A Different World Pt. 02

"Can you get these people out of here, please?" Joey said towards Zack.

"Show is fucking over people. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!" Zack yelled like a true friend helping when needed.

By the time Zack returns to the kitchen, Tiffany is giving Joey a hug. The poor kid is sitting in a chair just weeping. Zack walks up and lays a hand on his back.

"Place is empty, Boss. I even watched Susie and Sophia get in their car and head away. Want us to stay?"

"Thank you, but no. Thanks for your help."

"Call if you need us. Don't worry, she will wise up. I bet she is just PMSing," Zack said trying to be helpful.

"Really," Tiffany exclaimed looking up at Zack. "Ignore the jerk. She will cool off. I'll talk to her later."

Two days later, Joey still hasn't heard from Susie. He sent hundreds of texts and emails, but no reply. The next day he goes over to her house to be stopped by her mother at the door.

"Susie isn't feeling well. She needs to rest," Mrs. Power told him. "She will call you when she is ready. - She doesn't want to talk. - Yes, she hasn't left. She is sleeping. - You need to leave now." Is all the information he was able to get from her mother.

The only other communication has been with Sophia. She returns his texts, and the both of them stay in communication.

Texting ... To Sophia

(Joey): Suz, eating dinner?

(Sophy): Yes, she is sleeping. She threw up breakfast.

(Joey): She never told me she was sick.

: Will she talk to me?

(Sophy): I don't know. I'm trying.

(Joey): Thanks.

(Sophy): J

The next day, Joey is sitting at a table eating a burger in the Burger Hut. He looks up with sad puppy-dog eyes when Zack comes and sits next to him. Zack has a shake in his hand and sips the drink.

"Dude, you have to stop being a Bitch," Zack said between sips.

"Fuck you."

"You still have the ring on, dude?"

"It just feels right. She has to talk to me soon," Joey said setting his half-eaten burger down.

"Did you go to class today?"

"Yep."

"And," Zack said wide eye nodding to Joey. "Think about it."

"What... Shit, you are right. She has class. Her class will be getting done, now. But, it's an all-girl college."

"Dumb ass, is it an all-girl parking lot?"

At the point Joey is pulling out of the Burger Hut, Susie is walking to her car parked in one of the outer parking lots at HSU. As she approaches her car, she sees two guys. She recognizes one of them from her high school.

With her car past the guys, she decides to walk towards them. With the hell week she has had, all she wants is to get home.

When the two guys look her way, she knows she is screwed. Even though she has on jeans and a t-shirt, all of the shirts, she likes, show a little cleavage at least. Plus, she always enjoys wearing heels, but the sex appeal from the shoes alone would get the horny guys going.

Like cheetahs stocking their prey, the two guys hackle as they approach.

"Holy fuck! You're sexy, babe. Oh shit, Susie that you?"

"Yes, Rex. Hey. How have you been?" Susie asked holding her books cross-armed over her chest as she walks.

"Great. Been working at my dad's shop. Man, Ted," Rex said motioning to his friend. "Susie, here was the hottest girl in high school. All the male teachers and students were inspired to breed around her.

However, she was engaged before anyone knew she was of age. Who is the lucky bastard?"

"Joey," Susie commented as she unlocks her car. She set her books down in the seat with her back to the men.

"Oh yeah, that fucking nerd. But," Rex exclaimed. The word 'But' sends fear down Susie's spine. "But, I heard, 'The engagement is off'. Is this true Susie?"

"Fuck, really? I got a few fucking request, man," stated Ted, the friend.

"Let the girl speak. And, I have been so fucking inspired for five fucking years. I need her fucking bad."

Two things come clear in Susie's mind suddenly. Unless she has her Marital Ring, these two assholes will fuck her over and over. Most likely use every hole roughly with no compassion or passion. And two, Joey is no-where close to being a self-center asshole pig like these guys. These two make Zack an angel.

As she tries to think of what to do, her hands rub over her jeans. When her hands feel a lump in the one pocket, she remembers. She stuffed her Marital Ring in her pocket. "Shit," she said out loud realizing if it doesn't glow. It's useless.

"What babe?" asked Rex. "So, you ready for a few hundred requests, sweet cakes."

Turning to face the assholes, she slides the ring over her finger. She closes her eyes as she faces them. She knows there is no way the ring will glow thus proving she isn't engaged. It's almost been a week. Surely Joey removed his ring. The way she was to him, why not.

"Fuck, man look," grunted the skinny friend.

"Fuck," barked Rex.

When Susie opens her eyes, she raises her hand up to her face. The ring is glowing. Her heart races and tears fill her eyes. He left it on. All this time, he left his ring on. Her hero has saved her, again.

At the point he is driving around another parking lot looking for her car, Joey sees out the corner of his eye his ring start to glow. His mind and heart races like Susie. He has no clue what this means, but he has to find her.

It takes about ten minutes after his ring started to glow for him to locate her car. He pulls up behind her car and parks. As he gets out and walks to the driver door, he sees her sitting in the driver seat. Not knowing what to do, he taps the driver side window.

"Ekk!," Susie screamed. The knocking is unexpected and startling. First thought, Rex returned.

When Susie turns and glimpses her visitor, she opens the car door without thinking. Once the door is open, she leaps into Joey's arms. Sensing his arms wrap around her, she circles her legs around his waist. Without saying anything, she kisses his cheeks. Tears are running down her face.

"Suz... Susie? What's a matter? Are you hurt? Talk to me."

In response, she weeps into his shoulder. Her grip on his neck tightens. She holds on to him for dear life. It takes a couple minutes before she can talk.

"You left your ring on? You saved me, again."

"Of course, I left it on. I love you, Suz. What happen? You hurt?" gulped Joey.

"I'm fine. I'm so happy to see you. I'm sorry," cried Susie. "I was mean. I..I didn't know. I... I was emotional. I trapped you."

"Susie, slow down."

"I... I was worried. I don't know," Susie rambled. "I..I just didn't want you to reject me. I got angry."

"All I want is you. I have been miserable," Joey stated sitting Susie on her car's trunk. "It's my fault. I should have done better."

"No, it's not your fault. I was emotional. I exploded. I just don't know how to.. I don't know."

"Susie, look at me," Joey ordered catching her eyes with his eyes. "Tell me. Tell me anything."

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh my god. Holy fuck," Joey exclaimed. Looking Susie in the eyes, he sees her eyes grow with concern. "That's awesome. Wow, it's wonderful."

The couple embraces each other. Their lips interlock with passion and excitement for one another.

Flash forward about two years...

Joey stands in the kitchen looking out to the living room and the table in the breakfast nook area. The Strong family has been in their new house for a month, and today is the first family gathering. Today is Joey's twenty-first birthday.

He watches Mrs. Power bounce sixteen-month-old Little Joe on her knee with his mother sitting on the couch next to them. His mother keeps talking baby talk to her little grandchild. Sitting in his recliner is Sophia, Susie's sister. She is staring at her phone texting and has earbuds in her ears. At the table in the breakfast nook, both grandfathers are working on consuming their second piece of his birthday cake.

As Joey leans on the counter in the corner of the kitchen, his wife, Susie steps in front of him. Her arms wrap around him in a hug. After a moment, she separates with a box in her hand. Holding the box out to Joey, He takes the box and lowers one hand to her protruding belly.

"How are you, momma?"

"I'm fine. Relax. You worry too much. Open my present."

Leaning down kissing Susie's belly, Joey ignores her demand for him to open his present. Continuing to rub her belly through her summer dress, he says, "And, how is daddy's little girl?"

"She's fine. Now, open your present, daddy," commanded Susie.

"Hmm, Daddy. Me like," Joey replied as he opens the box. A smile grows on his face as Susie rolls her eyes at him. "Baby, the watch I wanted. You're too good to me."

"Just remember that on our second anniversary," reminded Susie as she kisses his lips. Leaning closer to his ear, she whispers, "I have another present for you tonight."

"Oh really? A new outfit?"

"Nope, my anal virginity," whispered Susie.

"Your...," Joey started to comment but his mouth and brain quit working "Seriously? You sure? It's safe?"

"Oh my god, yes and yes."

"I have a present for you," Joey stated wrapping his arms around her. He presses his lips to her lips for a passionate kiss. Then, reaching into his pocket he pulls out a ring. He takes her right hand and slides it on her ring finger.

"What's this?"

"My second Marital Ring. I received it earlier, today."

"Why give it to me?" asked Susie.

"We are one. I want this to be our decision, not just mine."

Hugging him and pulling his ear to her mouth, Susie kisses his cheek. Then, she whispers, "Sophy will be eighteen in six months."

"You want your mother to kill me?" asked Joey glancing at the recliner and his sister-in-law, the overdeveloped blond.

To be continued...