The Power of Tess

by Angelina J. Windsor

  I suddenly wish I had access to the amazing wardrobe just waiting for me at my new apartment. When will I move in? Do I want to? But it is a requirement of my employment which means my time is running out to stay in this comfortable, oh-so-familiar setting. I suspect it is one of things Jonathon wants to discuss. I finally decide on jeans and a peasant-style blouse with pretty embroidered red roses trailing down the front and around the ends of the sleeves because that’s the best my meager pickings have to offer. I love the blouse because my Gran made it for me before I left for college, and as she always said, if you keep yourself nice and groomed, no one will notice your clothes so much, dear.

  I just have time to step into my red high heels when a knock on the door announces my visitor. Okay. I take a steadying breath and go to answer it.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Jonathon, how nice to see you,” I’m all Southern charm as I give him a big smile and invite him in. I like him best like this, in tan chinos and a fresh white shirt, his hair combed back from his handsome face. He’s got that perfect Adonis body, wide at the shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. His butt looks so good in the well-fitted pants that I want to squeeze it to see if it really is as firm and plump as it looks.

  “Tess, you look beautiful today,” he responds, his eyes approving of my extra grooming.

  “Thanks. You look very handsome yourself. I’ll just get my things,” I reply and go to the bedroom for my purse, my heart racing with tension. My sex drive is back on high alert. Thank goodness he can’t read my mind. On the way down the stairs I badly want to reach out and touch him. I settle for asking about business.

  “Things are good,” he says. He looks relaxed. Good. I want to keep it that way. I decide not to ask how his sister is doing.

  Seated in a different restaurant from the one we were almost robbed in, I order a salad and sit back to wait for what he wants to talk about. He orders the same, turns to me and asks, “So, are you ready to move in?”

  I take a sip of water to give myself a moment and then answer, “It’s not as easy as all that. Sally was very hurt when I brought the subject up.”

  He looks at me, his mouth and eyes full of tension. “You must think about your safety first and foremost, Tess. I will have to cancel tomorrow’s appointment for you if you can’t give me a firm date. You must move somewhere safer with proper security. I can help you with that if you don’t like my building. I just want you safe.” His voice warns that there is no other choice on the matter. I can’t help but think of all the money I won’t make. Is there really any other place I would choose over living in Jonathon’s building? It would be the easiest choice. I’m just not certain what the right thing to do is. I don’t have a road map for my life. I fervently wish I did.

  “You said the client has been re-approved. What does that mean exactly?” I change the subject.

  He looks at me again without smiling. “It means he was able to explain his actions to our satisfaction. Apparently you took him by surprise.” He looks away and an embarrassed look passes over his almost too-handsome face. “He’s never seen a true redhead before and he just wanted to confirm it. He’s said that it will never happen again and I believe him. Katherine also believes it was a one-time occurrence. Are you willing to see him again? It’s up to you. Our young women always have this choice. In his defense, I can see why he was so enticed by you.”

  His last words are said with a half-smile and I look at him, wondering more than ever what he’s really thinking. His eyes are so blue and something in them gives me pause. My libido rises another unwanted notch and I swallow hard.

  “I can manage. I’ll take your and Katherine’s word for it. Obviously, you both know the business far better than I do.”

  “Well, Katherine knows the business very well. I’m not an expert. I’m heavily relying on her knowledge of the industry.”

  He looks less certain now and I find it endearing. That was quite a confession. If only we had met under normal circumstances. I think he’s a little more interested in me than he lets on. Agreeing to practice with me is no indication that he feels the same level of attraction I do. Sally might be right that I see him more than normally warranted, but it just might be his inexperience. Our salads arrive and I tackle mine directly, happy for the reprieve from my jumbled thoughts.

  He puts his fork down as he finishes and turns serious. “We have to settle your move. ASAP.”

  I sigh and stop eating, my appetite gone.

  “Please. This isn’t a game. Could I help you to move somewhere, anywhere with proper security today? All you need are your essentials. An overnight bag will suffice. I’m at your disposal. Whatever you need.”

  Damn. I berate myself silently. He made me swear! Not out loud, but still…

  I make a great effort to calm my churning emotions and smile brightly, one of my better Southern defenses against the world, and say, “Is it a deal breaker if I don’t move in today?”

  “Yes.” His voice is firm and in control and he reaches across the table and takes my hands in his larger ones. There’re warm and reassuring and I melt. The sensation is so good and I remember his hands all over me in the dream this morning. I want to know if he would feel as good as I’d dreamed…

  I take a shaky breath. “Okay then. I’ll move into your building. Are there other escorts living there?” I realize I should have asked this earlier. Safety in numbers and all that.

  “Good. Yes, of course, though most of our escorts prefer to remain anonymous. I’m sorry if I’m such a hard ass about this. And maybe I’m overreacting, but I am worried about you.” He gives me look that softens the sting. “I’ll just pay the bill and we’ll head back to your place and you can pack a bag. I can have someone move any heavier pieces for you tomorrow morning, if that works for you. They can arrange to meet you at your old place, say at ten.”

  He takes charge of paying the server, leaving me to think about how difficult it’s going to be to tell Sally. I had promised her more time. But at least I have the funds to pay my share of the rent for a couple of months till she finds someone. I discovered that this morning when I went online and checked my checking account while my fingernail polish was drying. The cash for my first job was already there: two thousand for an hour’s work. The agency had taken their share of course, but that’s still more money than I’ve seen all at once. And after tomorrow’s appointment my bank account will just keep growing. If I could just feel better about what I’m doing…

  Jonathon drives me back to my place. He’s quiet and so am I, wondering how I’m going to work it out with Sally.

  We pull up at the apartment and I spot Sally’s parked car. I turn to him, “Please wait here, I’ll only be a few minutes.” I want to speak with her alone.

  He nods and lets me exit the car alone. Okay. Time to pay the proverbial piper.

  I see Sally is on her cell phone as I close the door to the apartment. She gives me a cheerful little wave and continues speaking to whoever is on the other end. I decide I might as well pack until she’s free. I head to my bedroom and pull out my one good suitcase and begin putting in the essentials for a few days. As I add my “uniform” for the client tomorrow, a well of sadness opens up in me and I suddenly find myself sitting on the edge of my bed with tears streaming down my face, trying to hold back choking sobs. It’s all come home—my Gran’s illness, my weird new job that requires thinking of safety first, the robbery, and the sense of having let my roommate down. I think most of all I’m confused about Jonathon.

  “What’s wrong, Tess?” Sally comes into the room and sits down beside me on the bed and rubs my back.

  I grab some tissues and mop up my tears. Giving her a wobbly smile, I say, “Just feeling bad about having to move out and leave you in the lurch.”

  “Who says you have to move out?” she demands.

  “And it’s not just that…” my voice trails off and I can’t look her in the eye. We’ve always shared confidences in the past
, but I have far too much on my conscience to share with her this time.

  “Tess, tell me what’s wrong. It has something to do with your new job and Jonathon, right?”

  “Yes, but it’s a lot more than that. My Gran is ill. She has cancer, Sally, and it’s advanced. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before but I just couldn’t.” There, I’ve said it and it feels cathartic to say the words out loud.

  “Oh, Tess, I’m so sorry. What kind does she have? You know, the doctors, they can do so much these days. There are miracles every day in our country. You can’t give up hope.”

  “She has breast cancer and it’s already in her lymph nodes. Stage three, which means surgery and chemo and radiation. And the worst part—she’s worried about money. I didn’t realize that when she gave me the money to come to L.A. she had to make a choice. She decided helping her granddaughter was more important than premium health insurance. She has just the minimum coverage. It’s not enough.” The tears start up again and I put the sodden tissues down, lean over and get some more from the box on my bedside table.

  Sally looks appalled. “That’s why you took the modeling job. But why move? It’s cheap to live here and you can send more money to your Gran.” She’s struggling to understand and I don’t know what to say.

  “Is it Jonathon? Is he insisting you move?”

  “My job sort of requires I move.” I’m really uncomfortable saying it.

  “What! He doesn’t think our place is good enough?”

  “It’s not that.” I quickly try to reassure her. “It’s more a safety thing.”

  “Because you’re modeling for his agency. Isn’t that a bit extreme?” She looks totally perplexed now and I’m even more at a loss to explain it.

  I sigh with frustration. My life has gotten way too complicated. Maybe I just need to fess up, get another woman’s take on things. Trust your instincts, Tess. After all, Sally’s not a prude. Better to tell her the truth than leave her thinking she’s not good enough. I straighten up. Time to spill.

  “Sally, my job is not quite what I’ve said it is,” I begin, hoping I can find the right words.

  “Okay. What is your job description?”

  “I took a job that pays really, really well. Gran needs financial help right now and I don’t have any to give her and I’m months from finishing my degree when I should be able to get a decent paying job. I answered an ad online. I turned it down the first time, but then Gran told me her diagnosis and I could see no other way—barring winning the lottery—to see that she gets the best care. She was so good to me growing up. I love that woman so much.” Tears flow again as I think about her.

  “Whatever it is, I’ll understand, Tess. I don’t judge people on what they have to do for their loved ones. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, what does it matter? Two girls from the holler—we have to stick together, Sunshine.”

  She’s called me by Gran’s nickname and it feels good. Though we’re both from Kentucky, her holler was a ways from mine, in a different county, but her experiences mirror mine enough that we hooked up when she placed an ad for a roommate in the local grocery store. We’d immediately taken to one another and been fast friends ever since.

  “Sally, I’m worried that you won’t think well of me for doing what I’m doing.” I lay it on the line.

  “I don’t even know what it is yet. And nothing would make me think less of you. Just shout it out. I promise not to keel over like some snooty church lady.”

  Her attempt at humor helps.

  I take a deep breath. “I took a job as a high-end escort. I get paid an amazing amount of money, a thousand dollars an hour and up to dust in a revealing maid’s costume and let a client ogle me through a video camera.” Maybe there was more than one camera—I couldn’t say for sure.

  Sally sits stock-still for a moment and then recovers her voice, “Oh—kay. That does seem out of character for you, to put it mildly. I thought you were still a virgin?”

  “I am. He just watches and I don’t see him.”

  “Wow! And you get paid a thousand dollars an hour for this. Where do I sign up?” Her matter-of-fact reaction gives me instant comfort.

  “Well, not all the jobs are hands off. There are a lot of different types of appointments to choose from. Everything from being a submissive to a dominatrix. But the escort always gets to make the choice. It’s all up to them.” A part of me cannot believe what I’m divulging so calmly to my best friend.

  “You get paid that kind of big bucks and you get to stay a virgin. But, the safety issue. That’s what your new boss is worried about? Where does he want you to move to?”

  “There’s an open apartment in his building. He’s waiting outside now to take me there. I’ve seen it—it’s small, but nice, and there is a state-of-the-art security system.”

  “Really.”She rolls her eyes for effect. “So, he is interested in you. Not that I’m saying I was right from the beginning.”

  The small joke lightens the atmosphere even more. I decide not to tell her of the “virgin auction” that Jonathon has proposed. That might be going too far, even for Sally. I’m just so grateful that she hasn’t fled the apartment screaming. I put my tissues in the garbage and smile at my dear friend. She’s the type that would bury a body with you without asking questions. I’ll never forget her loyalty at this moment.

  “Thanks, Sally. You’ve done more good than you know. Your friendship means a lot to me. I was so worried you would be absolutely horrified and—”

  “Tess, we’re real friends. What kind of friend would I be to desert you in your time of need? Beside, you’re only doing this for your Gran and I happen to think that’s kind of noble.”

  Tears flow again as I lean over and hug her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A loud knock at the door startles us both and we pull apart. I grab another tissue and blow my nose. A big load has lifted off my shoulders.

  Jonathon stands in the hallway, large as life. I give him an impromptu hug. Oops. Big mistake. I would very much like to stay pressed up against him and I have to peel myself off him.

  “I take it you’ve made peace with the move?” he asks, his smile as broad as mine as I gesture him in.

  “Yes, it’s all good now. I’ll just get my bag.” I pass Sally in the hallway as she heads out to greet Jonathon.

  When I return, they’re standing at the door, intently conversing. I catch the tail end of Sally’s remarks. “And I warn you, if anything happens to Tess, I’m holding you responsible.”

  “You have my word, Sally. I promise nothing bad will happen to her on my watch.”

  “Good. See that it doesn’t.”

  “Sally, it’ll be fine. Jonathon’s a security expert and knows what he’s doing,” I say, wanting the pair of them to get along. “Besides, I know how to handle myself. I’m no shrinking violet in that department. And I look cuter than a speckled pup doing it!” There, I’ve added a far-out Southern saying to break things up.

  Peals of surprised laughter fill the apartment.

  “I’m going to be visiting you lots,” Sally says. “Be prepared for lots of girls’ nights.”

  “Perfect. I’m counting on it. Maybe we can even learn to play poker and smoke cigars.”

  Jonathon nods. “I’ll see to arranging for a mover for Sunday. Thanks, Sally. I appreciate your helping Tess.”

  As we pull away, I give my old building one last glance then turn straight ahead in my seat. Time to move on. At least for now.

  “I like your friend Sally. She has a good head on her shoulders,” Jonathon remarks.

  “Yeah, she thinks you’re okay too.”

  This seems to surprise him. “Really? Nice to know.”

  He seems boyish now, making him appear approachable and way less “pimpish”, if that’s a word. A lock of hair has fallen over his brow. My fingers itch to push it back into place. He never seems to lose entirely that in-charge look with a dose of entitlement that rich men have with wom
en. Well, I’m not going to test it. He’s my new boss and I need this job, even if it’s just for the money.

  “How’s the auction coming along?” The words are out of my mouth before I can pull them back. Why would I want to talk about that?

  His expression instantly becomes more guarded. “Fine. You’ll make a handsome profit—we all will.” He swings into the parking garage as he speaks and I stay silent while he parks.

  “Time to get you settled, Heavenly Tess.”

  I don’t bother correcting him and we are soon outside my new apartment. He opens the door for me and deposits my suitcase on the floor. The lovely scent of fresh flowers fills the air. But it’s not the huge display of beautiful white roses that cause me to stand frozen in wonder, but the baby grand piano that catches my eye and makes my heart skip a beat.

  “Holy cow!” is what I finally manage to say as I walk slowly over to it and lovingly lay my hands on its gleaming white surface.

  “I thought white was the right choice for you. New beginnings and all.”

  “I can’t accept this. It’s too much—” I protest.

  “Of course you can. It’s just a rental anyway.”

  That helped.

  “Okay. But just while I’m renting this apartment.”

  “Play something,” he encourages, easily ignoring my stipulation, and I sit down without a second’s hesitation. This was the easy part.

  My fingers find their natural places and the notes flow together in washes of watercolors.

  He looks mesmerized as I finish. I had played the music from The Last Valley, Vogel’s song. I have a memory for learning new music that a former teacher called “prodigious”. I wish I had it in all my studies but so far it’s been limited to music like some kind of weird savant thing.

  “That was beautiful beyond imagining. Thank you.”

  Tears come to my eyes. The humbleness and sincerity of his tone overwhelms me.

  Suddenly I’m crying and unable to stop. I’m not normally a crier and now I’m doing it again. My hormones must be at fault.