The Woman at the Top of the Stairs (Second Chance Series Book 1), page 2
“Hmm. I’d be wary, Rick. Peace doesn’t last forever when you’re trying to make money and control thieves.”
“Your observation is duly noted. This is the street where we’re supposed to meet your PO,” Rick said, turning onto a residential avenue with big houses and manicured lawns.
“I thought we were going to his office?”
“No, he said to turn in the driveway and go around back. Look for 1401.”
Dru looked on her side of the street then she pointed. “It should be that one.”
Rick turned into the driveway and followed it to the back of the house. There was a fork in the driveway. To the left was an attached garage to the house. Straight ahead was a little house with a carport next to it. There was a car in the carport and a man sitting outside in one of two chairs on the small front porch.
He waved at them and Rick stopped his car behind the one in the carport.
They got out of the car and the man said, “You found it. I’m Wilson Dennison.”
Rick walked up and extended his hand. “Rick Russell.” He looked over at Dru and smiled. “This is Dru Rae.”
“Nice to meet you both. I know this is a strange place to meet, but I thought it would be better than my office. Fewer eyes. Y’all come on in.”
Dru and Rick followed him into the small house. They both sat on the couch and Wilson sat across from them in a chair.
Wilson looked into Dru’s eyes and smiled. “I imagine you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed.”
Dru visibly relaxed. “I am.” She thought he had kind eyes and hoped she could trust him.
“I want you to succeed,” Wilson said. “Most of these parole and probation plans are set up for the people to fail. I don’t want that to happen to you. You can trust me and tell me when anything happens to you. Good or bad. Okay?”
Dru nodded.
“It’s easy to hear me say that, but you don’t know me. Mr Russell—”
“Rick,” Rick interrupted.
Wilson smiled at him. “Rick has filled me in on your special circumstances. I’m the only one in my office who knows who you were. You are now Dru Rae, newly released and ready to be a contributing member to society, living a happy, productive life.”
“That certainly sounds good,” Rick said as he smiled at Dru.
“Even though you are highly educated, your lack of experience won’t get you the job you probably want in the beginning. I have you set up with a staging company.”
“A staging company? Do they set up houses for realtors or construction companies?”
“That’s right. You may not have noticed, but when you turned into the residential area, there was a shopping center on your right. Shelby’s Staging and Style is located there.”
“I did see it. That’s only a couple of blocks from here.”
Wilson nodded. “Shelby and I have worked together for several years. She gives people like you, coming out of prison, a second chance. You can trust her and she, too, wants you to succeed.”
“So I would be helping set up houses that are for sale?”
“That’s right. Unloading furniture, arranging rooms, those kinds of things.”
Dru smiled. “That sounds perfect. It will feel good to do physical work.”
“When we talked last week you mentioned you have a place for Dru to live?” Rick asked.
Wilson looked around the room. “This was my daughter’s place. She recently graduated from college and has moved to start her career. I’ve paid rent for the month and I thought it would be a good place for you to start. Let me show you around and you can decide.”
They got up and followed him a few steps to the area that was the kitchen.
“This island divides the kitchen from the living area. There’s a bedroom with a bathroom through there.”
Dru walked through the door and looked around the bedroom and peeked into the bathroom. This would be perfect, she thought. It was small, but that’s all she needed.
When she walked back into the living area she smiled at Rick.
“Oh, there’s a washer and dryer in the closet in the bedroom,” Wilson said.
“This is exactly what I need. What about the people that live in the big house?” Dru asked.
“They travel and aren’t around much. They won’t bother you. All they want is for you to pay the rent. That’s it. They like having someone on the property because they are gone a lot.”
“They don’t mind that I just got out of prison? I swear it feels like ‘ex-con’ is tattooed on my forehead.”
“The lease is in my name, so don’t worry about that for now. This is a nice, quiet neighborhood. My daughter loved living here. If you like it here and want to stay after your parole is completed, I can put the lease in your name.”
Dru nodded as she surveyed the room.
“It’s natural to think everyone is staring at you, but they aren’t. Do you have a car?”
“Not yet.” Dru stared at Wilson. He’d said to trust him and she decided to take a chance. “I saved money while I was in college in hopes of leaving my family someday. I want to open a bank account this afternoon and start the process of transferring the money. Then I can get a car and…” She looked down at herself then back at Wilson and Rick. “I need clothes.”
“We’re going shopping after we go to the bank,” Rick said.
Dru couldn’t believe she’d thought she would walk out of prison today and start a new life by herself. But these two men had other ideas and were ready to help. It was unbelievable and she couldn’t quite wrap her head around it.
“I know that look,” Rick said. “You’ll pay me back when your money gets here.”
“But what about the paper trail?”
“Do you think your brother is looking for you?” Wilson asked.
Dru sighed. “I don’t know. I have to be alert, though, in case he does. I don’t want to put other people in danger.”
“Dru, he hasn’t looked for you. I had a flag set up on your name in the system. It let me know if anyone was searching for your name under Augustino or Rae.”
“As I said before, no one in my office knows who you are,” Wilson said. “They think you are just another inmate that’s been released and put on my caseload. We don’t have to meet in the office for our check-ins. I can meet with you at Shelby’s or here.”
“Why would you do that? Why are you doing all this?” Dru asked, spreading her arms wide. ”It’s hard to believe.”
“You’re brave,” Wilson said. “You had a good life and chose to leave it. Not many people would do what you did. If most people don’t get along with their family, they move or choose not to talk to them. You went to prison to get away from yours. The least I can do is help you start your new life.”
“I told you that you got a good parole officer,” Rick said.
Wilson shrugged. “There are a few of us still around.”
Dru nodded and sighed. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Sure you do. Go to work, do your job, find something to do that makes you happy in your down time. Rinse and repeat. That’s it.”
“He means something legal,” Rick teased.
Dru glared at him. “I can’t believe you said that.”
Rick chuckled. “Yeah you can.”
“Okay then,” Wilson cut in. “Do you have any questions?”
“I’m sure I will after all this sinks in.”
“Here’s my card with my cell number on it. Call or text me when you get a phone. I’ll answer all your questions.” Wilson handed Dru a card and also gave one to Rick.
“Here’s your key. I’ll tell Shelby you’ll be at work the day after tomorrow. Will that give you enough time to get your shopping done and settle in? I’ve found the sooner you start work and get a routine, the better. I’ve written her number on the back of my card.”
Dru flipped the card over and saw the number. “Thank you. I’ll get a phone this afternoon.”
“Okay. Rick, it was nice to meet you,” Wilson said as he shook the other man’s hand. “I’ll check on you tomorrow, Dru. Welcome to your new life.” He gave Dru a kind smile.
After he left Dru looked at Rick. “Is this for real?”
Rick laughed. “You can trust him. He was sincere. Besides, I checked him out.”
Dru fell down on the couch and shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m finally out.”
Rick sat down next to her and put his arm around her. “You’re going to have a great life.”
“I hope so.” She leaned her head over on his shoulder as a few tears ran down her cheeks.
2
Dru lay on her bed with her hands behind her head and stared at the ceiling. So much had happened in the last two days. She had a closet with pants, shirts, and shoes in it. Her dresser had new bras, underwear, socks and pajamas in the drawers. The little kitchen now had food in the refrigerator and cabinets. She had a bank account along with a debit card and a credit card on the way.
Her phone was charging on the bedside table. Wilson had told her about a car lot she planned to visit later in the week when her funds were clear in her bank account. In the meantime, she’d bought a bicycle which she could ride to work for now. She’d ridden her bike all around campus when she was in college and it felt good to feel the wind on her face once again.
She exhaled a deep breath and looked at the clock on her bedside table. Rick had left that afternoon and texted that he’d made it back to New York not long ago. She needed to be sleeping because tomorrow was her first day at work, but she couldn’t stop all the events of the last two days from running through her head.
It felt so good to be in a real bed wearing a tank top and shorts with the ceiling fan whirling slowly above. She kept thinking about her mom—how she wished she could call her and tell her she was all right and that she loved her. But she knew that wasn’t possible if she hoped to have the life she’d dreamed of. Why couldn’t Michael just let her be? It would be easy to find a job in New York. She could see her mom often, be a part of her nieces’ and nephews’ lives, and maybe even have a girlfriend.
She blew out an exasperated breath. How could she have a girlfriend? Not many women were lining up to date a woman that had been in prison. If that wasn’t enough, she couldn’t risk falling in love and endangering another person’s life, especially someone she loved.
She sighed loudly, rolled over and closed her eyes. It was time to embrace this new life and stop dreaming of what couldn’t be.
The next morning Dru got off her bike and peeked in the front window of Shelby’s Staging and Style. She opened the front door and rolled her bike in with her. As the door closed she stepped to the side and leaned her bike against the wall.
“Hi.” A woman in her mid forties with dark blond hair and bright blue eyes greeted her.
Dru immediately liked her kind smile and returned it. “Good morning.”
The woman tilted her head and asked. “Are you Dru?”
“I am.” She nodded.
The woman walked closer and held out her hand. “I’m Shelby Kimball. Welcome to the team.”
Dru shook the woman’s hand and met her eyes. “Thank you for the opportunity.”
“Let’s go in my office and chat. Bring your bike; you can keep it back there.”
Dru followed Shelby into her office and parked her bike out of the way.
“Have a seat.” Shelby sat in her chair behind the desk and smiled at Dru. “Have you settled in okay at your new place? Do you need any help with anything?”
“No ma’am.”
“Are you trying to make me feel old?”
“No, I’m showing you respect,” Dru explained.
“You can do that by working hard, asking for help if you need it, and relaxing.”
Dru unclenched her fists and stopped her leg that had been bouncing up and down since she’d sat down. “Yes ma—I mean, yes, Shelby.”
Shelby gave her a wide smile and sat back in her chair. “That’s better.” She held Dru’s gaze and they looked at one another for a moment. “I have several workers that started here just like you and have moved on to better jobs, which gives me great pride. I know you are on parole and I want you to be successful.”
“That’s what my parole officer said,” Dru commented.
“Wilson and I have worked together for a long time. You won’t just be arranging furniture and staging houses. There will be times when you’ll interact with real estate agents, construction workers, and prospective buyers. You represent this company, but you also represent yourself.”
Dru nodded.
“I’m your friend, Dru. You can trust me. If I can’t answer your question I’ll find an answer for you. So instead of doing something that could risk your parole, ask me first.”
“Okay,” Dru said. She wanted to believe this woman, but she had to be cautious.
“We’re a family here and we take care of one another.”
Dru flinched at the word family and looked away, trying to cover her reaction.
“A good family, Dru.”
Dru met Shelby’s measured gaze and nodded.
“I have a few forms for you to sign, then I’ll take you to the shop to meet the others.”
Shelby explained that everyone usually met at the office in the morning. Depending on the number of projects they had for that given day, she divided them into teams and sent them out.
“There’s a breakroom back here,” Shelby told her as they walked into the shop area. Random pieces of furniture were stacked in various parts of the large room. At the back were two garage doors that were open to the alley. Dru could see two vans parked in front of the doors.
“This is Alicia,” Shelby said as a young woman walked out of the break room. “She takes care of everything in the office.”
“Hi Dru. It’s nice to meet you.” Alicia gave her a friendly smile. “Let me know if you have any questions on any of the forms Shelby had you sign.”
“Thanks,” Dru said, returning her smile.
They walked into the breakroom and six pairs of eyes landed on Dru. She could feel heat rush to her cheeks.
“Don’t let them scare you,” Shelby said in a stage whisper. “They look mighty but they’re a bunch of pussy cats.”
Dru heard several chuckles and she couldn’t keep from smiling herself.
“This is Dru Rae, our newest specialist. I know each of you will help her get settled in,” Shelby said, looking around the room.
“I’m Vance.” A big man with massive arms and gentle eyes rose and extended his hand. “These guys are Gabriel, Jesse, and Eli,” he said, pointing to two Hispanic men and a Black man sitting at the table. They all smiled at her and said hello.
“Over here are TJ and Amber,” he said, indicating a man and a woman on the other side of the table. They both gave her a wave.
“Brandon is meeting us at the Highland Park house later this morning,” he said. “Okay, now repeat those names back to me.” He looked at her in anticipation.
Dru met his eyes and was about to try and repeat their names when Amber got up and walked toward her.
“He’s bullshitting you,” she said, glaring at Vance. “Come on, you can come with me today.”
“Hey, welcome to the team, Dru. We’re happy you’re here,” Vance said with a smile.
“Thanks. It’s nice meeting all of you.”
“You’ll get the chance to work with each one of these delightful people,” Shelby said. “I’ll check on you later. Amber will get you started.”
Dru nodded. “Thank you.”
Amber took Dru over to a workbench and gathered supplies and put them in a small backpack.
“This is your kit. We do more than arrange furniture, so sometimes you’ll need tools, rags, or cleaning products to get the job done,” Amber explained. “I put the basics in there for you, but once you do a few projects you can outfit it how you like.”
“Got it. Thanks, Amber.”
“Hey, we’ve all been the new person, so relax. The guys are easy to work with and fun most of the time. If we have to work we may as well have a good time. Right?”
“I guess so.”
Amber chuckled. “You’ll be fine, Dru.” She began to walk to one of the vans and Dru followed behind her.
I hope so, Dru thought.
“We’re going to a high end neighborhood where we’re just finishing up a house that was flipped. The open house is tomorrow with one of our regular realtors.”
“We work with realtors and builders, right?”
“Yeah. We have several realtors that use us for everything. They are our regular customers. We also have a few contractors that flip houses and use our services.”
Dru looked out the window as they pulled into a neighborhood with a rock and wrought iron fence. The further down the street they drove the larger the houses got. Amber pulled into a driveway and put the van in park.
“See what I mean,” Amber said as Dru’s eyes widened.
“Wow!”
“Yeah. We get to make it look livable and even more appealing.”
They got out of the van, grabbed their bags, and went inside.
Amber showed Dru through the house and they ended up back in the great room.
“We’re hanging pictures today. You will become a master at command hooks. We use them so we don’t put holes in the walls.”
Amber instructed Dru what to look for as they sorted through tubs of framed pieces.
“How do you know how to arrange a room?” Dru asked as she set a couple of pictures aside.
“Shelby meets with the realtor and they discuss the look that will best sell the house. Then Shelby goes over the layout with us. Sometimes things won’t look right so we adjust as we’re moving the pieces around.”
“But we’re not moving furniture today?”
“It should be done, unless something doesn’t fit after we get the art on the walls. We don’t have explicit instructions today. These paintings and pictures were selected for this house so we know they are the right look. You and I get to decide where to put them. Shelby will come by later and if she doesn’t like something then we’ll change it.”
