Let's turn back the clocks to a distant era of war, communism and constant fear of nuclear annihilation; 1989. More specifically, the tiny town of Medford Texas.
That's right everybody, Young Sheldon is my newest fanfic. I was originally going to do an AU story in which Sheldon stays in Texas, but Georgie and Jana just kind rock in my opinion. I enjoy their dynamic.
One more thing before I get into the story; this gets AU-ish as usual. This will become evident later on.
Enjoy!
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Jana Boggs was many things; smart, driven, fun, bubbly, gorgeous, but she'd never describe herself as submissive in any way. That was until she broke up with George Cooper Jnr. He was handsome, smart-ish, driven but he was so irresponsible. He dropped out of high school before he was even 18! What kind of moron would do that? Not one she wanted to be seen with that's for damn sure.
Once she had broken up with the boy she had started to go out with someone a bit more…normal; Thomas Andrew Clarkson. Sure on the outside he seemed like a bully, a degenerate, an abuser and a total asshat, but to her he was one of those one in a lifetime geniuses who no one understands until they're dead. The two stayed together throughout their senior year as well as throughout Jana's college career. He hadn't gone to college, instead he had taken a job as a bartender, eventually becoming the pub's manager. But with every success, comes a form of nightmare. Jana's college career had formed her into a high school teacher at Medford High, her specialist subjects being psychology and math of all things.
However, Tommy's career at the pub had made him a different man. Those things people said about him back in high school were now obviously true. He had become angry, constantly yelling and swearing at everyone he saw. On more than one occasion he had physically thrown people out of his place of work. He had called them filthy, lying kids and if they ever came back he'd give them a double barreled surprise with extra lead. As if that wasn't bad enough, he was now taking his frustrations out on his girlfriend. Jana would constantly get belittled by him, often being called a bitch, whore or some other horrible insult.
Besides his anger, Tommy was also an avid drinker, constantly having beer after beer and when he had them, he would hit Jana. Multiple times she would come into work with sunglasses on to hide her black eyes. Her colleagues had a feeling something was up, but they didn't say anything out of fear of Tommy himself. They all remembered him from when he was a student, he even frightened the teachers into making him an honor roll student.
Jana's dad didn't know anything of course, Tommy had made her keep everything in the dark, to the point that if she saw her father, Tommy had to be in the room, he couldn't trust her to keep her mouth shut. This was most obvious right now, as she and Tommy ate dinner with her father.
-x-
'' So there I am, deep in Vietnamese territory, the jungle around me so damn dark cats couldn't see in it. My platoon's al either back at camp getting treatment for Dengue, malaria, jungle rot or they've been killed. Its just me now, me and those commy bastards. I hear rustling all around me, so I spray and pray, I reckon I fired like 8 to 10 rounds into the darkness. Turns out I had taken out three squadrons. Got myself that medal of valor right there'' an older yet still burly man said, pointing to a framed piece of metal on a nearby shelf.
'' We know dad, you tell that story so often I can recite it by heart. I even have in the teacher's lounge'' Jana remarked.
'' Uh huh, tell him how many people care about that story'' Tommy glared. '' I tell you Mark, this one can bore anyone to sleep.''
'' Hey, watch it Clarkson'' Mark warned.
'' He's just kidding daddy'' Jana interjected. '' Aren't you honey?''
'' Sure am'' Tommy lied through his teeth. '' I gotta drain the main vain, be back soon'' the man got up from his seat and went into another room.
'' So Jan, how's that teaching job going? Kids giving you trouble?'' Mark asked his daughter.
'' You'd be surprised actually. Most of 'em are actually well behaved. My psych kids especially, not sure if it's a prank or not, but they seem to actually enjoy learning.''
'' Well, it's nice that you're doing something you love sweetheart. If your mom were still with us, she'd feel the same way.''
'' I know daddy'' Jana rubbed her bruised eye, the makeup now started to smudge, revealing blue-purple lines around her face.
'' Jana, your eye!'' Mark gasped. '' What happened? You need a steak or something?''
'' I fell at school, no worries. I just wore the makeup so you wouldn't worry.''
'' Alright. How'd Tommy react to that? Did he take you to the hospital at least?''
'' Heard my name'' Tommy barged back in, '' what'd I miss?''
'' When Jana fell at school did you take her to the hospital?''
Tommy looked to his left, oh she was going to get it when they got home. '' No, I didn't. She never told me.''
'' Sorry, must have slipped my mind'' Jana said nervously.
'' No worries pumpkin, what matters is that you're ok now. So, Tommy, how're things at the bar going?''
'' Going good. Got this new brew in from Arkansas, stuff's brewed in some hillbilly's basement bathtub. It's called Thud. 'Cause after you take a drink, that's the only sound you'll hear.''
'' Sound's dangerous, how's that even on the market?'' Jana asked, wincing.
'' It ain't. My supplier gets his stuff from unlicensed distributors and distillers across the country. Who needs laws when you got names right?''
Mark looked at Jana, her eye was still on his mind. He'd seen kids fall at schools before, those kinds of bruises don't come from those. Those came from fists, and now that he thought about it, for the last while Jana had become timid and shy, not the woman he had raised at all. It had all started when she started dating Tommy, of course! How couldn't he have seen it before, he was abusing her. Well no more.
'' Jan? I have some old Vietcong torture pamphlets in my study you can use for your psych stuff tomorrow at school. If you want 'em they're yours.''
'' Awesome, thanks dad'' Jana hopped up from her seat and left the room.
'' Alright you little psychopath, I know exactly what's going on with you and my daughter'' Mark hissed, leaning forward so as to glare at Tommy face to face.
'' She told you. Oh I am so going to beat her up later.''
'' Who the fuck do you think you are? She's your girlfriend, you shouldn't do that.''
'' Listen here old man. I'm a grown man, I can do whatever the fuck I want. Yeah, I've been a bit tense for a while, and maybe I got a temper, your daughter loves me. And if she steps out of line, I'm going to beat her ass.''
'' You lay a hand on her one more time, and so help me Gd, I will drive to your apartment and snap both you arms like they were twigs, you got that?'' Mark warned.
'' I ain't scared of you. And I ain't going to be interrogated by some former soldier with no hair'' Tommy got up and called for Jana to meet him at the car.
As Jana approached her boyfriend's vehicle, Mark stopped her. '' Jana, I know Tommy's abusing you. You have to leave him.''
'' He's not abusing me daddy. Things have been a little slow at the pub so he's a little on edge is all.''
'' Screw that. He's hitting you, I can see it. Your eye for example, I know that black eye's from a fist. Why would you put up with that?''
'' Its not like that, he's just misunderstood is all.''
Mark sighed, he knew he could never deter his daughter. '' Fine, but remember; you're stronger than you know.''
'' Hey Jana, get in!'' Tommy yelled.
'' Gotta go' Jana smiled.
'' Where'd I go wrong?'' Mark sighed.
-x-
'' That was nice'' Jana said later at their home. '' I like the way he cooked his steak, pan-fried.''
'' Uh huh'' Tommy ignored her as he got a lone star out of the fridge and sat down to watch the Rockets game.
'' You know, there's a dance coming up at Medford High in a couple months, wanna join me? They could always use more chaperones?''
'' Why the Hell would I want to do that? I hated school, why would I want to be in charge of some stupid horny teenagers for a night?''
'' Come on Tommy, it'll be fun. Besides, when's the last time we had a date?''
'' We live together, that should be enough for you, if it ain't I don't know what to tell you.''
'' So it's wrong of me to want to spend time with my boyfriend now? You're such as ass.''
Tommy stood up, at 6'4, and 245lbs, he was exceptionally intimidating. '' The fuck did you say to me bitch?''
'' I called you an ass-
Jana couldn't finish the sentence before Tommy punched her in the stomach.
'' Don't you ever speak to me that way again! A man's woman will respect him! You're such a failure. Go get me a sandwich!''
Jana looked at Tommy, fury engulfing her. Why had she put up with this for so many years. Her dad was right, she didn't need to take this, especially from him. Georgie never would've hurt her. He'd have happily gone to the dance with her, as well as taken an interest in her life.
'' Too bad I'm not yours'' Jana responded, getting off the floor.
'' Oh aren't you? Well then, you're in my apartment aren't ya? That means, you belong to me. Now get me that damn sandwich woman, I ain't got all day!''
'' No you don't'' Jana responded, grabbing a nearby hammer and slamming it into his crotch, before jabbing him in the jaw.
'' I'm out of here! Georgie never would've done this to me, at least he knew what he had.''
'' Fucking bitch'' Tommy spat out a tooth. '' Who's going to love you if I don't?''
'' Me'' Jana said, walking out of the apartment, grabbing her keys and purse.
So I know this is a little dark, but trust me it does get fluffier as it goes on. Thanks for reading everyone, and until next time, stay safe and stay awesome!