Free Once You'Ve Touched the Heart by Iris Bolling Page B

he smiled, remembering Al, referring to Tracy as Sugie.
    “What you grinning at?” his mom asked.
    “Nothing, Mom.”
    They began talking about nothing in particular, but Martha knew her son. If he came by this early in the morning, he needed to talk. So she listened without questions, knowing he would eventually get around to what he had to say. He was just like his father in that way. He couldn’t show a weakness like needing somebody to talk with; that was just not manly. When she finished cooking, the eggs with cheese had turned into a plate of eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. She sat at the table across from him. “You talked to Ashley yesterday?”
    “No, I was busy all day. What’s up with her?”
    “Oh, not her; it’s Tracy.”
    JD looked up from his plate. “What’s wrong with Tracy?”
    “Ashley said she’s been a little down about something for the past couple of days and she’s not talking about it. She wanted some advice on how to help her. You know Tracy. She walks around with that beautiful smile of hers all the time dealing with things on the inside. She needs to learn how to talk things through. I told Ashley to be patient; she’ll eventually talk to her about what’s bothering her. She always does,” his mom laughed lovingly.
    JD began moving food around his plate. Martha knew he was ready to talk, now, so she sat back.
    “Mom, I have a case involving Tracy’s brother. He will be arrested sometime this week. I feel like I should be the one to tell her, but I don’t know how,” JD explained.
    “Just tell her straight; don’t mince words on that,” his mom suggested.
    “I don’t want her to hate me for incarcerating her brother. He’s the only family she has.”
    My, my , his mom thought, JD caring about Tracy’s feelings, hmm.
    “Son, Tracy is a smart girl. She knows if her brother is doing something illegal, he is going to jail. You are doing your job; she is not going to hold that against you. Just be honest with her, whatever you do. That girl does not deal well with lies.”
    “Mom, I just don’t want her to feel alone when this happens,” he said with a sigh.
    “She’s not alone. She has Ashley, me and you.”
    The conversation went on as JD finished his meal. He kissed his mom on the cheek and left.
    “Well, well, James, honey,” Martha said talking to the ceiling, “I think your son has found the one. Let’s see, it’s April. Yep, by the end of the year we can expect a wedding.”
    Across the city, Ashley was preparing for work. She was surprised to hear Tracy in her room.
    “Tracy, are you going to work?” she asked.
    “Ashley, do you think you could handle the office for me today? I’m not feeling that great.”

“Okay, I can do that. Are you spending the whole week in the house?” Ashley asked, concerned.
“No, I just need a little time.”
    “I know what’s going on with your brother is getting to you, but you can’t hide in this house forever. Eventually, you will have to deal with what’s happened and move on. Just ask JD where things stand and stop worrying. JD is a man of his word. He said he would work things out and he will.”
    “You know, Ashley; it’s easy for you to move forward when things happen, because you always know one of your many family members will have your back. I don’t have that luxury. So if I choose to sit in this house and not put on the smile everyone thinks I should have, forgive me. I’m sure I’ll get back in touch with myself soon and everyone will be happy again.”
    Ashley raised her eyebrow at Tracy. “Feel better now that you have that off your chest?”
    Tracy looked at Ashley regretfully. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to put that on you. Just let me have a few days to get myself back on track.”
    “Okay, Tracy needs a few moments to herself. I’m leaving now so Tracy can have some alone time,” Ashley said in a very perky voice.
    They both started laughing.
    “Give me a hug.” Ashley sighed.