Second Chances

Chapter 1I looked in the mirror at myself, happy with my appearance. I chose to wear a standard black pant suit with a bright red blouse. I put my jewelry on and was set to go. I grabbed my black dress flats and headed down the stairs. It was barely light outside I noticed as I waited for the toaster to pop up. I looked around the house to be sure it was picked up, just in case the realtor needed to show it today. I wanted it to sell before I find a new job. Unfortunately, it hasn’t yet. I’m going to have to get used to taking the train into work until it does sell. It’s not ideal, but definitely cheaper than driving into Manhattan, having to pay for tolls, parking, and easier than dealing with the traffic. So, this may become my new routine; up before dawn and to bed by nine. As I drove to the train station, my mind raced and my anxiety level was definitely high. Today was my interview with an engineering firm as their office manager. Then I would go look at a few more condos, sh

Chapter 3 The next morning I walked onto the train and headed straight for Jason. “Hi!” I sat down, “I learned so much last night about the laws…” he smiled that boyish grin of his and folded his newspaper. I asked, “I’m sorry, can I just be blunt with you Jason?”“Yes, of course, is something wrong?” he said concerned.“No, I’m just unsure about this, I want you to be honest with me. I’m afraid I’m interrupting your time in the morning, yet I don’t want you to think I’m being rude and choosing to sit somewhere else...and perhaps I should pay you back for the ticket?”He sighed in relief, “Tessa, if I minded you sitting here, I would politely remind you that I have a lot of work to do,” he laughed a little and continued, “I enjoy your company, if there is something I need to do, I will tell you, deal?”I smiled happy to hear his response, “deal.”“As far as paying goes, I purchase way in advance. No worries, this seats on me,” he smiled.“Ok, thank you.”“I’m glad you’ve take

Chapter 5Jason lay in bed rehashing his day with Tessa. He thought to himself; What is it about this girl? I can’t stop thinking about her. She isn’t ready for a relationship, she’s not someone to just fool around with. She works for me, I need to be careful with my emotions, it would be wrong to make an advance towards her and I don’t want to lose her at the firm. I don’t know why I feel protective of her? Why I’m longing to be with her, even if it’s not in a physical relationship. But oh...I can’t stop myself from fantasizing about what it would be like.He imagined kissing Tessa’s lips, exploring her entire mouth with his. He could almost feel her touch. He pictured her laying naked, legs spread apart and ready for him. He stretched his hand down his pajama pants and stroked himself as he continued with his Tessa fantasy, until he could no longer control himself and came. He laid there still longing for more. Although he came, his lust to be inside a woman’s body was growing

Chapter 7The next few weeks flew by. I was so busy trying to fix up the condo, pack the house, and plan for the holidays. Usually, I took turns having the holidays with Beth, but with everything going on right now we agreed she would do Christmas dinner as well. Mom and Dads condo was just too small for all of us. For the first time I realized my condo would be too. It was coming along nicely. I put off redoing the floors and moved on to the kitchen cabinets, painting them would make a huge difference. Currently they were dark wood. I’d decided on distressing them, it was very trendy right now. Mrs. Bateman continued to call me with updates on Madison. She was progressing nicely to her new home. It has been a challenge for Mrs. Bateman, I think she feels I’m a judgement free listener. It’s awkward for her to share her fears with her family, she said. She wants so badly to be a good Mother. We normally followed up with a yearly phone call to our parents, however since Mrs. Bateman

Chapter 9 The holidays have come and gone. I hired someone to refurbish my floors and they came out amazing. My condo felt like home now that I had put my finishing touches on it. I continued to be busy at work and preoccupied with the Bateman case. We would be going in front of the judge soon. Jason explained the worst case scenario to the Batemans. I couldn’t do it. I could not imagine any sane person giving this child back to the mother who neglected her, left her to fend for herself emotionally, physically, and socially at less than two years old. The photos in her file showed her being kept in absolute filth. She was malnourished and had a sadness in her eyes. It broke my heart. It was Friday, at the end of the day when I heard a knock at my door. “Come in,” I shouted. Jason quickly closed the door behind him and came over to the desk leaning on it with his big grin. “Did you have any plans this weekend?”“Not really,” I said curious.“How would you like to spend the week