Fighting Perfection (The Perfection Series Book 2) (28 page)

     “And I need to know you’re safe.  I can’t think of any other way to do that at this point.”

     Not knowing what else to say, I gave him a long hug before he ushered me out the door.

     Once back in my car, I sat there for a moment, looking around.  I didn’t know if she was nearby, but I always felt like she was always watching. That creepy feeling of her always lurking in the shadows returned, so I started my car as fast as I could after that and got the hell out of there.

     James and I went out to dinner that night.  I relayed my conversation with Justin to him, and my concerns over his well-being as well as my utter frustration at the way he had handled the whole mess from the very beginning.

     “I don’t know why he hasn’t used his head when it comes to her.  This is not like the guy I know at all.” I remarked after we finished our meal.  “Normally, he’s this quiet but lethal-seeming guy.  I can’t think of a single normal person who would even consider fucking with him, and rightfully so.  Justin doesn’t usually put up with shit, but with this girl, he just keeps taking it.”

     “Well I can understand him being a little confused over this whole pregnancy thing.  If he’s a stand-up guy like you’ve said, then it would be reasonable to think he’s torn between his sense of responsibility and his desire to rid himself of the situation as expediently as possible.  My honest opinion though, from everything you’ve told me, he is trying to be diplomatic so as not to put you in harm’s way.”

     “I hate that she is getting what she wants,” I lamented.  “She is fucking certifiable and even though he may not love her, I don’t think she cares.  I think she thinks as long as she’s a fixture in his life, that’s enough.  With the way he has cow-towed to her, she knows she’s in charge.  She can make him dance like a puppet with this hanging over his head.  Imagine if the child is really his?  He’s fucked for the rest of his life.”

     “Yes, he’ll never be completely rid of her.  He will only be able to hope that she finds some other poor bastard to torment.”

     I shook my head sadly.  “I wish I could help somehow.”

     “No, Mimi.  Stay as far away from this situation as possible.  There is nothing good in it for you.”

     “But I miss my friend!  Neither one of us did anything to deserve this,” I exclaimed, my ire and frustration at the fact there seemed to be no way to thwart Delia’s continuing assault on my life.

     “I know,” James said sympathetically.

     We made the trip back to my house, both of us too tired to do anything else.  Him, from flying all day then making the long drive down to see me, and me from the riot of emotions that had been going through my mind after my brief visit with Justin.

     When we arrived at the house, Delia was sitting on my front porch.  My heart jumped up into my throat and I was immediately back on guard, despite my complete belief that James would protect me.  She stood as we approached, James pushing me behind him.

     “What do you want?” he growled.

     “I came to have another little chat with that bitch behind you.  Come on, Mimi, be a woman and stand on your own two feet rather than hiding behind a man.”

     Suddenly furious and ready to take her on, I tried to charge around James, but he held me back.  “Get your ass out of here and don’t come back,” he said.  “If you don’t leave her alone, I will take you apart with my bare hands, woman or not.”

    She casually walked toward us and then around us as James kept me guarded.  “I’d like to see you try tough guy.  I’ve got an eight millimeter with me at all times that bets you can’t get within ten feet of me.  Just give me a reason, and I’d be happy to pump a couple rounds into you.  That would really teach that whore there her lesson, I bet.”

     She sauntered down the walkway toward her car, but turned just before she reached the fence.  “This isn’t over by a long shot, Mimi.  If you go near Justin again, a few of those bullets will have your name on them, too.  Smarten up.  I’m not going to let this drop.”  She turned back around and got into her car, driving away at a leisurely speed.  She wanted me to know she wasn’t afraid of getting caught, I thought.

     James was on the phone to the police in a flash.  I had managed to get the restraining order against her after going round with the police with the voicemail messages.  James was reporting her violation.  They asked to speak with me and took yet another report, promising they’d go pay her a visit.  I really hoped she’d get arrested, but it was going to be a situation of our word against hers, and I seriously doubted she’d admit to having come to my house.  Consequently, I had no faith that it wouldn’t be just another report I’d made in a slew of many, even if I did now have a witness in James.

     After we got into the house, I pulled out my phone to call Justin.  James approached me and took the phone from my hands.  He led me over to the sofa and sat me down.  He crouched in front of me and took hold of my hands.  “Mimi, I hate to say this because I know Justin is one of the more important people in your life.  You have to stay away from him completely.  Delia is watching you,” he emphasized.  “She will know if you make contact.  She’s proven to be unstable, and now she’s made her threats that much more serious with the mention of a gun.  I’ll say it again, you do not want to involve yourself in this any further.  I do not want you to involve yourself in this any further.  Please, please, if not for your own sake, but mine, do not go see him, do not call him.  If he calls you, then hopefully we can trust that he’s made sure it’s safe.  Until then, do not do anything but go about your other business.”

     I began to cry.  I felt so helpless, so defenseless.  James gathered me into his arms and rocked me gently.  “I know it’s hard to accept, Kitten.  You just have to be patient and let Justin see his way through this.  Everything will work out fine, eventually.  Your most important job however, is to see that you remain safe.  I need you safe.  I won’t be able to concentrate at work if I don’t believe you’re taking care of yourself.  Please promise me you won’t do anything to put yourself in harm’s way.”

     I sniffled, and unable to do more, I just nodded my head.  “I promise.”

     “I can’t tell you how much you mean to me and how insane it would make me if anything happened to you.  I’d probably out-crazy Delia.”

     I giggled through the remainder of my tears, unable to imagine James anywhere near as insane as she was.  “I won’t let that happen.  I have enough crazy in my life already,” I tried to joke. 

     He pulled me up and swatted me on the ass.  “Alright, time to get you and that smart mouth changed and into bed.”    

     After I got my nightgown on, James, who always slept naked at my house, just tucked himself behind me and held me tight as I drifted off.  It took a long time as my head was so filled with everything:  Delia’s craziness, Justin’s haggard look when I saw him, worry for his future, my fear that she was going to eventually do something even more drastic.  However, the thing I was least worried about, for that night anyway, was my safety.  I had James right there holding me, and I didn’t have a doubt that he’d protect me if she returned.

      We kept a low profile that weekend.  I had to admit, I was completely spooked by Delia.  It didn’t make a lot of sense, but I didn’t want to go out for fear that she’d be waiting for us again when we returned.  Every little unidentifiable sound made me jump.  I was determined not to be vulnerable, so I was always on edge.  It would be just as bad if she came and found us at home, but I wanted to see her coming, so every move I made, I was anticipating some kind of action from her.  James was more than happy to stay in watching movies and just being together. 

     We were lying in bed after a particularly playful round of sex with James finding every ticklish spot on my body and tormenting me endlessly with them.  We lay there giggling afterward, when suddenly he rolled me over to face him.  He brushed his hand down the side of my cheek and said, “I love you, Mimi.”

     I was flabbergasted.  I had been wondering how much he cared for me, but I hadn’t expected such a bold admission.  I lay there with my jaw sitting on my chest and just gaped at him.

     “I don’t expect you to say it back.  I know how cautious you’ve been with your heart, but I needed to tell you how I feel.  I am serious about you.  I see good things for us, and I want a long future with you.  Tell me what I need to do to make that happen,” he said.

     I looked at him seriously after finally being able to close my mouth.  “Even though my life is a shambles at the moment thanks to Delia, I am beyond happy being with you.  I can’t imagine you needing to do anything but be you.  You make me feel things I’ve never felt before.  I can’t begin to describe how free you make me feel.”

     “Free?” he asked.

     “Yes, free.  Free to try things I’ve never tried, didn’t even know I wanted to try.  Free to dream, free to be exactly who I am, not just with you but with anyone.  I’ve grown more confident in myself since being with you.”

     A slow grin spread across his face.  “I don’t think anyone has ever thought of me as a good influence before.  In fact, I think it’s been quite the opposite.”  

     “I can believe that, too.”  I giggled.  “You really are quite naughty,” I said stretching out alongside him. 

     “With only a little encouragement, you are too, Ms. Ashcroft,” he said, tapping my nose with his index finger.

     “Then I suppose we’ll make lots of trouble together.” I grinned back at him.

     “I think we should make more right now,” he remarked, pulling me closer to him and sliding his hand down my chest to fondle my breast.

     “I think that’s a very, very good idea.”

     Another week went by and on Thursday, I went to my class as usual.  Nothing out of the ordinary occurred.  My new instructor, Professor Sheridan, taught my ‘Working with Boards and Institutions’ class.  He was a middle-aged man, slightly balding and suffering from that               middle-aged spread.  He was very dynamic and passionate, however, and I had no doubt he was a success at raising funds in his day job.  He made the class interesting and lively.  The two hours always zipped by, and I began to think that not only would a career in fundraising be fulfilling, it would also be fun.

     Coming home feeling very positive and exuberant, I approached my door.  On it, was a note pinned there.  I pulled it down to read it.  It was one simple line reading:  ‘I’m coming for you, you whore.’

     I immediately scanned around me trying to make out whether or not anyone was looming in the dark.  There were no unusual sounds in the shadow of the porch light.  The night was quiet other than a few crickets chirping, yet I didn’t want to go inside.  Delia had already invaded my sanctuary once.  Would she be waiting for me this time?  Taking a deep breath and straightening my spine, I unlocked the door feeling only marginally reassured by the fact that the deadbolt was engaged, not that she couldn’t have locked it after entering my home yet again.  I went in as silently as I could and crept around the house, looking but finding no one.  There was no sign anything had been disturbed.  I pulled my cell phone out of my purse and called the police yet again.

     They arrived about a half-hour later.  They took another statement from me and the note with them for further evidence against Delia.

     After they left, I was anxious and uncomfortable at home.  She had me right where she wanted me, but I didn’t have it in me at that point to feign confidence and remain in the house all night by myself.  I did the only thing I could think of and called Grace to see if I could spend the night at her house. 

     “Of course you can,” she said after I told her what happened and made my request to stay the night.  “Ike is here at the moment, but I’ll kick his little ass out for the night.  Come on over.”

     “I hate to interrupt your plans, Grace, but I’m nervous and scared.  I don’t think I’d get any sleep here tonight.”

     “It’s perfectly all right.  Sending Ike home frustrated again is good for him.  It keeps him wanting more.”

     “Sounds more like it’s good for you,” I said with a weak laugh.

     She snickered, “Let’s just say it’s mutually beneficial, then.  Now get your cute little tush over here.”

     I immediately packed an overnight bag and ran out to my car.  All the way there, I scanned my rearview mirrors to make sure no one was following me.  When I arrived, Ike was standing on the stoop staring at Grace even more star-struck than the last time I saw him.  I dawdled on the front walk, wanting to give them some time to say their good-byes without intruding on what appeared to be a sweet moment.  He pulled Grace into his arms and reached up to give her a long kiss.  I couldn’t help giggling at seeing Ike on his tip-toes kissing Grace who was almost a whole head taller than he was.  It was comical, but it was also very sweet.  It looked like my friend had found love, or something like it, in the most unusual place.

     After they pulled apart, I made my way up the path to the door.  Ike turned and looked at me.

     “Hey Mimi.  I’m sorry to hear you’re having some trouble.  I hope everything works out okay, very soon.”

     “Thanks, Ike.  Me, too.  I’m sorry to interrupt your plans tonight,” I said with real regret.