A Second Chance

Chapter 11 * Jamie * a stressful situation***

Becca and Josh and all our combined kids were in my living room when I got out. I felt terrible for running out on Jordan, especially in that moment, but it just wasn’t the right time.

“Who wants breakfast?” I asked. Everyone started shouting their requests and I laughed. Someone put the TV on and I hurried into the kitchen and began putting food and pans on the counter.

I knew Jordan was there before I could see him because I heard a myriad of “ooos” and kissy noises from the peanut gallery in the living room. I laughed. Poor guy. I glanced at my kids, but they seemed alright. They liked Jordan and I did tell them we were going to start dating.

Jordan just smirked at them before sitting at a bar stool to watch me cook. The rest of the morning was a whirlwind as I cooked eggs, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage and toasted bagels for everyone and then we all devoured it. I caught Jordan looking at me several times but he never said anything. Becca, on the other hand, kept making innuendo jokes and faces at me. Anytime the kids understood her meaning she was met with a chorus of “ew, gross” which made everyone laugh.

After breakfast was over, and we cleaned up, Becca’s family decided to head home and Jordan said he had to prepare for an open house he was hosting tomorrow. Being exhausted myself, I walked him out.

“Thank you, for a perfect date.” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck as he leaned against his car.

He bent down and kissed me deeply, sighing after we parted. “Thank you for giving me a shot.”

“Hey, Jordan, we’ll talk later, ok? It’s just not a good time with the kids around.”

“Jamie, it’s fine. You don’t have to say anything. We had an amazing night. Nothing has changed.”

I nodded. “Ok. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He kissed me once more before getting in his car and leaving. I sighed. I was going to have to make this up to him.

He got to the open house before me the next morning. He was running it. I was just there for extra support since we expected a good amount of traffic. I walked in 5 minutes before the start time. Jordan was standing behind the kitchen island, arranging papers as I approached. He looked up, ready to start his welcome spiel but when he saw me instead, he visibly relaxed, a big smile spreading across his face.

“Hello, Beautiful.” He said to me, holding out a hand to take mine and pull me in for a quick kiss.

“Hello.” I replied, matching his smile. “You look dashing.”

He shrugged, a little bashful. I asked if he needed anything and went through a quick checklist of prep work. Everything was ready to go. I was proud of him.

People streamed in. It was quite hectic for a while. We were on opposite sides of the house a lot of the time. There was one group of 3 guys in their mid to late 20s that I showed the house to. We got to chatting about what they were looking for and homes I knew of that might work for them. They didn’t have representation yet. Those are the people you hope to meet at an open house. They hung around a long time. I had to keep leaving them to tend to new groups that showed up and just when I’d thought they were gone, they’d pop up again with more questions.

I really didn’t think anything of it. Some people really like open houses. And these guys were young. They were probably overwhelmed with the home buying process.

The open house was winding down. I was looking over Jordan’s sign in sheet and it was full. I was so excited for him. This house would definitely sell and he’d probably get a couple of buyers from it too. I started packing up his papers while he walked the last guest out. He was going to go collect the signs while he was out there. I figured I’d turn off all the lights and close up while I waited. I was upstairs in the Master Bedroom closet, turned the light off when I heard a man behind me.

“Oh, is the open house over?” He asked. I jumped, startled. He laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. We got caught up taking measurements up here and didn’t notice how late it had gotten.” Recognizing him as one of the 3 that I’d talked to earlier, I relaxed a little.

“Measurements, huh? Do you take measurements at every house you go to?” I asked, jokingly.

“Only the ones with hot realtors working them.” He replied, stepping closer to me. I laughed nervously and started making my way to the door. “Where are you going?” He continued. “Come on, we have the whole house to ourselves. Haven’t you always wanted to hook up in a vacant house?”

I reached the door and tried to open it but he was there next to me in a flash, holding it shut.

“Where are your friends?” I asked. He smiled, predatorily. He backed me against the wall and pressed himself against me.

“Waiting their turn.” He smirked at me while he slowly pulled my skirt up and grabbed my bare ass. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried pushing him away. He let me push him one step but then he shot back against me in a heartbeat, visibly annoyed.

“That’s how you like to play, huh? We can play rough. I should have known that docile, cheery act was bullshit.” He spat the words out at me while he pushed his c— against me and squeezed my breasts.

“Please don’t. Please.” I begged, trying to push him off. He held my arms at my sides and forcibly kissed me, shoving his cigarette tasting tongue into my mouth.

“Oh come on.” He leered. “You’ve been asking for it all day, with your high heels and your tight dress. You were trying to sell more than a house today, sweetheart, and I am here for it.”

He let go of my left wrist for a moment and I clawed his face and pushed him as hard as I could. I only got 2 steps away when he caught my arm and yanked me back so I slammed my head on the wall before he threw me down on the floor.

“Ooo a feisty little bitch.” He mocked me. “It’s a shame I’ve only got you for the night and I have to share. I would love to lock you up in my basement and break you.”

He shoved his fingers in my mouth and I chomped on them as hard as I could. He slapped me instantly. My whole head was throbbing at this point. He was just reaching for my panties when I heard a loud bang and then he disappeared from on top of me. This was the second time this week this had happened. That was the last thing I thought before I felt another sharp pain in my head and everything went black.

I woke up with Jordan cradling me on his lap. The next thing I was aware of was searing pain in my head.

“Owww,” I whined.

Jordan jumped. “Oh thank God, you’re ok! I’ve been terrified you wouldn’t wake up!”

“What happened?” I asked, not able to think clearly through the throbbing.

“What do you remember?” He replied, cautiously.

“Everything. I was on the floor, and he was on top of me when you rushed in and pulled him off me. But then my head hurt and I must have blacked out.”

“Ok yeah, I pulled him off you but he was kicking and he kicked you in the head. I threw him down the stairs and came back in here with you. I called 911 and luckily they showed up before he could get out of the house. His friends bailed though.” He paused, cleared his throat and continued, “So, how often does this happen?”

I shrugged. “Being a realtor, it is always a risk. I noticed it happening more when I lost weight and once Tony died, it’s gotten a lot worse. It’s like they can smell that I’m vulnerable.” I could see a stormy rage in Jordan’s eyes but he kept his face controlled.

“Has anyone ever…..succeeded? Before Aaron, I mean.”

I shook my head and he breathed a sigh of relief.

A paramedic found us then and looked me over before the police had us answer questions. Eventually we were able to lock up and go home.