She looked up at him and said, “Thank you. Please come sit down, I owe you an explanation.” Taking his hand, she led him to the couch. Indicating he should sit, she asked, “Do you want something more to drink, I have beer, or soft drinks, and I could get some chips or find something else to eat if you’re hungry?” She really didn’t know what to do. She was out of her element. Alan was the first man that wasn’t a family member she had had in her house.
Alan could feel how uncomfortable Theresa was. He sat on the couch where she had indicated and continued to hold her hand. “No, honey, I’m fine. Please sit and tell me what’s going on,” he said softly as he jerked her hand, pulling her into his lap.
“Oh! I’m sorry I lost my balance and fell. I’ll move.” She was a little breathless and struggled to get up.
“You landed right where I want you. Relax, I’m not going to hurt you. Please tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s kind of a long story.” She sighed.
“We have all night, just tell me what’s going on.” He smiled down at her, liking the feeling of finally having her in his arms.
“When I was five my father was killed. He was a policeman and was killed in an attempted robbery one night. Joe’s dad was my father’s partner. After a couple of years, when I was seven, he and my mother got married. Joe was thirteen and already trouble. He was already drinking and into drugs.”
“That must have been tough losing your father at such a young age,” Alan said with sympathy.
“I don’t know, I was so young and he was always working. I didn’t know him well. When Mom and Vic, Joe’s Dad, married, we stayed in this house. The house had been given to my Mom and Dad when they married by my grandparents on Mom’s side. The house was in my mom’s name when she and Vic married and they never changed it. Vic didn’t want his ex-wife, Joe’s mom, trying to get i
t, so he never made a big deal of it,” she explained.
“That makes sense,” Alan stated, and looked down at her. She was so perfect.
Theresa looked up at him, not quite believing he was real. She had dreamed of this since she had first seen him at the Club. Not exactly this, but being in his arms. “When Joe was nineteen he was arrested for breaking and entering. It broke his father’s heart and Vic had a heart attack and died during the trial.” A tear rolled down her face. Vic was the only father she had ever really known and his loss had really affected her.
Alan just nodded, and held her tighter in his arms.
“Soon after we found out Mom had cancer. She passed a little over a year ago.” The tears were really falling now. Alan held her tighter and she rested her head on his chest. He was so big and it was so comforting being held in his arms.
Taking a deep breath, Theresa continued. “Joe got out of prison a few months ago. Somehow he has it in his head that since his dad lived here, the house should be his. My mom’s will left the house and its contents to me. Joe’s dad also wanted me to have everything. He was afraid that Joe would just sell everything for drug money. The house is mortgaged to the hilt because of mom’s medical expenses, and now that I’m working at the Club, I finally have enough money to keep up with everything. Joe wants to take it all away. He thinks he can bully me into giving him money. I’ve already talked to my lawyer about a restraining order, but that’s only a piece of paper. Joe wouldn’t pay any attention to it. Unless he does something, no one will help me. I just want to live my life and be happy. It was so nice while he was in jail. Now he won’t leave me alone.” She sobbed, burrowing into Alan’s chest and letting it all loose. It had been so long since someone cared for her and wanted to help her. She was tired of doing it all on her own.
“I’m sorry I brought you into this, but I didn’t know who else to call. Joe’s ran off all of my friends. No one wants anything to do with me. I think he owes someone money and that is why he is trying to get it from me so hard. I’m not sure what to do.”
“Why didn’t you want to call the cops?” he asked her.
“I’m not sure they can do anything.” She sighed.
“We need to report every incident so that there is a record. Next time he comes back we call the police,” he told her firmly.
“Okay, I guess, I just never figured they would do anything because of Joe’s dad.”
* * * *
She looked up into his eyes with tears streaming down her face and he couldn’t help himself, he had to kiss her. Leaning down he brushed her lips with his and when her lips parted slightly, he took more. His tongue licked her lips and when she shuddered, he nibbled on her lips. Gently pushing, he explored her mouth. Her eyes got big and her breath hitched. Slowly he backed off, giving her a little space.
“Wow…that was…wow,” she panted.
“Yeah baby, wow.” He grinned. “Have you ever kissed anyone before?”
Oh God, he could tell. How embarrassing was that. He must think she was the lamest person ever. Blushing, she answered, “Not really, I never dated much and don’t have much experience. I’m sorry. A man like you probably wants someone who knows what they are doing. I understand,” she said and hung her head.
Putting one finger under her chin, he lifted her face to his, and said, “Theresa, I think you are perfect. I’m glad you called me tonight. We will figure this out. Evan at the Club can do some searching and we will find out what Joe is into and get him off your back. I want to be here to help you and do anything you need. I’m going to stay here until you are safe. It is not a problem. I’m retired and need something to do anyway. Please let me help you.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I’m so afraid I’m going to lose my job at the Club, and no one I know will help me.”
“Why would you think you would lose your job?”
“Joe can be a pain in the ass and he’s lost me several jobs by coming around and causing trouble. I know Dave and the guys are great, but they don’t need him and his drug buddies hanging around and causing shit. If I go, Joe goes, so by firing me they get rid of Joe.”
“Honey, we will get rid of Joe and keep you. I’m sure once we tell Dave and Evan what’s going on they will figure something out. You don’t need to worry about it. We will all take care of you. You’re part of the family now.”