His Redemption

by Nikki Chase-Coakley

  “Everything’s fine. Tony hasn’t been sleeping well lately but I was finally able to help him get some rest. And before your mind goes someplace it shouldn’t- I hypnotized him.”

  “You what?!”

  “Well, sort of, I can tell you about it some other time. It’s something my mother taught me a while back when I was having trouble sleeping during finals at school. Anyway I just thought since you two are friends you would be happy to hear that Tony’s doing much better. We’re at the beach now and he fell asleep again so I’m sure tomorrow he will be in a much better frame of mind.”

  On the other end of the line Jimmy heaved a relieved sigh. “That’s great, really great. I have to admit I was getting kinda worried about him. He’s been looking so beat up lately and I had a feeling it was the reason he was in an especially shitty mood. Thanks for helping my buddy out.”

  “It was nothing. He just needed some time to unwind and relax. When was the last time he took a vacation?”

  There was a pause before Jimmy answered. “You know, I can’t remember him ever taking a vacation or a day off for that matter. It’s why I was so surprised when he called this morning. I thought for sure you were the one that was sick. Tony would have shown up if he were at death’s door.”

  “I don’t doubt it. Listen, I was just calling to see how things were going at the shop and to give you the good news. I know you all care about Tony and were worried about him. I can’t say he’ll be a hundred percent yet but if he continues to get the rest he needs he will be soon, I’m sure.”

  “You’re really good for him. You know that?”

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  “No, I’m serious. I’ve never seen the man like this before. He smiles more and I may complain about his moods but the truth is I’ve never seen him happier. I can tell you mean a lot to him. Don't worry about the store. It will still be standing when you two get back in the morning.”

  “Thanks Jimmy that’s good to hear. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

  She pressed the end button and dropped the phone back in her bag then she reached for her book and settled down for some serious reading time. Unfortunately, the story only held her attention for so long. Soon she was growing restless. Sarah sat up and looked around trying to decide if she should go for another swim or not. Standing, she brushed the sand from her legs and started walking. As she reached the shore she caught sight of a young girl of about five or six years old. She bent to fill a little plastic pail with water but lost her grip and it started to drift off. Her heart went out to the little girl that looked too frightened to go after it. In several quick strides she lunged for it and filled it to the brim before returning the pail to its rightful owner.

  “Here you go sweetie.”

  The child stopped crying and reached for it. “Thank you.” She said in her tiny little girl voice.

  Sarah smiled at her sweet manners. “You are very welcome.”

  She was about to turn and go back into the water when two other little girls, looking about the same age as the first, ran up. “Could you please help us get some more water for our sand castle?”

  The taller member of the group asked. She was wearing a flower printed bathing suit with a ruffle around the waist. Sarah could hardly resist the twin dimples that appeared especially when she asked so politely. “Sure,”

  She took the offered bucket and scooped up more water. After handing the thing over the other girl handed Sarah hers. This time when she handed over the water the girl asked. “Do you want to help us with our castle? There’s a big contest and if we win we get a gift card to Toys R Us.”

  Sarah smiled and nodded. “Sure, I’ll do my best. I don’t have much experience with castles though.”

  The girl took her hand and tugged her along to the pile of damp sand that the girls were trying to form. “It’s OK. We can teach you.”

  Tony opened his eyes expecting the last twenty-four hours to have been a dream. But as he cast about his surroundings he realized that they had been blessedly real. He really had gotten a good night’s sleep and awakened with Sarah in his arms just that morning. Then he’d spent the entire day doing nothing. After eating one of the best sandwiches he’d ever tasted, he’d then taken a nap in the soft sand. The only problem was where was Sarah now? He stood and stretched his limbs and that’s when he spotted her. Kneeling before what had to be a four foot high sandcastle she looked as if she were putting the finishing touches on a miniature work of art. Three little girls were also working on the structure. Giggling and talking, they worked hard to cover their building with shells of all shapes and sizes that they'd apparently found along the beach. The sight melted his heart. Sarah seemed to be comfortable in pretty much any setting. She looked good with her hair dried into natural spiral curls that blew across her face as she worked. The hours she'd spent in the sunlight had caused her dark hair to lighten a bit to a reddish-brown in places. Her bright happy smile seemed to light up any place she was in. Tony had the sudden urge to hold her. It was an urge he’d had pretty much since he’d first laid eyes on her and didn’t plan on trying to curb any time soon.

  Smiling, he sank down to his knees next to her and kissed her cheek. “Hey, is this a girls only thing or can anyone join in the fun?”

  Sarah reluctantly turned her head to greet him. He got the impression that she was trying her best to downplay her pleasure at seeing him and this added to his own. “Actually, I’m pretty much done. My friends here did most of the work. I mainly just carried the water.”

  She stood then and brushed some of the sand off her legs. “Girls, I'll be leaving now, alright?”

  Katie, the tallest of the girls nodded. “Thank you for helping us, we’re going to win I just know it.”

  Sarah grinned too. “I’m sure you will and when you do, don’t forget to share your prize. You all worked hard and deserve an equal part.”

  She waved and took Tony’s hand. “Are you ready to head home and wash off the sand?”

  Tony could think of a number of pleasant ways to make that happen but didn’t mention them. “I think I am. What about you? Are you ready to head home?”

  “I was only waiting on you. You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t have the heart to disturb you. After calling to check on the store I met my new friends.”

  Together they collected their things and made their way back to the lot where Tony had parked his truck. Once they were settled he paused before keying the ignition.

  “Is something wrong? We didn’t forget anything, did we?” Sarah asked.

  “No, I was just wondering. Will you spend the night again with me? I promise this time you’ll get to sleep in a real bed all night.”

  “Tony-”

  “Before you say no, I want you to know that I’m only asking to sleep with you nothing more, unless of course you decide you want more. Like always, that decision will be entirely up to you.”

  “I don’t have any clothes or even a toothbrush.”

  “That’s alright. We can swing by your place again to get them.”

  She gave a long dramatic sigh. “You know Mason. You’re lucky you’re cute. I don’t do this for every man I work for. I hope you appreciate it.”

  He bent to kiss her. “Believe me, I do. I just enjoyed waking up next to you so much this morning I want to do it again. I’ll even let you choose which side of the bed you want to sleep on.”

  “That’s very generous of you. I like to sleep on the right side.”

  "What a coincidence, I like that side too."

  "Tony," she warned and he laughed.

  "Relax, Baby, I was only teasing. I'll behave I promise."

  Tony did keep his word. At his house, they showered and changed into comfortable clothing and made a light dinner. They spent rest of the evening watching television before going to sleep. She didn't seem the least bit nervous when she crawled across the mattress to settle herself between the clean sheets or when he slid in next to her and p
ulled her close to give her a heated goodnight kiss. They fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms. When she awoke the next morning, he wasn't the only one looking well rested and in a very good mood. She stretched and rolled over following the scent of the coffee to the nightstand. Tony sat at the other end of the room in a chair pulling on socks and sneakers already dressed for the day in his work shirt and jeans.

  "Morning beautiful, I thought you were going to sleep forever." He teased.

  Sarah grimaced as she gulped back her first scalding sip of the brew. It was just the way he’d seen her make it for herself in the past; sweet and loaded with milk. "It's not my fault you didn't wake me up."

  He stood and walked over to her. "It's alright if you’re running a little late. I happen to have an in with the boss."

  "I wouldn’t be so sure." She teased setting her cup down again. "I hear he's a bit of a slave driver."

  "Is that what you really think?" He asked suddenly going serious.

  "No Tony not really." She pushed the sheet away and climbed down from the bed. "You need to lighten up. Not everything has to be so serious."

  He pulled her against him as she gained her footing and buried his face in her hair. "I know. That's why I need you. You have to teach me how to laugh again."

  He hadn’t meant to sound so desperate but it was the truth. He really did need her. He drew back hoping he hadn’t scared her off. Sarah blinked back what looked like tears. In her eyes there was a look he’d never seen before. It wasn’t fear thankfully but something that resembled determination crossed her features something that made him think that Sarah just might be the one woman who could work that miracle.

  "Don't worry. I have a few ideas about just how to do that."

  Chapter Eight

  “Whew! That was a busy day.” Sarah sighed as she dropped the bulging money pouch on the counter. It was stuffed nearly to over-flowing.

  “I know what you mean.” Christy commented. “I’m beat. I can’t wait to head home to change then go out somewhere to relax.”

  Sarah fiddled with the lock on the bank bag making sure it was secure. “Any idea where you might go?”

  “Oh I don’t know.” The girl replied. “It all depends on what Tony feels like doing. He mentioned wanting to see that new movie Blood Sport. You know that remake of some old movie. Anyway, maybe we'll do that.”

  Sarah froze at that and thought of the best way to respond. Didn’t Christy know that Tony was with her? Just what was this heifer trying to pull? It was rare that Sarah felt jealous of other women but she came dangerously close just then.

  “I didn’t know you two were together.”

  The girl fiddled with a lock of hair twirling it around a finger as she answered. “Well we're not- not yet anyway but we're working on it.”

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well," Christy said with a strange little smile on her face. "You might not know this but he and I used to be a couple. I broke it off a few months ago because he was such an asshole you know? But lately, he's been showing signs that he wants to get back together. He’s a lot nicer that he used to be and everything so I figured if he’s making an effort to change the least I can do is meet him halfway right? So I’m going to take him to the movies tonight."

  “Well, you might want to talk to him first before you start making any plans because I’m pretty sure Tony's already involved with someone.”

  The girl snorted. “No he’s not.”

  “Yeah, he is.” Sarah insisted.

  “Listen Sarah, I know you and Tony are friends and all but trust me, I know him far better than you ever will. I would know if he was seeing someone else. And if, for some reason he is in fact seeing someone else, she can’t mean all that much to him. He wouldn’t flirt with me like he does if she was someone that actually mattered.”

  “Well,” Sarah said trying hard not to react to the woman’s dismissive comment. “I know for a fact that he's already involved with someone and you’d be wasting your time asking him out. He won’t go.”

  “Who won’t go where?” Tony asked as he came around the corner.

  Both women looked up at his arrival. Sarah found herself fighting the urge to throw herself at him and kiss him with all her might. It had been a long day. She’d barely seen him all afternoon and was looking forward to being in his arms later.

  Christy reached for Tony wrapping herself around his arm as if she owned him. It was all Sarah could do not to grab the girl by her hair. “I was just telling Sarah about our plans for tonight. Are you up for going to see Blood Sport tonight?”

  Tony looked from one woman to the other while tugging his arm out of her grasp. “What -you mean like a double date?”

  “No silly, just you and me.”

  “Um, sorry Christy but I have someone new in my life and we already have plans.”

  “Since when? I haven’t heard anything. As gossipy as this whole store is someone would have said something if they saw you with another woman.”

  Tony and Sarah shared a look. There was a strange almost panicked expression in his eyes that Sarah couldn’t interpret. “That doesn’t mean anything. Sarah knows her so that’s probably why she was warning you off.”

  “Must be one of her little hood rat friends, then.” She waved her hand dismissively.

  Tony laughed at that. “I doubt you could ever call Sarah a hood rat."

  He looked at Sarah and she knew what he was trying to say to her. She shrugged knowing he was right. There was no sense in hiding it any longer. Most of the staff already knew about them anyway.

  Christy huffed looking the shorter woman up and down with blatant disgust. "She looks kind of ghetto to me. Anyway, I wasn’t talking about her. I meant the woman you claim to be seeing."

  "That would be Sarah." He clarified. "Christy, Sarah and I are seeing each other."

  She stared at the two of them in disbelief. "Are you telling me that Sarah is your girlfriend now?"

  "That is what we've both been trying to say, yes." Sarah said and Tony slipped an arm around her waist for emphasis.

  Christy narrowed her eyes at him. “Does she know?”

  A beat of silence, Tony’s jaw hardened. “No, and she doesn’t need to know.”

  Her expression morphed into a fake smile. “Well then, I guess I was wrong. Sorry about the misunderstanding."

  "No worries, in truth we thought you already knew since pretty much everyone else already figured it out. Why don’t you go on home now? We can finish locking up.”

  Christy sailed around the counter in a blur of blonde hair and attitude. She pulled open the basement door behind the register and bounded down the stairs. The door slammed shut behind her. Tony didn’t waste any time pulling Sarah close and kissing her almost desperately.

  “How do you think she took the news?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know and I really don’t care."

  "Before you came around the corner, she told me you two used to be a couple. Is that true?"

  "That’s ancient history. I don’t want to waste time talking about that when I could be enjoying the woman in my arms.”

  Based on the silent exchange Sarah had witnessed there was clearly a lot more to the story than either of them was telling but wasn't sure if she should push or if she even wanted to know. So, she opted to change the subject. “Can you take care of the bank deposit while I go lock up downstairs? After that I’m all yours.”

  Tony took the bulging sack. He watched as Sarah opened the same door Christy had used moments before. A second later he heard her let out a blood curdling scream followed by the sound of something landing hard on the floor below. He threw open the door just in time to see her roll down the last couple of steps before finally coming to a stop. Tony’s heart slammed painfully in his chest at the sight of her lying motionless at the bottom of the stairs. Angrily, he tossed aside the rubber dog toy he spotted on the top step and stormed down to her side. Thankfully, she was still conscious. />
  “Sarah, Baby, are you alright? Does anything hurt?” He asked this even as he ran his hands over her arms and legs feeling for any injuries.

  She started to shake her head but stopped which made him wonder if she’d hit her head on the way down. “Is it your head?”

  “No, but my ankle hurts like hell.” She tried to stand but he caught her in his strong arms and lifted her instead.

  "Just let me get you upstairs so I can take a better look at it. The light's too dim down here."

  It was on the tip of Sarah's tongue to point out that the lighting was fine where they were but chose to remain silent. Tony’s mood seemed grim at the moment so teasing him was out of the question. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed herself to be carried the two flights of stairs to his office and set down on a chair. Once she was seated he knelt before her and gently peeled back her sock to probe the area. By this time several minutes had ticked by and the initial pain she'd felt had pretty much faded away. She told him this as he continued to study her injury.

  "I'm fine Tony really. Whatever pain I had is completely gone now so it couldn't have been that bad a fall."

  She tugged her leg out of his grasp and stood gingerly on her feet to prove her point. When she didn't experience any more pain she straightened. "There see, I'm fine. No harm done."

  Tony swore softly as he straightened as well. "You could have broken your neck just now. Who the hell left the damned dog toy on the stairs anyway? No one’s been that careless in a long time."

  It didn't take more than a moment for the both of them to reach the same conclusion, Christy.

  "I'm sure it was just an oversight." Sarah insisted but Tony shook his head.

  "I really hope you're right about that but to be honest I'm not convinced it was."

  She frowned. "What else could it have been?"

  "I'm not a big believer in coincidences Sarah."

  "What do you mean by coincidences?"

  "Haven't you ever noticed that whenever you and Christy have a difference of opinion something bad happens to you? I would even go so far as to say it’s probably tied to your association with me. I noticed it the first time when Bosley bit you. You weren't aware of it but I wasn't that far away when you and Christy were talking. I heard what she said to you about trying too hard to get my attention. You were so surprised by her accusation that you didn't notice until it was too late that he was about to take a chunk out of you and this evening, your argument with her about that movie. She tried to get you to believe that I would want her back in my life again. I can't tell if she knew about us already and was trying to start trouble or if she really thinks I’d ever want her back. Either way, it proves my point. Shortly after your conversation suddenly you're falling down the stairs."