janey

I stopped by the orphanage today. It’s been years. There aren’t nearly as many children there as there used to be, and that breaks my heart, because I know so many of the ones who could be there are out in the streets instead.

Who: Danny and Janey
Where: The McKinnon apartment
When: Early morning

Danny had woken up feeling disoriented from dreaming, but after a moment realized the ringing wasn't a phone, just the alarm going off. Another day of work awaited him. The girl had snuck out the day before, not that he really minded but he knew that Janey was upset. Rolling over, he didn't want to tell her about the job, but Hollis was right, it was dangerous. Gently he stroked her hair, listening to her breathing briefly before speaking. "You awake honey?"

Who: Janey and Zhen
Where: The police station
When: Midafternoon

Who: Arden and Janey
Where: Church! Potluck-dinner-thingie
When: Evening

If there was one thing Arden hated more than going to church on Sundays, it was going to church on any other day of the week. Right now she was very much not-the-happy-camper, shooting dirty and occasionally threatening looks at her schoolmates; and adopting the air of a grumpy cat whose displeased glaring went unnoticed by the ladies that pinched her cheeks and cooed "my, how you've grown" ...as if they didn't see her every Sunday. And the stupid dress she had to wear was annoying too: it was all white and frilly and itchy -- this was just a dumb dinner, not her First Communion.

Yet even though it was supposed to be a dinner, they hadn't been able to eat anything! Seriously, what was that about? Her dad had been telling her not eat anything at home because they were coming here, yet the food was just splayed across the table and covered up and she was stuck standing around having to smell it!

She broke away from the gaggle of touchy-feely ladies now talking to her father, pausing only to shoot them a look reminiscent of a hissing cat before inching her way towards the table. As she got close, Arden kept her eyes on the chubby priest who stood guard over the food, shooing away and threatening excommunication at any kid who glanced too long. Of all the priests, he was her least favorite. In fact, when her Sunday school teacher prattled on about the battle between Good and Evil and and picking sides, Arden imagined it happened much like a kickball match where the Devil and Jesus were Team Captains -- and she was pretty sure it was only because Jesus got Last Pick that the chubby priest was here.

As the Chubster became distracted with an angry red-face lecturing at a pair of twin boys, Arden's hands went to work behind her as she stood innocently in front of the table, facing the crowd. It took a second or so for her hand to grab hold of a small mini-sandwich, but when it did she couldn't help the wide, not-so-innocent grin at her triumph. Ha, success!

Who: Danny, Janey and Maddy
Where: Danny and Janey's place
When: Morning

Regular sleep was something that Jani knew she remembered, though it seemed like a long time ago. For the past two years, since she was voted into office, she had been existing on a maximum of four hours a night, supplemented by a lot of coffee. But what a time to have the honour of leading her country! Through so many world changes that were affecting the lives of everyone. She had to admit, when she had first heard of the prophet, she had called the woman a fake, a phoney, she had looked for the cult behind the persona.

Who: Janey and Danny
Where: their apartment
When: Late Afternoon

I've been neglecting my journalings, but lately it seems I just can't find my voice. Even prayer seems exhausting today. I feel like I’m just throwing myself on my knees before the Lord and begging for something to change. I’m not used to feeling this desperate, and it scares me. There’s just so much that seems out of my control. I feel so out of touch with Danny, but I’m so worried about him; I just don’t know how to get him to let me in. I haven’t really tried—I’m afraid to force it, I suppose. And I’m afraid it’s something I did—or maybe didn’t do, who knows.

Who: Janey and Maddy
Where: St. Peter’s Cathedral
When: Afternoon

Janey had stayed after the morning’s memorial service, lost deep in prayer. She was in a trance-like state, hardly even aware of her physical surroundings, so she was surprised, after she crossed herself and opened her eyes to return to the real world, to see that the cathedral was nearly empty. She didn’t think she’d stayed for that long afterwards—but a look at the watch on her wrist told her she had.

Who: Danny, Janey, Jackson
Where: The McKinnon place
When: dinner time

Danny hated working on Sundays because really, it's supposed to be a weekend day. Although, having to work did get him out of having to be at church all day with Janey. Pushing open the door to the apartment the first thing he noticed was the smell. Dinner and with a massive effort. "Janey?" he called as pulled off his hat and shucked out of his coat. Headed towards the kitchen he found her there, and opened the fridge, pulling out a beer. "That's a lot of food for two," he told her.

Who: Kess and Janey
Where: Outside the cathedral
When: Morning

Who: Janey and Danny
Where: Their apartment
When: Mid-afternoon

Janey sat in the bedroom, sorting through the basket of clean laundry at her feet. She hunched slightly over, trying to ignore the ache in the pit of her abdomen: a sign of her body’s betrayal. Despite all that had happened in the past, she couldn’t help but cling to a little bit of hope that maybe someday she would have a child. So each time her monthly visitor arrived, she was left with the sting of disappointment.

Who: Janey and Maddy
Where: St Peter's Cathedral
When: Afternoon

Maddy had dried her eyes after blubbering like an idiot to a dead mother who couldn't hear her. Crying wasn't going to do anything. Maddy Keyes didn't fucking cry. She was badass. Badasses totally don't cry.