Part 328
As Howie, Sarah, and Nick stood talking, Becca came in the back with Jesse and Garrett followed by Billy and Raoul. She spotted the three and started to make her way towards them when Fiona intercepted her.
"Oh, Becca! He’s so sweet," gushed Fiona as she played with Garrett’s hand.
"Thank you. I see you’re ready for the show. Are you nervous?"
"Oh gosh yes!! Not so much about going in front of a crowd but because I’m Kevin’s partner. He’s such a perfectionist."
Becca laughed. "You ought to talk to Sarah. She knows how to deal with him."
"I get the impression Sarah doesn’t like me very much."
"Oh, I’m sure you’re off base on that. The last couple weeks have been really tough on her."
"I don’t know," said Fiona as Becca set Garrett’s carrier on a box. She moved to get a better look at him as she went on. "She hasn’t exactly been overly friendly since I joined the dancers in Montreal."
Jesse stepped between Fiona and Garrett. "LEAVE GARRETT ALONE!"
Shocked that Jesse would behave this way, Becca said, "Jesse, that’s not nice."
Crossing her arms and not moving, Jesse said defiantly, "I don’t care. Mommy says she’s a witch with a capital ‘b’ and she doesn’t need to be anywhere near Garrett, Uncle Nicky, OR YOU!"
Fiona looked at Becca. "Still think I’m off base?"
Embarrassed, Becca stammered, "I’m sure there’s a good explanation. I’ll talk to Sarah and see if I can clear this up."
"No need. You’d have to talk to half the dancers too. Seems Sarah’s quite influential with them as well as the guys."
Becca shook her head. Sarah must have a good reason to feel this way but she said, "I’ll take care of it."
"Thank you, Becca. I guess I’d better go. Looks like Fatima is ready."
"I’ll walk with you. Sarah and Nick are waiting for me."
Jesse had not given an inch to let Fiona anywhere near Garrett and as Becca picked him up, she continued to stay between them.
Becca had had enough of Jesse’s attitude and said, "Jessica, I don’t appreciate this behavior. Go tell your mother and father that I’m giving you a time out for being so rude."
Having Sarah’s temper, Jesse didn’t back down. "NO! You aren’t my mommy and you can’t make me! That lady is MEAN and she’s really a bitch."
"JESSICA PAIGE DOROUGH!" scolded Becca. "That kind of language is NOT appropriate."
"FUCK YOU!"
That got Howie and Sarah’s attention quickly and Sarah grabbed Jesse by the arm giving her a hard whack on her backside. "THAT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, YOUNG LADY!"
"I think it’s time for a young lady to go to bed," said Howie. "Your behavior today, Jessica, has been completely out of line."
Having Howie call her ‘Jessica’ devastated her and she began to cry. She knew she was in serious trouble now.
"Cut off the water works, Jessica Paige," said Sarah with a calm anger in her voice. "Apologize to Becca and Fiona, NOW!"
As easily as she’d started, Jesse stopped crying and looked at Becca pitifully. "I’m sorry, Aunt Becca."
"I accept your apology."
Turning to Fiona, Jesse’s eyes became cold and she spit out. "I’m NOT sorry and I don’t like you!"
Brian, Kevin, and AJ had joined the small group and cringed at Jesse’s latest outburst knowing that Howie and Sarah would not tolerate it. They were surprised though to see Sarah wasn’t bothered by Jesse’s comments to Fiona but she still handled it appropriately.
"Jessica, that was NOT what I told you to do."
Jesse puffed up, looked at Fiona and grumbled, "I’m sorry."
"Thank you, Jesse," responded Fiona as she caught the same icy stare from Sarah that Jesse had given her.
"Daddy, will you take me to time out?" asked Jesse knowing that he would go easier on her than Sarah.
"No ma’am. Your mother will deal with you. I have to go to work," answered Howie. Kneeling down, Howie gave her a kiss and whispered, "I’ll see you after the show…and Princess, I love you."
Jesse wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, "I love you too, Daddy."
Standing up, Howie looked at Sarah, gave her a kiss, and whispered, "Go easy on her. She’s just repeating what she’s heard from you."
"I know. I have no problem with her feelings but I DO have a problem with her language. I’ve NEVER used THAT kind of language around her."
"I know. Go on. I’ll see you later…on the back stage."
Sarah took Jesse’s hand and led her out to the bus. It was quite obvious that Jesse knew she was in trouble as they walked.
Becca had noticed that Nick and Howie were both ‘cool’ towards Fiona as she left the small group to join the dancers. She watched Nick as he picked Garrett up from his seat talking and playing with him as the other four guys gathered around. She had to know what was going on with Fiona and she would find out BEFORE the show was over. She had begun to wonder if Sarah was jealous that Fiona was Kevin’s partner because she hadn’t been particularly fond of Tammy either but that didn’t explain Howie and Nick’s iciness.
"Okay…time to take our spots," directed Kevin. "Becca, we’ll see you later and tell Sarah NOT to be late."
"What’s she doing?"
"She playing the piano for us," said Brian.
"Oh..okay. I’ll go out and remind her," answered Becca as she took Garrett from Nick. She gave him a kiss as they passed the baby off. "I’ll see you after the show."
"We need to talk. You gonna wait up for me?"
Becca was now completely confused. Nick’s eyes betrayed a guilt she’d never seen before and this along with Jesse’s behavior had her wondering what was going on.
"Sure…I’ll wait up for you."