Gen 5 Ch 2

Opal wanted to return to the salon as soon as possible after Peridot's birth. He was a sweet baby, and Dayna didn't mind babysitting at all.

Even as a toddler, he was fascinated by vehicles of all kinds. He could barely put two words when he started begging for car rides with mommy.

"Go VFN mommy!"

"Go faster!"

"Not today, sweetie. Mommy has to go to work. Maybe Grandma will take you for a ride if you're good."

Meanwhile, Jett scoured the paper each morning looking for likely gigs.

Sometimes Opal would accompany him, and try to liven things up if the place was quiet. But it was hard what with working all day, and still trying to spend time with Peri in the evenings.

Peri was growing so fast. It seemed such a short time ago when she carried him home from the hospital, and now he was starting school.

"Be good for your teacher, sweetie. I'll see you tonight."

Opal groaned when she saw the schedule for the day.

"Ugh. Really, Sugar? My father-in-law scheduled a makeover with me at his place? It took my career months to recover from the last time I worked for him."

"Don't worry Hon, you'll do fine. He asked for you personally."

Opal tried her best to be pleasant when she arrived at Ryan's building.

"Shall we go up to your apartment?"

"The lobby will do just fine, hopefully you won't take forever. I don't like this sweater. Find me a decent jacket. And be quick about it," He snapped at her.

"Ho hum. Is this the best you can do?"

"You're a good match for that no-good son of mine. No talent in either one of you."

"Grrr..." Opal could barely contain her anger.

"Jett has a lot of talent. If you'd go listen some time you'd see."

"Not likely. Run along now, missy."

At least he paid her this time.

Not long after, tragedy struck as Rocky was working out one afternoon. He was mourned not only by his family, but by the whole city. He was, after all, a revered sports icon - there was a huge write up in the paper then next day, detailing his long illustrious career. 

When Opal returned to work after the funeral, she found Sugar in a terrible mood.

"Oh Hon, I don't know what to do -  my marriage is on the rocks. Lenny wants a divorce. He says I spend too much time at the salon, and he never sees me anymore."

Opal was finding it hard to deal with her father's death, and Sugar's confession struck a sympathetic cord in her own life that just added to her depression.

"I'm so sorry, Sugar. I know what you mean though. Jett's been complaining about the same thing. Everything is so hectic lately, we never even talk anymore. We're like two ships passing in the night."

It was true. About the time Opal was arriving home for the evening, Jett was taking off to his latest gig. He was in high demand now at the most exclusive clubs and drew crowds of adoring fans.

And when he wasn't playing for cheering fans, he was working on his 'image'. This week his agent had him working out for hours every day.

Most nights Opal fell into bed exhausted, hours before Jett arrived home.

Soon it came time for Peri's birthday...

... and for the first time in months, the whole family spent at evening together.

Opal reveled in this short time together, and decided something had to be done to revive her marriage. She did not want to end up like Sugar, splitting custody visits and arguing over child support.

A few nights later, she arrived at the Bonzai Lounge, ready to put her plan into action. Jett was almost ready to go onstage.

"Opal! What are you doing here? I thought you had to work late?"

"You are coming with me, and I won't take no for an answer. I have it all arranged, the manager is pulling in a back-up pianist for tonight."

Mystified, Jett followed her out to the car.

"Where are we going?"

Opal just smiled as she maneuvered the car up the winding road into the hills. "It's a surprise."

"It's so quiet up here. This lodge is amazing. What a great idea. "

Opal beamed at the compliment.

"I thought we needed to get away from it all, so I rented it for the whole night. There is even a hot tub."

"You know what we haven't done for a long time?"

Later they talked for hours, mesmerized by the flickering fire. Opal could feel the old connection returning, and remembered again why she had fallen in love all those years ago.

"I love you so much, Opal. Let's do this again real soon."

Not long after their amazing night, Opal spent an entire morning racing to the horrid little bathroom stall at work. She finally gave up and went home. It was the first time she had ever been too sick to work.