Chapter 169: Greenwich
Friday, January 13th, Afternoon
The front door swung open, and the ten-year-old bundle of energy named Jess walked through. Still dressed in her school uniform, she looked around the hall. She found it very quiet.
Slowly, Jess walked through the rooms until she came to a lounge. She found sitting there, drinking a hot beverage, either tea or coffee, was her Mom and Grandma. Jess's face lit up with a smile.
Slowly, Angela put her cup down and stood up. Jess bounced over and hugged her Mom. Angela returned the affection of her only child. It had been a long trip, and they were both glad to see each other.
Karen sat in her chair, drinking her tea, and taking it all in. Angela was Karen's youngest child, and Jess was her youngest grandchild. She noted how much Jess looked like Angela when Angela was Jess's age. They also had that same inexhaustible source of energy; she wished she had. Sadly, Karen didn't see any of Jess's dad in her.
The two younger women broke apart; they looked at each other. They nodded, and Angela retook her seat. Jess took her backpack off and took a place on the nearby sofa.
"When did you get back in?" Jess asked.
"About an hour after you went to school," Angela said.
"How was the trip?" Jess asked.
"Long and boring," Angela said.
"Oh great," Jess said.
"So, how much homework do you have?" Angela asked.
Jess shrugged, "The normal amount," she said.
Angela nodded, "Well, get ready, we'll be leaving soon," she said.
"Already?" Jess asked.
Angela nodded, "Have a long drive," she said.
"Why do we have to drive?" Jess asked.
"Well, it's cheaper, and for another, I like spending time alone where we could talk," Angela said.
"How are we going?" Jess asked.
"The upstate route," Angela said.
"So, no New York City?" Jess asked.
"Nope, not this time," Angela said.
Jess sighed, "I have to shower, change and pack," she said.
"I've already laid out most of your clothes," Karen said.
"Did you give me a good set of choices?" Jess asked.
"You're ten, you don't have a lot of choices, but I gave you a few," Karen said.
"Thanks, Grandma," Jess said.
"Now, hurry up, we want to get to Waffle House before it's too late," Angela said.
"Yes, Mom," Jess said and took off.
Karen looked to Angela, and sighed, "You know, she's not looking forward to the trip," she said.
"I know, I don't look forward to it either," Angela said.
"Well, she's getting to that age where she wants to spend time with her friends, but she's not old enough to do it on her own," Karen said.
Angela nodded, "I hope she's finding good friends," she said.
"I think she is," Karen said.
Angela sighed, "Mom, I know this trip is hard on Jess," she said, "It's also hard on me, too."
"I know, Baby, I know," Karen said.
Before Angela could respond, her step-dad walked into the room. Andy looked at the two women, nodded, and took a seat on the sofa that Jess just vacated. The two women looked at him, waiting for him to say something.
"Well, yeah, I'm supposed to say something, right," Andy said.
"That's usually how a conversation works," Karen said, teasing her husband.
"Yeah, well, I've spent enough time around you two, to know not to step on that landmine," Andy said.
Angela looked at Andy, "We can't be that bad, Papa Andy," she said.
Andy shook his head, "I swear, Jessi is my only ally here," he said, "Most of the time."
"Yeah, well, that's because you bought it by spoiling her," Karen said.
Andy smiled, "I got to do what it takes. You three outnumber me," he said, "Couldn't have a son, Angela Baby?"
"Wasn't in the cards, and anyways I didn't want a son named Scott," Angela said.
"Don't like that tradition?" Andy asked.
Angela shook her head, "Oh, hell no," she said.
"Scottie would have been a good name for her," Andy said.
"Oh, hell no, I'm not a Fitzgerald fan, and none of that Star Trek business," Karen said.
"Speaking of, where is Jessi, the GLE is in the drive, serviced and fueled," Andy said, "We're just waiting for Jessi and her stuff."
"She should be in the shower now," Angela said.
"She's not looking forward to the trip," Andy said.
"Neither am I and in a few years, she'll be able to make her own choice on the matter," Angela said.
"It's a good thing you're doing this," Karen said.
"It's the least I could do," Angela said.
Karen and Andy nodded, as they heard footsteps pounding down the stairs. The sounds of a heard of cattle came echoing down the hall and into the lounge. The three heads turned to the door, just to see Jess walking through the door, her bag over her shoulder.
"Did I layout everything you need?" Karen asked.
"Yes, Grandma, you got most of it," Jess said.
"Are you ready to go?" Angela asked.
Jess nodded, "Yes," she said.
"Grab your homework, and load it and your bag into the GLE," Angela said.
"My homework, Mom, really?" Jess asked.
"Even though we're on a trip, you still have responsibilities," Angela said.
Jess nodded and scooped up her backpack. Angela nodded, finished her drink, and stood up. They left the lounge, and on the way, Angela grabbed her coat. Jess looked around and found the jacket she wanted and followed Angela out to the driveway.
Angela opened the back hatch of the Mercedes Benz GLE. Jess threw her bags into the back of the SUV. Jess slipped her coat on, which Angela didn't, but she put it in the backseat.
Jess got into the passenger seat and buckled up. Angela got behind the wheel and adjusted everything; once settled in, Angela started the engine.
"Mom, can I choose the music?" Jess asked.
"What? Don't like my music?" Angela asked.
"Not right now," Jess said.
"Sure, now if it's none of that Old Town Road crap," Angela said.
"No, not that kind of stuff, Mom," Jess said.
Angela nodded as she finished programming the GPS. Looking over to Jess, she smiled, "Sure, go ahead," she said.
"Thanks," Jess said.
Angela smiled, put the SUV into gear, and started their trip to Washington DC.
