by Dara Girard
“Who?”
“James.”
“You must have touched him once.” Jessie took one of the mushrooms and popped it in her mouth.
Teresa shook her head. “Not in a real way. I never got a sense of him. He was always very friendly, but I never shook his hand. He always offered a hug or a kiss on the cheek.”
Jessie ate another mushroom. “So what?”
Teresa set two mushrooms on her plate affectionately envying her sister’s athletic build. She could have a baby, eat what she wanted and still have a killer figure. Teresa didn’t have the same privilege although she was comfortable with her size. “What if he wasn’t what he seemed? What if he hurt Michelle?”
Jessie stopped with a mushroom halfway to her lips. “You mean physically?”
Teresa nodded unable to say the words.
Jessie set the mushroom down and chewed the edge of her thumbnail. “I never saw—”
“You should know better than anyone that abuse can be hidden.”
The sisters shared a look, knowing they were both thinking about the trauma both Jessie’s husband and adopted daughter had suffered.
Jessie shook her head. “I would have hoped she would have told us.”
“Perhaps she was ashamed.”
“So you think that James might be coming back? That he’s the monster?”
“I don’t know,” Teresa said dismayed. Teresa ate one of the mushrooms then said in a thoughtful voice, “I know I should have waited until I understood more, but this feels urgent. As if something is going to happen. I just have this feeling that she’s in trouble.”
“Nothing we can do if she won’t let us help her.”
“Did you ever do a reading for James?”
Jessie glanced away, scratching her chin. “You know I don’t do readings for family.” When Teresa didn’t reply, she looked at her and faced Teresa’s knowing look. She relented. “Okay, I sometimes break the rules, but I didn’t for him. There didn’t seem to be a need to. Mum and Dad liked him. Michelle was happy. I liked him. We all did. I truly thought they would be happy together.”
“But something went wrong.”
“Yes.”
“If Dad were around he would know what to do.”
“And you think if we figure that out we can keep Michelle safe?” Jessie said.
Teresa nodded. “Do you think Kenneth could help?”
“I don’t know,” Jessie said uncertain but the quiet fear in her sister’s eyes gave her more boldness. “Okay, I will talk to him and see what he can do.”
Chapter 5
Kenneth looked at his wife and laughed at what she’d just asked him to do. They sat together on the side of their bed facing the door where they had been shooting a soft stripped orange ball through the basketball hoop fixed there. The window was open but the blinds were draw against the dark night sky outside their large master bedroom where they could hear the soft rustle of a wind sweeping through the many trees surrounding the house. “You want me to do what?”
Jessie frowned at the sound of his laughter. “I want you to talk to Michelle.”
“About her ex-husband,” Kenneth said in a grave voice. He stood to retrieve the ball. He wore stripped pajama bottoms and an extra long red T-shirt that covered most of his scars. She knew T-shirts were still not something he felt comfortable wearing in public.
“They’re not divorced yet.”
He corrected himself. “Her estranged husband then.” He sat down beside her. “Really?”
“Yes, Teresa thinks…” Jessie paused knowing it wouldn’t be wise to mention the monster theory yet. “…there might have been abuse.”
Kenneth’s brows shot up before anger clouded his gaze, the soft basketball became a deformed mash in his tight grip. “Then it’s good he disappeared.”
“What if he comes back?”
His tone darkened. “I’ll make sure he regrets it.”
Jessie cleared her throat. She knew her husband could be dangerous when he was angry and that was not why Teresa had wanted her to approach him. She covered her hand over his as a signal to release the ball. He did. “We want to make sure first,” she said, trying to reshape it. “So I think you should talk to her.”
“I don’t know why you think she’d talk to me when—”
Jessie turned towards the basket. “You have a way with people.” She threw the ball pleased when it hit its target. “People like you for some odd reason.”
He sighed.
She grinned and rested her head on his shoulder feeling him weakening. “Please.”
He abruptly stood up, causing her to fall over onto the bed. “No.”
Jessie sat up and clasped her hands together. “Pretty please.”
Kenneth picked up the ball, shaking his head. “No. She won’t talk to me.”
Jessie walked over to him, resting a hand on his chest. “At least try.”
He glanced down at her hand. “That’s not going to work.”
She slid her hand underneath his T-shirt and gently stroked his chest. “What’s not going to work?”
He shook his head unable to stop a grin. “Whatever you’re trying to do.”
“I’m trying to get my wonderful husband to help me. Teresa had a vision,” she said then shared about the monster.
Kenneth squeezed his eyes shut and groaned before he looked at her again. “You’re sending me into the lion’s den. You know that, right?”
Jessie nodded and grinned up at him. “Yes, but I know something else too.”
“What?”
“You can handle it.” She hugged him.
The sound of a baby’s cry came through the monitor. When Kenneth didn’t move Jessie released him and said resigned, “I’ll check.”
“Joyce can do it,” he said referring to their live-in nanny.
“I’ll be right back.”
Moments later she returned and closed the window before she slid in bed beside him.
“Everything okay?” Kenneth asked.
“Yes.”
“Good.” He turned off the lights.
Jessie was silent a moment before she said, “When are you going to hold him?”
She felt him shift beside her. “One day.”
“When? When he’s seventeen?”
“That sounds about right.”
She playfully hit him in the chest. “Kenneth, you won’t break him.”
He ran a hand down his face. “I know.”
“He’s six months already.”
“I know that too. At least he’s sleeping through the nights more.”
“Kenneth—”
“Jasmine,” he said in a quiet voice, using her given name. He was the only one she allowed to use it. “Be patient with me.”
She sighed. “Goodnight.”
Kenneth closed his eyes knowing he’d been given another reprieve. He knew it was an irrational fear but he hadn’t managed to conquer it. But until he did he couldn’t risk being near his son. Too much was at stake. He needed his wife to be patient with him. He hadn’t stood by and done nothing. He’d provided her with all the help she needed, let her know that she didn’t need to go back to work if she didn’t want to yet; he’d surprised her with gifts to let her know how much he cared and so far she had been understanding and patient. But everyday judgment day loomed because he knew that one day her patience would run out.
Chapter 6
Poor Kenneth, Michelle thought as she watched her brother-in-law make his way to their table in the coffee shop with two cups in his hand. The moment she had gotten a text from him to meet for drinks she knew he’d been sent by her sister. But no one would ever suspect it. Kenneth looked like a man in charge of the world as he smiled at the barista, making her blush; made a shy clerk giggle, another swoon and an older woman beam with delight and all within the five minutes he’d entered the coffee shop.
But he’d always been that way, even as a child. She could remember how much her parents
had loved him and how much her sister Jessie had once resented him for it. Michelle laughed in remembrance still amazed by how much had changed.
Kenneth set a steaming cup down in front of her and smiled. “Thanks for meeting me.”
Up close his impact was even more impressive. Michelle hated to admit it, but there were times he was unnervingly handsome. He was a large man with cinnamon skin, a hundred watt smile and incredible charm. Sometimes too much so. She could tell by his intense, yet tender, gaze that he had been sent on a mission by her sister to talk to her, but there was no guile or pretense. She could tell he was genuinely concerned.
“Okay, spill it,” Michelle said ready to put the poor man out of his misery. “Ask me what Jessie won’t.”
“Did James ever hurt you?”
She hesitated, she hadn’t expected that question. She took a long sip of her coffee then carefully set the cup down. “No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.”
Kenneth leaned forward his beautiful, brown eyes holding her still. “If he made you think it was your fault…”
“He didn’t hurt me.” Not on purpose and not like that. Never like that. But she wouldn’t know how to explain it. And talking about him made her miss him and she hated missing something. Don’t think about him! It’s over. When Kenneth’s keen gaze didn’t move from her face she sighed. “I’m not lying.”
“You hesitated.”
“Because you surprised me.”
“You don’t surprise easily.”
Michelle inwardly groaned. He could be as perceptive and annoying as BJ. “You can tell my sister that I’m all right. I’ve always been all right and I will be all right in the future. James never laid a hand on me, he never verbally abused me. Our marriage just fell apart.”
Kenneth nodded. “Okay. Why?”
Michelle started to grin. “I’ve kept that secret for this long. What makes you think I’d change my mind?”
He shrugged. “I can be persuasive.”
“Use your charms on someone else.”
“Jasmine told me about the monster.”
“Without laughing?”
Kenneth held her gaze. “I, for one, know that monsters are real.”
Michelle immediately felt contrite. His history had been a bad one and she didn’t want to make light of his concern. Kenneth came from a family of men who used their fists and objects when angry and Kenneth had both the internal and external scars to prove the damage they had caused. “I know. And I understand that Teresa’s really worried, but I don’t know how else to say it. I’m fine.”
Kenneth nodded again and glanced down at his drink.
“How’s being a new father?”
He quickly looked up, his expression vulnerable before a handsome, blinding smile filled his face. “Great.”
“You’re lying.”
His gaze darkened. “No, I’m not. I love my kids.”She held his gaze and his smile turned into a ruthless one. “I can tell you’re itching for a fight, but do you really want to take me on? I can be brutal.”
“So can I.”
He shook his head, his low voice a warning. “Not enough.”
Michelle lowered her gaze, knowing he was right. She did want to fight and she would lose against him. She briefly thought of asking him to help her with her fight against the Winfields. Perhaps he could help her with a strategy. He was rich, powerful, and he had connections. But he was still rebuilding his reputation from the scandal nearly three years ago and he and Jessie had been through enough. She didn’t want the Winfields targeting them. Plus, if Jessie truly knew her situation she and Teresa would worry about her more.
She felt a soft squeeze on her shoulder and looked up into Kenneth’s piercing gaze. “You know how to reach me if you need anything.”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry for…it’s work. It’s been stressful.”
He winked. “Holidays were created for a reason.”
She couldn’t stop a smile, annoyed that he’d made her feel better if only for a moment. “I’ll remember that.”
“Remember this too. You’re not alone.”
I need you.
Michelle shoved open the front door to her house with extra force and hurried inside. Behind her a child screamed in delight down the street as its parent pushed their tricycle and she smelled someone’s freshly cut lawn and new mulch. She slammed the door closed. There was that voice again. His voice. But it couldn’t be. It seemed urgent. Stronger now. Why? Why was her mind playing tricks on her? Why was she thinking of him? She didn’t want to think of him. And he didn’t need her. Nobody needed her. Not like that.
Michelle set her keys and bag in the foyer and walked into the kitchen to see what she could grab for dinner. She opened her refrigerator and looked at the carton of leftovers from various restaurant takeouts. Hmm. It was an embarrassing collection of riches. What would it be tonight? Indian, Chinese, Ethiopian, Jamaican? Ah, yes she was in the mood for some red beans and rice and a little vegetable roti. She selected the black carton, dumped it on a plate and popped it in the microwave.
Later, she sat in front of her TV eating her dinner and laughing at a funny Swedish film spoofing crime dramas. She finished her dinner then stretched out on the couch feeling better. More like herself. The meeting with Kenneth had unnerved her more than it should have. And then that voice.
Hearing that silly voice again was Teresa’s fault.
A monster. She knew about the monster. How could her sister know about that?
Michelle shook her head trying to rein in her thoughts. She’d been thinking about James since the letter revoking her lease had arrived. Perhaps her sister had somehow tuned into her fears. Would he be coming back? Michelle’s heart picked up speed at the thought, not from fear but expectation. It then settled. No, no he wouldn’t come back. There was no reason for him to return. She’d given up hoping years ago. Had it been nearly three years? More?
It didn’t matter. She had moved on and she needed to show her sisters how much. She looked at her bare finger where her ring used to be. She rubbed the back of her hand, her palm feeling hot. She didn’t only feel naked without it but vulnerable.
Was he behind the letter she’d received? Why hadn’t he shown himself?
A monster.
A monster was coming.
James was coming back; she could somehow sense it. She would face it. But no one could know the truth. No one must ever know…
Chapter 7
A magician.
That was how Michelle stared at him when BJ handed her the fixed emerald ring. As if he’d worked magic. He liked the expression.
“It’s a miracle,” she said in awe. There were few things that awed her. “It looks perfect. As if nothing happened.”
BJ nodded pretending to look humble. He knew he’d done an amazing job. “Good.”
Michelle slipped the ring on her finger and BJ watched an expression of calm come over her features. He wanted to ask her again if something was wrong, but he knew that wasn’t necessary. He knew something was going on with her and he also knew she wouldn’t tell him about it.
“Thanks. How much was it again?”
BJ lowered his head, pretending not to hear her.
“I know we’re family, but I still want to—”
“You can pay me with a clue.”
“A clue?”
He met her gaze. “About what’s going on with you.”
Michelle’s eyes flashed. “Did Teresa tell you about the monster too?”
He frowned. “Monster?”
She shook her head embarrassed. Now she was getting paranoid. “Never mind. I’m…I’m sorry. It’s been a stressful week at work. Truly. And forget about payment I’ll treat you to dinner. Will next Friday suit you?”
“That would be fine.”
BJ watched Michelle leave the shop looking as if she had everything under control. No outsider could tell that anything was wrong
by her confident walk and stylish clothes. He sighed feeling guilty. He probably shouldn’t have done what he did, but he’d been curious. Two days ago he’d given the emerald to Jessie to do a reading without letting her know where or who he’d gotten it from. He hadn’t been sure she could tell him much, but he’d thought it was worth a try. Outside of its setting, he didn’t think that Jessie would recognize it since they saw many different stones in their line of work, plus some people still came to her for private readings.
Jessie sat next to his workbench and held the stone in her palm. “It’s a lovely color and—”
“I know all the properties; I want to know more about the owner.”
She frowned. “Why?” She paused. “Are you interested in this woman?”
“How do you know it belongs to a woman?” When Jessie sent him a look he realized he’d insulted her ability and half feared she’d be able to figure out its true owner. “No,” he said quickly. “Not in that way. Just curious. Can you…see who owns it?”
“No, I can only sense feelings.”
He breathed a sigh of relief.
“I don’t usually work this way, but…for a cousin.” She playfully nudged him in the side and offered a smile. “I’ll make an exception.” She sat back and centered herself. “Well, it’s definitely a love stone. This stone is strong with the hearts of two, but…”
“But what?”
Jessie quickly set the stone down and rubbed her hands together as if it had burned her. “It’s a painful love. I’m not sure it will ever be healed. The owner is truly heartbroken and in pain. Very sad.”
He had been afraid of that. But he’d suspected. He knew Michelle kept things close but there had been a cold, defensive look in her gaze when she’d come to him. The gaze of a wounded animal ready to lash out at anyone trying to come too close. She’d only looked that way once before, when James first disappeared. Or left her. Or she’d kicked him out. No one really knew what had happened just that her husband was gone and she moved back into the family home. BJ wasn’t close enough to do much more than speculate and his mother had warned him not to meddle, not that he would, but he felt for her. Michelle had always been nice to him. She was far from being a warm, cuddly woman—not as playful as Jessie or as comforting as Teresa—but he knew he could depend on her and whenever he had a question regarding the business she was ready to offer assistance. He wanted to do whatever little he could to help her now. “But the emerald is also a stone of healing, right?”