Chubs broke the silence and asked abruptly, "How long? How long have you known? "
Susan immediately replied, twitching her slender eyebrows," Long enough. Will that do?"
After a pause, Susan continued," Her PTSD, Isn't that why Lucas married me and brought me here? Just how he forcibly got married to his first wife who was already carrying someone else's child."
Chubs broke though and asked interruptedly, " You knew?"
Susan nodded grievingly and continued ," Janet lacked a mom and I came to solve her PTSD. But why has it come back after so many years? Why now? I met with the doctor recently. In fact, she approached me first. She told me everything. She's suspecting that her PTSD was triggered this time because she feels insecure around my maternal figure. Maybe that's true. Because I never treated her as my daughter. I hated her because of Lucas but now I've come to realize that I have no legit reason as Lucas to hate Janet. So I thought I'll help you cure her this time. Also, I have no hope of conceiving any children from Lucas. I'd rather take in Janet as my daughter than rot all my life, being deprived of the love and affection I could receive from a daughter. Janet is a good girl, after all."
Chubs silently listened to Susan surprisingly. Susan, seeing Chubs dumbstruck ,then said, " I know this might sound all too sudden for you. But it's not. I've been wanting to change ever since before. I am hating this life, you know? I know I might look like a mean person and it'd seem wrong if I say I had my reasons. But we all are same, Chubs. We have such circumstances in all our lives. I ....I'll enjoy the meal. Thank you. You may go have your lunch. "
Chubs got up from her chair and walked to the door. Just as she was about to pull the door knob, Susan called from behind and said, " Don't let Janet know any of this. Ever! No matter what! "
Chubs nodded in agreement and left the room.
Meanwhile, back at school , Janet had an enthusiastic day , being elevated by the fact that her stepmom was actually being nice to her that morning. She told Jack, as they were walking out of the school campus, " Do you have any idea what happened last night?"
Jack made a creepy face jokingly and asked Janet, bringing his face close to hers, "How would I know, love?" And he receded back with a "hmph". Janet scorned before Jack turned serious back and asked," Okay , you tell me. What happened last night?"
Janet grinned like a Cheshire cat as she said, " Listen carefully! " Then she took a deep breath of fresh air in before she continued, " Okay, so I was sleeping yesterday with my head on the window sill and with the window open. You know, it was chilling last night. Obviously , I caught a mild cold. But d-don't .." Janet stuttered with a sudden shiver as she turned back to see that Jack was no where behind her but instead 'they' were. Those bullies were.
"Long time no see, Janet. Have you been well?" Samson came forward and said with an evil smirk on his vile face.
Janet's eyes went around searching desperately for Jack as the bullies circled her and one of them pushed her against the fence.
Janet said fearfully, " You're not doing this right, Samson."
Samson immediately countered that and replied, " You were so fierce the other day. Throwing our books into the air and doing cool stuff, huh?"
Janet couldn't figure out what they were saying at all. " W-wait, I d-did?"- Janet asked in utter confusion as she pushed away the mean boys who came leaning against her.
Samson said, " Why? You don't remember now? Don't trick us, okay? Where's that boy Jack? Isn't he always lurking around with you?"
That's when they heard that bold voice saying from behind, " Yes, you're right! I'm always with her. So don't you go near her nor even try to hurt a strand of her hair."
As soon as she heard Jack's voice, Janet pushed through the bullies and went near Jack. Their homeroom teacher was also there with Jack.
The teacher came forward and asked Samson and his gang ," Don't you guys know already that ragging or bullying is a big no no in our campus? Should I reiterate that for you guys, huh? Don't get in my class tomorrow unless you bring your parents to meet the dean. Alright?"
The boys remained silent with their faces looking down. The teacher shouted as they didn't seem to mind," Do you get me or what?" The bullies lifted their faces altogether and said in unity," Yes sir."
And everyone dispersed and went their ways subsequently.
Janet heaved a deep sigh of relief as they together started walking to their homes.
Jack cleared his throat and asked, " So where were we? Oh right! You were leaning your head on the window sill and.."
Janet interrupted and said, " Where did you vanish to ,all of a sudden, leaving me alone?"
Jack chuckled and asked ," Wait, are you nagging at me? "
Janet kept silent and went on walking with the longest strides ever possible with her peanut-sized legs. After a while, Janet said shyly," Thank you! "
Jack replied, using his hands to cover his ears, " Wait, what? I didn't hear you. "
Janet repeated with an even louder voice," Thank you! "
Jack said jokingly, " I didn't hear you. Sorry?"
Janet shouted this time," I said thank you, you dumbhead. "
Jack said, as he tried to control his laughter," I'm sorry but the truck was too loud just now."
Janet scorned and pushed Jack away, with a bump with her hands. Jack and Janet then together laughed and chilled as they resumed their walk, swaying from side to side as they walked hand in hand. They both couldn't stop laughing from their own foolish code of behavior. Janet looked at Jack and vice-versa as they approached the crossover. Their eyes told the rest.