Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

More time passed. Jane studying with all her heart and Fiona trying out every shade of lipstick on the market.

One night Fiona came out of the shower just wearing a pair of knickers saying “Jane, look at me.”

Jane answered “and I am looking at?”

“See you can't even see them, it's my tits I haven't got any.”

“For Gods sake Fiona your breasts fit the rest of your body perfectly.”

Fiona pulled on a t-shirt and sat down in a huff on her bed. “I asked Dad for a boob job for my 16th birthday and he wouldn't hear of it saying I had yet to grown in to my own body. I mean, really, being married to my Mum you would think he would be more understanding. Well I am not going to my 16th birthday party now and that's it, end of story.”

Jane looked at her friend and said “You know you are going to your party and if I can manage to wrangle it I will come with you.”

“Okay” answered Fiona “but if you can't come with me I am not going!”

Once again Jane's Father agreed to her request.

The party was fun with Sweet 16 balloons everywhere. Aunts and Uncles filled the house with a monopoly of children of all ages in tow.

Fiona's Parents gave her a diamond bracelet and her 14 year old Brother gave her a padded bra which she whacked him around the head with.

During the party Fiona's Mum gave the girls a glass of bubbles making them promise not to tell Hubby, Later Fiona's Father also gave them a glass each making them promise not to tell Fiona's Mother. Unbeknown to both Parents Fiona had been filling a hip flask with her Father's good scotch from his study, enjoying a nip or two as the night went on.

Watching Fiona dance one of her Aunts declared “Fiona is such a merry little soul” to which Jane wholeheartedly agreed.

Xmas break was torture for Jane.

Fiona and her family went to Disneyland and Jane returned home preparing for the worst.

Over dinner her Father told her he was disappointed in her regarding last terms exams, noticing that there had been a 'B” in math.

“Actually Father it was a 'B+'.”

Grayson stared at her with a face like thunder and said

“I don't like your tone young lady.”

Jane thought “I don't fucking like yours either” obviously not talking out loud but feeling some gratification in thinking it.

“Perhaps I have been remiss in letting you wander around the countryside.” Grayson added. “Well from now on that will stop. You need to concentrate on your studies. You have a final year at High School and I expect to see better results.”

To Jane's relief that was the end of the conversation.

Fiona arrived back from Disneyland with Mickey Mouse Ears and perfume for Jane.

“My Brother got so scared on a ride he wet himself” Fiona said gleefully “which was perfect payback for giving me THAT bra on my Birthday.”

Soon after Fiona took to sneaking out of the window on a Friday night, climbing back in hours later.

Jane said “you are going to get caught.”

“Don't be silly all the girls do it and have never been caught. Besides all the old folks looking after us are fast asleep when we leave and get back. You should try it yourself” then chuckling Fiona added “God forbid the Princess would ever consider doing such a thing!”

That comment hurt Jane to her very core but she said nothing in retaliation knowing full well that Fiona was not a malicious person just that her delivery of words at the best of times were better unsaid.

Fiona was boy crazy. She would name one boy one week and another the following. Apparently they were all 'dreamy'. Jane couldn't keep up.

Things changed. Suddenly Fiona only spoke about one boy whose name was Tiki.

Jane said that it was an unusual name and Fiona explained he had been named after his Grandfather.

With that Fiona took to climbing out of the window more frequently. Her makeup got more and more pronounced and her skirts got shorter and shorter, so short Jane could see her knickers when she took the leap to the great outside.

“Oh well at least she is wearing knickers, just hope she keeps them on” thought Jane.

Helping Fiona back through the window one night Jane realised she was more than a little worse for wear.

“Jesus Fiona you are as drunk as a skunk, where have you been?” asked Jane.

“At the Crown three blocks from here” slurred Fiona.

“Fiona you can't go to a Pub, you are not 18 yet!”

“It's ok Tiki got me fake ID.”

“What a gentleman” said Jane sarcastically.

“You are right, he is such a gentleman” said Fiona happily.

Mid year exams were coming up and Jane studied harder than ever. It was important she do well so she could have her choice of College. One in particular was her favourite simply because it was as far away as possible from her Father.

Fiona took ill. Her face mainly down the toilet. After three days Jane suggested Fiona let the Nurse know.

“No it's just a bug. Other girls have got it to.”

Jane hadn't noticed any shortage of attendance in the dining room but held her tongue.

Exams came and went with Jane crossing her fingers and toes praying for a good outcome.

She left School for the break imploring Fiona to talk to the Nurse.

Jane was picked up by a car and delivered home. Over dinner that night her Father actually smiled at her and said “You obviously heeded my words on your last visit. Your grades are exemplary. Have you thought of a College which you would like to attend? With those results I am sure you will be able to pick and choose.”

Jane wondered if she was loosing her mind, had her Father actually complimented her?

“Yes Father, I have” and mentioned the College of her preference. “They have all the classes that I wish to facilitate for my future, plus they have an off College campus,”

“Yes, well I have heard that particular College is of sound standing and I imagine you will excel there.”

Jane left the dining room unsure of what had just occurred. Perhaps her Father was getting more mellow in his older years.

On Jane's return to Bradbury Park she opened her room door and found that all of Fiona's belongings were gone and noticed a letter on her bed.

“Dear Jane,

Found out I am up the duff. Dad is coming to get me shortly. Texted Tiki about it and he blocked me straight away. So I guess we were both wrong, he is no gentleman.

Dad told me on the phone that I am better off without him and he is probably right.

I will miss you but when everything gets sorted out I will get in touch with you.

Love Fiona.”

Jane sat on her bed and pityingly thought to herself “Someone else gone, well why the hell not?”

As finals were only a few months away Jane was told she would not be getting a new room mate. That suited her perfectly.

Almost four months later a letter arrived from Fiona with a photograph.

“Dear Jane,

I had a baby boy. I have called him Robert. He is gorgeous with the biggest brown eyes. I reckon I would never get to hold him if I wasn't breast feeding with Mum, Dad and all my siblings never laying him down for a moment. As for actually giving birth just be glad you can't do it. I think my Mum's hands are still bruised but she hasn't complained.

I know you have exams coming up but please visit soon.

Love Fiona.”

Jane looked at the photo and felt a sharp stab in her heart and recognised it to be jealousy. Not for the beautiful brown baby Fiona cradled in her arms but the fact that no matter what circumstances Fiona arrived under she was welcomed home with open arms.

Jane ordered a layette to be delivered and dropped the letter and photograph in to the bin deciding that chapter of her life was closed.