Part 5

Dorothea had been brewing up an idea that even she thought was amazing.  She hadn't told anyone yet, not even Jon. Dot just wanted to make sure everything was perfect, or as perfect as possible.

A couple hours later found Dot was wandering around the house in Red Bank. It was the first house that they had fully agreed upon. And that she felt mature enough, wise enough, to buy it, build it, and decorate it. And with all of her children, it worked out perfectly.

She employed people to clean her house but she was still a hands on woman. She sat back from scrubbing the bathroom floor. Her mind wandered back to their first home.

~~~

Dot was not happy. Maybe a little furious. Jon bought another house. This time in actual Malibu proper. He meant well but she was a Jersey girl through and through. He was hosting a party. And somehow she was in charge of putting it together, while he was out partying. Fuck.

The witching hour was upon them. All these people started showing up. NO JON. More famous people. NO JON. It turned midnight. NO JON.

Right about one am the Toad showed up. Dot was in the middle of trying to find more alcohol when she heard ...

"Hi Dorothea."

She turned to see the Toad. "Hello Mr McGee," she said, "have you seen my husband?"

"He ..." is all the Toad got out when Jon came up between them.

"Hey! Sweetheart! I missed you so much!"  Jon said, trying to sound excited and to keep Doc and his wife quiet. He could feel the fury emanating off of her in waves. Little did he know some of that was directed at him.

Dot looked at him and said, slowly, through her teeth, "Where have you been?"

Jon was about to answer when Dot said, "You may have bought a house, filled it with these people, but this is not my home." And with that she took her leave and headed upstairs. Before the night was through Dorothea had packed her bags and left. Again.

By then Jon had passed out, but she wasn't going to let him forget ... by the big ass note taped to his forehead.

~~~

Dorothea shook her head, bringing her back to the present.

"Mom!" She heard in the distance.

"Mom!" All the more louder. By the time the voice found her she was coming out of her bathroom.

Damn, she thought to herself, Jacob was very handsome. She knew she was not supposed to have favorites but ...

"Mom, there you are," He said nonchalantly, "can I have some friends over this weekend?"

"What kind of friends?"

"Just some friends from school. I was hoping we could BBQ."

"Sure, but you have to help. Shopping. Prep."

"Cool!  Thanks Mom!" Jacob exclaimed, hugging his mom.

Dorothea just shook her head and went back to cleaning.