Thristy

Chapter Six

The weekend ended when I woke up in my bed alone Monday morning. I slid my hand on the other side of the bed as if I were looking for Jack. He was growing on me really quick. I popped up in bed remembering where I was and that I had to get ready for work. I started the shower when my phone went off. There was a text from Jack, “Good Morning, Baby Girl. Miss me.” I smiled as my heart flipped, “Yes. I forgot I was home. My hand felt the other side of the bed for you and you weren't there.”

He replied, “You are too much, I missed waking up next to you, too. Out of curiosity which shelter are you taking Melissa.” I tilted my head, “One that is downtown. I talked to her last night before bed. She is going to meet me at my office. Which means I have to get into the shower.” I smiled at his last text, “I am glad she likes you. Text me when you get out. Hugs and kisses.” I smiled as I texted back, “Me too. I like her also. I will talk to you later. Hugs and kisses.” He made butterflies in my stomach when he texted, “Those kisses. I wish I were there to feel them. At least I have something to look forward to, too.” I texted him again with hugs and kisses as he replied, “Tease.” I laughed as I placed my phone down and went into the shower.

About twenty minutes later. I am looking in the mirror giving myself a talk. I gave the boss talk. Every morning since I can remember I have been giving myself these talks. It helps push away any of the negatives and push me forward. They have helped me become the woman that I am today and become as successful as I am. I stared at the mirror, “Monica, you got this. Take Melissa to the shelter to help her and those girls. They need you. Save them from what you couldn’t save yourself from.”

I pulled into the parking lot when I saw Melissa standing by her car, “Melissa, you are early. I just need to run into the office. I need to grab some stuff. You are welcome to come in and get a tour.” She smiled, “That would be amazing. Thanks Monica.” I gave her a quick tour of the office and warehouse. She was impressed by what I was able to build. She helped me gather some gift baskets to give to the women in the shelter, “I remember getting one of those when I arrived at the shelter.” I smiled at her, “We donate gift baskets around the state to the shelters each week. I feel like it helps the women to understand that they have people there for them even if they don’t know it.” She smiled as she walked with me, “You are truly something special. I feel like you understand what I and these other women have been through. Like you have been through it.”

On the way to the shelter I kept my eyes on the road not trying to tear up when Melissa looked at me, “Oh you have, it is ok. Say no more.” I cleared my throat, “So Jack is trying to plan something for my birthday this weekend.” She smiled, “I heard.” I looked over, “Oh.” She shook her head, “I have been sworn not to give a single detail.” I laughed, “Of course you are. I would never ask you to betray your brother.” She laughed as I asked, “Question? What did you mean by Jack having a tough year?” 

She stared out the window avoiding my eyes when I pulled into the shelter, “That is something you are going to have to talk to him about. I don’t know all the details just that he was happy before he left then miserable when he returned. He hasn't smiled this much as he has in the past couple days.” I looked at her as I parked, “You think because of me? What do you mean before he left then came back?” She smiled as she shook her head, “You are the only thing that has changed in his life since he became miserable. Yes, I think it is you. And like I said before you will need to talk to him about that time of his life.”

I forced a smile as Melissa helped me with the baskets when we went into the shelter. We sat in a big room with about twelve women sharing some of their pain. I had to wipe tears to look like I was holding it together. I have done it every time I listen to these women and their pain. I tried to push my emotions down so that way I stay professional, “Ladies, I want you all to understand that my business is not just a business to me. No matter how much money I bring in, I have made it my mission to help those in need. If it is my last dollar or all the money in the world, I will always be here to help those that have gone through what you all have endured.” I looked at Melissa as she gave me a smile, “I would like to introduce a good friend of mine, Melissa.” She stood up, “Hi, Ladies, I personally know what you all have been through.” She stopped as she cleared her throat then I saw something from the corner of my eye in the door. I went closer to see what it was then I saw him. I saw Jack.

Before I could turn around to stop Melissa from going into details, she let it all out, “When I found out that I was pregnant. My husband of five years turned on me. He would hit me and became more verbally abusive.” I am trying to give her hand signs to stop but she kept going, “I decided to leave when I almost lost Michael. My baby boy. I came into the shelter.” I looked behind me as Jack listened as his face went cold as she kept digging, “Right after Thanksgiving and I saw the Wish List Essay. I submitted it and Winter’s Beauties stepped up, but they changed me for the better. I have a new career. I have my baby boy and I have found myself because of Monica. I... I...” She looked up at me trying to stop her when she looked at the door to see that Jack was standing there with tears coming down as she finished, “Thank you. I... I... have to go.”

She ran past me as Jack stopped her. He gave her a squeeze on her arm then looked down as he let her go to run out of the room. I walked over to the group, “Ladies. Thank you for your time. My card is the baskets. Please if you need anything. My phone is always on. We are here for you. But if you can please excuse me. I need to check in on my friend.”  The group of ladies nodded as I walked up to Jack. I could see the pain and anger in his eyes. I tried to reach out but held back in fear of his reaction, “Jack, what are you doing here?” He turned without saying a word and walked out of the building.

I walked quickly to catch up to him as we got outside, “You knew this whole time.” He stopped storming away but didn’t turn around. I took a step towards him, “I knew her story. I didn’t realize that it was your sister until she told me when I met her for the first time at her house with you. She thanked me for what I did. That is when I realized it was her. She asked me not to tell you.” He squeezed his back when he heard that his own sister didn’t want him to know, “I will kill him.” I sighed as I took another step forward, “Jack that is the reason why she didn’t want to tell you. She didn’t want you to ruin your life for someone that isn’t worth your thoughts. She is safe now. She needs her brother to understand.”

I took a sigh,” And caring. Not how you are right now.” He took a deep breath in and released as his muscles loosen as he looked back at me, “You should have told me.”  I shook my head. “I would be breaking her trust. How could I ask those women to share their stories with me so I can help them if I break one of their trust. That includes your sister.”

Melissa walked in front of him with tears and fear in her eyes, “Jack, don’t be mad at Monica. She was trying to help me. To be honest she is the one that told me I should place my trust in you and tell you. You were in a bad place at the time that this all happened. I didn’t want to add my problems to you. I just felt it was best to leave in the past and move one.” Jack took his sister’s hands and pulled her into him, “I am not mad, just upset. I usually volunteer at this specific shelter once a week. That is why I was here.” He shook his head, “I saw the two of you and thought I came wave hi then I heard.” He squeezed Melissa’s hand, “What the asshole did to you. I am sorry. I should have realized that something was going on when you refused to see me when I returned from Iraq.”

I walked beside him as I placed my hand on his shoulder. I went to walk away when he grabbed my arm and pulled me into his other side as he was still hugging Melissa, “I am sorry.” He leaned to my head as he kissed my temple then planted one on his sister’s forehead. He looked at his sister, “I will meet you at your house so we can have full conversation about this. I have to know everything. No more secrets.”

He smiled at me as he placed his hand to allow it to gently slide as he walked away as his sister yelled out, “That goes for you too J.J. It is about time for you to face that darkness and tell me what happened before the Marines gave you an Honorable discharge.” He stopped and bowed his head before waving his hand then getting into his car to drive off. I stood there wondering what he was hiding. It would have to do with his time over in Iraq. Something happened over there.

I gave a smile to Melissa as we walked to my car. We got in as Melissa said, “Well, the cat is out of the bag.” I nodded, “I would say so. I am sorry about that.” She shook her head, “No need to be sorry. You did nothing wrong. It was too late when I realized that you were trying to get my attention.” She sat back, “Honestly, this is a good thing. I can finally be honest to myself and my family. Get real closure.” She exhaled as I thought to myself. I looked up, “You are right.” She smiled as I kept my eyes on the road, “Yes, Monica when you are ready to be honest with yourself and get closure, please call me. I will be there no judgement, just open arms.”

My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel. I felt that she had pleaded her heart to me, the least I could do is trust her little, “I was abused throughout my childhood.” She straightened up in her seat, “I am sorry.” I shook my head, “My father died after I was born. My mom turned to drugs shortly after.” I took a deep breath in, “She started to take it out on me that he was gone. She blamed me because he went and got my medication for an infection that I developed.”

She looked over at me, “It is not your fault.” I nodded my head, “I met a boy in high school that I thought he loved me. Short story he left physical scars on me. I ran because I was tired of him, the abuse and that life.” I looked over to Melissa as she teared up as I shook my head, “Please let me tell Jack. I am not ready to see that pain and anger in his eyes just yet. I saw it when he found out what happened to you. I just can’t. I will tell him, just not now.” She reached over to my arm and placed her hand on my arm, “Wouldn’t dream of doing that. You kept mine demons and in return I can keep yours. You will get there. You both have some heavy s**t to work through.” She smiled at me, “Please try to do it together. You two are good for each other. He loves you. I can tell the way he looks at you.”

I looked at her as I thanked her as she took a deep breath, “Has he seen the scars? I closed my eyes as I placed the car in park at the office, “Yes but he said he will not ask. That he will be there when I am ready.” She giggled, “Sounds like him. He did the same thing when I was ready to let him back into my life.”

I walked her to her car as she gave me a hug, “Thank you for today. You are truly the best person that I have meant.” She chuckled, “Most people allow money to change them but you. It may have changed your lifestyle, but it never changed your heart. I smiled at her, “Thank you, Melissa. You have a good heart too.”

I waved to her as she drove off then walked into my office. I noticed a man standing there with a dozen roses, “May I help you.” He looked over to me, “Yes, I have a delivery for Ms. Winters.” I smiled, “That is me.” I signed for the flowers then walked into my head as I thought they were from Jack.

I sat at my desk as I took a smell of the sweet aroma then opened the card. I threw the flowers in the trash as I read the note that came with them:

“Rose May,

It has been a long time. It's been a really long time. I have missed you. I was coming to Boston for a friend’s wedding and thought of looking you up. I couldn’t find you at all. I remember that you were set on coming to Boston then all of sudden you wanted to look into California for opportunities.”

I shook my head as I thought to myself, “No... No... He was looking for me in California.” I kept on reading as my hand started to tremble:

“I couldn’t find you out there. When I heard that the wedding was going to be in Boston. I knew it had to be faith that I would find my Rose Bug. I was about to lose hope until a friend of mine said that they spotted you at Thirsty flirting with the bartender.”

My heart dropped, “Crap.” as I kept on reading hoping that this nightmare will go away:

“He said that you changed your name to Monica Winters. Not sure if he caught the bartender’s name. But that doesn’t matter. I need to see you my love. Why did you change your name? I love your name Rose. I will be in town for a few so I really hope we can bump into each other. I would love to see you. Maybe we can meet at Thirsty.

I will always love you,

Billy”