Chapter 22
Jessica
Five days had passed since meeting Victoria in person at the ball.
It was now Thursday morning, and Jessica was sitting at her desk at school, grading semester exams. She looked out the window toward the courtyard.
She could see the American flag hanging high on the white pole, but the courtyard was quiet because students were either home studying for exams or currently taking one in the gym.
She needed to stay productive grading because later this afternoon Victoria was taking her on a hike at a forest preserve just outside Cincinnati. It had a fire tower and everything.
Yes, Victoria was a keeper. Jessica had been with bossy, domineering women who called themselves dominants but weren’t.
Jessica wanted, and hopefully had, someone who would take the lead, steer the ship, or whatever, but not run ramshod over her.
Victoria, asking if a hike was acceptable, made her heart swell.
Jessica didn’t answer with words; she simply nodded, put her arms around her new lover, and kissed her.
Jessica sighed at last evening’s memory.
“We should all have a look like that on our faces,” KC said with a laugh. She stood in the doorway, arms folded across her chest. “New developments in the love life, eh?”
Jessica willed her face not to heat up, but it was impossible. “Yes.” A simple one-word answer.
“Tell me when you’re able,” KC said with another laugh and walked toward her desk. “I have ideas for second semester’s lit mag.”
Jessica put her grading pen down. “Fantastic. I already have emails from students wanting to know the next submission deadlines.” She almost choked when she heard herself say the word ‘submission,’ but held it together.
“Herrera says we need to charge for the mag second semester,” KC said.
Jessica nodded. She’d also gotten that email from him. They discussed a few more ideas, and KC said she’d follow up with an email summarizing their conversation. The second she left the classroom, Jessica’s phone rang. She smiled when she saw who it was.
“Hi, Lisa.”
“How are things going?” Lisa blurted. She sounded out of breath or something.
“Good. How are—”
“No red flags?” Lisa interrupted.
“What are you talking about?” Jessica was confused.
“By all accounts, Daddy Vic has cleaned up her act. Is that true?”
“By ‘all accounts’? Whose accounts?” Jessica looked toward her classroom door. It was closed, and no one seemed to be around, so she had a modicum of privacy.
“Bernadette, Miss Rikki, Madison,” Lisa said.
“Wait.”
“I’m so sorry,” Lisa said. “I didn’t tell you. I know them. All of them. I met Bernadette on Kinks. Just like I met you. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding.”
Jessica couldn’t speak.
“I know,” Lisa continued. “I should have told you immediately when I saw you had a crush on Daddy Vic. I should have warned you or something. Rachel thought it was better if I butted out. Are you okay? I’ve been so worried.”
Her phone dinged another incoming call. This time her stomach dropped.
“I have to go, Lisa.” She hung up and answered the other call.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, darling,” Jessica’s mother said. “You know you’re always welcome home for Christmas.”
But?
“But your father and I are taking the RV and going to that National Prayer Revival in Nashville. It’s going to focus on nationwide prayer, unity, and spiritual renewal.”
He’s not my father, Jessica said in her head. He’s your latest husband.
“Oh?” Jessica said out loud.
“I’m sure you have somewhere to go for Christmas?” It was a question.
“Of course, Mom,” Jessica said, offering zero details. “Enjoy your trip.”
“I told your father you’d understand,” her mother said. “We’re praying for you, dear.”
Again, he’s not my father. My father is in Alaska.
“Okay,” was all she could manage. She practically held her breath because she knew what was coming next.
“We’re praying for you and this woke country to return to simple traditional values. We’re praying for God to guide you back to the foundation this country was built on, Jessica. We pray that God opens your eyes, so you see the truth.”
Your truth, not mine.
And next would be the one she always ended with. “I’m praying for your soul, Jessica.” Bam, there it is.
“Okay, Mom,” Jessica said and picked up her grading pen. “I have to get back to grading, Mom. Thanks for calling.” No, really, thanks for calling to get your monthly pep talk out of the way. Her mother said goodbye and Jessica ended the call.
Long ago, in high school, probably, Jessica stopped trying to dissuade her mother from joining that radical movement to no avail. Even knowing she had a lesbian daughter didn’t help. That only fueled the fire, so to speak.
She shook, literally shook, off her mother’s call and texted Lisa.
Jessica: I’m fine. Victoria and I are doing well. This whole community here supports us. Thank you for your concern, but I’m okay. More than okay, actually. So, does that mean that Victoria also knows who you are?
Jessica’s happy bubble had been rocked by Lisa’s confession and concern. She didn’t know what to think.
Lisa: I’m glad to hear that it’s going well. Rachel says people deserve a chance to grow and clean up their acts. And, no, Daddy Vic has no clue who I am. Even when you told her my name. I’m sure of it.
Jessica: Thanks for the concern, my friend. I’m grateful that I have someone I trust looking out for me.
Lisa: Glad to do it.
Jessica: Time to get back to grading. Talk later.
After that, Jessica devoted herself to grading exams. One more day of this, and she’d be able to turn in the grades early and have the entire Winter Break off until January.
And in January, she would be showing the entire English Department her method for teaching grammar, since her students had destroyed all others on their standardized grammar tests.
A couple of hours later, Jessica was walking arm in arm with Victoria on a mulch-covered hiking trail.
Victoria had used the term hike, so Jessica thought they’d be climbing up hills and dodging rock slides, but this was little more than a walking path.
She loved hanging off Victoria’s arm. She loved letting everyone know that she belonged to this amazing woman, not that there were any people out on this cold but sunny afternoon.
“We’re in luck,” Victoria said and picked up the pace. “The fire tower is open.”
Jessica looked up. That was a long way up. She wasn’t petrified of heights, just the normal amount necessary for self-preservation.
“Up for it?”
Jessica looked up again and nodded tentatively.
Victoria leaned close. “Color?”
“Yellow. I trust you, just not sure about our forest people.”
“We’ll take it slow then.”
“Okay,” Jessica said, reaching out to test the handrails. They seemed sturdy enough. “Okay,” she said again.
Victoria held out her hand, and Jessica let herself be escorted to the staircase.
Victoria stayed behind her at every step.
She didn’t fuss when Jessica needed a break on some of the landings, but soon enough, they made it all the way up.
And, once at the top, Victoria did that thing Jessica was coming to love. She held her from behind.
“I wanted you to see this view,” Victoria said. She pointed toward the forest preserve below and the sprawling suburbs beyond. She released Jessica and then hand-in-hand walked the entire top deck, taking in the view of the Cincinnati skyline. It was breathtaking.
Jessica had to loosen her scarf and take off her wool cap.
She’d worked up a sweat on the way up. And, so far, no red flags had popped up.
She was kind of miffed at Lisa for bringing doubts into her new relationship, but intellectually, she knew it was just out of concern.
And, besides, Victoria seemed to have the support of the entire community, including Bernadette.
Those were very green flags as far as Jessica was concerned.
She needed to change the dialogue in her head.
“Is that the Ohio River?” When Victoria nodded, Jessica turned to face her. “Thank you for showing me this.”
Out of nowhere, Victoria started crying. She released Jessica and turned away, covered her face, and said, “I’ve been such a fuck-up my whole life. I can’t believe you’re taking a chance on me. You must have heard more about me from them. Arrogant. Womanizer. Insensitive jerk.”
“You’re far from any of those things, Victoria,” Jessica said softly. “You’re actually quite sensitive. Your people love you, Victoria.” She moved to face her. “And I love you.”
That seemed to make Victoria cry even more. Her face in a grimace, she kissed Jessica on the forehead and said, “I love you, too, JB. I mean, it seems so fast, but I’ve been wanting to say that to you for a long time now. I didn’t dare.”
“Move in with me,” Jessica blurted and then cringed. She hadn’t meant to ask so soon. “You’re kind of without lodging, right? Nowhere to ‘hang your hat?’”
“Rowena is fine with Tillman and me staying there for a while. Not that I don’t want to move in with you,” Victoria said, releasing Jessica. She wiped at the tears in her eyes and on her face.
Oh, no. Is this a rejection? Jessica’s hopes were falling.
“I won’t…I can’t be a burden to you,” Victoria said, looking off toward the city skyline. “I need to find a job first.” She turned back around, and Jessica’s heart lifted as she saw a small smile creeping up Victoria’s face. “Job first, apartment hunting for both of us after that.”
“But I have an apartment.”
“It’s not good enough for you,” Victoria said firmly.
Ooh, Jessica had begun to recognize that sultry Domme tone.
“I want something better for you. Something better for us when we begin our lives together.” She leaned down and kissed Jessica once.
“Baby, I love that you have your independence with your apartment, and if you want to keep it to have a getaway, you absolutely can. I’m okay with that. ”