The Homecoming

  “He’s been talked to. He was interviewed with his family, though I don’t know the outcome and I may not be told. For now, can you just watch? I have their schedules if you need them. I’m going to become quite a hall monitor for the next few days. I’m afraid that’s all I can do. Back me up?”

  “Absolutely. And if I see an opportunity to say something, I will.” He shook his head. “Brett’s got most of the faculty eating out of his hands. He’s one of those soft-spoken, well-mannered kids. His mom and dad seem to be strict but quiet and polite. Can’t remember what his dad does, but he does it in a shirt and tie. See, you can never tell, can you?”

  “Please, let me know if anything comes up. My priority right now is to do what I can to keep Rachel safe, whether she cooperates or not.”

  “What? Whether she cooperates?”

  “She loves him,” Iris said. “And of course he didn’t mean to hurt her.”

  Nineteen

  Iris owes me, Seth thought as he left Sue Marie’s house. They’d experienced some success or at least a difficult compromise, but it was awkward. She’d flirted with him, placing a hand on his forearm and turning her big blue eyes up at him to make comments or ask questions. Rachel was silent but oozed hostility.

  Robbie wanted to pack up the kids, move them to North Bend where he still occupied the little house they’d all lived in before Sue Marie left a couple of years ago. He wanted to become their primary guardian and have them change schools. He thought he could manage.

  Sue Marie had a lot of arguments against it, but probably the biggest one was alimony and child support. They didn’t even have a divorce decree and there was no legal separation agreement, but Robbie was paying all the bills. How he managed on his sketchy income was beyond Seth.

  “Now, there are safety issues, Sassy,” Seth said, forgetting to use her preferred name. He went on as rapidly as he could, before she could correct him. “Rachel needs serious supervision and counseling and since Robbie makes his own hours, being self-employed, that’s a little easier for him to do.”

  In fact, there were too many issues to count. There were eight people in a small four-bedroom house, for one thing. And that was just one thing.

  Sassy finally agreed. The kids were going to go to Robbie’s, at least for the time being, and Robbie would drive them to Thunder Point for school and pick them up afterward. It occurred to Seth that Sue Marie, who had a car, could offer to help with some of the transportation, but he held his tongue. They would revisit changing schools over the Christmas holidays.

  Rachel had only one comment. “I want my phone.”

  “We’re going to talk about that tonight. When we get home,” Robbie told her.

  That’s when Seth ran for his life. He texted Iris that he was finished at Sassy’s but had a couple of things to do before he could get home. Home now meant her house. She texted back that she was throwing together dinner and would see him when he was done.

  Seth drove to Brett’s house. It was after six. He had done a little check on the family. Sid Davis was an office manager who worked with lawyers in North Bend. Mrs. Davis didn’t work outside the home. They had moved to Thunder Point two years before, possibly for the football opportunities for Brett. There were four children, Brett being the oldest.

  Sid Davis answered the front door. He held the glasses he had just pulled off in one hand and wore a pleasant and welcoming smile. “Hello. How can I help you, Deputy?”

  “If you have a minute, I’d just like to talk to you.”

  “About?”

  “Well, about a situation with your son and another student. I believe it’s his girlfriend....”

  “Ah,” he said, shaking his head somewhat sadly and opening the door wider. “Of course. A surprising and confusing turn of events. Come in, come in. I’ll get Brett.”

  “Only if you want to. I really wanted to have a word with you, but—”

  But Sid walked away.

  Seth looked around. It was a very nicely decorated house for Thunder Point. Like so many others, it wasn’t large, but it was homey and roomy. There wasn’t a sound in the house, not even the distant sound of a television. The house was very tidy; there were no toys or gadgets scattered around. The enticing aroma of dinner filled the air. Seth could see that Sid Davis had been sitting in a chair in the living room, his laptop on the coffee table.

  Where are the kids? he wondered.

  Sid returned with his son. They were equal in height though Brett was a little broader in the shoulders. They didn’t resemble each other too strongly—Sid had a long, pointy nose—but they both seemed to have generous smiles and a nice crop of hair. Brett had a nasty bruise on one cheek—a little puffy and red, giving way to purple.

  “Deputy,” Brett said politely.

  “Hi, Brett.”

  “We know why you’re here, Deputy,” Sid said, still smiling that welcoming smile. “We were visited yesterday afternoon by a couple of child welfare workers from the county. We have all the details. Shocking. I had to come home from work early to meet with them. They insisted it be my wife, myself and Brett. Apparently they have rules about that and the penalty for not following the rules, even if your job is important, is a court order to immediately remove your children.”

  “Seriously?” Seth asked. Seth doubted that was true. He would expect DHS to try to schedule a meeting that accommodated all involved. “Wow, that’s very rigid. I had no idea. Hopefully, they also provide an excuse from the court or something so your boss doesn’t get his knickers in a knot.”

  “I wouldn’t know,” Sid said.

  “I’m sorry? You have me at a loss. What do you do?”

  “I’m in charge of a legal aid office for the county. Public defenders.”

  “Ah. I didn’t realize you were a lawyer,” Seth said. Sid didn’t clarify. Interesting, Seth thought.

  “Now what was it you wanted?”

  “Oh, I just wanted to find out where we all stand on this investigation the county is doing for their case. Suspected dating abuse, right? Something like that?”

  “Tell the deputy what you told the women who were here, Brett.”

  Brett’s eyes narrowed slightly. “She made it up, I guess. We were dating, but I never once did anything to hurt her. I don’t know why she said that.”

  Seth reached his hand toward Brett’s face and the kid backed away instinctively. “What happened here, son?” Seth asked. “You walk into a wall?”

  “I wrestle,” he said. “I don’t know exactly what happened, but I think it was a foot.”

  “You don’t wear helmets? I thought the team wore helmets. I love wrestling. Look forward to taking in a few matches this winter.”

  “Look, seriously, I don’t have any idea what’s up with Rachel. I don’t know why she’d make me look bad like that. It makes no sense. I’m real good to her. I’m—”

  “Well, sometimes you’re pretty demanding,” Seth said, cutting him off. “I had a look at just a few of your texts to her from... Gee, was it yesterday?” Seth asked, rubbing the back of his neck. “Her dad confiscated her phone and showed me. You were telling her to get to the parking lot by three-fifteen and when she said she couldn’t, you threatened her, told her she was pushing you, warned her you might get mad. It was very demanding, very angry and insistent. That didn’t seem like her making you look bad. That seems like—”

  “She had notes for me! I needed them! It was from a class I missed and she said she’d get ’em to me by three-fifteen! It’s all out of context, it’s—”

  “She had to get those notes to the parking lot?” Seth asked. “I’m sorry, I’m a little confused. Why couldn’t you meet at her locker to get those notes? I mean, there were a lot of texts back and forth about you insisting she get to the parking lot and I just wonder why that was so impo
rtant.”

  “Exactly what’s the question, Deputy?” Sid asked.

  “There’s no question, Mr. Davis,” Seth said. “It sounded threatening to me and I’m very concerned about the possible violent nature of the relationship between Brett and Rachel. I want them safe, after all. So I thought I’d come by, put in my two cents and see where we stand.” He looked at Brett. “I take it you and Rachel have decided to cool things? As Rachel’s parents requested?”

  “Rachel’s parents have no need to request anything of us,” Sid said. “Brett, of his own accord, broke it off with her immediately. Obviously she’s a little off balance. We don’t need this kind of aggravation. Brett certainly doesn’t. He’s a gentleman, athlete, straight-A student and life is too short to put up with this kind of defamation.”

  Seth smiled. “Good decision. Sorry that romance didn’t work out, but really, staying away from the girl right now is an excellent decision.” He sniffed the air. “My God, that smells good! What’s cooking tonight, Mr. Davis?”

  Sid smirked. “I believe that’s chicken and rice. Nothing special.”

  “But you got the table all set there. You having company tonight?”

  “I have four children, Deputy. Anything else?”

  “Nothing from me. I think everyone is on the same page right now. The kids are better off putting a little distance between themselves. Doesn’t that sound like a good solution, Brett?”

  “She’s crazy. I don’t know why she’d do that to me. She’s just screwed up, that’s all.”

  “Sure,” Seth said. “Then give her a lot of space. Right?”

  “No kidding,” Brett said sullenly.

  “Good night, then. Enjoy your dinner,” Seth said.

  He stepped outside and took three long steps down the walk, then three long steps back to the front door where he stood, quietly listening.

  “Didn’t I tell you to keep your mouth shut? When I say keep your mouth shut, that’s what I mean. You sound like a fool, a pussy! Some little girl picking on you?”

  “He asked! I just answered!”

  “I said keep your stupid mouth shut!”

  “Ow. I told you, I didn’t do nothing! She’s out to get me! Ow.”

  Seth opened the door. Sid was gripping his son by the arm, his face pressed close to Brett’s. “Problem, gentlemen?” he asked.

  Sid didn’t let go. He glared at Seth. “What do you want now?” Sid asked.

  “I want to know if everything is all right,” Seth said.

  “You have no right to walk into my house!”

  “Oh, you’re completely wrong, Mr. Davis. I heard shouting and noises that indicated imminent danger which, in fact, it appears there is. Now, it’s really my responsibility to read you your rights, cuff you and take you to my office to process you for battery. You appear to be battering your son. But seeing as how I heard it happening and didn’t witness it happen, I only have my suspicions. Which, by the way, appear to be on target. So, I’m going to leave you with a warning. Lay one hand on any member of your family and it will be my pleasure to take you for a little ride. Brett, you ever get knocked around or see the rest of the family being abused, you have only to make a call. Understand?”

  “This is none of your business. Get out,” Sid said.

  “I can’t wait to leave, as a matter of fact.”

  “Don’t even think of making a big deal out of this,” Sid warned.

  “Sorry, pal. Making a big deal of it is at the top of my list. I’d recommend you calm down and get under control before you make things worse.” He stepped out and started to pull the door closed. “Oh, by the way. You’re not a lawyer. You might’ve corrected me.”

  “It’s none of your goddamn business!”

  Seth traded glare for glare with Sid. “Yes, it is,” he said.

  * * *

  Seth let himself into the kitchen of Iris’s house, holding his hat in his hand, and just took in the scene. There was a nice smell of food cooking and Iris was sitting at the small kitchen table with her laptop open, making notes on a legal pad.

  He’d never had this before. There had never been a woman to come home to, a warm, good-smelling kitchen welcoming him, this promise of contentment to ease him.

  She looked up. “Hi.”

  He tossed his hat on the table and went around to her side. He pulled a chair close to her and sat down. She turned in her chair so her knees were inside his. He leaned toward her for a kiss and she put her arms around his neck and met his lips.

  And he felt brand-new.

  “Something smells good,” he said.

  “Some chicken thing...”

  He laughed against her lips. Iris, he’d learned, didn’t do a lot of cooking and certainly nothing fancy. But then, neither did he. “What kind of chicken thing?”

  “Sort of an enchilada thing, but not really.”

  “Iris, you going to make me guess?”

  “Well, it’s a couple of cans of cream soup, a can of tomatoes, some chicken breasts, sour cream, taco seasoning...”

  His lips went to her neck and he sighed, resting them there. “Sounds delicious.”

  “We used to make it in college a lot. It takes no skill, no brains.”

  “Is it ready?”

  “A little longer,” she said. “Want to tell me what’s wrong, Seth?”

  “I don’t want to move,” he said. “Are you going to get mad if I say I need you? Because I need you, Iris. Like I need air.”

  “I need you, too.”

  “Can we stay like this forever?”

  She laughed and ran her fingers through the hair at his temples. “With food and bathroom breaks?”

  “Together,” he said. “I just meant can we stay together forever?”

  “I’m hoping so. I’ve loved you forever. Except when I hated you...”

  “Good, then.” He kissed her neck and pulled her closer. “Forever, then. We should get married before I do something stupid again. Maybe the second school is out? Whenever you can be ready.”

  “Do you want to talk about what’s bothering you?” she asked him.

  “No,” he said. “I don’t want to talk about anything sad or mean or wrong right now. You make me feel like everything is good. When I’m holding you, everything is sweet and clean and kind.” He pulled away a little and smiled. “And aroused.”

  “I like that, too.”

  “I should get a shower before that chicken thing is done.”

  “I should, too,” she said.

  “We should save water,” he told her.

  “We should. I think I’ll just go ahead and turn off the oven so we don’t have to rush too much while we’re saving water.”

  “Good idea. I’m not that hungry. For food, that is. Baby, I love you so much. You make my world right.”

  * * *

  Late that night, after lovemaking and chicken casserole that vaguely resembled an enchilada pie, Iris snuggled in Seth’s arms and listened to him talk about his day. He groaned about Sassy wearing eau de vineyard, flirting with him a little sloppily while Robbie was trying to negotiate some kind of custody shift to try to protect Rachel. Rachel, who didn’t seem to want too much protection. Then on to visiting with one of the biggest assholes in town, the guy who had probably personally taught Brett Davis how to pummel a woman.

  “I wake up in the morning thinking how lucky I am to live in a sweet little town where the people are nice and generous and care about each other. And then I’m reminded that all people have problems, sometimes of their own making, and that it’s my job to recognize them and do what I can to protect the innocent,” he said.

  “If the town and people were as perfect as we like to sometimes believe, we wouldn’t need a deputy, Seth. We’re humans.
We stumble all the time. And now, from what you tell me, even Brett is innocent, in a way,” Iris said.

  “In a way that bears watching very closely. The fact that maybe he can’t really help it is no excuse to let him run wild. Watch, Iris. And be careful. Apparently he has a real short fuse, even if he doesn’t let it show often.”

  “But his own father! Even though I know that’s pretty typical, that very often the abused grow up to become abusers, it still throws me.”

  “One of these days, Brett is going to realize he’s bigger and stronger than that jerk and there could be a dangerous power shift. I’m not supposed to ever say things like this, but I hope I see it.”

  “Seth!”

  “I know. That’s no solution....”

  * * *

  When Iris was back at school the next morning and took her post outside her office door, it felt like the sweet little town again. The next few days were happy with the student body anticipating the holiday break coming soon. The kids smiled and waved, stopped to chat, held hands with their boyfriends or girlfriends, laughed and carried on. Sometimes they could make her feel so old, like when a couple of rowdy boys rushed up to a girl in the hall and tried to make a sandwich out of her, putting her in the middle to the hysterical giggles of the girl and everyone around them. Then they’d see Iris standing there and it would be Oh, no! Ms. McKinley! Oh, sorry, Ms. McKinley! And she’d give them a stern look and waggle her finger at them and they’d run off, laughing at their close call.

  There was invariably some kind of game of catch taking place in the hall—baseball, basketball, football or personal items like a phone, book or purse. She would yell at the kids. Give it back or get detention! Or a great big guy would pick up a smaller boy and carry him over his shoulder, a classic fireman’s carry, until Iris told him to put the kid down. The response was always the same. Yes, Ms. McKinley.

  Some of the kids clutched their books seriously, some moved in packs down the hall, laughing and gossiping as they went, some clung close to the walls while others strutted proudly.