Page 78 of In Her Own Way
“So do you,” she said with a laugh. And then she launched into the tale of the dumbass cousins and their botched fencing ring. She also mentioned her uncle’s probable involvement.
Her father closed his eyes and sighed the most exasperated sigh she’d ever heard. “Your Uncle Jimmy told me only his boys were involved.”
“He told you about it?”
“He did. He didn’t tell me that dumbass Donny tased you, either, so thank you for that information. Are you okay?”
She shrugged. “Yeah, no worries. He was a bad shot.”
He smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “They tried to use you, baby girl. But you didn’t let them. That’s the girl I raised.”
“I knew something was wrong. Something at Erin’s storage place just felt wrong.”
“I get that. And, I have to remind you that Jimmy takes care of me in here. He puts money in my account, takes my calls, and even visits on occasion.”
“He feels guilty about getting you involved in his shit in Chicago and landing in here.”
“Yes. So, I have to find the exact right way to fuss at him about this situation and somehow get him to take care of you. Believe me, though, I would kick his ass if I could.”
“I know, Dad. I get it. You’re in survival mode in here. And Uncle Jimmyshouldtake care of you for making you the patsy back then.”
“He does.”
“His boys learned that underhanded business from him, Dad. But they didn’t learn very well, I think. And Erin,” Victoria shook her head. “She’s devastated that they used her like that. She’s selling her business. She’s moving. Aunt Jenny has forbidden her to move away from the family, because you know—”
“Family first,” her father finished.
“Exactly,” Victoria said. “Erin said a few choice words about that in her apartment. Not right to her mother, but Erin is pissed. And I don’t blame her.”
“And you?”
“Yes, I’m positively furious for her. And for me. This family…” She trailed off because she didn’t want to disparage her father’s brother or even him.
“I know,” her father said. “They’ve done you wrong, baby girl.”
Victoria changed the subject. She asked about his daily routine in the facility, and he asked her if she was seeing anyone special. She said she was, but told him it wasn’t official yet. All too soon, their time was up. “Dad, I’m going to come back to visit you here more often.”
“I’d like that,” he said as they took their second sanctioned hug. Neither were huggers, but Victoria vowed that would change. And not only with her Dad. She needed to open up more and allow herself to be vulnerable. Those were Dr. Sumner’s words, not hers, but she would try to figure out how to do just that.
She stayed in her seat as her father was led out of the room. Tears filled her eyes, and she swiped them away as she left the room and the building. She had always been so stoic, rarely showing emotion or feelings. But that had begun to change, hadn’t it? JB was a good listener. Victoria had shared more than she ever had before. With help from Dr. Sumner and JB, maybe Victoria could actually do the touchy-feely thing.
~~~
Two weeks after she visited her father, Victoria was in her truck heading southeast on the highway toward Denton Heights. Tillman was in the passenger seat. JB’s literary magazine had been launched the day before to great success and praisefrom her supervisors. And that made Victoria proud, too. The masquerade ball was in three days, and Victoria hoped she’d be welcomed there. This trip would determine whether she could resume her life in Denton Heights or would have to look elsewhere. Maybe she’d end up where JB was.
Chapter 20
Jessica
Jessica knew she wouldn’t be able to use her phone once she went into the old renovated firehouse for the masquerade ball, so she would simply leave it in her car. Miss Marta told her that ‘no phones’ was protocol at lifestyle events like these, and apparently, she’d be sitting at a table with Miss Marta, Shanice, and a few others. She wasn’t sure who. She hoped none of thoseother peopleincluded the person the aunties wanted to hook her up with. She didn’t want to explore someone new. Not yet. Not while she was getting to know Victoria. The same Victoria she was currently talking to on the phone. The same Victoria who had, again, just said she’d drive all the way to Ohio to see her. Although Jessica hadn’t revealed the part about Ohio yet.
“It’s funny how we both have holiday parties to go to tonight,” Victoria said to Jessica.
“‘Tis the season, I guess,” Jessica said. “How’s the reunion going? You said you were going to call B yesterday. I mean, if you don’t want to talk about this right now, that’s fine. I know you have your community party to go to, too.”
“I spoke to B on the phone last night,” Victoria said. “I haven’t seen her in person yet, though. That’s tonight. HerDomme was right there listening, but didn’t comment much, except for initial pleasantries, of course.”
“Pleasantries?” Jessica said. “Does that mean it went well?”
