Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (9 page)

“Jeffrey, where are we going? As you can see I have on jeans and you’re in a suit, driving the Beamer. It’s going to be embarrassing if anyone sees you with me like this.”

She looked sexy as hell to him. “Embarrassed? What are you talking about?”

“Cynthia said you never ride in a Beamer unless you are dressed, people will be looking.”

He looked at her
and shook his head. “Cynthia? Get in the car.”

Tracy shrugged her shoulders “okay” and got into the car.

The things women tend to care about are beyond me
, JD thought as he pulled off.

“You are a highly intelligent woman. Explain to me, why do you listen to Cynthia of all people?”

“I usually don’t, but she seems to know about things like that. I don’t.”

“Things like what?”

“Things like cars, men and what people do and do not care about.”

“Does Cynthia have a man?”

“I don’t think so, but she has had plenty.”

JD smiled. “I bet she has, but has she been able to keep one?”

“Not so far.”

“Okay, wouldn’t it be better if you listen to one of your friends who has a man?”

“In theory, that would be a sound decision, but a difficult one.”

“Why?”

“I don’t have any friends who have a good history with a man.”

JD laughed. He had forgotten just how honest Tracy was. “Here, you have to put this on.”

Tracy looked at it. “Why am I putting on a headband?”

“It’s not a headband; it’s a blindfold.”

“No, it’s not, it’s a headband,” she answered with a laugh.

“Okay, it’s a headband that I’m making into a blindfold; now put this over your eyes,” JD declared, a little frustrated.

“Why?”

“Because, where I’m taking you is a surprise.”

“Why?”

“Because it is; now put this on.”

She just looked at him as if he had lost his mind. Recognizing the “I’m about to go off on your ass” look, JD explained. “Look, before you go off on me, I really need you to put this on before I go any further.”

“Why?”

“Because, I don’t want you to see where we are going.”

“Okay.”
That’s simple enough
, she thought as she put the blindfold on. “It’s still a headband.”

JD smiled and drove on. He had forgotten, honesty works for her.

“Where are we going?” Tracy asked after a few minutes.

“It’s a surprise,” JD replied. Seeing she was a little uneasy, he held her hand. “Do you trust me, Tracy?”

She hesitated. “Yes.” Then she closed her hand around his. Tracy was a little nervous. She had not really been around Jeffrey for this long in a while.

“What have you been up to since graduation?” he asked.

“Just work,” she responded. “I see you’ve been doing very well with your career.”

“Things have been okay.”

She nodded.

“Those folks with the propensity for violence keep me pretty busy,” he said, smiling.

She laughed. “Yeah, well, there’s quite a few of them out there, you know. I’m surprised you remember that conversation.”

“I remember every conversation we’ve had.”

Tracy did not want to go back there. She had buried those hurt feelings and did not want to bring them back up. The sad part was, she still hadn’t dealt with the rejection from him. She had just crawled back into her shell and stayed there. JD was sorry he took the conversation that way. She became silent. He was sure he hurt her back then, but that was not his intention. Hopefully this little trip would make up for that. He stopped the car.

“Are we here?”

“Yes,” JD replied. “Tracy, don’t get out of the car until I tell you it’s okay.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Okay.”

JD got out of the car. Tracy thought she heard voices, but she was not sure. Getting a little nervous, she called out, “Jeffrey?”

“Yes, I’m right here.”

“May I take off the headband?”

“It’s not a headband; it’s a blindfold. And no, not yet.”

“Okay.” Tracy sat there.

The door opened. “Okay, you can get out now,” JD said as he extended his hand to help her.

“Okay, may I take off the headband now?” Tracy asked.

“It’s not a headband, it’s a blindfold.”

She put her hands on her hips. “We’re not going through this again?”

“Yes,” he said, a little exasperated, “you can take it off now.”

As she took it off she saw Brian. “That’s not much of a surprise.”

Brian’s eyebrow went up. “I’m insulted.”

“You’ll get over it,” she said.

Jeffrey laughed and turned her around.

“Turk!” Tracy screamed, then ran full speed ahead and jumped dead into his arms. Turk grabbed her and hugged her tight.

“Hey, Sugie. Man, you look good. It’s so good to see you.”

She put her head down into his shoulder and begged him. “Please don’t leave me here alone. Let me go with you wherever you’re going.”

Turk looked over his shoulder at Jeffrey.

“This is why he did not want to see her,” Jeffrey said to Tuck and Brian.

“He hates telling her no,” Tuck said, “or seeing tears in her eyes.”

Turk set her down. He stood her straight up, held her at arms’ length. “Sugie, I’m going to prison. You cannot go with me.”

“I know that, but I can move to the town where you will be. That way I can come and visit.”

Turk just looked at her. She had grown into a beautiful woman, but all he could see was his little sister, and he smiled.

“I don’t want to be alone anymore, Turk,” Tracy said with tears streaming down her face.

JD turned his back to them. He could not deal with seeing her upset. Brian took his hand and ran it down the length of his face to hide his emotions. Tucker put his head down and turned away. Turk took her hands in his. “You are not going to be alone. You have people who care about you and a life to live.”

Tears flowed down her face as he talked. She listened and tried to control the tears.

“You will never be alone, Sugie. I will always be here, just like before, nothing is changing. If you ever need to reach me for any reason, just tell Harrison. No one else, unless he says it’s okay, do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Trying to make her smile, he stepped back. “Damn, Sugie, you are all that and some more. Why don’t you have a man looking out for you?”

“Because I got tired of you scaring them off and gave up.”

“Oh, yeah; I did do that, didn’t I?” Turk laughed. “Sugie, look at yourself, you can have any man you want. Just make sure he’s worth it.”

“Oh, now you will let me have a man? All my life growing up it was stay away from those knuckleheads; they ain’t no good.” She smiled.

“Well they ain’t, but I might be willing to let up a little bit, if he’s worth it.”

“Thanks a lot. But it’s a little late; nobody wants me now.”

Everybody looked up at each other, Jeffrey, Brian and Tucker, and then looked at her.

“Shit, I don’t believe that,” Tuck sneered.

Turk glowered over her shoulder at Tucker and he turned away. Brian and Jeffrey both laughed. “Where the hell did
you get that idea?”

“Cynthia tells me that all the time. Apparently she’s right. Never had one and don’t see any in the near future.”

“Who in the hell is Cynthia and why you letting her control you?”

“Don’t ask,” JD stated.

Turk looked at him.

“We have to go,” Brian announced, looking at his watch.

The tears were starting to form again, but Tracy held them back this time. She did not want Turk seeing her for the last time with tears in her eyes.

“As soon as I can I will let you know how I’m doing so you won’t worry. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, Sugie, and I’m still here.”

“I know. I love you, Turk.”

“I love you, too, Sugie.”

He hugged her tight. “What about Harrison? He’s a man,” Turk whispered in her ear.

“He’s way out of my league,” Tracy replied.

“You sure about that, little sis?”

“Yeah, I’m sure, and so is Cynthia.”

“Cynthia, huh. Okay, I got to go.” He kissed her cheek, and then got into the Suburban with Brian.

Tracy waved goodbye to Turk and Brian pulled off. She stood there and watched as the Suburban drove out of sight. JD went to her and put his arms around her. She put her head on his chest and quietly let the tears flow. He held her and tried to console her, as every tear seemed to go straight to his heart. He looked at Tucker as he gave the motion that they had to go. “Tracy, we have to go now.”

She nodded, lifted her head, and wiped her tears. “Okay.”

JD put her in the car and closed the door. He went over and shook Tucker’s hand. “Good luck, man.”

“You too,” Tucker replied. “I’ll follow you out.”

JD nodded and got into his car. As they were pulling off, she asked, “Jeffrey, do I have to put the dumb headband back on?”

He grinned and said, “Blindfold, blindfold!”

“Headband,” she replied.

He took the headband and threw it out of the window. She smiled with tears in her eyes. He took her hand in his and held it. She laid her head back and fell asleep.

Every woman JD had ever dealt with played some kind of game. This woman sitting beside him was different. She was simple, honest, beautiful inside and out. She affected him in a way that made him feel like a man. Not in the sexual way, but in the love, honor and protect way. Well, since it was his thoughts, he admitted: she was sexy as hell to him. But, now a few things from the past were a little clearer to him. The incident with Uncle Joe was a reminder in some way of what Al took her from. JD remembered the conversation they had years ago. Now, he thought, she might be right. He would not ever knowingly break the law, but given the right circumstances, like the thought of someone hurting her, would make him have the “propensity for violence,” as she put it. He smiled to himself. Yet again, she’s off limits, but this time because of the case.

♥

Jeffrey pulled into his mother’s driveway and turned the car off. His first instinct was to kiss Tracy’s hand to wake her, but he couldn’t do that. So he squeezed her hand.

“Hey, time for some real TLC,” he said.

Tracy opened her eyes and turned towards him. She smiled at him and looked around.

“We’re at your mom’s house?”

“Yeah. Come on, let’s go inside.”

“Okay,” she said sleepily.

“Does your mom know we’re coming?”

“No.”

“Jeffrey, we can’t just stop in without calling, that’s rude.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Not with family.”

“Yes, with family, too.”

“Where did you get that from?”

“Cynthia.”

“I should have known. I have to keep you away from her,” he said and put the key in the door. “Hey, Mom.”

“JD?” his mom called out.

“Yeah, I have someone who needs your dinner.”

“Tracy.” Martha said as she came into the living room. “Hi, honey, how you doing?” She gave Tracy a hug.

“I’m fine, Mrs. Harrison. How are you?” Tracy replied with a smile.

“Oh, honey, I’m just fine. Y’all come on in the kitchen; I got dinner on the stove. Tracy, it’s funny you came by, I was gonna call you later.”

“You were? Did you need something?”

“Oh, no, honey, I was just gonna check on you. Ashley said you were feeling a little down and I just wanted to tell you I was thinking about you.”

“That is so special, thank you.”

“Well, you’re here now. I can feed you. That always makes you feel better.”

Tracy smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Harrison. May I help you with anything?”

“No, honey. Just sit down at the table and tell me about your day.”

“I had an okay day. How was yours?”

JD smiled. He knew Tracy had a hell of a day and did not need to be alone. This is what she needed today, family. He stood in the doorway, loosened his tie and watched his mother work her magic on Tracy.

Ashley came over after work. JD had called her earlier and had given her a summary of the day. They were all sitting out on the patio eating dinner and talking when JD received the call from Brian that all was settled and well. JD took Tracy by the hand and walked her over to the swing set at the end of the yard. He sat her in the swing and told her about Al. She nodded. “Okay. I know you will do what’s right by Turk and he trusts that you will, too. You just need to wrap it up and seal the deal, right?”

“Right,” he replied with a smile.

Desperate now to talk about anything except Turk or her future, she sighed. “Why does your mother’s flower bed stop there?” Tracy turned and saw where the other side stopped. “And there, like it’s a gap.”

JD stood to see what she was referring to. “Oh, that.” He smirked. He walked over to the area and she followed him. “My dad was putting a border of flowers around the fence for my mom. He never had a chance to finish it before he died.” He hunched his shoulders and sighed. “I keep telling her I will finish it, but I haven’t yet.”

“Why not, you’ve been too busy?”

“Not really, I could do it on a weekend.”

“JD, are you making promises and not keeping them?” she joked.

He turned and smiled back. He liked the way her eyes lit up when she smiled. “No.”

Tracy could see he was having a difficult time expressing his feelings with this.

“When I look at this it reminds me of my dad. I’m afraid if I finish it, I might forget him. Hmm,” he frowned. “I have never said that out loud. Thought it, but never said it.”

“How long has he been gone?”

“Eight years this summer,” he replied as he put his hands in his pockets.

Jeffrey is such a proud man
, Tracy thought.
It has to be difficult for him to say he’s afraid of something
. He and Ashley were so much alike. She looked at him. “You know, Jeffrey, when someone touches your heart, and I mean truly touches your heart, you can never forget them. Your dad will always be a part of your heart; he will not be forgotten.” She looked up at the sky, then back to him. “Seems like you have a few things to wrap up.”