Something about Jody

 Jay hesitated to pick up when he realized it was Cara's number. He couldn't imagine what she'd want. After all, they'd vowed so long ago to never keep in touch. They were only strangers now.

OK, it was a bit of a long story, but once upon a time Cara was Jay's first love. Granted, it was middle school, but unforgettable. He'd shared his first real kiss with her along with other first..and then they became step-siblings.

It changed after that. They were seldom alone and if they were it was total silence. Just one more thing Jay hated about his mother, even if he tried to understand her ways. But he felt he'd never had anything go his way all his life.

"What's up?" He had to push the words forward before he said something like, "Why are you calling?" or "Thank God, you didn't get married." 

Jay kept calm, thinking he needed to push those thoughts away. They were not in love. The one he loved was in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do with a pumpkin. 

"It's..it's about Jody."

"Jody?" Jay winced. What had she done this time? Seriously, she smiled too much and he knew she'd get into some kind of trouble. She was too much like mom, he thought.

"I don't think she's done anything yet, but..but we went out..and..and she talked about leaving Andrew," Cara told him that it sounded like a wild idea and that Jody should talk this out with Andrew.

"Right," Jay said it, but he couldn't stand his little sister's boyfriend. Never had liked him. In his heart, he knew everyone wanted Jody to move up, but still, it wasn't easy wanting to continue to be family with someone who had more money than they did. He hated this feeling, but it haunted him all the time. "What about you?" He knew from Jody that Cara didn't get married. "Are you sure you're OK?"

"I'm fine. I'm doing great," she said, but he didn't believe her. She tended to sound happier when she really wasn't. But she chatted up her new job. He listened. Still, he knew they couldn't talk long. He didn't feel like answering questions to someone in the kitchen. Amanda.

"Stay well, OK?" He wanted to tell her he still loved her, but of course, it would sound stupid. "Take care of yourself."

"Yeah, I haven't seen you for ages. How are you and Amanda?" Her voice was so sincere. He didn't want it to be true.

Something got caught in his throat. Before he knew it, he hung up on Cara.