Fake it Til You Make It (the Story)

>How it All Started

I suppose the first step to writing this story is telling how Janie and Rich met. Was it kismet? I guess you could call it that. It wasn't even a pre-determined blind date. Nothing like that. In fact, the odds of these two winding up together were a longshot at best. So, okay...this is how it happened.

Janie worked at a large law firm in the Big Apple as a records clerk. She had aspirations of going to school for paralegal services, but money was tight. She roomed in with two other friends, also fresh from high school graduation, just to be able to afford a roof, pay for utilities, and have reasonable meals.

Most of her graduation money and hard-earned savings had gone for her part in the rental deposit and the rest to buying clothes worthy of working for the law firm. You know, she had to dress to impress even though she was mostly neck deep in papers being filed and retrieved throughout the workday.

Janie's parents were also hard workers, but uneducated. They worked in the local factory, as the story goes. They owned their own modest home in a small rural American town where Janie and her brother, Scott, were the center of their world. Well, except for the bowling league which met every Friday night. And, of course, church every Sunday morning. That was mandatory in her family.

Life was simple and sweet for Janie. She enjoyed school, made good grades, and worked at the local diner for tips until she graduated. It was then that she and her besties, full of ambition and with stars in their eyes, left for the big city.

Janie, within three months of being hired, had made great impressions with the paralegal team and their bosses. One of the paralegals, Vickie, a bit older, took her young protege under her wing. It was Vickie who invited Janie to go with her to the Shakespeare in the Park experience, claiming, "It is a rite of passage to becoming a real New Yorker!"

Although this would be Janie's first outdoor play at the Delacorte Theatre, it wouldn't be Vickie's. She had been to plays there for at least a decade. Also, as tradition dictated, she would meet up with her cousin, Bob, a successful litigation attorney from another well-known firm to stand in line at 4am for the first-come, first-serve event.

Bob had mentioned he would be bringing an up-and-coming associate lawyer along, too. It was a professional courtesy to one of the company's namesakes, (whom this young man shared a last name with.) Business as usual along with the workings of the Old Bard himself!

Janie would later admit that getting up at 3am to be readied for the 4am standing-inline escapade would have her a bit discombobulated already. But when she laid eyes on Rich for the first time, she was totally dumbfounded and speechless. Never had a person had this effect on her before. The attraction was overwhelming. She barely made it through the introductions. Thank goodness that Vickie and Bob chattered away so she could gain her composure.

Rich would say that he thought he had been pranked at first. Janie had to be part of a staged set-up. Nobody had that amount of natural beauty and sweetness all wrapped into one living soul. But there she was. He purposely adverted his eyes from staring, but he sure wanted to, nonetheless. And she smelled so good, too...like rose petals from his mother's lavish gardens.

As the day progressed, the tickets obtained, and they waited for the play to begin that summer's evening, they learned much about the lives of one another in group conversation. It seemed as they were polar opposites, a veritable magnet of sorts.

Unlike Janie's background, Rich had lived the life of affluence, gone to the best schools, and wore designer clothes. Although self-assured, he wasn't in the least cocky, though. He was a good listener and also asked thoughtful questions, putting her at ease.

The conversation quieted very suddenly, though when Bob asked Rich when his fiancée's modeling assignment in Rome would be coming to an end. Janie was, after all determined not to have a Shakespearean drama come of her life. The "mood" was over as quickly as it had started.

>6 months later in January

Sledding was something that Janie and her roommates, Helen and Grace used to do "back home," so they decided not to miss the wintry opportunity to slide and glide that Saturday morning. The Park was hustling and bustling with the shrills and laughter of happy children, which made for all the more excitement.

She and her friends had gone from atop of the hill to the bottom in their plastic flyers three times before looking up and seeing the familiar face of Rich. He was with a male group of his friends with no apparent female companions, so Janie conceded a hello with a friendly side hug. Helen and Grace quickly joined in for curious introductions, as did his friends.

The conversation prompted a "Let's go have some lunch, everyone!" and "Won't you please join us?" As Helen and Grace became perplexed and perturbed at Janie's lack of enthusiasm, Rich pulled Janie aside.

"I thought you might be here with your fiancée," she interjected before he could explain.

"No, that is history now, just didn't work out."

Janie's rosy cheeks from the winter's kisses became even pinker. "Oh" was all she was able to say. Grace grabbed her arm and persuaded the joining in of the marching towards the closest cafe, refueling their bodies for even more snow-filled fun.

Afterwards, while the group built a snowman, Rich explained to Janie that after their initial meeting, he knew his heart wasn't ready to commit to "Angelica," as their goals and dreams didn't match up. Although it came as quite the shock to his family and hers and it had upset their societal norms and expectations, he knew he couldn't go through it. Janie was a bit astounded in his confession but thought the better of him for mercifully breaking her heart then and not later.

Gaining confidence that he would not just lead her heart on, Janie agreed to see Rich again. Her heart...lighter even with tons of joy within its walls, was beating with pleasure. "Could this be what love feels like?" she questioned herself.

Rich even confessed that "running into her" that Saturday was no accident. He had kept up with her coming and goings by Bob, who in turn, with Vickie had been the coordinating fairy godmothers in this tale. (Apparently, there were still many who believed in love at first sight.)

>February and March

Valentines Day for Janie had always meant a box of chocolates from her parents and a "special" letter from them, as well. She now had a total of twenty, including the one she had just received in the mail. Their words and encouragement made her feel worthy and strong. She had not mentioned Rich to them just yet though. She wanted to "be sure" first.

Rich, on the other hand, took the opportunity to go all out on impressing his new lady. He didn't want to frighten her away with roses...well, maybe just one red one to go along with the drinks and a night-time cruise onboard a yacht on the Hudson.

The date went perfectly and felt like magic. It ended with their first real kiss. After that and throughout the month to follow, there were many more kisses, movie dates, homemade meals, texts, and long into the wee hours phone conversations. They had even spilled the "L" word to each other. Rich being the first to admit his feelings.

It seemed only sensible to just move in together. No way Janie would tell her parents, though. So, she kept up with her rent. Rich was in a much better position to pull their weight as a couple, so they decided on his place, which was bigger and nicer, anyway. It was closer to Janie's work, too making the commute much easier.

>April through July

April seemed to whirl by with laughter, crazy mad sex, and hours of fun banter. They went shopping and gave Rich's apartment a decorating do-over that said, "couple" rather than a "bachelor" lives here look. Janie did feel at home and conceded financially it would be very smart for her to have her friends look into getting another permanent roommate. Her college classes could happen sooner, that way.

May was a hectic month for Rich's law firm, and he was having to spend longer hours at the office, preparing for a case. Janie understood the fact of this matter, of course. But coming home to a solo, quiet environment gave her time to think. Had she rushed into this relationship?

Rich was too busy to think about anything other than his case, which only served to increase Janie's concerns. But she kept that to herself because she understood how work could be. And maybe she was just overanalyzing.

As the temperature rose in the dogdays of summer, so did the underlying resentment that Janie felt. By now, she felt neglected and started wondering if Rich truly wanted her to be in his life. And Rich sensed that Janie had changed/shut down towards him, clueless of her "feelings."

What was perceived as once being "cute" idiosyncrasies they found in one another's quirks, had now come to full blown, petty annoyances. Anything from leaving the toilet bowl up, to folding the towels the "wrong way" rubbed and irritated.

Janie's unspoken insecurities and Rich's lack of time and attention to his surroundings (i.e. to Janie) caused the straw that broke the camel's back one Sunday morning over coffee. The coffee was still hot when the phone rang.

It was a call from Rich's mother and had stepped out to the patio for privacy. "That's odd," Janie thought, but then again, his mother hadn't called before that she could remember. As his voice became louder, she overheard him determinedly telling her that he didn't feel comfortable bringing "her" over to meet them.

Although she wasn't ready for the parent get together (from either side) just yet, should she conclude that he was a bit "ashamed" of her? She certainly wasn't from high society, educated, or a paid model like the girl they had approved of. She was just an ordinary girl, but a good girl, just the same. She did have hopes and aspirations, too. And nothing or no one was going to deter her from her pursuits. She was still saving up for college, even though community college was her first step.

Rich, annoyed with the conversation he had just finished, could sense that Janie might have overheard some of the conversation. But he didn't want to deal with trying to explain how pushy his mother could be or how Janie might respond or get caught in the line of questioning he knew that would come if the two met. He'd never had feelings like this for a woman before, but the way they had (or had not) been getting along, he knew it wasn't the right time to explain or bite the "let's go meet my parents" bullet, either.

So, he wiped the frown from his face and gave Janie a smile and a quick kiss on her forehead. "Want to talk about it?" she asked. "Not really, not now. Just know that I love you, ok?" he surrendered. He was hoping she understood. He was just too tired mentally from work, just wanted some down time. Janie felt like she was getting mixed signals but left it at that. They spent the Fourth of July watching the fireworks over the Hudson, both wishing they could get the sparks back into their lives, too.

>August, September, & October

By early August Vickie could tell something was wrong with Janie. She wasn't her usual bright and happy self in the workplace. She didn't want to ask but took Janie to lunch and told her she was concerned for her.

Janie broke down and disclosed all the confusion she harbored in her heart. Apparently, she had been wearing her feelings on her sleeve anyway.

"Janie, you know I'm a widow, but we were married for six years before he died. We had our share of happy times and also times we wanted to throw the towel in, but we decided to stick it out. I'm so glad we did. The key is communication. You just need to have a long talk with each other."

Janie hoped that her friend's advice would be enough. She wanted to start classes for paralegal in two weeks instead of having to beg her old roommates for her room back. Her heart was feeling crushed because she loved Rich. A long and honest talk with Rich couldn't be postponed any longer.

That weekend, they agreed to "the talk." (Follow you-tube video below to see what they saw that day.) They strolled in Central Park as they took the time to hear with listening hearts. Janie went first and unburdened her fears, fighting back tears unsuccessfully. Rich comforted her with long hugs that told her heart was still safe.

Rich admitted he hadn't given her the priority in his day-to-day life. But he didn't want to lose her. He told her that she made him want to become a better man. Admittedly, he was afraid that taking her to his parents would cause her even more insecurities.

Although he loved them, they were people he didn't want to become. His long-term dream was to one day set up practice in a small town, to get away from the high rise, high dollar, city bedlam. He got into law to serve individuals, not corporations. His father's goals were to have him take the lead in corporate law. Rich feared that they would blame Janie when, one day, he would finally approach "that future" with them. Now it all made sense to Janie...

September and October for the young couple was still met with deadlines, hustles and bustles at work, and now evening classes twice weekly for Janie. But they tried harder and set time aside for "just them" to talk and catch up. Rich had even surprised her a few times with roses for no apparent good reason other than to say he loved her. And she had a few "night-time" surprises for him, as well. She wanted to spend the rest of her life like this. Rich was happy just to wake up beside her each morning. He never wanted that to change, either.

>November

And then came Thanksgiving holidays...time to meet the parents. It couldn't be put off or avoided. So, they braced themselves. First, a three-hour road trip to Janie's parents. The next day, after Macy's televised parade, they would be off to Rich's family gathering, a "catered" event. They joked they should go to see the local priest beforehand to get a prayer of protection said over them and light some candles. But neither of them was of the Catholic faith. In fact, Rich's family had only attended church on Easter Sunday as their tradition.

Little did Rich know that he would soon be attending a Wednesday night prayer vigil with Janie's family at their small community church with a Thanksgiving fellowship and potluck after service. But Rich had not prepared Janie for the fact that there would probably be at least a dozen non-family members at his parents' house, either. He thought she might have refused to go, had he. He silently prayed that Angelica, his ex-fiancée and her parents would not be among those guests, like they had been for many years prior.

The three-hour road trip to meet Janie's parents and her brother passed by quickly. As they travelled, they sang to the songs on the radio together, make funny animated faces, and laughed hysterically. They felt free and in love again. As they drove up to the modest, but well-kept home, Janie told him her parents had made up the guest room for him. There would be no hanky-panky going on there until they were married. Rich could respect that. Afterall, he agreed that their daughter was indeed, truly a princess. And she made him want to become a better man.

Janie's family had welcomed Rich with open arms as soon as they saw the love in their daughter's face as she looked at him. Rich had never experienced such a loving and nurturing family life before. He was almost jealous from the longing for such he hadn't known he had "missed" until then. And in a way, it struck fear in him. It was the first time he had ever felt insecure about anything in his life. "Will I be able to give Janie this kind of life?" he questioned himself.

The four-hour trip to Rich's parents felt very long. Rich was quiet and withdrawn most of the drive. He told Janie he was just tired. Actually, he wanted to bypass the visit and just go straight home. He felt very protective over Janie and her feelings. He hoped there would be no snobby looks or comments towards her. He never wanted her to feel "less than." There would be hell to pay if there was any disrespect, he promised himself.

Janie felt a twinge of awe and intimidation when she saw the immense size and elegance of Rich's parent's stately home. But the warmth of Rich's tight grip on her hand, calmed her. "It's going to be okay; I promise." he said to her. She prayed it would be...for Rich's sake...she knew who she was. Her parents and God had taught her that. So, she put on her best smile, and they walked in together.

The atmosphere in the house was polite yet reserved. The catering company was coming and going hurriedly, and Rich's parents were focusing on last minute details. The young couple was ushered upstairs to rest and change for dinner before the guests arrived. They were promised "a nice visit" to get to know Janie after dinner once the guests had gone home. Rich gave Janie the "tour" and she paused at any family photo she could find, scattered about, taking note of Rich's life.

The dinner went well enough with loud laughing and drinking, business was most of the topic around the table when not discussing the latest vacation trips around various sites in the world. (Thankfully, Angelica and her parents were romping around Italy and weren't there this year.) Somehow, it didn't feel like "Thanksgiving" to Janie. There hadn't even been a prayer to bless the meal beforehand.

And the visit afterwards? It didn't happen, either. Rich's dad drank too much and had to be escorted to bed and his mother, although apologetic, was worn out from the preparations and the dinner party and excused herself. Rich appeared embarrassed but just stated that "all this is par for the course." Janie's heart hurt for him. They left for home early the next morning before his parents awoke.

>December???

How will this story end? How do you want it to end? Will they make it? Do they end up just holding on to a sinking ship, and "faking" a relationship...one that might never work long-term? Please let me know in your comments!

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>This Might Look Familiar:

>The Reason for writing this Story (thus the familiarity:)

>Extra for Entertainment & Education (if you haven't read the Taming of the Shrew):