Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. – Oprah Winfrey
Jolene pulled over and into a parking lot as her tire went thud thud thud. She would be late to class with professor Brown who hated people coming in late. With tears in her eyes she called her husband.
“Hey, baby.” Came the groggy response when he answered.
“I have a flat.” Jolene said with her voice cracking.
“It’s OK, baby. Tell me where you are.”
“The Diamond T gas station on eighth and Pine.” She said after looking around to see exactly where she was.
“OK, I’m on my way.” She could hear him moving around as he got up and dressed. “Don’t cry, baby. Don’t want to mess up that beautiful face.”
She smiled swiping away the tears that threatened to fall. He knew her so well. “I won’t. I love you.”
“You too, baby.”
She ended the call and flipped down the visor to use the vanity mirror. Groaning at what she saw, Jolene pulled out her little makeup bag and fixed her face. Her caramel colored eyes were a little lighter than her long wavy hair. At least her hair was still contained in its braid.
She patted some powder on her pale cheeks before dusting some blush on. There was a tap on her window and she rolled it down smiling up at the bald man looking at her. He wore faded jeans and department t-shirt.
“License and registration.”
“I don’t know where they are.”
“Then get out and give me a kiss.” He replied opening the door.
Laughing she got out and kissed her husband. “My hero in blue.”
“Always.” He handed her his keys. “Take my pickup so you’re not late.”
She gave him another quick kiss. “You’re the best.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He chuckled as she grabbed her backpack and purse before rushing over to the pickup.
She arrived at class only a minute late. Literally, a minute. Professor Brown had not even stood up to begin the lecture. Giving a mental sigh, she celebrated that she had made it.
“Mrs. Fargo.” The older professor said without looking up from the newspaper in front of him. “What brilliant excuse do you have for being late?”
“I got a flat on my way here.”
“And you changed it?” he asked looking up at her. The smug look on his face showed that he already knew the answer.
“No, sir. I called my husband and he gave me his pickup so that I was not late.” She replied squirming slightly in her chair in the lecture hall.
“Yet, you were still late.” The professor chastised.
The lecture began and his questions were aimed at Jolene. They were all prefaced with comments such as “She may not know how to change a tire, but perhaps Mrs. Fargo knows….”
She was glad when that class was over. Before her next class, she went to the library only to find that the book she had requested had been checked out by someone else. She put her name back on the list and was now number five.
The child psychology class ran late and she ended up being late to her third class, algebra. She hated algebra and professor Thompsons pop quizzes. The woman loved to give a pop quiz.
With her last class complete for the day, Jolene planned to go home and trade vehicles. She preferred her little compact car to Hank’s oversized dually. Why he needed a truck that big, she would never know.
Checking her messages she saw one from her boss. Meagan was sick and Jolene needed to come in as soon as possible. Quickly, she sent a message to Hank and headed for the little café.
Thursdays were usually easy so she expected her day to improve.
Her day did not get any better.
For six hours she smiled as customers told her everything that was wrong. A kid threw a chocolate milkshake on her and now she smelled of soured milk.
When Jolene walked into the apartment, she was trying to figure out what to fix for dinner. She hadn’t come home like she usually did so nothing had been gotten out of the freezer. On the small table was a large bouquet of flowers and a note.
Got your text of it being a crap day. Leave your clothes in the washer, I’ll get them. I’ve gone to pick up dinner. Check the bathroom.
She walked into the bathroom clutching the note to her chest. Candles surrounded the bathtub and the curtain had been tied up out of the way. Her little radio with a CD player that was usually in the kitchen was on the counter with a note saying ‘play me' taped to the top. A box of long matches sat next to it with ‘light me' scribbled on the label. Underneath the matches was a package of new bath bombs.
With tears flooding her eyes, Jolene turned on the water and let it start filling the tub as she went and stripped out of her gross uniform. The stacked washer and dryer that was in the apartment was just the right size for them. As long as you were OK with small loads all week long.
They had agreed to stick it out in the small apartment until she had a teaching job. The first thing she wanted when they moved was a full sized washer and dryer. The second was a dishwasher.
Returning to the bathroom she lit the candles and then dropped in a bath bomb. Pressing play on the radio, the small room was soon filled with Nat King Cole singing Unforgettable.
Jolene loved this song. Her mom used to sing it to her and her brothers when they were little. She got in the tub and relaxed until Hank came in and said that he had her favorite when she was done.
Sure enough, she found roast beef sandwiches drowning in Horsey Sauce.
"I love you." Jolene said sitting down next to him on the couch with her sandwich and fries.
He kissed the top of her head. “You too, babe.”
Be the woman who fixes another woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked. – Leslie LittlejohnReese wasn’t sure how much a mani/pedi cost these days. But he’d be damned if he was going to let his sixteen-year-old niece walk around with his credit card. Since her second hand car was back in the shop, he dropped her off and told her to call him when she was done. Growing up with sisters, Reese knew a few things about the process. He told her to wear shorts and flip flops if she was going to get her toes done. He also insisted that she wear a button up shirt. She was hoping that meant he was taking to get her hair done.Dean walked into the nail salon and told the man at the reception counter that she wanted a mani/pedi. He handed her a menu of choices. And suggested that she pick a color. The large selection of colors had her feeling a little overwhelmed. “Miss Helen!” the man said to the woman who walked in behind Dean. “You’re late!”“I know Freddie.” She said apologiz
Happy girls are the prettiest girls. – Audrey HepburnAfter Dean had cried her eyes out on his shoulder the night before, Reese decided that this boy needed a lesson. First being how to treat a lady.Secondly, you didn’t break his princess’ heart.So he called the experts. His daughter. And then his ex.He approached the door to the nail salon as the brunette from TRAAC or officially Thompson, Roberts and Associates Accounting Company, stepped out. She smiled politely and said thanks to the woman that held the door. The woman and her friend, both way too skinny for his tastes, giggled at each other. “I didn’t realize they had wide load chairs here.” The first woman said. “Probably has to get a pedicure because she can’t see her feet.” The second agreed.Reese was certain that Helen heard, but she gave them no attention. When he stepped in behind the women, they both tried to get his attention. “What color should I get?” one asked the other as they both looked at the nail polish col
There is no magic formula for great company culture. The key is to just to treat your staff how you would like to be treated. – Richard BransonJust before nine, Donna came into the lobby to relieve Helen. She locked her computer so that the blonde could not get into it and handed her a notepad that had the morning appointments listed on it. Katherine, the HR director, had let it slip that the reason Donna was no longer working the front desk was because of too many complaints.Men were tired of getting hit on.Women were tired of their men being hit on.And one woman threatened legal action if Donna showed up at their house again. Donna was currently one write up away from being fired. And the fact that her uncle owned the company was not going to save her. After giving Donna the notepad, Helen walked into the back area and down the hall with the company offices. The third door was open and Katherine sat behind her desk making faces at her phone. Helen knocked lightly and Katherin
When “I” is replaced with “we” even illness becomes wellness. – Malcolm XReese preferred the Golden Iron gym over the bigger gyms. There were usually fewer people. He liked the owner. Although he wasn’t gay, he enjoyed flirting with Preston. And the pools.He was doing laps, well, umm, without doing laps. The current in the ten foot square pool was turned up almost all the way. He had been going at it for about thirty minutes and was getting ready to get out. With a warning beep, the timer started to lower the strength of the current.Even over the mechanisms, water and his own ragged breathing, he heard the giggling. Giggling like that belonged to girls. The ones around Dean’s age, maybe a little older. The ones that meant trouble. He knew that he did not look his age. But he was old enough to be the father of the majority of the girls that had been hitting on him lately. Or, as his lovely nieces pointed out, their grandfather. The machine beeped letting Reese know that he only
Please don’t cry, dry your eyes, never let up. Forgive but don’t forget, girl keep your head up. – TupacBunny worked a few blocks over from the Cooper Stone building where Helen worked. Friday afternoon Jaxon called her and asked if she could take his mom home because he had to finish up on the rig he was working on. Happily, Bunny agreed. It was nearly seven thirty when Bunny walked into the house. She stalked over to where Jaxon sat on the couch with Ty and they could tell that she was pissed.“Call your brother and sister. I need to talk to the three of you. Now, damn it!”“Okay, is everything okay?” he asked scrolling through his phone to get to their numbers. “No, nothing is okay.” She stormed to the kitchen and yanked open the freezer. “Why the hell do we not have ice cream?”Twenty minutes later, JD showed up and shortly after that so did Jolene, with ice cream. “Do you remember a day last week when your mom was out later than usual and you all went stupid?” Bunny demanded
Be stronger than what breaks you. – Sara SinghalJolene received the call from Jaxon and quickly left her apartment. She thought nothing of it as she pulled out of the parking lot and waved at the cop car that passed. Inside the car, the officer called Hank. “Hey, it’s Geneva. I just passed your apartment and saw your wife leaving.”“Really?” Hank replied trying to think if she had said anything about going anywhere. “I’m sure it’s nothing but I’ll call her to make sure that everything is okay.”The officer didn’t think that he was doing anything wrong. If his wife was going out when he was working a late shift he would want to know. They saw the horrible side of people. Their wives were too soft and innocent to be exposed to something like what they experienced.Hank pulled up the first app on his phone and checked to see where she was. The air tag that he had hidden in her car showed that she was headed down Milford Road. Pulling up the other app, her phone showed the same. He clic
Keep taking time for yourself until you’re you again. – Lalah Delia“Miss Helen!” Freddie exclaimed when she and Bunny walked into the nail salon. “We were worried!”It had been two weeks since she had been in to get her nails done. Bian was excited to see show off her wedding pictures. And that she had worn the bracelets that Miss Helen had gifted her.“I’m sorry. I had car problems.” Helen apologized with a sincere smile. “Don’t worry, I’m here!” Bunny laughed as Helen entered her phone number on the keypad. “What’s that for?”“Rewards program.” Helen smiled. “Maybe I should sign up for that.” Bunny mused.“Oh, Miss Helen, I have gift for you.” Freddie said pulling an envelope out if a drawer. Helen removed the card and looked at the elegant writing inside it.*Helen, your kindness made my niece’s day so much better. Please accept this small gift as a thank you. Uncle Owen*“Oh, the girl that sat next to me last time.” Helen smiled. “Her date to the fall dance dumped her the day
I love how I look. I’m a full woman and I’m strong, and I’m powerful and I’m beautiful at the same time. – Serena WilliamsReese pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant that his sister, Gina, had set the blind date up at. It was an upscale steak house with valet parking and a cigar bar. And a cognac that he only carried at one of his bars.He knew this because, unbeknownst to his sister, and most other people, he owned it.Everyone knew about his clubs and bars. But under O.A R. Investments, he owned the Oar House, Pier and Beam and this place, Cognac. Under Reese Enterprises he owned his other properties and bars; Dean’s List which was in an old library, Constellation in the old planetarium and Open Air which was at the top of a high rise. He loved old buildings and repurposing them. The architecture and detailing could be replicated, but it wasn’t the same. Sure Dean’s List no longer held the smell of old books, but the old shelves were still there. And Constellation had a wo
There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. – George SandWhen Dean had shown them the walk-in closet of wedding dresses, Bunny had fallen in love with the dress that they dubbed the *Big Fat Greek Wedding* Dress. The skirt was so large that her arms couldn’t go down straight by her sides.Smirking, Deam had pointed out that her arms weren’t the only things that would not be straight at the wedding. When she had quit laughing, Bunny threatened to put the teen in pink. They both knew it was an empty threat.Two days before the wedding, Helen had shown up at the two-story house with a new set of petticoats. Even though they would not be seen during the ceremony, it still meant a lot to the three of them. Especially for Jaxon.Although they all knew that Helen accepted Jaxon and his partners, the gift of the rainbow-colored petticoats solidified it. It meant even more to learn that Daphne had helped Helen
I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow. – Bela LugosiJD walked up behind Dean and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck as she made herself a sandwich. “How are you going to eat that?”“One bite at a time.” She replied as she sliced the tomato.“Smart ass.” He chuckled.“You want one?”Kissing her cheek, he smiled at her before turning and looking at the sandwich. There needed to be a different word for this … monstrosity. Rye bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Three types of cheeses. Five types of deli sliced meat. Romaine and iceberg lettuce. Sliced tomato, pickles, cucumbers, bell peppers, banana peppers and black olives.“Yeah.” He answered with a soft chuckle.She gave a small laugh as she finished her sandwich and pushed the plate away before grabbing another paper plate leftover from the
As your kids grow they may forget what you said, but won’t forget how you made them feel. – Kevin HeathIt had been a long weekend, starting with Dean’s graduation on Friday night and ending with the babies’ first birthday party today. After the party had broken up, several people had stayed just to play in the pool. Ariel, true to her namesake, loved being in the water and was upset when they finally got out of the pool.She had started to cry, but Ty and Jaxon were there with cuddles. If there was any doubt about her being daddy’s girl, it would only be because the doubter had never seen her light up when either of them came into view.Her favorite place was between her two fathers. She definitely took after her mother in that regard. Most nights she would fall asleep on Bunny’s lap or shoulder, a hand or foot on each of the men.Currently, she lay on Bunny’s shoulder, her hand tightly gripping Jaxon&rs
Some students go an entire day at school without anyone saying their name. be the adult who speaks to each student by name. Everyone loves to hear their name. – Educator Justin TarteEvery night, Jolene sat between Neo’s legs and would read to him. Some nights the passages were nothing more than written porn. Other nights, they were sweet, or amusing. After the first few nights of carefully curated smut scenes, he chose a book, and they would read a few chapters each night.They were on book three of a series of five tonight and she was having a hard time concentrating. The light touch of his calloused hands under her shirt did not help her concentration. Nor did his mouth on her neck.Certainly, the bulge at her lower back was a bit distracting.“Something’s on your mind.” He whispered and then lightly bit her earlobe.“No…” she tried to brush off his observation and he simply chuckled
Because he wants to create a stable, lasting relationship with one person. Brad, believe me, there is nothing in this world so wonderful, so fulfilling, as coming home to the same woman every night. – Tony Randall as Jonathon Forbes in Pillow Talk 1959Cheryl snuggled against Waylon’s chest as they lay in the new bed at their new house. She wore a large National Fire Academy T-shirt that was stretched tight across her large belly. He wore a pair of boxers and kept squirming seeking a more comfortable position between the rough, stiff cotton sheets.The guys from the fire department had helped them move early Saturday morning. She and Waylon left the guys putting together furniture when they went to the unveiling of Dean’s mural.When they returned to the house with pizzas and beers, they found the six men sitting on the back patio with their feet up. On furniture that Cheryl adored but did not remember getting.“I
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. – Johann Wolfgang von GoetheReese had told Helen that there was a second restaurant at the Private Club that he wanted to eat at. She knew about the other restaurant. When they had all met for lunch last, Marnie had taken Helen over and showed her the other restaurant. The one with low cushioned tables and pillows on the floor.The lights were up during the day, but for meals, they would be lowered. Lights would shine out from inside the tables, illuminating the sub on display. There were cushions that could be moved to accommodate the person on the table. One under the knees, a small one under the lower back and one to support the neck and head.Marnie had told the older woman that she loved the other restaurant. The meals were finger foods that were served on the sub. Helen had looked at the Brat who smiled at her.“On the sub.” Marnie said again. “Steve
Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet. – Alain de BottonReese sat on the outdoor couch on the lower deck watching the girls in the pool with the babies. Cheryl, Bunny, Dean and Allison, the only female Seabee that came with JD, each had a baby in their arms as they bounced and spun. Watching her children and grandchild smile and laugh, Helen snuggled into his side, and he pulled her into his lap.She had lost most of her baby weight, and currently had made her way back into size eighteen dresses, which she was quite proud of. Today she wore the dress that Reese had bought her specifically for the birthday party. A pink satin shift with a cream-colored mesh overdress with pink and blue flowers embroidered on it.Earlier in the day she had also been in the pool in a pink swimsuit with a sheer fish scale skirt that Reese had a hard time looking away from. He had p
Art and love are the same thing: It’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you. – Chuck KlostermanThere was a rather large gathering in the closed parking lot across the street from the mural. About half of them were part of the Princess Club and extended family. The large white canvas tarp that covered the wall billowed in the midmorning breeze. JD wrapped his arm around Dean’s waist and pulled her to his side.She wore a knee length black skirt and matching jacket with a white lace shirt underneath. Her hair was pulled up in a tight twist in an effort to keep it contained in the wind. She wore sapphire and silver teardrop earrings that matched her shoes.The leg of JD’s course BDU uniform brushed up against her bare leg as she moved in closer to him. Curling into his chest, she smiled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Nervous?” he asked quietly.She nodded. “Yes. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done for so many people to see. What if no one likes it?”
I’m the big sister. I want to make sure she has everything, even if I don’t have anything. It’s hard. I love her too much. That’s what counts. – Venus WilliamsLast night, Dean graduated from high school with a large cheering section made up of her family, friends and a small contingent of Seabees. And a cardboard cutout of her mom. This afternoon, they were having her graduation party. It was shaping up to be one hell of a party. JD was home until Wednesday but would be back a week and half later for his brother’s commitment ceremony to Bunny and Ty. The other Seabees would leave tomorrow, only a few planned to stay for the birthday party for the four babies. Although they had all been invited.All the princess club and their families would be there.They had all been upset when they learned that she had got married without them. But then the newlywed couple promised to have a real wedding on their one-year anniversary.Deon and Craig were both home for summer and t