CHAPTER FIVE

-:- DESTINY -:-

After taking Jessica to school, I’d gotten a few groceries and walked back to the house. It’s not our house, I lease it, but it’s a nice two-bedroom place. I’ve made it cozy, and that’s as good as I can make it at this time. It’s not in the best part of town, but it’s not in the worst either, so I’m counting myself lucky.

Jerica, my sister, who is also Jessica’s mother, went into hiding when Garrett, her father, was sent to prison. She didn’t want to take Jessica to be dragged around the country, and sure didn’t want her alongside her if she was caught, or so she said.

Jerica was attacked by a customer from the bar where she worked as a server. Garrett was working the door, as they were saving to buy a small house, where they could settle down and get Jessica into a local school.

One of the customers took a shine to Jerica and wouldn’t take no for an answer, but rather than cause trouble, Jerica didn’t tell her boss or Garrett. The day he attacked Jerica, Garrett walked in on it happening and saw red. The long story, made short, Garrett beat the man to a pulp, was arrested and now serving three years for grievous bodily harm.

I always liked Garrett. He is a family man through and through, loving Jerica and Jessica above all else. He has no remorse for what he did to Stone Wilson, but what none of us knew at the time was Stone heads the local gang, running prostitution forcibly, and none of us know if that is what he had in mind for Jerica!

I moved away from town when Garrett was arrested, and Jerica was ready to run. Fleeing four towns over, I got a job at the fire station, then took my first dip into my savings account, both to help look after Jessica and to take out the lease on this small house.

Jerica hasn’t contacted me in months. I’m worried as we had arranged she would send a text message every first day of the month, keeping me informed she is alright and staying safe. Now I’m worried sick something is desperately wrong.

Walking into the fire department, I give a small wave to Flame, whose name came about because he literally got his ass on fire at one of the calls they made a few years ago. He’s never going to live it down, but he wears the name well as he has a tattoo of flames climbing up his arm from his wrist to above his elbow.

In the kitchen I settle myself to making the hot meal, and a selection of sides. I have learned how to be efficient with time, as I know I have to have this in the oven, or on the stove to be ready for everyone to eat.

Many firehouses do not require anyone to assist with the cooking, but here the firehouse is small and they do help but when I’d offered to cook they jumped on board because I make the meanest chili going.

Once I have everything under control in the kitchen, I get set to start cleaning. Everyone helps keep the department clean, but I’m good at doing whatever is needed to keep the cash flowing into my bank account.

Done for the day I quickly head out or I’ll be late meeting Jessica when school lets out. I’ve told her if I am not there, she has to wait inside with a teacher. It happened only once when the teacher locked Jessica out of the school because they didn’t want to wait. But, after I’d seen the principal and threatened them all with being sued, they soon apologized and I’ve never had another problem. I haven’t been late again, mind you, so it’s still to be tested if they learned their lesson.

Walking home from school, we pass the Hot Hogs and Cages place and the man who waves at Jessica is outside of the building and speaking with two others. They all have motorcycles, and I know they are good people as we know Fist, who is one of them. Now Fist is Dale Brown-Butler and I’ve known him a long time as Jerica and Fist’s sister, Carrie, were friends at one time.

Fist also beat a man who was messing with me when I worked the diner to get start-up money for my marketing business. I’ve always seen him as my ‘Hero’ since then. But he’s hardly anyone’s ideal example of a hero in his leather jacket, and with his loud motorcycle. He is mine, however, and I’ll always love him like a brother for it.

Jessica gives a wave to the men across the street and I grab her hand, leading her on towards home. Because I’m on a tight deadline to get marketing done for a new author I have on my books.

“Are you in a hurry, Auntie Dest?” Jessica asks, and she’s cutting my name down more and more of late, but I don’t mind, as it’s not being done with any disrespect.

“Yes, I have a new lady I’m working for and I need to get it done today, or I’ll not look very professional.” Trying to always be as honest as I can with Jessica, so she will understand I’m not trying to push her away from me.

“Can I sit with you at the table?”

Giving Jessica a smile, I quickly reply. “Of course you can. You can tell me if you like what I make.”

“Oh yes, I love the little movies you make for the people.”

Smiling to myself with the description Jessica has for the small videos I make for social media to catch people’s attention. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but a course for digital advertising and marketing on Udemy was well worth the time and cost.

I love assisting self-published authors to promote their books in all areas of the media. I have been proud to help some of my authors be seen in national newspapers and magazines, radio interviews and book signings. My clientele is growing and I’ve had a local lady contact me via email, who I’m going to meet at the coffee house in town Tuesday of next week.

The next morning, I drop Jessica at school and call a cab to take me to the prison, where Garrett is incarcerated. I need to get his advice on what to do now that Jerica is not contacting me each month.

After paying the cab and arranging for him to take me back once the visiting hour is over, I head inside and go through all the security checks before being led along with others to see our respective inmates. Taking a seat, I wait for the door to open and the prisoners to be brought through. Garrett walks over and takes the seat in front of me. He looks tired, stressed, and I can’t help the tears that fill my eyes.

“Don’t cry, Destiny. It’s been nearly a year already; the time is passing. Now, what’s wrong?” Garrett is 6’ 1”, black hair, and deep blue eyes. He’s a handsome man with a powerful aura, but most of all, he’s family.

“Jerica hasn’t been contacting me each month. She has missed seven and if she doesn’t contact again in two days, that is eight months. I’ve tried sending her messages, and I’ve even risked trying to speak to her, but she is not answering anything from her phone. I don’t know what to do, Garrett.”

“You can’t do anything. Do you know Dale, known now as Fist? Jerica was a friend with his sister Carrie.”

“Yes, I know who you mean. I saw him earlier this week. He works for Hot Hogs and Cages, and he’s in the motorcycle club.”

“That’s the one. I want you to go speak with him, see if they have any way of searching for someone. Tell him what happened to me, and also tell him I will owe him whatever he wants when I get out of here if he can find Jerica.” Garrett leans over the table between us and speaks a little lower. “If he can get her somewhere safe, I’m happy to do whatever he may ask of me when I get out of here.”

My eyes flick around to see if anyone is taking notice, and when I see everyone is occupied, I give Garrett a nod. “Okay, I’ll do that tomorrow.”

“How is Jessica? Tell her Papa loves her and I’m thinking of her. I’m keeping my nose clean and hope to get an early release for good behavior.”

“I’ll tell her. She loves and misses you. She’s doing well in school, and I’m keeping her busy when I see she starts to brood.” I try to reassure Garrett that Jessica is good and I’ll keep her that way.

“Thank you, Destiny. I know it’s fallen on your shoulders and for that, I’m sorry. If I’d not seen red, I wouldn’t have beaten the fucker so badly.”

“Hey, he deserved every punch you gave him. I’ve not been back to town, and I’m keeping my head down where I am to make sure I don’t draw attention to us. I’m just happy you didn’t kill him, because serving the rest of your life in here wouldn’t have been a fitting punishment for ridding society of scum like him.”

Garrett grins. “You’re feisty when you want to be. I hope one day you find a man that deserves you, keeps you happy and loves you deeply.”

“Thanks, Garrett. I’ll come back and let you know what Fist says, wants or whatever.” Before I can say more the loudspeaker sounds announcing that visiting is over, and I again feel the tears collecting, but swallow them down, because I don’t want Garrett to see me cry.

Once outside waiting for my cab, I take a deep breath and grit my resolve to do as Garrett has asked. I’ll do this for Jerica, Jessica and Garrett. None of them deserves what is happening to them, and I’ll do anything I can to help.