Havoc

24 - You scared me!

Wynter

I rush into Second Chance House as if my ass were on fire. I rush past Carol and Jake, two of the others who work here, and straight to Zena’s room. God knows what Carol and Jake think of me, but I don’t stop to explain.

Zena’s door is open, and I rush through without knocking. “Are you okay? Did somebody hurt you?!” I didn’t mean to yell, and I certainly didn’t mean to scare little Claire. But I’m in a panic!

Zena’s eyes widen for a second. Then she shakes her hand and her head. “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry. Wynter, I didn’t mean to make you think I’d be harmed.”

I close my eyes and breathe deeply. My stomach finally unclenches, but I’m still shaking. I was so scared there for a moment.

“Zena,” I open my eyes. “I was terrified when you called. I couldn’t make out half of what you were saying.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” Zena wraps her arms around me, and I hug her back tightly. We haven’t known each other for long, but Zena has come to mean a lot to me, and I’d hate if anything happened to her.

“You sounded panicked on the phone,” I huff out around, trying to catch my breath. I only ran from the car, but I now realize how unfit I am.

How the hell am I meant to attend Nova’s self-defense classes if I can’t even run a short distance without gasping for air?

Zena pulls away from me and smiles. “I’m sorry. I was excited, but I can see why it would seem different to you.”

“Excited?”

I’m confused. Zena did not sound excited to me. An excited person blurts out what they want to tell you because they can’t stop themselves. They also laugh and squeal, and you can hear the happiness in their voices. I didn’t hear any such thing!

Claire suddenly jumps up and down in front of me. “We got a new house!”

My eyes shoot to Zena. “You did?”

“Yes!” She yells. She grabs her daughter and swings her around. Claire laughs happily and hugs her mother.

I think I’m in shock. I lined up an interview for Zena at the dental surgery in town. There’s more than one, but this one is huge, and the job comes with many perks. Not only does Dr. Clive Van Drew give his staff and their children and spouses free dental care, but he also makes sure his staff are covered when it comes to full medical insurance. That means if Zena were offered the job, she and Claire would be secure regarding medical care.

I came across the job vacancy by chance. I was in town with Cassie and mentioned needing to look for job vacancies for Zena. Cassie told me she had a friend who worked as a dental nurse at Dr Van Drew’s surgery. Cassie met the woman a few months ago when they literally bumped into each other at the supermarket.

Cassie asked me if Zena had any qualifications when it came to reception work. I explained that Zena was a qualified dental surgeon but hadn’t had any joy finding a job because she had nowhere to live. Not to mention everything else that had gone wrong in her life since her husband died.

Cassie dragged me into Dr Van Drew’s surgery, and we spoke to him personally. He told us he had a vacancy for a dental surgeon, and if Zena came in, he’d interview her for the job. I was both excited and nervous, but I sat and told him about Zena’s situation. Dr. Van Drew is a kind man who told me everyone deserves a chance and to bring Zena in to see him.

Dr Van Drew owns multiple dental surgeries nationwide, but he works here in Bardsville. Twenty-six in total! The man is incredibly wealthy and successful, and Zena would fit right with him and his staff.

I felt terrible that I couldn’t go with Zena today, but I couldn’t let Cassie down. I’ve done enough of that over the past months.

Oh, my God, did Zena get the job?

“Zena, back up,” She stops bouncing around with Claire and looks at me. “I’m a little confused. How do you have a new home? Did you get the job?”

“Oh, Wynter,” Zena kisses her daughter’s cheek and sets her on her feet. Claire runs off to play, and Zena offers me a seat on her bed. “First off, thank you for loaning me these clothes.”

I chuckle. “You’re welcome.”

Zena had been worried that she didn’t have the right clothes for an interview. I brought over a white blouse, a black pencil skirt with a matching blazer, and a pair of low black heels. I’m a size bigger than Zena in clothes, but we made it work.

She looks great in that outfit. The French braid in her hair and the light makeup on her face make her glow.

“I met with Dr Van Drew, and he was very kind. The interview went well, and I thought he’d say that he’d let me know in a few days. He didn’t. He told me then and there that I got the job!” She squeals, and I do the same while hugging her tightly.

I am so proud of Zena right now! She worked hard for this, and I couldn't be happier.

Zena pulls away from me. “I get all the medical benefits for both Claire and me. God, you have no idea how big of a weight has been lifted off my shoulders by that alone. That’s not the best part, though, Wynter,”

I can’t help smiling at how happy Zena is right now. “What’s the best part?”

“Dr Van Drew owns a three-story apartment block. He rents most of the units to his staff. He told me you’d explained my situation,” It wasn’t my story to tell, but I didn’t feel I had a choice. “Then he said that he had a two-bedroom apartment available that he’s willing to rent out to me,”

My eyes widen, and I think the smile on my face is stuck.

“Dr Van Drew said that the apartment is fully furnished. All I would need to do is get new mattresses for the beds, my own bedding, and a few personal bits and pieces.”

I take Zena’s hand in mine. “I am so proud of you, Zena.”

“I couldn’t have done this without you, Wynter.”

I smile because she has no idea how wrong she is. I’ll admit that having a friend routing for you always gives you more confidence. However, I know that Zena would have eventually pulled herself out of the hole she found herself in.

“When do you move in?”

Zena routes through her purse and pulls out a set of keys. She holds them up for me to see. “Right now. As soon as I signed the work contracts, I signed a housing agreement. I couldn’t say no because I won’t even have to worry about paying rent,”

I narrow my eyes. “You don’t have to pay rent?” That sounds a little too good to be true. Havoc always says that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Zena laughs. “The apartment comes with the job. As long as I work my hours, I get to keep my new home.”

“I can’t believe how lucky you are right now.”

“I know!” Zena squeals again and hugs me tightly. I can’t help laughing. Zena has every right to be happy right now. It’s about time something good came along for this woman.

“Now, all we need to do is get Claire into a good school.”

Zena nods in agreement. “I have three days before my job starts to find a school for Claire. I’m going to pack my things now. Once I’m packed, Nova will call someone to take Claire and me over to the apartment because the mattresses will be arriving within the hour.”

“I can take you,”

“No,” She shakes her head. “You’ve done so much for us already. I know you’d gladly take us over there, but you get back to your husband.”

I would have liked to take them over to their new home. However, if Zena would rather someone else do that, then I can’t argue with her.

“You will keep in touch, won’t you?” I feel like we’ve become close in the short time we’ve known each other. I’d hate for her to walk away today and never see her again.

“You bet I will. Friends for life, you and I,”

I laugh, and we hug again. This time, Claire rushes toward us and we all dance around, having fun and laughing.

In those moments with Zena and Claire, I forget everything. There is no horrible past flooding my mind, and there are no thoughts of men chasing me. The only thing on my mind is that my new friend has a bright future ahead of her, and nothing is going to spoil that.