Jess talked to Bobby for around thirty minutes. She was careful of how she let the conversation go, constantly aware of Tad and Audrey’s presence. They discussed how each other had been and what they both had been up to in last few months since last seeing each other. Over all it was really a mundane conversation. At the end of the phone call, Bobby finally asked what Jess had been dreading the whole time.
“So, babe, what do you say we meet and grab a bite to eat? Maybe catch a movie and you can tell me all about your new job and tell me how well Tad has been treating you.”
Jess could have swore she heard a smile in his voice.
Quickly glancing at the couple staring at her, she mumbled out a reply.
“Um, well, maybe. I...I’m not sure if that is a good idea.”
Darting a quick glance back at the duo,
“Ok, I guess that would be alright.”
“Great. How about meeting at that little restaurant on the corner of Edison that we always liked so much? Say around eightish?”
“Sure, ok that will be fine. I’ll um, I’ll see you there.”
Staring at her shoes, she missed the smile that was exchanged between the two next to her.
“Alrighty doll. Bye for now.”
After hanging up the phone, she looked over at Tad and Audrey and gave a small smile.
“We are going to meet and talk tonight. I really have a lot to do before I leave for the day so I ‘m gonna go back to my desk now. Please excuse me.”
Stepping away from the desk, she turned and ran smack dab into one of the chairs and gave a nervous little laugh. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled and hurried around the obstacle and made for the door.
“Jess, hun, you are doing the right thing. You will see that it is going to all work out for the best this way.”
Jess turned at the sound of Tad’s voice and saw him smile, then with a wink he nodded for her to leave.
Back at her desk, she tried to concentrate on her work but had a hard time of it. Thoughts of the upcoming meeting kept running through her head. Should she tell Bobby about everything that has happened? Of course she had a pretty good idea that he already knew most of it. In fact she suspected, from the comments that Tad had made, that Bobby may have been behind the whole thing.
Without noticing, the hours passed while she sat and pondered her situation. She got very little work done and still had not come up with any answers. A soft knock sounded at her door followed by Tad’s head peeking around the edge.
“Time to go hun, if you don’t hurry you will be late for your date.”
He gave another wink and disappeared.
Jess quickly got her things together, astonished at the time that had passed and made her way out of the building. After grabbing a cab. She gave the driver directions and sat back, watching the city, dreading the ever approaching hour. Every few minutes she would look at her watch, thinking about how slow the twenty minute ride home seemed to be taking. Thankful that 8:00 was still a good hour and a half away, yet wishing at the same time that it would come faster and all be over with.
When she got home, she took a long shower, letting the hot water ease her tense muscles. She spent extra time on her makeup, went through five outfits, and three pairs of shoes before settling on a simple black, pleaded skirt, an off-the-shoulder black blouse, and a pair black, high heeled sandals. All too soon it was time to leave.
She arrived at the restaurant at 7:55. When she walked in the door, she was surprised to see so many people waiting to be seated. Usually it wasn’t this busy on a Tuesday night. Giving her name to the hostess, she was immediately led to a table. Bobby was already there, sipping on a glass of wine, a big smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
They talked for hours, to Jess’s relief, never broaching the subject she had dreaded all day. When the second hour passed and it looked as if the subject wouldn’t come up, she began to relax and enjoy herself. Once again deriving pleasure from Bobby’s company that she had missed since they had separated.
Sensing that she had relaxed, Bobby brought up the subject that was put off for the meal.
“So, how do you like your new job? Tad been treating you ok?”
Jess looked into his eyes, then quickly looked down at her hands. She had the linen napkin in her lap and was folding it over and over again nervously.
“Yes, he has been good to me.”
Taking a deep breath, she asked the question that had been weighing on her mind.
“Bobby? Did you have anything to do with my meeting Mr.Baker?”
At his silence, she looked back at his face. He was staring at her with a bemused expression.
How much to tell her now?
“Yes, I did actually. I knew that you were looking for a job and Tad is an old family friend. Frank mentioned that Tad was needing some help, so I gave him a call and told him about you. Tad has some unusual habits that I thought you might benefit from.”
Frank was Bobby’s stepfather, which he got along with better than his mother. Knowing this, Jess believed that he gave Bobby Tad’s name. However, the last comment brought a frown to her face.
“What habits would those be?”
“Hmm, well I am pretty sure you have figured those out for yourself by now. I must say that I am surprised that you stayed after finding out what they are, really surprised that you went along with them.”
This was said with a raised brow.
Jess felt the blood run to her face in a blush. She had been afraid of this question and wasn’t sure if she could answer. She felt her mouth working, trying to form words. Nothing came out, not a sound.
“It’s alright babe, don’t worry about it right now. You will be able to tell me one day. Until then, let’s not worry about it. Drink your wine and I will take you home. I think we have done enough talking for one night.”
He gave her a warm smile before signaling the waiter for the check.
She let him take her home, the silence on the ride there was a bit uncomfortable for her but she didn’t know what to say. When they pulled in front of her house, he helped her from the car, walked her to the door and placed a quick kiss upon her lips.
“Night babe. I’ll call you in a few days.”
He slowly made his way to the car, throwing a quick wave before getting in and driving away. She watched him go with a sigh. It was going to be a long night.
The next morning Jess had a headache from a sleepless night. Downing an extra cup of coffee made her feel slightly better. She wasn’t sure what to expect at the office today. She dreaded going in at all. When she got there, she went to her office first to put away her purse and make more coffee. As she approached her desk, she groaned, noticing the yellow sticky note attached to her calendar.
“Not again,”
she whispered.
Jess,
We have a special assignment today. I am making arrangements for us, all you need to do is bring yourself with a smile. These are two of my best clients. Don’t disappoint me!
Tad
Jess wasn’t at all sure she wanted to know what the assignment was. She usually didn’t meet the clients, she just scheduled the appointments. She sat down, put her arms on her desk and placed her head on her arms. Should she just leave? Tell him she quit, that she couldn’t do this anymore. Why was she staying? Why did she let him do these things to her? Because it excited her, it made her feel something that she just couldn’t put into words. That’s why. She was learning new things about her body, things that Bobby had always tried to get her to realize but she stubbornly refused. In the back of her mind, she hoped that maybe having someone do these things without her admitting that she wanted it, that she wouldn’t feel dirty. Experiencing new things with Tad just might make her a better lover and strengthen the next relationship she got involved in.
Taking a deep breath, she got up, straightened her clothes and made her way to Tad’s office. He called for her to enter when she knocked. He was standing in front of his desk, his back to her, zipping a black duffel bag. He looked over his shoulder, gave her a smile, and asked,