by Lee Taylor
Jesse looked down, her cheeks tinged with pink.
“Is her mother going to be there?”
Dameon gave a harsh snort. “God, no! Her mother is most definitely not going to be there.”
He could see that she was beginning to consider it. “C’mon Jesse. Come with us. It’s better than running another ten miles exhausting yourself. Instead, come and eat cake and ice cream and candy. I ordered a marble cake with Princess frosting. I have to warn you. Most of the girls will be wearing princess dresses. Not Zoey. She’s on a cowboy kick. She wants to look like me. Her heroine of the moment is Annie Oakley. Seriously.”
Dameon saw the smile behind Jesse’s tears and reached out to wipe off the one hovering in her lashes.
“What do you say? Can Jesse come out to play, Jesse? Will you come be a kid with me today?”
She gave a tentative nod. “If you really think it will be okay with Zoey. Yes, I’ll come.”
Dameon heaved a sigh of relief. He thanked whatever gods were looking out for him. He’d been torn. There was no way that he could have abandoned Jesse today. But miss Zoey’s party? Hell, he’d become attached to his balls. Didn’t want to live without them. He rose to his feet and tugged on Jesse’s hand pulling her up close to him.
“I promise you, she will love having you there. Now, I’m going to follow you home so you can change. Not because I don’t trust you—but because I don’t trust you. I’m afraid if I let you out of my sight, you’ll run again and I won’t be able to find you.”
The rosy pink on her cheeks deepened. “No, Dameon. I promise I’ll come. I do keep promises.”
Dameon put his thumb under her chin and tipped her face up close to his.
“I know you try to, but I can understand why you might want to run from this.”
At her pained smile, he pulled a pen from his gear bag and wrote on her hand.
“Here’s the address. We’ll meet you there at 11. The girls are scheduled to do some kind of participatory performance with the actors on the museum stage. It’ll be great. Especially now that you’ll be with us.”
Chapter 19
Hearing Zoey’s excited laughter, Dameon looked up from the jigsaw puzzle he was working with Samantha, currently Zoey’s best friend. Around the corner he saw Jesse surrounded by four bubbly girls all trying to be the one closest to her. He saw that Zoey had carved out her spot on Jesse’s left side and didn’t plan to relinquish it.
Jesse looked beautiful. She was wearing a gauzy brightly colored halter dress that stopped at mid-calf. The cut of the dress and flowing material accentuated her show girl figure while somewhat masking it. It was enticing as hell. Strappy platform sandals completed the look but in no way hampered her movements. He’d watched her throughout the day move among the girls, laughing as they dragged her from one exhibit to another. After riding the Museum’s famous elevator stocked with sofas and chairs at least a dozen times, they’d run back to pick up the home movie they’d made earlier.
Zoey insisted Dameon stop what he was doing to watch their masterpiece. She said she wanted him to see how gorgeous they all were, especially Jesse. Dameon had taken the videographer instructor aside and told him he wanted several copies. Seeing the girls clowning around with Zoey and Jesse, the stars of the impromptu show, it was a video he planned to watch again and again.
Jesse watched the video with the group laughing at their antics. She almost didn’t recognize herself. Knowing the long night she’d had she’d expected four-inch bags under her eyes. Instead, she saw a beautiful woman surrounded by an admiring circle of chattering girls. Dameon was standing in the background smiling at her and Zoey.
Zoey was a darling child. Even at now-nine years old, she was stunningly beautiful—worthy of her two gorgeous parents. Best of all she funny, smart, and voluble. A truly delightful young girl. The bond between Dameon and his daughter brought tears to Jesse’s eyes. She knew what it was like to be an adored daughter. And, in return, to love a father fiercely and without qualification.
After five rousing hours of eating, playing and racing from exhibit to exhibit, Jesse helped Dameon shepherd the girls out to the entrance where their parents were lined up waiting for them. As they said their goodbyes to the girls, Jesse saw the interested looks the parents gave her and Dameon. As if he didn’t notice, Dameon kept his arm around her and included her in his thanks on behalf of the three of them.
While Dameon was packing the gifts and party paraphernalia in the back of his truck, Zoey sidled up next to Jesse on the bench in the entryway.
“Are you my dad’s girlfriend?”
Jesse hesitated. She saw Dameon pause, obviously watching and listening. She didn’t want to diminish him by minimizing what was between them but wanted to be careful not to set expectations with Zoey.
“Your dad and I are friends. We like being together. I especially liked being with both you and your dad today.”
Zoey’s expression lightened. “Good, my dad needs friends. He hasn’t been very happy.”
Jesse hid her surprise.
“Why? Because of the divorce?”
“No, he’s happy about that. So am I. My dad and I like being together without my mom. My mom is….” she gave an expressive shrug worthy of an adult or the precocious child she was. She moved closer to Jesse.
“I’m glad my dad has a good friend now. And that it’s you.”
Jesse gave her a quick hug. “Your dad is a lucky man. He has a wonderful daughter. I think you’re terrific, Zoey.”
Zoey’s smile widened.
“I think you’re terrific too, Jesse.” She added with a wistful sigh. “Can we do some things together? You and me? And my dad can come too?”
Jesse heard the loneliness in her voice. It was an emotion she was familiar with. A cautionary flag went up in her mind. She didn’t want to presume. “We’ll see.”
If Zoey heard her qualification, she ignored it, bouncing on to her next question.
“My dad says you know how to do Taekwondo. I’m learning to. Are you good? I am. My sensei says I have promise.”
Jesse laughed. “I’m sure that you do. You seem strong and you have a lot of energy. And yes, I am a Martial Artist. I don’t know how many Martial Arts you know but I have black belts in four of them.”
Zoey’s eyes widened again. “Wow!”
Dameon came around the corner confirming that he’d been listening to their conversation.
“Damn, I didn’t know that, Jesse. Which ones?”
She ticked them off. “Karate, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and Hapkido.”
Zoey danced in excitement. “Oh goody! Will you come to my class and show us what you do?”
“I’m not into showing off but if your instructors are interested I could demonstrate how the arts differ from one another. And I would like to watch you practice.”
~~~
Dameon insisted on following her home. He pulled in behind her and waited while she parked her Jeep.
He got out of his truck and pointed to the front seat his finger on his lips. Jesse peeked in and saw Zoey curled up on the seat, sound asleep.
Dameon whispered, “I didn’t think anything could wear out my little force of nature, but this day did. Of course it helped that none of the girls slept last night more than an hour at the most.”
Putting his arm around her, Dameon walked her up to the front porch. He gave a wicked nod at the infamous wall and winked at her. Her face heated acknowledging the reference.
He laughed softly. “Now your kid is gone and mine is here.”
Knowing the roller coaster of emotions she’d ridden over the last twenty-four hours, Dameon thought with a grimace it was just as well.
“Thank you, Jesse. Thank you for coming. You made a wonderful day unforgettable.”
Jesse laughed. “I’m embarrassed to say this but I can’t remember when I’ve had more fun.”
Dameon nodded and returned her smile. He didn’t want to belabor the point, but he’d
never seen her the way she was today—relaxed, at ease, carefree. It pleased him and made him ache for the pain that kept this unguarded side of her captive. He tipped up her chin forcing her to look in his eyes.
“Jesse, we’re going to have a conversation, you and me.” He gently stroked the crease forming on her cheek. “Don’t worry. It can be on your timing. But we are going to have it. I need to understand why a woman like you doesn’t know how gorgeous she is, how desirable. Something or someone put bad crap in your head, sweetheart, and I’m gonna get it out. You got that?”
She tossed her head. “Kind of like a ‘project’?”
His expression tightened and his voice hardened.
“That was one of the more ugly things I’ve heard Nita say. No… not like a ‘project.’ ”
Jesse was embarrassed and ashamed. “I’m sorry Dameon. I shouldn’t have said that. It was stupid, thoughtless.”
“No, Jesse. I know that hurt you. Just so you know, that was a sample of what I put up with for seven years.” A distant look darkened his eyes. “I’m sorry she hurt you, Jesse. But in answer to your thoughts, I don’t have ‘projects.’ Trey isn’t my project, DaShon isn’t, Juan isn’t, Rodrigo isn’t, and you most certainly are not.”
Jesse swallowed hard, refusing to let Nita come between them and spoil the lovely day. “Thank you, again, Dameon, for inviting me. It was a special day.”
“Yes it was and you’re welcome, tiger. Are you coming to the basketball practice tomorrow night?”
“I don’t think I can. I… I’m meeting with a potential client.”
Dameon’s brow creased. “Really. Who’s this one?”
“He’s a budding politician. A client of Eric’s.” She didn’t mention that Raoul was also one of Eric’s clients. She aimed for lightness. “At least to my knowledge he’s not involved in the drug trade….”
They both laughed.
“Jesse, Jesse. What am I gonna do with you?”
Dameon leaned down and holding her face between his hands, he gently kissed her on both cheeks.
“Good night, pretty lady. Sleep well.”
~~~
Two days later Jesse made her way to the park to watch Trey practice. When she got out of her car, she saw Zoey running toward her.
“Jesse, Jesse! I was hoping you would be here. My dad said you might be coming.”
Jesse smiled at the young girl dancing around her.
“Here I am.”
“I saw your son. I’ve been watching him. He looks just like you. He’s gorgeous!”
Jesse couldn’t help but laugh at the irrepressible girl.
“Thank you very much. I agree. I’m sure Trey will appreciate that he has admirers in the crowd.”
Pulling out a thick folder, Zoey asked, “Do you want to see what I am working on? I’m writing an essay on people I admire. I’m writing it about my dad. We have to do three of them this semester. After you come to my Taekwondo class, I want to write one on you.”
Shaking her head at Zoey’s engaging presumptuousness, Jesse couldn’t help but smile. The young girl truly was a force of nature.
“I don’t want to interrupt, Zoey. Your homework is important. I would like to read your essay when you are finished.”
Zoey gave an aggrieved sigh. “Yes, I better do it. My dad said the only way I could come tonight is if I finish my homework before practice is over.”
“You better do that then. I don’t want your father to be annoyed with you, or me. How about if I go for a walk around the park? That way I won’t distract you. I haven’t had any exercise today.”
“Okay, but promise you’ll come back?”
“Yes, Zoey, I promise.”
When she’d done a three mile circle, Jesse joined the group of mothers who had assembled by the court.
Zoey came dancing toward her, calling her name.
Shaunda Williams gave Jesse a sly smile.
“I see that you’ve met Wolf’s daughter.”
Zoey answered for her. “Oh yes, Mrs. Williams. Jesse came to my birthday party on Sunday. We had so much fun. We made a movie together with my dad and my friends. And Jesse is a martial artist and she can do four—”
Jesse held up her hands joining in the other women’s laughter. “Zoey, please. Thank you, but you’re embarrassing me.”
Dameon came up from behind her with a grin on his face. He slipped his hand around Jesse’s waist, ignoring the winks that Shaunda and Rodrigo’s mother shared.
“I like the fact that someone besides me is talking about how terrific Jesse is. Maybe if we keep it up, she’ll start to believe it.”
Chapter 20
Jesse could barely hear her father’s voice over the roar of the crowd. The noise in the field house was deafening. She held her cell phone up against her ear and shouted into the mouthpiece.
“Hurry, Dad. You aren’t going to believe this. I’m in Section D four rows from the top. But hurry, Dad. The coach is letting Trey play.”
Jesse looked back down at the court astonished to see Trey taking the ball down the court faster than she’d ever seen him move. She was stunned. They really might win the game. All day long the excitement had raged. This morning, the Albuquerque Gazette Sports Page had run a feature story on Dameon’s team. It described how the Albuquerque Police Force’s Cinderella team had a chance of sweeping the club regionals. While the article concluded that victory was unlikely given the strength of the team they would face tonight and the significant challenge tomorrow night, it praised to the hills the team and its coach.
Jesse refused to let the sight of Garrett Chambers dampen her excitement. Of course he would come tonight. For three weeks he hadn’t been to a single practice and according to Trey refused to discuss Trey’s probation program. In fact he rarely spoke to Trey, only sneered when Trey came home sweaty and tired from basketball practice, inquiring how ‘life was in the ghetto.’ After each stint with his father, Trey begged Jesse to see if there was some way he could live with her full time. His plea hit her hard. Knowing how determined Garrett was to change the terms of their custody arrangement in his favor, she did her best to appear calm. She told Trey that she and her lawyer were doing everything they could to give him more time with her.
Garrett must have seen the newspaper article praising the innovative basketball program that under Chief Macarios’s leadership was becoming a model for police forces across the country. Knowing Garrett’s need for public adulation, Jesse could imagine how he’d twisted the article to his advantage. Seeing him with a group of men she didn’t recognize she was confident he’d claimed credit for Trey being included in the now famous program. He’d probably perverted Trey’s probation to his advantage as well. No doubt he blamed Jesse for the trouble Trey was in. She wouldn’t put it past him if he declared that because of him, the police chief had put his talented son on the team.
Jesse’s heart leapt at the sight of her banty rooster father scaling the steep stairs, waving his arms when he saw her. The red-haired dynamo dressed in his Sergeant’s uniform gleaming with ribbons and Army brass was hard to miss. Heads turned when he passed. Only five feet nine inches tall, he nevertheless captured attention. His shocking hair and green eyes that he’d bequeathed to Jesse and his grandson made Sergeant Major Sean Casey O’Donnell a striking figure. But it was the unabashed love in his eyes when they landed on Jesse that had her heart pounding. She’d almost wept with excitement when her father called from Japan saying that he was on his way to Albuquerque. She knew how upset he’d been hearing about Trey’s trouble. She wasn’t surprised that he insisted on coming.
An hour later, when the buzzer sounded, the final score declared that the Warriors had won by six points. Sean shook his head in amazement.
“Goddamn, I can’t believe this, Jesse. Trey looked terrific. That kid has improved 1,000 percent.”
“I told you, Dad. It’s amazing. This coach he’s working with? He’s turned Trey’s game upside down in less than three
weeks. Trey’s biggest issue is his confidence. The coach has been fierce with him, putting him in one challenging position after another. I can tell you, just last week Trey would never have gone for that three-pointer, much less three in a row.”
Her father was hoarse from shouting but managed to croak, “And I’ll be fucked, he made two of them. Between him and that superstar? I swear they won the game!”
Jesse and the proud grandfather tromped down the bleacher stairs arm in arm. She ignored Garrett who was slapping high fives with his friends and no doubt accepting congratulations for his son’s success. Too late, her father saw his former son-in-law.
“Fuck!” Sean’s expletive said it all. “What’s that prick doing here, Jesse? I thought he didn’t watch ‘ghetto sports.’ ”
Jesse tugged at his arm. “Ignore him, Dad. There was a terrific article about the team in the paper this morning. Apparently it helped Garrett get over his disdain for basketball.”
Seeing Garrett basking in the admiration of his friends, Sean growled a low warning sound.
“Don’t, Dad. You know it would thrill Garrett to know he upset you. Pay attention to Trey instead. Look, he sees us.”
Sean’s fury turned to excitement seeing his grandson pointing up to the stands and waving excitedly. Jesse tugged on his arm.
“You see DaShon, Dad? The tall one standing beside Trey? The superstar? His mother and father insist that he would be in jail today if it wasn’t for the coach. He’s an inspiring man.”
“Hell, he must be. These kids look like college players, junior NBA.”
“Let’s wait over here for Trey, Dad. I’d like to avoid Garrett if we can. Trey is coming home with us, tonight.”
“Grandpa, Grandpa!” Trey’s excited voice rang out as he sped through the crowd, running to Sean. “Did you see me?! Did you, Grandpa?” Trey’s normally shy demeanor was long gone as he hugged his grandfather, who clasped him close in return.
“See you, Son? I can’t believe it. That last three pointer was the most amazing thing I’ve seen. You were like Reggie Miller out there. And what a time to get it! In the last 45 seconds of the game!”