Title: Alternate Realities: Chapter Two, Bingo!
Rating: R/NC-17
Warning: violence, language, sexual nudity




After the last student hurried out of the classroom, Jane puttered about the room, cleaning up after them. She wiped down all the desks, stowed all the toys, filed all the books. With nothing to grade that day, Jane decided heading home to her empty apartment wasn't all that bad. Plus she could stop at the market on the way home, pick up the pastry she had been craving since lunch. Gathering her things she headed towards the hall just as the door to her classroom opened. Barely able to contain a groan, she forced a smile.

"Before you even ask, the answer is no, Don," she stated. "And I'm on my way out now, sooo...."

"Let me take you to dinner, Jane."

Her eyes met his. Ever since she came to teach at that school, he had been chasing her. At first she thought the greasy janitor was just being nice to her by washing her windows, vacuuming her floors, inserting a plug-in into her outlet. But within a few weeks, he asked her out. And had every week since for the past two years. It was nice he was persistant but he had to get tired of rejection, right?

"The answer is still no," she claimed, stepping around him.

"I promise you I clean up really good," he stated.

"I'm sure you do. See you tomorrow, Don."

Leaving the janitor behind, Jane headed out to the bike rack after stopping to check her mailbox on the way out. Her thoughts drifted as she fumbled with her lock, missing her combination twice. As it was Thursday, it was Bingo Night at the senior center across the street from her apartment. Sometimes she went, helping little old ladies and gentlemen play their games. She hadn't yet decided if she would do that week or not.

"You need some help there?" a voice interrupted her thoughts.

Her eyes left the lock and looked into eyes the color of midnight. She felt her heart flutter at that. Of all the staff members at the elementary school, he was the only one she would break her no-work-romance rule for. Jayden Jones taught third grade and had been at the school for five years. Taller than Jane by a few inches, he smiled at her. He had to know the effect he had on her everytime he smiled. Oh how it disarmed her.

"You've been not unlocking your bike for five minutes now," he smirked.

"Just thinking."

"Tough day in class?"

"No, not really," she focused on the lock for a minute. "Just trying to decide what to do tonight."

"What do you normally do on Thursday?"

Her eyes went to his. Was he hitting on her? Two years of innocent stolen glances could have lead to this, right? She didn't want her answer to be wrong but every reply seemed stupid. Truth it was then.

"Sometimes I go across the street from where I live and help the ladies play Bingo."

It seemed even stupider coming out of her mouth than it had rolling around in her head.

"Oh yeah?" he smiled. "Care if I tag along?"

"I know it's kinda stupid but — wait, did you just say you wanted to go with me?"

Jayden smiled, "Yeah, what time?"

"Bingo's at seven."

"Perfect. I'll meet you there."



He was certain he was going to explode. True to her word, his mother fed him all day long. Clearly she wanted to fatten him up. Oh he certainly wasn't complaining. There was nothing quite like his mother's home cooking, except the whole exploding part.

Now she was baking a cake while he lay on the couch, flipping through the channels. While that's pretty much what he had been doing at his own house, it was much better at his mother's house. He had no memories of her there at all.

Sitting in the armchair next to him, she looked over Adam once, "so how long are you going to sulk?"

"I'm not sulking."

"Oh good," she responded. "I think maybe we should find yourself a plain girl who—"

"Ma," he sighed, "I don't need a new girlfriend."

"Adam, how are you ever going to—"

"Ma," he warned.

"Don't you want love?"

He sighed, "Of course I do."

"Then get back in the saddle. You'll never find anyone any other way."

"Don't I get to mourn my relation—"

"Adam, you did your three weeks. Get over it," she stood. "I'm going to go to Bingo now. Try to be a little less surly when I get back, okay?"



Covering her mouth, Jane laughed. She just knew that night was about to result in food spraying if Jayden kept up the jokes. Bingo had been a treat. All the senios adored him, especially when he flirted with the gray-haired ladies. During a break between games, Esther, one of Jane's favorite ladies, pulled her aside to tell her waht a great catch he was. While Jane denied it, Esther insisted upon it. And now they were seated across from each other in a diner down the street.

"Sorry," he muttered, though from his smile she was certain he wasn't. "Third graders teach you the best jokes."

"Clearly," she grinned.

"Dessert?"

"You have to ask a fat girl that?" Jane retorted, still smiling.

His smile instantly disappeared, "You're not fat. Whoever told you that, Jane? You're beautiful."

She scoffed, "How about chocolate cake?"

Jayden's eyes held hers, "You are."

"You don't need to lie to me, Jayden. I am well aware of who I am. It's all right," Jane responded.

He clearly wasn't happy with that, but if she wanted to ignore it, he would. For now. They shared a very large slice of cake, something he wasn't opposed to at all, for the flirtation factor alone. It took Jane a few minutes to realize it, her lips wrapped around his fork, that he was doing so. They crossed the invisible colleague line without either discussing it. She wasn't sure if she should be excited or concerned.

Walking back to the apartment complex, Jane was uncertain whether or not she should invite him up. It had been awhile since she dated and it really hadn't been a date. Would inviting him up be presumptous?

"I really enjoyed tonight. Can I take you out on a proper date this weekend?" he asked.

A flush crept to her cheeks, "I'd like that. When?"

"I'll pick you up at six on Saturday?"

"Sure," she grinned.

Leaning forwards, Jayden kissed her chastely, "Have a great evening. I'll see you tomorrow at school."

Entering her apartment a few moments later, Jane spun around once she stepped in. Her two cats quickly scattered, not at all sure how to react to her presence. They hadn't seen her giddy like that... ever. It was foreign and scary.

"Guess what, kids?" she looked at the cats as they peered out of her bedroom. "Mom has a date!"



Entering her house after dark, Patsy flicked on the light in the kitchen. Soft white light cascaded into the living room, falling on Adam's sleeping form on the couch. Leaning on the archway that lead into the room, she looked at her son. Even with his Grammys, his fancy cars and fancy house, he still came back home when he was hurting. A mama's boy despite the trappings of fame.

Stirring, he rubbed his face, looking towards the light, "Ma?"

"You don't need to sleep on the couch, Adam. You can sleep in your own room," she commented.

"What time is it anyways?" he sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Barely after nine," she responded.

"Shit. Really?"

"Language," she warned. "Go get some rest. In the morning we can talk about Jane."

Adam groaned, "Ma, we're not going over past relationships and albums and—"

"No no," she interrupted. "Jane is this very sweet girl who comes to bingo nights to help those who can't really read the cards all that well. She would be a nice girl for yo—"

"No. Just no, Ma," he declared, standing. "I'm going to bed. See you in the morning."

Watching her son walk down the hallway to his old bedroom, the one still decorated the same as it was when he was in high school, Patsy shook her head. She knew without a doubt that Jane was the girl for Adam. Convincing him of that was going to be some task. But she was up for it. Most certainly.