TENLEY*

Joseph hasn’t moved a muscle from his position at the door. Knitting my brows, I redirect my attention to Cami. “What are you talking about?”

The deafening silence continues as Cami glances back and forth between us and furrows her eyebrows as well in confusion. I’m not the only one left in the dark here, thank goodness. At least she knows the truth about his true intentions concerning this house. It’s all making sense now- his proclamation of having this house built to torment himself. But what would have happened in the future if we had never gotten into this relationship? Would he have eventually given me the house, anyway?

Instead of saying much else, Cami saunters over to collect a plate and silverware. She mumbles under her breath as she retrieves a glass and pours herself some tea. Then plops down at the table and starts spooning food onto her plate. Deciding to do the same, I sat myself and glanced at my tea, wishing it were something stronger. Joseph joins us at the table, spooning food onto his plate after I finished filling my plate.

He stares at his food for a couple of minutes before directing his attention back to me. “Make sure you eat plenty. You will need your strength for what I have planned tonight. Are you uh…?” He trails off and retrieves his fork. “Do you not have anything to say?”

That’s seriously all he has to say! Rolling my eyes, I retrieve my fork and stab the delicious asparagus adorning my plate. “I have plenty to say about you not addressing the elephant in the room. But, no. I need to think.”

“Take all the time you need.”

It’s then that Cami then speaks up. “I’m sorry, Joseph. I thought by now you had told her the truth about everything. You should have said something. So I would have known to keep my mouth shut.”

“It’s not your fault, Cami. You shouldn’t have to apologize. Joseph has had many opportunities to speak up, and he hasn’t. He did, however, tell me he had this house constructed to torture himself. Even though I asked twice, he kept on telling me he wasn’t ready to talk about it. Communication, Joseph, that’s one thing I asked of you last night. That’s something you needed to have told me yourself. We can talk about this later. Not here at the dinner table.”

Glancing around at all the empty seats, realization hit me. He built this house for me, knowing that someday rather he and I were together or not, I would live here. He knows I have it in my mind to have several children, like my parents. Layken built a party house where we could all hang out. But he had in the back of his mind he would have a family living there someday. That thought was always on his mind when he had the massive mansion built. Of course, now he and Harper are living in something a bit more practical. Joseph built a house for me, knowing he never wanted a wife or family. Men are so complicated, I’ll never understand them.

We all sat silently as we ate. Raphael is a skilled chef. I could gain some weight if I were here more often. My high school years sucked because I was so thin. Back then, I was seven pounds lighter, weighing 105lbs at a height of 5’5. My senior year was when I gained ten pounds, and I started working out to look toned instead of skinny and lean. I’m still thin, but 115 lbs is better than 105 lbs. Thank God for protein.

Breaking the silence, Joseph rested his fork on the plate and directed his attention back to me. “Raphael said he made some snacks we could have after returning from the club tonight. So we don’t need to worry about going out to eat later when we leave the club.”

“That’s great. It’ll do me some good to eat again before going to bed.”

He beams, reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I need to get some meat on your bones.”

His way of making amends is dreadful, but I’ll go with it. “Well, it better not be salad or something like that, because that would do nothing to help me. Carbs and plenty of protein are what I need.”

“Don’t worry, Raphael won’t prepare salads unless it’s an appetizer to tide you over until the main course is ready.”

Remembering that I am supposed to act like I know nothing about Cami, I decided it was time that I get to know her via her words and not what Joseph has told me so far. This will be hard for me because I am a horrible liar, but I don’t want to upset her.

“So, Cami, are you in college or anything like that?” Of all the things I could say that popped out of my mouth. Why couldn’t I have come up with something else to say?

“I was going to the University of Austin for a year until…” Cami chugged her tea, and instead of eating the rest of what was on her plate, she glanced down at the table.

“I got raped and took a couple of years off. But Joseph is paying for me to take online classes. I don’t know why. It’s not like I will go out and get a job when everything’s said and done. I’m happy with what I have now with keeping the club and this house clean. Joseph pays me well.”

“I’m sorry that you had to go through such a traumatic event. I understand where you are coming from. You are doing better than I ever would have if I had gotten raped. What were you majoring in before that happened?”

“Psychology. I’m working on getting my core classes, and I’ll go from there. I need to major in something that I will do from home.”

“You should stick with psychology. You could help others who have been through what you have. It would be best if you did not let the bad things that have happened to you define your life. Don’t let that person who raped you win.”

“It wasn’t just one person; it was several guys. They were all put in prison for a long time, thanks to Joseph. He must have told you my story already by now and that’s alright. I’m sure he had to explain why I’m living in the guest house and why there’s so many security measures outside.”

“You can trust me not to say anything to anyone. I hope you and I can become friends. I want to help you if you will let me. You deserve happiness and friends to guide and help you.”

“That would be nice. Thank you, Tenley.”

Joseph stands, grips his dirty dishes, and struts over to the sink. “We have about an hour before we need to leave. I know it takes women ages to get ready, so…”

Cami rolls her eyes. “Would you like to come to the guest house so we can get ready together? It’s been a long time since I have interacted with anyone beyond Joseph. It would be nice to have someone to talk to, and I know I can trust you, Tenley.”

“Sure, I would love to. Just let me run up and grab my things. I’ll be right back to walk over there with you.”

“Okay, that sounds great. I’ll put these dishes in the dishwasher while I wait.” She stands and starts collecting our dirty dishes from the table.

Ran up the stairs and collected my flatiron, makeup, and the dress I would wear tonight. I told Joseph I would wear lingerie when I was more comfortable. He understood and was fine with whatever I wore.

***

Cami helped me with my makeup to make it bold and erotic like Bethany had done for me last night. We’ve been chatting in her living room to pass the little time we had left. She’s only a year older than me, which makes it easier to connect.

“Tenley, I think you are right. It’s time to stop hiding and putting so much space between me and others. I have been this way for three years now. It’s time for me to get past everything that happened to me. I’m so lonely. But I’ve been this way for so long I’m awkward around others.”

“Do you have a psychologist that you speak with?”

“Yes, I’ve been conversing with a psychiatrist for three years now through Skype twice a week.”

“It doesn’t seem to me like who you are speaking with is helping you. After three years, it seems they should have been able to connect with you and help you move past what happened to you. Maybe you should try reaching out to someone else that you can form a bond with.”

“Yes, you are definitely right on that one. I should have done that a long time ago.”

“Would you allow me to teach you self-defense techniques? I think you would feel more comfortable going out in public and being around people if you knew you could protect yourself. Joseph and I could even go as far as getting you a tazor and mace. I’ve been taking self defense lessons since I was twelve. There is so much I could teach you if you would let me. When you feel comfortable, we can do something small, like going to a restaurant and having dinner or something.”

“I haven’t been to a restaurant in ages. That sounds nice, actually. Um, when would you like to start my training? I don’t have much of a life, so we can work around your schedule.”

“Joseph has expressed his want for me to live here during the Summer, but that’s over two months away. Hum…” Scrunched my face and contemplated what I could pull off and still be able to get my classwork done.

“Spring Break is coming up. I could stay here for that week, and we could get started with your training then. I’m sorry, but I will only be able to work with you on the weekends after that until I take the bar and graduate law school.”

“That would be fine, Tenley. I would be happy however you can help. Thank you.”

“I’m going to hug you now, okay? Because I know you need one.” Smiling, I draped my arms around her. “You deserve the finest things in life, Cami. I’m going to do everything I can to help you.”