As Trevor and I continued with our conversation, someone bounced into the house without knocking. It was Jessica, she stood perplexedly staring at us in the sitting room obviously wondering who the male cop with Mainland police outfit doing in our house.
"That's her. Jessica..." I said in a low tone to Trevor, but guess what? Jessica's curiosity made her to understand what I said.
"Me? What... what have I done again?" she said as the nylon in her hand fell wearily on the ground. The nylon was white and had Rosenberg Fried Chicken logo on it, which obviously meant she went to buy fried chicken from the restaurant. That was good of her, despite having ate food at home she had the guts to go and waste money outside.
"You did nothing," I giggled at her as I stood and walked over to her, "what's this, chicken?" I took the nylon she dropped and began checking inside.
"Yes, and some fries and drinks" she said as she snatched the nylon from me. "Who's that cop?" she asked in what seemed like a whisper, "He's from the Mainland, right? Who sent him here?" she bespoke.
"Calm down, dear, he's a friend. Nobody sent him, he's here to see... us" I said smiling at her, she looked so scared and I didn't blame her. What she went through lately with the police was enough to teach her a lesson I bet she would never forget.
"Us? Like seriously?" she glared at me, "How did you knows us, you invited him here or what exactly are you insinuating, Laura? Is he your friend?" Her questions were too much and too funny, I didn't know when I burst into laughter. She really looked terrified. So terrified. I had never seen her that scared before, or so I thought.
"Come on, dear. It's not. And yes, he's my friend. I invited him here. Can you please go and drop that in the kitchen, or anywhere... as long as it's out of sight. I would like us to talk about something" I said, trying to convince her but she didn't look like someone that could be convinced that easily.
She looked stared and wanted to just vanish from scene. But not so fast, I would like to formally introduce her to Trevor first. If she likes him then that's good, and if she doesn't then fine. At least I tried to hook them up and I bet he wouldn't blame me if she didn't accept him. He wouldn't dare do that.
"About what, exactly?" she nearly yelled at me, but somehow managed to control herself. "You know I don't want trouble, right? I really don't and I would be glad if you don't involve me in whatever you guys are planning. Reade and his accomplice are already locked up and would be facing trial soon for what they did, I don't want any more problem. I really don't want anything that has to do with thr police right now, I hate the police. I hate them!" she turned to my utmost dismay and began heading towards the stairway.
"Jessica..." I called her, trying to talk her into coming back but she ignored me and pretended deaf ears. She kept walking, leaving me embarrassed. That moment, I felt so hard to turn and look at Trevor. I knew he was pathetically staring at me and must be having different kinds of thoughts running in his mind. I had failed, I know that too but perhaps I should follow her to her room and try talking to her personally. That way, at least she wouldn't be scared of pouring whatever she had in mind and I wouldn't be shy to tell her whatever my plan was. Thus, I summoned the courage to turn to him. And when I did, I found him smiling. He quickly looked away and heave a sigh. By the looks of things, it was obvious je liked her. "I am coming please" I said and fortunately, he knew exactly what I meant.
"Alright, no problem" he said still looking down and fidgeting his fingers. I liked how coy he looked, not all guys are like that. Most of the guys are bold, and some are too bold. I liked men that are shy but preferred those that aren't that bold. The ones I hated however were the ones that are too bold. As for six packs, not really my thing. I didn't even know why some girls are attracted to that. I mean, what's to be attracted to? Men's face tend to attract me more and the structure of their body in their clothes. I liked guys that were upright and taller than me. I would never love to be with someone that is shorter than me. That absurd.
I walked upstairs as fast as I could before that young lady lock her door. Unfortunately for me, she did. When I arrived I found the door locked. I had to knock, and when I did she told me to go away. She didn't even ask who the person knocking was, what if it was Trevor or her mom? Although the possibility of those two coming to her door at this moment is one in million. That is to say, it's unimaginable... something that may never happen now. "Who do you think is knocking?" I tried to play with her.
"You of course" she muttered.
"Me, who?" I sarcastically asked.
"You, Laura" she said, and before I continued she begged to leave and let her eat what she came back home with in peace, "Please!" she added.
"Okay, fine. No problem. I will leave, but first of all I would like to taste your chicken first and your fries. I would leave as soon as I am done, no hard feelings" I tried to deceive her but this time around I failed. She told me she knew exactly what my plan was and for that reason, she wouldn't open the door for me to enter. "Okay, okay... agreed. But do you know what?" I wanted to draw her full attention to me.
"What, Laura? Say what you want to say, I am all ears" she muttered.
"Okay then," I cleared my throat and continued, "I met him at the Mainland some days ago and he offered to give me a lift. While driving, he told me about him and I find out he's single... looking for someone to start a serious relationship with"
"What exactly do you mean" she uttered, obviously puzzled about my confession.
"I mean, I told him about you" I responded.
"You what? Oh Lord, Laura, what's all these about? You want to hook me with someone you barely know? And by the way, I don't even know him!" she thundered.
"He's a good guy, trust me... he's really a good guy" I tried to convince her but she wasn't the type that could easily be convinced sometimes, although sometimes she could be sweet.
"Just because he's a cop doesn't mean he's a good guy. Was my dad a good guy? Lorraine wasn't a good guy either, and same goes to those idiots in that crazy-ass Sheriff department" she said losing her temper. I shouldn't have subscribed to this in the first place, I scolded myself.
"Okay, but they were only doing their job, right? None of them would ever an innocent person bad. Your dad didn't..." I lowered my voice, "steal from the bank. He did rob anybody. He only exchanged those cash with counterfeits after highjacking them from those drug cartel with his men, and he had his reasons... I am sure of that. I believe those cash are the reason why you are living peacefully with no debts around your neck. No unpaid taxes and certain no outstanding bills. As for Lorraine," I continued, "she was only doing her job. Your mom tried to talk you into confessing without getting yourself into trouble but... you didn't in time. Frank and I had to come over and explain things to you, now where is your mom? Of course she's still in the hospital. Do you still believe the police are bad people, if they are bad then... look deep into yourself. For all I know, nobody is a saint and we are all bad in other people's stories no matter how good we think we are"
My words seemed to had touched her. She remained silent for a while before heaving a sigh. "Fine, but I never told you I was single. Why would you even think about hooking us both? You know how I don't like it when people go behind my back to..." she said as I cut in,
"Jessica I am not forcing you to love or accept him. I only told him about you because he's good and I thought you would like him, after all your dad was a cop too. And from the looks of things, I am sure Trevor likes you. But if you don't like him, it's fine. But please I would like you to come down and share that package you want to devour alone with us, while we talk about how unavailable you are at the moment for a relationship" I said, and surprisingly she burst into a scornful laughter. Like seriously? "What's funny?" I asked out of curiosity. "Jessica, I am talking to you" I muttered as she continued laughing. That was odd, why would any sane person be laughing like an idiot for no specific reason? What did I say funny? I wondered and waited patiently for her reply.
"Nothing, just that you sounded like a motivational speaker" she said and giggled, however I didn't say anything to her. I knew it wasn't a compliment, she only said that in order to piss me off. "You really sounded like a motivational speaker, Laura, and I commend you for that the fact that you miraculously motivated me to start loving cops on your way. But sadly, our ways are different. You love them because they have never hurt you before and I am beginning to love them because you told me to. See? Two different motives"
"Are you coming out or not?" I muttered, going straight to the point. I actually didn't understand her words, they were like parables or perhaps she was just trying to toss with my mind. I bet she didn't also know the point she was trying to make, she just said whatever comes into her mind and expected me to think about what exactly to say as a response.
"If I say I am not coming, I hope you won't be angry?" she said. If only she knew how angry I was now, she wouldn't have asked that question. I really didn't ask much from her, I only wanted her to come down and talk to Trevor. At least, have some conversation with him. That way, he wouldn't feel less of himself even if she ended up not being able to accept him or welcome him into her life. It's actually fine, he would be able to meet someone else. But for now, I would like her to see and spend some time in the sitting room with him first.
"I may not be angry but I certainly wouldn't be happy" I responded and tries sweet-talking her again. "Look, Jessica, I know you don't like him although you didn't look at him well and I know you want to be alone now but please... just come downstairs so we could have a conversation. Normal conversation. Pretend as if he's my friend and he came only to see, while you on the other hand are just there to keep us company. Nothing more, nothing less"
"Hmm, Laura please..." she wanted to protest again, this time around I decided to let her be. After all it's not a do or die something.
"Fine. It's fine. You can stay" I said in an air of finality and left the room engrossed in anger.
