CHAPTER NINE
Bianca sighed, rubbed her temple and answered her daughter's questions once more…attempting to not lose patience. "Miranda, sweetie…We cannot go to see AJ right now, because Mommy has stuff to do. You see him at school all the time and honestly, I don't even know where he is staying tonight."
"I think he is at his Daddy's because he said that he and his Daddy and his Mommy have been hanging out almost every day. He thinks that his Daddy and his Mommy are getting back together, so they can be a family. He told me that." Miranda stated very matter-of-factly.
Bianca did her best to hide her shock, and replied sternly. "Well that is good for AJ, but we are still not going." Miranda picked up the hint that her Mom was very serious, and dropped. Bianca, however, felt the knot in her stomach forming. It's been weeks since the two of you have talked. She thought. You knew this was going to happen. You made a stupid move and now you have chased off your best friend. You have been 'too busy' or played phone tag for a while now and it is very clear that she is moving on with JR. Did you ever really think that she was just going to change instantly and run off to "Neverland" with you?
Bianca was so confused. Surely, they are not getting back together? She thought. It wasn't very long ago, that they JR had made a horrible mistake that hurt Marissa so badly to begin with…How could she possibly have healed from that and taken him back so soon? Bianca pulled over at Krystal's. She was feeling a little guilty for being so harsh on Miranda. "Hey, girls?" Bianca said, "What do you say we get some cheese fries?" The girls shouted "YES!" in unison.
They were sitting at the counter having a blast. Bianca was laughing hysterically at a joke that Miranda had told her and they are interrupted by AJ running up to greet Miranda. As Bianca registered his arrival, her stomach turned and she looked toward the door to find Marissa standing there.
Marissa approached and touched Bianca on the shoulder. "Hey, I have missed you!" Marissa exclaimed. " I haven't seen you in weeks and we just seem to keep missing each other."
"Yeah." Bianca said, appearing a little uncomfortable. "I have just been swamped at work and all. We have a fundraiser coming up and it has just been crazy."
Marissa leaned forward into Bianca and lowered her voice then she asked, "Hey, are we okay? I have been wanting to talk with you. I really think there are things we should discuss."
"Oh, yeah…" Bianca replied. "We are fine…really. I mean yeah, we can get together and talk, I just have been really…"
"Really busy, I know." Marissa interjected. "Bianca I know you have been avoiding me. Something happened that night and we haven't handled it right. I really think we need to discuss it all."
"Marissa, I'm sorry I…" Bianca started, but just then, JR entered the restaurant. Bianca froze up and watched JR come over and join in. He puts his arm around Marissa and said "Good afternoon, ladies! Bianca, it is so nice to see you!"
"Yes…" Bianca said and stood to leave. "Yes, it's good to see you, JR! I hate to run but I have some errands to take care of. I will see you around. Bye." And after gathering the girls, she headed out the door.
Marissa was still sort of in shock at the abrupt departure. She brushed JR's arm off of her and glared at him. He got the message, defensively put his hands in the air and went over to play with AJ. I don't know how I am ever going to process all of this if I never get the chance to work through it all with Bianca. Marissa thought to herself. Damn JR! He is always manipulating situations. He knows damn well that I am done with him and he is still trying to pretend that everything is perfect. AJ is beyond confused, and now Bianca. Oh, what she must be thinking after his little display. I have got to figure this out. And then if it means I have to hold her down, I will have my say!