Page 11 of 21 Years of Jane

I rolled out of my room and down the hallway into the bathroom. I found my toothbrush and began the boring two minute routine of scrubbing my teeth.

“Starrrrrrr! Nolan is here!” Liam screamed from the front door.

I heard a small pair of footsteps go barreling toward the door and heard Nolan grunt, as, who I can only assume was Stella, attempted to tackle him.

I grabbed a hairbrush and began the arduous task of trying to get my hair to look decent. I always woke up with it sticking out on all sides.

“Honey, are you about ready?” Mom asked, sticking her head into the bathroom.

The brush in my hand, the frazzled look on my face, and the fact that half of my hair was still standing up, answered her question. She laughed and took the brush from my hand. She ran it under the faucet for a few seconds before brushing my hair down.

“Stella’s telling Nolan all about your sleepover,” Mom said as she continued to brush my hair.

“She left me a note this morning too,” I replied with a smile.

“Yes, I’ve heard,” Mom said. “There you go, honey. Your hair is no longer standing up.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I said gratefully. “Um, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can you run interference so I can get back to my room?”

She nodded and started to laugh. She knew that depending on where Nolan was sitting, or standing for that matter, he would see me in my pajamas when I rolled by.

I watched her step gingerly out of the bathroom and waited for her go-ahead. She reached a hand back into the bathroom and waved at me to go.

I rolled out as quickly as I could. Unfortunately, someone had closed my door when I went to the bathroom. I looked over frantically and saw Liam sitting on Nolan’s lap. I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open just in time to hear Nolan greet me.

“Hey, Jane!” he called out.

Mortified, I rolled into my room without answering. A few moments later, Liam burst through my door as I was pulling my shirt over my head... with Nolan right behind him.

“He said hello, Starr,” Liam said.

I was tangled in my shirt. Half of it was over my head and half of it was wrapped in my arms.

“Come on, buddy. Let’s let her get dressed,” Nolan said, retreating with Liam.

I can’t believe he just saw me in my bra, I thought, feeling completely humiliated.

I quickly went to my dresser and pulled out a black tank top and pulled it on.

“Mom!” I called out.

I would need her to help me get my shorts on. Was I really going to wear shorts? Of course I was. Why not? He had already seen me half naked, so I reasoned that when he saw my legs he wouldn’t run in terror.

“Yes, honey?” she asked, peeking her head into my room.

I held up a pair of blue denim shorts and she smiled.

Mom came over and helped me put them on; then she backed up and put her hands on her hips.

“I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Well, Liam just busted into my room when I was trying to pull my shirt off, so a few scars won’t scare him away,” I replied dryly.

“I’ll have a little chat with your brother about privacy after you leave,” she said meaningfully.