Palate Cleanser "Origins"

 Josephine was always the kind of girl who needed to fit in. Even in her early years, at the very young age of 2, she needed all the kids in her daycare class to like her. Love her.

It wasn't helpful that her parents gave her a family name that was no longer popular. Kids called her "Jo" which, isn't really an insult. But when you're a little girl who wants to fit in, being called by a "boys name" can be absolute torture. 

Once she reached middle school, she started going by "Josie" and that seemed to do the trick. She was the most popular girl in her grade, reading all the magazines and keeping tabs on all the forums of what was "hot or not".

This lasted a while. She was Josie all the way up until high school graduation. She didn't have a mission, a plan, a direction. She'd spent all of her time wanting to achieve popularity and fitting in, that she'd barely considered a future. So, she did what everyone else was doing and attended an out of state college "undecided".

All her friends were going to state schools, or New York, or California. Being from a State in the Midwest she went with the response "Anywhere but here" when the conversation turned to her and what she was going to do. they would all laugh and say things like "True True" and continue on.

Josie graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelors degree in Art/ Art studies. It was the only subject she did even remotely in, and with it she still had no plan.

    Now, Josie got a job at a Museum paying barely enough to afford a Coke. That's where she met him.

Jason.

Jason was the most beautiful man Josie had ever seen. He had long dirty blonde hair, which he often pulled back into a bun, and brown eyes that reminded her of caramel sauce. Jason was a "wanderer" He lived in a van and traveled all over the United States. She was shocked when she found out that he was only 19. He hadn't been to college.

    "No need" He'd said over a mug of hot chai at the cafe inside the Museum. Josie was entranced. In the years to follow she would often recall this particular event as when she "Fell in love with him"

The truth would be, in fact, that she saw an opportunity. An out, if you will.

She suddenly realized that she could take on his life, his dreams, his ambitions. She could take them and make them her own.

However

Jason was already involved with another woman. Another girl named MaryBeth, who he very affectionately called "MB"

He would only be in town for a week he told her

They were soon going to be traveling to the Midwest.

This was Josie's chance. 

    "Oh my God! I'm from the Midwest!" she'd said, in a completely unorganic tone.

    "Seriously? What are the chances. Where?"

    "Where are you going?"

    "Chicago Probably"

    "Oh my God, I'm from a small town RIGHT outside Chicago!"

Josie was from Wisconsin. "Do you think, maybe, I can hitch a ride with you?"

And sweet, trusting Jason agreed. 

MB accepted Josie into their van with Open arms. Lovingly. She was so naive and trusting that nothing would come between her and her beloved Jason.

Josie made sure that her and Jason were alone, often. It was a long drive from Pennsylvania to Illinois. They made many stops just to "Enjoy the scenery"

Josie proceeded to be the very best friend she could to MB. And whenever she and Jason had even the slightest hint of a fight, Josie made sure that MB knew she deserved "Better"

I want to tell you that MB and Jason saw right through it. That they both had the foresight to know that this person was a poison to the good thing they had.

But, unfortunately, by the time they reached Chicago, MB was MaryBeth again. 

And in secret, Josie had become JP.

They parted ways with JP replacing MaryBeth in every aspect. Their bed, Jason's thoughts, and his online career. 

Josephine felt like she was finally back to her proper glory. The most popular girl in school was the most popular girl on the blogosphere.

And until about a month ago

She'd shown no remorse.......

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