Page 72 of Jester

As we step into my house, I squeeze Celine’s hand. “The Sanctuary is really overwhelming at first. But if you give this place and yourself a chance, I think you’ll want to call it home.”

Celine stares at me as if she’s still struggling with her new reality. I don’t blame her. After I arrived, I was a mess for a long time.

Of course, I didn’t have to face my new situation alone then, and my sister won’t have to do any of it alone now.

SISTER SASS

Jester texts me a dozentimes before I relent and arrive at his townhome. I want to see him. I miss him when we’re apart. But I’m scared to trigger another panic attack.

The last one still clings to me, biting at my every thought. I’m jumpy over nothing. I nearly ended up in tears when I visited Jules, and Zoey and Evie ganged up on me about my boyfriend.

“Dump the chump,” Zoey said while Evie kept thrusting her thumb backward.

“Whoever taught you that garbage is mean.”

Jules had to intervene before I cried all over her children. I eventually found myself hiding at Papa Bear’s house, where I stood in the hallway lined with family pictures. My mom smiled out of many of them.

Betty Boop has been gone for so long, I’ve begun to forget how her arms felt around me.

Lady Bug found me sniffling in front of my mom’s picture and offered me a hug. In the past, I’d say no, especially when Betty Boop’s smiling face was so close. I didn’t want to cheat on my mom with her replacement.

But it’s been over a decade. Lady Bug is family. She could have been a bitch and demanded my mom’s photos be taken down or stashed where she wouldn’t see them. She’s always been cool with how much we loved Betty Boop. And Lady Bug’s been sweet to me, even when I blew bitch stank in her direction.

So, I relented to her hug offer and enjoyed the affection she offers freely to her daughters. Lady Bug stroked my back while I sniffled and felt more like damaged Talon than tough Sister Sass.

“He’s only been home for three days,” she said when I stepped back and wiped my wet eyes.

“I’ve been waiting for seven years.”

“You’ve gotten healthy and strong,” Lady Bug replied while sliding my hair from my shoulders in that way I see her do with Nadia. “But having Jester’s hands on you isn’t a fantasy. It’s happening for real now. And you’ve only had three days to get used to it.”

Lady Bug’s words were sensible, but I remained wary whenever Jester texted me. Finally, I couldn’t avoid him any longer.

Leaving Lady Bug, I ride over to the Yucca Road townhomes and shuffle my fearful ass to Jester’s door. He opens up and grunts at me. I’m immediately aware of his size. Jester seems terrifying, and I fight the urge to bolt.

“You’re ignoring me.”

---