Who: JD and his sister Penny (NPC) What: Phone Call and Surprises When: 17th October, afternoon (Backdated) Where: Mainland Washington Rating: Low Status: Complete
There was a routine for JD when he was off the island, he and Ian would check in with the dispatch center and get a time, usually but not always it was an overnight thing which left them the night to do whatever they wanted and the next day they’d go back to the island with the shipment. This particular time it was another overnighter and while Ian was out looking for the items requested by residents via their smuggling ring, JD had posted off the letters that he had to and collected those which he would distribute to residents with their rations.
Walking down the street he took a cell phone out of his pocket and scrolled through the contacts until he found the one he wanted. He knew that the government that he was working for would be tracking his ‘work’ phone usage, so he had brought a cheap ‘burner’ cell and used it when he was off the island to contact his family and the few friends he had kept over the years.
There were a few rings before it was picked up. “What’s up Jacky?” Came a soft, female voice.
“Hey Pen, can’t a brother ring his little sister while he’s on shore leave?” JD replied, humor in his voice.
“It’s not anyone’s birthday or other big event… and I know you’re calling me from your other phone, which means that whatever you wanna talk about is something hush-hush. C’mon brother… spill.”
He sighed, he should’ve known he couldn’t put it past Penny, she was smart and cunning and although he wouldn’t admit it out loud she was his favorite sister. “Okay… you and Matt. How did you know?”
There was a soft chuckle on the other end of the line “How did I know I was in love? He was the one? How did he propose? Or all of the above?”
“The first two.”
“I had everything. The butterflies in the stomach, the fluttering in my chest and everything else they talk about happenin’. Why? Found someone on the island?”
“Uh… maybe?” He could hear his sister laughing.
“So... Who is she?”
“Pen, you gotta promise me that you won’t tell Ma.” His southern accent always seemed to come back when he was talking with family. “It’s not a woman.”
“Jackson, you sly dog." There was a pause. "If you’re talking about Ian than don’t worry, it’s old news.”
JD blinked and was silent for a few moments, “Ah… what?”
Again with the soft chuckling. “You’ve brought him home for Thanksgiving and Christmas more than once, you’ve never brought anyone else home. And before you say anything else both Ma and I saw the way you were looking at him the last time you were home, we both agreed that there’s something between you two that’s more than just brothers in arms. I don’t care what Pa or the church he made us go to used to say, we can’t help who we fall for.”
He was somewhat shocked by what he was hearing, how could his own sister and mother see that he harbored feelings towards Ian before he admitted it to himself.
“When are you two comin’ back down? They’ve gotta give you some time off, ask for a week, book some flights and visit. I’ll get together with Ma and we’ll cook up a southern feast for you and Ian to celebrate. Just call and tell us when, either Matt or I will even pick you up from the airport, save you having to hire a car.”
The offer was tempting, and they did have some holiday time owing to them. “I’ll get back to you on that.”
“Make sure you do. Becky’ll be ecstatic that her Uncle Jack’s comin’ to visit, she always tells me ‘he can sleep in my bed’ but I keep telling her it’s too small. I swear your legs would dangle over the side. And I seriously doubt you’d fit Ian on there too.” There was a lighthearted tone to Penny’s voice.
“I’ll talk to Ian, see what he says. But please Pen, don’t say anything to Ma.” Though he knew that as soon as he hung up she’d probably call their mother anyway.
“She’ll be happy for you two. Now go.. Enjoy your shore leave and pass on our well wishes.”
Before JD could say anything Penny had hung up. Looking down at his phone he blinked again and shook his head, what was Ian going to say to all this?