Setting his baby brother James down, Jeremy turned to look at who was coming down the sidewalk.
He smiled. “Morning.”
She nodded. “Yeah.” Following close behind her was a pair of twins—though, one was a boy and one was a girl. “I’ve got to baby sit today.”
“Yeah, sure, come in.” He opened the screen door.
Ginger stepped in. She scoped the place.
“My parents aren’t here.”
Ginger nodded. “Got food?”
“Of course. Check in the fridge; there should be some leftovers from lunch or something.”
Friday evenings were spent like this: Ginger or Gavin coming over with their younger siblings. Usually, though, it was Ginger who came over because Gavin was usually the jock and didn’t really mesh well with Jeremy.
The reason why she came over was because of the food and the extra company. It was perfect—Jeremy’s little brother needed friends, and who better to turn to than Garrett and Georgia?
“Is this macaroni salad?”
“Yeah.”
The West parents didn’t really like the Newson siblings; especially Ginger, because of the way she looked. But, it seemed that they felt they were doing the right thing by giving the Newsons leftovers. Dr. West certainly knew that the welfare that the siblings were on wasn’t enough to feed the siblings.
Mrs. West especially didn’t approve of Ginger coming and going as she pleased. She highly suspected something was happening between her son and that poor excuse of a girl. When Jeremy dismissed the idea, Mrs. West still had her doubts. She highly disapproved of the girl coming when no one was home—so, Jeremy stopped telling her when Ginger stopped by. Or, when he did mind to tell his mother that Ginger stopped by, he said that Gavin or their younger sister or brother had also came with Ginger.
Jeremy came over to the table and sat down. He opened the bag of chips and began to snack on them. “My mom made some extra stuff for you guys.”
“Thanks.”
“How’s Gallagher? Wasn’t he in the hospital the other day?”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Why?”
“He had a stomach ulcer. The doctor had a long talk with Gavin about it…he even suggested adoption, for the ten-millionth time. I guess he doesn’t understand what it means to be a family, because he keeps telling us that the others would be better off if they were adopted. He even said that he was willing to adopt them!”
“He’s just worried.”
“He’s one worry assed-bastard. When did we ask that he should be worried? We’re fine, just the way we are.”
“So, you’re just going to starve yourself?”
“I’m not starving myself.”
Jeremy shook his head. “I heard it all from Gavin. He says that you two go for days without food.”
“And, what can we do? Let Georgia or Garrett starve because Gavin and I have to eat?”
“Even with the job, you’re not making enough money?”
“Even with all the money we get or have, it’s not enough to satisfy everything.”
“I knew that you’re in the extreme…I didn’t know that it was this bad…”
“It just got worse because Gavin’s boss is starting to think about replacing him…” Ginger shoved another spoonful of salad into her mouth. “And, I haven’t been getting enough tips, lately.”
“…Who’ll look after them when you get into college?”
“Gavin and I already have an answer. Gavin will look after them, since he’s got a scholarship to Pleasantview State College.”
“I don’t think it’ll be enough, though the college isn’t that far. Your neighbors aren’t going to live that long…Herb Oldie is nearly eighty and his wife isn’t as good as he is. She’s going on seventy-seven, and she has heart problems…”
“We need to take every opportunity we can get. It wasn’t our faults that our parents died.” Ginger’s parents died nearly three years ago, leaving everything behind because of a tragic drowning-car accident. Oddly enough, the Newson children didn’t seem to really care that much…it was probably because they were all adopted.
And, even more tragically, the Newson family—the original family—wasn’t rich to start off with. For the longest time, they had been crammed in a triple room apartment, living mostly off of welfare. Now, they were crammed in a double room studio above the mini-mart.
Jeremy had always wanted to do something for his friends. Just a little more than Christmas presents and small Thanksgiving dinner.
“Are you going to the Halloween party?” Ginger took whatever she was microwaving out and set it on the table. “Everyone’s going.”
“Are you going?”
“Yep.”
“And, what about your brothers and sisters? Gavin’s going too, I suspect.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Oldie have them.”
He nodded. “…So, I’m thinking that since we’re all going, there’s bound to be some pot or crack…”
She smirked. “Hey, you’re pretty smart.” After a bite of macaroni salad, she continued. “Damon’s going and he’s got a whole fun bag filled with whatever you’re craving. He’s going all out because three thousand people are going to be there, or so I’ve heard. It’s business for him, so you’d better bring some cash for him.”
“I still don’t understand how the cops haven’t gotten Damon yet.”
“Because he’s only seventeen and not to mention his parents are politicians—his dad’s a freaking Senator! Corruption is in his blood, and I bet his dad’s willing to pay a pretty penny to cover up Damon’s mess ups.”
“I never knew that Damon’s dad was a Senator.”
“Senator Douglas Grey.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that was Damon’s dad.”
“High-profiled. He usually isn’t in Pleasantview…Always in Bluewater, or so I’ve heard.”
“How do you know all this?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Oldie. Mr. Oldie use to be a city council member, you know.”
As Ginger continued to gossip about all of the politicians and corruption found in Pleasantview, Jeremy couldn’t help but be assured that one day, she’d make the perfect politician as well.
By the time Ginger was gone, Mrs. West had come home. She didn’t even have to ask to know if the Newson siblings were here.
Oddly enough, she didn’t complain. She sauntered to her room after putting away the groceries.
“She looks tired,” Jeremy told his brother. “I think it’s been a long day.” He picked up his little brother and walked to James’ room. He set James in his crib and grabbed a nearby book. “Well, the least I could do is put you to sleep.”
The story was about a poor girl who becomes a singer. Before finishing the story, Jeremy put the book down. “You know, Ginger should read this book. Maybe she’d get an idea…”
James was already fast asleep, so it was pointless to talk to him.
Jeremy smiled. “Maybe I’ll ask you to let her borrow this. She needs it more than you do. She needs some motivation to get herself in a better state…Especially since she’ll be going to Belladonna…” His smile slowly disappeared. “Belladonna Cove State College…I wonder how she’ll survive without us…without me…”
Jeremy sighed. It wasn’t a secret that Ginger and Jeremy had a history together: though they never ever dated, they were friends with benefits.
In their sophomore year, they ventured into deep waters with each other. They woke up the next day like nothing happened. When they saw each other, they greeted each other like they always had: a noggie attempt from Ginger, and a ruffle of the head from Jeremy.
If anything, they became better friends. But, that was only a one time thing: an experimentation, to prove that Jeremy wasn’t what everyone thought he was—gay.
But, no one believed that they had had sex. It was impossible to believe—even their friends didn’t believe it. They still acted the same, so how could others believe that something had happened?
What was said spread: everyone believed it. Girls came to ask Jeremy out—he went out with some. Ginger would go on dates with flings—she even had a boyfriend in junior year.
“Is that what we’re ever going to be?” Jeremy looked out of his window. “Sex friends?”
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