When Terri opened her eyes she was surprised to see Jesse still sleeping. The evening sun had just begun it’s decent behind their camper and in the waning light Terri could see the toll the last 24 hours had etched on her lover’s face. Normally Jesse had a robust and healthy glow to her skin, but now it seemed pale; highlighted by deep dark circles under her eyes. Terri gently brushed the hair out of Jess’s eyes and softly stroked her face. Normally that was all it would take…a gentle touch and Jesse would naturally rouse in anticipation for anything. But there was no response this time. Jesse was in a deep sleep. Terri kissed her gently on the cheek as she slid out of bed. She needed to stretch and get some fresh air. As quietly as she could she slipped on her clothes and went into the kitchen to make some coffee. She grabbed a bowl of cereal and milk; then fixed a cup of coffee and made her way out to the deck but not before peeping in on Jesse. Jesse was just the way she left her, curled up on her side and still sleeping deeply. Terri knew that it would be better for her to sleep for now than to try to wake Jess up and force her to eat after what she had been through. Right now her job was just to keep a watchful eye. But one does have to keep one’s strength up as well, hence the cereal and coffee. Terri sat on the deck, watching the cart traffic and keeping half an ear tuned into the bedroom of their camper. If Jesse so much as whimpered, Terri would be bird- dogging it. Just as she had finished her coffee and was picking up the bowl and spoon to take to the kitchen there was the familiar chug of one of the Park Mule’s hauling ass down the lane in front of the camper. “Where’s the fire?” Terri called down to Petey as she whipped the Mule in the small parking area. “No….fire….” Petey laughed. “I just needed to let off a little steam… so I came down to check on you and Jesse. How’s she doing?” “She’s been asleep since I pulled her outta that cold shower. Knowing Jess like I do, I figured she didn’t sleep at all in that fuckin' place. I’m going to let her rest as long as her body needs too, then I’ll make sure she gets something to eat.” Terri explained as she finished gathering the dishes and walked to the camper door. “I was about to get another cup of coffee ya wanna join me?” Terri invited Petey in with a wave of her hand. “Boss….coffee! What are you putting in it?” Petey asked puzzled. “But Kaluha…of course!” Terri grinned as she opened one of Nell’s ‘Special Decanters’ that were always mysteriously filled when emptied. “Now that’s how…we do coffee in the Park!” Petey laughed as her boss filled up a hot mug with Nell’s ‘Special Love’ and handed it out to her on the deck. Terri re-filled her own mug and quietly closed the screen door and settled into a sling-back chair. “Did you get some sleep?” Terri asked as she took a sip from her cup. “Yeah….a couple of hours…I had a really weird dream and figured it was from all the drama that has been going on.” Petey sipped the mug thoughtfully. “How do you think that this is going to play out with Jesse’s mandatory counseling sessions now?” Petey asked the question that Terri had been pondering since she woke up. “Not real sure….I mean….she has fulfilled all her court appointed hours. Until this thing happened I thought we were going to be done with that whole situation. But I got this gut feeling that it just ain’t over yet.” Terri talked quietly. “I know what you mean Terri. From everything that I learned at that hospital….this Knight is a real piece of work. I don’t trust her at all. I agree with you….this…whatever ‘this is”... is definitely not over yet! I think that there is more to come. The question is what….when…and where….and how can we keep Jesse safe?” “Very good questions….Grasshopper….I had a fleeting thought of tying Jesse to bed….but she would probably enjoy that too much….and knowing my Jesse like I do…she would gnaw off the restraints if it meant getting to her ‘puter’!” Terri laughed knowingly. “The only thing I really know how to do….is to just keep loving her.” Terri sighed. “Look... I know you must feel pretty helpless right now…but…together….I mean all of us…I think we can manage to keep Jesse safe from that ‘feral cat’!” Petey said with quiet determination. Terri smiled a tired but grateful smile at her friend and lifted her mug up in a silent toast. Petey saluted the same in return and eased back in the sling chair and put up her long legs up on the porch railing. It felt so good to just sit and relax. The last 24 hours had made her realize how this place had become more than just a job...it was now her home….and these women….were her family. And she loved them. “Petey…” Terri mused from her spot on the deck. “Yeah T….” Petey opened her eyes and looked at Terri. “About Rachel….” Terri began and stopped with just those words. “What about her?” Petey smiled slowly. “Just be careful….and don’t get hurt….she’s all tied up in a relationship….and I’m not really sure she sees ‘everything’ she supposed to see!” Terri raised her eyebrows in emphasis. “I know….my head tells me to stay away….don't get involved...don't invest...but the first time I saw her….I dunno…I felt connected to her in someway….crazy huh?” Petey laughed. “Not really….I felt the same way bout Jesse. When I met her she had all these walls built up. She tried to be so tough…kept me at arm’s length for a long time…said she didn’t believe that anyone could or would love her.” Terri said slowly. “So….how did you…convince her that you loved her?” Petey narrowed her eyes as she looked over the rim of the mug. Terri grinned as she stood up and gathered up the mugs for a refill. “I think we both need more Kaluha…then….after I am sufficiently drunk…I will let you drag the story out of me….Grasshopper!” Click On The River To Continue! © Labinky Park 2011 Labinky Enterprises 2011 Follow Us On Twitter! @Labinky |
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Chapter 78
