Finding Her Way by Riley Jefferson

wife is working a party for the elder Mr. and Mrs. Daniel so she won’t be home until much later. I have the evening to myself,” he said with a smile.
    Jerrica smiled back at him in the rearview mirror. “I’ll tell you what. You take whatever route you want. I know you wouldn’t steer me wrong because I know your wife.”
    “My Molly would kill me if I didn’t take care of her favorite Nantucket guest,” he answered with a hearty laugh.
    Jerrica liked his wife Molly. Every time they had gone to the Nantucket house, Molly always made sure Devin and Jerrica had everything they needed but kept her distance giving them privacy. Every employee knew the secret happenings at that house, but no one ever talked about it.
    Devin has plenty of skeletons in her closet. I was one of those skeletons. If that house could talk, it would be scandalous, she thought and couldn’t help but smile at the idea.
    “It looks like it’s going to be a clear night. I feel like a long ride this evening,” Peter glanced at her in the rearview mirror.
    “I’m in the car, you lead the way,” she answered, leaning back into the seat.
    Peter clicked the radio on to an oldies station and turned the volume up. Glancing in the mirror, Jerrica just smiled and knew it was going to be a relaxing trip. They drove out of Boston toward Lynn.
    She knew exactly the route he was taking. When she was hired at MHD, Jerrica had made multiple trips around the area to find different routes to get into and out of the city. She sometimes would take this same route when she drove into work. Moving to the passenger’s side of the back seat, she opened the window. The moon was full and the breeze coming in the window was a little chilly but she did not mind it brushing her face. She could smell the ocean when the vehicle crossed the bridge from Salem to Beverly. Beverly Harbor was so beautiful at night. The moonbeams dazzled on the few breaks in the water.
    The breeze started getting cold, so Jerrica closed the window. She knew they were about halfway through the trip. Sitting back against the seat, Jerrica tried to relax from the totally wasting day. Trying to clear her head, Jerrica briefly closed her eyes.
    “Ms. Kerrison,” she heard a voice say.
      Opening her eyes, Jerrica saw Peter standing just outside the open door.
    “Ms. Kerrison, you’re home.”
    “Thank you. For everything,” she said touching his arm lightly as he helped her out. “Please be careful going back home.”
    “Ms. Kerrison, will I be seeing you with Ms. Daniel anytime soon?”
    Hearing the concern in his voice, she responded as honestly as she could. “I hope not, Peter. I really hope not.”
    Jerrica waved as he drove away. She was ready to go to bed and forget today ever happened. Her body had betrayed her today and still ached to be touched. Two sleeping pills and hopefully she would forget all about this evening.
    Unlocking her front door, feeling lonely, she yelled jokingly. “Honey, I’m home!” She knew no one would answer.

Chapter Three

     

    The next morning Jerrica was startled awake as the lamp on her nightstand crashed to the floor. Turning, she was just in time to see the youngest kitty jump off the nightstand to investigate her prize on the floor.
    Jerrica swung her legs over the side of the bed, stretching out her arms. Reaching down to pick the light up, she glanced at the alarm clock. It was five forty five .
    Shit! I’m late for the train!
    Tossing the blankets off, she leapt toward the bathroom. Abruptly stopping, she remembered she was taking her car today and not the train. Through the morning mental fog, she started making a mental list of what she needed to do to get ready. Shower, dress, do hair, makeup, pack for the weekend, call Mary next door to babysit the cats, feed the cats, and pack the car. Yes, that seemed organized enough to get her morning on track. Once she was happy with the list, she went about completing each task in order. She