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Jenna's
Diary will appear biweekly over the summer.
June
18
Another
lie. I can't take this anymore. First of all he didn't tell
me he was married, then he neglected to mention his kid and
now I find out he's been out of work for three months.
Enough.
What kind of fool does he take me for? After I finish this
glass of wine I'm going to confront him with what I've found
out and tell him that it's over.
That's
what I'm going to do.
People have always admired my strength. Not that they've mentioned
it but I know deep down that aside from my talent my strength
is what people envy the most.
He
must think I'm a complete idiot. You always hear about these
half-witted women who hang onto a loser just because they're
frightened of being alone. Well, Jenna is not one of them.
Jenna stands tall.
I'll
have one more glass of wine and then that's it. I will end
the most important relationship in my life. The fool train
stops here.
8:00
Oh
God I'm still shaking.
When
I went out to the living room Jeff was in his bathrobe watching
Wheel of Fortune (although it took me a minute to find him
amidst the newspapers and dishes.) I took a deep breath which
didn't help because the place smells like feet.
I
told him what I'd found out. He didn't say a word. He pressed
the mute button on the remote, got up and went into the bedroom.
I was really caught off guard. I just stood there staring
at staring at Vanna (The phrase was home on the range.)
He
came out a couple of seconds later with something in his hand.
"I
really hoped that we wouldn't have this discussion. I was
sure that I'd have another job by now. I am so sorry I lied
Jenna, but here's the truth: I was fired three months ago.
Kathy's father got me the job and when Kathy and I split her
father pressured the boss to let me go. I didn't tell you
because I didn't want you to think I was a failure."
He
got down on one knee and opened his hand. Inside was a gorgeous
ring.
"Jenna
will you be my wife?"
Gulp.
It
was the most romantic thing I've ever experienced. Granted
it would have been better if when he got down on one knee
he'd been wearing underpants underneath his bathrobe, but
still. The ring was his grandmother's and it had been passed
down to her by her mother.
Oh,
my God.
I am engaged!
June
21
I
went back to work this morning. Mr. Van Heusan caught me at
the door and said very loudly "How are you feeling dear?
Intestinal flu is really hard to shake."
He
winked, wiggled his eyebrows and rolled his eyes to communicate
that this was the excuse he'd used when he told my mother
I wouldn't be coming in for a few days. He really overdid
it though, he looked like a ventriloquist's dummy on crack
and even worse my mother wasn't buying it for a moment.
She
plunked down a week's worth of orders on my desk and rolled
her eyes.
I
figured the best way to deal with things was to just dive
in. I told her I was getting married and showed her my ring.
Because
she doesn't care about anyone but herself, said "Oh,
Jenna, no!"
Oh,
Jenna no. How's that for support? After all I've done for
her! I looked to Mr. Van Heusan for support but he just stared
at a spot on the linoleum and jingled his damn change.
I
picked up my purse and walked out, my head held high.
June
25
I
phoned Jenny to tell her the news and her response was "Oh."
That's
it. "Oh."
This
is just not fair. When other women get engaged everyone else
is really happy for them why can't I have what everyone else
has?
It's
that witch his ex, who is to blame for all this. She is ruining
the life of a perfectly decent man and making me look bad
as a result.
I
HATE her.
June
28
This
should be the happiest time of my life but I am completely
miserable. Jeff doesn't do anything but watch game shows and
no one, absolutely no one is happy for me. There should be
engagement parties, people should be begging for a peek at
the ring, they should be asking me if I've set a date yet,
there should be cards, maybe even some with cash in them.
But nothing. Nothing at all.
My
mother phoned to have a heart to heart - Yech. She said she
loves me, blah, blah, blah, doesn't want to see me hurt, blah,
blah, blah, should think twice, blah, blah, blah, making big
mistake, blah, blah, blah and of course the big whopper, she
heard from her stupid loud mouthed friend Rosemary that Jeff
has been arrested. Rosemary's daughter Kitty who is a friend
of Kathy's said that Jeff has been terrorizing her.
I
told her that his ex was just being malicious that all the
charges are false and my mother said she feared for my safety
and could not in all conscience give me her blessing.
Oh,
yeah, she worries so much about my safety- where was she the
time I got my head stuck in the wrought iron railing at Niagara
Falls? Buying a rain poncho at the gift shop, that's where!
June
30
I
was awake all night last night and I realized something. Until
this mess is cleared up and Jeff is vindicated we will never,
ever be happy together nor will I get the kind of bridal shower
and wedding I deserve.
Jeff
is emotionally destroyed so it is all up to me.
I
got up first thing and called the lawyer. He told me without
the documents to prove that Jeff was out of town while Kathy
claims he was harassing her, he wasn't interested in taking
the case.
Plan
B. I'm going to talk to Kathy. I'm going to make her see sense.
Although the thought of using all my charm on a woman who
is trying to ruin my life galls me, it is something that needs
to be done.
July
2
I
made an appointment with Kathy using a fake name. I'm not
even sure she knows who I am - although she should, as I'm
the future stepmother of her child and I have been taking
excellent care of him - but I didn't want to tip her off.
I pretended I was interested in getting a loan.
She
looked as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. I have to
admit I was a bit intimidated. Tall, slim gorgeous, she looks
like the type of woman who would moisturize her elbows.
She
didn't seem to recognize me and started telling me about the
different types of loans they offer at the bank. I cut in
and told her who I was. Then I told her that what she was
doing to Jeff was wrong, that she was a fairly attractive
woman and would find someone in no time, that she should just
let Jeff go and I suggested some counseling for her. She looked
at me like I was out of mind.
I
told her that Jeff and I were to be married and that no matter
what little tricks she pulled nothing was going to stop us
from being together. I held up my hand to show her the ring
and she said "That's mine! How did you get that?"
OH.
MY. GOD.
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