There is not much business happening at the job site on weekends. Except for the police and EMS, the city hall is closed and the library is usually quiet. This allows us to get some of the dirtiest work done without disrupting normal activity. Today I was wearing casual clothes.
I was doing some measuring and calculating supplies for the upcoming week. We had a full crew workin, so I kept an eye on them, I had to inspect earlier work including any damage that may have affected the interior. I was eating lunch in the courtyard alone. The young lady walked by with what I assumed were police officers. We looked at each other briefly. She was striking. She looked young but she dressed older.
They moved across the courtyard and sat a picnic table. With three buildings containing the sound and with no activity in the area some words were clear if not loud. The young lady was brought in for undercover work, which I learned as they talked. I grinned knowing some unsuspecting liquor stores were going to be tested. We wrapped up the day”s work I headed home. It had been a long week and I was ready to just chill.
Sophia was home alone when I arrived. She was dressed in her sweat pants and oversized tee shirt. I found this unusual since Odell never leaves the house without her on the weekends. Since she was not dressed nicely, as she does when he takes her, I figured he was not coming back to get her. Sophia”s wardrobe is in serious need of updating. Even her work clothes are frumpy. At home her attire is downright pitiful.
“I was not expecting you to be home!” Sophia mentioned.
“I wasn”t either, Melody is with some friends setting up for a shower tomorrow.” I explained as I flopped down on the couch. She looked at me as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. “Would you rather I go to my rooms?”
They had a three bedroom home. They used the master suite of course. There was a long hall with two bedrooms and a large bathroom. I used one as my bedroom the other was sort of my own personal den/office. I was taking one class over the summer just to keep moving forward. It was online so here is where I kept my computer as well. Separated from the rest of the home it allowed us both a certain amount of privacy.
“NO!” Sophia said just a bit too forcefully. “I was wondering if you wanted to join me for dinner that”s all.”
She tried to play her outburst down.
“Better still. Let me take you out for dinner.” I offered. “You cook all the time for me. Let me make it up to you.”
I was not prepared for the way she reacted. In fact it shocked me.
“Jake I can”t go to dinner with you.” Her eyes went to the floor. I noticed she did not call me **.
“Sure you can. Any place you want. It”s ok I can afford it.” I reassured her. What she said next stunned me even more.
“Jake. I am not allowed to leave the house alone.” Sophia still looked at the floor. “I”ll start dinner.” Sophia slipped past me into the kitchen.
What the fuck was she talking about? I so wanted to ask her, this is unbelievable. She is a grown woman not a teenager. It was all I could do to not go in and confront her and try and figure this out. I looked in the kitchen and saw her standing at the sink her shoulders shook. She was crying. I walked behind her and slipped my arms around her waist. I held her gently for just a moment.
“I”ll be in my den when dinner is ready. I am sorry I didn”t know.” I kissed the back of her head and left her standing there. I went to my den and thought about calling mom but decided against it for now. I thought it best to wait a bit, get some perspective on this.
“**! Dinner is ready.” Sophia woke me from my nap.
“Oh! Yeah. Be right there, just going to wash up.” I blurted out as I jumped up. She smiled and went to the kitchen.
It was quiet at first but we soon found subjects we could discuss without ruffling any feathers. I learned Sophia was in the loan processing department at the bank. She handled paperwork for incoming loans and kept the company updated on the follow-up for bad loans. I talked about school and work. I don”t discuss limo job, Randy suggested I didn”t. Too many friends and family looking for free rides. I helped with the dishes. We did them by hand since it was only the two of us.
I went to take a shower and then to bed. Odell came home late. I know because he stumbled through the house drunk on his ass.
Sunday I got a call I was needed at the limo service. It was a bummer since I was not scheduled to work and want a day to just catch up on life. I agreed just the same. At two I was in the locker room changing into the suit provided by the company. Grabbing the bag with some food and text book I headed out.
he white car was prepped and waiting, the engine running. I had never driven it, Butch drove it exclusively. An attendant opened the driver”s door and motioned for me to get in. I tossed my bag in and slid behind the wheel. The GPS indicated where I should go.
“Please take your time I want to see the river today.” The speaker squawked.
“Slow it is.” I replied cheerfully.
The division window was blacked out. Not just dark tint like the black car. It felt heavier but had more power. I traveled the route indicated and an hour later pulled under a car port at a huge mansion. A butler (I guess that is what you called him) opened the door to the limo. A tall person wearing a long hooded gown exited the car and ducked into the house. I turned off the engine and waited.
Not sure why all the cloak and dagger stuff? I had been here before to fix the roof just two years ago. Tree limb fell and punched a hole in it. Damn roof is so steep had to hang by a rope most of the day. If I remember some lady doctor owns it. I remember her having a party planned. Paid big money to get the job done fast.
I dragged my book bag over and started studying. I then took a break and walked around the car. Bored I went back inside and started checking out all the buttons. There were several that were not in the other car so I didn”t touch them. There were two division windows buttons instead of one. I pushed them but they did not work. I pulled my pocket knife out and using the screw driver blade popped the switches out. The wire was disconnected. I attached it and the window went down. When I pushed the other one a tinted window came up. Pleased I had fixed it so easily I returned it as it was and went back to studying.
I had just finished eating when the back door opened and the figure reappeared. The butler indicated I should leave. Starting the car I pulled out. The GPS showed the same route back so I started following it.
“Can you pick up the pace I am running late!” The speaker squawked again.
I pushed the button lowering the privacy window.
“If you are going home I know a quicker way Dr. Nelson.”
“How did you do that?” She looked livid that the window was down.
“The wire came off the switch. I fixed it while I waited.” I calmly explained.
“How do you know who I am?” She was still upset about something.
“Fixed your roof two years ago. Just before some big party I think?” She sat back and smiled slyly at me in the rear view mirror. Deep in thought for just a minute she looked up.