The Complication of Adulthood
Chapter 6: Friends, No Play, and all Work
Joey was meandering around in the park with her son who was in the baby stroller. However, she had one destination on her mind. She was heading to Boston University. She had completed her application.
She filled out all the necessary paperwork, which included the typical formalities. She had to write a personal essay about herself and her past. She had recommendations, which she had saved from her high school years. More importantly, she had a short essay from a person who knows her best.
Pacey did not know that she was applying to this college. She wasn't sure if he would approve of it. However, even if he knew about this, Joey did not think that he was the right person to write the essay. Even though he was her husband, she wanted someone who was objectionable and genuine. Therefore, she asked Dawson to write the essay for her.
The deadline for the application was due in a couple of weeks, but since she was done, all she had to do was head to the University's admission office. Then she would have to wait.
After she walked out of the admission office, she was planning to head home. Nonetheless, out of nowhere, she saw Jack McPhee. She gave a great wave and simultaneously, Jack saw her.
Once they welcomed each other, they decided to grab a quick bite to eat for lunch (if you count a hotdog stand lunch).
"So how have you been?" Jack wondered.
"Great I guessed." Joey said toneless.
"You guess? You've been married for what, a couple of months and you're not sure if you're happy?" Jack challenged.
"It just…. Marriage isn't what I thought it would be. I mean don't get me wrong? I love Pacey, it's just, one day we were barely talking to each other and now, we're married. It happened in an eye blink. I guessed I was merely unprepared." Joey elaborated.
"That's nothing to feel embarrassed about. I mean when something in your life changes that drastically, it can take some time to get use to it. I mean look at me." Jack justified.
"I guess the whole gay thing took time adjusting." She related.
"Well, I was talking about college life, but I guess the gay thing is a good example too." Jack smiled.
Pacey was at the restaurants working. He was quite tired because Joey made him sleep on the couch again. For these last couple of weeks, in Pacey's perspective, it felt like they have been fighting boisterously. Since their constantly bickering has crescendo, it confused Pacey. He felt denigrated. He felt, soon or later, that Joey would stop loving him.
"Hey stranger." A familiar voice called.
Pacey turned around and saw Jen, "Hey."
Pacey went up to Jen and gave her a friendly hug. He hasn't seen Jen for a while. It's been at least a month since they sat down and talked seriously. He hated not seeing his friends.
"How are you?" She asked.
"Good. How are you? Shouldn't you be in class?" Pacey wondered.
"Well, I didn't feel like sitting in a huge auditorium and feel like a speck of nothing. Therefore, I didn't see the harm of missing one class…. So this is where you are working?" Jen clarified.
"Yeah. This is where I slave over all day." He stated.
"So… Do you have time to talk?" Jen recommended.
"Sure… I can take my break now." Pacey agreed.
Pacey and Jen took time to talk legitimately. To be completely honest, Pacey hasn't had time to talk to anyone besides Joey, and talking to her was more of an argumentative communication. Talking to Jen felt great because he wasn't arguing.After a long talk with Jen, it was time for her to head back to the campus and it was time for Pacey to go back to work. Once Jen left, Craig came over. Anyone could tell that he was going to pry into Pacey's personal business.
"So… Who was that?" Craig began.
"Who was who?" Pacey said even though he was still working.
"Was that your wife?" Craig questioned.
"Her. No. That was just an old friend." Pacey clarified.
"She's just a friend." Craig said suggestively.
"Who's just a friend?" Bernard, (a co-worker) barged into the conversation.
"Hey guys," Craig decided to bring everyone in the conversation, "That beautiful girl Pacey was just talking to wasn't his wife. That was just a friend?"
"A friend, huh?" Martin (the bartender) said provocatively.
"Man, you're a little selfish aren't you?" Bernard announced.
"What are you talking about?" Pacey was confused.
"You aren't getting a little extra on the side and still have a wife?" Craig spelled out.
"I'm not sleeping with her… I'm not sleeping with anyone…. My wife and I haven't had… we haven't been together in that way for a while." Pacey stated clearly.
"What?" Craig said unbelievable.
"We haven't been together in the last two and half weeks to be exact. And when we are together, it doesn't really seem that she's into it." Pacey responded.
"Man. You got it bad?" Martin labeled.
"You can say that again." Pacey went back to work.
"And you never thought about having a little after school activity? I mean your friend seems, friendly." Craig said encouragingly.
"No way man, I'm too loyal to my wife. I can't cheat on her." Pacey proclaimed.
"You want loyalty because she doesn't really seem loyal to you." Craig confirmed.
"So what?" Pacey debated
"I mean, you deserve to have fun… We already talk about this; all work and no play will make Pacey a very dull guy… Besides who says your wife has to know." Craig reminded.
"Whatever. Let me go back to work." Pacey ignored Craig. Nonetheless, Pacey could not forget Craig's word. He couldn't cheat on his wife. Could he?
"Alright, my lips are sealed about your personal life." Craig announced.
Even though he did not know it, when Pacey started talking to his co-workers (after Jen had left the restaurant), Joey was in the restaurant. At first, she came here to apologize for her bizarre behavior. Nonetheless, her repentant mood turned into anger and frustration. She could not believe what Pacey's co-workers were suggesting; she could not believe that Pacey was actually listening to them. He was telling everyone their personal business. What really set her off was that he could not defend her loyalty.
Author's Note: I love the people who have been reviewing and because of their dedication, I will email them the next three chapters before I post them on the site. I understand that you all are busy and some of you might be writing your own story... But hey what will five seconds of your time hurt? Besides... if you are writing your own personal story... I would be more than happy than to review it... Just tell me what's the name of your story and I'll find time to read and review.