True North
By Jaclyn Parker
Adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the age of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years.
~Author Unknown
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The screen door slammed shut, causing Jack and Janet to jump in their seats at the kitchen table.
"Ugh!" Liberty groaned loudly and tossed her few shopping bags on the floor as she slumped into one of the other open chairs.
Jack looked up from one of the police files he was reading to meet Janet's wide eyed gaze over her bowl of half peeled potatoes. She shrugged slightly and turned to face her daughter.
"Rough day, honey?" She asked casually, continuing to peel.
"It was fine until I went to Old Town. I ran into Parker." Liberty said, crossing her arms. "He was there with this…girl…"
"Oh." Janet said, sending Jack a look. For his part, he wisely just continued to drink his coffee and skim the police file, although she could tell he was listening.
"I mean, who is she anyway? With her long brown hair and annoying accent?" Liberty said, glaring at her mom.
"I think you lost me, baby." Janet said, completely confused.
Jack, however, had a feeling he knew who Liberty was talking about and a moment later he had confirmation.
"Mattie." Liberty said, drawing out the name as if it was tortured from her.
"Mattie?" Janet repeated and Liberty nodded.
"There he is, telling me he still cares about me and suddenly she comes out of nowhere and just throws herself at him." Liberty said, leaning forward and slapping her hands down beside her on the table.
"But, I thought you didn't want to date Parker." Jack finally ventured to speak and immediately wished he hadn't when her teenaged glare turned full force on him.
"That's so not the point! God!" Liberty said and gathered her bags up before heading up to the guest bedroom she used at the farm.
"Dinner should be ready in about an hour." Janet called after her.
"I'm not hungry!" Liberty yelled back and the slamming of the bedroom door echoed in the house.
Jack's eyes widened and he turned to stare at Janet, who gave him a small smile and shrug.
"Welcome to the world of parenting a teenaged girl."
"Okay, I think I would rather face an armed perp than try and navigate that again." Jack said, pointing towards the stairs.
"Wuss." Janet said, smirking at him and getting a smile back.
"Yes, yes I am." Jack fully admitted.
"You'll have to buck up there, buddy. You become proud co-parent of that teenager in very short time. Not to mention, that you and Carly are going to go through it with Sage soon enough." Janet said, her eyes dancing as she finished peeling another potato. Then as her words sunk in she turned a wide eyed look on him. "Not that I mean you and Carly together. Well, I mean obviously together…as parents. But I'll be there too and…"
"Janet, it's fine. I got what you meant." Jack said giving her another smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes this time.
A few minutes of silence passed with Jack back to looking over the file and Janet back to peeling potatoes. Then with a loud sigh, she dropped another one into the bowl and looked over at him.
"I really don't feel like doing this." Janet said and he glanced from her to the bowl and back again.
"You don't want to have mashed potatoes?" Jack asked, slightly confused.
"Would I be a horrible fiancée if I suggested we go out for dinner?" Janet said, leaning forward on her elbows, her nose inches from his.
"Not at all." Jack smiled and kissed the tip of her nose, placing his file back with the others. "Where do you want to go?"
"Oh, I'm in the mood for a good burger." Janet said, covering the bowl of peeled potatoes in plastic wrap and putting them in the refrigerator for later. Then taking her apron off, she flung it over the kitchen counter.
"Al's Diner, it is." Jack said, pulling on his coat and looking warily towards the stairs. "Should we ask Liberty?"
"Be my guest." Janet said, smiling at his naivety and gestured upwards with her arm.
"Liberty, we going to Al's for dinner. Do you want to come with us?" Jack called up the stairs.
"What part of I'm not hungry didn't you get?" Liberty's voice yelled back down and then loud music began to blare out of her room.
Jack looked at Janet, the same shocked look from before back on his face. She just grinned at him and he quirked an eyebrow at her.
"You knew that was going to happen!" He said, accusingly. Janet reached up to pat his cheek with one hand and nodded.
"If it helps, dear, I think it's only this bad because she's PMSing." Janet told him and he closed his eyes.
"Okay, way more information than I needed, but thank you." Jack said and Janet preceded him out the door, her laugh echoing in his ears.