* * *
Chapter 10
Jenna wandered around her parents’ bedroom, slightly amazed that all of her mother’s things were still in their proper place. Her clothes still hung in the closet. Her wedding ring still sat in the crystal dish on her vanity table. Her favorite perfume was there as well, and Jenna lifted the bottle and took in the fragrance that would always remind her of her loving mother.
She put the bottle down and walked to her father’s dresser, amazed to see it organized and everything neatly folded in the drawers. When she’d left home, her father had been completely out of control and the house had suffered right along with her. It looks like dad got his act together before he died. That thought gave her some measure of comfort, but it still didn’t erase the hurt he had inflicted before that.
Trey entered the bedroom and watched her look through the drawers of her father’s bureau with a look of confusion upon her face. “What’s wrong?”
Jenna looked over her shoulder and then replied, “Nothing, I guess. It’s just that when I left here, nothing was organized and now it is.”
“Jenna, your dad had a rough few months after you left. About seven months later, he finally crossed the line and Sheriff Watson had enough leverage to insist he spend some time in a rehab facility. He was gone about three months, but when he came back to Cathedral Hills, he had his stuff together once again.
“It wasn’t easy for him to admit to his actions, and he spent the next several months trying to find you. He even made a trip down to the Four Corner’s shelter, but the facility had changed hands and become a State run facility at that time. None of the former employees still worked there, and there weren’t any records with your name on them.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. There were so many kids coming in and out of the facilities, and I don’t think they kept very good records. At least in the State homes. Now the private facility was a different story. They were being paid by the State to take care of us until we turned eighteen and they kept impeccable records. We were worth quite a bit of money to them.”
“That’s a horrible reason to take care of kids.”
Jenna nodded, “That’s why I want a chance to do things differently.”
Trey looked at her and asked, “Care to explain that statement?”
“Yeah, but can we do this someplace else. I’ve seen enough for now. I know I really need to go through the paperwork in my father’s office, but it will have to wait until tomorrow.”
“I think that’s probably a good idea. When are you supposed to be at the Diner?”
Jenna glanced at the alarm clock on the night stand before answering, “In half an hour?”
“Okay. Why don’t I help you lock up here and we can head over there a bit early?”
Jenna nodded and started down the staircase. Together, they locked up the house and then Trey picked up her small suitcase and tossed it into the back of his SUV before walking around to open her door for her.
Jenna looked at him with a raised brow when he stepped back to allow her to enter the vehicle, smiling when Trey merely inclined his head and gestured with his hand for her to have a seat.
Jenna buckled her seatbelt and watched Trey jog around the front of the vehicle. The SUV was top of the line, with leather seats, a sunroof, and what looked like automatic everything. Being Branch President must pay nicely!
Trey saw her watching him and winked at her as he put the vehicle into gear and headed back into town. “So, did Missy recognize you?”
“Not right away. I kind of messed up and called her by name.”
“I don’t know if I would call that messing up. I think maybe your subconscious wanted to know if she would be happy to see you again.”
Jenna thought about that and then laughed slightly, “Did you take a bunch of psychology classes in college?”
“A few,” Trey admitted. “There was a time when I thought I might want to go into ministry and work with youth, but I came home from college and started working at the bank and one thing led to another, and here I am.”
Jenna turned so she could watch him as he drove, "You're, what, twenty five?"
“Yes, why?” Trey asked, glancing at her and then back at the road.
“Well, isn’t that kind of young to be Branch President of a bank?”
“Not really. The bank in Cathedral Hills isn’t considered a very big market, and the only real job requirement was a college degree and some banking experience. I fit the bill and when they offered me the job, I didn’t have anything better to do, so I said ‘Yes’.”
“How long have you been in that position?”
“About a year. So, you mentioned wanting to make sure kids like you had a different experience than you did?”
“Yeah. I was already enrolled in a college program as part of my therapy and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. After I was notified of my father’s death, I kind of lost some of the ground I had gained. My counselor, a wonderful Christian woman named Teresa, finally got me back on track and helped me make some tough decisions.”
“Is that the woman who has been communicating with the lawyer and bank?”
“She was the woman helping me out. She took another job in Missouri as the director for a faith-based program for teens and young adults with addiction problems.” Jenna tried to keep the sorrow she felt from coloring her voice, but when Trey glanced at her in concern, she knew she hadn’t succeeded. “Don’t get me wrong! I’m happy for her, but she’s been the only thing that kept me going forward for the last two years. I’m really going to miss her!”
“That’s understandable. Have you stopped to consider that coming back to Cathedral Hills could help fill that void?”
“Honestly?” Jenna asked, turning her gaze back to the streets of the downtown area. Trey had pulled his SUV over to the side of the street, and the town’s four blocks of stores and businesses lay before them.
“Yes. I honestly would like to know what’s going on in that brain of yours.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” Jenna told him in a joking tone. “But, since you opened the door…I never intended to come back here. Ever. When Teresa found out about the life insurance policy, she pointed out to me that I could do a lot of good with the money that would be left over. I could start someplace new, and make my dream of helping kids a reality.”
“So you’re still thinking of leaving?” Trey asked.
Jenna shrugged, “Trey, I don’t know what to think. I’ve lived under the assumption that no one here cared about me for years. Horrible years when I would have given anything to hear a kind word from someone in my past. Now, to find out that might not have been the case? It’s a lot to take in.”
Trey laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently, “I know it’s a lot to take in, so I’m going to ask you for something I have no right to ask for.”
Jenna felt the warmth from his hand seep into her arm, “And that is?”
“The paperwork won’t be here until Monday at the earliest. I would like you to realistically consider staying here in Cathedral Hills for the next three days. Get to know people and the town again and really consider if you could be happy here, or if you need the anonymity of a new place to find happiness. Whether you believe it or not, you have an entire community here that was hurt by your father’s actions and everyone felt the loss of your presence.
“I want you to promise me that you’ll take a few days before making any decisions about the future. Including selling your parent’s house.”
“You don’t ask much, do you?” Jenna told him wryly, part of her admitting that what he was asking wasn’t completely unreasonable, but it would also entail lots of emotions and soul-searching on her part. Am I strong enough for that?
Jenna turned to look back out on the streets before her, and then slowly nodded her head. Answering her own unspoken question. Yes! I am strong enough for this, and if things are how Trey said they were, I want
to know. God, if I’m not supposed to be here right now, please show me that. I don’t think I could take being disappointed by these people again!
* * *
Chapter 11
Jenna walked into the Diner at five minutes to seven, with Trey by her side, and she was ever grateful for his support. Missy had been watching for her, and came around to meet her as she stepped beyond the front entrance.
“You came!” she pulled Jenna into a bear hug, squeezing her tightly before releasing her and giving Trey an exuberant hug as well.
Jenna was amazed at how much energy the woman was exhibiting. She was still wearing the same outfit she’d had on earlier this morning, and Jenna wondered if she’d been on her feet this entire time! She looked to be at least five or six months pregnant, and yet she looked happy and rested!
Taylor and Stephanie were already there and came over to give Jenna their own hugs of welcome.
“Welcome back,” Stephanie told her, tears shining in her eyes and a smile upon her face.
Jenna felt her own eyes start to water as the friends she’d thought lost to her forever stood around her, love shining in their eyes and the warmth of their friendship flowing over her like an avalanche.
Jenna let the women lead her over to a booth in the back room, glancing around to see Trey nod his head in her direction as he joined Sheriff Watson on the other side of the Diner. Several other people who had been a part of her upbringing were in the Diner tonight, and as she walked past their tables or booth, they reached out to clasp her hand, or offered a smile of welcome of their own. Missy must have told the entire town I was here!
George was just placing giant platters of his famous Italian Nachos on the table, along with pitchers of soda and sweet tea as the girls entered the back room that was mostly used for larger groups of customers.
He finished unloading the food onto the table and then stepped in front of Jenna and wrapped her in a warm hug. “You doing okay, hon?”
Jenna relaxed in the man’s embrace, finding some measure of peace in the arms of the man who’d been like a second father to her growing up. She nodded in response to his question, and then felt him push her away and tip her chin up so that he could see her eyes.
She tried to hide her emotions, but George Waldrop saw right through her. After looking at her for several seconds, he murmured for her ears alone, “You aren’t right now, but you will be. We’re all going to see to it!”
Jenna swallowed convulsively at the promise in his voice, slowly nodding her head, “I’m trying.”
“I know you are.” He hugged her once more and then let her go, telling the entire group, “You gals enjoy catching up with one another. Missy?” he waited until his daughter looked at him, “No later than 9 o’clock for you. You’ve been on your feet long enough for today.”
“Yes, Dad. We’ll keep it short tonight.”
Jenna watched the exchange and then questioned Taylor, who was standing next to her, “What’s that all about?”
Taylor looked at her and the smile slowly faded from her face, “Oh, honey! Let’s sit down. We have a lot to catch up on!”
Taylor pulled Jenna to one of the chairs and the two women sat down, being joined by Missy and Stephanie. She looked around the table and then clapped her hands once, “Where to begin?”
Stephanie took that as her cue to speak up, “Let’s start by finding out where Jenna’s been all these years. Girl, we looked for you for months. Why didn’t you even call us and let us know where you were?”
Jenna looked at the dark-skinned girl who had moved to Cathedral Hills when the girls were both seven. As the only African-American family in town, Stephanie and her family had been a novelty, but her easy going friendly style, and the way her parents easily fit into their small community soon had everyone accepting them, regardless of the darkness of their skin.
Stephanie had matured wonderfully, keeping her long black tresses straightened and her figure trim and toned. Ignoring her question, Jenna posed one of her own, “Are you still modeling?”
Stephanie narrowed her eyes at Jenna, trying to figure out if she was evading the question, or truly curious. Deciding on the latter, she answered, “I’m still modeling. I come back home every chance I get though. I’m here for another two months and then I’m off to New York to start prepping for the Spring Fashion Show in Paris.”
“Paris, France?” Jenna asked, really impressed.
“Where else?” Missy sing-songed. “We have a real life celebrity amongst us!”
The women shared a laugh and then sobered as three sets of eyes turned to await Jenna’s answer to Stephanie’s question. Jenna swallowed and began to tell them about the last six and a half years of her life. She glossed over bits and pieces of it when she saw how deeply sad her story was making them.
Missy was openly sobbing, while Taylor tried to comfort her. Stephanie was quietly crying and murmuring under her breath. Jenna couldn’t make out her words and didn’t stop to ask her to repeat them. She herself had lost the battle with her own tears only minutes into the telling of her story, and paused to catch her breath.
Missy was the first one to speak, “Jenna, you know we would have moved heaven and earth to come get you if we’d only known where you were?”
Jenna shook her head and then immediately tried to soften her initial response when all three women burst back into tears, “Oh, please stop. I didn’t know that anyone cared what had happened to me. After I tried to contact my father…”
“You contacted your father?” Missy asked, her tears drying up and a warning tone entering her voice.
Jenna looked at Missy, “About three months after Trey took me to the shelter. I skipped out on the shelter in Denver and hitchhiked to Ridgway. I called him to come get me but he was drunk and said some really hateful things.”
“Oh, Jenna!”
“Three months? But that was before he pushed Michelle off the porch.”
“He assaulted Michelle?” Jenna asked, horrified that her father’s abuse had affected one of her friends.
“Michelle wouldn’t accept that you hadn’t tried to contact anyone. She was just sure your dad knew where you were. She went by there every day after school, and twice on Sunday’s. One day your dad had enough and pushed her off the porch before slamming the front door.”
Taylor nodded her head, “Daddy wasn’t happy at all! He put your father in jail for the night and then convinced him to enroll in a 90-day rehab program somewhere outside Montrose. When your dad came home a few months later, he was a very broken, sad man.”
“That’s what Trey said. He also said my father tried to find me.”
* * *
Chapter 12
All three women nodded, “He did. The entire town pitched in to help him hire a private investigator when he’d exhausted all of his other options. They thought they had found you at one point, but the girl was a recovering drug addict…”
Jenna nodded, “Trey told me that and it was more than likely me that he found. I didn’t make the best choices, and things were so bad at times in the various facilities, drugs were an easy way to escape my surroundings for a while.
“I did marijuana and some meth, but I never got into the heavy stuff. I used alcohol for a while, but when I wasn’t high, I really couldn’t stand the taste of the stuff.”
Jenna stopped talking and looked up, expecting to see censure on the other women’s faces, but all she saw was acceptance and caring.
“Jenna, we realize you’ve been through a lot, but now that you’re home, we all hope,” Taylor looked at the other women for their nods of agreement, smiling when she received it, “we all hope that we can create a new future together.”
Jenna was overwhelmed and spent several minutes meeting each one of the women’s eyes. “I have to tell you that I never planned on coming back here. If there hadn’t been a mix up at the bank, I wouldn’t be here now.”
“But you are here. Have you been to the house
yet?” Missy asked.
Jenna nodded, “This afternoon. It was…emotional. I still have to go through my father’s office but I’ll do that in the next day or so. I just didn’t have it in me today.”
Taylor, Stephanie and Missy all offered their assistance, “We’ll help, won’t we girls?”
“I appreciate that, but Trey’s already offered, and I’m not sure when I’m going to feel up to it.”
“Michelle is going to freak out when she gets home and finds you here!”
Jenna smiled as she thought about seeing Michelle again. The two girls had been like twins, doing everything together, even getting into trouble together! They had lived in each other’s pockets during the summer, and alternated staying at each other’s homes on the weekends during the school year. Up until the time Jenna’s mother had died, anyway. After that, Jenna had started to withdraw from all social interaction, prompting Michelle to act the way she had.
“So,” Jenna said, looking at Missy and pointing to her swollen stomach. “When are you due?”
Missy got a sad smile upon her face as she softly answered, “Another three months. This is my first one.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” Jenna asked, not understanding the change in the atmosphere. She looked around the table and then asked, “What am I missing here?”
Taylor looked at Missy for permission before she answered her, “Missy married a Marine she met in the springs. Three weeks after the wedding, he deployed over to Afghanistan. He was killed ten days later when an IED blew up the convoy he was in.”
Jenna gasped, “Oh, Missy! I don’t even know what to say.” Jenna got up from her chair and knelt next to Missy’s chair; hugging the woman. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Missy sniffed and then replied, “Thank you, Jenna. Some days are better than others are, but this baby is part of Mitchell. I may not have him, but I will have his son to teach and nurture, and one day I’ll share with him the story of how his dad was an American hero.”
A New Start Page 11