Damn TJ. Jess had given her a golden parachute of sorts, and TJ hadn’t taken it. With the firm’s recommendation, TJ would have had multiple job offers. Within a few months, she could have packed up her belongings and found a safe apartment in a middle-class neighborhood. Even if TJ wasn’t concerned for herself, didn’t she care about her sister’s welfare?
Jess’s anxiety turned to dismay. What right did TJ have to hold her sister back from a better life? Was TJ’s integrity really more important than her sister’s safety? Didn’t TJ’s moral code account for anyone except herself?
She instructed Tim to take her to Zelda’s.
*
The restaurant was more upscale than Jess anticipated; she guessed the entrees cost in the twenty-dollar range. Groups stood outside and the waiting area was packed. She approached the maître d’ and informed him she was a friend of TJ’s. She told him she had an important matter to discuss and asked him to take her to TJ’s section. He said he was about to seat a couple in her area, and when he asked them to follow him, Jess followed as well.
TJ visibly tensed when she caught sight of her but continued forward.
Jess grabbed TJ’s upper arm as she tried to pass. “Do you have a minute? I’d like to speak with you.”
TJ shrugged off Jess’s hand. “Look around. What do you think?” She went to take the order of a group of four.
Jess approached the couple she’d just followed. “Excuse me.” The couple looked up from their menus with curiosity. “I was wondering if I could use this table for a few minutes?” Jess extracted a hundred-dollar bill from her purse and laid it in front of them. “I need to talk to your waitress, and I’m afraid I’ve come at a bad time. I won’t delay your dinner for long, I promise. Please explain to the maître d’ so you can have this table when I’m finished. Is that okay?”
The young man pocketed the money, and the couple slid out of the booth. Jess sat, crossed her legs, and surveyed her waitress. TJ moved with purpose and grace. She brushed past staff and customers alike as if in a choreographed sequence, dodging shoulders, serving beverages, balancing plates.
After setting down a round of pink beverages two tables over, TJ finally approached. “Might I interest you in a drink or an appetizer this evening?”
“I wouldn’t have pegged you as someone to give up so easily.”
“May I suggest the garlic lemongrass curry fries or the wasabi crab cakes?”
“You’re going to encounter a lot of adversity when you finally run your own organization. Are you planning to walk away from every difficult project you can’t figure out within a week?”
“The lemon-drop and lychee martinis are also quite popular.”
“I’m not some kid pulling your pigtails at recess, damn it. Stop ignoring me and stop acting like a child.” Jess couldn’t miss the movement of TJ’s jaw as she repeatedly clenched her teeth. She’d finally gotten through.
TJ bent over the table, held its edges in a white-knuckled grip, and practically growled her response inches from Jess’s face. “Difficult projects don’t frighten me, Ms. Spaulding. I welcome being judged on my merits. You people might not give a rat’s ass about the graduate program that bears the name of your firm’s founder, but I do. I owe it to Professor Ridge and every single student who believes that graduates of the Derrick Spaulding MBA program have earned their rightful place alongside their wealthier Ivy League counterparts not to accept a recommendation for work I haven’t done. When I receive my scroll at the university’s commencement ceremony, I’ll have earned it, or I won’t be participating. Good evening.”
Jess was proud of herself for not flinching. Although unsurprised by the vehemence of TJ’s reply, she was nevertheless unsettled by it. TJ’s voice had been a low rumble that nearly shook the table. Anger swirled like funnel clouds in TJ’s charcoal eyes. Jess couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in the presence of someone so passionate about an issue. Any issue. It was exhilarating, and she was more resolved than ever not to be so easily dismissed.
Keeping her eyes on TJ, Jess sat patiently. TJ wouldn’t be able to ignore her for long without catching the notice of the manager, so she simply waited until TJ returned.
When TJ stood before Jess once again, she seemed to try a different tack. “You’re a busy and important woman, and I appreciate your taking the time to stop by. If there’s nothing else I can get for you—”
“Come back to the firm, TJ. I promise to work with you this time around. At the end of every week, we’ll review your performance together. No prefilled recommendations. No monkey work. You’ll either earn your keep, or you’ll be back waiting tables in no time.”
As Jess stared into those oyster-shell eyes that were coursing with animosity, TJ’s penetrating gaze suddenly shifted, and she reached for her vibrating smartphone. She tucked her head down and covered her other ear with a palm.
Jess only caught the words, “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll be right there,” before a suddenly ashen TJ bolted away and bounded to the rear of the restaurant. Jess quickly slid out of the booth and pursued her.
TJ got a quick pardon from a woman Jess assumed was the proprietress, who, in a motherly move, shooed her out the door. TJ left through the back and Jess followed, ignoring warnings she was in an employee-only area. It took Jess little time to digest the fact that TJ seemed dazed and unsure of where to go. She stepped forward and grabbed TJ’s hand.
“Come with me. We’ll be there in no time,” Jess said.
At the front of the restaurant, the Mercedes sat idling in the yellow zone. Jess opened its rear door and gently pushed TJ inside. Within seconds they were en route.
“Hospital?” Jess asked.
TJ nodded.
“Which one?” When TJ failed to respond, Jess grasped TJ’s forearm. “TJ. Which hospital? Fairview or Mercy?”
“Mercy.”
Jess felt the car accelerate. They were in good hands. Tim would have them there in minutes.
TJ sank into the seat and covered her face.
“Is it your sister?” Jess asked. At TJ’s nod, Jess pressed for information. “Will she be okay?” Another nod. Thank God. Jess didn’t know what to do. Although she was helping by providing necessary transportation, she was insinuating herself in a situation where she didn’t belong. She reached across the console and gave TJ’s hand a brief squeeze.
Once they arrived and TJ received instructions as to Kara’s location, she took the elevator to the third floor and stopped at room 314. Jess followed her through the corridors yet remained in the hallway as TJ opened the door.
TJ was no stranger to hospital rooms, having spent countless days as a reluctant tagalong to her mother’s personal hell. Evelyn Blake had been bent on killing herself by drowning in nothing short of eighty proof. TJ knew the sounds, smells, even the tastes. When her mother would refuse a meal, TJ wouldn’t let it go to waste. Bland didn’t mean inedible, though at times that was debatable.
But this was only the second time TJ had been in a hospital because of her sister. Twice too many. Kara was a smart, scrappy kid with a penchant for “borrowing” cars. Once she returned them, the displeased owner occasionally caught her. The owner didn’t want to be charged with assault, and Kara didn’t want to be charged with joyriding or worse. Neither fingered the other. One such incident had put her in the hospital. Make that two.
TJ swallowed a lump in her throat at the sight of her sister. Kara’s face was red and swollen, her right arm covered her left side as if protecting it, her left leg was wrapped and raised, and her hair was matted down on one side as if an ice pack had rested there. She appeared much smaller in this setting, as if the bed was king-size and she was a kitten.
TJ pulled the visitor chair forward and sat, gently taking her sister’s hand. “Hey, kiddo. I’m here.” As her tears fell, TJ wiped at them. She felt powerless and would trade places in an instant if she could.
“TJ?”
Dr. Rebecca Stanfield stood in the
doorway. TJ rose and extended her hand. “Dr. Stanfield. Good to see you again. How is she?”
“Please. It’s Rebecca. Good to see you too, although obviously I wish it were under different circumstances.”
As Rebecca filled TJ in on the extent of the girl’s injuries, TJ returned to Kara’s side. While jarring to see, Kara’s facial injuries were superficial. Her ribs were mildly bruised, causing pain when she coughed. A kick had resulted in a mid-shaft fibular fracture, but Kara had been lucky. The fracture wasn’t displaced, obviating the need for surgery. She’d be placed in a short-leg cast or immobilizer boot for several weeks and would need to undergo physical therapy for several weeks thereafter. As for her head, while this was her second mild traumatic brain injury, Dr. Stanfield didn’t believe a CT scan necessary. However, she wouldn’t rule it out while Kara’s headache persisted.
Dr. Stanfield had treated Kara during her first trip to the ER, so she’d quickly homed in on the similarity to the previous assault. Yet Kara refused to answer whether she could identify her attacker.
“When I asked if she’d taken his car, she was mum. TJ, she can’t keep doing this.”
TJ nodded. “How long has she been asleep?”
“Not long.”
“What can I do?”
“Get some sleep. I’ll let her know you were here. We’ll observe her overnight, and if all goes according to plan, she can be discharged tomorrow.”
“Can’t I stay?”
“You can, but she’ll need rest, and so will you. Why don’t you come back in the morning?”
“Okay. I’ll just be a few more minutes.”
“Would you like me to let your friend know?”
The question confused TJ. The doctor continued. “The blond woman waiting in the hall?”
Jess. TJ had completely forgotten about her. “No. I’ll talk to her.”
As they left the room, Jess was immediately at her side. “How is she?” Before TJ could answer, a voice called out from behind the half-circle nurses’ station.
“Ms. Blake?”
“Yes?”
“Would you please stop by registration with Kara’s insurance information? They don’t have it.”
TJ felt the blood drain from her face. What was today? The third. She’d quit her internship a week ago. As an employee, she’d been eligible to participate in the firm’s benefit plans beginning on her hire date. Although the internship lasted only a few months, Magnate gave all full-time employees the option to enroll in its benefit packages, which were of the platinum variety. Magnate paid one hundred percent of employee health-insurance premiums and ninety percent of their dependents’. Believing her internship to be a sure thing, she’d canceled their previous coverage. In her anger over the mindless work she’d been assigned, she’d completely forgotten. At the moment, neither she nor her sister had medical insurance.
TJ’s knees weakened almost to the point of collapse. Strong hands pushed her shoulders to the wall, keeping her upright. “Are you okay?”
Confused, TJ found herself staring into Jess’s blue eyes. She nodded. “I…” She dropped her face into her hands.
Jess pushed open Kara’s room, shoving TJ inside. TJ kept shaking her head, hidden in her hands. “What is it?” Jess whispered. “You’re white as a ghost.”
TJ quietly replied, “Doesn’t matter. I…I’ll figure it out.”
“Can I help?”
TJ tried to smile. “Thank you, no. You’ve already done so much.” Her voice cracked as she peered past Jess to her sister. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
“Please. Tell me what’s wrong.” Jess nodded in Kara’s direction. “Besides the obvious.”
The compassion and concern in Jess’s eyes briefly unnerved TJ, but she quickly dismissed it as she admitted to her failing. “I let our health insurance lapse. I don’t know if I can reinstate it or if we’re eligible for COBRA or what.”
“You have health insurance through the firm.”
“No. I quit, remember?”
Jess stared at TJ at length. TJ could practically see the gears turning. “You tried to. I don’t remember accepting your resignation.” Her tone was challenging, as if she dared TJ to disagree.
TJ blinked. Jess was handing her a lifeline. Could she accept the offer? TJ’s medical premiums would be inconsequential to the firm’s bottom line, whereas she could be repaying the cost of Kara’s hospital stay and subsequent treatment for years to come. Just like with Evelyn.
No! TJ’s father’s words came roaring into her ears like an approaching freight train. Don’t take something for nothing. She briefly squeezed Jess’s hand. “Thank you, but I’m no longer an employee. I’ll see if I can get back on the student health plan.” Hopefully COBRA was an option. Then at least it would only cost thousands of dollars each month instead of tens of thousands in a lump sum.
“Listen to me. You’re every bit as much of an employee as I am. No one’s processed your termination. Come back to the office next week.” Jess tilted her head to indicate Kara. “As soon as things are okay and settled and you can make it in. Like I said, no more busy work.”
TJ hesitated. It was the simplest choice, but the easiest things weren’t always the right ones.
Jess pressed her case. “You earned this internship, TJ. It’s the hallmark of the MBA program and the best way to assure you of a job once it’s over. I’m sure another company will be happy to take you, but we both know Magnate’s in the top echelon of those participating.”
“It’s my mistake to own. I made the call to leave.”
“And you can make the call to stay. But I’ll understand if you don’t think you can cut it.” Jess’s eyes danced with taunting.
Rarely one to back down from a dare, TJ stood taller and crossed her arms. “I was paid through the end of the month. That means I owe you two days of work without pay. I left a message for Gary but haven’t heard back. Can you make sure my salary is reduced this next pay period?”
“I’ll have Gary see to it.”
“And you’ll make sure I learn something?”
“I can’t speak to your abilities. All I can do is teach you what I know and make sure my colleagues follow suit. It’s up to you whether you digest any of it.”
“Unless none of you can teach.”
Jess visibly brightened. “Shall we find out?”
TJ nodded. Jess had been surprisingly thoughtful. She briefly wondered why she found that surprising—after all, she hardly knew the woman. But a glance past Jess brought her back to the reason they were here: Kara. With an apologetic smile, she brushed past Jess and sat beside her sister.
Shock jolted Jess once she finally focused on the bed. In it, a sliver of a person looked as though a bull had stampeded her. Her facial discoloration sharply contrasted against the paleness of her skin and the white of the sheets. What kind of calamity had befallen her? Car accident? Fall? No, the injuries seemed almost like they were purposefully inflicted. Had she been beaten?
Jess felt intrusive. She didn’t belong here. She wanted to offer TJ a ride home but didn’t want her to feel rushed. Should she wait in the hall or leave? Jess gave TJ a small wave before heading to the door, but TJ beckoned her toward the bed.
Once Jess was by her side, TJ spoke softly to her sister. “Hey, kiddo. I want you to meet someone. This is Jessica Spaulding, my big, mean boss. Think Devil Wears Prada.” She winked at Jess. “Jess, this is my…” TJ’s voice caught and her eyelashes quivered with unshed tears. She swallowed hard. “This is my little sister, Kara, who’s going to be just fine. Aren’t you, kiddo?” TJ bent over the small figure and kissed her forehead. “I love you, sweetie. I’ll be back bright and early, okay?” She caressed Kara’s cheek. “Okay.”
TJ darted in front of Jess, walked briskly down the hall, and disappeared into the restroom. Jess recognized the signs of a woman working to pull herself together.
Jess waited outside the bathroom. When TJ emerged, Jess extended her palm. �
�This is my insurance card. It has our carrier and group number. You’ll need it for Kara’s registration.” She took TJ’s elbow and steered her to the elevator. “There’s cell-phone service in the lobby. While you’re registering, I’ll call the 800 number so we can get your subscriber ID.” They entered the elevator and took the short ride down. “When I hand you the phone, give them your social, and they can look you up.” Jess maneuvered them past technicians, patients, vistors, and wheelchairs as she held her phone to her ear and parked TJ in the registration queue. Once on hold, she said, “I’m taking you home, so don’t even think about arguing.” After answering and asking several questions, she handed the phone to TJ.
Registration completed, they exited through the lobby doors and found the Mercedes idling in the passenger loading zone. Tim had the doors open in five seconds flat, and they were on their way.
TJ leaned against the headrest and closed her eyes. They rode in silence. Jess kept her eyes on her, contemplating whether to break the quiet. She wanted to know Kara’s prognosis as well as what had happened to her, though it wasn’t any of her business. She was aware of it only because she’d happened to be with TJ when she received the call.
TJ opened her eyes. “Thank you.”
Jess nodded.
They maintained eye contact as if both had something else to say. TJ did. “What little I thought I knew about you turned out to be completely wrong. You were everything I needed tonight. I don’t usually lean on people, but I leaned on you, and you didn’t let me down. I won’t forget this anytime soon.”
As the car approached the dilapidated apartment complex, TJ rolled down her window and called out to the men who were converging on them. To Jess, she said, “They’ll leave us alone once they know it’s me.” Sure enough, upon recognizing her, the men returned TJ’s greetings and returned to their cars and conversations. “It’s hard to explain.”
For Money or Love Page 7
