Later that afternoon Nikki returned with a suitcase full of belongings and went in search of Alex. She finally found her in the sparsely furnished office. She was sitting at the desk with a laptop open in front of her, typing furiously. She waited until the keystrokes slowed considerably before she interrupted. "Hey, I’m back."
Alex looked up at her, startled. "Oh, hey. Um, the guest room is up the stairs, first door on the left. You can put your stuff in there. Maria is making dinner tonight. It should be ready in a couple of hours." She looked down at the computer screen and grimaced. "I really need to get more work done before then. Call me when dinner's ready and I’ll stop." Nikki nodded, disappointed. "I’ll give you the full tour after dinner."
"Sure thing," Nikki said as she watched Alex immediately zone in on the computer, tuning her out. She listened to the clicking of the keys for a moment before walking away.
Chapter Five
Alex opened her eyes to a dark room, something she hadn’t done in a while, as there were always lights on in hospital rooms. She turned toward the window and saw a sliver of lightening sky at the edge of the curtain. The bright green numbers on the clock beside the bed said it was almost six. She lay back and reveled in the feel of the familiar pillow, the six hundred thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, and expanse offered by a king size bed. This was a far cry from the hospital bed she’d woken in yesterday.
She closed her eyes and thought about the tour she’d given Nikki the night before. There was a sense of pride and accomplishment when she saw Nikki’s appreciation for her home. With darkness threatening, the tour was cut short though she promised Nikki a tour of the grounds when she returned from work this afternoon. Alex found she was looking forward to seeing what she thought of the rest of the place she called home.
Rolling to the edge of the bed, she sat up with a grimace. She’d worn the brace to bed, as she was still finding it near impossible to get either into or out of it by herself. "Not one of your better ideas, Alex," she told herself as she rubbed her knee through the straps. ‘I’ve got to get this damn thing figured out if I want to get some decent rest,’ she thought. She grabbed her crutches and headed for the bathroom so she could start her day.
Alex looked down at the clock on her computer and smiled. She’d accomplished quite a bit in a few short hours. With the time she’d spent last night and this morning, she’d finished the last chapter in her book and was now ready to start editing. She was going to need to contact one or two of her beta readers to see if they could rush this one through without compromising their work. She refused to put out sloppy work, but hated to miss a deadline, even one that was self imposed. Before her accident she’d been ahead of schedule and had announced the planned release of the book on Facebook and Twitter. Now the release date was just over two weeks away, and she was behind schedule. She saved her work one more time before opening her personal phone book, and looking up the number for the rehab center she’d used nearly twelve years earlier.
A quick phone call later and she had an appointment to see a therapist at eleven thirty. She’d been fortunate that they’d had an appointment cancel just that morning. Making a quick call Dani to see if she would be available to drive finalized her plan for the afternoon. With a little more than two hours before her appointment, she shut down her computer and headed out to find Maria. Moments later she found her in the kitchen putting groceries away. She leaned against the island out of the way. "You’ve been shopping already?"
"Yes, I like to go first thing in the morning when it is less crowded." Maria looked up at Alex with a smile. "What can I do for you, Tesoro?"
"Nothing at all, I just thought I’d say hello." She pushed off the counter and went around the other side and swiped an apple from the basket beside the fridge. She sat down in one of the chairs around the kitchen table and pulled her phone from her pocket. She pulled up a number and hit send. The phone was answered on the third ring. "Hey Sherry, It’s Alex…do you work today?" She set her apple on the table and listened for a moment. "Would you do me a huge favor?" She smiled at the response. "I’m not currently able to drive, so I was wondering if you would bring your kit over here…my hair is in desperate need of your attention…Can you be here in an hour or less?" She laughed. "I know it…Thank you." She hung up and picking up the apple, took a bite.
Maria walked up and stood beside her. She reached out and ran a hand through Alex’s long blonde locks. "What are you going to do?" she asked.
Alex frowned slightly and shrugged. "I don’t really know. Hopefully Sherry can figure something out that doesn’t include shaving my head." At Maria’s pained expression, she smiled. "It was time for a change anyway. I don’t need to hide behind the long hair anymore. I’ve just been afraid of what everyone else thinks for so long that I've been resisting any change."
Maria nodded and placed a hand on Alex’s cheek. "You will be beautiful no matter what you do, Tesoro."
"Thank you, Mamma, but I think you are a bit biased." She smiled and stood. "Will you let Sherry in when she gets here please? I think I’d like to sit outside for a bit." When Maria nodded, she headed out the back door into the courtyard. She walked around for a minute enjoying the many bushes and shrubs Ilario had planted and tended faithfully, before stopping at the bench overlooking the lake.
Alex let the quiet of the day sweep over her as she watched the sun reflecting off the water below her. She’d always felt at home around the water, and went near it or into it frequently to relieve her stress. As she sat there watching the movement of the water she felt the tension leave her body, quickly losing track of time as she enjoyed the peaceful setting. She was startled from her thoughts by the sound of her name being called. She turned and saw Sherry standing by the back door.
When she stood, she saw Sherry’s look of surprise at the crutches and brace. As Alex slowly made her way over to the chair Maria had set out for them, she could tell Sherry was curious about her current condition, but had learned over the years not to ask questions. She sat in the chair and explained her dilemma. After a moment's thought, Sherry made a suggestion to which she quickly agreed. Minutes later Alex closed her eyes and cringed as Sherry pulled out the clippers, matching the right side to the left. Sherry then trimmed the remaining long locks to a much shorter length, though still long enough to pull into a ponytail. When she finished, she headed inside to take a look.
She was surprised how much difference a haircut could make. There was enough hair left that when left down, completely covered the much shorter hair underneath, leaving the impression it was all the same length. With a shrug she headed back out to pay Sherry and send her on her way so she could get cleaned up. A short time later she washed her hair in the kitchen sink with Maria’s help, then headed upstairs to change.
Alex welcomed Dani and Madison when they arrived, and smiled at their surprise over her new haircut. "I really appreciate you doing this for me, Dani. I didn’t expect to get an appointment so quickly."
"It’s no bother, really. I didn’t have any plans today." She picked up Madison and said, "When this one goes to school, I'll go back to work, but for now I’m completely available." She noticed one of Alex's eyebrows shoot up and felt herself blush as she realized how her comment could be misconstrued. "I didn't…didn't mean…" she stammered and watched as the corner of Alex's mouth lifted in the ghost of a smile.
Alex walked past Dani and grabbed her bag. "We'd better be going. We don't want to be late."
Alex wearily walked back into the waiting room and saw Dani reading to Madison. She headed over and sat beside them, motioning for Dani to continue. She leaned back in the chair, closed her eyes, and listened to her voice as she read about a monkey in the jungle. She smiled when she realized it was Millie the Monkey. The next thing she knew, two little hands were framing her face and a child’s voice was calling out, "Angel. Are you okay, Angel?"
Alex slowly opened her eyes and looked into the concerned face of Madison. "I’m oka
y, Sweet Pea. Are you done with your story?"
"Yes. Can we go home now?"
She smiled tenderly. "Of course we can."
She looked up in surprise when she heard someone say, "Your daughter is beautiful, and so very well behaved."
Dani watched the pain darken Alex’s blue eyes, and was surprised when she saw her smile and thank the woman. They walked out to the car in silence. Once everyone was situated, Dani climbed in and started the car. "You handled that well." She pulled out of the parking lot and headed back towards the house. After several minutes of silence she asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you. I’m just tired. I fatigue much easier these days." She watched the world outside fly past her window for a moment before turning back to Dani. "I didn’t see the point in correcting her. What she said is correct, she just said it to the wrong person." Looking over her shoulder, she saw Madison had fallen asleep in her car seat. Her head was tilted to the side and a few of her dark curls brushed her cheeks. "I would be proud to claim her as my own, but it's fairly obvious she’s not."
Dani looked over and said, "You are going to make a great mother one day." Silence descended upon the vehicle, as they were each lost in their own thoughts. Alex was surprised to see the gate rolling open and realized they were home. When the car came to a stop, she sat patiently and waited for Dani to hand her the crutches before attempting to climb out on her own.
Alex turned to her and smiled. "Would you like to stay for lunch?"
"I wouldn’t want to impose."
"I’ve invited you, thus ruling out the possibility of imposition." Alex slowly headed towards the front door. "Come on then, I have French fries with Madison’s name on them." By the time she’d reached the top of the steps, a sleepy Madison was standing beside her. As she reached for the door, it opened, and she looked into Nikki’s scowling face.
"Where the hell have you been? Maria said you left hours ago." The tone in her voice raised Alex’s hackles, and transported her back to the numerous arguments between her and Jo. As her anxiety began to rise, her palms began to sweat, and the memories became stronger. She stepped around Nikki and entered the house. She could hear her begin to question Dani, and stumbled as the memories of Jo’s constant badgering and abuse flooded her mind. She cowered against the wall, expecting to feel the blow Jo would have delivered. When none came she pushed herself upright and turned to face her imagined attackers.
"Enough!" she bellowed. "I am not a possession to squabble over, nor am I a child to be coddled and controlled. I am a grown woman, completely capable of taking care of myself." She was so wrapped up in her fear and anger that she failed to notice Maria enter the room. She stepped closer to Nikki and said, "I will not let you do this to me again. Get the hell out of my house."
Nikki reached for Alex and paled when she saw her flinch away as if expecting a blow.
Maria quickly stepped between the two, as she quietly spoke to Alex. "Tesoro, you are safe here. No one is going to hurt you." Alex slowly raised her head and looked at Maria. "Do you trust me?" Alex nodded. Maria stepped aside, revealing Nikki. "Look at her Alexis. She is not Jo, she will not hurt you, and does not deserve your wrath." When she nodded, Maria gently squeezed her arm and walked away.
Alex looked down at Madison and forced a smile. "Hey, sweetie, do you want to help me make some French fries?" She smiled when Madison jumped up and down with excitement and ran for the kitchen. "Wait for me." As she turned to follow, Nikki reached for her, causing her to flinch away again. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Nikki stuff her hands into her pockets. "I’m sorry," she whispered, and quickly left the room. She caught up to Madison as she entered the kitchen. Together they pulled items from the refrigerator and placed them on the counter.
"That’s a lot of vegetables," Madison said as she eyed them warily.
Alex looked down at Madison with a very serious expression and said, "Yes it is. Did you know that it is vegetables that help you to grow up big and strong?" The little girl shook her head. "It’s true. I eat lots of veggies every day. That’s what made me strong enough to be your angel."
Madison thought about it for a minute before she said, "I want to be strong like you, but I don’t like very many veggies."
"Will you promise me you’ll try them?"
Madison sighed as she looked at the vegetables piled on the counter. "Okay, but you’re gonna make French fries too right?"
Alex smiled and ruffled her hair. "Yes, sweetie, I will." She looked up and saw Nikki watching her with a smile. She was leaning against the doorframe with her hands in her pockets, and appeared to be hesitant to join. She knew that her blow-up earlier was the cause, and felt her heart sink at the thought. "Can you handle a knife?" she asked.
Nikki looked into Alex’s smiling face and said, "I’m very good with my hands I’ll have you know."
Alex looked down as Nikki pulled her hands from her pockets. She wondered if they were soft or calloused, and how they would feel roaming over her body, touching her in places that hadn’t been touched by a woman in over two years. Nikki cleared her throat, snapping her out of her thoughts. She immediately blushed as she looked into Nikki's startled brown eyes. Alex quickly looked away as she tried to explain what she needed her help with. Soon Nikki was slicing vegetables and preparing them for the grill, and wondering if she’d imagined the look on Alex’s face.
Dani walked into the room a few minutes later, sliding her cell phone into her pocket. "Rachel is done for the day, so I invited her to lunch with us. I hope you don’t mind."
Alex paused briefly, took a deep breath, and then continued chopping as she said, "How convenient." She finally looked up at Dani, who was watching her closely and said, "Rachel is more than welcome, but please don’t push me, Dani. I’m not quite there yet, and it must be done on my terms and in my time."
A faint blush rose on her cheeks. "I didn’t mean…I’m sorry." She bit her lip and pulled out her phone. "I’ll call her back and cancel."
"No need. Rachel is more than welcome to join us for lunch. As for the rest, just let it go. Please." Dani nodded and quickly joined the group. It wasn’t long before Rachel joined them and the cooking began.
Rachel took a close look at the spread of vegetables on the grill and asked, "Are you a vegetarian?"
Alex looked up from the deep fryer. "No, but the bulk of my diet is plant based. I’ve found I feel better that way, and as I told Madison earlier, they help keep me strong." She winked at the little girl who giggled. She pulled the last of the fries from the hot oil and seasoned them. "I think that’s it."
Everyone filled their plates with grilled vegetable sandwiches and French fries, and headed out to the picnic table in the courtyard. Alex smiled at everyone’s surprise when Madison happily ate her vegetables.
As Nikki, Dani, and Madison headed into the kitchen with the dirty dishes, Rachel turned to Alex and said, "You have a beautiful home." She looked around the courtyard and smiled. "This space is amazing. Care to give me a little tour?" As she stood, Dani returned to gather more dishes. She looked pointedly at Rachel and raised her eyebrows.
The look didn’t go unnoticed. Alex slowly stood and reached for her crutches. "I can do that. I’ve got to tell you though, I think your wife may be trying to get rid of you, Rachel." At her look of confusion Alex said, "She keeps throwing you at me." She looked over at Dani in time to see her scowl and reach for her. She blanched, took a step back, and saw the instant look of regret on Dani’s face as she dropped her hands. Deep down she knew that Dani wasn't going to hurt her, and was disgusted at her reaction to her playful grab. She turned and walked away, mumbling to herself. Soon her mumbling became louder and it was clear she was speaking Italian.
Rachel stretched out and grabbed her wife's hand, stopping her from going to Alex. "Give her a little time."
The commotion brought Maria, and an older gentleman they hadn’t met yet, running. They led her over to one of the benches and sat down. There
were several minutes of discussion, where the only words Rachel and Dani recognized were their names, Alex, Jo, and Tesoro, though they didn’t know what the last one meant. Soon the couple stood, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and left. Alex remained on the bench, watching the lake and listening to the sounds of the water lapping against the rocks below.
"Rachel?"
"Yes, Alex?"
"Care to join me?"
Rachel squeezed Dani’s hand and stood, shooing her towards the house. "Sure." She walked over and sat beside her on the bench. "You’ve got an incredible view from here." She looked over and saw that Alex's eyes were closed. "Don’t you enjoy the view?"
"Yes, I do. It doesn’t matter the season, it's always beautiful here. There is something very peaceful about the water, and the sound of the wind through the trees."
"Are you listening to the water?"
"Yes. Sometimes, like now, it is very faint and you have to really try. That’s when I close my eyes and focus." She opened them and looked over at Rachel. "Does it bother you that my eyes are closed?"
"No, just trying to understand."
Alex sighed and looked out over the lake. "I’m stalling."
"I know."
"I’m not ready for this, but I know it must be done." She looked at Rachel, who sat beside her, quietly waiting for her to continue. "I need help."
Rachel slowly reached for her hand. "You’ve just done the hardest part." She smiled at the look of bewilderment on Alex’s face. "You asked for help. Other things will be difficult, but admitting you need help can be the hardest." She squeezed her hand then let it go. "Now, do you want my help, or do you want me to recommend someone?"
The Queen of Diamonds Page 5