Allison sat back in her chair. While she knew Geraldine would need her time, there was nothing about remaining friends. All there had been was asking her mother like some child. It angered her.
It shouldn’t have angered Allison, but she couldn’t help it. She was placing her heart on the line. Even if it were for only friendship, she was putting herself up for heartache.
“You know what? I’m trying. I’m trying to remain friends with you. I’m trying to help you through.” Allison hastily stood. “But you aren’t even meeting me halfway. I think you need to speak to your mother. Or search your conscience. Whatever it takes.”
Allison took a moment to catch her breath and to steady her thoughts. “That was harsh. And I’m sorry. But I want you in my life. I don’t want to be pushed away. But it’s up to you. You are an adult. Going through so much, but still capable of taking a chance on friendship. Like I have with you. I’m going to get something to eat. If you want to join me, I’d be happy for the company.”
This was another one of those moments. Geraldine knew it. She could continue to be fearful of the world and everyone in it or she could finally stand up for herself and go for what she wanted.
What Geraldine wanted was more than friendship. There had been hints that Allison wanted it as well. The cowgirl wondered how long Jackeline would be staying. Perhaps a chat was in order.
“I’m not all that hungry.” Geraldine saw how Allison’s face fell. “But I could use something cold to drink. And I’m always up for spending time with you.”
A wave of relief washed over Allison. She held out her hand. “Let’s join the others. And see what everyone has been up to since we’ve been hiding.”
Geraldine felt some of the tension release with the laughter. She would have to speak with her mother and Jackeline. But the bottom line…It was up to Geraldine to decide what she wanted from life.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
For once, lunch had been jovial. Sam’s group definitely brought something unique to the already unique group. Jessie had never been around such a group.
Jessie could tell there was a strain between Allison and Geraldine. Part of her had wanted to inquire as to what was happening. But she was respectful of their privacy.
The only thing that had been missing from lunch were Dallas and Lucy. It was understandable as Dallas was recovering from the latest attack.
Jessie was sat at the check-in area. Normally after lunch, she would take a trip to the stables or see if there were any supplies needed and make a trip into town.
Today, Jessie was playing catchup on email inquiries and updating the website. Her classes taken over the winter were coming in handy in that regard.
The notification of a new email caught Jessie’s attention. So far, nothing of the negativity had become public and the inquiries into availability and pricing were coming in steadily.
“What the fuck?” Jessie couldn’t help the language that escaped her. The email had an attachment. There was no message. When she clicked on the image, she couldn’t believe her eyes. “Sam and her people need to see this.”
Without hesitation, Jessie was dialing the extension to the study. Why was she not surprised when it was Sam herself that answered? “There’s something I need you to take a look at. Maybe have your computer expert tagalong.”
Before Jessie could hang up the phone, the door to the study was opening. Sam and Olivia were making their way toward the check-in desk. Jessie didn’t hesitate in relinquishing her seat but remained so that she could watch them work.
“Do you recognize the email address?” Jessie managed a shake of her head. She was still attempting to process the image that was attached. “That shouldn’t be a problem for me.” Olivia was typing away.
“I think I know who is in the picture.” Sam turned away from the computer. While she had some skills, it wasn’t her favorite part and was more than happy to leave it to Olivia. “Do you want to confirm my suspicions?”
A frustrated breath was expelled before Jessie answered. “The oldest of the women is my mother. The other, I believe, is one of her church buddies. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen any of her friends.”
“I thought as much.” Though the image was no longer on the screen. Sam mentally was studying it. In her opinion, the image hadn’t been manipulated. And that meant Jessie’s own mother had attempted to sabotage her way of life, her business.
“The email came from this address.” Jessie peered over Olivia’s shoulder. “I can do a google search and see where it is. Unless you already know.” Olivia was following Sam’s train of thought. This continued to be personal.
“That’s my mom’s church.” Jessie straightened. They’d already known her mother’s church group was behind the picketing. They’d suspected they were behind the rainbow cross burning. But had her mother been involved from the very beginning?
“Why don’t you let us handle this.” Sam knew Jessie would want to be involved. If it was someone she knew, Sam would feel the same way.
“I’m sorry. I have to confront my mother. Again.” Jessie didn’t know why, but she wanted to see her mother. She wanted to show the picture. She wanted to make certain the bitch knew what she was doing to her own daughter.
“I won’t attempt to talk you out of it.” Sam cautiously placed her hand upon Jessie’s shoulder. “I just want you to think things through. What you want to say. What you want to do. We’ll go in an hour. And afterwards, I’ll buy the drinks.”
“I already know what I want to say.” Jessie heard the printer. She figured it was Olivia printing the picture and the address. “The only thing I want to know is who sent this. My mother wouldn’t have implicated herself. Especially since she made it clear when I confronted her with Melissa that she wanted nothing to do with me. At least, her silence spoke volumes.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Sam shared an unspoken moment with Olivia. Her friend bowed her head before returning to the study. “Let me tell you a quick story about family.”
“My mother-in-law hated anything not normal. She would have rather my wife remain with a mentally and physically abusive man than be with me.” Sam managed to maintain her stoic façade. It had been forever since the thought of Sarah Ivy had entered her mind.
Azure eyes blinked several times. How could anyone want their child with someone who was abusive? Why couldn’t parents love their children, faults and all?
“Sarah claimed to have changed her ways.” Sam reflected on that part of her life. She had been fooled. Or had Sarah been fooling herself. “In the end, Sarah’s true colors came to light. She became isolated. Sadly, it cost her her life.” Something Abby would never forgive herself for.
“I see what you are saying.” Jessie attempted to relax. She attempted to shove the anger deep within. But if this was true, her mother had crossed a line. One she wasn’t about to let her get away with.
“I would hate if anything happened to my mother. But at the end of the day, it’s her own actions that have forced our hand.” Jessie sat at the computer. Thankfully, she was done answering new emails. She placed the computer in standby.
“That’s what I try to tell Abby when she feels guilty about her mother’s death.” Sam could see the questioning in similar azure eyes. It was personal. She wasn’t about to share the entire story.
“I better find Thelma. She’ll either want to come or she’ll want to talk me out of going.” Jessie stretched before standing. “The last time I confronted my mother, I left before the break of dawn.”
“I bet that went over well.” Sam could only imagine had she taken matters into her own hands. Abby would have been hell to deal with.
“Thelma is a spitfire, but she’s also very understanding.” Jessie knew it hadn’t always been that way. It had been a struggle for her wife to become the woman she was now.
“I’ll check in on the others. See if there’s been any issue with the charges against Dina.” Sam w
aited to see if Jessie had any more questions. After a moment of silence, she made her way back to the study.
Jessie hastily made her way to where she knew Thelma most likely was to be. When not doing something for the bed and breakfast, she was nearly always in the gazebo. Since that was where Jessie had proposed, it seemed a draw for her wife.
Sure enough, Thelma was sitting on one of the benches. She had a soda in her hand as she stared into space. Jessie hesitated. Instead, she wanted to watch her wife. It was more than that. She wanted to study her.
“I know you are there, Jessie.” Jessie didn’t hesitate in joining her. “Did something happen or were you actually just seeking out your wife?” It was bitchy, but Thelma was tired. She was tired of the constant threats.
“I always seek you out.” Jessie cautiously sat next to her wife but maintained her distance. “But something did happen. Someone emailed a picture of my mother and one of her church friends placing hateful signs on the grounds. The pictures are dated four months before we began renovations, but after you purchased the property.”
Thelma drank the rest of the soda. She allowed an unlady like belch to escape her. “Neither of us should be surprised that your mother was behind this. I guess the question is did she have a guilty conscience or did one of her church friends.”
“That’s what Sam and I were discussing.” Jessie glanced at her watch. Time was flying. “In about forty-five minutes, we are supposed to confront her. Well, Sam is supposed to question her while I tagalong. She’s buying drinks after. You interested?”
“I think it’s long overdue that I meet my mother-in-law.” Thelma slid closer to her wife. She carefully positioned herself so she was straddling her wife.
Thelma took her wife’s face in both hands. She stared into the depths of her wife’s soul. “I love you. Thank you for being you and always being there for me.”
Before Jessie could verbally respond, Thelma was kissing her wife. If it weren’t for the fact they were soon to face Jessie’s mother, Thelma would have suggested taking this somewhere more private.
Reluctantly, Thelma slid off her wife. “If we weren’t expected to join Sam, I’d suggest the bedroom. Perhaps later, if you can continue to be a good girl.”
“I’ll try my best to be worthy of reward.” Jessie winked as she also made her way to her feet. There was no woman sexier than her sweet businesswoman.
The two held hands as they made their way back to the bed and breakfast. “I’m going to check on Dallas and Lucy. I’ll meet you and the others in the lobby.”
“We’ll be waiting.” Jessie made certain her wife was given the perfect send off before returning to the lobby. Sitting in her spot was Geraldine. Jessie glanced at her watch. There was still twenty minutes or so before they would be leaving. “How are you?”
Geraldine didn’t take her eyes from the outside world. She hadn’t left the bed and breakfast since she’d returned. Her skin was only slightly sensitive, thankfully. “I have a lot to think about. I haven’t even discussed any of it with my mother.”
“Well, if it’s a matter of having access to technology, you can use the landline or the computer.” Jessie slowly approached the cowgirl. “There won’t be an extra charge.”
The cowgirl shook her head. “It’s not that.” Geraldine finally took her eyes from the window. “It’s the fact I’m falling in love, as you know. That I haven’t even begun the first steps of transitioning. That Allison is thinking of moving from Michigan to Montana.”
“Whoa!” Jessie couldn’t help her reaction. “May I?” As usual, Geraldine merely shrugged. Jessie took the seat next to the cowgirl. “The falling in love is the scary, fun, easy and difficult part.”
Jessie hoped to lighten the mood. Geraldine didn’t react. Instead, she began staring out the window once again. “From what Jackeline has told me, transitioning is intentionally made difficult in most states. So cut yourself some slack on that one.”
There was barely a shrugging of the shoulders. “As far as Allison moving, there would be a distance between you whether she remained in Michigan or moves to Montana. If you are a true friend, you’ll stay in contact with her. Until you can decide whether or not you are ready to follow her or not.”
The last part hit home. Allison had been telling her nearly the same exact thing. Yet, Geraldine had once again focused on the negatives. No matter the distance, she could remain friends with the woman she loved.
“Thank you, once again.” Geraldine didn’t hesitate in awkwardly hugging Jessie. “I have to say this place will receive a five-star review when I leave.”
“Well, we appreciate that.” Jessie was beaming. It wasn’t from the five-star rating. It was because she had hopefully caused Geraldine to see what the rest of those at the bed and breakfast already knew.
What was that? That Geraldine was an amazing woman. That she was struggling in the real world, like we all are. The one thing everyone has to do was to hold onto the ones we love. To make family where you find it.
With a wink, Geraldine was on her way to the kitchen. Jessie shook her head. She knew it meant the cowgirl was taking Allison a snack. Hopefully they would continue to talk about the future ahead.
Jessie shook her head as a hand was waving before it. Azure eyes blinked several times before taking in Sam, Abby, Olivia and Thelma standing before her. “Sorry. I must have zoned out after Geraldine left.”
“I was about to kiss you.” Thelma hastily continued. “But I knew you’d like that too much.” The comment earned her a playful swat on the butt. “I love you too. Now, you ready for this?”
“If I can survive her silence, I can survive her yelling.” Jessie hastily stood. While she talked the good game, she wasn’t certain she wanted to confront her mother.
The five women managed to fit into Thelma’s fuel-efficient car. It was, as seemed the usual, a quiet ride to the church. It would be their first stop, before actually confronting Jessie’s mother.
There was only one car in the parking lot. Though she hadn’t seen her mother only the one time in how many years, Jessie would know the car anywhere. “That’s my mother’s car.”
Sam’s instincts were instantly triggered. Once again, there was nonverbal communication between Olivia and Sam. She knew her wife would know, without saying a word. “Jessie, you and Thelma remain here with Abby.”
“But I…” Jessie was silenced by her wife’s hand upon her leg. She knew it was best left to the professionals. “All right. But if my mother is here, I want to speak to her.”
“Certainly.” Sam nodded at her wife. She made eye contact with Olivia before exiting the vehicle. In a way, she was grateful to be out of the small car. Her long legs were not made for a fuel-efficient car, at least not one so small.
Not wanting to draw attention, neither Sam nor Olivia drew their weapons. Slowly, they made their way to the front steps. There were no lights on. It wasn’t all that unusual. Still, something was informing Sam to be extremely cautious.
As if reading one another’s minds, Sam and Olivia pulled their guns. Slowly, they made their way to the first door. Sam assumed it led to the meeting area.
An eerie and familiar creaking sound caused Sam to hesitate. She spoke in barely a whisper. “Be ready.” Olivia nodded as she took one side of the double doors. They opened them simultaneously.
Sam’s instincts were spot on, unfortunately. Hanging from the rafters was a woman. Sam recognized her from the picture. “Let’s call this in. And tell Jessie.”
Chapter 14
The rain had intensified, as had the storm. It was a fitting metaphor for how Jessie was feeling. A mother who had hated her and never accepted her was dead. There was to be an investigation, especially since someone sent the picture of her mother’s wrongdoings just before the discovery of the body.
Instead of being inside with her boarders, Jessie was stationed inside of the gazebo. For now, she was alone. It was how she wanted it. It was how she needed it.<
br />
In a way, Jessie was craving a talk with her big sister. Though Kathy hadn’t spoken of it much, Jessie knew Kathy had dealt with something similar.
Kathy’s mother had never accepted her. Had used her being devoid of emotions for attention. And in the end, had made it so Kathy would eternally feel guilty for her death.
As the rain hammered at the roof, Jessie’s emotions continued to hammer at her soul. She should be holding onto her wife. She should be holding onto her friends. Instead, she was making herself isolated.
“I suppose you want to be alone.” Jessie turned at the sound of the familiar voice. “I was going to check on Geraldine and Allison. But after the news, I thought you might need your old friend more.”
Jessie turned her gaze from Jackeline. “I know you understand, a little, what I’m going through but I don’t want to talk about it.”
When only the sound of the rain hitting the roof and the ground was the only thing between them, Jackeline bridged the gap between them.
Jackeline only stood a few paces from Jessie’s back. “Thelma is hurting as well. She wants to see you through this. But she’s at a loss. Especially with you hiding yourself out here in a thunderstorm.”
“Don’t.” Jessie knew what Jackeline was attempting to do. In time, she would seek out her wife. Or the others that cared so much for her.
For now, Jessie needed to be alone. “Just be grateful I don’t have a twelve pack. That’s how I would have dealt in the old days.”
Jackeline sighed. When someone was in as much pain and as angry as Jessie was, there was sometimes no penetrating the shield they erected.
“We are all grateful for that.” Jackeline hesitated a moment, before hugging her from behind. Jessie stiffened, but didn’t attempt to break the hold. “And you will be in the morning.”
A sigh escaped Jessie. “And I could have had free drinks from Sam.” It was enough to ease some of the tension. “I promise, I’ll be in before midnight. I just need a few hours to truly process that my mother is gone. That she truly hated me, enough to try and shut down the bed and breakfast.”
Kindling Page 20