Jobe: Alvarez Security Series (4 page)

Placing her hands on her hips, Mackenna stared firmly into Gabby’s eyes. “Most important is this. You came to us. You wanted out and you want to learn employable skills. Our program is three months long. We can provide you with basic skill learning, job placement, and can help with your doctor appointments. You have the responsibility to keep your area clean, assist with the kitchen duties, and most importantly…” she made sure she had eye contact before she continued, “you absolutely cannot, under any circumstances, contact any of the gang members your ex belongs to. That was why we took your cell phone and disabled it when you entered our program. You’ll get it back when you graduate.”

Gabby’s eyes grew round as she shook her head back and forth. “Oh no, Ms. Dunn. Never. I promise I never want to see him or have anything to do with him again.”

Mackenna held Gabby’s gaze for a moment then, satisfied with what she saw, she nodded and turned away. “Dinner’s at six. Make yourself at home until then. Your classes start tomorrow and you can meet the other girls at dinner.” Stopping at the door and looking back over her shoulder, her face softened with a smile. “And Gabby? I’m glad you’re here.”

Gabby sat down on her bed, overwhelmed for the moment. She knew she had been given a second chance at life…a life outside of the gangs. Looking at the retreating back of Ms. Dunn, she smiled at the woman in charge of the New Beginnings program.
Maybe, just maybe this will be my salvation.

Mackenna made her way down the stairs, stopping in the small office that she called hers when she was in the building. She bounced between New Beginnings and the Department of Social Services building downtown. Sitting in the old chair, she powered up her laptop and quickly began scrolling through her emails. It seemed as though her work never ended. Answering the ones that she could, she glanced at her watch.

Dialing home, her mom answered, with a somewhat garbled greeting.

“Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”

“Uh huh,” came the reply.

“I’m going to meet a friend after lunch and then I’ll be home. Is the nurse still able to stay a little later?”

“Yasss.”

“Okay, mom. I love you and I’ll be home as soon as I can. Text me if you need.”

“Los ya ta,” her mom said, working on trying to pronounce the words clearly. It did not matter how she said them. Mackenna knew her mother loved her. The stroke may have robbed her mother of much of her speech and movement on one side of her body, but that was all. The survival instinct was strong and passed on from mother to daughter.

Just then her phone vibrating interrupted her thoughts. Looking to see the caller, she answered happily.

“Hey, Jennifer! Are we still on for an early dinner?”

“Absolutely. I’ve been looking forward to this. I can’t wait to hear how your center is going.”

Making arrangements to meet, Mackenna hung up and powered down her laptop. Standing, she headed to the front room.

“How’s it going?” she asked the computer teacher.

Rose smiled at her and nodded at the three women hard at work. “They’re doing great. We’ve covered most of the basics and by next week should start with the most complicated reports and spreadsheets that they would need to know how to manage. In fact, I told Jerika that I think she’s almost ready to have a job interview soon.”

Mackenna’s gaze found the smiling girl and walked over to give her a hug. “Fabulous! We’ll make sure to train you on interviewing as well as helping you with your resume first. And before you start actually meeting with prospective employers, we’ll get some business clothes for you.”

Jerika returned the hug with tears in her eyes. “Oh my God, thank you. This’ll make all the difference in the world.”

“A good job will help you transition out of New Beginnings and into your own place,” Mackenna reminded her. The smile on the young woman’s face was priceless.

Looking up at Rose, she said, “Okay, I’m heading out. Got a friend I’m meeting for early dinner. I probably won’t be in tomorrow. I’ve got a staff meeting at DSS.”

Waving goodbye, she stepped out into the bright sunlight and glanced up and down the street. A low-riding car with darkened windows drove slowly down the road. She stood there defensively as she watched it stop for just a few seconds in front of the building and then move on. Seething, she called Little John, her night watchman.

“Hey girl,” he answered jovially.

“Hey back. Listen, I’m out front and that same car is driving by and I’m positive it’s probably one of the gangs just wanting me to feel threatened.”

“Now girl, don’t you go gettin’ all riled up. You can’t fight those fuckers alone.”

“I don’t plan on fighting them, Little John, but honest to God, if they come back then I’m going after them.”

“Oh Lordy, protect those fuckers when you get mad. Only you know they don’t fight fair and they carry guns. So you gotta promise me, you’ll leave them alone.”

She heard the worried tone in his voice and assured him she was leaving. “Just make sure you lock up really good tonight when you go on duty and I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

Looking up and down the road again seeing nothing but quiet, she walked to her car and drove to the little restaurant to meet with her friend.

*

“Mac, I love
what you’re accomplishing,” Jennifer enthused as the warm, melted mozzarella strung out from her fingers to her mouth. They had met at a little Italian eatery and decided to splurge on the appetizers. Jennifer Malloy was a fellow social worker for the Department of Social Services and handled an elder care center that provided low-cost housing for a group of elderly residents. Mackenna stared at the petite, blonde beauty in front of her, giggling at how much she could eat and stay so tiny.

“I know it can make a difference,” Mackenna responded. “The research shows that education and job skills can entice some women to not be sucked into gangs or can get them out and keep them out. But it’s slow going. So far, we have seven women ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-one that live there.”

“How’s the fundraising? I have to keep re-applying for my grant and beg our local politicians every chance I get.”

Mackenna wrinkled her nose at the subject. “I know…it sucks. So far the grant money is getting us through and I’ve got a great teacher and a paid night watchman.”

“Night watchman?” Jennifer asked, stopping her fork on its path to her mouth.

Shrugging, Mackenna answered, “I gotta try to keep the girls safe. I’m sure some of the local gangs know where we are, but so far no one has bothered us. But, well…”

“What?”

“The girl I took in today is pregnant. Her ex-boyfriend is in one of the gangs here in Richland. According to her, he doesn’t care. She says he’s got more bastards among the gang women and isn’t about to pay any child support. But…I’m cautious anyway. I mean, let’s face it, they don’t like what New Beginnings is doing.”

“I never thought about that,” Jennifer admitted. “I had trouble with my elder center but only because someone wanted the real-estate we are in. But nobody cares if elderly people are living there. I can’t believe that when I heard about you starting a program to help rescue girls from gangs and give them a chance at a new life, I didn’t think about the dangers.”

“The girls have come to us so it’s not like we went out and stole them from the gangs. I just wish I had a way to keep them from going in to begin with. But that would involve getting to the girls by the time they are very young.”

“Are they actively in the gangs or just, um…you know?” Jennifer asked.

Grimacing, Mackenna said, “Gang whores? Is that what you were trying to say?” Seeing Jennifer nod, she added, “Some gangs let the girls be actual members but they usually have to whore their way into the establishment. And for the most part, they’ll never be included like the men. So, yes, many of them are just looking for a sense of family and the gang gives it to them.”

“Oh, Jesus help us,” Jennifer blurted, pushing her plate back.

“I know. But hopefully, our program will be a small start to allowing some of the girls to reclaim their lives.”

“You mentioned a night watchman. What other security do you have?” Jennifer asked.

“Security? Um…well, we have deadbolts on the doors. I don’t know what else you mean?”

“Girl, my husband is in the business. Gabe works for Alvarez Security and you better believe, I’m talking to him tonight about this.”

“Jen, I’ve heard of Alvarez Security. There’s no way my grant money will cover anything and you know our boss at DSS would have a coronary if I bring it up.”

“No, seriously, Mac, they can do it. They covered my center because they do some write-off business and I’ll bet they would do it for you. I’ll talk to Gabe tonight.”

Finishing the food on her plate, Mackenna smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm and happiness when talking about her husband. Her smile slipped slightly when she thought of her own disastrous love life. It was practically nonexistent and when she did date?
I have such a penchant for going out with the wrong guy.
Lately, her battery-operated boyfriend was giving her more business than the last boyfriend she had.

“You okay?” Jennifer asked, interrupting Mackenna’s depressing musings.

Startled, she laughed. “Yeah, just thinking about what all needs to get done this week.”

“I hear you. It’s non-stop, isn’t it?”

“On top of the center, I have my mom’s rehab to worry about. She’s still covered under my dad’s insurance, even after he died, but it isn’t great.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Jennifer said, placing her hand on her friend’s. “With all the talk about your work, I forgot what you’re dealing with at home.”

“Mom’s doing great, she really is. Her speech is improving, although me and the nurse are probably the only ones who can understand her now. She doesn’t have much movement on the left side, but since she was right-handed, she can still do things fairly easily on that side.”

As they settled the check, Jennifer stated, “Well, I’m going to take one worry off of your plate. I’m talking to Gabe tonight!”

Parting company, Mackenna headed home, feeling strangely lighter than she had in a few weeks.
Maybe, just maybe, things are looking up.

*

True to her
word, that night as the dishes were being put away and her brother, Ross, was busy with his homework, Jennifer talked to Gabe about the New Beginnings security issues.

“They’ve got seven girls that have been reclaimed from gangs and what they’re doing is amazing. But honey, they only have a night watchman and some deadbolts on the doors. What scares me is that these girls could be in danger from the gangs that they left. The director, Mac, is a friend and I want to help any way I can.”

Gabe listened as his wife described the situation and nodded his agreement. “Sounds like something that Tony would be interested in.”

“Good, because I want to make sure they’re as safe as you made the Elder Center.”

Coming up behind her, trapping her against the counter with his arms on either side, he leaned down and whispered against her lips, “Well, the Elder Center got my very private, special attention.” Licking her lips, he plunged his tongue in, tasting the wine and chocolate cake they had for dessert.

“Well, maybe you can’t give them the
exact
same attention,” she purred as she melted into his arms.

Chuckling as he pulled away, he assured her that he would speak to Tony the next day. Then he added, “And you can show me your gratitude in bed tonight.”

“Why, Mr. Malloy,” she said, batting her eyes and giggling. “I’d be glad to.”

*