The Burbs weren't a standout family. They didn't have 9 kids, and they weren't very rich, the didn't cause scandals at all. So naturally they faded into the background of the Pleasantview gossip. But all of that could've been about to change. It took a while to settle in but before long, Jennifer and John had jobs, and Lucy was settled at school.
But Jennifer was sick of it. Sick of having budget items. Sick of having to buy cheap food. Sick of having virtually no clothes. She wanted money! She wanted a huge house, and to be able to tell other Mums that Lucy had got into a private school. So she threw herself into work. When she wasn't working, she was on her computer, attempting to write a novel. So far, it hadn't gone well, she wasn't a natural author at all! But she never gave up.
Jennifer's work obsession didn't sit well with John. He was desperate for more kids, and wanted to be with Jennifer a lot more than he was. She would come home from work and not want to even hug him.
"I've missed you today sweetie!" John cried when she came through the door one night. He held out his arms and expected her to walk into them like she used to.
"Sorry honey, I'm too tierd. I'll just get writing."
So naturally, John began to pine for physical interaction. He tried again next morning, and went to peck Jennifer on the cheek. She moved her head away. "Not now John, I've got to leave."
John's carpool arrived a few hours later than Jennifer's lift, and Lucy's school bus, so it was his job to clean the house. He was went outside to pick up the paper that had just been delivered, when Brandi Broke walked past. He had met her when she came to greet them when they moved in. He had liked, her she made him laugh a lot. He was pleased to see her.
"Brandi!" he called.
"John? Hi! I haven't seen you in ages!" Brandi was smiling. She had thought John was good company, but she hadn't thought much of his wife. She had seemed cold and arrogant, and didn't look at John with any love at all. She automatically gave him a hug, it seemed natural, John reminded her of Skip, funny and kind. To her suprise John hugged her back.
"You've had a haircut!" he noticed.
"You haven't." Brandi commented.
John laughed "Come in. We'll have a chat, I've got about 3 hours until my carpool arrives, I'm lonely."
"He looks it" Brandi thought. John didn't look as happy and carefree as he had before, but she had no idea why.
The hug with Brandi had made John's head spin. He barely knew Brandi, but she had just hugged him with more tenderness than his wife had in years.
The two of them (without realising) had talked and talked for hours. John heard the BEEP which meant his carpool had arrived. He looked out the window regretfully, he had been having so much fun. He got up. "I have to leave."
"Oh."
Neither of them moved. John was captivated by her stare.
"Well I guess I'll see you later then." John said, as another loud honk brought him to his senses.
"Bye"
But John couldn't make his feet move. Instinctively, the two began to kiss desperately. John wasn't even thinking of Jennifer, he couldn't remember her name. All he knew was Brandi and that he belonged with her. Maybe things shouldn't have gone as far as they did, going upstairs and into the bedroom definately hadn't been wise, but John wasn't regretful. He had just spent the best 4 hours of his life, and when he kissed Brandi gently as she finally left, he wished he could repeat what had happened today again and again.
Lucy had 2 days until she became a teen. The highest her grades had been was a C, she didn't care, but John did!
"Lucy, this isn't good enough. Pick up your work. You have 2 days until you are a teen. I expect an A by then or else."
So Lucy worked. She did every single piece of homework that she had 'put aside for later' in one evening. She got to bed at 00:00, but she felt proud of herself. The next day she skipped breakfast so she could lie in, and had the hardest school day of her life. She missed both both of her breaks to complete projects, and put her hand up to answer every question a teacher asked. She carried on like this for two days, and by the end of it, she could barely stand to see her homework again! The teacher was pleased with her, and very gladly marked her homework card with a large A+.
Lucy hopped off the bus that evening filled with fear. What if she had got another C? She walked halfway up the path, and turned over the card as she went. She stopped. A+.
"DAD! I DID IT!" She screamed and ran in. She began to do a wild victory dance until she saw what was happening in front of her.
"12 years John! Do 12 years of marraige mean nothing to you?! How could you, after all I've done for this family!"
"Hey, don't take that tone with me, you haven't done anything for me or Lucy since you got that stupid job!"
"That 'stupid job' is my life!"
"So me and Lucy aren't then? I'm sorry Jennifer, I want to be with someone I mean something to."
Lucy stared unable to speak. She was terrified. She worked out exactly what was happening in an instant. But hse felt something funny happen in her toes. Before she knew what to do she was becoming a teen.
Lucy stood, not able to move to check out how she looked as her mother and father's arguing got worse.
"I want you OUT! Go and live with this woman, see if I care, but I want you GONE and gone TONIGHT!" Jennifer looked over John's shoulder suddenly. "Lucy! You're a teen!" She didn't smile, but she looked proud. Lucy didn't go and comfort her. She had barely spoken to her mother for a year, she knew who she would be living with from now on.
"I'm going with Dad. I'm sorry mum, but as you said before, I'm not your life, and I should be. I'm going with Dad."
"Brandi?" John said looking pale. The woman who was sitting down, stood up.
"Yes?"
"Can Lucy and I stay with you?"
"Of course!"
Lucy wasn't entirely keen on staying with a woman who so didn't know, and that had split her parents up, but she would rather stay with anyone than her mother right now.
Because of John and Lucy moving in, the Broke house suddenly became quite well off. Brandi and John both brought a house together, with enogh space for Beau, Christopher and Lucy to all sleep, including themelves. John had a new lease of life. He was happy all the time, he was always smiling, Brandi made life fun, he hadn't realised how much he had missed laughing.
After the breakup, Jennifer went through a tough time. She was depressed about her failed marraige, and even more low about the fact her daughter didn't seem to love her any more. After a few weeks, Lucy felt guilty and went to visit her Mum in her new bungalow. After seeing how down Jennifer was, Lucy recommended therapy. Lucy went to see a depression therapist called Marylena Hamilton, who to Jennifer's suprise made her feel a lot better during their first session. However as soon as Jennifer got home, she fell back into depression. The pattern continued, until Jennifer realized Marylena was the one making her happy. She asked Marylena to move in with her and be her roommate, and (not to Jennifer's suprise) she refused. Jennifer still saw her, but realised she had no interest in men anymore, and was head over heels for Marylena. Marylena was extremely kind, and after seeing that Jennifer needed her, agreed (somewhat unsurely) to move in and look after her. After quite a long time, Marylena found out Jennifer was in love with her, and told Jennifer that she too was gay. They are now a couple and couldn't be more happy together. They are engaged, the wedding is planned and they are even considering adoption. Lucy is very proud of her mother. She is like a different person, now that Marylena has a well paid job. Jennifer now has time for Lucy, and Lucy visits every weekend. She respects her mother for being able to admit that she is gay and get over her depression.
Life for the Burbs has turned out very well, although, sadly they are not still the family they were when they came to Pleasantview.
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