Enzo, p.7
Enzo, page 7
“If that’s what you want, I won’t stop you.” I let out a defeated sigh. “I just don’t know about it.”
She smiles in a conspiratorial way. “You were never here.”
Dr. Venable comes back with a nurse. The nurse is curious now, after whatever Dr. Venable said to her, because she keeps studying Jenna.
“Daniel,” Dr. Venable says, offering his hand to Jenna. “My name is Daniel. Thank you for wanting to do this.”
The nurse winks at Jenna and then sets to swabbing her inside cheek first. After she encloses the swab in a labeled case, she does the same for Daniel.
“Typically, it can take a couple of weeks,” Daniel explains. “But I am having it sent to a private lab. It’ll cost a bit extra to have it expedited, but they can get us results in a couple of days.” As soon as the nurse leaves, he switches back to doctor mode. “As far as this little one goes, it’s not strep. I’d recommend after the antibiotics have set her straight to get some tubes put in her ears. I know a great ENT specialist.”
Patty snores so loud she wakes herself up. She sits up, her wild eyes darting all around as she tries to pat down her mess of orange-red hair. “What’d I miss?”
“Cora needs tubes, like I’ve been telling everyone, but she’s going to be okay,” Jenna says, relief in her eyes.
“I’ll have a nurse call the ENT specialist to get that scheduled,” Daniel assures her. Then, to me, he says, “And here’s my card. In case you need me.”
I pull one of mine from my wallet. He’ll need to get a hold of me when they get the results of the test. “We’ll be in touch.”
Three days later…
I try to focus on Coach Long’s lecture, but Winter keeps making faces at me. Each time, it takes effort not to giggle. I like Winter. She’s different than all the girls at this school. Older and more mature acting. Usually. Right now, she’s acting like she’s twelve, but apparently that’s exactly what I need. My phone buzzes with a text from her.
Winter: Why the LONG face?
I smirk and dart my gaze to Coach to make sure he doesn’t bust me for not paying attention.
Me: Ha. You’re so punny. Just stressed.
Winter: Duh. You have bags under your eyes and you’re twitchy. What’s up?
I frown about the bags comment, but I know it’s true. I haven’t been sleeping much lately.
Me: You don’t want to know.
Winter: I do…otherwise I wouldn’t ask. Don’t be so difficult. Spill.
Me: It’s complicated.
She snorts, causing Coach to swivel around and glare at the class. Everyone sits a little straighter until he turns back around.
Winter: You’re so grumpy and secretive. Lucky for you, I have the patience of a saint. Now tell me what the hell is wrong with you before I get us both sent to detention where I can spend an hour bugging it out of you.
I curl my lip at her and discreetly flip her off.
Me: Oh, let’s see. In a couple of days, I turn eighteen. They’ll send me to live with a bunch of women I don’t know. I’ll have to leave my little girl. I’m starting a new job soon so I can try and have a work history so I can adopt her. And her doctor might be my dad, pending a paternity test. Also, I want to bang my caseworker. I bet you wish you’d never asked.
When I look up, her eyes are wide as she types back.
Winter: No, asshole, you’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met. You have a kid? And OMG, you want to fuck your caseworker?!
Me: She’s not mine by blood but she’s mine. And he’s so hot.
Winter: Want to go get coffee after school? You can tell me all about your girl and the hottie. My treat.
My chest tightens. Winter is trying to be my friend. I don’t make many of those. The only people I’m remotely close to besides Enzo and Cora are Patty and Faye. Having a friend seems like a luxury I can’t afford.
Me: I should get home to Cora.
Winter: I’m sure Cora will be fine for half an hour. Want to check first and let me know?
Winter walks into the coffee shop, turning the heads of everyone in the process. She’s beautiful. Curvy and bright and sexy. The girl has boobs for days. Meanwhile, I feel like a skinny, boring, beanpole in comparison. When she sees me, her bright red lips curl up into a smile. I can’t help but smile back at her.
She orders our coffees and then makes her way over to me.
“Wow,” she says as she settles into the chair across from me, passing me one of the cups. “You should smile a little more often. I didn’t know you even could.”
I stick my tongue out at her. “Brat.”
“There’s the girl I fell in love with,” she teases. “Cora okay?”
“Yeah, Patty says she’s fine. They’re making dumplings for dinner.” I smile tightly. It makes me happy she’s having fun, and that Patty is a good person to all us girls, but I’m slightly jealous too.
“You don’t seem happy about that,” she says, studying me.
“I don’t know…” I trail off and sigh. “It’s weird. For her whole life, it’s been me she has counted on and needed. I’ve been the only reliable person in her life. Now, with Patty and the girls, she has options.” Tears burn at my eyes.
“Hey,” Winter coos, grabbing my hand. “You’re still her favorite.”
A tear leaks out and I hastily swipe it away. “She calls me Mommy. I want to be her mom so bad, Winter.”
Her brows furrow together. “It sounds like, to her, you already are her mom. People can have more than one person in their life. They can have friends.” She squeezes my hand. “I tend to scare off all my friends because apparently sometimes I’m a cold bitch, but you’re kind of frosty yourself. Ice queens need friends too.”
I let out a chuckle, despite the tears now rolling down my cheeks. “How do people even put up with us?” My mind is on Enzo. He’s always so in tune with my emotions. Seems to always say the right thing at the right time. Our late-night phone calls are something I’ve grown addicted to. Each night, he lets me vent about my frustrations.
“We’re worth it, that’s why,” she says, grinning. “Now, tell me about the caseworker guy. What’s he look like?”
I pull out my phone and find a selfie he sent me. A simple smiling one. “His name is Enzo.”
“Older,” she notes, and then makes a growling sound like a lion. “I approve. He’s hot.”
Laughing, I tuck my phone away in my hoodie pocket. “We kissed.”
“You kissed your social worker?” she hisses. “I thought this was some unrequited love tale, but ol’ boy wants you too. This just gets juicier and juicier.”
“Things got hot and heavy, like, a month ago, but then he put a stop to it. He wants to wait until I turn eighteen, which I get. At least he didn’t completely shut me out. We talk every night on the phone.” I sigh happily. Enzo is the only constant in my life I can rely on. It’s also the only selfish thing I do for myself. Everything else is for Cora. My stolen moments with Enzo are a gift.
“I can see where he’d worry about his job and, you know…other mundane stuff, like jail time.” She laughs. “At least he’s got a brain inside that pretty head. So, you turn eighteen and you’ve got a sexy man waiting for you. Can’t see why that would have you crying.”
“That’s the good part,” I admit. “I just don’t know what I’ll do about Cora. I want to adopt her, Winter. She’s mine.”
Her brows furl together. “But it’s not that simple, is it?”
Shaking my head, I pick up my cup of coffee that is starting to cool. “Enzo says they won’t let me have her. But I’m starting a job next week at a physical therapy place. I’ll get an apartment as soon as I can and get out of the women’s shelter. I will do whatever it takes to provide for Cora.”
“My boyfriend’s an attorney. If you want, I’ll ask him if he can help you,” she offers with a smile.
“Really?” I shriek, earning a few startled stares nearby. “I’d be so thankful.”
“No problem. Now, tell me about this daddy of yours,” she urges. “You’re like a walking Maury Povich show.”
“Ha,” I deadpan. “This doctor we met at the ER the other day was staring at me strangely, as though he recognized me. Then, he tells me that I look like a woman he dated. Next thing I knew, we were getting swabbed for a paternity test.”
“What if he’s a creep?” Her brows are furrowed in concern. “Sounds a little weird to see a girl and then demand a paternity test. What’s weirder is you agreed. What does Hottie Caseworker think about all this?”
I sit up straight and frown. “He let me. Unofficially.”
“Sounds sketchy. He’s worried about fucking you because you’re underage, but he just stands by to let you take a paternity test? I’m no attorney yet, but everything about this feels fishy.”
“It’s not fishy,” I defend, my cheeks burning hot. “If you’d seen the way Daniel had looked at me…”
Her brow arches as if she’s waiting for an explanation. “And?”
“He just seemed so sure. Like he knew me.”
“Listen,” she says softly. “Don’t get your hopes up. Could have just been some creep needing an excuse to stare at you. Probably goes home and whacks off to your innocent, grumpy face in his head.”
“Gross,” I grumble, fighting a smile. “If he’s my dad, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“Just be careful,” she says. “Promise me.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“And promise me something else.”
“I’ll try.”
“Let Enzo take you out for your birthday. For one night, don’t worry about Doctor Daddy or little Cora or your job or your future. Go and do something for you.”
“You know,” I say with a smile, “you have a warm heart for an ice queen.”
Her grin is wicked. “Yeah, well, don’t tell anyone my secret.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“Yours are safe with me too.”
“Hello?”
“Hey.”
Enzo makes a manly groaning sound that sends ripples of excitement running through me.
“Did I wake you?” I murmur.
“No,” he lies. He yawns, and I can’t help but smile. “Are you in the closet?”
“Yep. Smells like Faye’s feet too.”
He chuckles, deep and gravelly. “Maybe you should go back to bed.”
“I can’t sleep.”
“Is Cora okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, my voice cracking with emotion. “I feel like time is ticking away.”
Silence stretches out before us and then he speaks. “Your life is about to begin, sweetheart. You’ll finally have control over it.”
But I won’t. I will still be grasping for things I’m not supposed to have.
“I don’t want to leave her,” I admit, tears threatening. “I can’t, Enzo.”
“Hey,” he croons. “We’ll figure it out. Just give me some time. She’s safe with Patty in the meantime. You know this.”
I do know this, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Cora won’t understand when I’m forced to leave in a couple of days.
“Friday, I’ll come over to Patty’s after school to pick you up. You can pack up and say goodbye to Cora for now. I thought maybe I could do something special for you for your birthday,” he rumbles. “You don’t have to check in until Saturday afternoon.”
Despite all the uncertainty and stress, his words send a flutter of butterflies dancing through me. “Are you asking me out on a date, Enzo?” I smile in the dark closet.
“That, and much more. I’ll take what I can get.”
I stare down at my text in shock.
Daniel: She’s mine.
He’s attached a picture of the results and after I carefully study it, it’s as clear as day. Daniel Venable is a perfect DNA match to Jenna.
Me: Let me talk to her first. I’ll let her know.
His response is immediate.
Daniel: Can I have her number? I would like to get to know my daughter.
Me: If she wants to talk to you, she’ll call you. Jenna has had a hard life and is going through a difficult time right now. Pressuring her for a relationship right now isn’t a good idea.
Daniel: Is it money? I can give her money if she needs it.
Me: Patience. Just give her some of that for now.
Daniel: I can do that. For now.
With a sigh, I climb out of my car and head toward Patty and Junior’s front door. Delia answers before I have a chance to knock.
“Good luck,” is all she utters before scampering off.
There’s a loud commotion upstairs and I rush to the second floor. When I make it to Jenna and Cora’s room, my heart sinks. Jenna sits on the bed, clinging to Cora and sobbing. Not just a few tears, but full-on hysterical crying. Cora is crying too, as they hold on tight to each other. Faye sits on the bed nearby with tears in her eyes as Patty hugs her.
Oh boy.
“They’re saying their goodbyes,” Patty says, her voice quivering with emotion. “Come on, Faye. Let’s give them a moment.”
They exit the room, leaving me with the two crying girls. I sit next to Jenna and pull them both in an embrace. Jenna seems to break apart in my arms. She melts against me.
“I-I c-can’t l-leave her,” she chokes out.
“You have to.”
Cora starts crying harder and chanting, “No,” over and over.
I pull away and run my fingers through Jenna’s hair, gently tugging so she looks at me. “Listen, sweetheart. You have to be strong, okay? You have to be strong for her. You’re not saying goodbye forever. Just bye for now. You cry, she cries. Understand?”
She squeezes her eyes shut and her face contorts into a heartbroken expression. Tears stream down her cheeks, but she nods. Her bottom lip trembles wildly. “I c-can d-do this.”
“You can, and you will,” I agree, smoothing out her hair.
I stroke Cora’s hair and kiss the top of her head. “Cora bear, Jenna is going to go bye-bye with me, okay? You get to stay and help Miss Patty cook again. You like helping Miss Patty, right?”
Cora nods and looks up at me. “Cupcake.”
“I bet Faye will want help with making cupcakes,” I agree. “Can you be a big girl and tell Jenna you’ll see her later?”
Cora moves to sit in my lap and then she pets Jenna’s hair like I’ve been doing. “Make cupcake, Mommy?”
Jenna nods, more tears racing down her cheeks. “Make cupcakes and I’ll come back to see you soon. Okay?”
“Okay,” Cora agrees. “Kiss bye-bye.”
“You better give me some kisses, banshee baby,” Jenna says, tickling Cora and making her squeal. Then she sets to kissing all over her face as Cora cackles with laughter. “I love you, Cora.”
“Love you, Mommy.”
“Go play with Noelle,” Jenna whispers. “I’ll see you soon.”
Cora slides from my lap and toddles out of the room. I waste no time pulling Jenna to me and hugging her.
“You’re doing great,” I assure her. “I’m so proud of you.”
She cries for another half hour, clinging to my chest and soaking my shirt with her tears.
I’d planned to take her to dinner and a movie. Maybe even shopping. But she’s so broken and tired, I opt to take her home instead. Patty sent us with some leftover birthday cake that we can eat later. When I pull into my garage, Jenna flashes me a smile of relief.
“I’m in no mood to go out,” she says sadly.
“Not right now, but one day, you will be. I can wait. But what I can’t wait for is my growling stomach. What do you say, birthday girl? You want chicken stir-fry or spaghetti? Those are my two specialties and admittedly two of the only things I know how to cook.”
She laughs. “Hmm, with all those options, it’s hard to decide. Surprise me.”
Leaning forward, I press a kiss to her supple lips. “It’s going to be the best birthday dinner ever, I promise.”
We exit the car and I show her around my house. Her glum mood has dulled as she takes to cuddling Halo. Halo, happy for someone other than me to give him affection, purrs and snuggles against her.
“I know you mentioned you don’t have many things to wear. You’re welcome to snoop around in my drawers. Take what you want. Get comfortable. I want you to relax, Jenna,” I murmur, stroking her hair behind her ear. “You’re wound so tight. It’s your birthday. You owe it to yourself.”
“I’ll try,” she promises.
I leave her to go get dinner started. Spaghetti is the best thing I know how to cook, so I set to boiling water and browning the meat. Eventually, she walks into the kitchen wearing my sweatpants and hoodie. When she stands beside me, I smile because she smells like me too.
“My clothes look good on you,” I tell her.
She laughs. “Spoken like a true man.”
I set the spoon down and turn to her. Her eyes are bloodshot and swollen from crying, but she’s still beautiful. “You’re doing great, Jenna.”
Her smile falls and her nose turns pink as she fights more tears. “Trying not to drown.”
“I won’t let you drown,” I vow, as I dip down to kiss her.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
I kiss her again, but this time, she parts her lips to invite me for more. Sliding my palm up the side of her neck, I run my finger along her jaw in a gentle way. Her fingers grip the front of my sweater and she pulls me closer. Our tongues are desperately seeking one another. I have to force myself away from her sweet mouth before I decide to ditch dinner and have dessert instead.
“Tease,” she mutters, her voice husky with need.
“Believe me, I didn’t want to stop.” I wink at her and then continue cooking. She busies herself in the kitchen, hunting down plates and cups. Soon, we sit down to a home-cooked meal. Her mood has visibly improved as she chatters on about one of her new friends named Winter.
“She wants to be an attorney. Can you believe that?” she asks as she twists noodles around her fork. “I mean, I’ve seen her argue with Coach Long and she’s quite good at it. But an attorney? Sounds so boring.”
