by Lee Rose
Lacy gave him a sympathetic look and turned to go and place the order. “Oh, Ryan, my friend Selena is coming to class this week. She is right over there.”
Lacy looked confused when she found an empty booth. “Well she was there a minute ago. She must have had to get back to work.”
“I’m glad, Lacy.” Ryan said seriously. “I worry about her being around all those wild men her mom hangs out with. Lately Della Mae has been seeing that Dave Matthews.”
“He is bad news.” Gabe looked disgusted. “About six months ago he sexually assaulted a woman but we had to drop it when the girl took her complaint back. I also heard there was a similar case in St. Clair.”
“I think she was too scared of him to testify,” Ryan admitted. “I got him in my radar. I am just waiting for him to mess up to bust his ass. He is slick though.”
Lacy looked even more worried now and Harrison wanted to ask her what was wrong but she walked away.
“And now this guy is dating Selena’s mom?” Harrison asked Ryan.
Ryan nodded, looking concerned. Harrison knew Ryan took his job as protector of this town seriously. He had to admit it bothered him to know that Dave Matthews had gotten away with a crime. He would make more rounds to Selena’s house, he told himself.
Chapter 4
Selena looked down at her black yoga pants and plain gray T-shirt. She didn’t want to wear anything that would call attention to her. She just hoped to fade into the background. “Is this okay?”
Lacy nodded. She wore her green gym shorts and a loose white T-shirt with short sleeves. Her long hair was up in a ponytail. “You look fine. Don’t be nervous. Ryan will start you off slow.”
“I’m not worried about that part,” Selena said in a low voice. She looked at Melissa and Lori staring at her from across the room. Melissa owned a hair salon in town and she wasn’t sure if Lori worked there or just hung out there. Selena figured they didn’t like Della so by association they didn’t like her either. Selena didn’t know them personally yet they shot daggers at her whenever they spotted her. “I’m worried about what people will say.”
Lacy glared at the two blonde women and right away they looked away. “Ignore them. They are petty and jealous women with nothing better to do than cause drama.”
“You got that right,” said a petite blonde with short platinum hair. She also had on yoga pants and a loose T-shirt. She shook Selena’s hand. “I am Liz White. It’s nice to meet you finally. “
Selena smiled shyly. She knew the woman owned the boutique of fashionable clothes on Oak Street. She had only been there a few times but Liz had not been there. “Same here.”
Ryan, Lacy’s husband, announced the class was beginning. They all lined up. There were about twenty people, all of different ages ready to learn.
Ethan White, Liz’s husband and a sheriff deputy took the intermediate class to another section of the room. He was a tall and big man who looked like he would never have the need to defend himself. Harrison had a group of five people and was talking to them in a corner. Lacy explained that those men working with Harrison were advanced and knew how to kick ass.
Lacy waved at a young man about twenty-two, and he immediately came over. He was muscular and had short brown hair and a friendly smile. He looked like he was a few years younger than her. “Steve, this is my friend Selena. This is her first class. Can you stick by her and help her?”
Steve gave her a friendly smile. “Sure thing. I’ll help you out. Ryan is great but he gets in the moment and forgets some people go at a slower pace.”
“Great. I’m going with Ethan’s group but I’ll see you as soon as class is over.” Lacy smiled at Selena. “Good luck.”
Selena found the hour passed quickly and she felt good. She looked at Steve and thanked him for explaining some of the moves slowly.
“Oh-oh, Stevie boy might get some nookie after class. We all know Selena is as easy as her mama.” Melissa laughed cruelly. Lori snickered but didn’t say anything.
Steve glared at the women. “Grow up, Melissa. You’re like forty but you still act like you’re in high school.”
Melissa’s cheeks turned red but she walked away with her nose up in the air. Selena let out a sad sigh, she should have known better than to do anything social.
Lacy and Liz walked up to her with angry faces, having overheard Melissa’s catty remark.
“I wish Ethan would let me kick her ass,” Liz said between gritted teeth. Her hands were balled up into fists. “I might just do it anyway. She has no right to talk to you like that.”
“Calm down, tigress,” Ethan said, coming behind Liz and wrapping his arms around her waist. He placed a kiss on her cheek. “Melissa enjoys being the center of attention. If you ignore her, Selena, she’ll stop.”
Selena sniffed. “You think I would be used to it. I have lived here all my life and that is nothing new but it still hurts. I work and never go out but yet I get the rep of a prostitute. I never even went to school dances for the same reasons.”
Lacy hugged her, a look of dismay on her face. “People can be so blind, Selena, but this town is also filled with good decent people. You spend so much time hiding that no one gets to know the real you. It’s time to step out.”
Liz agreed, her eyes looking watery and sad. “You’re our friend now and we’re way awesomer than Melissa and her crew.”
Ethan teased his wife, winking at Selena letting her know he was joking. “Is that even a word?”
Liz elbowed her husband.
“I mean of course it’s a word, baby. She is right though. Stick with Liz and Lacy. They are a class act.” Ethan rubbed his stomach. “Let’s go rescue the babysitter from our son.”
He looked at Selena. “Gregory, my son, is a bundle of energy. He is only a year old but he tires this old man out.”
Liz laughed. “Don’t let his old-man routine fool you, Selena. He just can’t stand being away from our son for long.”
Selena giggled knowing they were changing the subject to make her feel better. She was so glad she had made new friends tonight. “Thanks for trying to make me feel better. I am so glad I didn’t chicken out. Even with one class I learned a lot.”
Selena thanked Ryan for the class and left. As she drove home she was determined to tell her mom the truth about Dave.
Lacy was right. She was done hiding in the shadows out of fear and worry. If her mom insisted on seeing Dave again then she would just move out on her own. She could afford a one-bedroom apartment. If she had been smarter she would have moved out years ago but some lingering loyalty to her mom had always made her stick around. No more. Her life was never going to change if she didn’t take the first step.
Della was sitting in the couch with a can of beer in her hand but she was alone. The TV was on loud. Selena dropped her gym bag on the floor and sat in the old faded armchair. Her stomach was tight with nerves.
“Della, can we talk?” Her mom didn’t like being called mom. It would give her men a clue to her real age.
Della nodded but kept her eyes glued to the TV show she was watching. Selena gathered her courage. Her mom had never been the type to listen to anybody. “Mom, how serious are you and Dave?”
Della flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder. With no makeup on she looked older than her forty-five years. “He’s just a guy, Selena. Why?”
“He was here the other night and he said something about being my stepdad.”
Della laughed and sipped her beer. “He was probably drunk or high as hell. He’s an okay guy but every once in a while he gets crazy.”
Selena gasped. “He does drugs?”
“Oh, get off your high horse.” Her mom snorted. “How I raised a boring daughter is beyond me. With your looks and my street smarts we could have men paying all our bills and falling at our feet.”
Selena barely refrained from telling her mom she didn’t do much raising but she didn’t want to get off the subject. “I don’t like him, Della.
He came on to me. When I rejected him he threatened me. I kicked him and left the house. I could press charges against him. Ed thinks I should.”
Della set her can down on the table. Her expression turned angry. Was she mad at Selena or Dave? “Listen, Selena. You need to grow up. Dave is a scary lunatic when you get on his wrong side. I have heard plenty of stories so if you’re smart you will stay away from him and not tell the police on him.”
“Why do you go out with him?” Selena felt the fear her mom wanted her to feel with those words but she didn’t show it. “What if he hurts you one day? As for me, I don’t plan on being anywhere around him. He gives me the creeps.”
“Dave has money and he is not greedy with it. I’m not getting any younger, Selena, and when he wants he can be nice. But I don’t need a man that sniffs around my daughter. I’ll tell him to buzz off.”
Selena sighed with relief. Even if her mom was getting rid of him for her own selfish reasons the end result was one Selena liked. “That would be for the best. Thanks, Della.”
She went to her room feeling like a weight was off her shoulders. She planned on continuing with the self-defense classes anyway. You never knew when they would come in handy.
Chapter 5
When the week passed by quietly and without any sign of Dave, Selena felt relieved it. Selena was glad her mom had kept her word. Promises didn’t usually mean much to Della.
Selena went to another class and this time Melissa and Lori weren’t there. Finally luck seemed to be smiling down on her. Steve helped her again and she felt like she was really getting the hang of some of the moves. They were giving her confidence that she hadn’t felt before.
After class she spent time talking with Lacy and Liz. To Selena, who never had girlfriends to hang out with, it felt good. In high school girls were always afraid she was like her mom and they didn’t want her around their boyfriends. After a while Selena just stopped making an effort to make friends.
At times she could feel Harrison’s eyes on her but he never spoke to her, just nodded politely. He always looked so stern and serious and she wondered if the man ever smiled. She wished she had the confidence to go up to him strike up a conversation. She was curious if his intimidating demeanor was a façade or real.
Selena picked up her gym bag and waved to the girls. “See you later, Lacy, Liz.”
She waved at them and headed for the door. She zipped up her jacket knowing it would be cold in the night air.
“Wait, Selena. I’ll walk you out,” Harrison yelled out.
Selena was surprised but waited for him to catch up. “I think I’ll be fine, deputy. My car is outside the door.”
“I insist.” He put his hand on her lower back and she felt her pulse start racing. Calm down, he is just being polite, she told herself.
He didn’t talk and that only made her more nervous. She wasn’t good at small talk either. They walked until they reached her car. She looked up at him. Even in the dark shadows she could see and feel the strength radiating from him. If she could practice his mean look maybe Dave would just change his mind about wanting her. “Thanks, Harrison.”
“You’re welcome, Selena. I’m glad you’re taking these classes. If you ever need extra help I can come in early and help you.”
“Why would you want to help me? You don’t even like me,” she said, feeling a little bewildered at his change of attitude.
“That is not true, Selena. I don’t know you at all and I know that is my fault,” he explained, looking like he wanted to say more. “I’m trying to be friendly but obviously I am not doing a good job. I regret that we started off on the wrong foot.”
She stood silently, feeling speechless. He sighed and ran his fingers through his short hair. “I am serious about helping you if you need it.”
“Okay. I’ll think about it.” She unlocked her car and threw her bag in the back. “Thanks for the offer, Harrison. I’m glad we’re not enemies.”
She got in and drove away feeling so confused. She would love to have the excuse to spend time with him and get to know him but at the same time she didn’t want people talking about him if he hung out with her.
* * * *
The next afternoon Selena entered Ally’s Diner at her usual time and found a booth. It was a little crowded but she was starving. Lacy greeted her and Selena placed her order for a salad.
She saw a shadow standing over her and thought it was Lacy. She felt her heart clench in fear when she saw it was Dave.
He slid in across from her without saying a word. Her mouth tightened in anger. She was not going to let him intimidate her, not this time. He must not have started partying yet because his hair was still neatly combed and his clothes looked clean.
“I don’t want to talk to you, Dave.” She went to slide out of the booth when he grabbed her arm, hurting her.
“Stay,” he muttered, then placed a pleasant smile on his face in case anyone was looking.
“I’m not a dog,” she said in a low voice, trying to pull her hand out of his grasp. “My mom knows what you did to me, Dave.”
“I know. The stupid bitch tried to break up with me but the liquor calls her name stronger than you do.” He let out a cruel laugh and she wanted to slap him across his smug-looking face.
Selena groaned and he let her arm go. He had a smug look on his face and leaned back casually.
“I don’t care if my mom goes back to you. Stay away from me or—”
“Is everything okay, Selena?” Lacy came up to the table with her salad. Dave eyed Lacy’s body with lust and Lacy’s mouth tightened in annoyance.
Selena wanted to avoid a public argument. “I changed my mind, Lacy. I’ll take this to go.”
“Good idea, Selena. I’ll give you a ride to work,” Dave offered, winking at her.
“No thanks. I like walking. It is good exercise.” She prayed he would just leave and not cause a big scene. People already thought badly of her. She didn’t need this.
Dave shrugged. “Have it your way. Now that I am dating Della Mae I am sure I will see plenty of you.”
With those ominous words he got up and left.
“Why did that sound like a threat?” Lacy wanted to know, watching Dave leave. “He gave me the creeps. I don’t like him, Selena.”
“Me either,” Selena said, her shoulders slumping and her good mood disappearing. Damn her mother for not having any willpower. She was angry and fed up. “My mother has rotten taste in men, as you can see.”
Lacy sat down and whispered. “Is he the reason you wanted self- defense lessons?”
Selena nodded and picked at her salad. She had lost her appetite and she just wanted to wail at the injustice of life. “I thought my mom broke things off with him but he came to inform me things were on again. Della knows I can’t stand him. She promised.”
“Maybe we should talk to Ryan.” Lacy sounded worried.
Selena was tempted yet she was torn about it. What if he accused her of leading Dave on? Other men who bothered her often accused her of being a tease. She knew she wasn’t but her reputation was always lingering over her head like a black cloud.
“Legally Dave hasn’t done anything wrong. Looking evil isn’t a crime and neither is saying nasty things to you,” Selena muttered, stabbing the lettuce with her fork. She didn’t want the story getting out and people gossiping, adding fuel to the fire, but she trusted Lacy not to spread gossip.
Lacy’s cheeks turned red with anger. “He has said things to you?”
Selena bit her lip and nodded. “I think I am going to look for my own place. Della promised she broke up with him but that didn’t last long. He gives her money to support her drinking habit.”
“That is a good idea. I’ll keep an eye out for places to rent and let you know. Meanwhile be careful, Selena. I have a bad feeling about that guy.” She stood up and got back to work, leaving Selena alone with her dismal thoughts.
Selena walked back to work feeling confused, fed up
and sad. Della could never win any mother-of-the-year awards but Selena didn’t have anyone else. Once her grandfather, her mom’s father, passed away Della was all she had left. Sure Lacy, Stella, and Liz were kind to her but she never saw much of them. They were all married women with their own lives to lead. Holly, the other dental assistant, was polite and somewhat friendly toward her but once work was over that was it. Tracy was a little more snobby and often looked at Selena with her nose up in the air.
“Selena,” Mr. Anderson said loudly as soon as she clocked back in. “I need you in here for a cleaning.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, putting her jacket and purse in her desk. Her day was going to go downhill from here, she just felt it.
Life could only go up from here, right?
Chapter 6
Selena felt a little apprehensive as she looked down at her loose, faded jeans and an old, loose flannel shirt. At least she was going to be wearing a jacket over the shirt. Why did she tell Lacy she would go pick out pumpkins with them? She never celebrated any of the holidays and she told Lacy so.
“But Mr. Harris is friendly with you around, Selena. And you can give me advice on how to look for the best pumpkins. It will be fun, just me and you. Ryan has to work.”
Selena had sighed and agreed. Ed was already expecting them. He grew and sold the pumpkins. The extra income came in handy for him during the cold winter months.
She told Lacy she would meet her there.
Lacy’s SUV was already in the driveway when she arrived. She parked and got out. It was a little cold and she hoped they could get all the pumpkins they needed before dark.
Lacy smiled at her. Her long hair was loose and she was all bundled up in a heavy coat and gloves. Selena told her she was going to let Ed know they were there.
Selena took Lacy out to the field where the pumpkins grew. She pulled a wagon behind her so they wouldn’t have to carry them. Some of them were large and could get heavy.