Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

felt gave me a sick satisfaction.
    “Nothing,” I said, my tone terse, forcefully tugging a handful of weeds.
    I wanted him to pry, but didn’t want to look dumb either. It was already embarrassing enough. If I admitted my feelings to Luke and he teased me, it would be more than I could bear.
    “Must be that time of the month,” he mumbled under his breath while turning to leave.
    “What?” I gasped. “Whatever.”
    I pushed past him into the house and slammed the door behind me. Why did every male believe that if a woman was upset, it was because of her monthly cycle? I was particularly annoyed by his comment as it was his male species that wreaked havoc on my life at the moment, not my hormones.
    “I’m not on my period!” I yelled through the closed door.
    My anger welled up and I stood there, fists clenched, realizing I could no longer wait anymore for the person I really needed to talk to. So I walked directly over to the phone, picked it up and dialed, prepared to say what I needed to say to get my Jo back.

    My ankle ached when pressing the gas pedal as I drove the short distance to Jo and John’s. Every second that passed seemed to make my heart beat a little faster and my palms began to sweat while holding the steering wheel. In my head, I rehearsed what I would say if John was home. I should’ve had the courage to ask Jo if he was at home, instead of being too chicken. I decided if he was there when I arrived that I’d just be blunt and tell him he wasn’t welcome then ignore his hurt feelings and pouting.
    I parked in front and noticed a new “Welcome to the Ritchie’s Home” sign that hung on the side of what used to be Grandma’s house. My stomach churned. Yet another reminder Jo and Grandma were no longer a part of my life—I wished I wasn’t jealous. I pushed the thoughts aside, walked up the walkway and knocked, prepared in case John answered the door.
    “Julia!”
    Jo ambushed me with a huge hug almost knocking me off my feet after opening the door. I melted into her hug and fought back my emotions as we embraced for a moment—basking in the warmth of her undying love.
    “I’ve missed you. Come in . . . come in.”
    It felt really good to be genuinely missed and I realized how stupid I was—John or no John, I shouldn’t have waited so long to see her. As Jo ushered me into the house I smelled cookies baking.
    “I just made some chocolate chip cookies. Would you like some?” she asked as we walked towards the kitchen.
    I nodded while turning the corner and stopped in my tracks. The kitchen had been totally remodeled.
    ”Wow,” I said, overwhelmed by the ostentatious colors and furniture changes. “When did you . . . It looks so . . . different.”
    “Do you like it?” she said, her joy flowing all around us. “Well, now that Mom is gone, John and I felt we should make it more our home. I hope that doesn’t make you feel like we are trying to erase the memory of your Grandma.”
    “Oh, no . . . yeah, you should,” I said while heading toward a newly upholstered bar stool to sit down. I needed a moment to take it all in.
    The walls were now a buttery yellow which complimented the oak cabinetry and granite countertops. The bar stool upholstery matched the draperies, a burgundy fabric with white magnolia flowers. The kitchen was completely unrecognizable from before and very modern. For as long as I could remember Grandma Mae hadn’t changed anything in her home. I wondered if she’d approve of what they were doing to her house.
    I felt like someone was staring at me and I turned. A huge wedding portrait of John and Jo hung on a now deep burgundy colored wall in the dining room. The photo perfectly captured the beauty of Jo’s hazel eyes and long auburn hair that flowed ever so gently over her cream colored dress; her slender arms draped delicately around his neck. I remembered the day well and felt guilty for feeling such disdain towards the man she loved with all her heart.
    “Where’s John?” I asked, not feeling his actual presence but expecting him to come around the corner any minute.
    “He had some things to do today and will be so disappointed he missed you, but he’ll join us later for dinner,” she said, while dishing up another batch of cookies to bake in the oven. “What’s new in your life?”
    I stood there stunned. I couldn’t believe I’d have Jo’s attention all to myself for the entire afternoon and didn’t have to insist on it. My