Diamond in the Rough: Chapter 54

"Good morning to all," an accented voice carried through the Second Chances Mission.  Tina turned her head and noticed the tall, silver-haired man, carrying a garment bag and a briefcase.  "Hope ya all are having a lovely day today!"

Anthony caught Tina's eye and said, "Timothy."

She smiled and watched the scene.

"Anthony, my boy, come to try on this suit for court."  He handed Anthony the garment bag, and then began to open his brief.  "We have to be there by one o'clock.  Try it on.  If not, I have some quick shopping to do at the thrift shop down the street."

Anthony disappeared into another room, and Timothy sat at one of the tables to review his paperwork.  Within moments, Anthony came out from the back room, and Tina, along with many others, was surprised to see a totally different man emerge.  She noticed that with all the issues and scruff she'd seen over the last few days, underneath he was attractive and strong.  She stared.  He noticed and said, "What, I clean up well?"

She nodded.

Timothy said, "Speaking of which . . ."

"Too late, I already did.  Can't you tell?"  He walked closer.

"Yes, I can.  Where did ya get the cologne and soap?"

"The Boss had dropped it off a day or two ago.  That's what Helen said."

"Where's Chase?"

"Chase isn't here.  We're not sure where he is.  He missed his shift today."  Anthony said.

Helen came toward them, carrying a tray of dishes.  "Chase is out.  He never showed.  And today, I really could have used his help."

"I'll help you," Tina heard herself say.  She stood up and approached.  Timothy watched her, taking in her presence.

Helen said, "You?"

"Yes, me.  Why not?"  Tina said.

Timothy said, "We don't usually hire the residents.  Miss . . ."

"Martina.  I'm Martina Moody."

His eyebrows raised.  For a moment, she realized she would have to be leaving soon.  Something about his look made her think he'd be researching her as soon as he could get his hands on a computer.  "Pleased," he said.  "Timothy Broderick."

"Broderick," she repeated.  Rebecca Katherine Broderick, keep your tongue.  I can still hear her.  She shook off the memory.  "A good Irish name."

"Yes, I'm Irish, from Ireland, actually.  Are ya?"

"No.  I'm not from Ireland.  Pennsylvania."

"No, I meant are ya Irish?"

"Not that I know of," she said.  "But pleased to meet you anyway."

He said, "The same," and shook her hand, and his eyes twinkled much the way Santa's did in movies.  He turned to Helen.  "Any substance abuse with this one?"

Tina was taken aback.  He spoke of her, for a moment, as if she were not there.

Helen said, "Not that I can pin down."

He turned back to Tina.  "I'm sorry, but trusting the word of the patrons has not proven effective.  All right, y'ar hired, then, in exchange for y'ar room and board, of course.  Help Helen today, we will see how it goes."  He turned to Anthony.  "We must go soon, have ya eaten something?"

"I'm all set."  Anthony said, and Tina once again gave him a look over.  She was still quite stunned by the change in him over the last few minutes.

Tina said, "Good luck, Anthony."

He turned to her and smiled.  "Thanks."

Timothy and Anthony exited The Mission.  So, that's Mr. Broderick.

***

"Okay, that's the end of group for today.  We'll pick it up next week.  Until then, everyone have a good week and keep those journals going.  Important!"  Chelsea said.  She was the group co-therapist, and all of the kids in the group felt comfortable with her, as well as Ray.

Jack, remaining behind intentionally picked up his things, practically in slow motion, until he saw, out of the corner of his eye, Jenna coming by him.  He turned to her right as she passed, and said, "Hey, how ya doin'?"

She said, "Hi, Jack."  She smiled.  He started to walk along with her, regulating his pace to hers.

"Hey."

"How's it going?  How's your baby brother?"

She remembered.  "He's good.  He's really cool people."

She laughed, and in doing so, threw her head back, smiling, and her hair, dark and shining, waved behind her.  She said, "I love babies.  They're so cute, and when they get older, you never know what they're going to say or do."

"The element of surprise."

"Right."

"You met him already, what did you think?  Oh wait, I have a new one!"  He stopped, searching through his bag.  Pulling out his cell phone, he opened his photo gallery and handed her the device.

"Oh my God!  I love this picture!  Awww!  He looks like you!"

He blushed a little.  "Yeah, they say so."

"Aw, he's really, really cute."

"Thanks."  She continued to look at the picture, and then automatically forwarded to the next picture.  She looked and said, "Oh, it's Sam.  He's cute, too."

"My runty adopted brother."

"Aww, he's sweet."  She kept going.  "Great pic of Starr."

"I guess," he put his hand out, and she handed him back the phone.

"Thanks for the family album."

"No problem."

"So, are your parents picking you up?"

"Not exactly," he said.  He was still self-conscious about the fact that he was a rich kid, mostly because everyone seemed to automatically want to put the word "spoiled" in front of it.  But Jenna was different.  She didn't seem to mind much.

She said, "Lynnette is on her way."

"Cool."

She said, "There she is," she waved.

He turned toward her, "Would she ever let you go out to have something to eat with me after session sometime?  I mean, I can give you a ride home?"

"She might.  Wanna ask her?"

He was terrified.  "Uh, sure."

"Come on," she said, walking faster.  He kept up with her, and they approached the car.  "Hi Lynnie.  You know Jack."

As he approached the car, he could see her better.  She put her car into park and put her hand out toward him.  He took it, and smiled.  "Hi again!"

"Nice to see you, Jack."

"Nice to see you, too."

"Come on, Jenna, I have to go.  Jack, we'll see you later.  Come over again some time."

Jenna looked right into Jack's eyes, smiled, and said, "Bye."

He said, "Bye," and watched them pull off.

For a moment, he felt funny in the pit of his stomach.  I chickened out, God, why did I do that? 

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Your comments are 'payment' for the work of the authors. Our writers like to hear your feedback. Please leave a comment when you read.