In Her Cage, page 13
part #2 of Denton Heights Series
“For what? Are you moving?”
“No,” Tina said. “For your new shop.”
It was Jaleesa’s turn to be stunned. She looked at the listings in her hands. She glanced through them and said, “You’re incredible. So generous. So caring. This,” she tapped the papers, “is intimacy.”
“Oh, good. You’re not mad. I didn’t want you to think I was meddling.”
“Never. You had good intentions.”
They looked over the listings together but decided that none were going to work. Some spaces were too small, and others were way overpriced because of their locations in the heart of Cincinnati.
“Maybe we should look farther outside the city,” Tina suggested.
We? Jaleesa loved that Tina was thinking of them as we.
“We can try, but honestly, I don’t think I’m going to be able to afford to do any of this. It was kind of a pipe dream.” Jaleesa heard the defeat in her own voice and handed the listings back to Tina.
“Sooo, even though I’m not really sure about this whole submissive and Dominant stuff …” Tina pressed her index finger down on the blanket covering Jaleesa’s thigh and twisted it back and forth. “Can a Dominant ever lean on her submissive?” The index finger traveled up and then poked Jaleesa gently on the chest. Was Tina accepting a D/s nature for their new relationship?
“I suppose so,” Jaleesa said evenly. She couldn’t help the grin creeping up her face. “I suppose it can be done.”
“Let me help you, Jaleesa,” Tina said seriously. “You’ve been caring for me since we met.”
At Jaleesa’s perplexed expression, Tina said, “Coffee urn? My breakdown both during and after my speech? And I know you’re all strong with those fabulous biceps and everything, but…”
Jaleesa searched Tina’s eyes for what exactly she didn’t know, but what she saw there was a genuine desire to support and help. Jaleesa nodded.
“Words, please,” Tina said, her eyes full of mirth.
“Really?” Hmm, did Tina have brat qualities to her? No problem. Jaleesa knew how to tame brats. “Okay, I’ll play. Yes, Miss Tina Jenkins, AKA ShortStuff, I will let you help me. We can work on this together.”
“There,” Tina said. “That wasn’t so hard, now was it, TallDrinkOfWater?” She reached up and caressed Jaleesa’s leather jacket where her biceps would be. “Oh, God, I can’t wait to see you in a tank top.”
Jaleesa burst out laughing and pulled Tina into a possessive hug. Oh, yes, Tina was a keeper.
~~~
Tuesday evening, Jaleesa sat at the kitchen table with Tina’s parents while Tina was upstairs getting ready for Jaleesa to take her out to dinner.
“We’ve seen a different Tina these past couple of weeks,” Tina’s father said quietly. “And we think it’s directly related to her meeting you, J-Dub.”
Jaleesa tried not to laugh at his use of the nickname. “She’s a lot of fun, and we’re getting to know each other.”
“She used to be so carefree,” Tina’s mother said. “Before all of…it. There used to be a hop in her step and joy in everything she did.”
“Joy. That’s a good word, Marion,” Tina’s father said, patting her hand.
“I’d almost forgotten how carefree she could be,” Tina’s mother said. “That joy faded when she was using and then disappeared altogether when she began recovery. But now I see inklings of it again. She’s taking the stairs two at a time.”
“I’ve even heard her humming,” Tina’s father added.
“And singing.” Tina’s mother looked directly at Jaleesa. “Now that she’s met you.”
Jaleesa’s heart swelled. “I…” She cleared her throat of the emotion building. “She’s special.” A semi-awkward silence threatened to overcome them, so Jaleesa pulled out the map she’d printed from her back pocket and pointed to the restaurant she was taking Tina to before the meeting. She also pointed out the salon where she worked. Both addresses were written in her neat handwriting on the side.
“Thank you for understanding our concerns,” Tina’s father said. “You’re very thoughtful, J-Dub.”
Jaleesa couldn’t hold it in anymore and laughed. “You are killing me with that nickname.”
“What? Tina can’t take all the teasing around here,” Tina’s father said. “I’ve got to spread it around.”
Tina’s mother was smiling, but it was clear that she was still on edge and probably would be until Tina got home later that evening. “I think it’s good for her to have a friend. Especially at her meetings. Harriet is spotty with her attendance, and Dana doesn’t go to the NA meetings all the time.”
“I’m happy to support her,” Jaleesa said. “She’s doing very well in her recovery.”
“One day at a time, right?” came Tina’s booming voice as she bounded down the stairs.
Everyone stood up.
Tina kissed each of her parents in turn and grabbed Jaleesa by the jacket. “I finally get to ride in the pickup.”
“Pickup?” Tina’s mother’s eyes grew wide.
Before Jaleesa could answer, Tina’s father said, “It’s a Ford F-150, right?”
Jaleesa nodded. He must have been watching when she parked on the street in front of their house. The street was clear and dry, with no ice this time.
“Four-wheel drive? Automatic? V6? EcoBoost?”
“And a towing package,” Jaleesa added with a laugh. “You know your trucks.”
“He wants one,” Tina said.
“Marion, that is a sturdy pickup. They’ll be okay.”
Tina’s mother seemed resigned to it all, simply nodded, and then hugged Tina.
It took another few minutes for the Jenkins family to say their goodbyes, and you would think Tina was going to Europe and not barely ten miles away from home.
~~~
The dinner out had been delightful, for lack of a better word. Tina had been talkative, and there were no awkward moments. Even when Tina started grilling Jaleesa about past girlfriends, Jaleesa took it in stride. She didn’t discuss her many and varied one-night stands, though. She had a feeling that part of her life was over, anyway, so why bring it up? Honesty in all things, yes, so maybe that part of her life would eventually come out.
Jaleesa showed Tina the salon, even though it was locked up tight. The big picture windows out front let in enough light for Tina to see Jaleesa’s station. Since time was ticking, they hustled back to the pickup and got to the Friendship Church in plenty of time to set up the coffee and beverage station for the NA meeting.
They sat in the back just in case Harriet came in, and she did, right at the last minute. “There you are,” Jaleesa said just before the meeting began. “I was wondering if I’d ever see you again.”
“Still kicking,” Harriet said. The way she said it put Jaleesa on alert. “I like it,” Harriet said, pointing to Tina and Jaleesa holding hands.
Tina leaned over Jaleesa and whispered, “And apparently, we have you to thank.”
“Doubt it.” Harriet coughed several times into the crook of her elbow.
“Are you okay?” Tina asked.
“Never better,” Harriet said and then cleared her throat. She stood up abruptly and went into the women’s restroom, where the sounds of a muffled coughing fit soon emanated.
“She doesn’t look good,” Tina said to Jaleesa.
“No, she doesn’t. And I don’t mean to be rude, but she doesn’t smell very good either.”
“Switch with me.”
They switched seats, and Tina laid into Harriet when she got back. “You’re living in your car again, aren’t you?”
Harriet didn’t answer. She just waved her off and shoved a glazed donut into her mouth.
“It’s winter, Harriet.”
“I’m okay,” Harriet said after swallowing her huge bite. “Doug lets me park behind the warehouse, and then in the morning, I’m all alone in the back workroom where no one can smell me.” She let out a big laugh as if her situation wasn’t as dire as it sounded.
“Harriet—”
“Tina, I’m okay. I’m giving my sister and her asshole husband a break from me, okay? I’m fine.”
Tina harrumphed and was about to say something else when Fran, the NA leader, cleared her throat to start the meeting.
Jaleesa pulled Tina close and said, “We’ll figure something out. Okay?”
Tina looked at Jaleesa and nodded. Jaleesa’s heart swelled at the trust she saw in Tina’s eyes. She put an arm around her and vowed to herself to take care of both Tina and Harriet. Harriet was the one who had inadvertently kept Jaleesa sober and who had put Tina in her life, after all.
Chapter 10
Tina
When the Tuesday evening N.A. meeting ended, Jaleesa stood up, effectively blocking Harriet’s path before she could bolt. Not that it looked like she was about to, but apparently, Jaleesa just wanted to make sure. Jaleesa said, “I want you to stay at my place tonight.”
“You’d do that?” Tina asked, placing a hand over her heart. Was Jaleesa really that generous, or was she trying to impress people? Either way, it was extremely generous.
“Of course, I mean it,” Jaleesa said. “Harriet and I go way back, don’t we?”
Harriet laughed a snorting kind of laugh which set off a coughing fit.
Tina still didn’t know how the two of them had met, but that didn’t matter at the moment. “Yes, that’s a great idea. We’ll take you to Jaleesa’s and get you settled in.” She turned to Jaleesa and asked, “Do you have cold medications there? Non-alcoholic and non-narcotic? She may be coming down with a cold.”
“I do, actually. And the non-alcohol aspect is always a part of being on the program,” Jaleesa said.
Tina’s hand grasped Jaleesa’s as she smiled sympathetically.
“I don’t know what you two are planning,” Harriet said, “but I’m not going home with anybody. I’m fine. The heater works in the car, and Doug opens the warehouse at six thirty.”
“Yeah, no,” Tina said firmly. “Not going to happen on my watch.”
Harriet frowned at Tina for a moment and asked, “Since when am I on your watch?”
“Since the day I met you, right here, in this back row a year ago,” Tina said. “But today, I have backup.” She jutted her thumb toward Jaleesa.
Jaleesa stood tall, crossed her arms, and said, “Yeah,” in a deep, comical voice.
Harriet smiled. “I’m not going to get out of this, am I?”
“Nope,” Tina said. “You’ll follow us to Jaleesa’s apartment.”
Harriet nodded and let out a resigned sigh.
Softly, Jaleesa said to Tina, “Call your parents and let them know what’s going on, okay?”
Tina nodded. That would be a tough conversation, but it had to be done. No way was Tina going to let Harriet spend one more night sleeping in her car in the middle of winter.
Jaleesa put a hand on Tina’s arm and said, “Harriet and I will break down the beverage and snack station once everyone’s had their fill. You can check our work after.”
“Thank you,” Tina said. The gratitude she felt couldn’t be expressed right then, but she’d be sure to show Jaleesa later.
“C’mon, you,” Jaleesa said to Harriet. “Let’s be of service tonight, shall we?”
Harriet nodded and followed Jaleesa like a lost puppy. It was kind of endearing.
The call to Tina’s parents was difficult. Tina’s mother wanted to drive to the church and take over the situation.
“Mom,” Tina said firmly. “I’m okay. I’ll call you once Harriet is safe in Jaleesa’s apartment.”
“I don’t like this,” Tina’s mother said.
“I know, Mom, but I want to do this for Harriet.”
“Is she high? Is she using?”
“I don’t get the feeling that she is, but Jaleesa and I will be sure to find out.”
There was silence on the phone, her mother obviously displeased with the night’s events. “Fine,” her mother finally said. “If you feel tempted by anything, Tina, call home. We’ll pick you up.”
Tina smiled. “I’ll be fine—”
“I want Jaleesa’s address and phone number.”
“Okay, I’ll get the address from her before we leave here.”
“Does she have medications? You need to ask. Does she have guns in her apartment?”
Guns, Mom? Really? And plural? More than one? Holy— No, Tina refused to think about the reasons her mother might think Jaleesa had guns. Another day. Maybe.
“I’ll ask,” Tina said, her voice sounded halting and stiff to her own ears.
“Okay. Good.”
“But Mom?”
“Yes, honey?”
“Don’t come by unannounced. You can come by if you want to, we’re not hiding anything, but let me know, so I’m not embarrassed. Okay?”
Tina heard her father talking in the background but couldn’t make out his words. Her mother finally said, “Call when you get to Jaleesa’s.”
“I will. Thank you for trusting me.”
“Be safe,” Tina’s father called from the background.
“I will,” Tina said. “I’ll call you once we get Harriet settled.”
They said their goodbyes, but before Tina ended her side of the call, she heard her mother say, “I don’t like this one bit.”
Tina ended the call and let out a frustrated sigh. She heard Jaleesa teasing Harriet good-naturedly about something, which furthered Tina’s resolve. Her friend needed her. She wouldn’t go off the deep end and relapse if she helped Harriet. But maybe that wasn’t what her mother was worried about. As she walked back over to her friends, she realized what it was. Her mother was anxious about her spending time with Jaleesa and about her going to Jaleesa’s apartment. That had to be it. Tina grunted. Well, too bad. Jaleesa had been a godsend—probably a literal godsend.
Tina looked toward Jaleesa, who must have sensed her gaze and looked up. The smile that lit Jaleesa’s face went straight to Tina’s heart. Tina smiled back and threw a thumbs up that all was well, even though it kind of wasn’t.
On the drive to Jaleesa’s apartment, which overlooked the gorgeous B.C. campus, it was Tina’s job to make sure Harriet’s car was always right behind them. It was. Tina never doubted it. Harriet looked so tired and defeated at the meeting that the offer to stay at Jaleesa’s must have been her own godsend. Funny how that was a common theme around Jaleesa. As they drove, Tina stole a moment to take in Jaleesa’s strong features. She was exceptionally good-looking, which made Tina wonder why at age thirty-eight, the woman hadn’t been snatched up and tied down already.
“What?” Jaleesa said from the driver’s seat, sensing Tina’s gaze.
“Just admiring the view,” Tina said.
“Flatterer,” Jaleesa quipped.
After parking, Tina and Jaleesa met Harriet at her car. It was a small, seen-better-days, four-door car that seemed jam-packed with everything Harriet owned.
“Got your wallet? Keys? Phone? Glasses?” Jaleesa asked.
Harriet nodded at each one, and Tina linked arms with her as they followed Jaleesa to the stairwell and up two flights to her third-floor apartment. They had to stop once while Harriet had a coughing fit, but they made it the rest of the way without much trouble.
Tina wanted to take in more of the environment around her, but she was rather tunnel-visioned helping Harriet. Once inside Jaleesa’s apartment, though, Tina allowed herself to take in the space. There were no clutter piles, only a neat and tidy functional space. A neat environment means a neat mind, doesn’t it? The curtains covering the windows were black, brown, and tan, and although masculine, they complemented the throw rugs and furniture nicely in the nice-sized living room. There were two open doors off the living room. One looked to be a bedroom, and the other a bathroom. The whole place seemed clean, inviting, and totally Jaleesa. There were a few pictures and pieces of art on the walls, but Tina didn’t have time to check them out.
Tina took the helm. “Do you have a pair of sweats and maybe a t-shirt she can change into?” This she said to Jaleesa, who nodded. “I know you’ll swim in them, Harriet, but they’ll be clean and warm.”
“Mm hmm,” was all Harriet said.
“Actually, I have some clothes that might fit her,” Jaleesa said, guiding Harriet to a kitchen chair. “Let me get you some water.”
“Thank you.” Harriet sat docilely, apparently resigned to her fate that evening.
While Harriet sat at the kitchen table and Jaleesa was off in search of fresh clothes, Tina opened one of the kitchen cupboards. She stopped herself abruptly. She should ask permission first. Consent is paramount, she heard in her mind. It was something Jaleesa had said a few times.
“Jaleesa, can I look around your cupboards for something to feed Harriet?”
“Of course,” came the immediate answer. “Pantry is to the left of the sink.”
Tina found the pantry and was ecstatic to find cans of soup and crackers. Harriet settled on chicken noodle, and Tina started the preparations.
“Perfect,” Jaleesa said as she came back into the kitchen and gestured to the soup on the stove. “I put some clothes, including warm socks, in the bathroom. I figured a nice hot shower would do you good. Oh, and I also pulled out a fresh toothbrush and toothpaste. You’ll see them.”
“You two…” Harriet said and blinked back a sheen of tears. “Thank you.” She was definitely choked up, which totally pinged Tina’s heart center.
“You’re worth taking care of, Harriet,” Tina said softly and then presented her with a bowl of soup and a pile of saltine crackers on a plate. “I saw cheese in the fridge. I can cut a slice or two for you if you want.”
“This is plenty,” Harriet said and moaned when she took her first spoonful of soup. “So good.”
“Good,” Tina said and moved on to the next item on her mental list. She turned to Jaleesa. “Where will she sleep?”
