Chance at Life

[K. Ayato]

This is a fic I was inspired to write after reading two biographies of James Dean. Hope you enjoy it.

Freedom. The word would easily burst from Jenna Pearson's lips if asked to describe what she felt at the moment. Nearly eight years had passed since she had moved away from her roots, and now she could finally say she had attained her freedom. Jenna's two-room apartment which she and her older brother Clint secured two years ago was one sign of proof that she could take care of herself. The dressers, coffee tables, the chairs and sofa, even the framed pictures and the colors of the interior walls Jenna picked out and assembled with little if no outside help. Pushing back her long deep chestnut hair, Jenna breathed a sigh of contentment. Yes, she was finally free.
The ringing of the nearby telephone brought Jenna back into reality. "Coming," she called out as she reached for the receiver on the wall. Holding the phone in one hand and a cleaning rag in the other, she spoke into the mouthpiece. "Hello. This is Jenna."
It was Clint on the line. "Hey, sis. How's it coming along?"
"Clint, how are you? Are you still planning on coming over tonight?"
Clint Pearson was four years older than Jenna and had his own apartment near the ocean which he shared with his good friend from college. "You bet I am. Bringing Travis along, too."
Jenna tried to hide the excitement in her voice. "Great! When can we expect the two of you to be here?"
"We'll be coming around seven," Clint said. "That should give you and Leanne plenty of time to have everything prepared."
Jenna squealed. "Perfect! Leanne's out right now doing some errands, but I'll let you know you called when she gets back." Lowering her voice, she added, "I'll make sure we prepare your favorite."
Clint laughed. "Sis, you're the best. See you at seven."
As soon as the phone clicked, Jenna flew into action. She finished dusting the furniture and arranged the cushions on the sofa. She was just beginning the chore of washing the dishes when her best friend and roommate walked into the kitchen, arms full of groceries.
"What's the hurry? Am I missing something?" Leanne joked.
"Clint called. He and Travis will be arriving here at seven," Jenna answered. "I promised we'd make Clint's favorite for dinner."
Leanne's face lit up and she quickly set her grocery bags on the counter. "Making Clint's favorite, huh? Does that mean we'll be working together?"
"Oh, I don't know," Jenna said as her roommate began sorting through her bags and placing items in their appropriate locations in the refrigerator. "I might just instead go to the gym, work out on the punching bags, and leave the cooking up to you."
Leanne Johnson stared at her friend. "You would't dare!" she exclaimed in mock horror. Then her face softened in a grin and her green eyes danced. "All right, Miss Kung Fu. Let's get started here and later you can spar if we still have time."
"Fair enough," Jenna stated, grabbing an apron from a drawer and pulling it over her head. "Say, your groceries wouldn't happen to include what we need for tonight, would they?"
Leanne tied her auburn waves back with a scrunchie and peeked into the refrigerator. "Well, I did get some nice whole chicken breasts."
"Yes!" Jenna announced. She no longer had a need to bring out the cookbook to prepare the ingredients for Clint's favorite meal of chicken kiev with seasoned rice and vegetables. "Leanne, which item on the menu do you want to tackle?" she asked.
Her roommate rested her chin on her fist in thought. "Hmm. Let's see. I'll do the vegetables and assemble the filling for the chicken. Between you and me, you're the rice expert."
Jenna nodded. "But it did take a while for me to master it."
The two women worked in silence, concentrating on preparing the food, setting the table, and cleaning all the used cookware. Then Jenna remembered something. "Wait a minute! What will we serve for dessert?"
"Calm down, girl. I brought plenty of Vienetta ice cream with me from the store." Leanne was not in the least bit worried.
Jenna let out a sigh of relief. "Well, guess that takes care of everything for now." She then plopped down on the sofa in the foyer.
"Are you still planning on going to the gym?" asked Leanne. "There's more than enough time to do so before the guys arrive."
"No, not today," Jenna answered with a shake of her head. "Only when a reminder of my past comes up that really upsets me."
Leanne giggled. "I always did wonder how you mananged to keep that red Windbreaker in your closet after all this time. She went back into the kitchen and returned with two glasses filled with ice and water. Lowering herself onto the opposite end of the sofa, she handed one glass to Jenna.
"Thanks," Jenna said. She took a sip, then rested the glass on her thigh. Responding to Leanne's comment, she said, "No, the jacket really doesn't bother me that much anymore. I mean, I was ten years old when my parents gave it to me. It's other things--my blue-gray eyes, what my parents said to me for as long as I can remember--that would really make me angry."
Leanne only nodded. Jenna was only seventeen when she met her and filled with anger towards her past and distrust of others. Only with the help of prayer, counseling, and the support and encouragement of Clint, Leanne, and the church the three attended did Jenna finally begin to release her anger and come out of her shell. "I never quite understood why you ended up taking martial arts, though."
Jenna laughed at that. "It was Clint's idea. Since I still had episodes where I'd become so angry I'd just want to hit something, he figured that something like Kung Fu would be a safe and helpful channel."
Leanne leaned back against the sofa and sighed. "Clint. He's sure done a lot for you. I'm glad the two of you still have each other."
"Yeah, he pratically raised me after the move," Jenna agreed. Looking at her watch, she said, "About and hour and a half before the guys are here. You want to shower first?"
Leanne waved her away. "Nah, you can go ahead. Just don't use up all the hot water, you hear?"
Jenna snorted. "Don't count on it."

[Alice]

This is great. I love the use of dialogue.

It makes you wonder about what's happening, and doesn't give too much information at once.

I'm interested to see what's next.

[agasfas]

Wow, thanks MS for directing me towards your story... it's quite remarkable. The story left me wondering, what happened in the past, and what will happen next. Though I do have my guesses. Great story!

[K. Ayato]

Thanks. Bear with me. I'll be writing more as soon as I can. I'm determined to see it through.

[K. Ayato]

Some may notice I did a name change. I changed the character Darren to Travis. The name "Travis" has a meaning which helps me out with the direction of the story.