Chapter Four

After leaving the power company they only had one more utility to pay before the bill portion of the day would be over.

"So what do you want for dinner?" Jordan asked.
"Nothing even sounds good right now... I'm full." Kera replied motioned for her not to miss her turn into the Clayton County Water Authority parking lot.
"I know right. What about hotwings with all the trimmings? Chips and dip, popcorn for the movie and drinks."

Stopping at the shoot she pulled the canister into her car. She put her bill and check along with Kera's payment into the plastic container and placed it back in the holder. "Does Steven eat wings?" She pushed the green send button. SWISH. They both leaned over to watch it disappear up the pipe, dazed.

"Heha, sorry yeah he eats them. Want us to bring some gin?"
"Yeah because I always get the wrong one."
"Like New years and Fouth of July? I don't know why you can't remember Bombay Saphire Gin and grapefruit juice."
"Hey I never messed up the juice." They laughed.

"What about Lance?"
"I'll get some coke, that is all he drinks with wings. What about junkfood?"
"Sourpatch kids and Jelly beans..." Kera smiled to think of candy.
"Fruity." Jordan laughed as the canister returned with receipt and a "Thank you" over the small intercom.
"Thanks" Jordan replied pulling out of the driveway.

The black celica raced to the end of Battlecreek. Hanging a left at the light they sped out on the somewhat suburban street. Passing the private school on the right and Kid's Pavillon on the left they waited for the light to change.

Mt. Zion Blvd was a main artery in the pulse of Jonesboro. The strip consisted of movies, markets, earteries, and all the shopping you could want. Old Navy sat on the hill past Media Play and AMC, but not as far as the Gateway superstore.

Finding what they called "Bitch Parking" (the first spot in a row closest to the door) Kera waited for Jordan to lock the doors before they went inside. Kera opted for a black shoulder bag as her friend pushed the small shopping cart.

"What are you looking for?" Jordan asked Kera as she prowled around.
"I need some shirts and maybe a purse." She disappeared when the cell rang again.

"This is Jordan," she answered seeing it was Carrie on the caller ID.
"Hey, sorry I missed you this morning is there any way I can talk you into coming back up here for a minute."
"Sure, but it has to be a quick meeting. I have to take Kera home and be in Peachtree City by five." Jordan stole a peek at her watch.
"This won't take long."
"I'm on my way."
"Thanks, bye"
"Bye-bye"

Before collecting Kera, she wondered by some cargos and pajamas she dropped in her buggy. An idea hit her like a beesting and she went to mensware.

Her friend found her about ten minutes later. Her bag was full of flip-flops, sunglasses, a few shirts, and the crown jewel a new pocketbook.
Kera discovered the plan and pleaded to copy her.

"They are going to hate us." Jordan laughed. it seems they had picked out his and her windbreakers for they guys and themselves.
"I don't care they are going to be sooooo cute.."


"We need to drag their asses to Hollywood Shots and take some pictures."
"Steven never takes pictures, you know that." Jordan grinned slyly and whispered in her ear.
"That just might work." Kera laughed and blushed a bit.


Her hike back to Jimmies was slower than the one that she had taken that morning. The senior citizens were replaced by mallrats and soccer moms on the run. Making it to the store Jax was on a break and Buckie smiled to see Criz, his girlfriend coming in at the same time as Jordan and Kera. "Click" they dabbed out a hello as their friendship rings clicked. Jordan and Criz started working at Jimmies the same day and the rest was history.

Jordan left Kera out front while she went to see Carrie.
"Good afternoon..."
"Hey thanks for coming in. I need to talk to you. What is going on in this store, when I'm not here."
"Where do you want to start?"

Carrie's Akasha from Queen of the Damned look sent chills up Jordan's spine. She was a pretty girl that must have dated Lenny Kravits at some point. All that aside it made her blood boil to think she would be balmed for Rachel's mishaps.


"Start and I'll follow you..." Carrie set back in her chair reveling her red "Diet Strokes" tee shirt.
"Well do you want to hear why Rachel told you that I never cleaned the store room or why she had her boyfriend's kids in here... AGAIN? Or let's see, why she was late everyday you were gone. That is when she bothered to show up. Why I had to send the time sheets in 15 minutes late, because she spaced out and shredded all the paper work."

"It's not in your duties to send in the time."
"If I had not, it would not have been done. I don't know about everyone else but I have bills I need my paycheck."
"So you have noticed a change in her behavior?"
"You could say that."

"Ok bottom line, I need a new manger."
"You don't mean me..."
"I can't put anymore responibility on Criz, she has too much going on with school. Buckie is too young for this much and Jax just scares people so I need you."

"Glad to be your first choice..." Jordan rolled her eyes to be the last of the list.
"Come on you know me better than that." Carrie smiled sweetly. Still a bit pouty Jordan's expression didn't change. "It pays five more than you make now."
"I'm your man!" She laughed to see the $$$ in Jordan's yes.

Chapter Five

Kera safely at home the hands on Jordan's watch slapped her it was 4:20. She got on highway thinking that would be the fastest route to Victoria's dance studio. Keeping an eye out for cops clocking she called Lance. Her news was exciting and only he would understand why.


"BIRD!" she squeeled in to the phone.
"Hey baby, what's going on?"
"I have been running all day. Then I found out Rach was fucking up again and Carrie wanted to see me.. I'm Manger now!"
"What? Really? That is great Kitty!"
"Man my head is spinning. It's like after all this time Carrie finally realized that Rachel was bringing us all down."
"Did she fire her?"
"No, she is just on light duty until she gets her shit together."

"What is going on with her?"
"I don't know. I think it's that guy she is with, he just seems to be a real loser."
"Well maybe this will make her see that there is more at stake here."
"Hopefully... What are youuu doinggg?" Jordan let the words play out of her mouth.

"I'm in my car on the way home. Damn Jonesboro south!"
"Red DAWG!" she laughed. "What the hell, why are you even driving through there? You know I told you never go over there with out me."
"First of all it's the fastest way home, second of all even if you were with me what would your 5'2 ass do if something happened?"
"5'3 thank you very much and I would whoop some ass. Don't forget you girlfriend is a hoodrat." Lance laughed so hard it hurt.

"Ok where are you now?"
"On my my way to Peachtree City."
"Uh-oh look out you a real thug huh.. Representin' in P.City with all the golfcarts and million dollar homes. Don't spalsh mud on anyone's dockers they will fine you for that you know."
"Oh you are so funny! I almost forgot to laugh." she giggled in the phone.

"Congradulations on your promotion baby." His voice came out low and soft. She wished they were in the same car at the sound.
"Thanks...Kitty loves Bird!"
"Bird loves Kitty! See you soon."
"Promise?" She saw her exit coming up and merged in to the lane.
"I promise..."

Jordan found a parking spot and went in side the large studio. Finding the end of her class in a final runthrough for the day. She sat with a few mothers and found Victoria in the sea of seven year olds.

Her lean little body seemed to step in perfect formation with the beat. They danced and leaped across the floor with all their might and actually looked rather professional.

Although Jordan could never be a judge. She was baised, Victoria had been her heart beat even before she had been born. Morgan and Jordan lived together while she was pregnant. The sickness, cravings, pains, and even nesting Jordan was there for it all.

She had never loved anyone or anything so much in her life. Jordan could not imagine loving her own children would be much different.

Just when it seemed that the carefully chorographed set was over the record seemed to skip and scratch. All the mothers began to whisper when the instructor and the children were not phased the music returned.

The classical dance sounds were replaced by a hip-hop beat. The dancers all smiled to the audience and broke it down with pop and lock routine. Jordan beamed with pride when it was Victoria's turn. The little girl moved with a fluid motion making her bump and thump with the confidence of a grown woman. The all returned into their spots and finished the last ten seconds of the dance.

When it ended all the mothers jumped to their feet applauding. Jordan did as well. Taking Victoria's bag from her shoulder when she made her way over she gave her a hug and smile of approval. Pulling some of the dark air off of her tanned and redden skin she admired her popularity.

"So tomorrow you will teach us the moves for that right?" The little blonde girl asked following her.
"Bridget, I'm telling you I will try but it's not something that can be taught." Victoria stopped mid conversation. As her friend finished the sentence.
"Yeah you have it or you don't... Right?" The seond girl looked to her to answer. Jordan's niece had turned to stone. She scanned the small club around Victoria and saw why.

"Vic need any help with your bag?" Blake asked just as smitten as she was. He was a cute little fella and all the girls seemed to swoon when he spoke. His own lilttle club of boys were behind him. Jordan was impressed by his manners and tried not to laugh at the young love.

"My aunt J has it, but thanks." Victoria kept her cool.
"Hey Natalie" The second boy spoke to the other girl. She giggled profusally and mummbled high pitched greeting.
"Oh ok well if she has it then I guess..." His little heart seemed to be breaking.

"Blake..." All the girls seemed to be silently scolding her.
"Yeah Vic?" he stopped.
"Can you walk me to my car?" his eyes lit up and all his boys were cheering him on.
"Give me just a second," He winked at her and ran across the room.

He was asking his mom. She glanced over in their direction. Jordan waved to let his mother know she would be there as well. She nodded and he skipped twice before he made it to Victoria. They made it to the sidewalk and Jordan scanned the lot to make sure it was safe.

"Ok let's hold hands so we can make it across." Jordan spoke a bit playfully to help her girl out. She held Victoria's hand and she held Blake's as they made it to the car. The kids talked and joked as Jordan loaded up the bag and put her own jacket in the back seat.

Blake's mother had parked only two cars away and when it was time to go he hugged her and told her bye.


Driving back to the highway Victoria screamed and ranted and expressed every emotion that she could. Jordan just listened and tried to calm her down.

"Aunt J, I'm going to die!!
"Why sweetie?"
"Blake hugged me! He held my hand an hugged me. I can't even stress how awesome this is. Do you have any idea how important this is?"
"Well I..."

"Of course you don't" Victoria seemed to cut her off uninterested in her point of view. "Wait where are we going?"
"I have to go to the market. Lance, Kera and her boyfriend are coming over tonight I have to have some food for them to eat."
"The market? You want me to go shopping at a time like this? What are you thinking?"

"VICK! Deep breathe babes! We won't be in here all night I promise! You can call Bridget and Natalie when we get to my house..ok?"
"What would I do without my favorite Aunt J?"
"Aww just for that you can even use three-way."
"Yes!" Victoria puched he air as she got out of the car.


Once inside they gathered supplies for the day and genral items that Jordan knew she needed. Victoria picked out a snack and a soda to drink. Rounding the icecream asle they peeked in the freezers and picked out few to make sure everyone would get something they liked.

"Do you see Butter Pecan Vic?" Before the girl could answer a guy approached Jordan.
"I thought you liked cookies and cream..." Jordan grabbed Victoria's hand and began walking away. "What's wrong Jordan? Still not speaking to me?"
"Turn around and walk away. I'll petend it never happened."

"Walk away? why would I do that J?"
"It didn't bother you last time. Please leave us alone." Jordan stepped closer to get in his face and back him away from Victoria. His eyes were like steel and just as cold. He bent over and tried to talk to the girl.

"Hey Viky, how are you doing baby girl?" When she clung to Jordan and did not speak to him he stood up.
"Why is she acting that way?"
"She doesn't talk to strangers!"
"That hurts." he put his hands on his chest as if he was wounded.

Jordan looked down the asle and saw salvation in the form of evil, but still effective. Ashley was standing about two yards away unaware of the present parties. "There's your woman, better run back over with your tail between your legs." He looked over to the woman and made a disgusted face.

"Why do you have to be like this?"
"I have to go!" Jordan turned to walk away as the asle was filling up with shoppers. Luke grabbed her arm and almost made her trip from jerking her backwards."Let me go damn it!" She told him with growing anger.

He held onto her as he tried to tell her he still loved her. Feeling the jerk from holding her other hand Victoria paniced.

"HELP! HELP! LEAVE US ALONE! MAKE HIM STOP! HELP! HELP!"

Hearing Victoria scared infurated Jordan with all her might she snatched away from Luke. Pushing him into the other freezer across the asle. When he jumped up all the bagboys and Ashley were on the scene.

"Are you ok ma'am?" The teen asked her.
"I'm fine." Jordan knelt down by Victoria. "Hey boo, are you ok?" She keept looking at the guy who was now pacing and the girl who was yelling at him. "Vic!" Jordan pulled at her face to make eye contact.
"Yes, I'm ok. Who is that aunt J?"
"Nobody sweetheart, Nobody"

She was escorted to the register and was walked to the celica by the rent-a-cop. The girls burned out of the parking lot. Victoria was quiet, too quite for Jordan's liking.

"So do you have class with Blake?" She tried to distract the child's thoughts.
"Yes he sits in front of me. He always walks to lunch with me. Even when his friends are playing at recess I hold his necklace so it doesn't get messed up."
"That sounds so awesome. You still want to call the girls?"
"Yeah if it's ok."
"Sure boo, but umm... Maybe we shouldn't tell anybody about what happened at the store, ok..."

"Why?"
"Please just promise me you won't tell, I don't want your Mama to be mad at me."
"But it wasn't your fault."
"Vic....'
"Promise."
"Thank you babes." She smiled at her as they waited for the garage door opened. Pulling in she cut the engine and they took the bags in the house. Setting up Victoria's camp out with her snack, drink, and telephone she went to put away the food.

When she grabbed the ice cream to stick in the freezer, she stopped. Not wearing her jacket she was shocked to see the finger prints on her arm.
"Damn it..." She mummbled.

Chapter Six