Breathe, darling. This is just a chapter, not your whole story. – S. C. LowerieReese knocked on Helen’s door and it was opened almost immediately by JD. Reese nodded at the teen as he entered the apartment. Helen was pulled into his arms and the tears began again. “I’m here, baby.” Reese murmured as he kissed her hair. Helen wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. She had missed this, way more than she thought she had. His heart pumped under her ear bringing her comfort. “Jolene’s being taken to Mercy.” Reese kissed her temple. “Let’s go to her.”Helen nodded and let herself be guided out to his Impala. After putting her on the bench seat next to him, he drove them to the hospital. Seeing Bunny and Dean in their cars behind him was not a surprise. But as his sisters and nieces began to fill the waiting room, he could only assume his daughter and Dean had something to do with it.The emergency waiting room was packed with women when the ER doctor walked ou
It’s OK to speak up for yourself, be assertive and refuse disrespect. It doesn’t make you a bitch. It makes you someone who is setting healthy boundaries. – Karen SalmonsohnHelen was made to go sleep in the hotel room for a while. Reese was able to get her to stay in bed for about four hours of exhausted sleep. She was back at the hospital before five on Friday morning. The nurses made sure that both Jolene and Helen were comfortable. Willow showed up around seven with breakfast for everyone that was staying at the hotel and hospital. At nine, Colleen came and checked on Jolene before sending her down for surgery. Along with Helen and her family, Reese, Dean and Cheryl sat in the surgical waiting room. His sisters rotated through, making sure everyone had everything they needed. They had weathered many storms before and were prepared for anything. JD and Dean were watching a movie on a laptop in the corner. Cheryl was talking with Bunny about her pregnancy. Jaxon was half-heartedl
Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. – Theodore Newton VailJD needed to burn off some energy. It would be so easy to take Dean into an empty room and use her body. He could easily convince her to give up her virginity. That would make him no better than the man who put his sister in the hospital. It would make him no better than his father. He was better than both men.After changing into their school swim team uniforms, they went to the indoor pool at the hotel. Back and forth. Back and forth. JD swum lap after lap after lap. He pushed his body as far as it would go. With rubber arms and legs, he pushed himself out of the pool. A few long strides took him to the hot tub that Dean sat in. He sat next to her, and she snuggled into his side. He pulled her in close and took comfort from her. “Tell me about your parents.”“Well, my dad, Dennis Coppell, was a doctor with Doctors Without Borders. That’s where they met. It was mom’s
You can, you should and, if you’re brave enough to start, you will. – Stephen KingIt was because of the interest that the case was generating, mainly from Hank’s family, that Douggie scheduled a press conference for Monday. Reese hired a lawyer for Jolene and a second one for the family. They in turn immediately filed for a divorce and orders of protection. Douggie usually did not release pictures of crime scenes while the investigation was still going, but sometimes you had to fight with facts.And sometimes you had to keep your hand hidden. Like the fact that he had video footage of the locals not investigating and simply accepting the suspect’s word. But that could wait. After all, that would be a separate investigation.To set the public record straight, he commandeered the community room at city hall. There was a long table sitting up front with three chairs behind it. Three microphones sat on the black tablecloth. An emerald green banner hung across the front of the table wit
The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls… - Edgar Allen Poe“I guess that leaves just me.” Douggie said as he nodded to his assistant to prepare the video footage. “Pursuant to state law, after the body cam video was viewed by the county DA and state attorney, the victim’s representative and the suspect representative, it is being made available to the public. The victim is twenty-one-year-old Jolene Fargo, wife of the suspect, officer Henry ‘Hank' Fargo, aged twenty-eight. Deputies Hendricks, Pawlowski and Jenson responded to the scene. Hendricks and Jenson arrived first; Thomas, please start the video.”The two TVs on either side began to play the footage. The screen was split in half vertically showing both cameras. “You can hear the crash and Mr. Fargo declaring, and I quote, I own you, bitch. At this point, the officers are concerned with the victim’s well-being and make a forced entry. They identify themselves and the suspect turns on the deputies and lunge
It’s okay to cry when there’s too much on your mind – the clouds rain when things get heavy. – Amina MehmoodJolene opened her eyes and looked around the unfamiliar room. It was a very white and sterile room with something green and red that was very blurry. She looked at the bed that she was in and recognized her Jack Skellingto blanket from her teenage years. Her throat burned and breathing hurt. She tried to move and winced. Every inch of her body hurt. Slowly it all came back to her. Tears began to slide down her face. “Oh, sweetheart, you go ahead and cry.” A woman said as she gently wiped Jolene’s cheek. The woman pushed a button on the side of the bed and voice answered. “Hi, umm, she’s awake and I think she’s trying to talk.”“We’ll be right there.” The voice said. “You want me to call your momma?” the woman asked, and Jolene nodded. “I thought so.” She held her phone up to her ear. “Hey, daddy. No. No. King, shut up. Your princess is awake. OK. I’ll see you in a few.”The
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them. – Albert EinsteinMarti was not happy with the judge but understood why the decision was made. There was no record of previous violence. Hank was seen as an upstanding member of society. The chief, under intense pressure from the city council and mayor, suspended Hank pending investigation. The PR war that his family started fizzled out once the body cam was released. Henry Senior tried to file a defamation suit against Jolene. The judge asked if he was really that stupid before dismissing it without hearing any arguments. Marti walked down the hospital corridor to the room where Jolene was. She had gotten a message while she was in court that Jolene had woken up. This time she did not ask to be knocked back out. Between the pain her body must be experiencing and the heartache and betrayal, it was no wonder she kept going back to the blissful darkness. Knocking on the partially closed door, Marti waited for
Better to fight for something than to live for nothing. – General George S. PattonShelby rescheduled guards to cover Jolene Fargo. When she sent out the message that she needed volunteers for the job, she did not expect to get as many as she did. The message was sent out to the hundred guards that worked for Reese and another thirty or so that kept asking to work for him. They all responded with a yes.The updated schedule was sent out via email, and she quickly received confirmations. The first two guards were in place within an hour. Eight-hour shifts of two guards. This allowed them to step away for breaks without having to call for someone. Neo was clear about his rules. Especially when they were guarding an abused woman. Under no circumstances was a guard to be in the room with the victim without their duty partner. If one stepped away, the other stayed, within view, but in a separate room. All activity was logged. All visitors were checked. No exceptions. Shelby contacted the
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