Horizons Ch. 00: A Different View Pt. 01

First off, thank you to Lorelei1116 for pre-reading and helping me find Jody’s voice.

After writing so much of the Ellie and Jody story, and being asked many times about giving a voice to Jody, I have. Or at least I have started to. I will not be retelling their whole story from Jody’s vantage point, but I will be telling some of the missing pieces from her side. This part of Horizons follows Jody through the time of the first two chapters, Slow Burn and Stolen Moments. This is the foundation part of their relationship from her side. Get to know her. I hope I have done her justice so far.

While I do plan to continue their story, with Ellie as the narrator, I won’t be writing more of that until I tell all the parts of her story Jody wants me to.

If you haven’t read their story, STOP, go read Horizons chapters 1-11 then come back and read this.

As always please favorite, comment, follow etc. Thank you!

*****

“Jody, are you ready?” I looked up at Joe. No, I wasn’t ready. I had successfully avoided every race weekend this season. Kevin was always a good excuse. I enjoyed my time with him, watching movies, more than I enjoyed any time at mountain bike stuff. I felt bad, it wasn’t Madi’s fault that I was over the racing scene. I spent all the years Joe and I dated and before the kids were born, following him around for races. Mountain bikes, jet skis, dirt bikes. I slept in backs of trucks, in trailers. I was done. 5 years ago, I told him I wanted a divorce, then I stayed.

“Mom. Mom it’s time.” Now Kevin was prodding me to get moving. He wasn’t thrilled with being here either but wanted to go to the mall where we were supposed to meet up with Timmy and his family. I had told him a specific time we were going, and it was now that time. Kevin needed precision and routine. And time to process any changes. We didn’t have that time, so it was leave now, or have him upset.

I had gotten two hotel rooms so there was room for us all. Madi made sure that Timmy and his family booked at the same hotel. I had been hearing non-stop about Timmy and his mom since they joined the team. I already didn’t like this ‘supermom’ and I had never laid eyes on her. I didn’t even know her name, I just knew she went to all the races, brought snacks, bandaged up cuts and was, in my daughter’s eyes, ‘amazing’.

I knew it was partly my own fault that Madi and I weren’t that close. Kevin was more like me, Madi more like Joe. They shared an interest in riding, and it was just easier to let Joe do everything when it came to this mountain bike team. It also allowed for us to spend less time together as a married couple. I spent more and more time wishing I hadn’t stayed after asking for a divorce. I did it for the kids, especially Kevin. He didn’t do change well.

We left the hotel and arrived at the mall a few minutes later. There looked to be about 3 stores in the whole place. Kevin and I decided to go to Target, Joe and Madi were heading to JCPenney to meet up with Timmy and his family. Kevin and I wandered around, he wanted to go look at the movies and see if there was anything he wanted to buy. We were moving slow, but there just wasn’t enough to see or do to put off meeting up with everyone for long.

“We better get over to where your dad and sister are.”

“Okay.”

We left Target and headed over to JCPenney. I spotted Joe in the distance. We walked towards them and more people came into view. I saw Madi, she was smiling, I smiled back. I wished we were closer. I needed to make a stronger effort to be closer to her. My eyes left Madi and I saw Timmy. Madi had shown me a picture of him once.

Off to the side was a girl about Kevin’s age. My eyes moved from her to the woman standing next to her. This ‘supermom’ I had decided to hate. Wow. She was about my age, a little taller and built like an athlete. She had a head full of wild, loose dirty blonde curls, most of them pulled back, but some had escaped, gone rogue. Something about that hair stirred a memory I couldn’t see deep within. My eyes met hers, they were the brightest blue I had ever seen. I could almost hear a voice inside my head, ‘you can’t hate her, look at her, she’s… perfect.’

I couldn’t pull my eyes away from her. I didn’t want to. We all introduced ourselves, Ellie. She looked exactly like an Ellie. She was looking at her phone. I wanted to go stand next to her and I didn’t know why. I found myself wondering what she smelled like, what she felt like. I needed to go stand near her, was trying to shake that feeling, when I heard her talking to Joe. Something about the Sawyer’s and meeting up with them, all of us.

We had known Kat and James for years. Forever. Their 2 kids had ridden with Madi since Madi started riding. Kat was over the top, was everyone’s mom, even grown adults. I liked her, but in small doses. Small doses is how I preferred most people now. I looked at Ellie again, she was looking everywhere but where I was.

Kevin wasn’t thrilled when we left the mall, bursa escort then drove to the campground the Sawyer’s were at. The same one the race was at tomorrow. I spent much of the drive promising him we wouldn’t stay long, that we would get back to the hotel by 9 at the latest. All the time I was telling him that, I was hoping we stayed for hours. It would be worth Kevin being upset if I got to be near her. Nothing about this made any sense to me.

I had been mad Joe didn’t reserve a campsite; we have an RV too. Now, after seeing her, I was glad. Glad we were staying at the same hotel. I wished I understood the feelings stirring inside me.

We parked at their site, the kids got out and took off with the others. James offered everyone a beer. It was an IPA, not my favorite, but it was beer and cold. Kat tangled me up in conversation. Joe, Evan and James were off together closer to the fire, enjoying a beer each. She was standing off to the side, drinking a beer, which she didn’t seem to be enjoying. Her nose crinkled up with each sip. I watched her lips on the bottle out of the corner of my eyes. I wondered what they felt like.

Kat was talking, but I wasn’t really listening. Ellie had started to move closer to where we were. My heart skipped a beat when she was standing next to Kat and me. What is going on? She joined our conversation, still not looking at me. I could feel an energy coming from her, an energy I wanted to be near. I heard the kids return and Kat left our small circle, went to take care of them. We were still talking. She liked Marvel and sci-fi, loved to read. My eyes watched her lips as she spoke. A few times our arms brushed against each other. I had this overwhelming need to be closer to her.

“Ellie, we need to go.” I watched as her shoulders stiffened when her husband spoke to her. Her lips tightened just a little before she responded to him. I watched her walk away to gather her kids and they drove away, without a see you tomorrow. For some reason my heart sank just a little.

“Mom. If we don’t leave I’m not going to get enough sleep.” I looked at Kevin. He was a creature of habit and needed me to follow through with my promise that he would be back on time. I called for Madi and Joe and we were saying good-bye and see you tomorrow to the Sawyer’s.

We got back and went to bed. I knew she was one floor below us but didn’t understand why that even mattered to me. I had been so set on not liking this person and here I was, after knowing her for a few hours, unable to stop thinking about her.

*******

I spent the whole race trying to be anywhere near her and it didn’t work. It was crazy hot, and the kids weren’t doing well in it. I was pushed and pulled in 1000 directions. She must have been too. I watched her move around the team and could see why Madi thought she was awesome. She had a way of connecting with them. I was helping the kids, keeping Kevin from being upset at being here, trying not to be annoyed with everything. I was totally spent by the time Madi was on the podium.

I saw her taking pictures on her phone, mine wasn’t even with me. I hated being tied to it, hated having to have one for work also. I was on call every other weekend and that was all the phone attached to me time I could tolerate. Kevin was done being here, so when Madi was finished getting her medal we grabbed our stuff and headed to the truck, headed home.

“Mom, Timmy sent me his mom’s cell number. She took a bunch of pictures and wants to send them to you.”

“Okay, send it to me.” My phone pinged from inside the glove box. I didn’t open it. I couldn’t text her. These feelings I was having were unsettling me. I had never felt a pull like this towards another human, let alone another woman. I ignored my urge to text her for weeks.

***

“Mom, can I invite Timmy to the drive-in tonight?” Madi had been talking about him non-stop. I knew she had a massive crush on him. I knew I had one on his mother.

“Ask your dad.” I didn’t want to be the bad guy. I figured there was no way Joe would bring the boy his little girl had such obvious feelings for. I was wrong. She excitedly told me he was coming. I went and found my phone, decided now I couldn’t avoid texting her any longer. It had been exactly 2 weeks since we met. 2 weeks that I couldn’t shake this feeling of needing to be near her. Despite my best efforts.

I located her number.

Me- This is Jody, Hannah’s mom. We are so glad Timmy can come with us tonight

I clicked send then went about getting stuff ready.

Ellie- Oh yes, I am also. He’s never been to a drive in

Ellie- What does he need? What time? I won’t be here, but Evan will be

Me- I believe Evan is dropping him here and we should have him home by 12am

I wanted to invite her to go with us. I knew I couldn’t, shouldn’t. Kevin had his friend Gwen coming, Joe planned on us playing games while we waited. I loved the drive-in but couldn’t shake her image from my mind.

I put bursa escort bayan my phone away, to avoid any more temptations.

Soon we were at the drive in. Timmy was loving it. They were playing games and I set up my chair and sat down, reclined it. Joe snapped a few pictures of the kids, I told him to send them to me so I could send them to Timmy’s mom. I noticed I was in one of them, I still sent it. Sent it because I was. She texted me back a thank-you. I stared at that text for longer than needed. I wanted her to say more.

The movie ended and we piled in and headed back, dropping Gwen off first. Joe knew where Timmy lived, I did not. We pulled up to a two-story white house. Kevin was not happy when I exited the truck. He wanted to go home; it was late. I just wanted to set my eyes on her again. I needed to know if I would still feel that pull.

I saw Evan then her. Her hair was just a wild as that night in the campground, maybe more. She was smiling, at me. No, it couldn’t be, I was seeing it wrong. She walked over, said hi and thanked me for taking Timmy. The pull towards her was still there. We talked for a minute, then Kevin got back in the truck, told us he was ready to go. I didn’t want to go, wished he wasn’t so regimented so I could stand next to her longer.

I said goodbye and got in the truck, Joe and Madi followed. I watched as she walked back towards the house, Evan said something to her, I saw her shoulders stiffen like that had in the campground. Then she was out of my view. .

For the next week I tried to find a reason to contact her. Saturday Madi gave me a reason. “Mom, think I could invite Timmy to church with us?” I smiled and told her yes, that I would contact his mom. “I kinda already asked him, he was going to ask his dad.”

Ugh. Well there goes my reason to text her. I sighed and went back to folding laundry. I heard a ping in the distance. Great, my work phone. I didn’t want to deal with problems today. I took my work phone out of my bag, nothing. Hum. I wasn’t even certain where I had left my phone. “Madi, text me I can’t find my phone.”

“Okay.”

Ping. It came from the kitchen. I located it, opened it up.

Ellie- Timmy said he was invited to go to church with Madi and you tomorrow?

I smiled as I read it. What was wrong with me? Why was a simple text making my heart light?

Me- Yes. If that’s okay with you.

I told her the details, what type of church it was and when he should be at our house. I was entirely too excited to know she would be here to drop him off. I spent the rest of the day in a great mood, which was rare lately. Between the stress of work and of wishing my life didn’t look the way it did, I hadn’t been able to keep myself in a good mood in a long time. I hated that my kids only knew this version of me.

The next morning, I was up and getting ready for church when I heard Madi yelling that Timmy was there. I rushed to the window and my mood instantly sank. It was not her in my driveway, it was Evan.

I took them to church, could not focus on the service. We got back and them and Joe went off on their bikes. Kevin and I were watching a movie when it was time to take Timmy home. I let Joe take him so I wouldn’t upset Kevin. I was not okay with the anger I had inside because I hadn’t been able to see her. I snapped at Kevin for no reason and instantly felt guilty.

Work the next day sucked. I had three closings and the paperwork alone was burying me. Add to that I was utterly distracted by thoughts of her. Every time I closed my eyes I saw her lips on that beer bottle, or her blue eyes looking at me.

“Jody. Jody.”

I looked up and it was Amy. She had the office next to mine. “Yes?”

“Your 2 o’clock is here.”

I got up and put on my best smile and went out to meet with them. The rest of the day went by slowly but at least soon I was home. Madi and Joe were going for a ride with the team, Kevin and I were planning a movie. I got out of my work clothes and into comfy stretch pants and a crew neck.

“Mom, don’t forget the first summer race is tomorrow.” Madi was walking through the kitchen, heading to the basement to get her stuff ready for practice. I looked at her. “You promised you would come to at least the first one.”

I had. I wished I hadn’t. “It depends on Kevin.” He didn’t love being home alone and I would have to go right from work to the race.

“Mom, he’s almost 16, it’s fine.”

From the other room he chirped in, “It’s fine Mom.”

“Okay, then I will be there.”

I had the urge to text Ellie and see if she was going. But that made no sense. We weren’t friends, we had seen each other 3 times in the just over 3 weeks since we met. I wanted to see her again. It was all I wanted. Joe walked in the kitchen just then. “Madi, we need to go.” He walked over towards me, put a kiss good-bye on my lips. I had to force myself to not wipe it off while he was standing there. He wasn’t a bad guy; I just had no desire for him escort bursa in my life any more.

I got to work early Tuesday, was in my office for hours preparing paperwork and making phone calls. I always had to be so upbeat here, it was utterly exhausting. “Hey, you gonna eat today?” It was Amy popping her head in. I looked at the clock, it was after noon.

“Oh crap, yeah. Give me 5?” I picked up my phone and looked at it. I had been hoping to hear from her. In that moment I decided to just make the first move. There was no reason I couldn’t reach out to her, to attempt to build a friendship with her.

Me- Are you going to the race tonight?

A minute later she replied.

Ellie- Are you?

Me- Yes…if you are.

Crap. I hoped that didn’t come across as cheesy as it read to me. Why did I say that?

Ellie- Sure…

My heart jumped. I was going to get to see her again. I told her I would grab Subway on my way there from work. I didn’t even know if she liked Subway, if she worked, or where or her schedule. I had to calm myself, none of that mattered. I was going to see her, share food with her. I shouldn’t be as happy about that as I was.

I texted her again as I left work, after I changed from my work clothes into more comfortable stuff, letting her know I was going to get the food and would see her soon. I grabbed the food at the Subway near work then drove to the venue. I saw her as soon as I drove in. She was with Evan at the check in table. A pang of jealousy hit me seeing him with her.

I parked near Joe’s truck, I hated dealing with all these people. His brothers, their wives, their kids, the bikes. I was not here for any of them. Once upon a time I rode my bike in this series, back when Madi was first starting. I did it because it was expected of me. I had stopped doing many of the things Joe expected me to over the last 5 years. My mother told me my problem was I was too nice, too nice to Joe, to his friends, to everyone but myself, I was working on that. I didn’t want my choices to affect my kids.

I saw Madi, gave her a good luck hug and waited for Ellie, wondering if she knew I was here. I saw Timmy as he came over to talk to Madi, but where was his mom? Why was I so anxious to see her? Joe said something to me and when I turned to answer I saw her walking this way, alone. I was grateful she was alone. Her curls were piled on her head in a messy bun, but some refused to be tamed. Black capri length running leggings and a Wonder Women T-shirt on. My eyes were watching the way her hips moved when she walked. She was smiling as she approached me, us. Her energy hit me, the same energy I felt at the campground and for the few seconds in her driveway. She was watching me as she walked closer. Her eyes were so blue.

“Hey.” Super intelligent sounding Jody.

She smiled, “Hey.”

I showed her the Subway and we decided to go eat on the small hill along the start/finish line. The little kids were racing, ours were getting ready to. She sat down and I sat entirely too close to her. We started talking and didn’t stop until the food was gone and it was time for the older kids to race. There were so many people around and I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to have to share her. I saw Evan walking our way.

“Want to watch the kids from the woods?” I prayed she would say yes, not think it was weird. I wish I knew why I wanted to be near her. Why I wanted to know what her lips felt like. I had never been attracted to another female before. Was that what I was feeling?

She said yes and we went to where we could see the kids as they came through on their laps. I’m not even sure how we got started on the subject, but before long she was telling me how much she hated being married. How miserable she was. This explained the way she tensed up when Evan was near her. I confessed about asking Joe for a divorce. About being too chicken to make it actually happen. From what she said things in her house were much more tense than in mine. I felt sad for her. Evan sounded like a jerk. Joe and I weren’t contentious, we were just more like roommates, with one wanting more of a relationship than the other.

The race was over, and we walked out of the woods and back to where Joe and the trailer were. They were all there. The kids, Joe, Evan. I watched as she tensed up in her shoulders again. She walked over to where they were. I followed. Madi and Timmy wanted froyo, I wanted her to go with us. I saw Evan leave, without saying goodbye to his wife or kid.

“Up for froyo with us?” I was looking at her with hopeful eyes. She had relaxed when Evan left.

“Sure.”

We sat at a high table together. I found out she did work but was a guidance counselor at a middle/high school, so she had most of the summer off. We had gone to the same high school; she was a year younger. I wondered if that hint of a distant memory was of her in high school. I tried to find her in my memories but couldn’t.

Her nose crinkled up with nearly every bite of froyo. I had a feeling she didn’t really like it. Our hands touched a few times and I felt waves of her energy hit me. I didn’t know what any of this meant, except I knew one way or another I needed to keep her in my life.