Frances leaned back in her chair, “Cil I have a job for you.” She thought her heart would stop beating as soon as she heard the familiar voice. It had been so long since they’d seen one another. And now she needed the best security specialist she could think of. Since money was no object to Toni Ramsden she’d decided to call her old friend. She listened and the voice brought back memories she’d thought she could handle. Obviously not. “Here in Dallas. . . . Ramsden. Antoi . . . Oh you’ve heard of her.” She nodded. “Uh yes. Actually the CTI building, a penthouse apartment for sure, and I don’t know what else. . . . That’s why I need someone like you.” The detective smiled, “yes, it will be nice to see you again, too. I can have a car pick you . . . Well I . . . Okay. No problem. See you then.”

“Damn it Cil you know that’s not the problem. The problem,” Officer Francis removed her uniform tie and shirt tossing them on the king size bed, “is that you are a workaholic and I want to spend time with you.”

“I spend time with you.” The taller woman shouted back. “You’ve been repulsed since day one and I’m getting sick of it.”

“Repulsed? Since day one?” Frances spread her feet and faced the woman placing her hands on her hips, “you do not repulse me Cil. I can’t believe you even said that.” Her voice cracked, “good God I . . . I . . .” She turned, grabbed a sweatshirt and stomped out, “damn you Cil. I need some air.” Officer Francis spent the rest of the night in a bar. When she returned home there was no sign of her friend. Even her clothes were gone. “Damn Cil. Running again?”

Toni nodded, “yesh.” Damn. I sound like a toddler, younger even.

“Good and Sherry will be dropping by daily to continue PT.” Again Toni nodded. The doctor smiled, “she said the set up you have is, she raised her eyes in thought, “oh yeah, ‘the most absolutely fantastic physical therapy design’ she’d ever seen. Actually I don’t think she can wait to get there and use it.”

“Howww lllon?”

“That depends on you. How much you get out of the PT will be totally dependent on how much you put in. I’ve seen folks get just about complete function back in less than a year. Others still work on it haphazardly after five years.” She patted the executives shoulder, “you’re a type A personality. I think you’ll do just fine.”

Toni smiled, “thhans.”

“Work on your speech though. Talk as often as you can. Start slowly. Try to get the words out properly. Use a mirror. That will help more than you think. Get someone to practice with. Watch them say a word then try to get your tongue and lips in the same position. It will take time but you’ll find that once you can get words out more clearly they will come more quickly as well.” the doctor shrugged, “of course I’d rather you had a speech therapist. If you should change your mind I can give you the names of several good people.”

Toni nodded. “Okay.”

“I want to see you in three weeks.” She heard Drake’s voice outside the door. “I see your friend is eager to get you home.” The physician smiled, “nice young woman.” She patted Toni’s leg and left the hospital room.

The doctor chuckled as she watched Daisy show Drake how to set the brake on the wheelchair. “I know how to do it now Daisy,” the tall woman smiled. “Can we go get her now?”

Daisy looked to Dr. Bain who smiled and nodded. “We sure can Honey.”

Drake practically took the door off its hinges as she swept into the room pulling the chair behind her followed by Daisy, Lisabeth and Delgado.. “We can take you home now Toni.” She parked the chair beside the bed and set the brake. “Daisy showed me how to make it so the wheelchair won’t move around while you get in. See?” She showed the patient the brake lever and shifted it off then on again. “That way when you get in it won’t move and you won’t fall.” Drake smiled proudly. “See,” she tired to push the chair back and forth. “It won’t move accidentally. See Toni,” Daisy put her hand on the tall woman’s shoulder and leaned to her.

“Calm down Honey. When she gets home you’ll have plenty of time to spend together.”

Drake nodded. Yeah be quiet you’re acting like a baby Tweety. She’s coming home and I get to help make her better. Yeah. Drake could barely contain herself.

“Maybe you should go make sure Philip has the car ready?” Daisy suggested softly.

Drake turned, “but then I won’t get to ride her down in the wheelchair.”

Toni watched the excited woman. She’s so cute.

Get real Toi. She’s a child in her head.

Yeah, but she’s still so cute.

Drake was tired of waiting, “come on Toni I can put you in the chair. I can lift you up. I’m real strong. Can I do that? Can I put you in the wheelchair so we can take you home now?”

Daisy stepped beside Drake, “Honey don’t you think she should get dressed first?”

“Oh yeah,” Drake chuckled, “I guess that’s a real good idea. It’s cold outside. I can help you get dressed? Oh,” she removed her baseball jacket, “you can wear my jacket. It’s really warm. And . . .”

“Drake be quiet.” Daisy said forcefully. Immediately the tall woman was quiet and dropped her head pouting.

“Tchweeny,” Toni smiled at the desolate woman, crooked her finger and urged her toward the bed. Drake approached slowly afraid she’d done something wrong. The patient grabbed her arm and pulled Drake toward the bed then patted it with her hand. “Sssit.” Drake did as she was asked. The executive spoke softly and slowly so only the mentally challenged woman could hear her words. Drake listened carefully and nodded her head and a smile began to form slowly as she leaned closer to hear what her friend had to tell her. Toni placed her hand on Drake’s leg and squeezed it lightly. “Okay?”

Drake nodded. “Okay Toni.” She stood and faced the others in the room, Daisy, Lisabeth, Delgado and a nurse. “Toni said you all have to go. I can help her get dressed then we can go home.” She turned to her friend on the bed, “right Toni?”

The patient, soon to be ex patient, nodded, “rigcht.”

As everyone filed from the room Drake pulled the covers from the bed. “Thans Tchweeny.”

“Uh, yeah. Hmm, here’s your panties and bra.” She placed them gently beside her friend on the bed. Drake wasn’t sure if she should help with that part.

Toni swung her legs over the bed and grabbed the panties with her left hand. She struggled to get them on and Drake watched unsure of what to do. “Can chou hep me . . .” Drake immediately knelt beside the bed and aimed Toni’s feet in the right direction and the patient pulled the panties up to her knees. She scooted closer to the edge of the bed.

Understanding that she wanted to stand to pull the pants all the way up Drake held her arm. “I’ll hold you Toni. I’m strong. I eat spinach like Popeye.”

“Ththans,” Toni smiled at the tall woman.

Dressing was slow only because Toni still had great difficulty with her right arm and she could not voice her needs quickly. Eventually she was seated in the wheelchair dressed in slacks, a Dallas PD sweatshirt and, on Drake’s insistence, a very large New York Yankees baseball jacket.

The tall strawberry blonde woman felt the stares as she walked to the registration desk of the hotel. There were the usual sly glances and quick comments. Unfortunately she saw and heard them as well. Her hearing was excellent. She knew most thought otherwise. There was usual quick cover up by the clerk at the desk after the initial shock of her face. That was usual as well. At nearly six feet she was definitely no chameleon. The bright blue eyes and silky hair just past her shoulder also attracted the stares. But not like the woman’s face. “I have a reservation. Priscilla Carlisle.”

The clerk quickly tapped the name into the computer, “yes Ms. Carlisle. Room 517. Non smoking near the stairs. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

She shook her head as she took the cardkey and signed the register.

“I’ll get someone to take your bag up.”

“I can handle it. How late is your restaurant open.”

“Twenty-four hours Ms. Carlisle.”

“Thank you.” She lifted the suitcase and pulled the briefcase from the counter and turned to locate the stairs. She turned
back to the man who was staring at her back. “Stairs?”
 
The man quickly and pointed to his left. “Just the other side of that potted palm Ms. Carlisle.”

Musta been part of the training. Always use the guest’s name. She took the stairs to the fifth floor and slipped the card into the slot pushing the door handle down when the green light appeared. Cil tossed the briefcase on the closest double bed and the suitcase beside it. She walked to the window and pulled the drapes open. Across the street would be her new project. CTI. She picked up the phone and dialed the number she saw on the card. “I’d like a medium well steak, baked potato and peas, hot tea and a glass of milk delivered to 517 in 90 minutes. Is that possible?” She listened, “thank you.” She dialed again, “what floor is the gym on? . . . Thank you.”

Cil removed the dark linen pants, jacket and silk blouse and hung them neatly in the closet. The pumps were settled below them and she opened the suitcase pulling out a pair of sweats, socks and sneakers. Quickly the woman dressed and made her way to the gym on the 4th floor. Wonder if CTI has a gym? She spent the next 70 minutes using the free weights and machines ending with a karate kata to cool down.

The tall woman wrapped the robe tightly and fluffed her hair dry with the towel. The shower and workout had been invigorating. The protein of the steak would rebuild her muscles and help her sleep. She signed the bill adding a 25% tip for the young waiter noting his name, Elroy. He at least didn’t even wince when he saw her.

The meal was excellent and she jotted a note on the hotel stationary to the management telling them she’d enjoyed it. Cil often wrote notes to management. So-and-so was excellent, such-and-such needs some additional training in cleaning the carpet, or serving the wine, or driving the cab. She pushed the dinner cart into the hallway and unpacked the outfit she’d wear to meet Toni Ramsden. She’d decided on a dark green suit and ivory silk blouse. She had pumps to match the suit. She placed the other clothing in the drawers of the bureau and swung the empty case on the top shelf of the closet. Neatly the woman laid her wardrobe for the next day onto the bed after slipping her briefcase onto the desk.

After closing the blinds Cil tossed the robe at the foot of the bed and slid between the cool sheets. Immediately she fell asleep.

“Happy birthday sweetie.” the woman lifted her three-year-old daughter and kissed her. “Now bedtime. Later tonight your Daddy will be home and he’ll spend the whole day with his little princess.

“Me,” the child giggled. “And you too Mommy?”

“Of course me too, sweetie.”

She smelled the shampoo her mother used. “When I grow up I’m going to smell good like you Mommy.”

“Oh Cilla, when you grow up you are going to be so beautiful I don’t think anyone will care what your hair smells like.” She blew raspberries against her daughter’s stomach and giggled with her. She read Dr. Suess Green Eggs and Ham. “Now you just lay quiet and close your eyes and I’ll sing.”

The little girl closed her blue eyes and listened as her mother’s clear voice enveloped her in warmth and love.

“Daddy, Daddy,” the tall blond man bounced on his toes as the waited for his daughter to plow into him with all her four-year-old might.

“Oooof,” he rolled onto his back and lifted the child over his head. “Are you having a nice birthday party with your friends Princess?”

“Oh Daddy it’s wondericious. And the pony is so pretty.”

“Yes just remember the pony has to go back to the other ponies. He’s not yours to keep.”

“Can we visit him Daddy?”

“No Princess we won’t be able to.” He held his daughter and pulled his wife to him. “Got orders today.”

“Where?” She was a military wife and a military brat and even grandbrat. This was unexpectedly expected.

“You’re gonna love it Ellen. The United Nations. In New York.”

“Michael that’s wonderful.”

“And I’ve been promoted.”

The woman’s eyes watered and she held her hands to her lips, “Michael,” she whispered.
“Colonel?” He nodded and kissed her lightly then more passionately. She pulled away, “after we get Cilla to bed I’ll properly reward you.”

“Isn’t it past her bedtime now?”

“Daddy,” Cilla turned in his arms, “it’s not my bedtime now. I still have my party.”

“Oh, excuse me, Princess.” He settled the child on her feet and she hugged his neck. “Now go and play with your friends and be a good hostess.” She kissed him on the cheek and ran outside to the party.

She couldn’t breathe. When she opened her eyes they burned. Everything was smoky. “Daddy. Daddy.” Cilla coughed and jumped out of the bed toward the room her parents were in. She stood in the middle room of the suite, which contained a television and couch, and saw the smoke come from under the door. She coughed again and ran to her parents' room. The door opened quickly and she was scooped into strong arms.

“Princess. Just be calm. We have to crawl on the floor. Okay? Can you do that with Mommy and me?”

“Yes Daddy.” The three went on all fours.

“Michael what do we do now?”

“Daddy,” Cilla coughed, “it’s hard to breathe.”

The man stood and raced to the window. Seventeen floors below was the street. He could see ladder trucks the ladders barely reaching the eighth floor of the hotel. He knew that. His brother Kip was a fireman. “Bathroom.” Michael Carlisle picked up his daughter and raced to the bathroom. He turned on the water, pushed the plug into the drain and lifted his wife into the tub and his Princess into her arms. “Just stay there. Stay wet. I’ll be back.” He did the same to the sink then raced from the room.

“Daddy,” the piercing cry was heard by her father who stopped for a moment then continued on. He plugged the drain in the other bathroom and turned the water on full force hoping the fire was far enough away to allow time for the tub to overflow and stop it at their door.

Ellen stood with her child crying hysterically in her arms. “Shhh now Cilla. Your Daddy said he’d be back.” The woman lay in the tub her daughter beside her, the water reaching halfway up her body as she lay on her side. “We have to be brave Cilla. Can you be brave?

“Yes Mommy,” the child sniffled. “I can be brave like a Marine.”

“Good sweetie.”

The explosion rattled her teeth as flames swept into the room and melted the shower curtain which fell on the child as she lay beside her mother. The older woman screamed and pulled at the burning mass of plastic with her hands. Cilla watched the flames lick her mother’s back and her hair sizzle to nothing. She screamed.

She dressed in sweats and sneakers and headed out for her morning run. She hadn’t seen a park around the area during the cab ride from DFW airport so she decided to run the streets around the hotel and the CTI building across the street. She got the usual looks and as usual disregarded them. The sky had been overcast the day before, but it was clear this morning. It wasn’t quite dawn but the streetlamps and beginning early morning traffic made the streets about as safe as they could be. Besides, her tall frame and the looks she was able to return pretty much limited the number of folks willing to tangle with the tall woman. Why am I doing this? I should never have come.

You’re doing it because Frances called you and you want to see her again.

Damn it all.

She pushed an extra five miles from her normal ten feeling near total exhaustion which was the point of the strenuous run on this morning in particular. If I don’t have the energy maybe I won’t feel anything. And if I don’t feel anything maybe being near Frances  won’t hurt so much. I hope.

After a quick shower Cil took time dressing. It had been just over twenty years since she’d last seen the police officer even though they talked on the phone frequently and emailed often. Wonder if she’s changed much? Detective. Lieutenant too. Yes, she’s done well. Wish I could say the same for me.

Breakfast in the dining room was filled with the usual sidelong glances and whispers and Cil was pleased that she could just let it go. Used to be I get up and yell at the stupid people. She chuckled to herself. Guess I grew up. They certainly haven’t. She glanced at those who watched her immediately causing them to turn away, most even had the decency to be embarrassed by their actions.

Priscilla crossed the street and entered CTI. She looked at the lobby enjoying the beautiful Italian marble and chandeliers. She grinned to herself and approached the reception desk. Six people appeared to be handling incoming calls and anther two served as greeters, answering questions, signing people in, giving out badges or, she imagined, signing people out and getting the badges back. “Priscilla Carlisle to see Toni Ramsden, please.”

“Sure Ms. Carlisle.” The young man dialed, spoke briefly, then hung up and turned back to Cil. “I can take you up.” He smiled, “be just a sec,” he turned to a short stocky young man who pushed thick glasses back up his nose. “Felix, take over I’m going to 14.”

“Gotcha Bradley.” Felix smiled at the woman and turned back to his duties with another visitor.

“This way Ms. Carlisle.” She followed the young man into the elevator and watched as he inserted a key and pushed 14. Bradley glanced at the tall woman beside him. “Guess I’m not as bad off as you.”

“Excuse me?” She stiffened and turned to the boy glowering at him.

Bradley nearly choked, “I mean the fire. I was lucky, just my legs and . . . uh up to my waist. Pajama bottoms caught.”

“Oh,” Cil’s heart was beating rapidly. Guess he was. Or was he? “Did it do . . . damage?”

She hadn’t expect the laugh she received, “did it ever. Had to go through seven surgeries to get some semblance of a . . . huh you know. But it works.” She nodded. “Hardest part was P.E. in school. You know showering with the guys after getting all sweaty. By my sophomore year though things weren’t so bad. The guys started being protective when some new student came in and started razzing me.”

“You didn’t mind?”

“At first I did,” he nodded. “But then it was like, hey they wanted me to feel like one of the guys. You know?” He turned to look at her. “And when I understood that was their way of doing it I felt a lot better about the whole thing.” The doors opened and Bradley motioned Cil to precede him which she did. “Do you know none of the guys ever told a girl about it? I had lots of dates too.” She stopped at the secretary’s desk. “Hi Lisabeth. This is Ms. Carlisle to see Toni.”
He turned to the tall, scarred woman. “Hey nice talking to you Ms. Carlisle.”

“Thank you Bradley. I enjoyed our talk too.” He turned and left, greeting various people as he passed their desk.

“Nice boy, Bradley,” Lisabeth smiled up at the woman. “I’ll let Toni know you’re here.” She stood and tapped at the door then opened it and disappeared behind it.

Cil waited the few seconds until the door opened. She looks good. Hell, she looks great. Cil’s heart stopped for a nanosecond. Can she see how scared I am? Please God don’t let her . . .

“Cil,” Frances approached. Do I hug her? Or just shake her hand. Oh shit . . . what the hell. The women embraced, the detective holding her friend very tightly. “I missed you,” she whispered.

Get hold of yourself Cil. “Uh, yes.”

Toni and Drake watched the women as Lisabeth quietly left closing the door softly behind her.

Frances pulled herself away from the taller woman lowering her head, “sorry. Didn’t mean to embarrass you.” She rubbed under her eyes for a moment then turned to the other two women in the office. “Toni, Drake I’d like you to meet Priscilla Carlisle.” She smiled and Drake noticed her chin shake. The detective cleared her throat, “Cil is one of the best, if not the best, security experts in the country. With her help we can make it more difficult, possibly impossible for Bright to get to either Drake or you.” She looked at Toni.

“Mmmee?” Toni sat in her leather executive chair and tuned toward Drake then back to the police officer. “Why me?”

“Because,” Cil approached the desk and sat in one of the chairs, “you are close to Drake and he appears to want to get rid of people close to her.”

Drake shook her head slowly. Jimmie is hurting people because of me? That’s not nice Jimmie. That’s mean. Drake began to shake.

“Cil, shut up.” Frances stood and embraced the tall dark haired woman. “Drake, shhh. It’s okay.”

“But he’s doing bad things because of me.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “That’s not . . . that’s bad.”

“Shhhh, Tweety. It’s okay.”

“But he wants to hurt Toni. And it’s my fault.”

“NO!.” Frances brushed dark hair away from the beautiful face, “it is not your fault. It’s Jimmie’s fault. And we don’t even know for sure,” if eyes could throw daggers, Cil would have been pinioned against the wall with the ones thrown by Frances in that moment. “Cil is just guessing. We have to always think of the worst things. And they don’t always happen. Do you understand?”

“No Frances I don’t. Why does he want to be mean to Toni if he’s angry at me?”

Toni stared at the security specialist and said softly and slowly, “may. . .be you sud deal with Fran. . . ces on this. Whatev. . .er she says goes. I res. . .pect her opinion.” She turned to the two women softly speaking to one another,
“Tweety, would you hep me up. . .stairs so I can prac. . .tice before Sher. . .ry get here?”

Drake quickly turned to Toni, “but it’s not time yet?”

“But I want to prac. . .tice bef. . .ore she comes. You know I. . . do so much bet. . .ter with you there to mmmake . . . sure I don’t ffall.”

Drake's face immediately brightened. “Yeah, just wait and I’ll get your walker.”  The taller woman held her arm out and the executive grabbed it and pulled herself up from the chair. “You’re getting stronger Toni, I can feel it. That’s good.” Drake beamed. “Frances isn’t that good?”

“Very.” She agreed.

Toni nodded to the detective. “You . . . take care . . . of sec. . .ur. . .ty.” She smiled at the woman then turned back to Drake. “Lessth go.”

As soon as the door closed behind Drake and Toni Frances whirled around to face Cil. “Well I hope you are proud of yourself. You’ve just given that poor woman something else to beat herself up over.”

Cil stood her hands on her hips, “what the shit are you talking about. I only gave my opinion. What’s with you? If that woman is idiot enough to take the blame for all this then maybe she’s short too many watts in her bulb? Have you thought of that?”

“Drake is mentally retarded,” it came out so softly Cil was not sure she heard correctly.

“What?” She thought back at the actions and words the woman had used as she sat back into the chair. “Oh shit, Frances I didn’t know.”

“Not all of us have an IQ of over 150, Cil.”

“I ‘m sorry Frances. Really. Should I apologize to her?”

The detective laughed, “she’d never understand why you would be apologizing to her for something she absolutely believes is her fault. No. Don’t apologize. Don’t bring it up.”

“Maybe she’ll forget it.”

“Is that what you think? She’ll forget it ever happened?”

“Won’t she?”

“No Cil. She won’t. She’ll just file it away somewhere and bring it out when she once again is made to feel that she’s the cause of all the wrongs around her. She will never forget it. Never.”

“What about the other woman, Toni?”

“She had a stroke about two weeks ago. Making an amazing recovery. Her speech is improving on a daily basis.”

“The uh, retarded woman . . .”

“Drake. Her name is Drake.”

“Right. Drake. Who is she?”

Frances spent the next hour giving Cil the story of Drake, Toni, Andrew Palmer, Jimmie Bright and CTI. “So basically what I need from you is to go through CTI and the penthouse to make sure it is as secure as possible.”

“This other house they had, is it being used?”

Frances shook her head, “CTI still owns it. Drake doesn’t want to go anywhere near it and I don’t blame her. A lot of painful things happened to her there.”

“Okay,” Cil stood. “I’ll want a complete set of blueprints for the building and each floor. I’ll need a place to use as a headquarters. And I’d be more comfortable if it’s not in a highrise.”

“No problem.”

“I’ll contact my people to get here by the end of the week and have a concrete plan ready by then.”

“Great. I’ll ask Toni if you could use the house. It’s huge and has seven bedrooms to say nothing of the four car garage, the gardens, the gazebo . . .”

“Gazebo?”

“We’re talking big money here.”

“Good,” Cil absently stroked her scarred cheek, “my team can stay at the house too. That way we don’t run up a huge hotel bill.”

“Yeah, like you care how much the client has to pay. You just hate staying in hotels.”

For the first time that day Cil smiled, “guilty as charged.” She rose from the chair and stepped closer to the detective.

“And it is nice seeing you again Frances.”

“Toni, that’s real good.” Drake watched the woman slowly make her way through the parallel bars toward the other end. “Real good,” she walked slowly behind the executive ready to catch her if she should misstep and fall.

When she reached the other end Toni allowed the stronger woman to help her into a wheelchair. “Tired.”

“That’s okay you did real good.” Drake pushed the chair out of the room. “Want lunch now?” Toni nodded and smiled. Now you’re talking kiddo.

Daisy greeted the two, “go wash up first. I heard you in there and you’re sweaty. I don’t want you in my kitchen until you sparkle.” She held her arms out, hands hanging loosely down and flipped them up, “shoo shoo.”

Drake and Toni laughed returning twenty minutes later freshly showered.

“You have to bathe Toni. Now either I do it or I get Drake in here to do it but you ain’t staying in that tub alone.”

“No,” I’ll be damned if I’m going to be washed like a baby. “No,” she yelled.

“That’s okay Daisy.” Drake stood in the doorway of the bathroom. “I’ll sit on the toilet and I won’t look. But if you need help,” she looked directly at Toni, “just let me know. Okay?”

Toni nodded, “kay.”

Drake sat on the toilet seat the shower curtain pulled most of the way to give the executive her longed for privacy. “You know. People always did stuff instead of letting me do it myself.” Drake’s soft voice made Toni stop soaping herself.  “And at first I was real angry. Well, I guess I was always angry. And I still feel that way when you or Lisabeth or Daisy do stuff that I can do. I know you guys do it cause you think I can’t, but it doesn’t make me feel good. It makes me feel like you don’t trust me. That you think I really don’t know how to do things.”

Toni waited not moving.

“You okay in there? I don’t hear anything.”

“Yeah,” Toni continued soaping herself.

“You know I can do lots of stuff. Just not smart stuff. I mean,” she thought a moment, “I can’t run CTI or do what Lisabeth does. But I’m good at delivering the mail. And sometimes I can fix my trains if they get broken. So it’s okay to yell and stuff if you can do things that people think you can’t. I’ll understand. And it’s okay if you yell at me. Cause sometimes I feel like yelling to.”

“Tthen why don you?”

Drake chuckled, “cause I don’t know what to yell.” She rubbed her face with her hands, “you yell neat stuff. I mean, stuff that sounds good. I can’t think of stuff to yell. And when I do it’s too late and I don’t want to yell anymore.”

“Oh.”

“Let me know when you want to come out, okay?”

“Now.”

“I have to get the towel, wait a minute.” Drake turned to the closet and pulled a large blue towel shaking it out when she heard a thud in the bathtub. “Toni? Toni?” She pushed the shower curtain back to see her friend floating face up. Immediately Drake pulled the plug and scooped up the limp body. “Oh,” she cried. “Don’t be dead Toni. Don’t be dead.”

“What in heaven’s name,” Daisy stood in the doorway.

“I guess she fell,” Drake stood with the limp body of her friend in her arms. “Toni, please don’t be hurt. Please,” she sobbed against her friends wet hair.

“Drake,” Daisy was firm, “let’s take her into her bedroom.” Toni was toweled dry and gently laid on the cool sheets. Drake continued to sob fearing her friend was seriously injured or worse.

“Drake honey, don’t you have to go back to work now?”

“But what about Toni?”

“I’ll watch Toni. She’ll be just fine just got a little bump on the head.”

“But . . .”

“No buts, you have to be back to work and I’ll look after Toni.” Reluctantly the tall woman turned and left the room. Daisy could hear her change into dry clothes then the click of the door as it was closed.

Toni woke with a clanging headache. “Ulgh,” she held the side of her head.

“Bout time you decided to wake up.” Daisy stood and handed the woman a mug.

“Thans,” she sipped the hot coffee and smiled.

“Now young lady, we’re going to get something straight here and now. First, that’s the last time you take a bath by yourself.”

“Whacht?”

“You heard me. That poor woman was beside herself thinking you were dead or near death. I’ll not allow that to happen again. So,” she put her hand on very ample hips, “from now on you shower with Drake. She’ll hold you and she’ll be dressed. Do you understand me Missy?”

Toni could only nod.

The two woman enjoyed lunch and Drake kept up a running commentary on what Toni had accomplished that morning. “When Sherry comes she’ll be real surprised. Now Toni can get all the way to the end of the bars all by herself. Huh Toni?”

Toni could only nod as Drake continued until she ran out of steam. Both women sat quietly nibbling the potato chips and sipping their iced tea. “Do you think it hurts her?”

“What?”

“Her face. Do you think it hurts?”

Toni had to take a moment to think about what Drake could possibly be talking about, then realized it was Pricilla’s scarred face. “No.”

“So, Cil, what do you think? Can you secure this place?” Frances had shown the security specialist everything she could think of and escorted the woman to specific areas Cil’d requested to investigate as well.

“I have a good idea of how to do it, but it’s going to cost since basically we’ll be starting from scratch. They have nothing right now.”

“Like I said before, cost is irrelevant. Toni wants Drake protected and she’ll pay anything to do it.”

“There something between those two?”

“Other than Toni being very protective of Drake and Drake being very protective of Toni, no nothing really going on. And if there was it’s not my business.”

“Right. Just wondered.”

“We’re invited to dinner tonight, by the way. Eight o’clock. Fifteenth floor.”

“Thought you said their apartment was on 19.”

“It was. But dinner is on 15 in the new place that was built for Toni. Seems she doesn’t like being beyond the reach of firetruck ladders either.”

“I think I’ll pass on dinner.”

“Why? Afraid of something or someone?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then I’ll see you at eight. Fifteenth floor. Security will take you up. Meanwhile I’ll take care of getting the house ready
for you and your people.” Frances turned and left the woman standing in the middle of the lobby.

“Drake honey, why are you so nervous?” Daisy held the young woman, “you’re shaking like a leaf in a tornado”

“What if she doesn’t like me Daisy? What if she hates me?”

“Oh honey,” she chuckled, “how can anyone hate you? You just go on and get dressed and I’ll help Toni tonight. Okay.”

“No.” Drake’s voice was firm. “It’s my job to help Toni. I’m her official helper.”

“That’s right,” Daisy smiled, “I forgot for a moment. So you go help Toni then you get dressed. Wear that new blue blouse. It looks really nice on you.”

“Really Daisy, does it really?”

“You bet. Now go help Toni.”

Toni leaned onto the walker and looked through her closet. “Thousands of dollars worth of clothes I’ll probably never wear again. Who wants to see a cripple in a Versace or Vera Wang.” I’m not getting better. Sherry and Drake are probably laughing at me behind my back. No Drake wouldn’t do that. But they’re lying. I still can’t do things for myself. Am I going to be trapped like this for life? She grabbed a handful of lace, silk and satin and pulled, “damn, damn, damn.” The executive threw the walker into the bedroom and sank against the back wall of the closet sobbing.

“Toni?” Drake knocked. She’d learned that lesson the hard way. When there was no answer she knocked again then heard something bang onto the floor just the other side of the door. Carefully she opened the door expecting to see Toni sprawled before her. She heard her friend in the closet. Crying? “Toni?” Drake went to her knees beside the executive, “are you okay? Why are you crying?” Drake leaned toward the woman and lifted her gently onto her lap rocking her like a child. “That’s okay. If you want to cry then just cry. It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone. I promise.” She rocked her friend and hummed to her. Her hair is so soft. And pretty. Drake kissed Toni’s head and held her a bit more tightly.

Toni threw her arms around the tall woman and held tight as she continued to sob into Drake’s shoulder. The mentally challenged woman just kept rocking and slowly rubbed her friend’s back. After what seemed an eternity to Drake Toni began to calm. “You okay now? How come you were crying? Don’t you know what to wear?”

Despite herself Toni had to chuckle. “Yeah,” she sniffled. “probem decidin what to wear.” She smiled at the woman who held her. “Thans.”

Slowly Drake rose and lifted her friend in her arms. “You sit on the bed and I’ll find you something pretty to wear.” Drake smiled and sat the executive on the bed. “Don’t move. Okay?”

Toni chuckled and nodded. Oh God what is she going to pick.

The tall woman took her time going through every piece of clothing hanging in the closet. “Golly Toni you can open a store. You have lots of pretty dresses.” Finally she found one she liked more than the others. “I got it Toni. I got what you should wear.” Drake stood in the closet doorway a huge smile on her face. “See,” she held up a dress Toni hadn’t worn in years. “It matches your eyes. The color. It’s the same as your eyes Toni. Really pretty too. Wear this.”

I didn’t think I still had that. I never even got to wear it.

“What do you think Moira?” Toni pulled the plastic covering from the dress and hung it on the door.

“Oh Toni, it’s absolutely beautiful.” The secretary felt the material, “and feels divine. This what you’re wearing tonight?” Toni nodded. “If this doesn’t get her to look at you nothing will.”

“You think it’s too much?”

“Too much what? Green? It matches your eyes perfectly. And the cut is perfect for your figure. This will definitely show your best side.” Both women laughed and went back to work.

“Toni, Sal Aubrey is on line 3.”

“Sal, nice to hear from you. . . . What do you propose? . . . Sorry can’t make it tonight, how bout . . .,” she listened. “I could be on a flight there first thing in the morning. . . .I’ll see what I can do. . . . Yes. . . . I said yes. I’ll be there.” She slammed the phone down. “Moira get me on the next flight out to London.”

“But what about . . . “

“Just do it Moira.”

“You know Toni business deals come your way all the time, someone special like her doesn’t.”

“Stay out of my personal business Moira and book the damn flight.”

“I like this one a whole lot. Would you wear this one? Please, please?” Drake was getting excited and Toni could see she had to calm the woman.

“Okay.”

Drake smiled. “Great.” She took long steps to the bed and engulfed her friend in a big hug. “You’re gonna be the prettiest girl there.”

Toni could feel her cheeks redden.

“You okay Toni?”

The executive nodded. “Jus wan to res.” She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes while Drake hung the dress on the door like she’d seen Jackie do so many other times.

“Okay. I promised Daisy I’d help in the kitchen.”

Get hold of yourself Toi. God my heart is beating so hard I feel it in my head. What is going on with me? Drake. Got to keep Drake from getting to me.

She loves you.

She hasn’t a clue what love is.

Why, because she can’t do calculus? Because she’s slow? She has feelings just like the rest of us. Don’t be so pompous.

Pompous? Come on, I have no idea if she thinks this is even real.

Ask her you idiot.

What?

Just start a conversation about, uh, relationships. Then go from there. That’s the only way you’ll know how much she understands. Or are you afraid?

Of what?

What you might discover.

Like?

You’re falling in love with the woman. Geesh got to spell everything out to you.

Toni struggled up in the bed. Is that possible? I’m falling for Drake? No, no, it’s just that she’s different.

Come on you’ve always been attracted to people like Drake. Tall, dark, those blue eyes just make you feel like diving in for a swim. And when she holds you in the shower, don’t you get just a little excited?

Shut up. Shut up. SHUT UP.

Toni lay back, closed her eyes and slept.

“Toni,” Vivian softly moved the hair from the executives mouth. “If you just spent half the time on our relationship as you do on business . . .” She touched her lips to the inviting ones of her friend. “Or is it that you can’t commit to a relationship?” Her voice was soft, like the purr of a kitten.

“I . . .I, oh Viv, that feels so good.” Toni felt the warm fingers under her blouse and shivered. “God, what you do to me.” They explored for a while longer and looked into one another’s eyes. Green into hazel. “I . . . God I can’t think.”

Immediately Vivian stopped and stepped back. “Maybe that’s the problem Toi. Maybe you should be thinking. Until you do it’s probably best we just cut this off.” The dark haired woman kissed Toni’s lips lightly. “I can wait.” She turned to leave, then turned back. “But not forever Toi.” And she was gone.

Drake, who sat to Cil’s immediate left, tried very hard not to stare at the woman. “Does it hurt?”

“Excuse me?” Cil was caught off guard.

Drake placed her hand on the scarred cheek, “does it hurt?”

The security specialist shook her head, “not anymore.”

“You’re pretty.”

“What?”

“On this side,” Drake stroked the right side of Cil’s face, “you’re very pretty.”

Cil leaned toward the woman, “most people don’t notice that side.”

“That’s sad.”

Both Toni and Frances listened and watched. Frances was afraid her old friend would react angrily and Toni was scared Drake might say the wrong thing.

“Do people look at you funny?”

Cil nodded unable to answer. “Sometimes,” she finally choked out.

“Would you like to play with my trains?”

“You have a train set?” Drake nodded, “I’d love to see it.”

Drake stood and held out her hand, “come on then.” The two woman excused themselves leaving two utterly bewildered women behind.

Frances cleared her throat. “What just happened?”

“Not shur.” Toni shook her head. “Tchweeny makin frens.”

“Yeah.” The women smiled at one another. “Yeah.”

“Look out you’re going to crash!” Drake laughed as the engine swerved onto a second track. “That was close Cil.
You’re a good Train Engineer.”

“I had trains when I was living with my uncle Kip. He had this great setup. Everyone in the firehouse would come to play with them and work on expanding the track layout.”  She turned to Drake a big smile on her face, “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”

“You can come play with my trains anytime Cil. You as good an Engineer as me.”

“That’s high praise, thank you.”

“High praise?”

“That means that if you think I am good I really must be because you should know.”

“Yeah. I should know who’s a good Engineer and who isn’t. Frances is an okay Engineer. I guess it’s cause she never played with trains so much as me and you.”

“Just give her time.” Cil grinned, “she’s a fast learner.”

“So are you still angry with Frances?”

“What?”

“You and Frances were angry with each other. Are you still?”

“No,” Cil shook her head slowly, “we go back a long way.”

“Go back?”

“We were very good friends a long time ago. Now, well, it’s just different now.”

“You don’t like each other anymore?”

“No, I mean yes,” the woman chuckled. “I still like Frances, very much actually. It’s just that I blamed her for a lot of problems I was having and when we split up it turned out I still had the same problems. So it wasn’t her fault. It was me all along.”

“Oh.”

“I made a big mistake. I should have stayed and worked it out.”

“How come you didn’t?”

Cil shrugged, “I guess I was afraid that what I thought she felt for me was pity or insincere.”

“Huh?”

“I thought she felt sorry for me.”

“Why?”

“Because . . . because of . . .”

“Your face?”

Cil nodded as tears welled in her blue eyes. She waited until she felt sure her voice wouldn’t break, “I never thought anyone could love me.” She shook her head slowly, “I still don’t know if she really did.”

“Why don’t you just ask her?”

The woman snorted, “yeah, and what would that accomplish?”

“Then you’d know for sure.” She touched the woman’s arm, “don’t you want to know for sure?”

Cil stared at Drake for a long time, “you know, you’re a pretty wise woman.”

Drake blushed. “Am I really pretty?”

The other woman chuckled, “yes Drake you are very pretty. And you are very wise. You look at things differently and ask smart questions.”

“I do? I ask smart questions?”

“You sure do.”

“But you know, all my wheels don’t go in the same direction.”

Cil stopped and thought a moment, “oh Drake I’ve never heard that one.”

“Oh, how about I’m a dim bulb.”

“Or you’re not playing with a full deck.”

Drake laughed, “or I have a screw loose.”

The women laughed, “or . . .” Cil choked when she saw Frances and Toni at the door to the train room. “Uh,” she
couldn’t think of what to say.

“Hi,” Drake smiled, “we’re thinking of . . .uh” She felt Cil’s elbow in her ribs and looked at the woman who was shaking her head. “Uh.”

Frances looked at the two women, “we just wanted to let you know Daisy has dessert. If you want some, that is.”

“Yeah, I like Daisy’s dessert.” She turned off her train and turned to Cil, “come on you’ll really like it.”