The Dirty Dozen: Damsel Edition

by Kay Maree

  "A trigger?"

  "She triggers a dark side in him. You've noticed his mood swings lately?"

  "Ha!! I've noticed all right."

  "I figured, that's why we're chatting. Jonah loves you like no other, but she's triggered him again. We thought when they finally got married it wouldn't be so bad, but she screwed him over so many times that his depressive episodes just got worse and worse. Every time she'd stray and her new relationship went to hell, she'd run back to Jonah and reinforce his sense of obligation to her, which always led to the next depression."

  "He never told me all that. I thought I knew everything about him."

  "You probably know everything there is to know about him EXCEPT when it comes to Bonnie. I'm sure he glossed it over that they were married, got divorced, end of story, right?"

  "Yeah. They divorced because she met Trevor."

  "They divorced after about her third time of leaving Jonah for that scum bag. By then she was so bad into drugs she didn't have the ability to walk away from Trevor the last time. It took Jonah a long time to get over it. Not because he loved her so much, but because she was destroying herself and didn't want his help. He finally disconnected his sense of guilt and realized she was doing it to herself. Then he met you and has been so incredibly happy. Now this. It's like the whore reconnected the cords and is tearing him down again."

  "I won't just let him go easily. We have plans; I love him with everything I've got."

  "I know you do. I just wanted to warn you because I've seen the damage she does to him. And now she has Sammi to use as a pawn to prey on him even more."

  "What can I do?"

  "I don't know Syn. Be there for him but I'm telling you; when he goes to the dark side, it gets ugly. You won't recognize the Jonah that you know and love. He'll still be in there, but completely lost."

  "It may get ugly," Lucy typed, unconsciously squaring her shoulders for a fight, "but I'm not going anywhere."

  The next morning, Jonah seemed back in his old spirits. He didn't say anything about Bonnie, but Sammi had gone to stay with Trevor's parents for a few days. They were elderly and couldn't keep up with her for long periods of time. Lucy avoided the topics that she felt would darken the mood.

  Out of the blue, Jonah changed the direction of their conversation. "You know I love you, Syn, right? More than anything?"

  She smiled on her end. "Of course, I do silly - and ditto. What brought that on?"

  "Just making sure you know that you're the most important thing in the world to me and make me complete. When we're finally together, I'll feel like everything is finally exactly as it should be."

  Lucy was afraid she was going to explode with the happiness she felt at his words. Maybe Celeste had been wrong and his love for her had broken the trigger pattern. "I don't know what I'd do without you my love, and I hope I never have to find out. Just a few more weeks and the universe will be perfect."

  "I'm sorry for what I said. You know I already consider Sarah to be my daughter."

  "Jonah, I know the stress you're under. If I was going to run every time you snap at me a little bit, well, for one it wouldn't be like me, and for two, I'm likely to just snap back. Bonnie needs help with her and Sammi, and I'm okay with that. It'll work out, you'll see."

  "I know baby. I can't wait until you're in my arms. I'm going to go take a nap now. I have gotten no sleep for the last two nights dealing with all the bs over at Bonnie's. It was a long drive taking Sammi to her grandparents' house."

  "At least you know Sammi will be okay for a couple days so you can rest."

  "Yeah, Bonnie wasn't real crazy about that idea because she knew it meant I'd come home. Screw her. I'm only worried about Sammi."

  "Me too; have a good nap. I hope you get some rest."

  "I love you, Lucy. You are my world."

  Lucy's heart sang as he used her real name. "I love you too Jonah." She waited until his name vanished from her list before she looked away. Hopefully the worst of the storm was over. In a couple weeks, everything would be fine.

  Lucy left work right on time, debating whether or not to call Jonah. She hadn't heard from him all day and was happy he was getting some rest. She had ignored the twinge of uneasiness she had felt in the back of her head all day, blaming it on the florist who had called with a problem with Sarah's flowers.

  Her cell dinged as she got to her car. She had a text from Sarah.

  "Dinner. Olive Garden. Now."

  She texted her back. "On. My. Way. Brat."

  Her phone dinged with another text. "I love you, Mom"

  Lucy smiled as she responded. She had the best kid in the world. "I love you too. Ur still a brat."

  To call or not to call, she pondered as she started the car. Oh hell, so I wake him up. Won't be the first time, won't be the last.

  Lucy was about to hang up when the phone was answered. There was no sound so she figured she had woken him up. "Hi baby. Sorry to wake you."

  "Sorry, I'm not baby," came a female response.

  "Who is this?" Lucy looked at her screen to make sure she hadn't misdialed.

  "Hi Syn. This is Bonnie. Jonah's not available."

  "Are you at his house?"

  "No, he's at mine."

  "Why? I thought he was sleeping. He was so tired this morning...." her voice trailed off.

  "He took a nap here this morning."

  He's been there all day? "Is everything okay?"

  "He was worried about me, so he came back over."

  "Is everything okay with Sammi?" That had to be the reason he was there.

  "Sammi? She's at her grandparents. She won't be home until probably next week."

  Lucy felt like crying. "Can I speak to him?"

  "He's busy. He'll be here a few days, but I'm sure he'll catch up with you at some point."

  A few days? But Sammi isn't even there!

  Chapter Twelve

  Lucy

  To make matters worse, Jake was being a real jerk about the wedding. Although he had not participated in any of the plans or preparation, everything that Lucy and Sarah had done was wrong. The flowers were awful, the cake was too big, the food couldn't sit out on the buffet table for more than ten minutes, and too much money had been spent. Criticism was his best friend right up to the last minute.

  The morning of Sarah and Carter's wedding was cool and beautiful. Lucy sat with a cup of coffee on the back steps, throwing a ball for Crusader. He bounded effortlessly and gracefully across the grass, carefree and totally happy in his pursuit of the ball.

  "Dog," she told him when he brought the ball back to her, "you have no idea how easy you have it." She wrapped her arms around his neck and his black nose nuzzled her neck. He cuddled closed and for just a moment, everything else went away as Lucy felt his total love and devotion for her.

  "Are you planning on getting ready sometime today or am I going to have to do this wedding myself?" She jumped as Jake's voice ruined the peaceful moment.

  "Yes, Jake, I'm going to get dressed. I have to meet Sarah at the hairdresser's in an hour. We have plenty of time."

  "If it wasn't for me, you'd sit there all day screwing with the damned dog. You'll be late for your own funeral."

  Yeah, I am so lucky I have you around. Gee, I might actually MAKE something of myself if I didn't.

  An hour later at the salon, Lucy fought back tears as she watched the stylist curl and weave Sarah's hair into an elegant updo. Sarah was glowing and animated, looking absolutely amazing for her big day.

  "I love you, Mom," Sarah's voice broke into Lucy's daze. She stared at her mom in the mirror.

  "I love you too, baby." Lucy's voice broke and she looked away.

  "Mom, stop. We've talked about this. I refuse to let you cry all day. Think happy thoughts, like, I'll be one step closer to grandbabies for you, and you'll be one step closer to Jonah after today. I got an email from him this morning. He is such a sweet m
an."

  "You got an email from him?" Lucy had been very careful over the last couple weeks to hide her problems with Jonah from her daughter. She did not want her issues ruining her only child's wedding.

  "He just said congratulations and good luck. Just the regular wedding stuff. I just think it was nice that he cared enough to send me an email."

  Yeah nice of him considering I haven't heard from him in two days.

  "You must be getting excited about going to Toronto. You haven't said much about it lately, but I know this wedding has taken precedence over everything."

  Lucy cringed at her daughter's assumption but luckily the stylist asked Sarah about weaving a string of pearls into her hair, sidetracking the conversation.

  Am I going to Toronto? All the plans she had made with Jonah seemed to be on hold, at least to her the way he was acting, so Lucy really wasn't sure what her next step was going to be. Get through today. Tomorrow you can worry about the rest! She took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face.

  The ensuing hours passed in a whirlwind of happiness, tears, nuptials, and hugs. The ceremony was elegant and beautiful. Jake was flawless with his duties of giving the bride away, and Lucy actually hugged him when the Reverend announced Mr. and Mrs. Carter Richards.

  The reception went off without a hitch. The band was good, the food was fine, and the champagne flowed freely. Lucy danced until her feet hurt, then danced some more. The champagne helped make all her worries go away, and her daughter's happiness did her heart good.

  All too soon the last cork had been popped, the toasts had completed, and the happy couple were leaving to begin their honeymoon. They were headed to Vegas for two weeks. Sarah hugged her mother tightly, and Lucy never wanted her to let go.

  "You have fun, Mrs. Richards," Lucy whispered. "Guess I can't call you baby anymore."

  "I'll always be your baby, Mama. Now you just have to buy stuff for both of us instead of just me."

  "Always a brat, aren't you?"

  "Just for you. And tell Jonah thank you for me."

  "For what?"

  "He sent us a thousand dollars earlier today. He said he wanted his step-daughter to have a great time. Didn't he tell you?"

  Lucy was stunned but recovered quickly. "Guess he wanted it to be a surprise for me, too. I'll be sure to tell him you said thanks."

  Lucy hugged Carter and the couple left in their car that had been fully decked out with window paint and streamers. She watched them drive away.

  Tears streamed down her face as she contemplated the two words that had been hovering close to her mind all day - now what?

  Jake still chatted with some of his hunting buddies as they drank beer in the reception hall, so Lucy got her cell phone and walked out into the garden. She dialed Jonah's number, praying he would pick up.

  "Hello, my love," he answered. "Is our girl married?"

  Instead of the burst of happiness she would have expected, the tears came harder and Lucy couldn't speak. She managed to croak out a greeting so he would know she was there, but her throat closed and speech was impossible.

  "Syn, it's ok sweetheart. I know how hard this is for you, but everything is going to be ok."

  "Is it?" she sobbed, trying desperately to pull herself together.

  "You have me, we'll be together soon, of course it will be ok."

  "I love you, Jonah."

  "I love you too. Everything good for Sarah?"

  "Great. Today was beautiful - all it lacked was you. She got your gift and sends her thanks."

  "Eh, it was nothing. I hope she has fun."

  "It was something, and you called her your step-daughter."

  "Well, isn't that what she's going to be, eventually?"

  "I hope so, baby, I truly hope so."

  "I know things have been rough on my end but always know that I love you. That will never change, and you should never question that."

  "I won't question it as long as you don't. Sorry I'm such a mess - for such a happy day I've been on the verge of tears all day long. Now I just feel a little lost. It's all over and I find myself wondering what to do next. For the first time in a very long time, what I do doesn't revolve around my kid."

  Jonah chuckled. "When you get here, you can start over then. Sammi is determined that I am going to learn how to braid her hair. I am getting quite the crash course in girl stuff."

  "I'm probably going to sleep most of the day tomorrow - at least that's my plan, then I'm going to dinner with Tera tomorrow night. Will you be around then so I can call?"

  Jonah hesitated. "Bonnie has to be in court first thing Monday morning. She and Sammi are spending the night at my house tomorrow night since I live closer to the courthouse. I can text you Monday when we're done in court."

  So, you don't want me to call while she's around. Nice. "Oh, ok. Good luck to her in court. She's not looking at jail time, is she?" Lucy subconsciously crossed her fingers that the woman was locked up for a long time.

  "Her attorney doesn't think so. I hope not. I don't want to have to explain that to Sammi."

  Like the kid cares. One of these days she was going to slip and speak her thoughts without censoring her mouth. "I wouldn't want to be in that position either."

  "I'll let you know as soon as I know something. The attorney has one idea to help her but isn't sure if it will work yet."

  "Well good luck, and I'll wait to hear from you. I love you."

  "I love you too, Syn. Keep your chin up."

  What choice do I have? She ended the call and tears again started rolling down her cheek.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jonah

  Jonah walked out of the courthouse feeling like he had just been sucker punched in the gut. His breath came ragged and heavy as his footsteps momentarily faltered. He stopped, bending at the waist with his hands on his knees as he struggled to calm himself.

  Bonnie's attorney had come up with a plan alright, but Jonah hadn't seen it coming.

  Sammi stopped next to him and laid her hand on his shoulder as he stood stooped over with his head hanging. "Uncle Jo, do you want to go get ice cream now?" Her voice was quiet and sad, as if she had understood every word that had been spoken in the courtroom. Jonah had promised a trip to Baskin Robbins after the attorney had requested her presence to soften up the Judge a little as he dealt his sentence.

  "Yeah, princess, we'll go in a minute." He sucked in a deep breath and straightened, looking at Bonnie. "You knew about this didn't you?"

  "Of course, I did."

  Jonah wanted to wipe the smirk off her face. "And you didn't tell me?"

  "You are the one who didn't want any part of the meetings with my attorney, or YOU would have known."

  "It wasn't my place to go with you and hold your hand because it's NOT my problem."

  "It is now. Guess you'll be seeing a lot of me now."

  Jonah felt sick - absolutely sick. The Judge had spared Bonnie any jail time even though a failed drug screening had made incarceration a much more real possibility. Instead, Bonnie and her attorney had offered a plan wherein she would be supervised at all times for ninety days. If all of her screenings were clean for that time period, her sentence would be served. Jonah had been named as the unknowing volunteer chosen as her supervisor.

  "I had plans, Bonnie. What am I going to tell Syn?"

  "Consider it me doing you a favor."

  "How the hell do you figure?"

  "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."

  "You make the devil look pathetic you bi..." Jonah broke off as he realized Sammi was looking at him. "I can't believe you did this to me."

  He led Sammi to the car, starting it before strapping her into booster seat.

  "We were always good together Jo. It'll be like old times."

  Jonah whirled on Bonnie like she had poked him with a hot cattle prod, slamming the back door to his car at the same time. "No, you worth
less bitch," he hissed at her, "I was good for YOU. You made me miserable and it seems you're not done doing that yet. If it wasn't for that little girl right there, you'd be rotting away in some crack house. There is no US. There hasn't been an US for a very long time and there will never be an US at any point in the future. I got screwed into being your court ordered babysitter, but that's all it is. Ninety days and my sentence is over. Ninety-one days and Syn will be here and WE will adopt Sammi - me and Syn - together."

  "Ninety days IF I stay clean. Hmm, I wonder if the ninety days starts over if I don’t."

  "IF you fail a drug screen, your ass will be sitting in jail, and I'll have custody of Sammi anyhow. You just used your get out of jail free card."

  "You could never put me in jail - you know it as well as I do." The smug look on Bonnie's face made Jonah's palm itch to slap it.

  But Jonah already had ideas forming in his head. "You're right - you won't go to jail."

  Her smile broadened as she thought she had him just where she wanted him.

  "Because, I'm not just your babysitter for the next three months - I'm your judge, jury, and executioner. We're not living in that hell hole you call a house - you're coming to my place. No dealers, no users, no suppliers. I have three months to train you from being a worthless whore to being Sammi's stepmother. My life isn't going to be the only one that's a living hell."

  With an evil smile, he walked around and got in the driver's seat. He basked in the temporary glory of loving every second of the horror etched on Bonnie's face.

  ~*~

  Lucy

  She did what??" Lucy asked incredulously. She pulled her car into the nearest parking lot.

  "I know baby. It was very underhanded and I had no idea it was coming or I would have stopped it."

  "So, for three months, you have to put your life on hold so you can babysit her every move."

  Jonah sighed into his cell phone. He knew this call was going to be difficult when he dialed, and he hated the pain and anger in her voice. "Basically, yes."

  "That's bullshit. Pure and total bullshit. Why did the Judge do that to you instead of appointing someone else?"