Family Ties Read online

  “Well, her loss was definitely our gain, but I am sorry that she did this to you.”

  “Why should you care?” Christina asked finishing her beer and held up the glass to our waitress.

  “Because you seem like a nice person and someone hurt you,” Jenna said with a shrug.

  Christina slightly smiled. “That was a sweet thing to say. Are you going to drink that?”

  Jenna shook her head. “No.”

  Christina picked up the glass and drank it down.

  The conversation ended as the two women finished off their chili and started on the loaded nachos.

  “I love these things,” Christina said as she dug into the pile. She reached for her empty glass and started to lift it up.

  Jenna’s hand came down on the top of the glass. “I think you’ve had enough. How about some coffee?”

  “No,” Christina said stubbornly.

  “I can’t let you drive home in this condition,” Jenna said looking at the glassy eyes across from her.

  “You know, you’re very beautiful. Has anyone ever told you that?” Christina thought for a moment. “Oh yeah, Cathy told you that. I would ask you out too if I knew you’d say yes.” She stared at Jenna. “Would you say yes?”

  “That’s it.” Jenna signaled for the check then watched Christina slink back into her seat closing her eyes. “Now what do I do with you?”

  Christina’s eyes opened for a second. “I can think of a lot of things,” she said before she closed her eyes again.

  Jenna paid the bill and lifted Christina out of the booth. Now she searched Christina coat for her car keys.

  “Ooh, do you want to fool around?” Christina asked rubbing her hand along Jenna’s arm.

  Jenna found the keys and put Christina in the passenger seat. She put the seat belt on her and went to the driver’s side. They drove back to Jenna’s apartment and she practically carried her up the stairs. “Open your eyes, Christina.”

  Christina opened her eyes and ran her finger down Jenna’s cheek. “Are we going to have sex?”

  Jenna got her into the apartment and took of her jacket. She led Christina to the couch and took off her shoes. “You’re going to have to sleep in your clothes,” she said laying her down. Jenna grabbed a pillow and a blanket and covered Christina. “Good night,” she said walking to her bedroom shaking her head.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Christina opened her eyes in the morning with a moan. Her hand went immediately to her head. She held her head as she sat up to keep her brain from falling out. Christina looked around not knowing where she was. As her eyes moved around the room, she saw a glass of water with two tablets on the coffee table. Wherever it was, they knew she would need this in the morning. Christina downed the pills and closed her eyes. Someone came near her and she could smell coffee. Her eyes opened, but she still held onto her head. As her hand left her face, she looked into Jenna’s eyes.

  “Good morning,” Jenna said handing her the cup. “I guess I don’t have to ask how you are feeling.”

  “Please don’t speak so loud, Jenna.” Her hand went back to her head.

  Jenna giggled. “Sorry.”

  “How did I get here?” Christina asked sipping her coffee.

  “Tequila.” As if that said it all.

  “Yeah, that’s right. I’m sorry.” Christina put the coffee cup down and drank the rest of the water in the glass. “I haven’t been drunk in years and years. You must be sorry you hired me.”

  “I understand, Christina. We’ve all been there.”

  “What do you understand?”

  “You told me about Harper.”

  “Oh,” she said softly. “Did I say anything else?”

  Jenna shrugged. She didn’t want to embarrass her any more than she was. No need to tell her Christina that she said she was beautiful and wanted to ask her out. Oh yeah and you wanted to have sex with me. “No. You were pretty much out of it after the third tequila.”

  Christina tried to stand. “I should get out of your hair. I’ve already ruined your Sunday morning.”

  “I can’t let you drive in this condition. Please take a shower and I’ll make us something to eat.” Jenna offered.

  “Jenna, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I can eat anything.”

  “Okay, just some dry toast and juice.” Jenna lifted Christina from the couch and led her down the hallway to the bathroom. “I left a pair of sweat in there that should fit you.”

  “Thank you, Jenna.”

  “You’re welcome. You’ll feel better after you shower. I also left you a new toothbrush.”

  “How am I ever going to repay you, Jenna?”

  Jenna grinned. “We’ll figure something out.” Then she winked.

  Christina smiled before she closed the bathroom door.

  Jenna went back to the kitchen and made the toast she had promised Christina. She heard the shower turn off and Christina returned a few minutes later looking better than when she went into the bathroom.

  “Sit and have your juice and toast.”

  Christina picked up the glass and drank all the juice, then reached for the glass of water.

  “Slow down. We don’t want all that coming back up,” Jenna said with a chuckle.

  “I think I’ve ruined enough of your Sunday,” Christina said reaching for her coat. “Thank you so much for taking care of me.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Jenna said with a grin.

  Christina nodded before she walked out the door. Jenna picked up Blondie and carried her over to the couch. “Best Sunday I’ve had in forever, Blondie. Wouldn’t you say so?”

  Blondie looked at Jenna and meowed.

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  *

  Tuesday morning, Jenna was opening the shop. As she went about her normal routine, Mary walked in.

  “Good morning, Jenna.”

  “Hi, Mary. Coffee is ready.”

  “Thanks,” Mary said walking over to the pot.

  Tammy came in a few minutes later and Jenna went to the book to check on the appointments for the day. She took note that Christina’s first client wasn’t due until eleven and of course, Margaret and Amy didn’t have anyone until three o’clock. Shaking her head, Mary walked over.

  “What’s wrong?” Mary asked staring at the page.

  “Margaret and Amy seem to have fewer and fewer clients each day.”

  “I told you we need some more new blood. People with a following.”

  “Put the ad in the paper again and don’t mention it to them, please.”

  “You got it, boss.” Mary went over to the computer and reinstated the ad they had placed weeks ago for Christina.

  Christina walked in at ten thirty and greeted Mary. “Hey, Christina.” Mary looked at her face carefully. “Do you feel alright? You look like you’re sick.”

  “I’m fine, Mary. I just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night,” she said glancing at Jenna who met her eyes. “Good morning, Jenna.”

  “Good morning, Christina.” Jenna went back to cutting her client’s hair.

  Tammy had already poured Christina a cup of coffee and handed it to her. Then she leaned in and said. “Rough night, huh?”

  “Rough Saturday night. I’m still recuperating.” Christina chuckled. “It takes longer to recuperate after thirty.”

  “Well, you’ve got a few minutes before your client gets here so sit and enjoy your coffee. There’s also some Danish.”

  Christina waved her hand and rolled her eyes. “I’ll just stick with the coffee.”

  Tammy chuckled. “I understand and she walked away.”

  Christina sat in her chair and sipped the coffee slowly. As her eyes drifted, she saw Jenna glance her way. I bet she’s wondering if I drank again last night. Before the cup was barely finished, her client walked into the salon.

  By mid-afternoon the shop had finally slowed down. They all turned when the door opened. Christina noticed that Jenna nearly dropped he
r coffee cup.

  “Mother. What are you doing here?”

  “It is my business. Do I need permission to come in and check on it?”

  Christina watched as the confident Jenna coward down and bow to her mother’s biting words.

  “Where is Margaret and Amy?” Agnes Walton asked.

  “They don’t have clients until three.” Mary answered.

  “And you are?” Agnes stood in front of Christina.

  Jenna walked over. “Mother, this is Christina Wilson. She’s our new hairdresser.”

  “Yes, I guess Sara retiring required this hire.” Agnes walked away without another word and went back into the storeroom.

  Jenna mouthed I’m sorry as she walked past Christina.

  Once Jenna entered the back with her mother, Christina looked at Mary. “What the fuck?” She asked with a shrug.

  Mary moved closer. “You just met hurricane Agnes. The wicked witch of the west,” she said scowling.

  “Well, as you can see, she was thrilled to meet me,” Christina said with a chuckle.

  “Count yourself lucky that she didn’t start grilling you. Wait until Margaret and Amy walk in. She’ll be fawning all over them.”

  As predicted, Agnes greeted the other two employees as if they were family. She kissed them and hugged them close. Christina watched from the reflection in the mirror and smirked. Agnes hadn’t greeted her daughter with the same enthusiasm and according to those two, Jenna hadn’t seen her mother in a while. Christina ignored them and continued working.

  Jenna was back at her station working on a client. Her mother sat with her friends. Margaret and Amy ignored their clients as their conversation continued with Agnes. Jenna thought this was funny because when Agnes worked here, they were never fond of each other. The two of them would come to Jenna with complaints about her mother. Since she retired, they became thick as thieves.

  Jenna didn’t even hear her mother approached. “When is your last client, Jenna?”

  Jenna didn’t even turn. She looked at her mother through the reflection in the mirror. “Four thirty.”

  “I can’t sit around here all that time. Come pick me up when you’re finished and we’ll go to dinner.”

  Jenna wanted so much to say she was tired. More so she didn’t want to have dinner with her mother, but instead she said. “Okay.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Jenna walked up to her mother’s door and knocked. “It’s about time you showed up. What took you so long?”

  “After my client, I had to close up shop and go feed my cat.”

  “Cat,” Agnes almost spat. “You care about that cat more than your own mother.” She put on her coat and walked past Jenna toward the door.

  Once they sat at a table in her mother’s favorite restaurant, Agnes started. “So you hired a beautiful woman to take Sara’s place. Is she gay?”

  Jenna rolled her eyes. “Mother, it’s not like we had more than a hand full of applicants.”

  “But you hired her.”

  “Yes. She has a very good following and she’s added greatly to the bottom line. Unlike your two friends.” Jenna wasn’t holding back anything.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Margaret and Amy barely have any clients left. They rarely work more than a few hours a day and most days they aren’t even in the shop.”

  Agnes waited until the waitress took their orders before answering. “Have you said anything to them?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” Agnes sneered.

  “Because they’re your friends and I knew they’d call you if I asked any questions.” Jenna didn’t meet her mother’s gaze.

  “If they’re hurting the bottom line you have to do something.”

  “I am. I put the ad back in the paper to see if I can find a couple of other people like Christina.”

  “That’s her name?”

  “Yes.” Jenna answered toying her with wine glass. “Do you want me to fire them if I can find two more hairdressers?”

  “No. You have room for two more hairdressers without upsetting the cart.”

  Jenna nodded.

  “So tell me about this woman.”

  Jenna looked up and met her mother’s brown eyes. The same color and shape as her own. “I don’t know much about her. All I know is that she has a good following,” she said with a shrug.

  Agnes was happy to hear that her daughter hadn’t become friends with her. The last thing she needed was for Jenna to go back to unnatural ways. She would not stand for the embarrassment that would cause her. Agnes had a standing in this community and she would not allow Jenna to tarnish that reputation. “Just keep it that way,” Agnes finally said.

  As soon as the meal was over, Jenna drove her mother home.

  “Let me know when you’ve hired anyone else. I’ll come in and check them out.”

  Jenna ignored her mother’s comment. “Good night, mother.”

  “Good night,” Agnes said as she got out of the car.

  Luckily Jenna didn’t have to be in the shop until the afternoon the following day. She drove to her apartment and picked up Blondie as she came in the door. “You are so lucky, Blondie. You don’t have to live your life under your mother’s rule.”

  *

  Wednesday morning Jenna went about doing laundry and cleaning the apartment. As she sat down with a cup a coffee, she noticed her phone. Picking it up off the coffee table she saw she had a text.

  Lunch? Chris.

  Christina was asking her lunch. Did she dare say yes? Looking at the clock on the wall she typed. “What time?”

  The response came quickly.

  I’ll pick you up at noon.

  “See you at noon.” Jenna typed and ran for the shower.

  Jenna was just putting on the finishing touches to her hair when the doorbell rang. “Hey,” she said when she answered.

  “Hey, yourself. I figured I owed you lunch since you paid for dinner the other night.”

  “You’re off today?” Jenna asked as she stepped out of the doorway.

  “I only had clients until ten thirty and my next client isn’t due until two.”

  “Oh, slacking off this week?” Jenna asked with a chuckle.

  “Two of my clients are on vacation.”

  “I’m only teasing, Christina. I wish I had ten more like you in the shop.”

  “Are you ready to go?” Christina asked crouching down to pet Blondie.

  “Yes.” Jenna followed her out the door. “I have to be in the shop by one thirty.”

  They went to the same restaurant they had Saturday night, but today sat in the dining room.

  They both ordered a hamburger and decided to split an order of onion rings.

  Jenna waited for Christina to start the conversation. “Your mother doesn’t like me.”

  Jenna looked up. She didn’t expect Christina to say that. “She’s happy with the business you’re bringing to the shop.” Jenna paused. “My mother is not the warm fuzzy type. I’m sorry.”

  “She was warm and fuzzy with Margaret and Amy. She doesn’t like me for some reason. Why?”

  Jenna began to squirm in her seat. “She doesn’t know you is all.” She hoped that sounded reasonable.

  “That’s not it at all.” Christina forced Jenna’s gaze. “Is she afraid I’m going to steal her daughter away?”

  “What?” Jenna asked stuttering.

  Thankfully the waitress brought their plates to the table. “Can I get you anything else?”

  “No, thank you.” Christina answered wanting her to go away. Her eyes were narrow as she looked at Jenna again. “Are you gay, Jenna?”

  Jenna nearly choked on her bite of the hamburger. “What?”

  “It’s a simple question, Jenna.”

  “I, uh.” What could Jenna say that wouldn’t make her seem pathetic?

  Christina could see how uncomfortable Jenna was with her question and began to back track. “I’m sorry, Jenna. It’s none of my
business.” Christina picked up an onion ring and popped it into her mouth.

  Christina was right. She was a thirty five year old woman who allowed her mother to dictate how she should live her life. It was always fear that her mother would take back her half of the salon and she would be left with nothing.

  The two women finished their lunch in silence. Once they got into the car, Jenna said. “I’ve been letting my mother run my life ever since I could remember. My brother and sister left as soon as they graduated from High School. I’ve never heard from them again and I know it’s because of my mother. I felt guilty that she was left all alone.” Jenna took a cleansing breath. “The only way to live with my mother is not to make any waves.”

  Christina didn’t comment at the admission Jenna had just made. It wasn’t her business to interfere, but she knew she had to help this woman. There had to be some way to make Jenna understand that what her mother was doing to her wasn’t healthy.

  “Where is your father?” Christina finally asked.

  “He died when I was ten.”

  “I’m sorry, Jenna.”

  “He was so different from my mother. He was loving and affectionate. Dad only wanted us to be happy. My mother chose the other end of the spectrum. She wasn’t happy unless she was making me and my siblings miserable.”

  “I hope, Jenna.” Christina began. “That you won’t let your mother ruin the friendship we are developing?”

  Christina pulled up in front of her apartment. Jenna reached for the door handle. “I won’t,” Jenna said before opening the car door. “Thanks for lunch, Christina.”

  “You are welcome, Jenna. I’ll see you later.”

  Jenna nodded and walked away.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Over the next few weeks, the only conversation that Jenna and Christina had was at work and then it was nothing personal. Jenna sat in her chair waiting for next client to finish getting her hair washed. She glanced at Christina who was smiling and laughing with her client. Jenna figured Christina had decided that she wasn’t worth the trouble of trying to be her friend. She thought she would probably do the same thing then get involved with a woman who had a crazy mother.