Jackie's Story - Follow-up to Can-You Ever-Go-Back in a Poem (Part Fact, Part Fiction)
Last we read
Jackie's boyfriend Rick has called his ex-wife Susan to inquire about getting back together with her and their little daughter, Courtney, who Rick did not seem to care or know about.
Jackie’s story the part that started two years before she met Rick
At least this is the story that led to her meeting Rick, and how she became a waitress and bartender.
Jackie’s life before starting her waitress and bartending jobs at the Sweet Beginning café and bar are now and will remain a mystery, except for her closest friends Adrenna, Linda, and me.
The Sweet Beginning café and bar just opened
© By Shyron Shenko
Jackie came through the door
And passed out on the floor of the Sweet Beginning café and bar
Thinking that she’d had too much to drink
George carried the unconscious girl to the back room sink
As he washed her face asking how much have you had to drink?
Eyes flashing in anger, Jackie replied, I DON’T DRINK
And beginning to sob she stated
I just lost my job and I’ve not eaten in at least two days
George left the room and came back with not one, but two lunches
They both ate in silence as his hand slipped to her knee
The chair turned over as she jumped to her feet
Providing me lunch doesn’t mean you’re entitled to manhandle me!
George put both hands in the air, said I am so sorry,
It is just that you are so pretty but I meant you no harm
Finish your lunch and I will tell you what
We can talk about my hiring you
My waitress is leaving by the week's end
And that is when you can begin
Still leery of his intensions, but needing the job
Jackie sat herself back down
The Understanding
Jackie made sure that George understood
They could never be more than friends
I must have Wednesdays off, Jackie said before I begin
And please don’t ask me what for
The bartending job
The bartender claimed to be sick before the café closed one night
It was on George’s night off
The bartender went home
Leaving Jackie in the bar all alone
The bartender went out on a limb, thinking he would show them
No one could do the job better than him
The mixes and concoctions, Jackie knew them by heart
To become a bartender this would give her a start
To George’s surprise, Jackie did so well at tending the bar
The regular bartender was no longer the star
And Jackie became the bartender with a generous raise
Leaving the other bartender reeling, almost in a daze
In walks a dream
Behind the bar Jackie heard the sound of a car
Though it was almost closing time
Only one patron left, Fred with his one glass of wine
From the day after his wife was laid out to rest
Poor old Fred has been their frequent guest
He comes in to dine then stays at the bar till closing time
With his one glass of wine
Jackie asked George could you wait on the person coming in here
The noise is back and it is so hard to hear
As she sticks her finger in her left ear
In walks a dream – the most handsome man she’s ever seen
With that old worn out pick up line the handsome stranger asked
“What is a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”
Jackie couldn’t talk just stand there and gawk
With her finger still stuck in her ear
George teased Jackie
“Hey what’s matter you, can’t you hear?”
“Then tak-a you finger outta you ear.”
Playfully mocking her Italian roots.
What can I get you?
George told the handsome stranger
Forgive Jackie, she probably has another migraine
Or she is hearing the voices again
Oh brother! Jackie moans
I really just need to go home
I couldn't hear a word that you said
Over this noise not voices in my head
George’s teasing turned to concern
After she has worked for him for two years
Had George finally learned?
It is not voices but static sounds she hears
What about a drink? The handsome stranger asked
Past closing time
By law we can't sell beer, booze or wine, after closing
But I will give you a couple this time.
And we will join you in a one or two on the house
Then he poured a ‘virgin screwdriver’ for Jackie
Scotch and water for himself
And the same for the stranger in the house.
What is your name and what is your story?
Jackie casually asked
Rick! Unwed!
Rick! Unwed! He said
Rick Unwed? That is a strange name Jackie said
My name is Rick he said
My wife just divorced me and kicked me out and now I am unwed
What about you? Rick asked
What do you do, how do your spend you free time?
Could you spend some with me?
If I promise not to get out of line
Jackie told Rick about the two years before
And how when she first walked in the door
So weak from hunger
She passed out on the floor
In the next few weeks
Rick's visits became routine
Was he smitten with Jackie?
That's the way that it would seem
Soon Rick moved in with Jackie
And although George did not like it
There was nothing he could do
But watch as Rick breaks her heart in two
The day Rick went away
After almost three years
And a river of tears
When she found out Rick had a problem with booze
Jackie is the one who would ultimately lose
Jackie got Rick going to AA meetings
Every Wednesday they both went to AA
And Rick got a good job
So what happened on the day that Rick went away?
Jackie accused Rick of just using her for a place to live
Rick said she was asking of him more than he could give
Jackie said I am through, I can't take anymore
And Rick called Susan before he walked out the door
Have you been Crying
George asked, have you been crying?
Or still have static in your head?
Did Rick do something to you? Or something he said?
That made you come to work with your eyes all red?
Both, Jackie said
We had a big fight, and he called his ex-wife
I am so scared he's walked out of my life
Good, George replied
Why didn't you kick him out long ago?
Don't you know? Because I'm attached Jackie said
Yeah people do get attached to their dogs
But at least dogs are usually loyal to those that feed them
Maybe you have an earwig in there
Then in an attempt at humor, George said!
About that noise in your ear! Maybe you have an earwig in there!
No! She said and started to laugh
I saw that movie too sometime in the past.
Jackie did not tell George
She had gone to the Doctor earlier that day
Just after Rick walked away
She knew what was wrong, but not how to say
George had fallen for Jackie over the years
And it hurt to see her in tears
Now he hoped Rick would not come back
But that he might was the worst of his fears
Rick's Return!
When Rick returned and saw Jackie
In such anguish
It near broke his heart in two pieces
He thought, I really love her, I do!
When Rick went to see Susan
That is when he knew
He did not really want to get back together
He just thought he and Jackie were through
Now as he took Jackie in his arms and said I love you
She said, I never once stopped loving you!
But her next words filled him with dread when she said
They know what is causing the noise in my head
They both cried as she told him
What the doctor had said.
You have a tumor inside your head
That touches the nerve in the middle ear, causing the noise that you hear
Monday, I go to see a neurosurgeon
To see what can be done about this schwannoma
Rick said oh, baby, I am going with you
I will face this with you and figure out what to do!
I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Story Without an End
- Ending for "Story without an End" by Examiner-1 I am writing this as an ending for a story written by Jodah at: http://jodah.hubpages.com/hub/Story-Without-An-End#comment-12704719
- Love Will Not Die - A follow up to Story Without an End by Shyron E Shenko Short fictional add on, if you will, to follow Jodah's "Story Without an End." I accept the challenge to fellow hubber friends to add to the story that he started..... Here is mine Jodah.
- http://theexaminer-1.hubpages.com/hub/Ending-for-Story-without-an-End-by-Jodah
- http://aneegma.hubpages.com/hub/The-Circle-Palms-Alternative-Ending-for-Story-Without-An-End
Schwannoma - What is it.
I will write about a day in Jackie's life, in her words about what goes on inside her head.
Disclaimer
While the story is partially true, the names and places have been changed for privacy reasons.
© 2014 Shyron E Shenko
Comments
C E Clark from North Texas on February 06, 2019:
For some reason my last comment just disappeared! I posted this to AH and FB. Hope that worked.
Mentioned that I haven't noticed the drawing of Rick before and what an excellent drawing it is! Can't remember all I wrote.
Anyway, hope all is well with you dear friend. Blessings . . .
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on March 24, 2017:
Au fait, thank you for the comment and compliment on my drawing, I have not drawn anything in a long time I see the pictures in my mind I would like to draw, but then the interruptions.
We are well, Chipper gets smarter everyday, and he does reason.
Hope all is well with you.
C E Clark from North Texas on March 21, 2017:
If one is away for very long everything changes and the more time that has passed, the more life goes on, the more and the greater the changes. You can go back, but don't expect things to be the same.
Really exceptional drawing!
Hope all is well there. Blessings dear friend . . .
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on July 09, 2016:
Au fait, thank you for the comments and for sharing.
Blessings and Hugs dear friend.
Au fait on July 08, 2016:
Came back again to share this excellent poem story!
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on November 18, 2015:
Au fait, thank you again for sharing and commenting on this story.
I hope our winter is mild, and in the north also.
Blessings and Hugs to you.
C E Clark from North Texas on November 16, 2015:
Came back to share this story again. A great story and a good way to learn some new things too.
Hope you and John are both in where it's dry and warm. Seems El Niño is back with us and we're to have a lot of rain before spring. A cooler winter than usual for us, a warmer than usual winter with lots of snow up in the northern states.
Hope all is well with you both. Blessings and hugs to you.
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on July 14, 2014:
I found the Picture I drew when I was 15. Jackie's boyfriend Rick (not his real name).
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 10, 2014:
Au fait, I am writing the next segment today, if my computer does not crash again, hopefully today it will be published.
Apperciate you votes and sharing.
Thanks again my dear friend.
P.S. I slept through the storm, John told me he thought we were having a tornado.
C E Clark from North Texas on June 07, 2014:
Came back to check this out again. I'm looking forward to reading the next segment or chapter or whatever you want to call it. I think this is going to be a great educational hub as well as interesting just to read. I really like articles where I learn something new. Voting this up and interesting again. Also, sharing.
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 02, 2014:
Peg, Thank you so much for the compliment and for the comment.
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 02, 2014:
Thank you FlourishAnyway, for your comments - I know it is sad.
Peg Cole from North Dallas, Texas on June 02, 2014:
I like the way you've woven the story into prose. It was captivating. Poor Jackie. That drawing was awesome.
FlourishAnyway from USA on June 02, 2014:
The twists and turns of this story are compelling -- and the noise in her ear. Sad.
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on June 01, 2014:
Thank you Tiffany, appreciate your visit.
TiffanyLatte from USA on June 01, 2014:
Love this.
John Hansen from Gondwana Land on May 31, 2014:
Great work Shyron. You really took my story challenge on and ran with it, and in a very unique way. I loved reading Jackie's story. I wonder where things will go from here. Voted up.
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on May 31, 2014:
Nell, Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing my story. Yes Jackie has a lot to worry about, but I am glad Rick came back to her.
Blessings to you my friend.
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on May 31, 2014:
Au fait, thank you for the comments, votes, pin and share. I really appreciate you my dear friend.
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on May 31, 2014:
Ruby, thank for you comment. Yes Rick is a troubled soul. But I think Jackie is good for him and she needs someone to take her mind off her troubles.
Shyron E Shenko (author) from Texas on May 31, 2014:
Kevin, thank you for your up votes, sharing and commenting, I am so glad you found this amazing.
Nell Rose from England on May 31, 2014:
I loved your story shyron, so many things happening and now her bad news! wow! voted up and shared, nell
C E Clark from North Texas on May 31, 2014:
Life has so many twists and turns and it never stays the same for long does it? In the blink of an eye something can happen that will change things forever.
Voted up and interesting. Pinned to AH and shared.
Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on May 31, 2014:
Wow, now we know who Jackie is. Rick is a troubled man indeed. Where will he go from here? I'm interested in learning about Jackie's noise in her ear's. Well done my friend...
The Examiner-1 on May 31, 2014:
This was really amazing Shyron, I mean it was something else. I can see that Jackie and Rick were made for each other. lol I voted this up and shared it.
Kevin