Tagged for Life

by Sam Destiny

  “I’ll be right there,” she promised, then waited until Hilary had vanished inside, too, dialing Jazz, hoping he’d have a minute.

  Jazz barely had finished his Friday shift when someone announced visitors at the gate. Again. This seriously felt like a memo he hadn’t gotten: Just drop by unannounced, someone will let you in.

  “You really will -” the soldier, who had reported his visitor, told him.

  “I know, I really want to see who’s there,” he fussed, feeling terribly itchy. He couldn’t help but wish that he were with Tessa, because again they had to spend two days away from each other, even though the end of Tessa’s holiday seemed to be knocking.

  He had changed into sweatpants and a pullover, but it certainly wasn’t an attire to welcome anyone. And his girl wouldn’t show up.

  Following the guard to the gate, he wished people would stop surprising him.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” he asked while his sister jumped into his arms. He caught her just barely, making them both stumble.

  “If that was how you welcomed Tessa at the gate a few days back, I’m not surprised she doubted your affection,” his mother teased while Jazz still tried to catch up to the fact that his mother and sister were there.

  “You said you were going on holiday,” he said, finally hugging Kristine back the way she obviously expected.

  “Yes. We needed to meet her, Jazz,” Kristine explained, eventually pulling back so he could hug his mom.

  “Well, you are out of luck. She’s not here.”

  Jazz couldn’t remember if he had mentioned that trip or not, but then again his head was a mess. Introducing Tessa to those two would make things too serious, and he wasn’t sure she was ready for that. As it was, he most likely would not get a chance to really talk to her about that.

  “Of course not, but we figured you’ll maybe pick her up soon and could meet us in town?” his mother asked and he shook his head. What had they been thinking? It wasn’t as if he planned on marrying Tessa … or as if that even was a possibility. As much as she meant to him, he knew her for less then two weeks and he had no idea how they’d work in everyday life.

  “She’s gone over the weekend. I’m sorry you took the trip for nothing,” he explained, running his hand through his hair again and again.

  “Even if she isn’t here, it wouldn’t be wasted. Damn, Jesse, we missed you so much,” Kristine explained and then hugged him again. This time Jazz even allowed himself to enjoy it, smiling slightly.

  His phone rang in his pocket and before he even got a chance to go for it, Kris had pulled it out.

  “Oh, it’s Tessa!” she squealed and then answered. Jazz pressed his lips together, remembering clearly now how annoying his little sister had always been.

  “Kris, give me my damn phone back right now!”

  “This is Kris. I’m Jesse’s sister. You are THE Tessa, right?” she asked and Jazz wished the floor would just swallow him up. It was bad knowing that his sister was speaking to Tessa, but it was worse not knowing what Tessa gave back.

  “And you should,” Kris replied, winking at him. “She says she feels honored to be called THE Tessa,” Kristine explained in a hushed voice and then laughed.

  “Pissed, I’d say,” she replied, giggling. Her eyes were shining while Jazz debated on how best to get that phone away from her.

  “Oh, I know. He’s my brother, so I’d never say that, but I guess you have free reign to say something like that,” Kristine admitted, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

  “Mom, can’t you say something?” Jazz fussed, knowing he sounded whiny, but he simply didn’t want to risk dropping his phone in a fight with his sister. Those damn smartphones were way too sensitive and he couldn’t risk losing this one since he didn’t have Tessa’s number memorized.

  “Of course, sweetie,” his mother explained seriously, then she turned to Kristine, making Jazz breathe a sigh of relief until she said her next words. “Hand me the phone, Kris, I want to talk to her.”

  Naturally, Kristine followed this demand without a second thought and Jazz watched in horror as Kristine handed the phone over to his mother after telling Tessa to hold on.

  “Hello my dear. I’m Raphaela Connor, but you can call me Ela. It’s so good to hear your voice. And it’s actually fun to antagonize my son,” her mother grinned at him as he shook his head.

  “Hush, girl. Don’t take his side. He is used to getting his way, and yes, I might be his mom, but I like getting a reaction out of him. Of course, that already happened when we simply showed up. I hear you’re on a trip. Where are you going?” She listened for a moment, nodding. “That sure sounds like fun. How is the drive so far?” She nodded another time and Jazz rubbed his eyes, wondering if he maybe was dreaming or having a vision.

  Suddenly his mother’s expression got soft and she took a deep breath.

  “Definitely, dear,” she replied gently, then she finally held out the phone to him. “She said she just needed to hear your voice before having some food with her friends,” she explained and Jazz reached out before any of the two thought different about letting him talk to Tessa.

  “I am so terribly sorry, I wasn’t quick enough and -”

  “I missed you, so I thought I’d call.”

  Almost instantly all of the tension left his body and he took a deep breath. He hadn’t known how much he had wanted to hear those words until she had said them.

  “I’m glad you did. As you can tell, hell just broke loose around me,” he told her and she laughed, but it sounded strained. Something was wrong, yet he wasn’t sure the phone was the right place to talk about it. However, he wouldn’t be able to see her again until Sunday.

  “You sound off. What’s going on?” he wanted to know. He had heard that she was ready to eat, but she had called him up after all, so he figured she’d take the time.

  “Your mom and sister sound really nice. I can’t believe you told them about me,” she answered, avoiding the topic and even though it bothered Jazz, he figured he could always still ask her when she was back. Now he’d worry too much she wouldn’t call again if she missed him. Pushing a girl never was a good idea; that much Jazz already knew.

  “They are here to meet you,” he admitted and she laughed.

  “Sucky timing.”

  He couldn’t believe that she wasn’t shocked or opposed. In fact, she almost sounded disappointed.

  “It is,” he agreed. He hadn’t dared to think about it before, but now he almost wished the meeting had worked out. Somehow it would have been nice to see the what-if of this situation. Then again, maybe it would make it so much clearer that they were not going to work out.

  “We’re actually staying for eight days,” his mother interrupted and Jazz just wanted to repeat that when Tessa already told him that she liked that.

  “I’d be very happy to meet your mother,” Tessa said softly and he wished he could hug and kiss her now.

  “You’re not worried? Or scared? Or nervous?” he wanted to know.

  “Not in the slightest. If they are anything like you, they’ll be amazing,” she replied and Jazz closed his eyes.

  “God, Tessa,” he whispered, not knowing what else to say.

  “I know,” she gave back, obviously still knowing exactly what he was aiming at. “It’s what I feel, too. I have to go now. Tell them I look forward to spending time with them. Bye, Jazz,” she added and then hung up before he could say something. He wasn’t sure if she feared he could say something they might regret in the end, or that she would.

  “You two are crazy,” he grumbled once his phone was securely back in his pocket. Funny, there was not a trace of humor left on either his mom’s or his sister’s face. “What now?” he groaned and his mom shook her head, almost appearing sad.

  “Jesse, she’s a really sweet girl,” Kristine said quietly, looking at him as if someone had died.

  “She’s pretty amazing,” he agreed, cautiously.

  “
Whatever she said, it was as if you just … you were strung like a guitar string, but the moment she talked to you, your whole body went soft. She doesn’t mind seeing us, does she?” his sister went on and he shook his head.

  “If anything I’d say she really wants to meet you.”

  “Sweet girl,” Kristine just repeated and Jazz sighed. As much as he wanted those three together, he was worried that in the end it was even harder for them to let her go than it would be for him. After all, his mother was a romantic. She’d insist that they could make it work, but she had no idea. Tessa and him didn’t just live different lives; they even lived them on different continents. It was impossible from the beginning, and it wouldn’t help him if people just told him that anything could be worked out. Frankly, he guessed that the first of those speeches would come up soon and he didn’t look forward to it.

  Tessa hung up, feeling as if she was on a high. Even though the conversation with Jazz had ended on a rather heavy note, she couldn’t help but feel excited that he had told his family about her.

  Walking inside the diner she bit her cheeks, trying not to smile. “Oh, come on, don’t even try to stop yourself from smiling. Obviously your talk went well,” Hilary teased, but Tessa just gave her a pleading look. As happy as she was, she wasn’t ready to tell her friend about Jazz’s mom when Evy was around.

  It hurt her heart that she couldn’t tell her best friend about it, but with all the fighting they had going on, she didn’t feel like adding fuel to the fire.

  “Okay, so we made a plan,” Aimie announced and Tessa gave her a thankful smile.

  “Yeah, we’ll settle down in the hotel, eat and then raid the bar,” Emma said, making Tessa laugh.

  “Perfect plan,” she agreed just as the waitress came, placing a bacon-and-cheese-burger in front of her. Surprised she looked up.

  “I ordered for you, just like you like it. Mayo for the fries and no onions on the burger,” Evy said across from her and Tessa met her friend’s eyes.

  “Thank you,” she replied, her heart squeezing tight as she realized how polite and cold that sounded. “You just know how to make a woman feel good,” she went on, trying to lighten the situation.

  “If only guys knew that,” Hilary sighed and again the group laughed.

  They dug into their food and even though there was slight tension in the air, Tessa couldn’t help but feel relaxed. She would stay away from her phone for the weekend, because this was girls-time and they all needed it, but it wouldn’t stop her from missing Jazz and knowing that he would be thinking about her, too.

  “I am thinking we should find a group of guys to hang out with. Spice up this whole weekend,” Hilary suggested and Tessa raised a brow. So much for girls-time.

  “Maybe we should just focus on the fun?” Emma suggested and Tessa squeezed her knee under the table.

  “Yeah, like the rollercoasters and the shows,” Tessa emphasized, but Evy just held her hand up to her mouth.

  “Please, no talk about rollercoasters. My stomach feels like throwing up just hearing about it,” she exclaimed, putting on a dramatic show of fainting. Tessa grinned.

  “You know, when it goes up, and down, and in the loop…”

  Evy threw fries at her, which Tessa avoided just in time. She decided that for now she’d put aside all resentment she felt towards Evy and once they were back home they could go and work things out.

  Tessa stared at the room, not trusting her eyes.

  “You booked the presidential suite for us?” she asked in total disbelief and Hilary shrugged.

  “My asshole-ex left some money that I thought could be well-spent, remember? That way we are all in one room. One girl needs to sleep on the sofa though. I didn’t expect Evy,” she admitted, but Evy just waved it off.

  “Please, did you look at the couch? It’s bigger than my bed back home,” Evy laughed, lying down on the sofa. As much as Tessa had expected to share a room with Evy, she couldn’t help but be glad that they could avoid the awkward late night discussions.

  “I room with Tessa,” Hilary announced, throwing their bags in a room on the left side. Aimie and Emma went to the right side, even though Emma looked at Evy for a long moment.

  “I’m pregnant, not dying. This sofa is super soft. I’ll be absolutely fine! Besides, Tessa is the first one up every morning, I can just slip into her bed if it’s really terrible,” she grinned and Emma nodded slowly. As wild as the girl seemed most of the time, Tessa couldn’t help but think how considerate she was.

  “That’s settled. Change and then let’s meet for dinner,” Hilary ordered and everyone scattered, giggling like crazy.

  Tessa hid her smirk behind her book. The next morning Hilary was trying on jeans and as much as she definitely could wear them, they were still tight.

  Hilary buttoned them up and then looked at herself in the mirror. She looked hot and Tessa had no doubt that she’d attract attention, but the way Hilary was squirming still made Tessa giggle.

  “Shut up. It fits,” her friend grumbled and Tessa agreed with a nod.

  “You still look uncomfortable,” she answered.

  “It kind of rubs between the legs, but I can’t change it.”

  “You could wear different pants,” Tessa suggested, but Hilary would have none of that.

  “I look best in them and I might just have gained a little, so they don’t sit like they used to. Besides, if I walk carefully, I might avoid feeling hot and bothered all day,” she winked and Tessa rolled her eyes.

  “Do you ever think about anything other than sex?” she wanted to know and Hilary grinned.

  “Not since I don’t have any anymore,” she laughed and then pulled on shoes that had a heel but still looked well worn. Another time Tessa eyed her suspiciously, but Hilary just shrugged at her in the mirror.

  “My favorites. I can walk on them all day, I promise,” she insisted and Tessa finally moved off the bed. She’s been dressed and ready to go for more than an hour, having read until her friends all had been up, too. They were going down to have breakfast and then they were off on a shuttle bus.

  “What’s up with her?” Aimie asked in a low voice, seeing how Hilary couldn’t sit quietly in her seat.

  “Seems if no man can satisfy her, she needs her jeans to do the job,” Tessa grinned and Aimie stared at her. “Just don’t mention it,” she added and then focused back on her breakfast. It was a quiet affair contrary to what Tessa was used to among them.

  “Okay, you all, what’s going on?” Tessa demanded to know.

  “I’m wondering where to go to first,” Emma said.

  “I figured we should all meet our favorite characters first,” Hilary mumbled.

  “I think we should just enjoy being together,” Aimie explained.

  “I’m so damn hungry, I’m debating if Peanut and I get two more pancakes or not,” Evy contemplated and Tessa gave her a thankful smile. She had a feeling that all of the girls had different expectations about this weekend and it seemed everyone worried they’d be too far-fetched.

  Tessa leaned forward, making sure everyone saw her. “We’re here because we all needed to get out, and that’s what we did. Let’s not worry about guys back home, or dicks that left us; friends we cannot hold and boys we cannot get. Let’s be us and be glad that we five are here, happy and healthy. Whatever life throws our way; we’ll deal with it once we’re outside of Disneyland again. This will be amazing and I couldn’t imagine a better group of girls to share this adventure with than you all,” she said, almost making it sound like a vow: The world would not end while they stopped thinking about it for a few hours.

  “You’re right,” Hilary agreed, nodding in excitement the next second. She got out a map of the area, starting to point out things she wanted to do.

  “I want to go and take the Haunted Mansion Tour,” she started and Tessa almost regretted her speech.

  “Haunted Mansion?” she asked, swallowing. She scared easily and hated everything haunted
and spooky.

  “Yes! Oh my God, yes! That’ll be amazing! I read about that in one of the magazines. They have awesome animations and it’s just so well made that you feel as if you’re in one of those Disney ghost movies,” Evy exclaimed, her excitement showing on her face.

  As much as Tessa hated raining on her parade, especially after she had made the sunshine speech just minutes ago, she gave Evy a stern look. “You are pregnant, girl. Some things might be a little too exciting for you,” she reminded her best friend and Evy looked at her as if she was surprised that Tessa had talked to her directly at all.

  “She’s pregnant, not dying,” Emma repeated the words from the night before, winking at Evy.

  “All rides have warning signs, but most are really suitable for everyone. Especially since she’s still in the early stages of her pregnancy,” Hilary explained. After all, she was the pro when it came to Disneyland. She had been before and was their guide, too.

  “Okay, so it’s half past seven. We get the bus now and then can start with the morning shows. I hear it’s a Frozen theme at the moment,” Hilary went on, pushing away the last of her food. Tessa was surprised that everyone had polished off their plates. That was, everyone but her.

  “Damn, you’re a slow eater,” Aimie remarked, staring down at the half eaten pancake. Tessa shook her head in disbelief. Seemed everyone was more than just a little excited to get going.

  She rolled up her pancake and bit into it heartily while getting up with the rest. “I’m not,” she mumbled around a mouthful of food. “Inspiring words just need an empty mouth to make an awesome entry,” she explained and then swallowed. It didn’t take more than thirty seconds and she was finally done with her food, too.

  Hilary took over from there on, leading the way to where the shuttle busses were going. Tessa had her head bowed, searching for her wallet in her bag when she suddenly ran into someone.

  “Sorry,” she said without looking up.

  “It’s not the first time you’ve run me over,” Evy gave back and Tessa’s glance shot up, meeting her best friend’s eyes. The rest of the girls were a few steps ahead, chatting happily among each other.