Jackie fiddled with the radio until crackling top 40 music flowed from the speakers. She hummed along, tapping her fingers against the steering wheel as she drove down the street back toward home. She pulled onto her street, driving slowly until she was able to pull up under the carport. Putting the truck in park, she stepped out of the slightly warmer cab into the much colder late afternoon air. Shivering as she walked up to the front door, fiddling with her keys, eventually managing to insert it into the lock, turning it and pushing the door open. 

Jackie stepped inside the house, toeing off her shoes and shrugging off her jacket as she hung her keys on the hook near the door. She moved further into the house, stopping in the living room, where she reached down to pick up the remote. Turning the T.V. on, she flipped through the channels until she came to a channel showing a cooking competition. Jackie sat down, sinking into the couch and letting her mind go completely blank as she started to relax. 

It was only when her stomach rumbled that she forced herself to move again, pushing herself to her feet with a long groan. She stretched her arms over her head, arching her back as she made her way into the kitchen. "Hmm.” She opened the fridge, staring into it as she muttered. “What to eat? What to eat?" None of the leftovers that sat in the fridge were appealing, and she slammed the fridge closed. “When in doubt, sloppy joes.” 

Jackie pulled a can of Manwich from the cupboard, setting it down on the counter before moving to pull a pan from the cupboard, followed by the ground beef from the fridge and the bag of tater tots from the freezer. Jackie preheated the oven and began to hum to a song stuck in her head as she browned the meat, adding the sauce and setting it on low to simmer. The oven beeped, letting her know that the oven was done preheating, and she set the sheet of tots in it. 

Jackie leaned against the counter, looking around the kitchen, a feeling of emptiness filling her chest. “I suppose it was only a matter of time until J.C. started spending more time out of the house.” She eyed her phone, worrying her bottom lip as her mind was pulled from the woman before. ‘I couldn’t hurt to check in on her.’ Grabbing it she found the number, the unrecognized area code standing out, and after hesitating a second, hit redial placing the phone to her ear. 

The phone rang once, twice, three, times before the other end picked up. “Hello?”

Jackie runs a hand through her hair. “Hey, Jo right?” 

“Yes?” The voice on the other end sounded confused. 

“It’s Jackie from earlier. I, uh, just thought I’d check in.” There was a beat of silence followed by a quiet ‘oh’. “So, uh, how are you?” 

“Good.” 

“Good.” 

An awkward silence fills the space between them. “Is that all?” 

“How’s your hangover?” Jackie asked, trying to keep the conversation going. 

“It’s, uh, better. I think I slept most of it off.” 

“That’s good.” Jackie nodded as the oven beeped, letting her know that her tater tots were done. “I know I said I couldn’t talk earlier, but I’m free from work, so if you wanna talk…” 

“Oh, you don’t have to. I know I asked, but I don’t actually expect a strange to talk to me.” Jo said with an awkward laugh.

Jackie set the tray on the stove. “I…kind of wanted to talk.” 

“And you chose me?” Jo laughed into her ear. “Did I not prove what a lousy conversationalist I was last night?” 

“I don’t think last night should count.” Jackie gave her own weak laugh and then after a short beat of silence asked. “So, what are you doing?”

“Painting and you?” 

“I was just getting ready to eat.” Jacking spoke into the receiver, and another beat of silence followed. 

“Shit.” Jo muttered. 

Jackie turned her head, raising her brows in confusion. “What?” 

“I just realized I haven’t eaten anything today.” Jo hissed into the receiver and there was the sound of ruffling and something being pushed back.