Between the Lines

by KD Williamson

  Inadvertently, Tonya slowed her workout to a crawl as her mind bounced from thought to thought. This was unavoidable now. There was no box to stuff it back in, and there was no hiding from it. Tonya grabbed her towel and wiped at the sweat dripping down her face. It was suddenly hard to swallow, and apprehension prickled at the back of her neck.

  Her father wasn’t going to take this well, but she wasn’t sure if he was going to be more hurt and angry about what had happened to her, or the fact that she’d kept it from him. She mentally justified her actions once more. Her father couldn’t be trusted with her feelings, and Tonya had had to learn to function around that. It had been a difficult, drawn-out process, but a necessary one. She couldn’t control his actions, but she was in charge of her own.

  Bottom line, Tonya needed to be ready for the fallout.

  She stopped the elliptical and spread her towel over a nearby bench before sitting down on it. Tonya leaned back against the wall. She wasn’t sure how long she sat there, but the phone strapped to her bicep started to chirp. Tonya peered down to see her sister’s name splashed across the screen.

  Tracy had to know. Tonya wasn’t sure how she’d found out so quickly, but there was no reason for her to call otherwise—not after their last conversation. Tonya pulled open the Velcro strips around her arm and stared at her iPhone. After a couple more seconds, the ringing stopped and Tonya pulled the earbuds out of her ears.

  She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t answered. Tracy would be easier to deal with than her dad. Her reaction was sure to be mild and only slightly accusatory. Tonya’s phone chirped again, but this time it was a text.

  Call me plz. ;)

  The winking emoji helped her to breathe a little easier. What was the point? “I need to get this over with.” Before she could make the call, Tracy’s name flashed again.

  “Hello?”

  “So, there are a million things I could say right now, but I’m going with: Why didn’t you tell me you’re a ninja?”

  Tonya was speechless.

  For several seconds, no one spoke.

  “I, uh, stream some of the local shows since I can’t get them on TV here, and Good Morning New Orleans is one of them. The lead anchor is cute. They have the video embedded in their website too. You don’t have as many hits as you should, but I guess people want to see victims get the shit beat out of them rather than the other way around. Did you know that videos of neighborhood and school beatdowns get thousands of hits per day?”

  Tonya took the phone away from her ear and stared at it, pleasantly shocked by her sister’s response. Maybe Tracy understood her more than Tonya had realized, and she just wasn’t ready to see it yet. That knowledge took root inside her. It was heavy and warm, and she wanted it to gestate and grow.

  “I always knew you were a badass,” Tracy said softly.

  Tonya bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. This…what was going on between them was refreshing, and Tonya had barely said a word. “Thanks.”

  “You haven’t told Daddy, have you?”

  “No.”

  “He’s going to freak out, and not in the smooth way, either, like he did when we were kids.”

  Tonya smiled. It was strange to be nostalgic about such a thing, but there were moments of simplicity woven throughout the complexities of her childhood. “Where he just stared until one of us cried and confessed?”

  Tracy chuckled. “Exactly.” She paused. “I was going to come home for the weekend, but—”

  “What’s stopping you?”

  “Nothing now. I wasn’t sure, but now I am.”

  “I don’t understand what the issue was.” Tonya pressed the phone to her ear, using her shoulder. She removed the band holding her hair in a ponytail and raked her fingers through it, freeing damp curls.

  “Because I’m getting to talk to my sister. Not Dr. Preston.”

  The warmth expanded a little. Tonya gasped. She wasn’t sure how to respond to Tracy’s words. “Okay. I’ll see you in a couple hours.”

  “Okay. See you.”

  She could hear the smile in Tracy’s voice.

  Tonya looked down at her phone. Last session, Dr. Finn had encouraged her to pay attention, reminding her that while she had been battling to stay afloat, others could have been doing the same. She exhaled slowly. Dr. Finn was right, as usual.

  Tonya’s thoughts and Tracy’s response galvanized her into action, and before she had time to overthink it, she texted Stephanie.

  Are you free 2night? You can pick where we go.

  Stephanie responded in less than a minute.

  Yeah, I am. Anywhere huh?

  Yes. Tracy will b in town. She may want to go.

  Haven’t seen her in months! Love 2 have her along. I’ll pick u guys up at 8.

  That seemed a bit much.

  You don’t have 2. We can just meet in the city.

  It’s fine, just b ready 2 go.

  Stephanie added a kiss emoji.

  Tonya stared at her phone for a few seconds and typed, Ok.

  Chapter 8

  Tonya went home to shower and change, thankful her father was absent. Needing to do something productive, and wanting to get out of the house, she decided on errands and a brief stop at the hospital to finalize some paperwork, which she could have done from her laptop at home. Tonya wanted to string together as many moments of peace as possible before she had to face her father.

  Tonya’s cell phone rang, and this time, she answered it without hesitation.

  “I made a few stops along the way, but I’m here. Not that I’m expecting a red carpet or anything, but if it was night, I’d hear crickets.”

  “I’m taking care of a few things,” Tonya told her sister.

  “You mean you’re trying to stay out of Daddy’s way. Good move.”

  Tonya wasn’t sure if she should be irritated or amused. She settled for somewhere in the middle. “Do you have to reinterpret everything I say to fit the situation?”

  “Uh-huh, I do,” Tracy sassed.

  “Well then, feel free to stay and run interference tonight.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I cancelled on Stephanie last night, so I’m making it up to her and stepping away from the situation for a while.”

  “Hell no. You’re not leaving me with him. To be honest, I don’t know how he’s actually gonna deal with all this. He plays it close…so do you. I’m probably the most open between the three of us, and that isn’t saying much.”

  Tracy was right. Tonya was planning for an explosion when there was more likely to be bobbing and weaving. “I guess we’ll see.” Tonya paused. “Stephanie’s picking us up at eight.”

  “Wait…why? We could just meet—”

  “That’s what I said. She insisted.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “I’m not sure. I told her she could pick.”

  Tracy groaned. “Not Oz. They’re all so pretty, but kind of like window displays. I can look all I want, but if I touch, I’ll get yelled at.”

  Tonya chuckled. “Let’s just hope for the best.”

  * * *

  “Do you have earrings I can borrow?” Tracy walked into Tonya’s bedroom and headed straight for the dresser.

  “Probably.” Tonya watched from the adjoining bathroom.

  “Found some.” Tracy turned and looked at her. “I love that top.”

  “Mmm.” The shirt in question was red, elegant and understated at the same time, exposing delicate collarbones, the smooth length of her neck, and hinting at strong shoulders. It looked more expensive than it actually was. She’d gotten it on killer sale at JCPenny. She splurged for work, but for play, not so much. It was tiny sacrifice to ensure her family was taken care of. The shirt was form fitting and went perfectly with the jeans she’d picked out, which highlighted the curves of her hips and thighs instead of hiding them. She was nowhere near model thin and proud of it.

  “It would be even better if you showed
a little more cleavage.”

  Tonya glared.

  Tracy grinned. They looked a lot alike. Same smile, nose, lips, and eyes. Tracy kept her hair short and sleek. She was also more petite, and her skin tone was darker.

  “Just saying. With a honeypot like that, who wouldn’t buzz the hell out of you?”

  “Tracy!”

  Tracy laughed, but there was a softness in her eyes. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been like this. I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

  She meant before it reverted to weekly phone calls, standard niceties, and token encouragement. Things between them had been easier that way, and maybe Tonya wasn’t too satisfied with that either. She stepped out of the bathroom and met her sister’s gaze. “I’m sorry.” Her words were quiet, almost not there at all.

  “Yeah, me too.”

  Tonya’s phone dinged with a text notification. She cleared her throat. “That’s probably Stephanie.”

  A few minutes later, Tonya locked the front door after setting the alarm. Tracy had already gotten into the backseat of Stephanie’s SUV when their father pulled up into the driveway. He got out quickly, but that was just enough time for Tracy and Stephanie to appear by her side.

  “Hey, Daddy! Tonya’s had a long week, so we’re taking her out. Let’s catch up in the morning.”

  Robert opened his mouth to speak. His forehead was wrinkled and his eyes were stormy.

  “I’ll be here until Sunday night,” Tracy added.

  His mouth closed.

  Tonya stared at her sister.

  “Yep, girls’ night,” Stephanie chimed in.

  Tonya’s gaze swung in her direction. She didn’t know what to make of this…any of this. Before she had a chance to even start figuring it out, Tonya was in the front seat of Stephanie’s car.

  For several minutes, the only sound was the radio.

  “Sooo…that was some La Femme Nikita–type shit you did the other day.” Stephanie glanced in her direction while she paused at a red light.

  Tracy laughed from the backseat. “Told you!”

  Before Tonya could even contemplate building walls, Stephanie reached over and patted her knee. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  Instead of saying anything more, Stephanie turned up the music.

  Tonya glanced at her friend, then in the rearview mirror at her sister in the backseat. They didn’t meet her gaze or even acknowledge it. Tonya couldn’t remember the last time something or someone had surprised her. Now she had two instances in one day. She wasn’t sure if it was situational or long-term, but Thursday’s mess may have set off some type of chain reaction. Some of the aftershocks had been pleasant, and some…well. Tonya would have to see.

  “Shit! I don’t have enough change for the toll. Anybody in a giving mood?” Stephanie asked as she poked around the compartments on the dashboard.

  Reaching for her clutch, Tonya fished out three dollars and handed them over.

  Stephanie smiled.

  Tonya smiled right back.

  * * *

  “Where are we going?” Tonya looked out the passenger-side window at the people crossing the road to get to the streetcar. Stephanie was driving on Carrollton, going nowhere near the French Quarter.

  “I was about to ask the same thing.” Tracy asked.

  “GrrlSpot.”

  “Who?” Tonya and Tracy asked simultaneously.

  Stephanie chuckled. “You’ll see.”

  “Uhm, is it a strip club for lesbians or something? Because that name…”

  Tonya turned to look at her sister.

  “What? I was just asking. If the drinks are decent and the music good, I’m in. Might have to stop and get some ones, though,” Tracy said playfully. “Good thing my phone is charged. I have to get plenty of pics of you with ass shaking in your face.”

  Tonya sputtered. “I would never—” She took a deep breath and peered at Stephanie. “It’s not, is it? A strip club?”

  “If I say yes, will it keep this conversation going? I have to tell you, I’m very entertained.”

  Tonya glared.

  Stephanie laughed. “No, from what I’ve read, it’s like a roving club. The owners contract with local bars to use their space and advertise the location on Facebook. It’s supposed to be all-inclusive.”

  Surprised, Tonya said, “I’ve never heard of it.”

  “Because you so have your ear to the ground about this kind of thing?” Stephanie asked.

  Tonya didn’t. She really didn’t. Good Friends suited her just fine. It was sedate and personable.

  “I haven’t heard of it either,” Stephanie admitted. “It actually looks like it’s for a younger crowd.”

  Tracy snorted. “Well, this should be interesting. Especially for Grandma over here.” She poked Tonya in the shoulder.

  Tonya sighed. “I don’t know—”

  “See!” Tracy capitalized on her sister’s hesitation. “Knock the dust off and live a little.”

  Tonya gave Tracy the finger. Customarily it wasn’t her way of dealing with things, but it was succinct and better than saying the actual words.

  Tracy and Stephanie laughed.

  “You’re on a roll,” Tracy continued. “Don’t stop now. I’m sure you can find somebody there to get the sand out of your vagina.”

  Stephanie was practically howling.

  Tonya’s mouth fell open. What was going on? “Have you been drinking?” She turned an accusing eye toward her sister.

  “Not yet!”

  Madigan’s, GrrlSpot’s venue for tonight, was moderate in size. The red-brick interior should have made the inside stark and cold, but it didn’t. Instead there was a warmth punctuated by laughter and jovial voices, the pool tables and pub-style tables and chairs contributing to the overall atmosphere. Within fifteen minutes of their arrival, Tracy was already mingling on the other side of the bar.

  From their table, Tonya watched her sister smile and laugh with strangers. She squashed down a pang of jealousy and reminded herself that she knew her own limitations. She just wasn’t the overly outgoing type. Tonya nursed what was probably her only drink for tonight, a vodka gimlet, and noticed for the first time that Stephanie was drinking what appeared to be Coke.

  “Is there rum or something in that?”

  Stephanie shrugged. “Nope. I’ll have a real drink later, but knock yourself out. I’ll play designated driver. Go wild. Have two drinks.” She grinned.

  Tonya still didn’t know what to make of all this. “Why this place?”

  There was no DJ, but the jukebox was in play. Something by Britney Spears warbled through the speakers. It wasn’t loud. Tonya could still hear herself speak.

  “Wanted to be different. This didn’t seem like a piano-and-singing-queens kind of night.”

  Maybe it wasn’t.

  As Tonya and Stephanie talked and laughed, Tracy stopped by a time or two to add to the conversation, which was wholly superficial and just what Tonya needed. Sometime later, she decided on that second drink, but the place was much busier than before. Knowing it would be a while before waitstaff came their way, Tonya got up and went to the bar for another vodka gimlet and a Coke, this time with rum.

  There was a small space between patrons, and Tonya made her apologies as she leaned in, brushing against one of them. She held up a hand to signal the bartender and caught his eye almost immediately. He smiled and nodded.

  The back of Tonya’s neck started to tingle, but she pushed the feeling aside as she waited patiently. A couple of people bumped her as they walked past, leaving her hypersensitive. Tonya felt someone behind her. She glanced over her shoulder.

  “I’m still not gettin’ the hooker vibe from you.” Haley smirked, then her lips curled further, forming a wide smile.

  Tonya blinked. A wave of heat started at her toes and eased its way up, giving her a buzz like she’d had that second drink already.

  “Officer Jordan.” Tonya couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.
r />   Haley’s brows shot upward but her grin remained. “Dr. Preston.” She inched a little closer, and her expression turned serious. “How are you?”

  Tonya met Haley’s gaze. She expected to feel aggravated by the question, but she didn’t. “As well as I can be, I suppose. You have another shooting under your belt yet?”

  Her blue eyes lightened to gray, and that crooked smile was back. “Not yet. Hopefully the next one won’t be at a gas station.”

  Tonya smiled slightly. It felt good to make light of the situation, especially with someone who had been there. “Only banks and fast food restaurants from now on, yes?”

  “Let’s hope. Sounds excitin’.”

  “Let me know how that goes for you.” The words were out of Tonya’s mouth, and her brain took a few seconds to catch up. Flirting. It sounded like flirting, even though that hadn’t been her intention. Tonya stepped back, but Haley hovered. She was a little taller and a lot stockier.

  Haley chuckled. “Uh-oh. Do you want me to forget you said that?” Her gaze didn’t waver, and it held a curiosity that was hard to miss.

  “Do whatever you like with it.” There it was again. Words just falling out of her mouth. Tonya looked away.

  “Hey, lady? Did you want something?” the bartender asked.

  Thank goodness the universe granted her a reprieve. “Uhm, yes. Vodka gimlet with Belvedere and a Coke with spiced rum.”

  The bartender nodded. Tonya expected Haley to quietly slink away. Instead, she was looking at the board above the bar where the specials were written.

  “I’m starvin’. Have you ever eaten here?” Haley asked like the last few seconds hadn’t happened.

  “No, I haven’t. This is my first time here.”

  “I looked on Yelp before I came, but you can’t always trust that.” Haley paused and glanced at Tonya. “It’s your first time at GrrlSpot too.”

  “It is. You’re a regular?”

  “Yes, plus, you’d be hard to miss.” Haley shoved her hands in her pockets. Their shoulders brushed and that buzzed feeling returned.