Page 14 of SEAL's Sky
Jen remembered wondering how she’d kept so calm when their life had just been turned inside out and ripped to shreds. She didn’t remember a word they’d said, only sitting on the couch, and squeezing her mom’s hand.
After they were done and the door closed behind the two officers, it was like the dam broke. They’d held on to each other, just like now, and cried until there were no tears left.
“But you’re my baby. I should have been able to help.”
“No, Mom. You didn’t know. Before I realized what was happening, it was too late.”
“What do you mean?” her mom asked as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“He slowly cut me off from everyone I knew once I moved in with him. I was stupid, it was too fast. I knew it. But he knew just which buttons to push to sweep me off my feet. Who moves in with a guy after dating for two months?” Jen asked, but didn’t expect an answer. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen for his charm so easily.
“It happens. Your father and I got married after dating for three. But times were different then. No one moved in together without getting married. My father would have had a cow.”
“But you and dad were amazing, special. I wanted to find that kind of love and he knew it. I talked about you and he used it all against me.”
“You’re here now. It’ll be okay. Like you said, we’ll figure something out.”
Her mom nodded. “Why don’t you get settled, then come downstairs and have something to eat. You had to have missed Tony’s burgers.”
“Sounds good. Just remember, I’m Sky, not Jen. I know it’ll be hard for both of us. Calling you Pam isn’t going to be easy to do.”
“It’ll be weird hearing you call me that too,” Mom said and reached out to squeeze Jen’s hand. “I wish I didn’t have to go back down, but the crowd is pretty rowdy tonight.”
“I saw that. It’s fine. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later. I’m a big girl, I can find my way back downstairs.”
“Okay. Don’t forget to grab your key from the table by the door, it’s in the little drawer.”
“I won’t.”
As her mom stood to leave, Jen gave her another hug. “Thank you, Mom. For everything. I love you.”
“I love you too, always will, no matter what.”
* * *
Jen had been truly blessed with parents like Pam and Adam Turner. Even though she’d been an only child, they never spoiled her. Instead, they’d instilled their values in her from a young age, but they were always wrapped in love. And even though her dad was long gone, deep in her heart she knew he still watched over them. As she thought about it, she wondered if he’d been the one to finally give her the strength to get away from Kurt.
When her stomach growled, it reminded her she’d eaten nothing since the snack she’d had on the train. Time to get her ass in gear so she could sink her teeth into one of Tony’s burgers. Neither of them could get him to share the recipe, but whatever he did, they were the best burgers ever. The Ready Room even won an award for the best burger in Norfolk.
The guest room was pretty much like she left it when it used to be hers, before she left for college and moved into her own apartment. Her mom had kept it clean and hung up a few photos of them from when she was younger. Sitting on the bed, she pulled out her new wardrobe and giggled. With her new colorful hair and the second-hand store clothing finds, she doubted anyone would recognize her. If her high school friends could see her now. It was like Jen’s psychedelic makeover. But she was banking on it to work.
Refolding the clothing to put in her dresser, she gazed at the large wardrobe. It had been in her room in their house and she’d pleaded with Mom to keep it even though it really was too big for this room. Of course, she’d relented
Memories flooded back of all the times she’d hidden in there playing hide and seek with her dad, and then later after readingThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, she’d pretend she would go to Narnia. Now she wished it would turn into a time machine. She’d go back and say no to Kurt the twat waffle from day one.
Tears threatened to slide down her cheeks, but she shook them off. There’d been enough crying for one day. Getting up, she made quick work of unpacking the rest of her clothes and setting out her new more elaborate makeup on the dresser.
After catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror she burst out laughing. It looked like she was trying to impersonate Alice Cooper. Holy shit. Yeah, that had to be fixed before she could quiet the rumble in her stomach. With the makeup removed, she took a closer look at her face. The black eyes had faded and now looked more like shadows. Concealer had become her best friend. Finally finished, it was time for food. She almost walked out without her key but remembered before she’d managed to lock herself out.
The bar was still crazy busy from the blast of voices that greeted her when she opened the back door. Her mom could be anywhere, waiting tables, in her office, in the kitchen, or even tending bar. Only the long term staff knew she was the owner and she liked to keep it that way.
Checking as she passed the office and seeing it empty, Jen made a beeline for the kitchen.
Tony looked when she walked through the door. “Hey, Sky, right? Pam said you’d be coming for one of my burgers.”
“Yeah, I lo… can’t wait to try one.” Shit, first conversation and she’d almost blown it already.
“I promise, you won’t be disappointed. What do you want on it?”
