Free The Duet by Jennifer D'Angelo Page B

something of himself through his music. He didn’t know how that would play out. He wasn’t delusional enough to think he’d get a record deal or anything like that. But he felt like he had something to contribute and he wouldn’t give up. The UnAmused and playing at Darden’s was the first stepping stone. He just had to convince them all to start weaving some originals in with the covers they always played, and see what happened from there.
    It started to rain, and Jay lowered his head and made his way to the apartment, his hands in his pockets. He wasn’t in any particular hurry.
    The door swung open before he could get to his key, and Michelle O’Donnell threw herself at him, nearly knocking him over.
    “Hey loser,” she teased. “Good to see you made it out in one piece!”
    Jay walked in, the fantasy of his quiet sanctuary dissipating as the sounds of a large party reached his ears. Only it wasn’t really a large party at all. Just the O’Donnell’s all gathered in his place to welcome him home. As much as he thought he longed for solitude, he felt his eyes burn a little at the thought that everyone was here – just for him.
    “Thank God you’re here. Mom wouldn’t let us eat anything until you showed up.” Tommy got up and shook his hand, then dashed in to the kitchen where the most remarkable smells were coming from. Jay’s mouth watered.
    Mr. O’Donnell also shook his hand, Cooper gave him a man-hug and Mrs. O’Donnell clutched him so tight, then looked at him with such genuine love and concern, he felt a lump in his throat. Even Shane Jr., the least demonstrative member of the family, gave him a brotherly pat on the shoulder.
    It felt good to be home. But there was one person missing. Cooper noticed as Jay’s eyes darted around the room, landing on Izzy’s closed bedroom door.
    “She’s not here,” Cooper answered his unspoken question. “She started a new job today, but she would’ve been here if she could.”
    “Another new job? What happened to the warehouse thing?” Jay asked.
    Michelle snorted from her spot on the couch. “Yeah, that. She broke some guy’s nose with her foot when he tried to feel her up.”
    Jay’s eyebrows shot up. Michelle waved her hand in front of her face. “I’ll let her tell you the story. She’s much more colorful than me.”
    “So where’s she working right now?”
    Cooper took a long pull of his beer, and Jay caught Michelle giving him a withering look. No one else was drinking, despite the fact that the spirits always flowed freely at any O’Donnell function. He suspected it was out of respect for him, and though it wasn’t necessary, he was touched.
    “She’s at some fancy store over in the outlets. They close at five, so she should be home soon.”
    Jay shrugged, but Cooper gave him a look that told him he wasn’t pulling off the nonchalant act.
    The party got going. The apartment was overflowing with O’Donnell’s all talking at once and food kept appearing in front of him as if it were multiplying in the kitchen. Jay had forgotten how much he missed all this. It seemed like six years, not six weeks, that he’d been gone.
    “I hope you left me a scrap of food, Tommy. Geez, can you fit any more potato skins in your mouth at once?” Jay heard her voice from where he was talking to Shane Jr. in the kitchen. He stepped into the doorway to the living room, trying to appear casual. Shane Jr. didn’t even notice that Jay had stopped listening to what he was saying.
    “We can’t all have as big a mouth as you, Izzy,” Tommy said, crumbs shooting out as he spoke. Mrs. O’Donnell smacked him on the back of his head for his poor manners.
    “Jay! They finally sprung you from the joint, huh?” She smiled at him, but didn’t come any closer. He was glad. What was the protocol for greeting your roommate who had been a practical stranger before, but whom you poured your heart out to on paper for the last six weeks? Were they supposed to hug;