Chapter Seventy Three
This chapter and arc run parallel to chapters 68-71.
Jim did a double take at Bernie on Monday morning. She wore a suit in a dark brown with a peach colored blouse that accentuated her figure instead of hiding it, the long hair was clipped back neatly but wavy, the glasses were gone and he caught his breath.
“Good morning,” he smiled.
She looked up and he was sure she blushed.
“Good morning.”
“You look lovely,” he said. The blush deepened.
“Your sister and cousin kidnapped me Saturday.”
Jim chuckled. “I knew she was up to something.”
“They’re rather a force of nature,” she said thoughtfully. “I wasn’t sure if I should be insulted they felt I needed a makeover or flattered that they took the time to do it.” Not to mention how do you tell your boss’s sister no? She wasn't going to mention being semi-hungover when they arrived.
“I know that feeling. It’s hard to say no to them when they get going. But you look fantastic. Not that you didn’t look good before,” he said quickly. “I mean, you looked very professional. But you still do. I mean, oh, man.”
Bernie laughed. “I’m just going to say thank you.”
Jim nodded, looking relieved, and escaped into his office.
***
Jim texted Brian.
You were asking about Bernie. Honey and Daisy got a hold of her. Dude. She’s HOT.
Jim toyed with his phone before hitting ‘send’. He liked Bernie. And seeing her out of her work clothes, and now the new work appearance, stirred him. A lot.
But holy crap, he didn’t need a woman right now. He didn’t need a relationship of any sort. Especially with Hallie causing trouble. They had a court date tomorrow. Hallie hadn’t been showing up for her supervised visitation with the kids, so Jim was hoping to get it revoked. The last thing he needed was to get involved with someone when his head was so turned around he didn’t know which way was up. Especially someone he employed. He was quite certain his father had taken care of the Jill situation, and he didn’t want something like that with Bernie.
And he had suspected Brian was interested, when his best friend started asking questions. Brian didn’t ask questions about women. Which meant Bernie had really caught his eye, even before the makeover. Jim wondered if he was the last one to realize Bernie was hiding herself behind fake glasses and severe hairstyles.
If Brian was interested, and so was Bernie, Jim wasn’t going to interfere. Brian had been alone for so long. Jim had always hoped Brian would find someone after Talaitha disappeared, but although he’d dated sporadically, that hadn’t happened. If he could find some happiness with Bernie…then Jim wanted him to have it.
She was always pretty. Brian’s text came back.
She’s HOT, Jim answered. Go for it. Ask her out.
Think she’ll say yes?
If she’s really as smart as I think she is, yes.
Hmm. Okay, I’ll think about it.
***
Bernie was creating a list of potential caterers for the annual holiday fundraising gala, when a new email popped up. Brian Belden, she read the sender name with a smile. What was on Dr. Brian’s mind? And how did he get her email? It couldn’t have been hard to figure out, she thought. The naming convention for school email address was simple enough. Or he could have asked Jim. The thought of Dr. Belden asking about her made her smile.
She opened the email.
Good morning, Bernie. I hope you don’t mind Jim giving me your email address. I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch with me Saturday? If you’re busy, it’s no problem, I understand. Regards, Brian Belden
She sat back in her chair, thinking. He was even polite in email. And a gentleman too, giving her an out and a tactful way to say no. But why lunch and not dinner? He was shy, she thought. Very, very shy. Maybe he was more comfortable with lunch first.
She hit reply.
Hi Brian, I’d love to. Saturday would be great. Let me know where and when. Cheers, Bernie.
Clicking ‘send’, she smiled to herself. Life in Sleepyside was starting to look up.
***
Jim smiled as his daughter kept talking. She had been going on all week about Daisy and the new teen line she was working on. Val had a new confidence he thought, watching her around the house. She was walking a little taller, posing in front of the mirror frequently when she thought she was alone, and trying to walk more gracefully. Natala had taught how to braid her hair, and she was experimenting with fancy braids. She had asked Jim if she could start wearing makeup, and after consulting with Honey, he had agreed she could wear lightly tinted lip gloss, but that was it right now.
After Val had run upstairs, Jim glanced over at Byron, who was sitting at the table, scowling at his computer.
“What’s up, Buddy?” he asked. “You’re giving the death glare to that screen.”
Byron sighed. “Nothing.”
Jim set his glass of iced tea on the table and sat next to his oldest child. “Talk to me, pal. What’s going on?”
“Is Mom still a drunk?” he asked.
Jim blinked. That wasn’t what he expected. Don’t bad mouth her, he thought. He didn’t want to be the jerk parent bad mouthing the other.
“Well,” he said, “I haven’t seen her for a while but it’s my understanding that she was getting some help for the drinking. What brought this on?”
Byron doodled with his pencil, not answering.
“Byron?” Jim prodded.
“Jimmy’s mom saw her at the store last weekend and said she’s a worthless drunk.”
Jim took a sip of tea, choosing his words.
“Your mom enjoys drinking alcohol,” he said carefully. “Sometimes she enjoys it too much.”
“I think she loves it more than us,” Byron said quietly.
Jim exhaled slowly. “I don’t know about that,” he said finally. “Your mom does love you guys, all three of you.”
“So why isn’t she around?” he asked, staring at his book. “Why hasn’t she shown up for any of our scheduled visits? Did she really go to rehab, Dad?”
Jim ran his hand over his copper hair. “I honestly don’t know, buddy,” he said. “I don’t really talk to her. Our lawyers handle everything.”
“Is she living with Ben?” Byron asked.
“I think so,” Jim admitted. “They’ve been friends as long as she and I have known each other; you know that. Ben is our cousin, through Honey.”
“Does she love him?” Byron finally looked up, his dark eyes, so much like Hallie’s, shining with tears.
“I don’t know,” Jim said honestly, reaching out to run his hand over Byron’s dark hair. “I really don’t know, Byron.”
“I think she does,” Byron said sadly. “I think she loves her alcohol and that guy more than us.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Jim said, wishing Helen Belden was here. She was so much better at this than he was. She had raised three boys, and always knew how to comfort Byron.
“You don’t have to cover for her.” Byron stood up. “Is it okay if I go outside for awhile?”
Jim nodded. “Sure. And Byron?”
His son looked at him.
“You know you can talk to me anytime, right? About anything?”
Byron nodded before heading for the back door.
Jim sighed and took a sip of tea. How did he deal with this? Byron was so observant. Of the three children, he was probably the closest to Hallie. But he had been sullen and withdrawn this week, and Jim was worried. Byron had always been a loner, but he was worried about the effect of the impending divorce. It had to be tearing him apart to know that Hallie had missed her visit times for two weeks. How could a kid not take that personally?
***
"Jim, Principal Stratton is on the line for you,” Bernie said, standing in the doorway and looking concerned.
Jim frowned. “Thanks, Bernie.” He reached for the phone.
"Jim Frayne.”
“Jim, it’s John Stratton at Sleepyside Junior-Senior High.”
“Well, I’d be better if your son wasn’t sitting here in my office with a bloody nose.”
“What?” Jim rose from his chair. “What happened?”
“There was a fight with a couple of boys. Byron was one of them.”
“What started it?”
“He won’t say. And there are a number of witnesses that say he threw the first punch after being goaded by a couple of other boys. But as you know, we have a zero tolerance fighting policy.”
“Of course,” Jim sighed. “I’ll come get him.”
***
By the time Jim got to the school, Byron’s nose had been cleaned up and he was sporting a black eye. He recognized Jimmy Howell, the boy Byron had mentioned a few nights before. He also recognized Jimmy’s mother, a tall, icy blonde who glared at him. And Jim knew why Veronica Howell glared at him.
It wasn’t that his son had punched hers. It was because they had had a one night stand several years before. She had wanted more, and he didn’t. It was the only time one of his affairs was so close to home and he didn’t want to risk being discovered. It had been a rushed affair in the coat room at a society function they were both attending. She had been drinking and flirting heavily with him, and neither of their spouses were present. Hallie had been especially vicious at the time, and Jim was lonely, depressed, and had given in to his primal urges when she took his hand and led him to the coat room, where they hurriedly went at it, and he felt horribly guilty afterwards. She had called for several days, wanting more, but Jim had no intention of keeping it going. Since then, she had flat out ignored him at any function they both attended. But to use her son to torment his…
Byron sat outside Stratton’s office, glaring at the floor. The principal waved him in and motioned for Jim to shut the door.
“Sit tight, Buddy,” Jim told him.
Byron didn’t answer.
Jim shut the door behind him. Principal Stratton rose and shook his hand. Jim wondered when he was going to retire. Stratton had been the principal when he and the BWGs attended the school. The man’s hair was mostly gone except for a few wisps of white. His glasses hadn’t been updated since the 70s and gave him a bug eyed looked. His thin frame wore the same outfit Jim had always seen him in. A crisp white shirt and dark pants, dark dress shoes.
“Good to see you, Jim. Have a seat.”
Jim did so. Something about this office always made him feel sixteen again.
“I did some talking with the kids who saw the incident. It appears that while Byron swung first, Jimmy was taunting Byron about his mother.”
Jim rubbed his forehead. “He mentioned the other night that Jimmy’s mother saw her at the store.”
Stratton nodded. “Evidently he was calling her a drunk, and saying some pretty mean things. Between you and me, I’m not surprised Byron took a swing. Any boy would, to defend his mother.”
Jim nodded. He certainly would have.
“Both boys are suspended for three days. They can do their schoolwork, but they can’t be in class. I’m sorry, Jim, but you know what zero tolerance is.”
“Yeah. I apologize for the disturbance.”
Stratton chuckled. “Byron said almost the exact same thing. He’s a good kid, Jim, but this divorce is hard. I don’t think he’s really handling it well, and you might want to consider having him talk to someone.”
“I’ve tried to talk to him about that, and he’s pretty resistant. But I’ve noticed a change.”
“With his grades slipping—”
“Wait, what?” Jim interrupted.
Mr. Stratton looked at him, puzzled.
“Hasn’t Ms. Morgan talked to you about his grades?”
Jim frowned. “No. Byron’s always been a straight A student. I see him doing his homework all the time.”
Stratton shook his head. “Byron’s not turning in his homework, and he’s failing tests.”
“What?” Jim sat up.
“I’m getting reports from Ms. Morgan that he’s not paying attention, and isn’t doing his assignments.”
“But I check his homework!”
“Then he’s not turning it in.”
“But why?” Jim was puzzled.
Stratton shook his head. “I don’t know. But I think you should talk to him. And I’ll talk to Ms. Morgan about why she hasn’t called you.”
Jim nodded. “I will, definitely. Thanks.”
Jim waited until they were alone in the car. “So what’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“It’s not nothing when you punch a kid,” Jim said. “You know we don’t settle problems with our fists.”
Byron looked out the window.
“Byron, I got called in the middle of the day to come and get you. You’re suspended for three days. This isn’t going to be a break where you get to watch tv and play games all day. We’re going to get to the bottom of this. I check your homework every night but you haven’t been turning it in. So come on and start talking.”
Byron gave a big sigh. “Jimmy started calling Mom a drunk, and then called her a—” he stopped.
“A what?” Jim encouraged.
Byron stared at his feet.
“Byron, spit it out,” Jim said sternly.
“He called her a whore,” Byron finally said. “And he kept saying it. And he kept saying she had been sleeping with Ben while she was still living here, and probably other guys too, and that she drank all the time.”
Jim was going to have a chat with Veronica Howell and what she was saying to her son.
“I know it’s upsetting, and it hurts to hear say those sorts of things about your mom, Byron, but you know you can’t just go around throwing punches. That’s not how we handle things.”
Byron nodded. “I know,” he muttered.
“Walk away next time,” Jim encouraged. “Jimmy’s being a jerk, but he does it to get under your skin.”
“Yeah.” Byron stared out the window.
Jim glanced at his son, worried. Mr. Stratton was right, he thought. The kids needed someone to talk to.
Meet the cast in full & see the family tree!
***
Author’s Notes
- A huge yeee-haa to Ronda, my lovely editor who helps keep me on track, and always come through for me. I meant to post this back around Thanksgiving, but got sidetracked.
- Word Count, 2,388
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