Page 61 of In Her Own Way
“Oh, wow, Lisa. That’s where you live?”
“Mm hmm.”
“And I will be receiving your calming energy all the way here in Denton Heights, Ohio.”
There was a clunking sound and then a lot of rustling.
In the distance, she heard someone say, “Must be something in the water.”
“Lisa?” Jessica called to her friend.
“I’m here. I’m here. I just…My friends…” Jessica heard more rustling, and then Lisa said, “My friends are on the other line, hun. I have to go. Call me if you need me.”
“Thanks, Lisa. I appreciate the call.”
“Uh huh. Bye, hun.” She ended the call.
“She’s so thoughtful,” Jessica said to her living room. Lisa was one of those free spirits who free other spirits. Jessica was glad their friendship had just reached another level. And now that she knew Lisa and Rachel lived near Nashville, maybe she’d take that road trip next summer to visit them.
~~~
Saturday finally arrived, and Jessica was filled with excited energy. She sat at a long table in a private room at Rocco’s diner near the highway. Shanice sat on one side of her, and Madison on the other. Mistress Shasti sat directly across from her, and Mistress Rowena was to her left. The table was packed with so many other people, including Mistress Jaleesa and her five submissives. Apparently, they used to have someone named Bailey as a human pet, a dog if she remembered correctly, but he went to live with another family or something. It was so obvious that Tina was saddened by it, but Miss Jaleesa comforted her, and Tina murmured that she had accepted it.
Jessica had expected to be set up with someone at the brunch, but everyone seemed to be paired off already, except for Miss Jaleesa and her group, which needed another kind of quantifier, but Jessica couldn’t think of one to describe their poly arrangement. And the waitress didn’t seem to bat an eye when the group got raucous and talked about bondage andimpact. It was kind of thrilling to be considered part of their group.
“Jessica,” Mistress Shasti said, “where do you teach?”
Jessica hesitated. She’d kind of wanted to keep that part of her life under wraps.
Bernadette said, “I teach mathematics at Phillips University, Jessica, if that helps you relax about sharing. We honor each other’s privacy in this group.” She laughed and then added, “We speak freely, as you’ve no doubt heard, but we also deeply respect each other.”
The others in the group shared where they worked, and Jessica was floored by the variety of occupations. And she found out that Miss Jaleesa was the stylist who had done Tina’s awesome haircut. Maybe she’d make an appointment. Maybe she needed a change.
Jessica looked back at Miss Shasti and said, “Actually, I teach English at PUA. Phillips University Academy.”
“No way,” Madison blurted and then apologized. It seemed as if the young woman apologized often, but when no one seemed affected, she continued. “I’m a sophomore at PU.” She giggled. “We call Phillips University Pee-Yew.” She giggled again.
Jessica chuckled and said, “So I guess I teach at Pee-Yew Academy, right?”
The threelittlesat the table held their noses and started a chorus of “Pee-yew!”
“I’m in the Mathematics building,” Bernadette said. “So, we’re right across the parking lot from each other, then.”
“I guess so,” Jessica said.
“So, why are you single?” Mistress Rowena blurted, probably asking the question everyone was thinking.
“Honestly, it’s hard to find someone with my particular tastes,” Jessica said. “But you all know what that’s like, Iimagine.” Head nods and murmurs of agreement circled the table.
“Will you be attending the Winter Masquerade Ball?” Miss Rowena asked.
“I don’t know anything about that,” Jessica admitted, and then Miss Rowena explained that the masked balls were basically community events with dinner and demonstrations. The BDSM lifestylers in the area got together twice a year at different venues to let their hair down. “It sounds great,” Jessica said. “How do I get a ticket?”
“I’ll send you the link,” Mistress Rikki said from the other side of Bernadette. Apparently, Miss Rikki was the president or chair of the committee or something. Jessica wasn’t clear on that, having overheard Miss Rikki and Miss Rowena talking about the change in leadership in January.
“Thank you, Ma’am,” Jessica said to Miss Rikki.
“It’s a red, green, and gold theme, Miss Jessica,” Madison blurted. “Like the stoplight system but with gold instead of yellow.”
