Tomorrow, Fun With Dante

"The officer's own report states he said, 'yeah hang around I'm interested.' That is not a contract to have someone killed. That was a young man trying to placate a bully. No way did he want his girlfriend killed. They had an argument, and she had a wreck, nothing more," Billy's attorney argued to the Judge with the DA in his chambers. He was looking to have bail set for Billy. "This was entrapment plain and simple," he said, turning and looking at the DA. 

"You guys sent a large overpowering man after William LeMoine and intimidated him into talking about doing away with his girlfriend. Your Honor, he went as far as telling him he already killed a woman in Houston. He agreed to talk with him for his own protection. He was not looking to have anyone killed." 

The judge looked at the DA and said he had heard the same claim before. Sometimes the ploy works and other times it backfired. Apparently, they were foiled again. All it takes is a good attorney. If nothing else the boy is put on notice, he will be watched.

"I hear you. I will set a new court date two days from now and I will set a five hundred-thousand-dollar bail. His father has too much money for a low bail. I want this case to go forward, I don't want to find out he is living the life in Fiji," the Judge said, folding the case file that was getting thicker by the day. 

"Thank you, your honor he will not give anyone a problem," Joe Madison assured him. 

"Joe, he had better not come within a thousand feet of Tomorrow Jones. That will also be in my order, no calls, no texts, no contact period. I don't even want to hear about a traffic ticket on this man. If you can't tell I don't want to let him out," The Judge admonished him.

"Yes, sir, I completely understand, but I have to do my best for my client," he assured him. 

Joe had been sweating bullets. His partner John had been on his ass to get his son out of this. The whole office has been scrambling to counteract the charges against Billy. He spent yesterday afternoon with him going over the charges for the tenth time. Going over his actions his mind set and going over Tomorrow's statement during the deposition.

That was when he went over the conversation with the undercover cop and the solicitation of murder for higher charges. That was the main thing keeping him in jail right now. 

Joe left his chambers very relieved. He knew John could come up with fifty thousand if not he could borrow against his house. 

He pulled out his cell phone and called the office. He wanted to tell John about the breakthrough. They decided to keep the information from Billy for now. His father felt he needed to stew a while longer. Something needed to wake this kid up. 

Joe knew Tomorrow was right about why they broke up. The fight was spurred on by John, the fact he wrote the girl a check, told him he felt guilty for his part in the disintegration of the relationship. He never thought he would hurt her just send her on her way.

He would have been proud to have that beautiful, articulate, young woman as a daughter-in-law. John made no sense to him. She has had his back at every party and made a good impression with every guest. The men loved her and had nothing but lusty praise for her. What the hell did that man want? 

Tomorrow checked her hair and make-up as she went to answer the front door. Collin smiled as she opened the door.

"You're fast I thought it would be days before you had something to look at," he said, actually sounding surprised. 

"I have the program still on my dad's computer from my college course, so it was easy to pull it together. Come on in and let's download this," Tomorrow suggested leading him to the study. She had the whole thing along with the extra pictures ready to download. 

Tomorrow introduced Collin to her mother. She didn't know if she wanted to be introduced, she didn't even move when the doorbell rang. With total disinterest she accepted the introduction and headed to her room. Tomorrow wondered how long it would be before her mother hit bottom, and she knew she was working herself to the lows of her bi-polar mood swing. She set Collin up with the computer so he could download it and went to her mother's room. 

Tomorrow followed her to her room and walked past her to the bathroom. Taking the prescription bottle out of the cabinet she asked, "why aren't you taking these?" 

"Because I need to stay clear headed," Peggy said as she sat on her bed.

"Oh, you think this is clear headed. Take this pill and lay down for a while," Tomorrow insisted. 

She downed the pill with the water by her bed. "I was doing good until this morning."

"You know you are supposed to take these every day, not once in a while."

"I know sweetie it just got away from me."

"I understand, just rest for now. I'll be home later today. You need to think for a while about taking care of yourself. I'm fine. I'm ready to move on."

"I know maybe that is why I'm feeling useless."

"Could be but you can't live your life for me." 

"I know, but I have been so consumed with worrying about you I kind of forgot about myself."

"Well, you have to find something or someone else because, like I said, I'm moving on. I'm going to find a job and my own place soon."

"Yeah, I figured, you were moving on. I'll be fine. You know those pills make me lazy."

"Lazy, you have been going nonstop since I was injured. Maybe it is all catching up to you. Take it easy today Mom I'll be working with Brice you don't have to worry about me," she assured her making sure she is comfortable in her bed. 

"Ok, let me get going, I'm sure the download is done. I'll be back early this evening I'm sure," Tomorrow assured her, she kissed her cheek and left the room.

She's had a lifetime of her mother's mood swings. She has never done anything to hurt herself, just bring her family down is all. Right now, Tomorrow was in no mood to be down. She has a day of freedom ahead of her. 

Collin was waiting by the front door with the memory stick in his hand. "So, you're ready," Tomorrow asked. 

"Yes, we can go if you're ready," Collin offered and opened the door. If it had been dark outside, it would have felt like a date, the way he was treating her. Getting the door and placing his hand on the small of her back as they walked to his car. Strange world they are entering. He was not her type, but in a way, he was cute. 

But the fact he was her height and of slender built did nothing for the turn on factor. If he had thoughts of snagging a Jones girl like Brice, he was barking up the wrong tree. Maybe when Yesterday comes home, she will be interested. She is the shortest of the bunch, and as far as Tomorrow knew she didn't have a boyfriend. 

They all three sat and went over her work, one picture changed, and Brice was happy. He liked his smile on another better than the one she picked. Tomorrow picked the other because the others looked good too. "Excellent work Tomorrow, I downloaded as many different businesses I could think of that could use our services. So, we need to make two hundred copies and maybe get fifty more so Collin can take some with him when he meets with a potential customer."

"But don't you want to have some here for the people who are already customers," Tomorrow suggested. 

"You're right, Collin get three hundred with a glossy finish. I'm going to have Deloris make the labels and send them out by weeks end."

"So, you're not just humoring me, you think this might actually help you?"

"This was a great idea. I hired Collin to go out and drum up business and this will help a lot. If anyone asks where I got it, I'll send them to you," Brice told her with a smile.

"Thanks Brice. Let's go Collin and get this finished. I want to be known for one day service," she gave him a quick hug and they were gone. Tomorrow always wondered if it had been her that brought the package to her father, would Brice be her husband now? Nah, she was with Billy when he came on the scene. She didn't press him to give her a percentage. She now understands they are scrambling to stay afloat. 

They drove to the other side of town right past Dante's street. Tomorrow turned in her seat to see if she could see an apartment complex down that road. Her heart started to pound at just the thought of being this close to his place. Collin pulled into the Kinko's and parked. 

"Ok, let's see what they can do for us," he suggested.

Hearing for them to come back in two hours, Tomorrow found her chance. "Yeah Collin, could you drop me off at a friend's place, then swing by and pick me up on your way back," Tomorrow asked, giving him a flirty smile. She knew it was cruel, but she wanted to see Dante. He won't know it is a guy she is seeing. "They have an apartment just around the corner. It will be easier than taking me all the way home," she suggested.

"Sure, just tell me where to go."

"Thanks, just honk and I will come right out when we need to pick them up," Tomorrow suggested.

"Sure, I can do that," he gave her the same kind of smile and Tomorrow knew she just screwed up. Now she is going to have to disappoint him because she is not interested. 

Pulling her phone out she scrolled down to find the address. What luck, it was just a block down from the print shop. She debated whether to call first and decided to chance it. He has to be home, where else would he be. It will be nice to catch him off guard.

They rolled through the complex until she spotted the number and the big handicap sign in front for his parking space. 

"This one here. Like I said just honk and I will come right out," she said and scurried out of the car.

"OK, I'll see you in two hours," he called out and watched her walk away. 

Her hands started to sweat, and her heart was pounding again. She could hear a small child chattering and giggling. She sounded so happy that put a smile on her face. Dante was calling for her to come to him and it sounded like she was playing games with him. She knocked and waited only a few seconds.

"You're early," Dante announced as he opened the door. Mandy stood leaning on his knee. 

"I didn't know you were expecting me," Tomorrow retorted. 

"Oh my God you came," Dante announced with a big smile.

Giving an embarrassed smile she said, "I did. I was in the neighborhood."

"Well, lucky me, come in," he said and backed out of the doorway and let her in the apartment. His parallel bars were against the wall when she first walked in, toys littered the floor, and Teletubbies was playing loudly on the TV. Mandy was dancing around the room, eyeing the new company. She was a happy girl. Dante looked a little embarrassed. He rolled around kicking toys out of his way. 

"Dante don't worry about the toys; we don't have long, come talk to me. I want to see you," she said, extending her hand to him.

He turned quickly, "what do you mean?" 

"I only have two hours before this guy is going to pick me up." 

"What guy," Dante asked, turning to look at the door.

"That guy Collin, you know the one my brother-in-law hired. We took the pamphlet to Kinko's, and we have to go back in two hours. So, come over here and talk to me," Tomorrow encouraged sitting down on his couch. Mandy came over and stood in front of her blocking Dante's approach and smiled. 

"Aren't you a beautiful little thing, you have your father's beautiful eyes," Tomorrow cooed, reaching out to touch the springy blonde curls that framed her face, "she is precious." 

Dante pulled Mandy up into his lap, hoping to draw her attention back to him. "I think so too. Mandy, this is my friend Tomorrow." 

Tomorrow smiled at Dante and reached out for his hand.

"You picked the worst time of day to come. Mandy is usually wound like a top until after lunch, and then she naps for about an hour."

He laced his fingers through hers and hung on. She was in his home and that was all that mattered.

"So, let's make some plans. What did the Handi guy say?" Tomorrow asked.

"No, he will take us to Wal-Mart or the HEB, but he can't go as far as Lake Jackson. We could go to Wal-Mart plus there are a lot of stores around there," Dante told her. 

"True and we can do a lot of walking there and Mandy will have lots to look at." Noting what was on the TV. "I remember watching Teletubbies when I was little. I loved them." She watched for a few moments as happy memories filled her mind.

Her pretty face mesmerized Dante, and that she was in his apartment finally, excited him, he told her, "She watches this tape four or five times a day. If it is not on, it's rewinding. I can probably recite every line," he mused about his plight.

"You don't tune it out."

"I do try. I found the best way is to think about you," he said, drawing her attention back to him. 

 "I find I spend a lot of my time thinking about you too. So, when is the therapist supposed to be here?" 

"Not until after 2:00 or later. I'm looking forward to working out. You have given me something to work towards."

She shook her head, "don't do it for me, it has to be for you."

"It will be for me and you. I want to be able to crawl all over you." 

"I'm sure you can accomplish that now," she told him, feeling the strength in his hands. "We'll find out soon. I told my mother today I was going to be moving out soon," she watched his eyebrow raise and a smile roll across his face. "This is a nice new complex, maybe I will see what they have here," finding his reaction adorable she smiled. 

"I would be glad to go down to the office with you and find out what they have available," he offered, pulling her hand towards him in the intent to have her stand and go to him.

"I'm sure you would," she teased, but kept her seat. 

He took that as her answer, "you look beautiful, did you sleep well."

"I did, did you sleep well?"

"It took a while for me to go to sleep, but yeah, I slept well. Mandy slept all night. I guess she wore herself out dancing around yesterday. She has a good imagination and finds all kinds of things to entertain herself around here."

"That's good, less work for you. Show me around your place." She watched him turn his head, probably trying to remember if the place was clean. "Don't worry about the mess you have with a two-year-old, I understand."

"Ok, come on." He rolled back and waited for her to stand and took her for the mini tour of his one-bedroom apartment. She noticed all the handicap accommodations they made to make the place accessible. "This really makes life easier for you." 

"It does, I wouldn't be able to get into my bathroom at my old place, the door was too narrow. But this one is easy." He rolled in far enough for her to follow. 

"Oh, I like your shower." She walked in and stood against the wall, "yeah, this is good." Dante followed; stopping in front of her, he locked his wheels and reached past her gripping the pull up bar behind her. He hoisted himself up to stand in front of her. 

She felt he was never going to stop rising. Towering over her, she was shocked he was so tall. Holding on to both sides of the bar, he pressed against her lowering his head he whispered. "You like my shower," as he brushed lightly across her lips.

"I do," she whispered back into his mouth and deepened the kiss.

Lips parted and he devoured her mouth. Tomorrow slid her hand over his chest around his back and down to cup his ass, pulling his evident lust for her against her stomach. Her body hummed with desire; she wanted him so badly. He tried to let go of the bar with one hand to be able to do some touching too, but he immediately found he couldn't. Tomorrow felt his frustration and broke the kiss. "Sit back down and I will sit in your lap," she offered, almost desperate to get back to his mouth. She kept her hand roving over his body, she wanted him so badly. 

"We can't do this; I have to keep an eye on Mandy. She will be up on the counter trying to get to the cookies," he lamented moving back to take his seat, "I can't trust her for more than a bathroom break." They heard a plastic cup fall to the floor; Tomorrow scurried from the bathroom to find Mandy climbing up the handles on the third drawer headed for the cookie cabinet. 

"Ah ha, I got you," Tomorrow announced and scooped her up. 

"You little pixie you get into everything," Tomorrow teased as Mandy kicked and giggled. Once set on the floor, she ran back to her Teletubbies acting as if she hadn't done anything. 

"She is getting hungry, that is why she is trying to raid the cookies. I need to make her lunch." 

He went into the kitchen and surveyed the cabinets for something he could feed Mandy. She was not a picky eater, but supplies were getting low. He was glad the third of the month was almost here. 

He had to focus on food and not the fact that Tomorrow was standing next to him. He could give up his quest and pay attention to her, he only had her for a few more minutes. Plans hadn't been set up to go out yet, he realized when they heard the honk of a horn. 

"Oh lord, he is early," Tomorrow complained, turning to find her purse. She grabbed it and rushed to give Dante a kiss. Lingering to savor the kiss and the surge consumed her. She broke away as the horn honked again. "Call me tonight, sweetheart," she called out and was out the door. Dante sat looking at where she had been, touching his tongue to his lips. Nope, it was not a fantasy she had been here.

"Gone, gone," Mandy said, turning her hands in an "I don't know where she had gone" motion. 

"She will be back soon sweetie," Dante assured her and went to lock the door.