Page 6 of Jobe

“Hey girl,” he answered jovially.

“Hey back. Listen, I’m out front and that same car is driving by and I’m positive it’s probably one of the gangs just wanting me to feel threatened.”

“Now girl, don’t you go gettin’ all riled up. You can’t fight those fuckers alone.”

“I don’t plan on fighting them, Little John, but honest to God, if they come back then I’m going after them.”

“Oh Lordy, protect those fuckers when you get mad. Only you know they don’t fight fair and they carry guns. So you gotta promise me, you’ll leave them alone.”

She heard the worried tone in his voice and assured him she was leaving. “Just make sure you lock up really good tonight when you go on duty and I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

Looking up and down the road again seeing nothing but quiet, she walked to her car and drove to the little restaurant to meet with her friend.

* * *

“Mac, I love what you’re accomplishing,” Jennifer enthused as the warm, melted mozzarella strung out from her fingers to her mouth. They had met at a little Italian eatery and decided to splurge on the appetizers. Jennifer Malloy was a fellow social worker for the Department of Social Services and handled an elder care center that provided low-cost housing for a group of elderly residents. Mackenna stared at the petite, blonde beauty in front of her, giggling at how much she could eat and stay so tiny.

“I know it can make a difference,” Mackenna responded. “The research shows that education and job skills can entice some women to not be sucked into gangs or can get them out and keep them out. But it’s slow going. So far, we have seven women ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-one that live there.”

“How’s the fundraising? I have to keep re-applying for my grant and beg our local politicians every chance I get.”

Mackenna wrinkled her nose at the subject. “I know…it sucks. So far the grant money is getting us through and I’ve got a great teacher and a paid night watchman.”

“Night watchman?” Jennifer asked, stopping her fork on its path to her mouth.

Shrugging, Mackenna answered, “I gotta try to keep the girls safe. I’m sure some of the local gangs know where we are, but so far no one has bothered us. But, well…”

“What?”

“The girl I took in today is pregnant. Her ex-boyfriend is in one of the gangs here in Richmond. According to her, he doesn’t care. She says he’s got more bastards among the gang women and isn’t about to pay any child support. But…I’m cautious anyway. I mean, let’s face it, they don’t like what New Beginnings is doing.”

“I never thought about that,” Jennifer admitted. “I had trouble with my elder center but only because someone wanted the real-estate we are in. But nobody cares if elderly people are living there. I can’t believe that when I heard about you starting a program to help rescue girls from gangs and give them a chance at a new life, I didn’t think about the dangers.”

“The girls have come to us so it’s not like we went out and stole them from the gangs. I just wish I had a way to keep them from going in to begin with. But that would involve getting to the girls by the time they are very young.”

“Are they actively in the gangs or just, um…you know?” Jennifer asked.

Grimacing, Mackenna said, “Gang whores? Is that what you were trying to say?” Seeing Jennifer nod, she added, “Some gangs let the girls be actual members but they usually have to whore their way into the establishment. And for the most part, they’ll never be included like the men. So, yes, many of them are just looking for a sense of family and the gang gives it to them.”

“Oh, Jesus help us,” Jennifer blurted, pushing her plate back.

“I know. But hopefully, our program will be a small start to allowing some of the girls to reclaim their lives.”

“You mentioned a night watchman. What other security do you have?” Jennifer asked.

“Security? Um…well, we have deadbolts on the doors. I don’t know what else you mean?”

“Girl, my husband is in the business. Gabe works for Alvarez Security and you better believe, I’m talking to him tonight about this.”

“Jen, I’ve heard of Alvarez Security. There’s no way my grant money will cover anything and you know our boss at DSS would have a coronary if I bring it up.”

“No, seriously, Mac, they can do it. They covered my center because they do some write-off business and I’ll bet they would do it for you. I’ll talk to Gabe tonight.”

Finishing the food on her plate, Mackenna smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm and happiness when talking about her husband. Her smile slipped slightly when she thought of her own disastrous love life. It was practically nonexistent and when she did date?I have such a penchant for going out with the wrong guy.Lately, her battery-operated boyfriend was giving her more business than the last boyfriend she had.

“You okay?” Jennifer asked, interrupting Mackenna’s depressing musings.

Startled, she laughed. “Yeah, just thinking about what all needs to get done this week.”

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