Captive Heart by Frankie J. Jones

Author:Frankie J. Jones [Jones, Frankie J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Lesbian, Lesbians
ISBN: 9781562802585
Google: LepaAAAAMAAJ
Amazon: 1594933006
Publisher: Naiad Pr
Published: 1999-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

During the next three weeks C. J. worked as she had never dreamed of working in her life. She was up by four each morning, in the office by five, and rarely out before eight each evening. She fell into bed every night exhausted but with a new sense of satisfaction. Contracted orders were being filled on time, and new ones continued to flow in. Riley Produce had not yet fallen apart under her guidance.

The only thing that did seem unusual was that each day soon after Janice left, the phone would ring. When C. J. answered there was no sound other than someone breathing. After the first week, C. J. stopped answering it, but it continued to ring daily.

Her friend Ron had also been calling practically every day wanting her to play tennis or to go shopping. Each time C. J. explained that she was busy and couldn’t go, but he refused to give up. She finally gave in and promised to go shopping with him on Saturday since James would be working.

She had thought of Lois often and had dialed her number several times, but she had hung up when the answering machine kicked in. C. J.‘s father had left for his vacation, and he had called her once from Denver. He didn’t mention Riley Produce.

C. J. met Ron in Rivercenter Mall at eleven Saturday morning. He was wanting to shop for his new summer wardrobe. She knew when she saw his face that he was in a foul mood. Before they reached the shop, he began complaining about having to fight the heavier weekend crowd.

“I don’t know why you couldn’t come with me on Thursday like I asked,” he said with a pout.

“I told you. I had a board meeting and couldn’t get away.”

“You’re starting to sound as boring as James.” They were looking through a rack of men’s shorts. A young saleswoman approached them.

“May I help you find something?”

“No, you may not!” Ron snapped.

The woman apologized and left.

“Why did you do that?” C. J. asked.

“What?”

“She was just trying to help you.”

“Did I ask for her help?” He looked after the woman. “What would she know about fashion anyway? She looks like a bag lady.”

“Ron, that’s cruel. Besides,” she said, slipping into their usual banter, “I haven’t seen you on the cover of GQ lately.”

He stared at her. “Go fuck yourself,” he spat and stormed out of the store.

Shocked, C. J. called to him, but he kept going. She ran after him and caught up with him just before he reached his car.

“Ron, I’m sorry.” She tried to put an arm around his shoulder, but he pushed her away.

“Leave me alone!”

C. J. realized he was crying. “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you. I was only teasing.”

His sobs grew heavier. People around them were starting to stare. “Come on,” C. J. insisted and took his arm. “Let’s get out of here.” She led him to his BMW and crawled in beside him. “What’s wrong?”

“Everything is changing,” he said, with a flood of fresh tears.

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