12: The sinners & the saints
During the service, Cara had crawled out of Keeley’s lap into Joe’s, who happily adjusted her to sit better. Keeley thought that they looked really cute, as usually. She often thought that Joe looked entirely too adorable when he was holding or playing with Cara. She wonder if he were to ask her out at one of those moments if she’d be able to say no. Despite her brief distraction of Joe and Cara, she found herself thoroughly enjoying the service. It was a bit different than her views, but it wasn’t too radical for her taste either. She could see herself converting someday if she had to. If Joe wanted her to, the little voice in the back of her mind pointed out. She quickly shushed it and continued to listen to the minister.
After the service, Joe was still holding Cara, though Keeley had tried to get her back from him, while he and Denise spoke to people they hadn’t seen in awhile. A lot of younger people were talking to Joe, a lot of female younger people. She stood awkwardly at his side, occasionally fixing something on Cara or Joe, usually Cara, though. It startled her when someone finally said more than hello to her.
“So, Keeley,” she seemed nice enough, “Is Cara your daughter?” the way she asked was way too condescending to be polite.
Joe was about to respond when Keeley cut him off. “Actually, that’s why I’m staying with the Jonases. I won’t be 18 for 2 months, so to get custody of my deceased best friend’s daughter, the judge is letting me prove myself to Mrs. Jonas, who has final say. If she says I’m a good enough parent, I’ll automatically be granted custody on my 18th birthday,” Keeley said as politely as possible while still implying back the hell off in her tone.
She really wanted to tell the girl how rude that question had been and that even if it had been her daughter, that didn’t mean that she wasn’t raped or something. That was actually how Cara was conceived. Her father was drunk and forced Amber to sleep with him. She was so stoned at the time she didn’t put up much of a fight except saying no twice. They were dating though, so Amber saw nothing wrong with it, though Keeley did.
“That was out of line, Anne,” Joe commented, bouncing Cara slightly. “Keeley’s voluntarily fulfilling her best friend’s dying wish by giving up her freedom to take care of 17 month old baby, fully intent on doing it alone.”
“Oh,” Anne managed to say. The others Joe had been talking to as well all looked at Keeley with varying expressions of awe and respect. Keeley couldn’t take the attention and looked down at her shoes. Joe grabbed her hand, trying to make her feel a little better.
“She’s adorable, by the way,” another girl commented. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was your daughter.”
“She looks nothing like me,” Keeley laughed slightly, feeling a little better as she looked up at Cara in Joe’s arms.
“I meant yours and Joe’s. The curls, and the coloring. But we know Joe,” she smiled. “And you don’t seem too skanky to me,” she added.
“Thank you? I think,” Keeley replied looking at the short curly red head who had been speaking.
“I’m Angela, by the way,” she offered her hand to Keeley, who shook it. “We should hang out sometime. Joe has good taste in normal people.”
“Normal people?” Keeley asked in confusion.
“Non-celebrities. Those girls are all insane. Like that last one? She totally called herself an empty-headed play thing,” Angela scoffed. “I like her music, but man, way to be immature.”
Keeley realized she was going to like Angela a lot. “She did?”
“You haven’t seen that video she made? She held up a doll of Joe and said ‘and this one comes with a phone so he can break up with other dolls, too.’ I mean, I understand she’s hurt and all. I mean, he’s Joe Jonas-” Keeley detected immense sarcasm on his name, “-but come on. That was low.”
“Wow, Joe really broke her heart, huh?” Keeley asked. She hadn’t realized that they’d stopped talking to the group and were talking alone, without Joe.
“I guess. Are you two dating or something? I don’t mean to pry. It’s just… he was holding your hand, and he keeps glancing at you,” Angela asked.
Keeley peeked at Joe just in time to see him glancing at her again. She caught his eye and he smiled brightly at her before returning to his conversation. “Or something,” she replied honestly. “There’s this… odd connection between us. He’s becoming my best friend very quickly. But as for dating… neither of us is ready for that, me especially with Cara, and we’ve only known each other 4 days…”
“Really? You guys seem like you’ve known each other for at least a few months. Maybe even years. I guess that’s the odd connection you alluded to?” Angela guessed.
Keeley laughed. “Yeah. You wouldn’t happen to go to Ramapo High would you?” she asked, almost pleading.
“No, I’m home schooled like Joe was. Quite a few of us are. That’s why we’re friends,” she explained.
Keeley groaned, “Man. Why can’t Denise home school me? It’d make taking care of a 17 month old baby a lot easier.”
“Does she walk yet? I haven’t heard her speak, either,” Angela asked. “Sorry, I love babies. So, if you ever need a babysitter while you and Joe go on a non-date, feel free to ask.” She winked playfully at Keeley, who blushed slightly at the implication.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she accepted anyway. “Actually she can walk, she just doesn’t. She won’t crawl, she just doesn’t move around much if she doesn’t have to.” Keeley thought for a moment, “Though I’m sure if Joe decided he wanted to chase her, she’d take off running. She can talk, but she’s shy around people. See how she’s burying her face in Joe’s neck?” She pointed to Joe and Cara, who was in fact burying her face into Joe’s neck, hiding from people. “She hides in my hair, usually. I don’t know why but she loves Joe and Denise.”
Angela smiled warmly. “They’re great people. It’s no surprise to me.”
“Danielle!” Joe exclaimed, suddenly, catching Keeley’s attention. Keeley felt that slightly touch of jealously consumer her again as she watched Joe give her as big a hug he could with one arm.
“Jealous much?” Angela teased. “And don’t deny it, it’s all over your face. But it’s pointless, considering that’s his brother’s girlfriend.”
“That’s Danielle?” Keeley asked surprised. “Kevin’s girlfriend?” Angela nodded. “Wow. She’s not blonde.”
“Neither is Selena. Only Joe’s obsessed with blondes. Although, you don’t seem blonde to me,” she replied pointedly.
“Point taken,” Keeley sighed.
“Key! Come here!” Joe beckoned her. She hadn’t realized how far she and Angela had drifted from the initial group. They made their way over to him. “Keeley, this is Kevin’s girlfriend Danielle. Danielle, this is the girl Kevin was telling you about, Keeley. Cara’s… mother?” he asked Keeley the last part, uncertain of what she was.
“Cara’s mother,” Keeley nodded. “It’s nice to meet you. I wish I could say I’ve heard so much about you, but sadly I live with Joe and not Kevin.”
“Wait until they come out in two weeks, then see if you’d rather live with Kevin!” Joe mumbled, slightly hurt. Keeley smiled at him in an apologetic matter, though her instinct had been to kiss his cheek.
“Don’t feel bad. All I know is that you’re living with them and what Joe’s told me in the last few minutes,” she laughed. “But we can get to know each other better when I’m over for dinner tonight. Mrs. Jonas invited me over,” she explained. Keeley caught Joe’s eye as Danielle said Mrs. Jonas. Joe winked at her in response.
“Awesome,” Keeley smiled at her. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Hey, guys, let’s get going. I have to go to the store to get enough to make dinner for Danielle’s family, too,” Denise said appearing.
“Okay, can you say bye to everyone, little one?” Joe asked, maneuvering his neck to look down at Cara. She tried to burrow deeper into his neck in response.
“I’m sorry, she’s really shy,” Keeley apologized to the people she was being rude to. They all laughed and smiled.
“Okay, let’s go.” Denise said a polite collective goodbye to everyone and started heading for the car.
“Bye guys,” Joe said, shaking some hands and stepping away, but waiting for Keeley.
“Bye, Angela, it was nice meeting you. We’ll have to hang out sometime. Danielle, I’ll see you later. Bye everyone,” she said before catching up with Joe. He wrapped his free arm around her waist as the exited the church. She rested her head against his arm.
“Breakfast?” Joe asked as they settled into the car.
“You want to take Keeley out and I’ll take Cara? Or do you want to take Cara, too?” Denise asked.
“Of course I want to take Cara!” Joe exclaimed playfully, though he was serious.
“Okay,” Denise laughed. “I’ll wait until you get back to go to the store. I’m not all that hungry to go out. You kids enjoy yourselves,” she said as she parked in the drive way. “Joe, please be careful.”
“I will,” he assured her jumping into the driver’s seat. He looked back at Keeley. “Come on, now, chop chop. Move.” Keeley was still sitting in the back, not sure if she trusted his driving. Finally she did move and Joe took her hand in his while he drove.
They went to a local diner, where Joe was met by a few fans, but nothing over the top. Cara continuously stole food off of Joe’s plate, though he didn’t seem to really mind, often nudging his plate closer for her to reach.
“You’re teaching her poor table manners,” Keeley reprimanded teasingly as she watched the plate move closer and Cara steal a piece of pancake with her fingers that Joe had specifically cut into a tinier piece than normal.
“Well, you’re teaching her bad taste in food if she’s taking mine,” he shot back, grinning widely.
Keeley smiled, unable to glare at him or be mad like she wanted to. She found herself completely at easy around him in terms of parenting. She was able to do so without it being awkward as it can sometimes be for single parents in relationships. Instead, it was the exact opposite because more often than not, Joe was helping her. Or attempting to anyway.
“So, Angela seems nice,” she commented, changing the subject.
“She’s pretty cool. I think you’d get along pretty well,” he replied. “She texted me on the way home. She wanted your number, but I don’t have it…” he hinted.
Keeley looked at the table and bit her lip. She didn’t want to tell him the truth. He’d demand they go buy her one and she didn’t want him to. “That’s because I don’t have one,” she mumbled.
“What? Okay, that’s getting fixed when we go shopping,” he insisted. “For no other reason than you should have a phone in today’s world, especially when you have a child you’re responsible for. What if something happens and you don’t have a phone?” he argued.
Keeley sighed and knew she was beat before she even began her argument. “Fine,” she huffed.
Joe grinned. “Are you done?” he asked, gesturing to her plate. Both his and Cara’s were devoid of food.
“Yeah. You want it?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
He laughed, “Nah, I’m full this time. But I’ve got to get back and call my brothers. They should be back from church by now,” he explained, glancing at his watch.
“Oh, so you’re actually going to do work?” she teased, as she stood and picked up Cara.
“Haha. Aren’t you supposed to be getting a job?” he threw back, standing as well and picking up the cheque.
Keeley groaned. “I changed my mind. If I promise to be with you forever, can I mooch off you for the rest of my life?” she asked teasingly.
Joe, somewhat serious, pulled her closer to him and looked down at her. “Just say the words.”
Keeley was at a loss for words. Thankfully, Cara interrupted them. “Unca O, oove,” she insisted since Joe wasn’t moving at all. Keeley and Joe both stepped away from each other and laughed at her.
“Aww, little one, you don’t love me anymore?” Joe asked looking down at her.
“Unca O!” she reached out for him. He took her from Keeley gladly and smiled as she nuzzled into his neck again. “Wuv you!” she giggled into his neck.
“Aww,” Keeley couldn’t help herself. It amazed her how much better Cara’s speech was getting around other people. Usually she only spoke when necessary around others and spoke to her full extend around Keeley. Then again, there was something about Joe that drew Cara out of her shell.
“What about Aunt Kiwi, do you love her?” Joe asked.
“Uh huh!” Cara giggled. “Wuv On Kiwi. Unca O wuv On Kiwi?” she asked innocently. Joe kissed her head and didn’t answer, knowing Keeley didn’t want to hear the answer.