Chapter 20 #2
“A suspension,” Madison said wide-eyed. “Miss Minjung is a dancer, and she is quite flexible.”
“I will make this a priority, then,” Jessica said. She’d had Dommes do rope ties on her before, Miss Marta included, but never a suspension. That kernel of self-dread she fought hard against daily came in unbidden. No one would ever attempt to suspend her full-figured self.
Jessica swallowed the regret and allowed herself to be dragged around the venue by three very enthusiastic littles, all in the name of their community service project.
Once back at the table, Jessica made small talk with Miss Marta, Miss Shasti, and Miss Lydia.
It was nice getting to know some strong women in the community.
She was on the brink of feeling like she belonged somewhere, and that warmed her heart.
She looked toward the beverage area, thinking she should get a glass of white zinfandel before the line got too long. She might need the wine for courage, especially if these aunties were going to introduce her to someone. She excused herself and got on the beverage line.
Heads turned toward a loud, raucous group of people entering the venue. All three littles screeched, and Madison took off running.
“Daddy Vic!” Madison yelled and leaped into someone’s open arms.
The room telescoped in front of her, zeroing in on the woman now hugging Madison.
“Daddy Vic?” Jessica muttered out loud. “Victoria?” A soft clearing of a throat told her she was holding up the line.
She moved out of the way, her gaze not deviating from the tall androgynous woman who was the perfect blend of masculine and feminine.
Jessica swallowed hard; every nerve in her body seemed to be shaking.
How was Victoria here? Jessica moved to lean against the fire pole, conveniently placed behind her.
She needed the support. Was Denton Heights the town where Victoria used to live?
Was the woman they referred to as B here?
Jessica let her head turn toward Bernadette. “Was it her?”
Jessica’s heart was pounding. She looked back as Victoria greeted her friends and introduced someone to them. Was that masculine-looking person Victoria’s date? No, it didn’t seem like it. Just a friend then.
Victoria’s light gray collarless shirt and dark pants fit her lean frame perfectly.
Her light sandy hair was perfectly casual and messy, like she’d just gone windsurfing or something.
At one unguarded moment, she watched as Victoria looked toward Miss Rikki and Bernadette, her expression turning quite serious.
“It was Bernadette,” Jessica said out loud. “Holy shit. Oh, my God.” Panic started to creep in. She knew these people. She knew all the people Victoria had talked about. She suddenly felt like a spy. She should leave. She thought the thought but couldn’t get her feet to move.
Victoria was obviously well-loved by this community. How could she not see that? Obviously, she’d let the Bernadette situation cloud over everything. Victoria hadn’t yet spoken with Bernadette face-to-face yet. That might determine everything.
Jessica stood against the pole, allowing a small glimmer of hope to enter her heart.
She should make herself known. It wasn’t fair that she knew who Victoria was, but Victoria didn’t know who she was, and the fact that she was right there holding up the fire pole.
But then that familiar dread hit her again.
There was no way someone that gorgeous was going to take one look at her and be smitten. No way.
She’ll look at my plus-size figure and say, ‘No thanks.’
“I should leave,” she said out loud. “This is stupid. She needs privacy for her meeting with Bernadette.” She doesn’t need the distraction of…me.
Jessica was frozen, though. Her feet simply wouldn’t move.
She watched as Victoria made her way over to Miss Rikki, Bernadette, and Seamus.
Yes! That was his name. A small bit of dopamine hit her upon remembering the man’s name.
It helped calm the nerves she had about Victoria’s very big, but very private, moment.
“I shouldn’t be watching this,” Jessica muttered, but couldn’t look away.
A grin burst on Miss Rikki’s face as she flung herself to hug Victoria.
Bernadette’s smile looked genuine, too. She also hugged Victoria, put a hand on her arm, and said something that made everyone chuckle.
Victoria looked nervous but also relaxed at the same time.
These were people she knew. They had been her friends.
And it looked like they remained her friends.
“So good to have you home,” Miss Rikki said. Jessica didn’t hear the words but lipread them. It was a teacher skill she had developed over the years to communicate with soft-spoken students.
The reunion continued for a few more minutes, and then Victoria excused herself and headed back to the table.
Jessica’s feet, all on their own, decided to move toward the table as well. When she got close, she stopped when she heard Victoria say, “No, Rowena, I told you I don’t want to be set up with anyone. I’m seeing someone I met recently.”
Rowena put both hands up as if acquiescing. Oh, shit. Were the aunties trying to set up Victoria with someone, like they’d been trying to do to her? Wow. They really did meddle.
“Look,” Victoria continued, “I’m going to drive to see her after my visit here. I don’t want to have to needlessly hurt someone else’s feelings.”
“Daddy Vic’s got feels for someone,” Madison singsonged and then immediately apologized.
Victoria pulled Madison into a side hug and said, “I do. I really do.”
Jessica turned away, not knowing what to do.
She couldn’t text or call Victoria and pretend to be at another party.
That wouldn’t be fair. And, besides, Victoria wouldn’t have her phone on her, anyway since phones weren’t allowed at the event.
Jessica couldn’t exactly sneak out of the venue.
She’d have to face these people another day, even if she claimed sickness or whatever.
Mortified, she realized she had been staring at Victoria while internally panicking.
Victoria must have sensed it because she looked up straight at Jessica and smiled.
It was a genuine, easy smile. Jessica smiled back.
Victoria looked away when Madison started telling her about the community service project initiative she and the other littles had started.
“Impressive, Squirt,” Victoria said.
“That’s very noble,” the woman Victoria had been introducing to people said to Madison and the other littles who were, of course, crowding around Victoria, their long-lost friend.
Jessica backed away. She had to do it. If she got rejected, it would hurt, but it would be okay because she would be asserting herself and going for what she wanted.
Victoria had counseled her about advocating for herself.
Okay, that had been about the lit mag project, but still, it applied here, right?
And maybe, just maybe, Victoria wouldn’t reject her.
Jessica caught Pammy’s eye and motioned for her to come over.
“I need more community service, Pammy,” Jessica said. “Can you quietly and secretly round up the other two?”
“Be back in a flash, Miss Jessica.” And with that, Pammy bolted for her friends and made quick work of the clandestine operation.
Once they were gathered around Jessica, she leaned in low and said, “Ladies, we have a secret mission.”
“Really?” Madison said and started bouncing.
Shanice put a hand on Madison’s arm, and the bouncing stopped. That seemed like a common occurrence.
“I need your best arts and crafts skills. We need to make green carnations. Two of them. But we can’t let anyone see.”
“Green streamers,” Pammy said, pointing. “And there’s tape on the DJ’s table. I saw it.”
Jessica assigned Pammy to get the tape and Shanice and Madison to secretly snag some green streamers. They were to meet her in the darkened display area in the back.
“How do you make a carnation?” Madison asked.
“Oh, child, please,” Shanice said. “They’d drag us poor foster kids to the rec center once a year and do arts and crafts with us. Carnations are easy.” She showed them how to do the accordion folds and secure the crinkly crepe paper into carnations. When they were done, they’d made five of them.
“We only needed two,” Jessica said with a laugh.
“Pick the best two,” Shanice said.
“What’s this for?” Madison asked, her brows tightly knit in confusion.
“You’ll see,” Jessica said. “Now, here’s what I need you to do.” She leaned down close and whispered her plan. All three sets of littles’ eyes grew wide as they began to understand the implications of Jessica’s covert operation.
“I wholeheartedly approve,” Madison said and then leaned in to offer an additional idea.
“I approve,” Jessica said. “But we have to see how this first part goes before you three implement the second part. She may not be interested.”
“She will be,” Madison said matter-of-factly.
“Put on your carnation, Miss Jessica,” Pammy said. “And turn around, so she doesn’t see it.”
“Good idea.”
Once the carnation was affixed to Jessica’s dress, the three littles nonchalantly made their way over to Victoria. The remaining paper carnations were hidden in Shanice’s lap.
Shanice held up one of the green carnations to Victoria.
Victoria’s expression changed from a smile to confusion to shock.
Jessica couldn’t hear what she asked them, but it looked like they were keeping their word and not spilling the beans.
Victoria looked around, clearly looking for the matching carnation.
Jessica slid behind the St. Andrew’s cross just in time.
Sneaking a peek, Jessica watched as Madison affixed the carnation to Victoria’s dress shirt with tape.