Chapter 52: Mermaid
*The ghosts of all the women you used to be are all so proud of who you’ve become. – Nikita Gill*
Reese was helping Dean with the last few dishes for their Thanksgiving meal. They were having it in Dean’s house since she had the double oven. Mary insisted on having a kitchen big enough to cook for large family parties.
With nine sisters and way too many nieces to count, they had a lot of family.
Even with it just being the three of them. both ovens were going. The turkey was already cooked by the chef at Oar House. Last time Reese had tried to cook a turkey by himself, Mary got a new kitchen. He was not making that mistake ever again.
The large kitchen was designed in a modern farmhouse style with dark grayish blue and sea glass green. The countertops were a white quartz that complimented the reclaimed wood look floors. The radiant heated floors meant that Dean was usually barefoot. Just as she was now, with her gray pajama pants and hot pink Elvira shirt.
Reese was in faded jeans and a T-shirt. Unlike his niece, and probably his daughter, he wore thick black socks. His boots sat by the door where he had kicked them off. Glancing out the window, he caught a glimpse of his daughter in her jeans and oversized Colorado Nuggets hoodie. Glancing down, he saw her flip flops.
Cheryl had stepped outside to talk to her long-term boyfriend, Waylon. She didn’t want to settle down yet. He was gone most of the time with his job as a wild land firefighter. So far it had worked out well, but Reese knew that it wouldn’t always be that way.
Waylon was trying to move up in the forest service. Cheryl had started talking about kids. Maybe a boy to offset all the estrogen. Reese wasn’t sure if his daughter was considering marriage before having that boy. Or even after.
The patio door in the hall opened and Cheryl walked back inside. “It smells good, dad.”
“Wait until you try Dean’s dessert. Her,” he cleared his throat, “friend gave her the recipe.”
“He’s Helen’s son.” Dean said tossing a grape at her uncle. He grabbed it as it bounced off his t-shirt for a rock band. Popping it into his mouth, he winked at her.
“When do I get to meet her?” Cheryl asked joining her cousin at the island.
“I don’t know.” Reese admitted honestly. “We’re at a… well, we’re having… shit, it’s complicated.”
He turned to wash the knife he had been using. Dean shrugged and shook her head. Now was not the time to discuss it. Cheryl signed midnight swim and Dean agreed.
“I can see you in the reflection.” Reese told them.
“Don’t you know it’s rude to eavesdrop?” Dean asked.
“It’s rude to talk behind someone’s back.” He countered.
Her youngest brother was born deaf, and she had been speaking in ASL for most of her life. Cheryl waited until her dad turned around before she signed to him asking what was complicated.
“I’m sure that Dean will fill you in at your midnight swim.” He replied as he signed it.
There was a chime from a phone, but it was not either of the girls’ phones. Reese looked at his phone and then walked away from the kitchen, going down the hall for privacy. He quickly called back the unknown number.
He could hear the two still in the kitchen.
“That’s not her regular ringtone.” Dean called out.
“You think it is her?” Cheryl asked, just as loudly.
“Why else would he leave?” Dean practically yelled.
Reese stepped into Mary’s office and closed the door behind him for privacy. She had asked for time until Monday and he was abiding by that request. He texted only twice a day. If she texted him, he would respond with a text.
But the message of MERMAID 911 had him calling.
“Helen?” he asked concerned when she answered.
“He’s beating her.” Helen sobbed. “I hear it. He’s beating her and he said that the cops won’t do anything.”
“Who baby? Who’s beating her?” Reese asked, he was pretty sure that he knew who it was. But he wanted to make sure.
“Hank. Hank is beating Jolene.” She took a rough breath, and he heard JD trying to calm her. “I think he’s killing her.”
“Send me the address. I’m on my way.” He ripped open the door and stalked down the hall.
“Reese…” Helen sobbed. “I need you.”
“I’m coming to you, baby.” He said with more tenderness than his actions showed. “I’ll be there as quick as I can. I’m going to call Gina and then I’m headed to you.”
“I need you to go to Jolene.” She cried softly.
“Okay, baby. I’ll go there and check on her with Gina. Then I’m coming to you.” He shoved his feet into the boots and rushed across the driveway to grab his keys.
After hanging up with Helen, he quickly scrolled to Gina on her phone and hit the dial button.
“What’s up baby brother?” Gina asked cheerfully as she answered her phone.
“Domestic. I’m sending you the address. Abuser is a cop.” He said angrily as he headed back out the door, Dean and Cheryl were right on his heels.
“Shit.” Dean rushed back inside her house and turned off the ovens and stove. Everything else could wait.
She rushed back outside, grabbing the keys to the Mustang as she passed. Just as she came back outside, Reese was already getting into the Impala. He looked over at a terrified Dean. “Go to JD’s.”
Dean nodded and headed for the Mustang. “Come on.”
Cheryl hesitated for a moment, wanting to go with her dad. He already had the Impala down the driveway before she could decide. Turning, she sprinted to the Mustang and got in the passenger seat.
As soon as his phone chimed the notification, he forwarded the address to his sister.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
