She's like a sister to me

Julie woke up the next morning, walked toward her mirror, and stared at herself. She did not recognize the image in it. Her eyes were red, puffy, they had dark circles, and there were bags under them. Her hair was messy and tangled. She took a deep breath and headed into her bathroom. Julie grabbed her toothbrush, put some toothpaste on it, and brushed her teeth.

Next, she ran hot water inside her tub. When the bathtub was full, Julie added into the water, "Deep Steep Rosemary Mint" bubble bath, plus Lavender, and Epsom salt. Afterward, she created a playlist filled with relaxing tunes and began playing them. Lastly, Julie undressed from in her zebra pattern pajama and got into the tub. She grabbed her scrub, rubbed about forty milliliters on her arms and legs in a circular motion, then rinsed it off when she finished. After her bath, Julie dried off with a clean, fluffy towel and tied it around her body.

When Julie entered her room, she dropped the towel and got clothed into a cute pink sweat pant, untangled her hair, applied some curly product in it, wrapped her hair into a bun with a black band, and went downstairs for breakfast. Her parents were waiting for her at the dining table. Julie entered the dining room and greeted her father and mother, then took her seat at the table. Mr. Harper asked his family to bow their heads and lead them into grace.

Julie's father ended with his prayer, and she put four pancakes on her plate. Mrs. Harper watched her daughter devour the cake with amusement. She wondered how Julie could eat this much and still look slim. "Are you okay, baby? Your face looks as though you did not have any sleep last night." Mr. Harper asked. Julie nodded her head, "I am fine, dad." She replied. Her father stares at his wife, and Mrs. Harper shook her head, urging him not to ask further questions. Julie finished eating her pancake plus the fruits and drank a glass full of pineapple juice.

She was about to excuse herself from the table and return upstairs when her mother asked her. "Do you have somewhere to go today?" Julie looks at her parents' concerned faces. "Nope, I don't." She told them. At that instant, her phone rang, and it was Steven calling.

Julie answered the call. "Are you still up for the job?" He asked her. She tapped her finger on the table and bit her lip, then answered. "Yes." His side of the call grew silent for about three minutes, and she felt more anxious regarding his next response. "Okay, then. See you tomorrow." Steven replied. Julie thought about his health and asked, "How are you doing." But the call got cut before she could end her statement.

She placed her phone inside her pocket and gazed at her parents, who had been observing her, "I got to go out." She said to them. Mr. Harper seems confused. "To where!" He asked his daughter. Julie stood up from her chair. "To buy some suits from the mall." She replied and walked out.

Jackson woke up from bed with a headache. He opened his eyes, and Jennie was not beside him. So Jackson got up, did his regular morning activities, wore gray sweatpants with a white t-shirt, and went to the dining room for breakfast. He met Jennie standing at the dining table, putting down plates with different foods on the table. She looked like a cheerful wife from one of those old movies. But Jackson knew that their marriage was not a happy one, at least not these past few days.

"Morning, babe. I will soon finish what I am doing. Then you can have your breakfast!" Jennie said. Jackson approached the table, ate a bit of his toast, and drank his coffee. "I am filled. Thank you for these delightful foods. I will eat more when I get back." he told her. Jennie put the last plate down and asked. "You are going out?" Jackson kissed her on the cheek. "Yes, I am going on a morning drive to clear my head." He said and left the house.

As Jackson was about to enter his car, he saw Julie standing on the sidewalk, looking as terrible as he was. She spotted him and waved. Jackson walked away from his vehicle and advanced toward her. Jennie heard her husband giggling, and she peeped through the window curtain. She saw Jackson and Julie lively chatting. Later, Jennie watched as they got into his car and drove off. At that moment, nothing could calm the rage in her heart. Secret or no secret, Jennie was not allowing any woman closer to her man.

"Thank you," Julie said to Jackson as she continued playing Candy Crush on her phone. "That's what neighbors are for, to help each other. Plus, you helped me because I did not know where I was heading when I saw you. At least, you have given me a direction. I can also purchase something nice for my wife from the mall." He replied with a bright smile.

Jackson packed his car in the parking lot of the "Frosty" mall. He got down and opened the door for Julie. "Thank you," She said as Jackson closed it and pressed the button on his key to lock the doors. When Julie and Jackson entered the mall, they got greeted with loud noises and lots of people. Jackson took two black shades off the hook as they walked past the eyeglasses stand. He wore one, then gave the other to Julie.

"We both look awful. So I think we should hide our face before we scare someone." Jackson teased, and Julie burst into laughter. "I see, he got jokes now." She replied, slightly shoving him. Jackson pokes Julie in her side. She returns with another push, this time a little harder than the last. Jackson laughs, "Okay, I surrender." He pleaded with his hands in the air.

Jackson and Julie continued searching until they reached the women's business outfit area. The shop assistant approached them. "How can I help you guys?" He said. Julie looked at the various suits and got confused. "I know nothing about buying office clothes." She said, feeling frustrated and embarrassed.

"She will have that set. Plus, that black one, the white, gray, and peach." Jackson said, pointing at the variety of coats and skirt suits. Next, he picked out a few jackets and heels with matching handbags for Julie. Jackson whispered in her ears when the shop assistant was packing the stuff. "I got your back." Without saying it out loud, Julie signaled with her lips to him. "Thank you again for everything."

They reached the counter, and the cashier billed Julie. However, her money did not mount up to the bills. She tried to take some stuff back. But Jackson stopped Julie and pleaded with her to allow him to pay. They argued with each other for ten minutes until Jackson suggested that Julie accept the money as a loan, and she can pay him back someday. Julie agreed to his concept, and Jackson settled her bills.

After the cashier cleared them, he collected all the bags and refused Julie's help. "Can I assist you to carry your wife's things to the car?" The assistant said. Jackson chokes on his spit and coughs. "Uh, she is not my wife. Julie is like a sister to me. I am married to someone else." Jackson replied after his cough subsided.

"I am so sorry. I assume that you two were a couple because you guys are cute together and...? The assistant did not finish when Julie cut him off. "And because we are both black?" She said. The guy shook his head. "No, I was going to say, 'because you guys seem happy with each other." He answered. She stared at Jackson, then at the shop assistant. "I apologize for interrupting you." Julie replied.

Jackson allows the guy to carry some bags since he offers to help. When they reach his car, he opens the car trunk, places the bags in, and shuts it. Afterward, Jackson tipped the assistant off and got in the vehicle with Julie.

Their block appeared busy with people walking their pets and going for a run as Jackson parked in front of his home. "Sister, right?" Julie asked. Jackson looked confused. "You said I was like your sister when we were at the mall." Julie continued. Jackson slapped his thigh and laughed. "Your parents told me to take care of you, and now, I see you as a sister." He replied.

Julie did not look offended. Instead, she smiled. "Okay, bro!" Julie responded. Later, Jackson helped her carry the bags to the door of her home. He was about to leave when Julie stopped him. "I forgot to tell you, but Steven is unwell, and I visited your home the other day. Your wife asked me a few questions, and I told her I was at the party with you." She stated.

Jackson was puzzled about why Jennie did not tell him she was at their home, and how Steven became sick. "Okay, thanks for telling me," Jackson replied and hurried down the bakery stairs. "Thank you, brother!" Julie screamed before she entered the bakery.

He reaches his house and walks inside. Jennie was waiting for him on the living room couch. Jackson gave her a bag, then she opened it and took out a package. When Jennie opened the box, she saw a necklace with a yellow Rube stone carved into a heart shape as the locket. As his wife admires the gift, Jackson rushes toward the dining room.

The more Jennie stares at the jewelry, the more eminent her admiration grows for it. She could tell Jackson focused on the detail of the locket, making sure that it was in her favorite color and the right shape. Jennie now regrets previous actions she made when he left earlier that morning. "Where are all the foods?" Jackson asked, screaming from inside the dining room.

Jennie's heart skipped a beat. She could hear his footsteps approaching her. "I throw them in the trash. I figure, since you can take out your neighbor to shop and spend our money, then you can buy your breakfast." She replied when Jackson reached her. He passed by Jennie and walked toward the door. "Where are you going?" She asked, putting the box down and standing up from on the sofa. "To get some damn food!" Jackson screamed, then he walked out and slammed the door behind him.