All That Jazz (Butler Cove #1)(16)

Jay Bird: I have nothing else to do.

Me: Well thx, you don’t have to do that.

Jay Bird: How else will you get there? Bike?

Me: Funny. Did you not get an internship/job yet?

Jay Bird: Not for lack of trying. That’s why I’m over in HH tomorrow. A cardiac surgeon.

Me: Which one?

Jay Bird: Dr. Martin Barrett.

Me: My mom works for him! I’m on it.

Jay Bird: Shit. Seriously?

Me: Yep. Let me call my mom right now.

Jay Bird: The favors you’re doing me this summer are tipping the balance. I almost feel bad, but not sure I’m capable of that emotion.



I snorted, grinning in spite of myself.



Me: I know. Job not a sure thing tho. Don’t worry I’ll call in the favors at some point. Like a ride to training for starters …

Jay Bird: That’s hardly adequate repayment. But if you’re sure …



I could almost see his sly look.



Me: Not so fast. You don’t have the job yet, but WHEN you do, I’ll let you know what I require.



I quite liked that Joey might owe me something. I’d have to judiciously call it in. The possibilities were endless. I chuckled to myself.



Jay Bird: Okay, let me know, Jazzy Bear. P.S. You are now Jazzy Bear in my contacts.

Jazzy Bear: Will do, Jay Bird.



I swallowed the strange bubble crawling up from my chest, not quite sure what to do with it, and dialed my mom’s cell.

“Jessica, honey? Is everything okay?” My mom answered her phone in a no nonsense tone.

“I’m good, Ma.” I smiled. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out by calling.”

She let out a light laugh. “No, No, it’s okay. I’m just headed in to work at the store, and I didn’t see you this morning.”

“I went out for a kayak. Gotta enjoy the cool part of the day, you know?”

“Are you at the boat?”

I sighed. “Yeah, I am.”

In response, she sighed too. I knew it bothered her I spent so much time out here. “Jess—”

“I know, Ma. Look, I need to ask you something. You know Nana’s been frail.”

“How is she doing?”

“Okay, I think. But really I think she could probably stand to see Dr. Barrett.”

“She is already. I saw her on the schedule for July. Do you need me to squeeze her in earlier?”

“That would be great. Will you call her and tell her?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks. That’s not the only thing I’m calling about though. With Nana worrying everyone, Joey came home for the summer and let his internship up in Columbia go. He’s coming in to the hospital today to meet Dr. Barrett after his rounds. Do you think …? I know you can’t give him a job. But do you think you could put in a good word for him with Dr. Barrett?”

“Oh, Jessica. Martin Barrett’s done so much for me already. I’m not sure I—”

“Please, Ma. The Butlers have done so much for me too. Can you just ask? Just say something to help Joey?”

“Of course. I know The Butlers have been amazing to you. To us.” She let out a breath. “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll call him now and see if I can catch him between rounds. I’m not promising anything you know.”

I made a fist and punched the air. “I know.”

“And I can’t push it.”

“I know, Ma. Thank you.”

“Okay, Jess. Just get off that damned boat. It makes my happy baby depressed.”

“I will. I’m headed in to work myself.”

“What properties do you have today?” she asked.

“Some of the big ones down on Magnolia Road.”

“Okay, well be careful. Don’t touch anything without your gloves on.”

I winced. “You know I won’t.” If my mom only knew the gross stuff I’d seen cleaning out houses after tourists. I’d take dirty diapers and spilled food any day. It was used condoms under beds and drug needles in the couch cushions that were the top of my Rare-But-I’m-Not-Sure-How-Much-Longer-I-Can-Do-This list. But one day of cleaning the big beach front rentals on “changeover day” could earn me about $300 dollars. I needed a car and money for gas and insurance. I was probably only going to be able to keep one job when I was at college, so the more I earned this summer the better.

“Okay. Bye, baby.”

“Bye, Ma,” I said fondly and ended the call.



Jazzy Bear: Ok. Good luck, Jay Bird. My mom’s calling him now.

Jay Bird: Thank you. I’ll let you know how it goes. I owe you.

Jazzy Bear: I won’t forget ;-)





I LOVED THAT my work colleague, Tamsyn, always suggested splitting up our load. It was easier to work faster when I could be alone and just put my earbuds in and listen to music full blast. Today was no exception. If the house was five or more bedrooms, we had to clean it together, but most of our current list were threes and fours.

I took the four bedroom ocean front. I dropped the mound of laundry from the first three bedrooms in the upstairs hall and entered the last bedroom, stopping suddenly in the doorway as I realized clothes still hung over the back of a chair by the window. Shorts. And in the open armoire. A dress shirt. Blue. And running shoes were kicked off to the side. It wasn’t unusual to have people leave stuff. The Wombats sang their Brit Pop loudly through my earbuds as I contemplated the scene before me.