The Facts of Life (The Remix)

Part 2 Episode 4.

Jo and Blair seperated quickly with the same expressions on each of their faces. They'd been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

" No Jo and I are absolutely not gay !" Blair protested looking affended at the mere thought.

" We're lesbians. " She stated firmly smiling.

" Wow, lesbians in our little school too. Who would've thought. I can write an article about you girls for the school paper. I'll call it ' Out of the seventies Out Of The Closet !' What do you think ?" Natalie asked overzealously.

Jo and Blair both exchanged horrified looks. " Um,,no I think I like being in the closet for now atleast until I can tell daddy. "

" Yeah, me too just until my mom gets the exercism she deserves from misses G. " Jo agreed.

" Is that what this is about, the whole debate down in the kitchen it's because your mom found out about you and Blair isn't it ?" Tootie enquired.

" You could say that. We weren't even doing anything we were just sleeping. My mom came down to surprise me I guess and found us on Blairs bed snoozin' then had kittens about it. " Jo clarified messing with her pony tail.

" That's terrible. So many people are so narrow minded. So does this mean you guys have to sleep in different rooms now ?" Natalie asked.

" We don't know the jury hasn't come back on that yet. Can I ask a favor if it's not too much could you guys camp out in the living room tonight, Jo and I need some time to talk. " Blair explained.

" Sure no problem thats actually what we were getting ready to do. " Tootie replied hurriedly grabbing her and Nat's sleeping bags and two pillows. Her short body was completely covered in well covers. " Uh, Nat, could you take something please ?"

Natalie was in a daze still staring at her two friends. " Oh, sure give me the pillows. Good night Jo, Blair. I hope you get to stay. "

" Thanks Nat I hope so too. " Jo said remorsefully as the two younger students made their way down the stairs and to the living room.

Jo and Blair both sighed heavily neither one know what to say to the other. Blair guided Jo's head down towards the pillows. The two covered up.

" I don't know what to say Blair, I..I've never felt about someone like I feel about you and now knowing we could be seperated forever. " The tomboys tough front was crumbling before her as she sniffled and tears came down her cheeks. Blair was there to wipe them away and hold her girl while let it all out.

" It's okay sweety, tell you what we don't have to say anything. Let's just pretend we're all alone again and we're really tired and go to sleep. Okay ?" Blair suggested soothingly running her hand over Jo's back and playing with her ponytail.

Jo could not find words for her tears so she just managed a nod. Then the two girls closed their eyes and drifted off.

Jo awoke thirty minutes later to the sound of Blair snoring. She had to stifle her laugh but it was just too funny. The high maintance heiress who prided herself on her lady like femininity snored like a naval officer on shore leave. It was too much.

Then the pain hit her. Blair had gone to sleep on her arm and her arm was now asleep too. Jo moved as gently and swiftly as she could. She walked out into the hallway leaving her snoring beauty to sleep. Jo headed for the landing at the top part of the stairs and over heard misses Garrett. Who seemed to be yelling at Jo's mother.

The bronx tomboy shook her head. All this fightin' ova' me, I ain't worth it. Jo thought to herself letting a heavy breath escape her lungs. Thats when Jo devised a plan. She was going to runaway from this life , her mom, the school and even her beloved Blair. That way no one would be hurt over her. Blair would heal she would find someone new and maybe even someone that liked shopping for hours on end.

Silently as possible Jo put her few belongings in her backpack and crept down the stairs and out the front door. She decided to walk her motorcycle down the block a little ways so as not to attract anyones attention. She got to the first stop sign and started the motor, the purr of the engine calmed her frazzled nerves.

She didn't know where she was headed but she would be fine.

Meanwhile back at the school.

Edna was giving Rosalie a peice of her mind still when the waitress finally buckled. She broke down in tears.

Mrs. Garretts voice softened and she frowned. " What is it dear ?"

" I just don't want my little girl to be made to feel different and if she stays with that, that girl. She will be judged , and called names and ostricised for it. Don't you understand I'm not trying to hurt her. I just want for her the life I didn't have growin' up. Do you understand misses Garrett ? The last thing I care about is who she is with it's just people aren't kind to anyone who is not normal by comparison to everyone else." Rosalie finally broke down spilling her guts to Edna. Who was there to put a comforting hand on her shoulder and cry with her.

" I understand all of that Rosalie, however I happen to know Blairs family for many, many years, they are the most self absorbed, money loving people I've ever met. " Edna commented.

Rosalie began crying more. " But they are also the nicest people toward other people I have ever met. Blair is a...well she's a spoiled child I give you that. Since she has been around Jo..you can't even imagine the change in her. She's nicer to kids who don't have as much as she does. She doesn't mind doing dish detail. She even gave some of her brand new clothes she had never worn to a charity. I think they are most good for each other. " The older woman soothed.

" What about Jo..? Is she any different because of this Blair girl ?" Rosalie asked with piqued curiousness.

" Most definately, she has more self confidence the real kind, not that macho , ego-mania she had when she first got here. Her GPA is up , she studies every evening. I have even heard her mention college plans here and there." Edna grinned seeing Rose perk up.

" Really, " Rose gasped.

" So I am asking you with every fiber of my being, miss Polniaczek will you reconsider, let your daughter stay. "

Rose looked as though she were weighing her decisions carefully. Then she looked up at the older woman sitting in front of her at the little kitchen table. " Yes, Jo can stay. But I don't want any extracuricular activities going on between those two. Which means Jo or Blair one will have to get a different room. "

" Yes I suppose you're right on that point. Since they are dating it would be making things way too easy for..well I see what you mean. Very well Jo can have the garage. It has air , heat, and electricity. She's just the handyman to fix it up. " Edna joked.

" Yeah, she is good with that stuff. " Rose laughed through a sniffle.

Do you suppose maybe we should go upstairs and give'em the good news ?" Edna enquired.

Rose nodded just as they were getting up from the table. Blair came thundering down the stairs. Looking frazzled and worried.

" Whats the matter dear ?" Edna asked.

" Jo and I fell asleep, I woke up and she's gone and I found this taped to her pillow when I rolled over. "

Edna took the note and read it aloud.

To Misses Garrett, my mother and to my sweetest Blair, I know that who I am is wrong but I

cannot help it. It's in my dna and theres no changing that unless you;re Bruce Banner. So I am

leaving that way Mom will be spared any heartache, Misses Garrett won't have to defend me

anymore and Blair I know this hurts now, but you will get over me I'm not that hard to forget anyway.

Don't bother looking for me. I don't even know where I am going..

I am sorry for all the pain I have and will cause all of you.

Sincerely Jo

" Oh, dear !" Misses Garrett ghasped turning pale from immediate worry.

To Be Continued. . . .