Smoke Reactivated

by Cherry Laska

  “From the first day he sensed we had feelings for each other. He questioned if we should work together, but then he came to me a couple days ago. He said he could see what was between us was true love, and we should be together. He talked about being happy and life being too short.”

  “Wow. Mark said all that?”

  “He was right about everything.” Joe hugged her a little tighter.

  “I destroyed the FBI’s new helicopter.”

  “Yeah. That’s a shame, but it wasn’t your fault, and we stopped Zircone. The FBI will get over it.”

  The CIA doctor came back in to examine Jessica. When he’d left, Joe teased, “The doctor said you should stay in bed and not sleep. Too bad he meant something different from how it sounded to me.”

  She giggled. “Great minds think alike, but I’m not worried. We’ve got time.”

  “The rest of our lives,” he said, climbing back in bed. She moved carefully, putting her head on Joe’s chest and pressing her body into his, draping her leg between his. They were lost in the happiness of finding their way to each other and in comforting each other over the deep sadness of losing Mark. It was an intense mix of emotions. The fervor was building until a sharp pain hit Jessica’s head. She felt like it was going to explode in a million pieces, forcing her to settle back down on her pillow.

  “Easy. You were in a helicopter that fell out of the sky.”

  “Mmm. Right,” Jessica whispered. “How about if you hold me, my love.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. They talked all night about how they could spend time together and make things work. They talked about the past, the future, and how they felt. They talked about everything.

  85

  WHEN THE DOCTOR CHECKED ON Jessica in the morning, he gave her permission to sleep. She made Joe promise to wake her by one o’clock. He didn’t want to, but she insisted that she had to be there for the boys. He wanted her to rest but relented at her persistence and seeing how important it was to her.

  After the few hours of sleep, Jessica’s head felt a lot better, but she was quite sore and stiff. She took a third of a painkiller the doctor had prescribed to take the edge off. She had learned a long time ago after a bad reaction to being drugged on a military SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) training exercise that she was hypersensitive to certain medications. She gingerly made her way to take a shower. Until she got undressed and started to change her bandage, she hadn’t even known she’d gotten forty-seven stitches to seal the nasty gash on her arm. The warm water did wonders.

  As she carefully put on her favorite jeans and pulled on a soft, long-sleeve wrestling t-shirt, Joe called out, “Need any help getting dressed?”

  “Nice offer, but too late.”

  “I’d try to stop you, but I know I’d lose.”

  “Handsome and smart. No wonder I love you.” Jessica sauntered the best she could across the room to where Joe was sitting on the sofa. She wasn’t completely healed, but fooling around might be worth the risk of a little pain. Straddling Joe, Jessica attacked him. He let her have her fun with him while enjoying it himself.

  “Sorry,” Joe said after a moment and hesitantly pulled back. “I’m going to hate myself for saying this, but you have a match to make, and I have to go deal with everything from yesterday. Besides, I want you in top condition when we’re finally together. I don’t want to worry about hurting you.”

  Jessica was getting her things together in a small purse when Joe came behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She turned to face him. “This isn’t a dream, is it?” she whispered. Being the teaser that he always was, he softly pinched her butt. “Ouch.” She laughed. “That’s not right to do that to a girl who crashed a helicopter yesterday.”

  “I had to prove to you it isn’t a dream. We’re together, and I love you.”

  She kissed him again then leaned back to look in his eyes. “I love you, Joe Romeo.”

  “I want you to know something. I’ve never told a woman that before. Plenty of women have tried to make me, but I just couldn’t, and I’m glad I didn’t.”

  She smiled at him. “I’m glad you didn’t either. That means a lot to me. And all those women can’t have you. You’re mine.” She smacked his firm butt. Ouch. It had hurt her hand more than his butt. She left the room with a promise to go easy.

  On the walk over, Jessica called Anderson and got his voicemail. She was tempted to hang up but decided it was better to leave a message.

  “Hi. I’m sorry you couldn’t make it. I know you’re working, and I’ll make sure the boys know you wish you could be here. The taxi I was in was in an accident, but I’m doing okay. We’ll be home Sunday night. If you could please let me know your schedule, I’d appreciate it.”

  86

  JESSICA FOUND WHERE HER CHILDREN and friends were seated. She was so happy to see them all safe. She delicately climbed the bleachers and sat down.

  “You’re here. Are you okay?” Trevor asked.

  “I’m a bit banged up, but I’ll be fine.”

  “Dad didn’t come,” he said.

  “I know. He wishes he could’ve. We’ll give him the video. I’m sorry.” He shrugged. “Trevor, you’ve got this. Win this match for you.” He furrowed his brow considering this and nodded.

  Jessica had made it just in time for the semi-final round. Five of their seven guys in the semi-finals won their matches and were going on to wrestle in the finals. They would start the championship round after a three-hour break.The wrestlers, parents, siblings, and coaches all went together to get a bite to eat. It almost seemed like everything was normal. When it was time, they headed back.

  All but four of the mats had been broken down. The wrestlers were given twenty minutes to warm up. They cleared the mats and the main lights were dimmed. Spotlights lit the championship mats. When the crowd was settled, scantily clad Vegas showgirls led out two lines of finalists. The announcer introduced each opposing wrestler, reading their bios and records as they moved to the middle of the center mat and shook hands. There were some impressive athletes from seven different countries. The Parade of Champions got the crowd going. Jessica’s nerves were building. No matter how many times she’d been in the stands watching her boys wrestle, it made her anxious knowing they were going to step on the mat to face their opponents with all eyes on them. They were going to have to use all their skills and strength to score points against guys who were trying to do the same to them. Jessica felt her phone vibrate. There was a message from Joe. All it said was 137-H

  Turning her stiff body slowly, she located her team a few rows behind her group. She was touched to see Joe, Marshall, Alejandro, and an empty seat in honor of Mark. They had come to watch the matches. Jessica quickly texted back that their presence meant a lot to her.

  As the competitors worked their way through the weight classes and it was getting closer to Trevor’s and Chase’s matches, Jessica fought to keep herself calm. She focused on her breathing. She scanned the room and found Chase calmly shuffling back and forth. She saw Trevor with his hood up and a look in his eyes like he was going to kill somebody.The way the timing was working out it looked like they were going to be up at the same time. Luckily the mats were right next to each other, so Coach Gallagher would be able to sit between the mats and coach both. Trevor and Chase were both stripping off their sweats. Trevor folded his neatly, while Chase’s sweats were turned inside out in a messy pile.

  Jessica was sitting next to Michelle. They’d been through years of living in the gyms watching their sons wrestle and had grown to be good friends. Jessica grabbed her arm. “Two at the same time. I don’t know if I’ll survive.”

  “I know what you mean. I feel like I’m having a heart attack.”

  Freestyle wrestling matches consist of two three-minute periods in a twenty-eight foot circle. The winner can be decided by six ways:

  1. FALL/PIN: A wrestler touching an opponent’s shoulder blades to the mat.

  2. TE
CHNICAL FALL: A wrestler has a ten-point lead at any time during a match.

  3. DECISION: The wrestler who scored more points during match is declared the winner.

  4. INJURY: A wrestler is too hurt to continue.

  5. DEFAULT: A wrestler concedes the match before it starts or fails to report.

  6. DISQUALIFICATION: A wrestler is assessed three cautions or one egregious technical violation.

  Wrestlers score points during a freestyle match by:

  • TAKEDOWNS: taking their opponent down (two points); taking their opponent down to their back (three points); or taking down their opponent with a throw of grand amplitude (five points)

  • EXPOSURE/BACK POINTS: when a wrestler exposes his opponent’s back to mat at an angle less than ninety degrees for three seconds (two points); or five seconds (three points)

  The unoffending opponent receives points for three violations:

  • PENALTY: A wrestler acts with brutality or uses an illegal hold. (Caution, one or two points)

  • OUT OF BOUNDS: A wrestler places his or her foot out of the circle. (one point)

  • STALLING: A wrestler flees the hold or refuses to start. (one point)

  “Six minutes,” Michelle added. “Time seems to move so slowly. Each second seems like an eternity.”

  Here we go, Jessica thought watching Chase check in at the scorer’s table and take his position on the line in the center of the mat across from a wrestler from Iowa. The two shook hands, the ref whistled to start the match, and the boys locked up. They were circling around fighting for positioning. Chase shot, but the kid was quick, sprawled, and Chase couldn’t finish the move.

  Jessica heard the whistle blow to start Trevor’s match and snapped her head to look. They were hand fighting to gain control while measuring out the distance between them.

  The next several minutes seemed to last an eternity.The whole time Jessica’s heart was racing as her eyes flew back and forth watching her sons battle with everything they had. Chase was up after the first period four to three with a takedown and back points but had been caught too close to the edge of the mat and got taken down. Trevor also won his first period with a takedown to out of bounds and rolling a leg-lace. He was up five to zero.

  In between periods, the coaches wiped the sweat off the wrestlers and talked strategy. Trevor returned to the center, and the ref whistled the start. Trevor’s opponent flew off the line at the whistle and caught Trevor, taking him down to his back. He twisted and fought to get to his stomach. He was in trouble. He finally broke free and escaped, but only after giving up five points to tie up his match.

  Chase’s match began again. His opponent shot in. Chase’s heavy hips defensively drove down to the mat stopping his opponent. Chase worked back to a neutral position. He did a duck under and was behind the kid. Chase got the takedown, trapped an arm and a leg in a cradle and rolled. He was up eight to three.

  Jessica snapped her head back to check on Trevor. He and his kid restarted in the center. They locked up and were pushing each other.

  She looked back to Chase. He had his opponent on his back. He was adjusting and squeezing and fighting to get the pin. The ref was flat on the mat, trying to see if the kid’s shoulder blades touched. All Jessica’s muscles were flexed and moved, mirroring what her son was doing. She was leaning in the direction Chase was angling. “Go,” she whispered. There was no point in shouting. Wrestlers could never hear anyone in the stands. Besides, her head still felt fragile. The ref slapped the mat. Chase got the pin. He won. Yes!

  She swiveled her head back to Trevor’s mat just in time to see him get behind his guy and lift him up. The crowd let out a collective cheer in admiration of the move. It was a five-point throw. Trevor was up ten to five. They started back in the center. They started hand fighting again, but you could see Trevor’s opponent was pissed. He smacked Trevor across the face and was called for a technical violation. Trevor was up eleven to five with a minute-ten left. They restarted and Trevor utilized his reach and did an ankle pick, took the kid down who bailed to his stomach. The score was thirteen to five with fifty-five seconds to go. Trevor quickly worked his way up the kid’s body. Trevor’s opponent was desperately trying to flatten out, but Trevor got his arms around the wrestler’s stomach and did a gut wrench five point throw. Trevor won by tech fall eighteen to five.

  He did it! Jessica was on her feet. Everyone was up, clapping and cheering. She looked back toward her new colleagues. Joe smiled at her and her heart leapt. He looked down at his phone and started typing. His text came a few seconds later.

  Congratulations. Your boys are incredible. That was awesome. We’re leaving to gather everything up and do a local coordination. We have to fly back to D.C. tonight. Have fun celebrating—but not too much fun. You’re still recovering and even at a reduced dosage that painkiller the doctor gave you is pretty heavy duty. Call me when you can.

  Jessica looked at her boys in a victory embrace with their coach. She was beaming with pride and happiness. She sent Joe a quick text back.

  Thank you. They are incredible! I’m so psyched. Wish you were staying the night. xox

  I wish I was staying the night too, but remember I want you a 100% when we are first together, and I wouldn’t be able to resist you, gorgeous.

  87

  POTOMAC, MARYLAND

  ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, JESSICA TOLD her kids her friend’s aunt was moving into an assisted living community. Jessica was going to help her friend deal with her aunt and pack up her house. Jessica decided it would be wise to keep a log of excuses, names, dates, and times she used for cover. Anderson was home for a few days, and he just thought Jessica was leaving so they didn’t have to be in the house together. True enough, she thought. She wanted to avoid him as much as possible.

  Early the next morning, Lacey gave Jessica a ride to the airport. Her cousin knew she was hiding something but didn’t push her. Lacey would be more difficult to fool than anyone else. At the curb Lacey said, “Have, uhm, fun?” Her tone reflected it was more of a question than a statement.

  Jessica gave her a look. Crap.

  A little over three hours later Jessica exited baggage claim and got an instant rush of excitement to see Joe’s car pulling up. She felt like a schoolgirl with butterflies in her stomach over her first crush. He came to a stop and the trunk popped open. Joe got out from the driver’s side. He was dressed in a dark gray pinstriped suit and looked strikingly handsome. She tilted her head and gave him a sensual look. “Hi, RO-me-o.”

  His mouth dropped open. “I love the way you say that.” He kissed her softly and gave her a lingering hug. “Let’s go. I’m dying to get you alone.”

  They held hands and Joe drove as quickly as he could get away with. By the time they arrived at his house, they could barely contain themselves. He pulled into the garage, shut off his car, and hit the remote to close the overhead door. He got out, hurriedly came around to Jessica’s side, and opened her door. Her feet hardly touched the ground as he pulled her from the car into his arms. He kissed her neck, working his way down, eventually moving the collar of her shirt aside to continue to her shoulder.

  “I couldn’t wait to see you. I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered.

  Her heart was racing. “I couldn’t wait to get here … uhh … mmm …” She was finding it hard to concentrate. “… and be in your arms. Leave the bag. We’ll get it later.”

  They walked toward the door and entered the house armin-arm. A wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen welcomed them.

  Joe said, “I cooked. I had to do something to keep myself busy while I was waiting for you to get here.”

  “Awesome. I’m starved, but let’s eat later.”She smiled wickedly.

  “That’s fine by me,” Joe said, with a voice full of desire.

  He scooped her up and climbed the stairs to his room. Her heart was beating out of her chest. Joe fell backward onto the bed holding Jessica on top of him. They continued kissing with his
hands caressing her body. His fingers sensually dug into her muscles.

  “You must still be sore. Are you okay?”

  “I am, but that feels really good. You can give me a massage later.”

  “Definitely.”

  The heat continued to intensify. The rush of each touch, the love in each kiss, and the feel of Joe’s incredible body was nothing short of mind-blowing. Jessica couldn’t believe the intense desire she felt for Joe. They were finally together after so many years.

  “Uhhh,” the lusty moan escaped her. “Joe,” she breathed his name and set his soul on fire.

  Several amazing hours later, Jessica was snuggled in Joe’s arms. They continued to kiss, touch, talk, and laugh. It was true bliss until his phone buzzed. He looked at a message and frowned. “It’s the Director. He wants me to come in.” Joe ran his hand through his hair and Jessica saw the muscles in his jaw set hard. “I’m not going.”

  She laughed. “You’re so adorable. Believe me, I don’t want either of us to ever leave this bed, but you have to go.” She gave him a gentle, slow kiss. When it ended she said, “I’ll be right here when you get back.”

  Joe said in a playful tone, “I’ll probably be daydreaming about your smoking hot body and your sexy mouth the whole time.”

  Her pulse skyrocketed. “Promise you’ll show me what you daydreamed about.”

  “Promise. I’ve got two decades of material.”

  Jessica lowered her chin and looked up at him. “I like the sound of that.”

  He responded with an incredible kiss. He forced himself to stop and groaned in frustration. He took the fastest shower in history. Jessica enjoyed watching him get ready.

  He said, “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. My immigration friend took care of Nadia’s case. She’s all set and will be put on fast track to get her citizenship.”

  “Really? Thank you so much. You’re the best. I love you.”

  He smiled bigger than she’d ever seen him smile. She loved that smile, and those dimples sent a wave of heat through her entire body. He leaned on the bed and gave her a kiss goodbye.