you are my sunshine

I wholeheartedly believe that the only reason this worked so well, is because you were on the committee. But I won’t argue that my presence makes everything better. [ a genuine grin ] Thank you. You are an absolute vision yourself, Jen. [ laughs ] Okay. Okay. I heard both of ours are together so maybe we can get both in the photos.

He caught me when I first got here, but Cooper managed to lead him away. Can’t wait to see all the embarrassing photos and hear all the stories. His dad is so much fun.

Aw, thank you. I did work really kinda hard, actually so I won’t argue with you either. [ giggles ] Of course, Juliette. Oh, stop! I’ll end up blushing brighter than this dress. My Uncle Dan might have gone a little overboard with footing the bill on this one but I think it made him happy to so I definitely won’t complain. Fabulous! [ loops their arms together without further delay as they go on a star hunt ] I can’t believe we’re actually at our prom right now. Having fun. Looking gorgeous. Feels like a good, much needed end to junior year, you know?

Wait, wait- Jenny, slow down, okay? Just take a couple of breaths and tell me again if- if that’s alright, I mean. What’s going on with Juliette? I thought she just went outside to answer her phone…? That’s- That’s the totally normal, rational explanation, at least.

No, Christian! No, we don’t have time for any of that either. There is nothing normal or rational, or good going on here. We need to leave, I’ve already text for a ride and someone who is slightly more qualified to deal with this than I am without- without pulling the whole panic alarm. Which I am literally seconds away from doing actually so please, less talking and more walking.

Yeah. Yeah, I think so… [ She slowly sat up, a hand resting on her chest as she blinked in confusion. ] It was. I- There was a pain everywhere, but it’s gone… This is what I get for daring to go to the gym, I guess. [ She released a short laugh. ] No, no, you’re fine, Jen. That was so dramatic…

Right, the gym. That--- [ But there was something very wrong. Jenny had been having such a wonderful night tonight she’d barely thought about her lost magic. Barely. It was still gone but she could still feel. Feel this. Her. Lana hit her like a wave all of a sudden. Why though...? ] Um, sorry. No no, don’t even worry. Fighting over who Aaron Graham asked to dance first is so dramatic. Or, um, Logan Durante leaving! Or the noise that, um, poor Faye made when she was disqualified. Are you sure you’re okay, Lana? It was really just a random, shooting, pain? There and gone?

Oh, please. Chaperoning was basically a breeze. Plus, it was sort of mandatory, so it’s not like I had a choice. Oh, the prom was lovely. Jenny was truly the star of the show. She did an amazing job. You should be really proud. Um, a glass of pinot would be lovely.

That’s true. I think the only one who hunts down the chance to chaperone every year is Chuck Cooper and I have no doubt he told you a hundred stories about his ‘party days’ when you started working here. Fabulous. Oh, we are endlessly proud of our girl. So proud it’s embarrassing which means we’re doing our job right. Coming right up- [ and it did, indeed, come right up ] Here you go. So, tell me. What’s been new with you lately?

Oh my goodness, bless you, Lyndsy. I know I say that constantly about your London fogs, but throwing this together for the grown ups…I really needed this. Like, really needed this.

Alison! Oh, you know it’s no trouble at all. Any excuse to have everyone around like this. You deserve it. I hope those kids didn’t give you too much trouble at the prom? Jen didn’t text us a ‘SOS’ so I’m taking that as a good sign at least. Can I get you a drink?

What is it the kids say? I feel Nessie in this Chili’s tonight?

I would expect nothing less from you, Jenny. Oh, you’re going to go so far, it’s truly so exciting to watch. Exactly right– this is a very special night for all of us. Even the cynics of Havensdale High can’t deny the pure electricity in this room. [ beaming as he clutches his chest ] I would love nothing more than that. Let’s do it! I call the feather boa.

[ giggles ] Yes! That is definitely what the kids say. If you said that to Mr MacDonald right now, he definitely wouldn’t understand it at all. But I get you.

Jenny! Oh- Uh, yeah. I was talking about Carrie mostly, actually… but Faye also because clearly that just went tits up right? Jesse. Someone should talk to him. I should probably talk to him? Maybe not. Maybe you can talk to him for me? A bouquet- that’s a great idea. I can just… steal one right, like I’m sure Greg or Scott won’t mind if theirs suddenly went poof- missing.

That’s what you’ve earned for sticking by me for so long, Moore. You’re right, though, we’ll just forget about for at least one night! [ nods triumphantly ]  Operation Charcoal is on, then. Because– Well, it sounds like Char-Cole, which, uh– may or may not be the couple name I’ve given them in my head… No questions, please.

He really doesn’t have a lot of fans, does he? [ a small chuckle ] I appreciate the back-up, Jenny, but hopefully it doesn’t come to that. I just need to… talk to him. Set the record straight. Should be totally fine.

I’m a very lucky girl then, Gates. Yup! Let prom be a drama drama free zone, okay? The only things that can go wrong should be about, I don’t know, spilled drinks and bad dates. [ giggles ] Charcoal! Ohmygosh, I love that! It is too cute. I bet if anything is going to reunite them, the nostalgic, romancey vibes of prom is gonna do it. No further questions, I promise.

It’s Lyndsy McArthur (formerly Moore) of Lyndsy’s café! Definitely a town treasure, very well known and beloved here in Havensdale. Basically Glinda the Good Witch. She remembers names, faces, backstories and coffee orders without a hitch.

You might remember attending her wedding to Derek McArthur a couple of months back! Her first husband and Jenny’s dad sadly died when Jenny was younger but after many years and a lot of encouragement, she found love again. Wants to believe in fairytales but is grounded in realism. Love is hard work as well as blissful, embarrassing happiness and romance. (She forgave Derek for his secret sister Gia McArthur’s gate crashing of their wedding and his secret shifter genes but gets why Stella McArthur is still mad at Ethan. She supports her!).

Lovely woman with a mean right hook if you step out of line so don’t! Jenny’s righteous fury didn’t come from nowhere, you know? Is very protective of her daughter and Juliette Palmer who may as well be her daughter tbh.

Remember Sarah Palmer (Juliette’s mom) co-owned the café so up until last summer IC time, these two were the face of this hot spot. Best friends, best moms and best business owners; she misses her every day and worries about Juliette all the time.

So dang likeable!

Another Havensdale native and she was an academic star in high school. Very popular, very kind and very involved (very Jenny, really). She and Andrew Moore were that IT couple everyone swooned about. They were #perfect #endgame. Was probably valedictorian. Graduated Yale with a degree in business!

Connections;

Sarah Palmer (deceased) - Juliette Palmer’s mom. Her best friend and co-owner of the café.

Derek McArthur - her husband!

Ethan and Stella McArthur - Jesse, Jamie etc’s parents. Her in-laws who she adores, she thinks Stella is so valid. Sorry Ethan. 

Employees;

Jenny Moore

Rachel Gates

Juliette Palmer / co-owner

What. The actual. Fuck. Did I order a can of bullshit with same day delivery? No.

Someone. Explain. Now.

I- Do you mean the... Oh!

Okay. Hug time. You give the most amazing hugs.

Right. Yes. I’m taking it in. I’m taking deep breaths. I’m not going to hyperventilate and need to breath into a brown paper bag like I did in fourth grade on the field trip to the amusement park.

Yay! [ And of course, she gave her the best Jenny MooreTM hug ever ]

Woah, I-… [ she stopped dancing, holding her head ] No, I’m fine. I just got a little dizzy, it’s-… [ she suddenly dropped to the floor, an immense pain coursing through her, but no matter how hard she screamed no sound escaped her. It only lasted a few moments before she was lying on the floor, completely fine. ] Okay, that was weird and embarrassing…

Ohmygosh, Lana! Are you okay? [ She immediately knelt down beside her, dress and all ] Is your head hurt? Can you we get some help over here, please! Hang on, do you need anything? Some water? I- I’m totally asking to many questions right now, aren’t I?