Chapter 9 - The Change

Jessi inched out of the stall, considering how to approach the question. She had always had a fine time with her mother, sure, and often thought of her - but it was a little awkward talking about a relationship that had gone so quickly from regular mother-daughter relations to "here's how to really please a man" in what felt like a day. And though she tried to not let it preoccupy her, she often wondered what her relationship with the woman would have been had Jessi not been heir to the Delilah legacy. Jessi had drawn up her own shares of illusions in place of actual fact, which often included soulful heart to hearts and makeshift book clubs.

She tried to word this as coherently as possible to Hensley, who merely nodded and made no comment – much in contrast with his personality just a few minutes ago. Jessi appreciated this, but it did create an awkward silence until Hensley cleared his throat with a decisive cough. He lead her out of the bathroom with a flick of his arm and into the living room. Julian and Carlos had mysteriously disappeared, probably to slink into their blessedly separate rooms. “I know that I promised I was done questioning you, but I actually have one more thing to ask you.”

She checked the time. The kids would be arriving home soon any minute. “I guess it’s fine.”

“Where exactly did you plan on moving after our transactions?”

“I…” She wavered. A few particular houses within the neighborhood stood out to her. “Undecided.”

“I see.” Shifting his weight, Hensley pierced through Jessi with his dazzling blue eyes. "Jessi, do you understand exactly what we do at Safehollow Labs?"

What happened to one more question? "Science, I'd hope", she joked. Hensley didn't smile. Granted, it hadn't been an exactly funny statement to begin with. He instead took to scanning the room, as if expecting an eavesdropper, and lowered his voice accordingly.

"We scour the world for the mystical, Jessi. And for the unordinary people of the world like you. You wouldn't believe what's out there, and you wouldn't want to believe what people are willing to do to said unordinary people. You've lived your life relatively easily."

Hensley lifted his hand before she could object.

"This is not to insinuate that your work is easy. But the town at least supports you."

"Not as much as you probably think," she countered, recalling Petal's outburst. It had felt like such a long time ago that the girls had nested under her wing, and a wave of unnecessary nostalgia rushed over her. It made listening further to Hensley draining. 

"I believe that I have occupied enough of your time, m'girl, so I'll just come out and say it. What would you say if Safehollow Labs could escort you and your children to a brand new house, equipped with the latest technology and enough room for everyone in your family, located in a plentiful and beautiful neighborhood, all free of charge?"

The offer should have been taken her aback, but if anything, Jessi was feeling dizzy. She smiled wearily. 

"I'd say it sounds too good to be true."

Hensley laughed, as if he had expected her answer. "That's what they all say."

"Who's 'they'?" she inquired. 

"Here is the part I believe you'll like the best. If you came with us, you would be living in a tightly knit community with women of similar fates."

"You mean there's other people out there like me?" Though still tired, the thought of living among others like herself piqued her focus.

"Now look who's answering all of the questions", he chuckled. "But yes. A lot more than you'd think."

Jessi pondered. On one hand, abandoning the home that she had grown up in in chase of a complete and total violation of her legacy would have probably set more abiding Delilahs reeling. But was she the same? Hadn't Jessi spent her entire child-rearing career discovering just the opposite? Surely, the incident of her live in roommates was just the beginning of a long list proving just that. On the other hand, she would do anything to better the lives of her children, and a home on the outstretched skirts of nature would definitely be for the best. And giving into her personal whims, a community where she could actually be free was beyond ideal. There was nothing to hold her there but for her family's guilt. 

Hensley had noticed her silence, and smiled. "I can give you a while to think about it."

"No, I think I've researched a decision", she determined. He looked on in interest as she arched her arms over her head and stretched. "As long as you agree to still buy the home, I think we have a deal."

Barely listening to Hensley's enthusiasm, she thought about what her mother would have done.