A strong woman won’t go back to the person who broke her heart because she understands that she can’t get happiness from the same place she lost it. – Rayi NoormegaTuesday morning Bunny walked into Jolene’s hospital room with a small backpack in one hand and her work bag in the other. She wore a hunter green sweater dress and burgundy leggings. Her knee-high dark brown boots matched the decorative buttons on her dress almost perfectly. There was a slight baby bump that was showing.Jolene smiled at her from her hospital bed. Daphne had brought her several day dresses and sun dresses that made it easier for her. Today’s dress was long, black and had skeletons dancing around the bottom. It did not take her long to get rid of the pinks and pastels that Hank preferred. Now she wore the darker colors with a goth vibe that she liked.“You’re not in high school anymore.” Hank would tell her. “It’s time to dress like an adult.”When she had said something to Neo about it, he simply laughed.
If you want to be the best, you have to do the things that other people aren’t willing to do. – Michael PhelpsThe second Saturday in December, Edison High School hosted a swim and dive competition. Afterwards, Dean stood huddled against JD as he held a large towel wrapped around them both. Although the natatorium was warm and the pool heated, their wet skin was still cold. JD’s coach gave him a warning look and he simply grinned back at her.Where Helen and Reese sat, they both laughed.“I don’t think they ever went on their date.” Helen mused.“I think you’re right.” Reese agreed. “He didn’t want to leave Jolene.”“We should tell them to go over break.”“I’m pretty sure that they will.” He stood up and helped her to stand in the bleacher styles seating area. With a hand at her lower back, they walked down the stairs and then over to the small gate leading to the pool area.Helen walked down the short staircase and she gave them both a quick hug. “I’m proud of you both.” “Thanks, mo
Toxic families are allergic to the truth so much so that they would rather support an obvious lie or protect an overtly bad person over supporting the scapegoat. – Dr. Sherrie CampbellJolene was in the physical therapy room, her guards sat in the corner trying to blend into the background. Physical therapy was mild, small movements just to keep her muscles from atrophying. However, at the end of the session, she was always exhausted.Moving stiff muscles to recover from trauma was difficult. Being reminded of the trauma made it worse. Add in the fact that this happened at the hands of a man who she thought loved her, and it became even harder.And today was her first anniversary.This morning she made her first entry into her journal that Jolene had given her. It was a short entry with only a few sentences. A year ago today, I married my husband, my world, the man that I loved. He became my abuser, my hell and the man that I now hate.After that short entry, she stared at the page t
Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. – Emily BronteDean wore a dress.She did wear them from to time. But she always felt more comfortable in her jeans and tennis shoes. For special occasions she would wear a dress. Usually, a long sundress and flip flops. But not for tonight’s date. Tonight, she wore a dress.JD stood in the kitchen watching her walk down the hall towards him. His mouth was dry, his eyes wide and his dick was reminding him how long it had been since he’d been with a girl. Around the time that Ty got hurt in October. Shelly. The blonde had a thing for the swim team. She was the reason why Craig’s girlfriend did not trust him.And with good reason. Kimberly was a good girl, Shelly was not. And Craig had no self-control over his dick.Craig and his women trouble was the farthest thing from his mind. His mind was on the young woman walking towards him. She wore a dark pink dress that was skintight and showed off her curves. It was shorter than wha
There are places in the heart you don’t even know exist until you love a child. – Anne Lamott“Kitten, come sit down.” Reese told Helen as she stood at the window looking out across the driveway.Helen sighed and came back to the couch and sat down next to him. “I’m just worried.”“Talk to me, kitten.” Reese encouraged.“He’s my baby.” She whispered. “I don’t like him living away from me.”“Look at me kitten.” Reese said gently. It took a moment and then she looked up at him. “If you would have said something, we could have made different arrangements.”“But he goes to the Navy in July.” She sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. “Do we need to move to the big house?”Helen looked at him with confused shock. “Wh-what?”“It’s twenty feet. If we need to move twenty feet, we can.” He gently caressed her cheek.“You say it like that, it doesn’t seem that far.” She settled back into his side and wrapped her arm around him.“It’s not. You think I would let Dean stay over there by hersel
To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved. – George MacDonaldReese had worked late at Dean’s List last night and had gone back to bed after having breakfast with Helen. Yesterday had been the last day of classes at the local college and the bar in the old university library was packed. Now, at ten thirty in the morning, he was making himself a cup of coffee. As the single serve maker brewed him a cup, he scrolled through messages on his phone.The water slowed to a trickle before stopping completely. Pocketing his phone, he threw away the pod and grabbed his cup. Walking down the hall, he paused only briefly when he realized that his office door wasn’t completely closed like usual.He didn’t expect Helen or either of the kids to be participating in corporate espionage. In fact, the thought made him chuckle. Sipping his coffee, he sat behind the desk and discovered why Helen had been a little nervous this morning.In the center of his desk sat the leather-bound red folder
The biggest rewards in life are found outside your comfort zone. – Jack CanfieldHelen was a little nervous as Reese unlocked the playroom. The last time that she was in here, she had bolted. As if he could sense her nervousness, he kissed the top of her head.“We’re not going to play in the playroom tonight.” He whispered.“Then what…?” she asked as they entered the room and he shut the door behind them, securing the lock.Grinning at her, he leaned down and kissed her. “We’re going to take a shower.”“There’s a shower in our bathroom.” She pointed out as they walked to the bathroom.“Not like this one.” He said huskily as he flipped on the lights inside the bathroom and closed the door. Using the digital control panel, he set the lights down low and turned on some music playing lightly in the background.“Come here, Kitten.” Reese ordered softly.Nervously, she stepped up to him. “Yes, Sir?” she asked looking up at him.“First, when we play, you will never look at me in the eyes unl
Things come apart so easily when they have been held together with lies. – Dorothy AllisonHank had a cousin rent a room in the hotel across the street from the hospital. The same hotel that Jolene’s family had been staying at for nearly two weeks. He’d had to sneak in without being seen once he was released from jail.That bitch was going to pay.Her whole fucking family would pay.And that new boyfriend of Helen’s and his whole fucking family.Who the hell would want a fat pig like that?The more he watched the hospital, the angrier he got. Thinking of the fact that his dad had to go bail his mom out of jail pissed him off.Private securityHow the hell were they affording that?And now even Bob was being refused entrance to the hospital. The hospital administrator himself had kicked Bob out and warned him that if he came back on the property, it would be considered trespassing.Hank drank down the last of his whiskey and dropped the empty bottles with the others in the overflowing