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
You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. – C. S. LewisGina sat behind her desk in the office behind the bullpen of her deputies. She was nursing her third, possibly her fourth, cup of coffee. She always left a little coffee at the bottom of her cup, that way, technically, it was still her first cup. It would get topped off, but never refilled. Her logic had gotten her through more extended shifts than she could count and did not make her feel guilty when she told her doctor she only had one cup of coffee a day.The large window looking out into the bullpen had holiday cards from local businesses, schools and families surrounding it. A long folding table was set in front and covered with sweets and treats from the community. Gina did not have any delusions of being a better sheriff than her predecessor. But she did have a better relationship with the county.When the elementary schools had invited her deputies to their holiday
I’m a fighter. I believe in the eye-for-an-eye business. I’m no cheek turner. You kill my dog; you better hide your cat. – Mohamad AliReese received a message from Steve requesting a meeting. In private. Grinning, Reese sent back a message stating that he was about to leave the gym and would be home in twenty minutes. At twenty-one minutes, as he pulled into the driveway, he received a new message from the private investigator.You’re lateHe parked next to the nondescript sedan and got out of the Impala. “You’re impatient.”“And?” The younger man asked stepping out of his own car.Reese laughed as he walked over and unlocked the door to his house. Steve followed him and went straight to the office. Automatically, he searched for bugs before turning on the white noise machine that Reese kept on the shelf behind his desk. Reese entered and handed a bottle of water over to Steve before sitting behind his desk.“Fargo has a girlfriend.”Reese took a deep breath before responding. “Why d
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