Page 12 of More Than Enough

“Yeah, he does have a heart of gold,” Kristen said dreamily, looking at her perfectly manicured fingernails. She then glanced over at them and made eye contact with Jessica.

“That’s why he cheated on you, Jessica, because of that golden heart of his. You know, maybe if you didn’t act like you’re too good for everyone, and everything, maybe you could’ve kept him faithful, and he wouldn’t have had to go somewhere else to get what he needed.”

Kristen stepped away from the rack of clothes she was looking through, to get a better look at Jessica as she said these final words. With her hands on her thin hips, and standing in a model-like pose, she finished with “I’m glad I’m always able to be there when he needs a real woman.”

Jessica’s eyes widened with outrage and her nostrils flared. You could feel the daggers shoot from her eyes as she stared at Kristen. The smugness on Kristen’s face was evident. She always felt that the affections of Jacob were hers to win.

Stacey stepped in between the two women. Her goal was what it always was, to step in before Kristen could really make a mess of things, and to smooth everything over. “Okay, ladies. You know it’s closing time. I’m sure these two want to get out of here. Let’s go, Kris.”

She grabbed her best friend’s arm, turned her around, and pulled her out of the store. Kristen looked at her with shock and fury, annoyed that Stacey was siding with the other girl.

“Bye, Jessica. It was good to see you. See you around, Elizabeth.” Stacey called to the girls as she left the store. She mouthed “I’m sorry” to them and closed the door to the boutique behind her.

Elizabeth, a little shocked and confused at what just transpired, glanced at Jessica. She noticed the hurt and outrage on Jessica’s face.

She approached her and placed a comforting hand on Jessica’s shoulder. “Are you okay? I have no idea what the hell that was about, but I guess you know them, and Jacob.”

Jessica breathed a deep, loud, frustrated sigh and went back behind the register shaking her head in disgust. “Yeah, I know them. As you can tell, Kristen and I don’t get along. Stacey, though, is a good person. Why she hangs out with Kristen, I will never understand. How do you know them?” Jessica asked as she finished straightening some shelves and pointed to the door.

Elizabeth, understanding what her gesture meant, went to the door, turned off the open sign, closed the blinds, and turned the lock. It’s 5:00, time to close the store and head home.

“Stacey and Jacob live in the house next to my parents. I met Stacey on Saturday and went to their house for dinner Saturday night. I met some of their friends: Chad, Don and Charity, and Kristen also. I immediately had issues with Kristen. She saw me talking with Jacob and ended up being just as friendly then as she was today.” Elizabeth made this last comment with sarcasm oozing from her lips.

Jessica nodded her head in agreement. “One thing about Kristen, if she is not the focus of all the attention, she will say and do just about anything to make sure she becomes it, especially when it comes to getting Jacob’s attention.”

“Yeah,” agreed Elizabeth. “I noticed that.”

With concern and curiosity, Elizabeth asked the main question on her mind. “From what Kristen said, I guess you and Jacob dated?”

With another sigh, this one not so deep, just sad, Jessica explained. “Yeah, we dated for about eight months. We broke up around three months ago now, thanks to Kristen. Jacob and I had an argument. It was stupid really. One of those that was about nothing at first, then just spiraled out of control. Suddenly I was yelling at him. Something about him not caring enough. It really made him angry, and he stormed out. Unfortunately for me, Kristen was at his house when he got home. Let’s just say they have had many flings over the years, and she knows what to do to get her way with him.”

Jessica paused and became thoughtful. “I guess, though, really it was fortunate. I realized I didn’t have the feelings for him I thought I did. He wasn’t the one for me.” She shrugged at this realization. “He and Kristen were just a fling, again. They didn’t last long, and he and I have been able to maintain a friendship.”

That’s all the information Jessica was willing to give, and she was glad Elizabeth didn’t ask any more questions.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Jacob seems like he is so much better than Kristen, unless he only goes for the easy, slutty type.”

Jessica agreed with Elizabeth, and they got a good laugh out of it. “Let’s get everything finished so we can call it a day.”

Elizabeth cleaned up the store area, while Jessica balanced the drawer. Once everything was finished, they exited with Mrs. Stanzel.

Even though the day ended on a down note, Elizabeth enjoyed her time at work, and getting to know Jessica, but she was exhausted and starving. She wanted nothing more than to grab some food and sit down. She reached her car, about to open the door when Jessica called across the parking lot.

“Hey, Elizabeth, I’m gonna go grab a sandwich across the street at Main Street Deli. Do you want to go?” Elizabeth’s stomach answered for her, so she quickly agreed.

The girls left their cars in the boutique’s parking lot. The sandwich shop was just across the street in the downtown square, so they crossed the street and headed to the deli and sandwich shop.

The smell of fresh-baked bread greeted them as they entered. The girls approached the counter to place their orders. Elizabeth, as usual, found herself overwhelmed by all the salad and sandwich choices before her. Everything here at Main Street Deli was amazing. She settled for a grilled chicken Caesar salad with a roll and water to drink.

The girls ate in almost complete silence, occasionally making a small comment about the taste of their food, but mostly lost in the motion of putting food into their mouths.

When they finished their meals, they decided to enjoy the night. They ordered drinks to go and took a walk around the square.

They got to know each other as they walked, and Elizabeth learned a lot about Jessica. She found out Jessica was raised by, and still lives with, her grandmother, loves children, and is the sweetest and most innocent person she has ever met. The entire time they talked, not one swear word left her lips, and Jessica seemed to care so much about everyone and everything.

The girls ended up at the park, just outside of the square. The park is a small green space dedicated to the veterans, past and present of the town. It has walking paths, a dog park, and a gazebo with picnic tables, all situated right on a creek with benches and other places to sit and relax. The girls chose a large rock overlooking the creek and took a seat.

“Here is something I just noticed, and it is pretty surprising also.”

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