Getting To Know You
Chapter 9
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Previously: Jed's father did his best to welcome Abbey, making her believe he wasn't the mean-spirited man Jed had described
Summary: Jed's temper boils as Abbey falls for John's act
"Your family is pretty nice, especially your father. He isn't the barracuda you made him out to be." Abbey sipped on glass of water as she took advantage of the few minutes she and Jed had alone.
"You think that because you don't live with him."
"I'm serious."
"So am I. He's on his best behavior tonight and I don't know why." It was a normal reaction for Jed - suspicion. He knew John too well to fall for his Mike Brady act.
Abbey wasn't as well-versed in Bartlet family and, therefore, she didn't understand the animosity that seemed to twist Jed into a quivering mass of anxiety. "Jed, forgive me for saying this, but have you ever thought about the possibility that you expect your father to be disappointed in you and that's why you two have trouble getting along?"
"You're saying it's my fault." Becoming upset and defensive was a family trait, one that Jed frequently exhibited when discussing his father.
"No, I'm just..."
"You know nothing about this Abbey. You haven't lived in this house your whole life. After an hour of knowing my family, you're making judgment calls."
She bit down on her bottom lip, remorseful and demure. He was angry and maybe he had a right to be. "You're right. It's your family. I shouldn't have said anything."
She picked up his hand and traced his knuckles with the tips of her fingers in a failed attempt to soften his demeanor. It didn't work. Angered by his father's behavior, nothing could bring a smile to Jed's face. More than anything else, he detested the Jekyl and Hide personality that defined John's existence, fun and kind in public, yet harsh and abusive in private. The sudden change was always jarring, but now that Abbey was involved, it was downright infuriating, especially since deep down, Jed knew exactly what was happening.
John was as smart as he was manipulative. He knew Abbey expected to see the cold, heartless man Jed had probably described, so he shed that persona and replaced it with a gentle tone and gracious smile, anything to prove to her, and to a lesser extent, to himself, that he wasn't the monster his son believed him to be.
He dabbed the corners of his mouth during dinner as he turned an inquisitive in Abbey's direction. "Abbey, what are you studying in school?"
"My official major is Chemistry with a minor in Microbiology. It's all part of the pre-med curriculum."
"You want to be a doctor?"
Here it comes, Jed thought to himself. His father was about to put his foot in his mouth, for John Bartlet could never swallow the chauvinistic thoughts that escaped his lips without consideration for others. Abbey would have fared well as a nurse in his eyes, but not a doctor. Never a doctor. Doctors, he had explained many times before, should be men and women should never take on careers traditionally held by their male counterparts.
Unaware of his previous condemnations, Abbey answered. "Yes, Sir, I do."
Much to Jed's dismay, John smiled and exclaimed, "I think that's wonderful!"
"What?" Jed couldn't hide the visible shock on his face. He was stunned. Even John wasn't this good an actor.
"Jed." His mother's stern voice vibrated through the air for a few seconds while Jed fumbled with his napkin before meeting her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I think it's great too."
Diane excused her son's outburst then turned to Abbey. "Your parents must be so proud, Abbey."
"Thank you."
"Who wouldn't be proud to have a daughter like Abigail?" A rosy hue colored Abbey's cheeks as she lowered her head in response to John's compliment.
Jed's temper was rising, the disgusting show souring his taste buds and destroying his appetite. He pushed his plate away and leaned back against his chair, shooting his father a steely glare.
"Something wrong, Jed?"
"Yeah. This is what's wrong. This act," Jed blurted out.
"Josiah, that's enough," Diane warned.
Ignoring her, Jed turned to face Abbey, an urgency she hadn't heard lacing his voice. "This isn't how he usually is, Abbey."
"Jed..." Abbey began. Her discomfort had been growing all evening, mounting as he put her on the spot.
Diane immediately intervened as she noticed the distress on the young woman's face. "Jed, this is between you and your father. Leave Abbey out of it."
"Why should he?" John abandoned his calmer, quieter self, his own anger simmering to rival his son's.
"John..."
"Why should he leave Abbey out of it? Why waste an opportunity to make me look bad, right Son? I was trying to be a good host for you, for YOUR girlfriend. But you've got it in your head that my ever move has a hidden meaning behind it, a sinister ulterior motive that I've carefully plotted." John threw his napkin onto the table and stormed out of the dining room, Diane trailing a few feet behind.
Abbey looked down at her plate in silence. Confused and upset, she didn't attempt to continue to the conversation. Instead, she let it linger in the background as the night continued, only finding the courage to finally confront Jed when he drove her home an hour later.
"You're not going to talk to me?"
"I'm not sure what to say."
"Jed, I'm sorry if I disappointed you tonight. I don't know your family. I just met them and I felt like you were putting me on the spot." He didn't respond. His fingers hugging the wheel, he stared straight ahead while she continued. "And I'm sorry for what I said before dinner, about your problems with your father stemming from your own insecurities. I didn't mean to upset you."
"You didn't."
"I just don't want you to feel like you have to prove something to me...about your father, I mean."
"I don't?"
Jed gazed at her, a look of bewilderment and gratitude colliding in his sparkling sapphire orbs. Of course he felt he had to prove something to her. For days, he had described the vicious, manipulative man that was his father and now, those very qualities he used to explain the estranged relationship were virtually swept under a proverbial rug of secrets. The possibility that Abbey could underestimate the cruel side of John that Jed knew all too well, terrified him.
"Someday, I hope you'll tell me more about him, help me understand. But no, Jed, you never have to prove anything to me."
Parked in her driveway, Jed nodded and got out of the car to walk around and open her door. "I'm glad you came over tonight." He kissed her tenderly on the cheek. "It may not seem like it, but I am."
"I am too. I'll call you tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
Just as she opened her door and stepped up into the threshold, she cocked her head behind her to give him a flirtatious wink. He waved back as he watched her close the door behind her. Uttering a sigh of relief, Jed hopped back in his car to drive home.
"Is that you, Jed?" John called out the second he heard the front door open.
"Yes," Jed answered, walking into the living room.
He had only taken a few steps in father's direction when he was hit with the sting of the back of John's hand. The slap was so blisteringly powerful, it nearly knocked him to the ground.
"Don't you ever try to embarrass me in front of your guests ever again!" John warned.
Jed stood up cautiously, knowing another slap could very well be imminent. His hands trembled as he brought them up to the wounded skin that still hurt from impact. This was the part of the relationship he had never mentioned to Abbey, the part he hoped had ended when he went away to college, the part he feared would scare Abbey away or somehow diminish his worth in her eyes. This was the part she could never know about.
TBC