickle of death. "You're not allowed to tease your big sister, munchkin!!"
Connor erupted into a fit of giggles and Mimi continued her assault, putting her size and age difference to work. She was bigger and stronger, and would be until Connor became a teenager, so she had to enjoy it while it lasted.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~