So she had packed up most of her room and the items of value and left. Her first stop had been her Uncle and Aunt’s house out in the countryside. They had way too much land for any sane person and she figured she could camp out there for awhile. Not to mention, her Aunt always made too much food for the slowly emptying nest. What had been a surprise was that her cousin Imara was nowhere to be found…
Not to mention the amount of junk she had left back in her parents house wasn’t even worth the time Jay had taken to go through. All she had helped herself to was a couple of shirts. Imara really had crappy taste…
But what had come as a surprise was that Imara had moved out. Not just moved out but moved in with a boy. And they lived close to the city.
Once she had gotten his name, it had not taken long to find the address.
And now she stood, gazing at the door in the suburbs and inhaling as she debated how to do this.
Two knocks and she waited as the door opened and she gazed into the face of a male. DAMN he was hot! How did Imara land this one? No matter. She would have him around her finger in no time…
“Does Imara Mason live here?” The voice sounded...sweet...that came from her mouth. Jay took on a tired look and sighed as she put on her show.
---
Mathias had been working on a painting in his studio…. A studio he now realized would need to start being moved to the gym… or maybe to a secondary location because the knock on the door had broken him out of his thought mid-brushstroke and now he was going to have to go back and FIX that particular area of the painting and… He let out a long breath, put the brush up, and had gone to answer the door, Fergus at his heels.
The puppy that had been pig pawed and lanky was growing quickly into his body, and his head almost reached Mathias’ knees at this point. Sitting down by the coffee table, the dark colored hound waited patiently for Mathias to open the door, knowing full well he wasn’t allowed out that way unless Mathias had a leash in hand.
Mathias of course, to his credit, did not blink when he was greeted to a young girl at this doorstep with a duffle bag and an overly sweet voice. The voice made him want to grip his teeth.
“Last I checked, Imara didn’t buy any Girl Scout cookies or anything crazy like that… Who are you?” Mathias asked in a somewhat gruff voice, still more than a little frustrated that he’d had his work interrupted. “Yeah, maybe she does live here, maybe she only visits, I don’t know you, so I’m not of the mind to give you info, kid.”
---
Well, physically he was hot at least. But as the words came out, Jay almost wondered if her cousin had gotten herself involved with a drug lord. Either way it worked out for her.
She didn’t have to pretend to be ‘sweet’.
“Well, thank you for thinking I’m young enough to be a girl scout. But who I am only matters if you are Mathias White, the one my cousin Imara is boning.” That sweet smile had become a harsh, direct one. He didn’t want to play games so she wasn’t going to play.
“If you are, then I’ll happily let you in on who I am. If you aren’t, then my family needs to double check their address book.”
---
The sudden shift in her tone, and her smile, set Mathias on edge. As well as her sudden change in wording of things. He could feel his teeth grinding and he was about ready to open his mouth and tell her to ******** off when he realized that, the odds were that she was family to Imara and the last thing he wanted was to get a call from her mother asking why he’d been so harsh with a relative. He’d gone to great lengths to paint himself as a kind and caring individual to Imara’s family so he decided he’d do the adult thing and just… let it go.
Taking a deep breath he sighed and pulled open the door fully, and took a step to the side. “Yeah, Imara lives here, and you are?”
He didn’t like the feeling of this one bit.
---
Bending down, Jay grabbed her bag and walked into the door he now held open, not waiting for an invitation more than what he had given her. Two steps in and one look at the dog told her he was no drug lord. The house was basic and simple from what she had come from. Imara clearly wasn’t the decorator.
“Jay Mason. Imara’s cousin on her father’s side. If you need to know, her father and my mother are siblings.” Turning back around, she looked at him as if to say ‘satisfied?’
---
Mathias nodded his head, eying the bag and clearing his throat. “That’s all well and good, but what’s with the bag?” He asked, pointing at it with his hand. Fergus just sat there, looking to Mathias as he pointed at the bag. His tail wagged a bit, thumping on the carpet as he waited to be commanded to inspect the thing. His owner was pointing at it after all, it had to be important right?
But alas, Mathias crossed his arms and the young pup simply lowered itself down to the floor to rest its head on it’s still large paws, watching Jay with a curious look.
“Imara didn’t tell me any of her family was coming, so…” He added, this time a bit louder. He wasn’t sure if Imara was still home, or if she’d wandered out, he’d left her in the bedroom when he’d gone to paint so…
---
“I was starting to get the idea Imara hadn’t told you I was coming by. Her parents thought I would do better in the city so…” Jay started to say but was quickly cut of by the slamming of a back door followed by clearly frustrated foot steps.
It didn’t take much to see the woman they belonged to as her cousin, clearly upset, came in and frozen when she laid eyes on her.
“Hey Cuz.”
---
Imara was frozen in mid step as she found her eyes locked onto that of her flesh and blood. The phone in her hand was clearly being squeezed slightly harder than it should have been as it looked like a vein was about to pop out of her skull.
“Jane…” Imara’s voice was curt as she cast her eyes to the bag then to Mathias. She held them there a moment before taking two long, deep breaths.
“My mother just called. She was warning me you might make an appearance here.” Her words shot straight at the young woman. “Really, you need to learn how to clean your search history…”
With those words, Imara crossed the room and raised a hand before slapping it straight across Jane’s face. “What the hell were you thinking? Do you have any idea how worried not only your parents were buy mine as well!”
---
And then all hell broke lose and Mathias had to force back the wince as Imara moved and slapped Jane. He could feel the repressed memories working to try to flash back, but he had to remind himself that the context was completely different and Imara was not the type to go to violence unless it was warranted. There was an undercurrent here he was not aware of, one he could not read, so he bit his tongue and did not speak in a realm he knew nothing about. He trusted Imara to handle this how she saw fit for it to be handled.
He did, however, let out a low whistle to tell Fergus to come to his side, and the dog responded, his hackles were up since one of his favorite humans had just hit the new human and he was on edge because maybe the new human was dangerous, but there was no command from his master aside for him to come to him, so he did as he was commanded and sat down next to Mathias, who reached down and began to stroke his head to calm himself down.
“So I was right in thinking that you weren’t aware?” Mathias said, finally, but quietly, he knew he was secondary in this situation, but it was STILL technically his house. A house he shared with Imara, but still technically his. At least - until he put a ring on it… If she’d even let him.
---
“I was not aware until all of ten minutes ago when my mother called me to let me know Jane had stopped by their place for a time and was on the move again.” Her eyes shot to Mathias before turning back to Jane and holding there. “She was calling to warn me we might be getting a visitor…”
---
“Nice to see you too Imara.” Jay hissed, her hand going to her cheek as she rubbed the spot that was quickly turning red. “And I go by Jay...not Jane.” She winced, finding that her jaw did indeed sting.
---
“You could go by c**t for all I care.” Imara snapped out again as she made it very clear she was NOT amused. “Sit.” She commanded, pointing at the couch as if directing a dog.
---
“You aren’t the boss of…” Jay started to snap back.
---
‘I SAID SIT YOUR a** DOWN!” Imara nearly yelled. “And you will do as you are told until I figure out what the hell to do with your sorry self…”
Then her eyes turned on Mathias. “Kitchen.” Was all she said and walked off to the other room.
---
“Fergus, watch,” Mathias said, turning away from his spot and leaving the dog in place. Fergus panted and his tail wagged, but he did not move from his spot, instead, he just sat there, looking at the new human on the couch, tail wagging and waiting for another command from his master. But if the human moved, or tried to move, he’d let his master know. He was a good boy, his master told him so.
Mathias had moved into the kitchen and crossing his arms for a moment he finally let them drop and shook his head. “If I’d known there was an issue with her coming here, I’d of not let her in,” he said, plainly. “I take it that we have trouble on our hands?”
He could already tell there was not the best of relationships between Imara and her cousin, and he hoped he could get to the bottom of that before his house turned into a crime scene.
---
“That is an understatement.” Imara sighed, leaning her elbows on the counter and putting her face in her hands. She stayed like that for a moment before shifting so he could hear her.
“Jane is indeed my cousin so she wasn’t lying there...for once. But she’s a habitual runaway. My Aunt and Uncle live in upstate New York and are born again Christians. So much so you think they belong in Alabama or something. Take one look at Jane and tell me how religious you think she is?”
Imara said sarcastically, now turning her head back to face him, annoyance clear on her face. “This is the fourth time she’s run away from home in the past two years. Last few times she’s just gone to New York City. The fact she’s come all the way down here…”
---
Mathias gave the girl a quick, probing glance… Yeah, no, she didn’t look the born again type. He doubted she even believed God existed. Not that such things really mattered to Mathias in the long run, he’d never been very devout and his newfound piety… well… he knew better than to wave it around like a flag. The world was changing, and so to were certain attitudes and he wasn’t about to be on the losing side of that little fight.
He had his faith, and that was between him and God. Though he did make the amusing mental note that Jane did seem to be somewhat in the need of of some of the Holy Trinity.
Mother Mary help him. All the saints too.
Turning his head to Imara and keeping his voice low he finally said. “So you’re thinking she wanted to get away for good? Or at least away from her parents for longer than a few days?”
Four times in two years? No, that went beyond habitual… She wanted out.
---
“I don’t think it.” Imara moaned. “I know it. She’s been at my parents for the past week. Then they woke up this morning and poof...she was gone. Didn’t take a genius to figure out where she was headed.”
Hands ran through her short hair. “Jane lives a fast paced life. Countryside and fresh air isn’t going to do it. She wants to be in the city. Worst of all, she’s still a minor…”
“Which also means if she leaves us, I have no idea where she is going.” Now she stopped, clearly something weighing on her. “Mom wants her to stay with us for awhile…”
---
“Do you want her to stay here?” Mathias asked, quietly. “Or do you think she’s going to cause problems?” He continued, casting a glance to Jane before turning his attention back to Imara fully. “Look, if you say that it’s better for her to stay, she can stay… I’ll clear out the office and she can uses it for a guest room… It looks like Silas is going to be moving into the… uhm… new complex…”
She would know what he meant by that he hoped… After all, she’d been working as his adjutant at the ‘new complex’ and had helped him supervise the construction.... But that was neither here nor there.
“But if she’s going to stay here then she’s going to have some rules she’s going to have to follow. You said she’s a minor? Well, she’s gonna need to go to school and she’s gonna need to stay out of trouble.”
---
“It’s either here or the bed or couch of the next drug lord she starts bangging.” Imara said with a groan. “I would rather somewhere we can at least be sure she has to follow some sort of rules...however…”
---
“So are you two done deciding how you are going to ship me back upstate yet? I promise you! Try and I’m just going to make a break for it again! I am not going back there again!” Jay’s voice sounded from the living room as she grew bored. Even as she looked at their ‘dog’ she just rolled her eyes.
“House and the dog. Guess Imara is turning into a wife.”
---
Mathias felt his jaw set, and his teeth clench when he heard Jane speak. Looking to Imara, he motioned for her to join him in the living room, and he moved and walked out of the kitchen. Crossing his arms over his chest, he looked at Jane. How could she be so impertinent? She’d come to HIS home unannounced, was completely disrespectful and had little regard for authority…
The realization hit him like a semi-truck right between the eyes. Aside from the drugs, her complete and utter lack of respect for authority was… probably right where his had been during the worst of the time with his own father. Here he was, ready to - willingly- boot her a** out onto the street. His father had never even threatened that. Granted, they had been blood.
But this was Imara’s blood.
He could almost feel his teeth grind. Looking to Imara he grunted. “We’re not shipping you back upstate.” He said, plainly, turning back to Jane before he continued. “You can stay here until we can get you enrolled in a local school… I think the new military school… Romanos… Will suit you well…”
He turned his gaze to Imara. “Do you think that’s fair, Imara? It’s that or she goes back to your parents until they can find her a place to go to school.”
---
“Back to my parents means a one way ticket back home. Jane knows that very well.” Imara spat out, her eyes glancing towards her cousin who looked VERY annoyed at both of them. But if they look affected Imara, she didn’t show it.
“Back upstate and most likely into a boarding school convent.” She added, slipping past Mathias to take a seat on one of the arm chairs. “Honestly where I think she does belong but the going cold turkey might just drive the nuns up the wall. However a military school…”
The words made Imara’s lips curl up into a smile.
---
“Oh please! It isn’t like you could afford it and my parents won’t pay for it. They won’t even pay for that all female bullshit.” Jay finally added with a cocky half smile. “They believe prayer is going to fix me. Prayer to some being who put everything into motion then leaned back and has done nothing. Yea...no thanks. If there is an afterlife I’ll deal with it then. Right now, I’m going to live this one and enjoy it.”
The way she was sitting made it very clear she didn’t give a care. “And if you all won’t let me stay, I’ll go find a place. I’ve never been on the streets long…” That smile passed over and Imara’s eyes could be seen darkening.
---
No, this one was beyond saving. Mathias wondered idly if maybe God should have just stuck with the flood and started over from scratch again, but alas, that had been his choice, and so here they were.
“You’re staying here.” Mathias’ voice brooked no argument. “We just recently opened up the guest room, you can put your stuff in there. Your curfew is 10 p.m. While you are here. If you are not home by then, I will call the cops to have you found. You will be enrolling in Romanos and there will be absolutely no drugs in this house.”
Looking to Imara, his eyes softened a bit. “We’ll keep her here until she can start at Romanos. And she can stay here on Romanos breaks.”
But the last place he wanted her was on the street getting into god knows what.
---
Both women turned and gazed at him. Jay with a look of you can’t ******** be serious and Imara with one to match.
It was Jay who found her feet first. “That’s not cool! You aren’t my parents! You aren’t even family!” She snapped, moving forward towards him.
---
“No…” Imara sighed, shaking her head with a roll of her eyes. “But he is the owner of this house who could kick you and I out if he so decided.”
Rising to her feet now, Imara took on a rather dark look. It almost appeared as if she was channeling herself as Stibnite as she eyed down the woman with a red, death like gaze. “You have two choices as I see it Jane.” Imara spoke in such a tone one might think that if you fought her, she would kill you.
Jay however stood her ground.
“The first is you play by our rules. It gives you a place to stay. Food on the table. And you aren’t sent in for another intervention. Curfew at 10pm. Zero drugs. If needed, I WILL have you screened randomly. Completely NO bringing home guests. And you WILL be attending school even if I have to follow you personally through every class!”
Jay’s mouth opened but shut quickly again when Imara smiled. That was a Stibnite smile. It dripped with death. “Or…” She said all too happily.
“I will personally drop you off in the worst part of town and allow you to do as you please. Overload yourself on whatever. Sleep with whoever. Do whatever the ******** you want. But you will not be able to come to me for help. Do so and I will see that you are put away…” Her head cocked innocently to the side. “Besides, after I tell your parents about the little problem you took care off...twice...it isn’t like they would come running to your aid.”
Jay’s face flushed. “You wouldn’t. You promised you wouldn’t tell them…” She began to turn red as she felt her fist ball up.
Imara though shrugged. “I’m not above blackmail Jane. Realize I am one of the few members of this family who knows what you have done in the past and are willing to do. I wonder if the police are still looking for the person who broke in and stole the evidence box for that attempted murder case…”
“THAT WAS AN ACCIDENT!” Jay screamed now, shaking. “I...we were only looking for a hit...it turned….” She started and Imara stopped her, a hand reaching out to rest on her shoulder.
“You live by our rule Jane Mason. Attempt to run away, and I’ll make sure you regret it.”
---
Mathias was silent for the whole exchange. He would not judge, nor did he want to know any of the dark secrets Jay likely carried with her. They were hers to contend with. Not that he wouldn’t pray for her before he went to bed that night, because GOD did she need the help of Saint Jude. But in any event, that was neither here nor there.
“As Imara said. You live by the rules presented or quite frankly, I will let her do whatever it is she ******** wants to do with you. I can be the nicest person you’ve ever met or I can be the devil himself. Do not break our rules, Jane.” Mathias said, his voice holding a tone that he meant what he said.
“You’re lucky we have space and you’re not stuck on the couch. Now, go put your things in the other room.” His voice had taken on a strict, even tone. “You can unpack your things and get situated. Dinner will be at 7.”
---
Imara did not release Jay as Mathias spoke. Her eyes never left the face of her cousin who seemed to suddenly go into shock. Jay’s face turned red, bright red. Her hands balled into fists as she glanced between the pair. <******** you both.” Jay finally snapped. Jerking her shoulder out of Imara’s hold and reaching down to grab her bag. Looking at Mathias, she walked towards him, acting as if she was standing up to him but more out of...annoyance.
“Where is the room?”
---
“This way,” Mathias said, looking down at Jane with a very unamused look. He turned then, and lead her out of the living room and down the small hallway to the guest room, the door of which he pulled open to reveal that it was fully furnished with a full bed and some other decoration but for the most part was basically a bedroom. “Get your stuff settled in and like I said, Dinner’s at 7.”
He stood there at the door, part of him wondering if they weren’t just making a huge mistake not turning her over to the authorities right then and there. But what could he do. This was Imara’s family and he was going to do his best to care for that.
---
“I got it the first time.” Jay hissed, slipping past him, grabbing the door and, slamming it shut. The groan of annoyance that came from inside said just how well things had gone.
What no one would see was her dropping the bag on the floor and falling face first onto the bed, screaming again as she came down off the rush she had just caused.
Imara herself was coming down. But her mood involved sitting back on the couch and putting her head in her hands. This was not going to end well.
Torvil
