Written by Mercedes Keyes
Interracial Drama Series
Overall rating R
Chapter 58
Another busy day followed. Two relevant matters were on the agenda, getting Angela registered at the Tomah middle school and getting ready for their court appearance in the case against Ray Olivetti. Sylvia was awake by 6am, nervous and shaky dreading having to go to court. She sat on the side of the bed, afraid to move, not looking forward to the possibility that she may end up throwing up again. Sitting upright was the trigger, didn’t matter how still she was, bile was rising once again. She shot up from the bed and rushed into the bathroom.
Shawn had been laying on his side towards her, his eyes opened hearing her, turning to his back looking up at the ceiling, his hand went to his forehead stroking his hair back.
“Geez, when is that going to stop.” He whispered to himself, wondering now if this one should be their one and only. To hear her so sick made his own stomach ache, he felt her nausea and now – she was vomiting as soon as she woke. He sat up in bed, wondering what to do. Deidre had also been nauseated, but she never threw up, she was just queasy for the first three months and then it suddenly subsided until it stopped. So it had not been so bad, neither was he so in tune with her as he was with Sylvia.
She was at the sink now rinsing her mouth, he stood and walked slowly to the bathroom, almost afraid to show himself, after all… he had wanted this. He wondered when she would start showing her resentment for having to go through it. He tapped softly on the door, “Babe… can I come in?” He asked quietly opening the door without waiting for the answer. She was rinsing her tooth brush after rinsing her mouth out about to scrub her teeth. Watery eyes met his, and despite how she felt, she smiled at him.
“Good morning.” She murmured softly.
Shawn felt his eyes water up he felt so awful, part of him wished she’d told him to, ‘Fuck off!’ instead of that smile and soft sweet greeting, making him feel even worse than if she would just tell him off. She didn’t, instead she rubbed salt into the wound by reaching up and caressing his bristly cheek, feeling sorry for him that he was obviously upset by her morning sickness. “Aaah, what’s wrong babe? I’ll be okay – it’ll pass… I just have to ride it out, that’s all.”
“I’m sorry Sylvie.”
“Sha-awn… aaah … I’m okay. Really I am.” Sylvia went and hugged him, feeling his arms wrap around her and squeeze tight.
“I feel like shit! Laying there hearing it – I didn’t know you would be so sick.”
“Well, its just the way it is for now. Will you wake Angela? I need to wash up and jump in the shower, and then get our breakfast so we can go to the school. What if we’re in court and can’t get out to pick her up in time?” She asked turning from him to brush her teeth.
“I’ll give Shanna a call and see if she can run and pick her up.” He answered going to wake Angela and call his sister.
Their morning had begun. Sylvia laid out one of her dress suits that she would be wearing when they returned from the school. Shawn was in the shower, as Angela was in the other bathroom. Sylvia put on a pair of nice jeans and one of her nice cotton tops, about to button it up and noticed that it was too snug across her breasts. The closing was pulling and leaving gaps between the buttons. She sighed… took it off and found a dressy short sleeve, turquoise pull over knit with a mock turtle neck collar that came only to the top of her jeans. She stared at her breasts, they were definitely on the rise. “God I hate this, titties gettin’ big already.” She complained to herself. “Oh well.” She did her hair and make up and went into the kitchen and started coffee and breakfast. As queasy as she still was… she was in heaven. Something about the domestic setting of having a family to care for again gave her a sense of pleasure she thought would not be there. It was because of Shawn. It was totally different this time around. A good man made all the difference in the world as to how she felt having to do these things once again. She was making grits, biscuits, bacon and eggs, in no time at all, the food was done. She decided to go in and check on Angela and knocked at her door.
“Sweety? Can I come in?”
“Yeah.” Angela called back.
Sylvia walked in to see her standing in her underwear staring into her closet.
“I don’t know what I wanna wear.” She explained.
“Wear something warm, its a bit cool out, and its supposed to rain most of the day today. Here, how about this knit top with a pair of your new jeans? Your clothes from California will probably be here today, if not, tomorrow so you’ll have more to choose from.” Sylvia went on.
“I like the clothes I have now Sylvia – its just…” She took a really deep breath, walking to her bed and laying out what Sylvia gave her, going and getting her socks and shoes.
“Its just you’re scared? Nervous about the new school?”
“Yeah… I don’t know anyone.” She admitted, dressing.
“Trust me, that will change. Just take a deep breath, don’t think about anyone but your teacher and getting on track with the school curriculum here. Let them approach you, and believe me they will. I happen to know, that you’re quite a likable person. Now come here, we need our morning hug.” Sylvia coaxed. Angela looked up smiling and didn’t hesitate. They stood a moment squeezing each other as Sylvia explained, “If we happen to run over in court, your aunt Shanna will be there to pick you up, okay?” She felt Angela’s head nod.
“Emm em! That was a good one.” Sylvia made the growling grunt sound smiling, again letting her be the first to let go. Angela giggled, in no hurry to break free, but needing to get dressed so they could get going she finally pulled away with a smile on her face. “You get dressed now, don’t want your breakfast to get cold.”
“Okay Sylvia.” She called out as she closed her door leaving her to dress. Coming down the hall from the room, Sylvia could smell Shawn’s cologne. He always wore Devin, by Aramis. The scent was incredible and made her dreamy eyed and hungry to see him. He came out of the room with only his jeans and socks on, pulling his shirt over his head… a navy blue turtle neck, soft knit. His hair was wet and uncombed, he’d trimmed up his beard, but hadn’t shaved it off. She didn’t mind, it made him all that much more masculine and appealing.
She turned away spinning in disbelief that this man was her future husband. That he loved her to the extent that he did. Had she seen him on the street anywhere, she would have never given him the time of day, she had him automatically stereotyped as stuck on himself and a dater of blond white women only. Considering Deidre, she knew she wasn’t that far off the mark. Lost in her thoughts she went on to put plates on the table and giggled when he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her neck. “What’s on your mind woman? It better be me!” She stroked his hand laying on her lower belly. “Maybe you, maybe not.”
“WHAT!” He pulled her back tightly against him biting into her neck. Sylvia squealed laughing out, “YES YOU! Of course you!” She laughed turning in his arms to wrap hers around him. With his hair damp and hanging over his forehead black and spiky he was adorable.
“I don’t know what I feel like eating more, you or what you’ve prepared.” He hugged her close, one hand clamped onto the cheek of her ample bottom, giving it a caress and a squeeze.
“Shawn! Angela’s going to catch you, stop it.”
“I’ve got an appetite lady that I fear needs seeing to.”
“Then what I’ve prepared should suit you just fine.” She informed him, pulling herself out of his clinging arms, turning to get a plate, her bottom heating up from his gaze, so intently on her rear she felt as if his hands caressed her there.
“Shawn!” She snapped turning to look at him, his lust meter was banging in the red zone.
“Later…” He promised her with that look in his eyes.
They were on their way in the SUV, with all of the necessary paperwork to register Angela, she sat holding her school supplies and peering out the window at the passing scenery wondering what the school would be like.
“You think school here will be easier or harder?” She asked them both.
Sylvia didn’t know so couldn’t answer.
“Pum’kin, I don’t know… but we’ll help you with whatever you need.”
The school was not an overly large one, but it was very clean, laid out low and long. Quite a few vehicles were pulling up and dropping children off. Shawn parked in front, was the first to climb out so as to open the door for Sylvia and Angela. They walked in together with Angela in front, children coming from every direction as Shawn held the door open for his family.
In the office, they walked up to the counter and waited while various students came in and out, needing passes and checking with the office receptionist for whatever they were there for.
Two women ran the office in the earliest hours, both white, one of the women looked to be in her late twenties, the other in her forties. The one in her twenties came up to the counter, looked at Sylvia who stood where a person second in line might stand, smiled and said, “I’ll be right with you.” She then went to Shawn, smiling. “Yes… can I help you?”
“We’re here to register our daughter in school, she’s transferring from California.”
“Okay… did you bring her school records and transfer papers?” She asked him.
“Yes…” Shawn leaned forward to look at Sylvia who laid them on the counter saying, “They’re right here.”
The woman looked from Shawn to Sylvia, suddenly realizing they were there together. She swallowed, started turning red, stiffly nodded and in the blink of an eye, her entire demeanor changed. She turned from them steaming from within and walked to her desk, picked up the paperwork that needed to be filled out and tossed it on the counter before Shawn. Sylvia and Shawn stood stunned, taken by surprise. From that moment on, she no longer made eye contact with them, especially not Sylvia, acting as if Sylvia was not in the room after that. Her body language shifted, she became stiff, her features hardened as if she were fighting back words on the tip of her tongue, the tension in the air sparked to life and grew instantaneously overwhelming. Sylvia sighed, cynically smiling while she shook her head. ‘Here we go!’ She thought.
The tension was so intense the forty something other woman looked up to see what had changed in the room. She looked at Shawn who was glaring at the younger woman, and then at Sylvia who backed up and sat on the benches against the wall in the office, not in the mood for it, not today. Because of the way she felt, she knew she would handle it all wrong and decided to just sit down and chill and let Shawn take care of everything.
“Excuse me, hi… I’m Pauline, are you all here to register your daughter in school?” She asked trying to cover over the awkward silence. Shawn wasn’t making it easy on her as he stared at the younger woman, his jaw clenched tight as he fought not to speak or else lose it in front of his daughter. He stared so long, she grew uncomfortable and couldn’t stand his hostile glare, so looked up at him with wide eyes, at first trying to put on a brave front but he was relentless.
“Excuse me sir… ummm, please lets just get her registered okay?” Pauline asked nervously, caught off guard and shaken by her co-worker’s unacceptable reaction to the interracial couple. It put her in the middle and she was trying to break the tension so turned to Angela smiling. “Hi, what’s your name? You’ll be going to school here now?”
Angela looked at Pauline, then up at her father and then back at Sylvia, who smiled at her sympathetically. Angela turned back to Pauline and shrugged.
Shawn was still staring the young woman down, his jaw locked and angry, his nostrils flared, unwilling to break it off. It was that, or go off on her. After more than a couple of minutes ticked by, his eyes became harsh and aggressive, so much so that she could stand no more, shame and embarrassment washed over her, making her turn an even deeper hue of red, she finally burst into tears and ran from the office, just as three teachers entered with the principle. Shawn then turned to Pauline.
With very tight lips and stiff jaw he asked, “I need to know the alternatives of my daughter getting an education, preferably somewhere other than this school, outside of home schooling.” He pushed the registration forms across the counter at her. Pauline shook nervously, with her voice trembling, her gestures jerky she looked from Shawn to the principle.
“Stan…” She called to the principle who was talking to one of the teachers and hadn’t heard her at first. “STAN! Mr. SHAW!! I need your – attention – now!” She barked.
All four people looked around at her, then at Shawn who was maintaining his look of belligerence. Not aware of what was going on, the principle was smiling when he walked over.
“Good morning sir, Pauline… what’s going on here?” He greeted Shawn and then asked Pauline. He was a tall, slender white male of Shawn’s height, head full of grey hair, cropped close to his head, wearing glasses over sharp features, looking to be in his early fifties.
“Ummm, they’re here to register their daughter in school and-…”
“They?” The principle asked, aware of only Shawn and Angela.
Pauline nodded her head towards Sylvia who was looking anywhere but at them, fighting the urge to get up and leave and wait in the SUV.
The principle looked at Sylvia, then at Shawn, “Are you two together?”
“Yes – we are!” Shawn answered sharply.
The principle swallowed and looked down at Pauline. “What happened?”
“Ummm, I’m not really sure-…” The first bell rang cutting her off, she continued after it stopped, “…Beth – was here seeing to them first, and ummm… I’m not sure what happened, but something did.”
The principle picked up the registration forms, “Are these her transfer records?” He asked, as if getting permission from Shawn to grab them as well.
“Yes.”
“Will you and your wife follow me, this way – please.” He asked looking from Shawn to Sylvia, who finally turned to look up at Shawn. “Please…” The principle repeated. Sylvia stood and walked to the swinging gate that led behind the main desk where one went to go into the principles office. Shawn placed his hand on Angela’s shoulder and chose not to correct the principle on calling Sylvia his wife… in a few days she would be, and he wasn’t about to change that status in their eyes. He walked up to her, placing his hand at her back and looking into her eyes, she glanced away and made her way toward the principle, following him into his office. He closed the door and invited them to have a seat. Angela sat between Shawn and Sylvia.
“Okay… let me begin by saying… I don’t know what happened, but I can tell something did – I assume for the – obvious reasons.” He meant their interracial relationship, which they were fully aware. “Before we go any further, I apologize for anything that may have happened that brought offence to your family.” He said looking Sylvia in the eyes and then to Shawn.
“Lets get your daughter registered first, and then we can go from there.”
“To be totally honest with you, I’m not feeling comfortable leaving her here. My wife and I feel insulted by your office worker Beth, who without words, but by her actions, catapulted us back 50 years in time, giving me the feeling that she’d wished she’d worn her white sheet today!”
“That’s a little strong!”
“No, her actions were strong! Out of order and out of place for an establishment that brags and claims such high standards of education – enlightenment – broadening of young minds. We are worried about our daughter right now!”
“Sir, ma’am… we need to introduce ourselves. I’m the principal here, Stan Shaw.” He reached over, extended his hand first to Sylvia. “Please… and you are?” He asked as Sylvia looked from his hand up at him. Trying to be fair to him, she reached up and answered, sticking with the assumption. “Mrs. McPherson, Sylvia McPherson.” And shook his hand.
“I apologize to you directly Mrs. McPherson and I assure you, this matter will not end here…this is not the fifties, and this school is set up to broaden young minds and to educate.”
Sylvia gave no reaction other than to let go of his hand and sit back as he offered it to Shawn, “Shawn Everett McPherson.” Shawn introduced himself next and shook his hand, the principle then went to Angela, “And you young lady, your name?”
“Angela Rae McPherson.” She responded in turn, shaking his hand.
“I’m delighted to meet you.” He then sat back and looked to Shawn.
“I normally would not have to say this, but under the circumstances I must. We have three African American teaches here, one of them in fact, teaches fifth grade. Mrs. Dearborn – she’s an excellent teacher – and an asset. The other two teach kindergarten and third grade. Mrs. Beverly and Mr. Jenkins.”
“There was no problem in me being black until it was evident that I was with him. After seeing me – a black woman, with a white man – THAT sir – generated the problem. There was no hostility or resentment until she knew that we were here together.” Sylvia spoke up.
“I see, so it really wasn’t racially motivated, you two must admit, under the circumstances-…”
“What circumstances!? And further more, how in the hell do you come to that conclusion?! Not racially motivated!?” Shawn cut him off and asked sitting forward in his seat, his browns drawn and confrontational.
“I meant, that whatever her behavior, it wasn’t directed because your wife is black. I mean -… ” The principal stated, then gulped and turned red.
“Bullshit! That’s exactly why she responded as she did! Because my wife is black! You’re going to sit here and try to convince me – that we would have been treated that way if she had been white?! Further more, you commented under the circumstances!?? – Lets get something straight right here, right now. There is no circumstance! I am human! She is human! We match! I am a man! She is a woman! We – match! Due to early mans dividing off into tribes – for whatever reason… genetic selections have made me into what you see… and her into what you see! WE – FUCKING – MATCH!-…”
“Shawn! Calm down.” Sylvia sat forward afraid for him to go any further.
“Mr. McPherson, I understand where you’re going with-…”
“No! You think we have extenuating circumstances! We don’t! You’ve just sat here and doubly insulted me and my wife thinking that we’re so fucking thick – that we don’t know when we’ve been racially discriminated against, you think I don’t know when we’ve been cut, you gonna sit here and tell me that display of snobbery wasn’t racially motivated?! Then add insult to injury by justifying her actions!” Shawn shot to his feet. The principle stood, growing red in the face as Sylvia stood unsure of what to do.
“Mr. McPherson can you just, just calm down and give me a chance here.”
“Not when I’m this pissed off! The fucking problem here is not – my wife and I!!! The problem here is how you and those in this screwed up world perceive us that creates the circumstance! We – are normal! You sonofabitch! Your education hasn’t done you a fucking bit of good thanks to thousands of years of effective social brainwashing and BULLSHIT!!! You wanna fucking make us out to be abnormal and I’m not standing for it! You as an instructor – a teacher should know what I’m saying – without me having to explain it to you. If you lack the proper facilities to educate my daughter – you need to give us the school districts alternatives!” Shawn’s anger had him going from pointing at the principle to flexing his fists open and close, the urge flowed up through his body, gripping him, shaking his arms so he wanted to launch a punch to knock him out. Sylvia’s heart was pounding as she could see the extent of his temper. Pauline out in the office could hear him as well a few students and parents that were in the office, there was also one of the black teachers that had been earlier mentioned, standing and watching, curious about what was going on.
The principal stood swallowing nervously as Shawn went into his rage at him. All the years he’d been in the board of education, he hadn’t faced this situation. Simply because, he’d always avoided any and all racially motivated confrontations. Now here he was, facing it and not handling it well. Part of his problem was he had no one to blame for this but himself. He knew how Beth was. Mrs. Beverly’s husband was white and the two women didn’t get along. As a matter of fact, he knew that Beth would not take messages to her class. Would not call her with any needed information because she resented her being married to a white male. Cora Beverly had come to him and expressed certain instances concerning Beth, but he’d made light of the matter, conjuring excuses. He had talked over her and discarded her concerns because she needed this job as a teacher, and he knew it. Even though making excuses – he had written it up, but it hadn’t gone any further. Cora had simply resigned herself to ignoring Beth, this woman whom was hired on as just an office extra. She resented that, but was powerless as Beth proudly ignored her. Now it was a different story. The McPherson’s didn’t need anything from him. From the school. Mr. Shaw had a perfect school record and reputation that this incident could very well jeopardize – with all the other matters going on as well, it would now have to be dealt with, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see – that Mr. McPherson was not going to take any sugar coating from him, he had to stop this before it went too far.
“Let’s go!” Shawn ordered having concluded what he had to say.
“Wait a minute – wait a minute. There’s no need for this, have a seat… please.”
“No! Screw this! I don’t need anymore of you blowing smoke up my ass! As for that racist peace of shit bitch out there that you sit here and pretend not to have known about, she and you, will wish she had not insulted my wife as she did!”
Shawn was too angry to listen and stormed out of the office slamming to principles door back against the outer wall, the momentum forced it to swing back. Sylvia turned to grab her purse, taking Angela’s hand and made to follow him. “Ma’am I’m asking you to please take a seat and give me an opportunity to deal with this. I don’t wish this to end this way. Please… just a moment, let me follow him out and talk to him. I can fix this… please sit and wait… give us just a moment.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Sylvia replied.
“Look… I know where I went wrong. Please, have a seat and give me a chance to correct this.” The principle urged and walked out of the office closing them inside.
Sylvia wasn’t sure if she should wait or go outside. Shawn’s temper scared her sometimes. She looked down at Angela, who asked. “My dad can really get mad! What’ll we do now?”
Sylvia looked toward the door, it opened with Pauline bringing her coffee and Angela juice on a tray with cookies, looking pass Pauline’s entry Sylvia spotted a black teacher looking in at her, she didn’t know at that time that it was ‘Cora Beverly’. She smiled at Sylvia and winked, turned and seemed to float out of the office after Pauline had shared a bit of what had taken place with her. “Please have a seat, I brought you coffee and juice for your daughter.” Pauline offered, still nervous and feeling bad. She’d told Stan herself about Beth, but he’d discarded it from her as well. She felt in this day and age, it was common place to see such couples and it didn’t bother her one way or the other. They had a state trooper on the interstate who was black, his wife was white, it was commonplace now but that Beth had ideas of her own.
“Thank you…but… I’m pregnant, not drinking coffee right now. Angela you want the juice?”
“No thank you.” She answered. Pauline brought it in and placed it on the desk. “Perhaps some milk then?”
“No…we’re fine.” Sylvia returned, smiling at the woman.
“Well, just in case you change your mind, here it is, help yourself. If you need anything, you just get my attention Mrs. McPherson.”
“Thank you but I think we should leave, my husband is angry enough.”
“Stan will be able to talk him down. Just give him a moment, we’ll take care of it… I assure you we will.”
Sylvia turned back and had a seat. “Let’s sit and give it a few minutes, see what happens.” She instructed Angela.
“Thank you.” Pauline added closing them in once again.
“I hope my dad doesn’t hit him.” Angela spoke her thoughts looking at Sylvia.
“Would your dad hit him?” Sylvia asked, having witnessed him attack another man, but that had been under different circumstances, understandable.
“He’s hit people before… if he gets really mad – he’ll hit him.” Angela informed her. Sylvia groaned, and then asked, “Has he ever… hit your mother before?”
Angela looked surprised by that question. “No… he’s been so mad that he hit stuff in the house, but he never hit my mom. He put holes in the walls sometimes, and he broke some doors too… but, he never hit her.” Angela informed her with honest wide eyes. Sylvia groaned again, not sure of what to think and wondered if Shawn needed to attend a few sessions of anger management. The relief was that he didn’t hit women, but his temper left one quaking in their shoes. They sat quiet a few moments giving Sylvia time to think and she suddenly asked, “Angela… how are you going to be able to face possible ridicule that is racist based. I’m black, you’re not – your father is not. This is all new for you, a new school… and now this. Are you ready for this?”
She shrugged looking down at the floor, then up at Sylvia. “I don’t understand what the big deal is? Why does it bother some people, so what if you’re black… what’s wrong with being black?”
“Angela, America was set up by a nation of whites who felt themselves superior or better than black people, or any other race for that matter. Trying to keep a hold on that superiority they feel is so precious, they get angry when someone like them… someone white, goes against their ideas, and involves themselves with someone black so intimately as your father has with me. They look at your father’s actions, as an act of treachery, betrayal against their established social rank. It makes some of them angry that he’s with me, they feel that he should be with his own kind…standing with them to maintain a pure white race…or better word actually… tribe.”
“But why? Why are white people better than black people? Who says?”
“There is no such thing as one color of people being superior over another. Its all in the minds of men who need to feel powerful… ummm, look… it’s too much to get into right now. We can talk about it a little at a time as you feel the need – but for now – I need to know if you’re going to be alright with me coming to school to pick you up?”
“I don’t like this Sylvia… this is so stupid! My dad loves you and I love you too, – as for them, they can all kiss our ass!”
“Angela! That – young lady is a no – not allowed! I’m not gonna have you using that kind of language, even if it is in my behalf…and – I love you too.” Sylvia smiled and hugged her, “I’m just a little frightened that you may not be ready for this.”
“I’m not afraid. If kids don’t like me because you’re my mom… then they don’t like me, because I’m sure not going to be liking them! They better not get me mad!”
Sylvia gazed down into her lovely face and fought back laughter, she could see it already – this child was going to be a scrapper. She had a feeling she was going to be at this school quite a bit.
Stan walked out of the school to see Shawn leaning against his vehicle with his arms crossed, the second bell rang and the last of the students were going in.
“Mr. McPherson-…”
“Where is my wife and my daughter?!”
“I asked them to wait inside while we talked out here.”
“I’ve said all I have to say… not in the mood to talk right now-…”
“Oh come on Mr. McPherson, let’s be reasonable at least! Okay you want me to admit it!? Beth is a racist! The fact is, America is still just that! 21st century and still a bunch of narrow minded, pea brained individuals exist! For my part, I was wrong to try and dust over it, but Mr. McPherson – where are you going to run to get away from it? Its just about everywhere! Don’t teach your daughter to run from it. Teach her to stand in the face of it and deal with it logically.”
“I tell you what – you’re the ruling authority here – make a stand for what you know is right! Don’t sugar coat! Don’t dust over! Don’t look aside! When the powers that be, stand for what is right, then my little girl will have a chance! But until then, as her father, as my wife’s husband… as long as they have me, I’ll do the fighting for them – so don’t you tell me how to run my family.”
Mr. Shaw sighed, this man was not going to let him out of this, he was not standing down. Now – he wished he’d just let Beth go, but that was going to create another little problem for him, but he couldn’t let this happen again.
Shawn stood a moment, knowing that he needed to cool down, however when it came to Sylvia… he had a trigger temper, especially with race issues, no one was going to shame her and make her feel unworthy and cut her as that Beth had. He had to stare her down, because the alternative would have been to hit her, and he didn’t hit women. As for Mr. Stan Shaw, he knew for the most part, a portion of what he said was right, however it was easy for him to be so logical about the whole issue, it wasn’t the woman he loved being belittled. No… he would not back down, in wasn’t in his nature to, but he would try to reason with him because Angela needed to be in school, she’d missed enough time already. He shifted his posture a bit and wasn’t so ready to pounce, it was his turn to wipe his hand over his face and take a deep breath. Even so, something was going to have to give here.
“Mr. McPherson, I want to work this out with you. I don’t wish you to leave here thinking I’m a racist bastard and this school is where we breed.”
“Tell me something, why has her behavior been tolerated? You admit to knowing she’s a racist, yet you let her go on working here in this office, where hundreds of children from whatever background must travel through and possibly face her ostracism. While this is most certainly a majority white area, I don’t for a moment believe we are the only interracial couple in the area, I know better… I’ve seen others. So why has she been tolerated? Or should I be asking this question of others and present a case to the school district?”
“That won’t be necessary. I give you my word… she will be dealt with.”
“She shouldn’t be here. This is a place for education and open minds… not psychological cripples.”
“I agree.”
“Yeah – that’s all you’ve said… that you agree, I want to hear more than you agree. I want to hear dismissal talk, because I’m willing to bet – you have grounds to dismiss her on, you have to – knowing what you do! You’ve just ignored them because you can’t be bothered! Doesn’t effect you…but you know what, if she’s still working in that office in a few days… its going to effect you. That’s not a threat either… that’s a promise! If my daughter is going to attend this school, my wife will be here to pick her up. Will be here for teachers meetings, will be here when any matter that needs seeing to is presented. In case of all that, my wife should not have to be subjected to that… she’s a human being with human rights and as her husband – I’m not going to stand idly by and let anyone, you or otherwise… tromp all over her rights!”
“I can’t argue with you on that sir… because we both know that you’re right.” Stan had no choice, taking a deep breath, he promised. “She’ll be dismissed.”
“When?”
“By the end of the week.”
“Not good enough.”
“We’ll need to hire someone to replace her.”
“Unemployment is high… won’t be a problem.”
Stan Shaw took a deep breath, he was dreading the up and coming event. He knew that she would threaten to disclose their affair to his wife, he was stuck and couldn’t figure a way around it. He was going to have to break it off and confess to his wife before Beth got to her.
“I’m waiting… when?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Why not today?”
“Mr. McPherson, you have my word… tomorrow will be her last day here. You have my word.”
“Good enough… now lets get my daughter registered.”
Chapter 59
Early Morning L. A.
It wasn’t something Jeremiah cared about doing, but he needed to get the ball rolling. It was early and he was parked a few cars away from Deidre’s car in her warehouse apartment parking lot, watching and waiting for her to come out and start her day. He’d driven by the previous day to get a look at the place, at the area where she lived. Was fortunate enough to catch her pulling in to park. He watched her cut her engine and step from her white Mercedes. It had been some time since he’d seen her, but he had to admit, despite her being white… she was very attractive. She had a smooth elegance about her that only accentuated her natural good looks. The glimpse of her hadn’t been a long one, but enough to formulate his idea to finally reconnect with her.
As he waited, he remembered back to when he was a young boy and his mother worked for them. She had been tall and lanky, long blond hair and always staring at him. Smiling when they made eye contact. One day waiting for his mother, he’d wandered around the grounds just looking at the lay of the house, admiring it. He stumbled across her in the back by their tennis court, she was hitting at balls that flew at her from a machine. He stood at the fence watching for a few minutes until she noticed him.
“Hi!” She called out to him and walked to the fence where he stood. He had been young and cocky, confident and full of youthful arrogance, and so of course only nodded to her. He’d been wearing a medium size afro, blue jeans and a T-shirt cut off mid waist. Deidre had thought him cute, always had. “Wanna play?”
“Naaaw, not my thing.” He answered, he was 15 she was 11.
“How do you know? You ever play before?” She asked, standing with her tennis racket in hand, wearing her white mini tennis ensemble.
“Psssh – yeah!” He lied. “I didn’t like it. I prefer basketball… maybe some baseball now and then, tennis – a girls game.”
“No its not… there are lots of men who play tennis.”
“Hmph… you mean sissy white boys.”
“Arthur Ashe wasn’t a sissy white boy, he was a black man.”
“Who?” He asked taken by surprise.
“Arthur – Robert – Ashe Jr. … he played tennis and was a record breaker in the 60’s.”
“Yeah right… you just sayin’ that.”
“It’s true… really, ask your teachers when you return to school tomorrow.”
And he had. That had been the turn around point for him. He’d always gotten good grades, but until then, he hadn’t known about black men like Arthur Ashe. Having learned about him, turned on a research of other black pioneering men. From that moment on, he knew that his future would be different from other black men. Their friendship grew gradually, but as all young boys feel inclined to do, he had to tease her here and there, now and then, asking once.
“Don’t you have any friends, why you always here by yourself?”
“I have friends at school.” She answered.
“What about when you get home, don’t you get bored?”
“Sometimes I do… you could be my friend if you wanted to.”
“Don’t want to, why I wanna be friends with some skinny little white girl? You ain’t even cute.”
Deidre gasped shocked, “That’s mean! And I’m not gonna always be skinny! I’ll get breasts, and a butt one day.”
He laughed at her, “Don’t bet on it. White girls never got no butt!”
“They – do – too! And so – will I!”
“Yeah right – stand up and let me see.” He asked making a face.
She did and turned it towards him. “See! Don’t I have a butt?”
“Pssh! No! Maybe later one day… right now all you got is a little girls booty.”
“Well maybe it’s because – I am – a little girl!” She turned back and sassed him.
“I am – a little girl!” He mocked her, copying her words in her whiny voice.
“Don’t copy me!” She snapped.
“Don’t copy me!”
“You’re a moron!”
“You’re a moron!”
“Stupid boy!”
“Stupid boy!”
Deidre crossed her arms over her chest, angry and fed up with his teasing, standing by the fountain in the gardens, she then suddenly pushed him into it and ran off. He came up spitting, gasping from the cold water. “You better run! You better be glad I didn’t get my shoes wet!” He yelled trying to figure out how to climb out without pulling his feet in. “Stupid white girl!”
He chuckled to himself, sitting in his car now waiting. He didn’t have to wait long, because she showed herself. She was wearing the usual business woman attire, navy blue skirt, white sleeveless blouse. As he sat watching her, he realised she was right. She’d most certainly grown into breasts and a butt, not overtly large, but nice, shapely, well rounded from her small waist. She was tall. 5’10 and wearing heels. She sat gracefully in her car, buckled up, started it and then pulled out. He pulled out behind her, waiting for the right moment, it came as she pulled into a 7-Eleven for gas and coffee.
Inside the shop Deidre walked over to the gum and candy rack and picked out her favorite chewing gum, grabbed an Almond Joy and a Payday, then turned in the aisle and bumped into a man.
“Excuse me, sorry… I wasn’t watching where I was going.” She apologized and looked into his familiar face.
“No problem, guilty of the same.” Jeremiah smiled in return, looking into her pretty face. “Hey… don’t I know you from somewhere?” He asked.
“Hmmm, I have that same feeling, I never forget a face.”
“Wait a minute… hey… ummm, let me think let me think… Deidre Wherrington?”
Deidre was stunned, and then she began to recognize him as well. “Oh my goodness… your mom – she – ummm-…” Deidre swallowed, afraid to go any further as her mind screamed with recognition. This was Jeremiah Franklin! The grown into a man-size, Jeremiah Franklin. She couldn’t believe her eyes. He was tall, smartly dressed, obviously successful, clean cut with an immaculate white smile, she swallowed again stunned, he was handsome and dashing. She also remembered that her parents callousness had caused his mother to commit suicide.
“… worked for … my parents.” She finished tapering off and turning red.
“Yeah… well… not any more hm?”
“I’m so… I’m – I – sorry… so sorry about what happened to her.”
“So you know then?”
“Yes… I know… knew… back – when it happened. I felt so bad.”
“Don’t stress over it – its not your fault. Its in the past right? Life goes on – but ummm, its nice to see you again. Maybe we could get together sometime, maybe do lunch or dinner, who knows?”
“Yeah… sure, I wouldn’t mind that. How are you doing? You look – very successful.”
“Thank you… I’m not doing so bad. Corporate lawyer – I make my way.”
“Wow… corporate lawyer hm? That’s good – I’m sure your mother would be proud.”
“Perhaps… and you, how are you? Last thing I read about you, you were divorcing.”
“Yeah… that’s about the jest of me. Forever breaking off and rupturing ties. What can I say, sometimes its meant to be, sometimes not.”
“Any children?”
“A daughter – she lives with her father.”
“I see… well, I have to run… hey, here’s my card. You ever need an attorney, corporate lawyer, give me a call.” He went to turn away.
“Wait… here, here’s mine as well. Just a minute…” She turned to the shelf beside her laying her card there, opened her purse and took out a pen, writing her home phone number, as well her mobile on the back of her business card. “Give me a call sometime… like you said, lunch… dinner… whatever… that would be nice.”
“You bet.” Jeremiah smiled taking it, turned back and reached for some gum and mints, holding them up to her in gesture as to say, ‘Almost forgot.’ and went paying for them with her following not far behind, he took his turn at the register with Deidre studying him from behind, appreciating what a stunning man he turned out to be. She loved the way his hair looked. A natural afro that was cut to fit him, his features, his height, his type. He was a complete package and the package was sweet. She thought about Shawn, comparing the two as he made his way for the door and turned back to her, giving her one last look and wave. She nodded and smiled at him moving up in the line. The two men were complete opposites while both made one hell of a representation for their kind of male. Shawn had a carriage, walk and talk that was loaded with confidence with just a hint of black influence. That stood out in her mind about him from the moment she first spotted him striding through the halls at the University they attended together. While his walk was not as laid back and choreographed like the rhythm in motion of the black mans stride, he projected a charismatic sway or swagger that worked well for him.
Jeremiah Franklin stood center of the two. He did not overtly dap his steps as most black males, nor did he swagger, he was more subtle, smooth and in control. Both men were tall, six foot or more. Both were solidly built, broad shouldered and masculine with their physiques. Both attractive in that there was no struggle for attention from women. Deidre made her purchases, exited the 7-eleven and climbed into her vehicle wondering what lie on the road ahead for her. Jeremiah Franklin was on her mind and for once, she successfully dismissed any further thoughts of Shawn.
Jeremiah could start his day at the office now. The first step had been made, he’d give it a couple of days, then ring her for lunch first, he would see how that went, then work his way up to dinner. One step at a time.
* * *
Back In Wisconsin…
Shanna made her way from the cleaners holding Sylvia’s wedding gown carefully, walking to her Cherokee Jeep, she opened the back and laid it carefully there, making sure the bottom of the plastic covering was closed protecting the hem. She’d mailed off all the invitations and was now going to order the cake, her mom and dad was paying for that. Her mother had found on the internet a place called the ‘Meltingpot‘ that dealt in interracial figurines for the top of cakes, she ordered one and it was on its way. Shanna was having such a good time at it, she was contemplating doing it on the side. Next thing she had to do was order flowers, that she was paying for. Closing the back of the Jeep she turned to step up the curb and stopped cold.
John Sykes, her soon to be ex-husband was standing there before her with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He stood 5’9, blond hair, features very similar to the young John Cougar Mellencamp. As a matter of fact, it was that look that caught her attention, that and his unrelenting pursuit of her. His method was to play on his Mellencamp looks, joking about the fact that they even had the same first name. From the first moment he laid eyes on her, he had latched on and wouldn’t let go, promising her the world, but only delivering multiple black eyes, broken ribs, a broken arm, fractured jaw, two miscarriages and once choking her until she’d passed out. Yes, a nightmare marriage that she couldn’t end soon enough was all she could think of when she saw him standing there.
“Hey sweetheart, how you doing? Look what I got for you… pretty aren’t they? Reminded me of you… just had to get’em for you.”
Shanna stood staring, taking a few moments to gather her nerves, fear was rising and whipping about, making her palms sweat, he was the last person she wanted to see, she couldn’t believe that he’d actually come looking for her again. Putting on a brave front, taking a deep breath, trying to play off the riot going on inside, she asked, “What do you want John, there’s no reason for you to come looking for me… our divorce date is still a few weeks away. You’re not supposed to be here! Not anywhere near me – the restraining order, remember?” Her voice trembled, she couldn’t help that, she fought with all that she had not to touch her stomach, it was griping something awful, making her nauseated from terror – no matter what, she wasn’t going to show just how afraid she was right then, after all, they were in broad daylight, people walking around, he couldn’t hurt her there.
“Now see, that’s why I’m here… I mean come on, we don’t need to do that – divorce, and a restraining order? Why you wanna…”
“You’re breaking the restraining order!” She cut him off to remind him again, “Get away from me, or I swear, I’ll call the police.” It was no threat, she meant every word.
“Now now, I’m just standing here as calm as can be, just trying to talk to you… don’t be like that…and besides, that restraining order, was for Ohio, don’t count here in Wisconsin.” He informed her smiling.
“JOHN SYKES! GET THE HELL AWAY FROM MY SISTER!!!” Kathy Ann yelled from her car, pulling over and double parking after driving through town to spot him standing before her. She threw her car door open and jumped from her vehicle not wasting a moment to get across the street where they stood. John looked up to see Kathy Ann charging straight at him with no intention of stopping, before he thought to react, she ran up on him and shoved hard, knocking him back to the ground, sending his bouquet of flowers into the air to land not far from him.
“KATHY ANN!!!” Shanna shouted stunned.
“You BITCH!” John growled leaping to his feet to charge at her and stopped dead in his tracks; something about having a sharp point of a switch blade at his jugular made him rethink things.
“I wish you would! I’m not Shanna… I’ll carve your ass up and enjoy every slice! Fucking with me you’ll wake up with a crowd around you! If – you wake up.” She was breathing hard and hating him with every fibre of her being. John swallowed and backed away from her. “That’s right… back up… unless you got a craving for hospital food!”
“That’s my wife! You got no right gettin’ between us! This is none of your business! Now Shanna-…”
“Why can’t you just leave me alone?! I’m getting a divorce, it’s over-…”
“Shanna don’t argue with him – call the police, he’s in violation of that restraining order!” Kathy Ann cut her off as people from around town looked on, stopping to stare at them.
“Ah ah ah – that’s in Ohio… this a whole ‘nother state… ain’t gone do her a bit of good here. Look, I don’t want no trouble… I just wanna chance to talk to my wife. I’ve changed Shanna… really I have – since you been gone-…”
“Shanna get in your Jeep now! I’ll follow you.” Kathy Ann ordered.
Swallowing nervously Shanna rushed to her vehicle and opened the door climbing in and started it up, “Come on Kathy Ann.” She called from her front seat.
“Pull out now Shanna… I’ll be right behind you!” Kathy Ann shouted to her, then back to John Sykes. “I’m gonna give you one last warning John Sykes… just one more. Go back to Ohio, wait for your court date, then show up and sign your papers to set my sister free. You haven’t a clue of what you’re getting yourself into by showing up here. My brothers will rip your ass to pieces… especially Shawn and Jake. Wanna live? You best start yourself a new life… because I ain’t shit up against them – against Shawn – you don’t wanna have to deal with him.”
She kept her knife out and turned looking both ways and crossed the street climbing back into her palomino. With her eyes on him, she burned rubber, tearing out of town to catch up with her sister.
John Sykes stood staring at the dust she kicked up, then glanced down at the flowers on the ground, he turned and made his way towards his waiting car, got in, sat for a moment and then gave his steering wheel five hard wraps with his open hands. Breathing hard he sat and brewed a moment more, leaned over and opened his glove compartment to check and make sure his gun was there. It was. He slammed it closed and started his car and pulled off.
Back at the McPherson farm house, the sisters nervously told their mother what happened in town.
“We’re just gonna have to get a restraining order here, that’s all.” Gert started.
“Momma that is not gonna do… I don’t think she can get one here on him, he’s committed no crimes here. He doesn’t live here.” Kathy Ann stressed.
“That can’t matter! He’s hurt her and beat on her… that has to stand for something!”
“Momma it don’t work that way.” Shanna inserted, sitting at the table scared to death.
“I’m gonna tell Shawn what’s been going-…” Kathy Ann started.
“No – you are not! He just got back here! I don’t want him in the middle of it!” Gert announced.
“I don’t either Kathy Ann, you know how he gets!”
“Well then I’m telling Jake…”
“Kathy Ann… they’ll go too far! One is no better than the other when it comes to protecting family… you know that! We’re going to have to go down to the police station, explain what’s happened and why you’re here all of a sudden. You got your pictures to prove its true.” Gert was trying to reason it out.
“Momma! Its not gonna work! The police aren’t going to be there when she needs them to be. He needs to be stopped!” Kathy Ann argued.
“And just what is it that you suggest? That we kill’em… is that what you’re hinting at?” Gert asked leaning against her kitchen counter, staring at her two daughters.
They were both quiet, especially Shanna… she knew it was wrong to think it… but she did wish he was dead. As she sat she knew that he was not going to leave her alone. “I’m scared of him mama… he’s evil. He’s evil.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “He’s going to be meaner than ever now, after what Kathy Ann did to him, embarrassing him – mama – if – if he gets a hold of me, he’s – he’s gonna kill me, I know it, I just know it.”
Gert swallowed and felt her heart tighten at the look in her baby’s eyes, but even so… she just couldn’t tell her sons about it, despite how bad they got along, when it came to protecting their family… they came together and would wreak sure hell and havoc. While Jake could never really conquer Shawn in a fight, standing side by side, the two could do damage that would land them both in jail. In the heat of the moment, in the frenzy of the fight, they just didn’t care. For some reason she could not explain, three of her five children had one hell of a temper. Shawn was the first and the worse, Kathy Ann was second and Jake third. Derrick would fight if he had to, but he preferred to be reasonable, calm and handle things in a more dignified adult manner, within the law. Yet, if his brothers needed him, he was there and would not let anyone sneak up on either. It was her oldest and youngest sons that were the worse. And Shanna had always been the baby girl, protected by all of them, especially closest to Shawn.
“Well mama, what do we do? You heard her – and I went to that hospital and saw first hand what he did to her.” Kathy Ann pressed.
“We’re gonna try the police like I said. Shanna… from now on, you don’t do anything alone, you go no where by yourself. Either we’ll go together or you and Kathy Ann, or you and Jake… not alone… understand?”
With a nod, Shanna took a deep breath praying her court day show itself soon.
Chapter 60
“All Rise!”
The clerk of court called out for the session to begin in the case of prosecuting Ray Olivetti. Those attending and following court room procedure, rose as the judge walked from his chambers while the clerk introduced him. Shawn and Sylvia stood side by side, she held her hand against her stomach – on and off, the butterflies fluttering there would not calm down. She noticed all the familiar faces in the court room. The officers that were called to her home that night, the same ones whom she’d called when she suspected that she was being watched were in attendance. Called for testimony by the prosecution was the girl Sherry and her friend that stood outside the store with her and Ray Olivetti. Maggie from the store was there also to give her part of the testimony. Shawn was rubbing Sylvia’s lower back, giving her waist a squeeze as silent support. In no time at all, the case against Ray Olivetti was being read out. Thanks to his pleading not guilty in an earlier trial, Sylvia was forced to endure this one.
Ray stood in an orange suit beside his lawyer, who had his brief case open on the table.
No one was aware that the trial would be in fact, very short and sweet. All were unaware, including Ray, that as he stood, it would be his last time. The man, his attorney, who looked to be just that to all present, was anything but. With his briefcase open on the table before him, he reached to the bottom, shifted a slide catch, which pushed out from the bottom of his briefcase a needle, just long enough to prick and do the necessary job that had to wait until this moment. Instructions were to keep it low key, nothing high production in the wrapping up of the loose end that was Ray Olivetti. All were told to be seated, Ray sat, and his lawyer removed ‘necessary files’ closed his briefcase, and sat, carefully lifting his briefcase from the table, swinging the bottom corner downward and as he went to slide it between his chair and Ray’s, the needle caught Ray’s leg, pricking it.
“What the fuck!” He exclaimed looking down at his leg and rubbing the spot. “What the hell was that?”
“Sorry about that, gotta get that fixed, jagged edge, just can’t get good merchandise anymore.” His lawyer apologized and explained. Ray gave him an evil look, rubbing his leg.
“Excuse me, court is in session!” The bailiff walked over to the table to bring them to order.
“Sorry… we’re okay now.” The lawyer spoke up with a smile.
The bailiff eyed Ray, and then his lawyer and walked back to his station in the court room as the prosecuting attorney stepped before the court to present his case against Ray. At the moment, who sat back in his seat, then took a look around the court room and found Sylvia and made eye contact with her. Shawn was sitting to her left, saw Olivetti eyeing her and leaned forward blocking his view of her so he could see him instead. Ray’s eyes narrowed but then he sat back and looked ahead in the court room. Shawn turned and looked at Sylvia.
“You okay?” He whispered for her ears only. She nodded, trying to get herself ready for when she would have to go on the stand.
However, before the prosecution could get his presentation completed, a strange noise caught the attention of all those in the court room. Ray began having what everyone thought was an epileptic seizure, his body began violently convulsing, forcing his lawyer to grab his briefcase and move away from him. Those appointed to the court rushed over thinking that he was faking until his body violently catapulted from his chair, screaming and jerking madly. His attorney moved back playing his role brilliantly, pretending to be as shocked as the women who cried out. He carefully stepped back, bent down and wedged the corner of his briefcase against the bottom of his shoe, stepping on the tiny needle and breaking it off. With so many distracted by Ray, no one saw him use a Kleenex to pick up the small needle. No one saw him carefully roll it within, biding his time to dispose of it.
Needless to say, court was adjourned.
Shawn and Sylvia stood a few moments outside of the court room speaking with Maggie and the officers as an ambulance was called in to rush Ray to the hospital. As they spoke, Shawn noticed something, that Ray’s attorney said little to anyone, he suddenly disappeared. Not even bothering to discuss the possibility of a new trial once Ray was better, he was just – gone. A weird feeling went through him, but he discarded it as he listened to Sylvia speak with the officers and Maggie.
“Oh my! You two are getting married? I didn’t get an invitation to the wedding!” Maggie protested.
Sylvia looked up at Shawn, who smiled and informed her, “It’s next week Friday, I’ll have my sister give us a few invites and get one to you later.” He promised.
She was overjoyed.
On their way out of the courthouse, they both encountered Sherry, who looked them over, but kept what may have been on her mind there, especially with the look Shawn gave her. In the SUV on the way home, Sylvia leaned back relieved.
“I know its mean, but I’m so glad this will be postponed because of his fit.”
“Nothing mean in feeling that way. You mind if we run by my parents, I need to ask my dad for some direction on stuff I’ll need to work on with the house.”
“Oooh, I’m really worn out, I was kind’ah looking forward to going home and laying down for a bit.”
“That’s okay, I’ll take you home then, you can go to bed and take a nap. I’m gonna run by my folks while you’re resting, maybe get the ol’man to run to Sears with me.”
“Thank you.” Sylvia sighed, feeling heavy in the head from needed sleep. She was getting so that it was a struggle not to take a nap through the day.
The day was still pretty early by the time they got home, changed and Shawn left to shop for building tools. When he pulled out of the yard, Sylvia was standing there watching him leave and turned to go back and lay down. The day ended up being beautiful, spring was in the air, Sylvia left the kitchen door open with the screen locked and her patio sliding doors open with the screen closed to let the breeze blow through as she climbed in bed for a much needed snooze.
* * *
Arriving at his parents was a surprise for his mom and sisters. Kathy Ann came to the door to let him in. They looked at each other, neither mentioning their last encounter. There was a look on Kathy Ann’s face that didn’t escape Shawn’s notice as he walked in pass her to the kitchen, she stopped him before he called out to their mom and dad. “We need to talk.” She said to him, stopping him, surprising him, he looked back at her, wondering what was on her mind.
“About what?” He asked.
Looking to see who was there, Gert came to the door and saw him, then looked at her daughter, “Don’t Kathy Ann!” She was firm in her request. Shawn looked from his mother back to his sister. “What’s going on?” He asked, from one to the other. “Nothing son, and what do we owe for this wonderful visit?” Gert asked walking up to him as he bent and kissed her forehead, hugging her.
“I was hoping to get dad to give me a list of what I’ll be needing in tools to get our projects started. So what’s going on?” He asked immediately back to the subject Kathy Ann tried to open.
Kathy Ann looked at her mother, who’s glances were filled with warning.
“Momma… she needs all the protection she can get! The police aren’t enough.”
Shawn looked from his sister to his mother again, then Shanna stepped into the doorway, he looked at her. “Who… needs all the protection she can get?!” He asked from one woman to the other, waiting for one of them to fill him in. Just then the phone rang, Kathy Ann answered, it was Jake needing to speak with their dad.
Shawn realized who it was by Kathy Ann’s comments to him, “You tell him that dad is mine today! Whatever he needs can wait!”
Gert shook her head and walked back into the kitchen, old scene that she’d seen a thousand times between her children, all vying for time with her or their father, one would think they were beyond this sort of petty sibling rivalry, but her three were still driven by it.
Kathy Ann chuckled and told her oldest brother, “Jake says to go to hell Shawn.”
Shawn stuck his middle finger up as his return, Kathy Ann grinned and told Jake, “Shawn says fuck off!”
“What is he doing there anyway!?” Jake asked irritated.
“I don’t know, he wants dad to help him with getting some tools or something.” She answered.
“Well how long is he going to be there?” He asked her.
“I don’t know… Shawn how long are you going to be here?”
“Tell him don’t worry about it, when I’m done with dad then he’ll get his turn.”
“Did you hear him?” She asked.
“Yeah… fine… I’ll be by later then.” He said and hung up the phone.
Kathy Ann followed suit with Shawn standing and waiting for her to get off the line, while Shanna made nonsense small talk about seeing to their flowers the next day. He wasn’t stupid, something was up and he wasn’t letting go until he knew what.
“So now… tell me, what is this you started saying about, ‘she needs all the protection she can get?” He asked.
“Shawn, stay out of it!” Gert called from the kitchen.
Shawn looked down at Shanna and then back at Kathy Ann and walked into the kitchen where his mother stood at the sink clipping her plants and re-potting them. “Stay out of what mom?” He asked at the door.
“Never you mind, you’re home now, got a new family starting, you just take care of them, stay out of the rest.”
“Well can you at least tell me what’s going on?”
“No!”
“Momma please?” Kathy Ann asked. She and her brother had their differences, but one thing she knew and had confidence in, anything having to do with persons like John Sykes messing with Shanna would be dealt with quickly.
“For once in your life, will you listen to what I’m saying to you and not override me!?” Gert turned snapping at Kathy Ann.
“Momma I love you, but this is about Shanna! Shanna should be the one to say what she wants.” Kathy Ann returned.
“Well I wish you all wouldn’t go on about me as if I’m not in the room! And Kathy Ann, I agree with momma.” She finished softly.
Shawn looked at the three about to say something just as his father entered the kitchen from the back. His mother cut them all a look daring either of them to say anything with their father present. He wasn’t feeling his best of late and she wasn’t about to have him stressed over Shanna’s future ex-husband harassing her. Bart had always been soft with his girls, overly protective of them, he was part of the reason his sons were so vicious when it came to shielding them, defending them. He was old fashion, a traditionalist of the old school who wouldn’t hesitate to resort to taking matters into his own hands when it came to protecting the women within his, ‘clan’ or family. Shawn and Jake were the exact same. Derrick was more law abiding and a believer in the justice system and letting the law see to matters. Not Bart, if for a moment he believed one of his girls were in danger, he would be after John Sykes without hesitation.
“Didn’t know you was here young man, where’s your lass?”
“At home resting, we had court today which was postponed, so I took her home so she could rest a bit.”
“Where’s your youngin’?”
“In school… got her registered today. Oh… and Shanna, can you still pick her up for us? Sylvia’s not feeling-…”
“No problem… I can do that.” She answered cutting him off before he went any further, her mother looked at her, “Not alone you can’t.”
Shawn looked at them and then at Shanna, he was dying to ask her more questions, but his mother would not appreciate him bringing the subject up again with their father present. “I’ll go with her later, and we can drop her off at home for you.” Kathy Ann volunteered.
“Thank you. Dad… I need tools. I’m going to start working on the extension for the bed and breakfast…” Shawn went into explaining the reason for his visit. He would get with Kathy Ann and Shanna later and find out what was going on, but he wasn’t totally clueless… he knew it had something to do with Shanna and possibly her ex… he would find out later, and wouldn’t take no for an answer with what was happening.
* * *
It was the cigarette smoke that woke her.
With her brows pinching in the center she turned to her back, swallowed and cleared her throat, finding the scent offensive. Then in the fog of her sleep, she realized that she should not be smelling and breathing cigarette smoke. Her eyes shot open, her heart was pounding and her head jerked to the left to see Jake sitting on the arm of her small bedroom recliner in front of her closet.
She bolted upright and yelled, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE!!!”
“Calm down calm down… I knocked, no one answered.” He replied, blowing out cigarette smoke at ease and comfortable.
Sylvia scrambled up from the bed to the opposite side of the room by the bedroom door. “The customary and appropriate response to that is to go – away! Get out of my house!” She ordered.
Jake sat a moment more, “You’re a regular sleeping beauty, you know that? I sat here for ooooh, good 5 minutes just watching you. Do you know that you have the most beautiful brown skin I’ve ever seen? What it must be like to caress that each night.” He informed her as if she hadn’t just ordered him to leave.
“Did you hear what I said?! I mean it! Out – NOW! You don’t come into my house without being invited in!”
He stood and walked towards her and the door, she made quick work of getting out of his way, leaving him plenty of room to pass through. “Aaah, I’m family… didn’t know I had to knock.” He teased smiling at her.
“Not only do you have to knock, it would be best for all concerned that you not come here!” She furthered, backing from him as he kept coming slowly towards her instead of heading for the door.
“JAKE! I MEAN IT – do not come near me!” She ground the last out.
He stopped, it was clear she meant it and was getting upset. “Aaah, why you gotta be so mean? Calm down now, I’m not gonna hurt you… I’d never hurt you Sylvia.”
“Jake – Shawn is your brother! What is wrong with you? We’re in love, we’re having a baby and we’re getting married… doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
“Just means he got to you before I did. If I’d known you were here first… it might be you and I getting married right now, instead of you and him.” He said with a simpering grin.
“You know what Jake, you have some serious issues that you need to seek medical attention about, however in the meantime, lets get something straight. I am not the one! Do you understand me?…”
The whole time she spoke, he maintained that simpering grin that said he wasn’t taking anything she said seriously, he’d heard similar before and he’d gotten through, with her, he was determined that it would end the same.
“… I am with the man that I want! You do nothing for me, one way or the other! NOTHING! Everything about you is what I hate in a man!”
That got to him.
“Hate? You don’t even know me!”
“Exactly! And you know what… got no plans to get to know you! You see, I get a feeling looking at your smirking expression that you may have succeeded with other women in the past, and that has given you a – VERY SAD – illusion that that will be the case with me! NO CHANCE! No way… no time… no day… week, month or year! Save yourself the frustration Jake – drop off from this pursuit… its only going to make your self-hatred even more intense!”
“What the hell are you talking about… I don’t hate myself!” He wasn’t use to this kind of rebuff, all the other women left themselves open for him to approach, and seduce even though they claimed they weren’t interested… this was different, she was different.
“Oh yeah you do! You mad at somebody! And you’ve made Shawn the target to bolster what you need to feel about yourself… and you know what, I can’t help you with that. Neither am I willing to let you play these games and destroy my home and my man. See that door… head out now… and get yourself some help!”
Jake stood a few moments and stared at her. Sylvia walked to the door, unwilling to let him get anywhere near her, she wasn’t stupid, if she allowed it, he would be all over her, and she wasn’t having it. They stood like that for moments too long for Sylvia. “Jake… I mean it… out!”
“Why don’t you like me?” He asked, the expression on his face telling Sylvia he was sincere in the question.
“I don’t like how you treat your brother! I don’t like the way you’ve disrespected him. Where’s your loyalty to your brother?! You cannot be trusted and even if I wasn’t in love with Shawn, I wouldn’t have anything to do with you, because you are about no one but yourself. There’s no reason aside from sex for any woman to ‘like’ you.”
For just a split second, Sylvia almost regretted being so harsh with him, because for just a second, all pretence fell away to reveal a little boy needing with all his being to be looked at differently, for someone to see there was more to him than what she said. However, the second ended and the grin was back on his face. He walked to the door where she stood, she stepped away to keep a distance between them.
He stopped at the kitchen door with the screen open, “You know what… you’re the marrying kind. Maybe… had I encountered one like you earlier in my life… I might have married, but they all let me in too easy. Man don’t want a woman he can’t trust.”
“Jake… just drop it okay? I love – Shawn! No man will lay his hands on me but Shawn, get that through your head.”
“Emmm, maybe… it’s early yet. I just have to change my strategy – that’s all… despite what you say, I am a gentlemen – while you were laying there, I could have kissed you then, touched you then… but I didn’t.”
“You’re boring me Jake… goodbye. And – don’t – come back. God above knows, I mean it.”
Jake winked at her and warned, “Its not over yet.” And left.
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