"Karyn, why didn't you let me know you were bringing Tiffany over at this time of night?" Stephanie was back in tiger mom mode. Jon knew she wasn't keen on Tiffany being his girlfriend, but wasn't sure how she felt about Karyn. Until this moment he hadn't expected to see his former friend in his house.
It felt so foreign thinking that way.It had only been just over a day since Karyn had become the Wilmingham matriarch. Until then she had always been in his life. Even on the first day of the wish she had become his little sister. He had taken it for granted she would stay in his life somehow. Memories of reaching out to her at school that afternoon bubbled back, and he felt a pit grow in his stomach as he recalled how she had brushed him off as an unknown nuisance. Now she knew him, but as the boy her daughter was dating.A potential son in law if things went that far, not a best friend, and hopefully more someday like he'd always thought.
"I tried Stephanie. I left a voicemail, but I suppose you didn't check it yet?" Karyn crossed her arms under her large, saggy bust. Stephanie pulled out her phone and gave an embarrassed look as she put it away. "Tiffany was concerned because she had been trying to get in contact with Jon for hours. I thought it'd be fine to bring her over to show he is fine since you didn't answer either. I'll admit, you even had me a little scared."
"Yes, well, my apologies." Stephanie coughed to hide her blush.
"I'm sorry too. I left my phone at McDonald's and just found out it was stolen." Jon explained.
"Oh my gosh! Will you be able to get it back Jon?" Tiffany was quick to ask.
"If he'd been paying attention this wouldn't have happened." Karyn shook her head, and Jon could see the traces of her original self from when she'd call out his dumb mistakes. "You should think about how your actions will affect others."
"Those were my thoughts too. I planned to ground him from his phone until tomorrow, but then I learned it was most likely stolen by, oh, what was her name?" Stephanie added.
"Her name was Athena Drucker, right? You said she lives in a trailer park." Jon reminded her. It was hard enough hearing Karyn's remark about his actions. If he'd thought that way a few days ago he wouldn't be in this mess. Now he was being reminded of how his failures had caused all the issues with Athena too.
"Don't worry Jon, I'm sure you'll be able to get it back from her." Tiffany gave him a kiss on the cheek, hoping to perk him up. He had suddenly seemed so depressed.
"I wouldn't be so sure.: Stephanie did not seem pleased by the show of affection, but held her tongue. "From what I was told this Athena is a shameless woman with few morals. It could prove difficult negotiating with her for the phone's return, but Jon said he wants to handle it."
"On your own? Let me go with you." Tiffany jumped at the chance to help.
"Tiffany Wilmingham, have you lost your mind?" Karyn put her hands on her wide hips. "Jon's mother just told you this woman is trouble. I do not want you getting hurt needlessly."
"But she is letting Jon-" Tiffany tried to srgue, but Karyn was having none of it.
"She is his mother, and I trust they had a conversation about it. Just because she is allowing him to go does not mean I am letting you follow. Is that clear young lady?" Karyn stared down Tiffany. Jon had seen Karyn stand up to Tiffany, Sarah and many others before. It felt different seeing her as a middle aged woman, but he still found himself admiring that strength to stand by decisions she made.
"Yes mom." Tiffany pouted and looked down at her feet.
"Speaking of your phoe, what were you trying to show me this afternoon Jon?" Karyn turned her attention to him.
"This afternoon?" Jon remembered, but had not expected to be asked about it. He wasn't sure that event had still happeed in this realty, but apparently some version of it had.
"Yes, you wanted to show me something, but your screen was blank.Was it something important?" Karyn pressed further. It had been weighing on her mind all day. Jon had been acting so strangely, like he desperately wanted her to know something, but she had no clue what. For some reason she felt like she had to get the truth out of him, and that something bad would happen if she didn't.
Jon felt all the attention in the room shift to him. Karyn, Tiffany, Stephanie,and even Mallory who had remained silent until then. If he was dating Tiffany he could try playing it off as planning a surprise for her with Karyn's help or somethng. He felt the stone in his pocket as he contemplated what to say. Should he bring Karyn's memories back? He had been resolved to make her aware earlier that day, but now he wasn't sure.
