Jack went back to Bridges to tell Jessie the news. He knew she
wouldn't
be too happy about it but she'd do it just because he asked her to. He
also
knew Cal would take care of her. It would be rough starting out, but
Jack
knew in his heart it would be the best thing for both of them. Now he
had to
deal with Jessie. He had a feeling the next few days would be long
ones.
Jack enlisted a few of the lady volunteers to help. They found
Jessie
some nicer clothes and set about to make her look like she hadn't just
walk
in off the street. Jessie hair was clean, she had taken advantage of
Bridges
to take a shower everyday, but it was still matted and ragged. She let
the
ladies trim it even and brush it until it flowed down her back. The
next time
he saw her, she almost looked like her old self. Her hair was a rich
auburn
that hung past her waist like spun silk. Her eyes, not longer cloudy
and
dull, were made up with a touch of eye shadow to set off the long
eyelashes
that framed them. The ladies had also brought her a few simple skirts
and
dresses to replace the worn out jeans she had lived in for so long.
Jack had also talked her into staying at Bridges. They had a room
in the
back with a half bed and with a lot of persuasion; Jessie agreed to
stay each
night. Jack had no idea where she had been sleeping but he knew where
ever it
was, it wasn't safe. He told her Cal would look for her first thing
Monday
morning. He brought her a bus schedule and a pass to last for a month.
He
also gave her a key to Bridges. When Monday morning came, he came in
early to
see her off. She wasn't there. At first he thought she had run away,
but then
he saw the bus pass was missing and only one set of clothes. He got to
the
bus stop just in time to see her timidly step up and into the bus. The
he
laughed until tears rolled down his face. He never dreamed that first
thing
Monday morning to Jessie would be 5:00am. Oh well, at least Cal
couldn't say
she was late for her first day.
Cal for some reason woke up early. He decided to go to the shop and
get
started on some work before the boys woke up. He had just started out
the
door when he noticed the still figure huddled in the doorway. Jessie.
She was
here and the sun wasn't even up yet.
He took a minute to look at the woman he hadn't seen in years. She
was as
slender as a reed with long hair that hid her face like a curtain.
Although
it was springtime, she had both arms wrapped around her as if this
would hide
her from the world. When he eased closer she raised her head and looked
at
him like a child caught doing some awful wrong. This was not the Jessie
he
remembered. This was a woman who had been to hell and who didn't really
understand that it was over now.
Cal thought back to high school. There was only one time he had
ever
really talked to Jessie. He was a senior and full of himself. At times
he was
almost a bully. She had run into him sending an arm full of books
flying
through the air. As usual he made no attempt to be polite about it and
proceeded to tell her what he thought of junior girls who couldn't
watch
where they were going. Jessie had as bad a temper as he did and the
eyes that
flashed up at him were emerald green and cold as ice. For some reason,
and to
this day he didn't know why, he reached out and patted her on the head
like a
puppy. Infuriated Jessie stood on a chair, looked him straight in the
eye,
gave him a chewing out then very calmly with her back straight as a
rod, she
walked off. In the end he felt like he had run into her instead of the
other
way around. Jessie was a spitfire who was afraid of no one. That was
why it
made even less sense to see her like this now.
Jessie heard the snap of a twig and looked up just in time to see
the
biggest man she had ever seen in her life, and to recognize him. Jack
had
told her she would be helping a friend named Cal but she never dreamed
it
would be the same Cal she knew from high school. He was a biker who was
wild
even when they were kids. Now, a grown man, he looked even more
dangerous.
Jessie had to fight the urge to run. What if he was dangerous? What if
she
did something wrong, would he hurt her like Roy did? God, he could snap
her
neck with one hand. Without even knowing it, Jessie's back pressed even
harder against the door. Her eyes wild and full of terror, she glanced
around
looking for a chance to escape. A faint whimper pass through her lips
and the
big man watching her had to fight the urge to go to her. Cal knew then
that
he would do whatever it took to help her. He wanted to see the Jessie
he knew
in high school. He wanted to see the fire in her eyes. Jessie wanted to
run,
fast!
"You must be Jessie." Cal said. She didn't appear to remember him.
She
finally nodded her head and looked up at his face. "I guess I should
have
been more specific about what time I wanted you to start work." Cal
said," We
usually don't start work until about 8:30 or so. Why don't you come
inside
and I'll make us coffee. Have you had breakfast yet?" Jessie nodded her
head
then looked down at the ground. Cal eased forward until he could reach
for
the door, making sure he didn't move too fast or get to close. She
looked
like a high-strung filly about ready to bolt. When he unlocked the door
and
eased inside, he didn't look back. By the time he had the coffee
started
Jessie had followed him through the door and stood silently inside.
Cal walked around the shop slowly letting her follow at her own
pace. He
showed her the bikes and explained what he did with them. By the time
the
coffee was done he had managed to get within 3 feet of her and her saw
a
glimmer of interest in her eyes. Timidly she reached out and stroked
the bike
closest to her. "That one's mine" Cal said. "If you ever want to ride
just
let me know. I'd be happy to take you for a spin" At the thought of
being
that close to him and having to hold on Jessie pulled her hand away
like she
had touched fire. Cal knew this was going to take a long time.
By the time the crew started wandering in Cal had settled her down
somewhat in the office. He had talked to the men very sternly and they
had
all agreed not to run this one off. As they wandered in they introduced
themselves. Jessie wove magic around each one of them. Cal had to shake
his
head. He had never seen them act like this. He would have sworn that
some of
these guys had never been polite to anyone in their life but here they
were
on their best behavior. Cal left to check on the boys and before long
he
forgot about Jessie being there.
Cal was just finishing up when he remembered Jessie was in the
office. He
searched his memory and knew he hadn't seen her leave. It was almost
10:00 pm
so surely she left hours ago. She must have forgotten to turn the light
off.
He walked to the door and stopped dead in his tracks. There was Jessie
sitting on floor in front of the filing cabinets. The desk was cleaned
and
from the looks of things she was putting away the last of the filing.
So
intent of her work, she didn't hear him walk in. On the other side were
both
of the boys. Each one curled up next to her asleep. He never worried
when the
boys disappeared because it was a habit for them to curl up on the
couch in
office and watch TV. He had forgotten to tell Jessie about that and
they fact
that he had two boys who were usually somewhere around the shop with
him. Now
he smiled at the picture they made. He started to think that this just
might
work out better than he thought. Then Jessie looked up and for the
first time
that day, looked straight into his eyes. Cal understood now why the men
acted
like they were under a spell. He couldn't have moved if his life
depended on
it. And somehow he forgot to breathe. Yes, this was defiantly going to
work
out better than he thought.