Lisa stares at her computer screen and sighs. She can't figure out how to finish her latest story. She rereads the last line of the soon-to-be-novel in which she named Destiny. Nothing comes to her. Lisa finally sighs and turns off the computer. She isn't going to be able to finish the story today. It will probably take quite awhile. Besides, she isn't sure if she is ready to leave her characters yet. They really mean a lot to her.
Sitting back in the chair, Lisa looks around her bedroom for some inspiration. The posters on her wall aren't of any help, they are all of the Backstreet Boys. She stands and looks at her black cat who is lying peacefully on her bed.
"Nermal," she starts, "Am I ever going to finish that story?"
The cat looks at her with yellow eyes that turn green before they reach the pupil. Then she mews softly. Lisa laughs and hugs the cat, burying her face in her soft, silky fur. The cat purrs softly and goes back to sleep.
Lisa hears the front door open and she walks downstairs to see her mother walking inside, young Jordan trailing not so far behind her. Jordan's blue eyes lock with Lisa's and he lets out a happy squeal and runs towards her, his little arms out stretched.
"Mommy, mommy!"
Lisa laughs softly and kneels down and takes her three year old son into her arms and holds him up to her breasts in a loving embrace. Then she turns to her mother as she holds Jordan. "Was he good?"
Kay nods, "My grandson was a perfect angel, which is more than I can say about you when you were younger."
Lisa rolls her eyes, "Yeah, but I was better than Mimi."
Kay shrugs, "Yeah, well. Grandma and uncle Doug are coming over today to see Jordan."
Lisa groans, "No. mom, I know Grandma still thinks I'm a whore for Jordan!"
Kay smiles softly, "Honey, I know, but as long as I've forgiven you it doesn't matter. Ok? I have a very handsome grandson and you are happier than I've ever seen you."
Lisa smiles and kisses Jordan on top of his golden hair. the brown tint seems to fade in the summer sunlight. He looks up at her.
"Mommy, how old am I?"
Lisa looks at her only child and smiles. "Jordy, you're three years old."
He smiles great big. "Can I go outside and play?"
"No, but you can go into aunt Mimi's room and play for a little bit."
"How old is aunt Mimi?"
Lisa laughs and sets her son on the floor and ruffles his hair. "She's seven."
Jordan hugs his mother's knees and then runs into Marion's room. Lisa hears Mimi tell him to sit down as she gets him toys. Danny walks into the front room and looks at Lisa.
"Are you using the TV?"
Lisa shakes her head and puts one hand on her flat stomach before hearing a knock on the front door. She walks over and answers it. Her grandmother and uncle are standing on the front steps. Lisa forces a smile.
"Hi Grandma, hi Doug. Come on in."
Betty and Doug walk in and Betty turns to Lisa. "Is your mother home?"
Lisa nods. "Mom, Grandma's here."
Kay leads everyone into the living room and Doug and Danny turn off the video games and join the conversation. After an hour, Jordan walks in and hugs Lisa.
"Mommy, I tired."
Lisa takes Jordan into her lap and catches Betty's look in her direction.
"What, Grandma?" Lisa asks, sick of all of the looks.
"You're too young is all. You were fifteen when you had him."
Anger boils inside of Lisa. "Look, Grandma, I know you don't believe in it but I love my son and I haven't felt this good in years. True, I was young, but if I had the chance, I would not go back in time. I am glad that I slept with his father, I'm so glad. My son means more to me than anything in this world and if you don't like it…"
"Lisa, you're eighteen years old with a three year old son! And you refuse to tell us who the father is!"
Lisa snorts, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Though he does look like his father so much I don't know how you miss it."
Betty sighs, "You would be better off without him."
Lisa stares at her Grandma, "Don't you ever say that again!"
Jordan starts crying. "Great Grandma don't love me!"
Lisa holds her son close, "Honey, mommy loves you more than anyone else in the entire world and that's all that matters." The small boy buries his face in her neck and sobs. Lisa stands and walks upstairs. She has had enough. She paces with her son until he finally cries himself to sleep and then she lays him on her bed.
Lisa turns on her TV and sees the Backstreet Boys singing in a concert. A close up of Nick Carter startles her. Jordan looks so much like him. Why, Jordan even has some of his traits in him. He sings a lot and even dances very well.
Anger washes over her as she walks to her closet and pulls down a shoe box and takes off the lid. She takes out a picture and feels tears form. It is a picture of herself and Nick himself, sitting together under a tree, Nick's arm around her shoulders and Lisa leaning her head against his arm. Brian had taken the picture three years ago when Lisa had gone to California to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle. They look so happy in the picture. Lisa smiles as she remembers that fateful summer.