“Come on,” she said brightly. “Let’s get you settled.”
Mackenna stepped out of her car and leaned into the back seat to grab the small suitcase and two grocery bags. She led the way up the steps and used her key to open the door. The young woman followed obediently. They passed the front room, occupied with three women at computers and another woman appearing to be teaching them. Across the hall, they walked by a smaller room filled with books on shelves and two comfy chairs, just ready for lounging with a good story.
Mackenna pointed out each room as they passed and then they found themselves in the kitchen toward the back, overlooking the alley behind. There were two other women there, both turning and smiled as Mackenna appeared.
“Carla, Jenita, I’d like to introduce you to our newest guest. This is Gabriella, but she goes by Gabby.”
The two women greeted Gabby enthusiastically before Mackenna interrupted to say that she was going to show Gabby her room. They made their way up the stairs in the back and down a short hall with several doors open on either side.
Moving through one of the doors, Mackenna showed Gabby into a small, private bedroom with a closet, twin sized bed, dresser, and chair. Pulling open the blinds to let in the sun, she turned to face the girl.
“I know it’s small, but it’s all yours for as long as you stay in the program. The other three bedrooms are larger and hold bunk beds. Now, you’ve already read the rules and have signed the agreement, but I need to know that you understand the importance of following the rules.”
“I do, I promise,” Gabby said, fear still in her eyes. “I don’t want to go back. I want to stay here and be safe.” Placing her hand on her protruding stomach, she continued, “And I want my baby to be safe as well.”
Opening the grocery bags, Mackenna pulled out toiletries, linens, and other personal items. Lifting the small suitcase onto the bed, she said, “Okay, here are your clothes. We provide these initial personal necessities and if you need something else, you can ask me or Rose. I know you haven’t met her, but she helps me here. She’s teaching now, but you’ll meet her later. The bathroom is just down the hall…you do have to share with the other women here but it should not be a problem.”
Placing her hands on her hips, Mackenna stared firmly into Gabby’s eyes. “Most important is this. You came to us. You wanted out and you want to learn employable skills. Our program is three months long. We can provide you with basic skill learning, job placement, and can help with your doctor appointments. You have the responsibility to keep your area clean, assist with the kitchen duties, and most importantly…” she made sure she had eye contact before she continued, “you absolutely cannot, under any circumstances, contact any of the gang members your ex belongs to. That was why we took your cell phone and disabled it when you entered our program. You’ll get it back when you graduate.”
Gabby’s eyes grew round as she shook her head back and forth. “Oh no, Ms. Dunn. Never. I promise I never want to see him or have anything to do with him again.”
Mackenna held Gabby’s gaze for a moment then, satisfied with what she saw, she nodded and turned away. “Dinner’s at six. Make yourself at home until then. Your classes start tomorrow and you can meet the other girls at dinner.” Stopping at the door and looking back over her shoulder, her face softened with a smile. “And Gabby? I’m glad you’re here.”
Gabby sat down on her bed, overwhelmed for the moment. She knew she had been given a second chance at life…a life outside of the gangs. Looking at the retreating back of Ms. Dunn, she smiled at the woman in charge of the New Beginnings program. Maybe, just maybe this will be my salvation.
Mackenna made her way down the stairs, stopping in the small office that she called hers when she was in the building. She bounced between New Beginnings and the Department of Social Services building downtown. Sitting in the old chair, she powered up her laptop and quickly began scrolling through her emails. It seemed as though her work never ended. Answering the ones that she could, she glanced at her watch.
Dialing home, her mom answered, with a somewhat garbled greeting.
“Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”
“Uh huh,” came the reply.
“I’m going to meet a friend after lunch and then I’ll be home. Is the nurse still able to stay a little later?”
“Yasss.”
“Okay, mom. I love you and I’ll be home as soon as I can. Text me if you need.”
“Los ya ta,” her mom said, working on trying to pronounce the words clearly. It did not matter how she said them. Mackenna knew her mother loved her. The stroke may have robbed her mother of much of her speech and movement on one side of her body, but that was all. The survival instinct was strong and passed on from mother to daughter.
Just then her phone vibrating interrupted her thoughts. Looking to see the caller, she answered happily.
“Hey, Jennifer! Are we still on for an early dinner?”
“Absolutely. I’ve been looking forward to this. I can’t wait to hear how your center is going.”
Making arrangements to meet, Mackenna hung up and powered down her laptop. Standing, she headed to the front room.
“How’s it going?” she asked the computer teacher.
Rose smiled at her and nodded at the three women hard at work. “They’re doing great. We’ve covered most of the basics and by next week should start with the most complicated reports and spreadsheets that they would need to know how to manage. In fact, I told Jerika that I think she’s almost ready to have a job interview soon.”
Mackenna’s gaze found the smiling girl and walked over to give her a hug. “Fabulous! We’ll make sure to train you on interviewing as well as helping you with your resume first. And before you start actually meeting with prospective employers, we’ll get some business clothes for you.”
Jerika returned the hug with tears in her eyes. “Oh my God, thank you. This’ll make all the difference in the world.”
“A good job will help you transition out of New Beginnings and into your own place,” Mackenna reminded her. The smile on the young woman’s face was priceless.
Looking up at Rose, she said, “Okay, I’m heading out. Got a friend I’m meeting for early dinner. I probably won’t be in tomorrow. I’ve got a staff meeting at DSS.”
Waving goodbye, she stepped out into the bright sunlight and glanced up and down the street. A low-riding car with darkened windows drove slowly down the road. She stood there defensively as she watched it stop for just a few seconds in front of the building and then move on. Seething, she called Little John, her night watchman.
“Hey girl,” he answered jovially.
“Hey back. Listen, I’m out front and that same car is driving by and I’m positive it’s probably one of the gangs just wanting me to feel threatened.”
“Now girl, don’t you go gettin’ all riled up. You can’t fight those fuckers alone.”
“I don’t plan on fighting them, Little John, but honest to God, if they come back then I’m going after them.”
“Oh Lordy, protect those fuckers when you get mad. Only you know they don’t fight fair and they carry guns. So you gotta promise me, you’ll leave them alone.”
She heard the worried tone in his voice and assured him she was leaving. “Just make sure you lock up really good tonight when you go on duty and I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
Looking up and down the road again seeing nothing but quiet, she walked to her car and drove to the little restaurant to meet with her friend.
*
“Mac, I love what you’re accomplishing,” Jennifer enthused as the warm, melted mozzarella strung out from her fingers to her mouth. They had met at a little Italian eatery and decided to splurge on the appetizers. Jennifer Malloy was a fellow social worker for the Department of Social Services and handled an elder care center that provided low-cost housing for a group of elderly residents. Mackenna stared at the petite, blonde beauty in front of
her, giggling at how much she could eat and stay so tiny.
“I know it can make a difference,” Mackenna responded. “The research shows that education and job skills can entice some women to not be sucked into gangs or can get them out and keep them out. But it’s slow going. So far, we have seven women ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-one that live there.”
“How’s the fundraising? I have to keep re-applying for my grant and beg our local politicians every chance I get.”
Mackenna wrinkled her nose at the subject. “I know…it sucks. So far the grant money is getting us through and I’ve got a great teacher and a paid night watchman.”
“Night watchman?” Jennifer asked, stopping her fork on its path to her mouth.
Shrugging, Mackenna answered, “I gotta try to keep the girls safe. I’m sure some of the local gangs know where we are, but so far no one has bothered us. But, well…”
“What?”
“The girl I took in today is pregnant. Her ex-boyfriend is in one of the gangs here in Richland. According to her, he doesn’t care. She says he’s got more bastards among the gang women and isn’t about to pay any child support. But…I’m cautious anyway. I mean, let’s face it, they don’t like what New Beginnings is doing.”
“I never thought about that,” Jennifer admitted. “I had trouble with my elder center but only because someone wanted the real-estate we are in. But nobody cares if elderly people are living there. I can’t believe that when I heard about you starting a program to help rescue girls from gangs and give them a chance at a new life, I didn’t think about the dangers.”
“The girls have come to us so it’s not like we went out and stole them from the gangs. I just wish I had a way to keep them from going in to begin with. But that would involve getting to the girls by the time they are very young.”
“Are they actively in the gangs or just, um…you know?” Jennifer asked.
Grimacing, Mackenna said, “Gang whores? Is that what you were trying to say?” Seeing Jennifer nod, she added, “Some gangs let the girls be actual members but they usually have to whore their way into the establishment. And for the most part, they’ll never be included like the men. So, yes, many of them are just looking for a sense of family and the gang gives it to them.”
“Oh, Jesus help us,” Jennifer blurted, pushing her plate back.
“I know. But hopefully, our program will be a small start to allowing some of the girls to reclaim their lives.”
“You mentioned a night watchman. What other security do you have?” Jennifer asked.
“Security? Um…well, we have deadbolts on the doors. I don’t know what else you mean?”
“Girl, my husband is in the business. Gabe works for Alvarez Security and you better believe, I’m talking to him tonight about this.”
“Jen, I’ve heard of Alvarez Security. There’s no way my grant money will cover anything and you know our boss at DSS would have a coronary if I bring it up.”
“No, seriously, Mac, they can do it. They covered my center because they do some write-off business and I’ll bet they would do it for you. I’ll talk to Gabe tonight.”
Finishing the food on her plate, Mackenna smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm and happiness when talking about her husband. Her smile slipped slightly when she thought of her own disastrous love life. It was practically nonexistent and when she did date? I have such a penchant for going out with the wrong guy. Lately, her battery-operated boyfriend was giving her more business than the last boyfriend she had.
“You okay?” Jennifer asked, interrupting Mackenna’s depressing musings.
Startled, she laughed. “Yeah, just thinking about what all needs to get done this week.”
“I hear you. It’s non-stop, isn’t it?”
“On top of the center, I have my mom’s rehab to worry about. She’s still covered under my dad’s insurance, even after he died, but it isn’t great.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Jennifer said, placing her hand on her friend’s. “With all the talk about your work, I forgot what you’re dealing with at home.”
“Mom’s doing great, she really is. Her speech is improving, although me and the nurse are probably the only ones who can understand her now. She doesn’t have much movement on the left side, but since she was right-handed, she can still do things fairly easily on that side.”
As they settled the check, Jennifer stated, “Well, I’m going to take one worry off of your plate. I’m talking to Gabe tonight!”
Parting company, Mackenna headed home, feeling strangely lighter than she had in a few weeks. Maybe, just maybe, things are looking up.
*
True to her word, that night as the dishes were being put away and her brother, Ross, was busy with his homework, Jennifer talked to Gabe about the New Beginnings security issues.
“They’ve got seven girls that have been reclaimed from gangs and what they’re doing is amazing. But honey, they only have a night watchman and some deadbolts on the doors. What scares me is that these girls could be in danger from the gangs that they left. The director, Mac, is a friend and I want to help any way I can.”
Gabe listened as his wife described the situation and nodded his agreement. “Sounds like something that Tony would be interested in.”
“Good, because I want to make sure they’re as safe as you made the Elder Center.”
Coming up behind her, trapping her against the counter with his arms on either side, he leaned down and whispered against her lips, “Well, the Elder Center got my very private, special attention.” Licking her lips, he plunged his tongue in, tasting the wine and chocolate cake they had for dessert.
“Well, maybe you can’t give them the exact same attention,” she purred as she melted into his arms.
Chuckling as he pulled away, he assured her that he would speak to Tony the next day. Then he added, “And you can show me your gratitude in bed tonight.”
“Why, Mr. Malloy,” she said, batting her eyes and giggling. “I’d be glad to.”
*
Mackenna sat down on the sofa after dinner with her mom as they watched TV. She had her laptop on her legs so that she could work while watching TV at the same time.
Penny Dunn looked over at her daughter. “Ya wok too har,” she claimed.
Smiling up as she glanced over, Mackenna said, “I don’t work too hard, mom. I’m just surfing the web right now.” Seeing her mom’s curious expression, she explained that her friend was going to try to get a company to set up some security for the shelter.
Satisfied, Penny went back to watching TV and Mackenna pulled up Alvarez Security on her computer. Reading what all they did, she knew that there was no way the grant would cover any of what they offered. Sighing, she hoped that Jennifer was right and that they would agree to do some pro bono work.
Jennifer had shown her a picture of her husband and Mackenna had to admit that he was gorgeous. The Alvarez Security website had no pictures except for the owner, Tony Alvarez. God, he’s handsome too. But, Jennifer mentioned that he was married to another one of her friends. Damn, all the good ones are gone. Ruefully, she looked around at the small, one-level house that she and her mom had rented after Penny had the stroke. Her days were centered around New Beginnings and her evenings were with her mom. Not exactly conducive for Mr. Gorgeous and Available to come walking through my door!
She saw her mom staring her way again and tried to school her expression. But she was caught with the wistful expression on her face.
“Ya shou go ou mo. Ha fun,” her mom said, turning off the TV and facing her daughter.
“Mom, I do have fun. I went out tonight, didn’t I?”
Making a face, her mother shook her head. “Whe wa the las time ya wen on date?”
“I have dated. Just not recently,” she admitted. “Mom, I’ll go out again sometime, just not right now.”
“Beca of me?”
“No! Because getting New Beginnings up and running has taken all my en
ergy. Who has time to date with all of that?” They were quiet for a moment before she giggled. “And anyway, after Raymond, all other men pale in comparison.”
Her mother joined her laughter, remembering the last man Mackenna tried to date. A boring man with a boring job, who came to dinner and talked incessantly about his work.
“Remember how he kept speaking louder around you?” Mackenna added. “I told him you had had a stroke, but you weren’t deaf!”
The two women laughed until they had to wipe their tears, the memory of that disastrous date in their minds. As their mirth slowly dissipated, Penny looked at her daughter again.
“Wha abou—”
Shaking her head quickly, Mackenna interrupted, “No mom.”
Her mother sat quietly and Mackenna immediately felt contrite. “I’m sorry. It’s just…that ship sailed a long time ago and to be honest, it still stings a little.”
The silence echoed around the room, each woman with their own memories filling their minds. Sighing, Mackenna gave an unladylike snort, saying, “Not only did the ship sail, but it caught on fire as it was sailing away. And then it blew up. And then while it was burning, it got caught in a whirlpool and was tossed around. And then lightning hit it as it was going down. And the waves knocked it over. And then it finally sunk to the bottom of the ocean.” She sat for a second and then added, “And then when all the tiny pieces hit the bottom, they were obliterated and the dust got totally mixed in with the sand, never to be found again.”
Penny lifted her right eyebrow at her daughter’s description. “I thin I ga the pictu,” she said, her heart aching for her daughter as she watched her lost in memory. Mackenna’s expression was not one of anger, but had the look of resignation.
Mackenna shook her head, chasing out the morose thoughts and said, “Let’s go to bed, mom. It’s late and I know you’ve got to be tired.”
She assisted her mom in getting ready for bed and was excited to see how much stronger Penny’s left side was becoming. Her mother beamed as she showed Mackenna how she could get her nightgown on herself.
Jobe: Alvarez Security Series Page 3