For the next seven weeks Jude lived in Tommy's house carefree. She had no worries. Antonio and his pimps were arrested and sent to jail for a good 25 years, and Jude was living like a normal person for the first time in months…but something was missing. Jude awoke one autumn morning to the smell of pancakes. She rolled out of bed and pulled a pair of sweatpants over her bare legs. A baggy shirt hung at her shoulders. She smelled it, suddenly remembering an event from the day before.
Jude: Tommy can I borrow a shirt? I forgot to do laundry today.
Tommy looked up at Jude and snickered. She had pizza sauce on his sweatpants that she had just put on, she had spilled coffee on her rocker tee that morning, and her hair was a mess.
Tommy: I can keep you warm you know. No clothes needed.
Jude: I know I turned 18 Quincy but that doesn't mean I want to sleep with you.
She snatched a shirt from his raised hand. She turned to leave the room and looked back over her shoulder. She winked.
Jude: Later tiger.
Tommy clapped as Jude entered the room. She shot him a slightly tired, slightly confused look.
Tommy: You haven't spilled anything on my shirt yet!
Jude: I haven't eaten anything.
Tommy: Say no more!
He stuck a plate of pancakes under Jude's nose. She greedily poured mounds of syrup over them and began to shove them down her throat.
Tommy: Did you…eat much? While you were, with Antonio?
Jude paused, she dropped her fork. Tears clouding her eyes. She shook her head. Tommy wrapped his arms around her shoulders and squeezed her tight.
He encircled her chin in his finger and lifted her eyes to his.
Tommy: You're okay now.
Jude nodded.
Tommy: You're going to be okay.
Jude nodded again. This time she closed her eyes. Tommy, hating seeing her miserable, leaned in slightly, and Jude opened her eyes in alarm, which quickly faded when she felt herself falling into Tommy's kiss. Things increased and soon Jude found herself in Tommy's arms, in Tommy's bed, in Tommy's room. He was starting to fiddle with her belt when Jude pushed him off. She leaned over the side of the bed and clutched her stomach. Clamping a hand to her mouth she moaned and ran to the bathroom.
Tommy stared in confusion and slowly got up, pulling his shirt back over his head, and walked over to the door. He knocked, and Jude opened it.
Tommy kneeled beside where Jude was squatting on the floor, crying into her hands.
Jude: You think I'd be able to do this, I mean, I did it 3…maybe four times a night to god knows how many guys! But I can't…not with you.
She finally looked up at Tommy.
Jude: Why can't I do it with you?
Tommy cupped her face in his hands, she leaned into his touch and slightly closed her eyes.
Tommy: Because you're doing it with somebody you love.
Her eyes snapped open; she opened her mouth, trying to say something. But no words came out, instead she leaned in and kissed Tommy. Short and sweet. Tommy ran his hands through Jude's hair and pulled her closer to him. Jude placed her hands on Tommy's face and pulled away.
Jude: Are you mad?
Tommy: Why would I be mad?
Jude: Because…I…I love you.
Tommy placed his hands on Jude's face, their foreheads touching.
Tommy: I could never be mad.
He pecked her on her cheek and helped her stand. When she got to her feet he pulled her into his arms. She began to cry, he stroked her hair.
Tommy: Why are crying now girl?
Jude: I'm just…so happy.
There was a knock at the door. Tommy slowly pulled away and walked downstairs, Jude at his heels. He opened the door slowly. And both of them stood in shock as another blonde and a rather tall figure stepped into the house.
