A Special Kind Of Family

Jana was already asking, “Did your mom know about it?”

“She didn’t do anything. She’s as bad as he is!”

“Worse, if you ask me! My mom didn’t give a hoot about me, but I can hardly believe yours would let her boyfriend do whatever he wanted! Both of them should rot in jail.”

It’s amazing—Jana’s utterly appalled by the wickedness done to this girl she herself harasses! But what Vanessa said was, “At least you’re safe here, Barb.”

“I’m—not sure. Mom had to sign for me to come, since I’m just seventeen, so she knows where I am.” She fidgeted as she cleared her throat. “Two days ago a red car went past here that looked like his. But I ducked down, so I can’t say absolutely, positively it was him driving, but the car had a replacement fender on the right front, just like his. And it was going real slow.”

Vanessa tried to keep from showing her horror at this development. “Have you told anyone?”

Barb’s long, straight blond hair whipped from side to side with her vigorous head shake. “I thought I’d tell Gram yesterday, but am sure glad I didn’t!”

“Glad?” Jana challenged, eyes still large.

“If she’d fallen right after I told her, I’d never have forgiven myself!” Her hair swung forward, partially concealing the tear-smudged, downward-tilted face.

Vanessa went to her, reassuring, “We understand your being frightened, dear, but I’m glad you told us. We can help you.”

“Nobody can—not forever.” It was a wail of hopelessness. “He could grab me on my way to school. Or come here…”

“I don’t think he’d try that—not with all of us here with you.”

Jana chimed in with her own encouragement, “Sure, we’ll tell the others and—”

“Don’t tell anyone. I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t plan to.”

“We had to know, Barb. From now on I’ll drive you to school each morning, and you two can make a point of coming home together.” Aware of Jana’s apprehension, she asked, “You often walk back with other girls, don’t you?”

“Just sometimes.” Barb looked toward Jana. “And I don’t want you or anyone else hurt.”

Vanessa needed to ask, “You honestly think there could be danger to others?”

“I don’t know. But I’ve been so scared….”

Vanessa worked hard at helping with homework, but they had difficulty concentrating. It was after the girls had gone upstairs, and after she’d spent another hour working with the older girls’ studies that she checked a second time to make sure all first-floor doors and windows were locked. She considered pulling the opaque shades at the kitchen windows, but couldn’t recall Gram’s doing that except when midsummer’s late-afternoon sunshine streamed in.

She did, however, deliberately leave on both back and front porch lights, and was going back to the kitchen when Rob phoned to tell her of his mother’s prayers. He added, “Honestly, Van, I don’t know how you’re doing everything!”

“The question isn’t so much how I’m doing, as how well.” She’d tried to say that lightly, but surprised herself with, “I wish Gram were here!”

There was a split second’s pause. “What’s wrong, Vanessa? Is it something I can help with?”

His voice sounded worried, and she wanted nothing more than to share this with him. “I shouldn’t….”

“Van?”

“It’s, not something I can talk about on the phone.” Actually, I shouldn’t talk about it at all.

He must have sensed her turmoil. “I’ll be there within three minutes.”

She felt guilty involving him in this, and told herself she should be calling her lawyer-mother for advice. Instead, she went out on the front porch and sat on the swing for what proved to be no more than the short time he’d predicted.

She’d told herself she had no right to trouble him, but as he parked along the curb, hurried up the walk and steps and then across the porch to sit beside her, she knew she needed his input and suggestions, and felt heartened by his presence.

He held her hand as she filled him in on Barb’s situation, and how worried she was. He asked questions, most of which she couldn’t answer, and talked about what-ifs and maybes—and it did help immeasurably just having him there.

They eventually went together into the house, Vanessa having decided to call her mother for advice. Rob used the phone in the front room; Vanessa sat near him using the portable phone, what Gram referred to as her “walk-around.”

“Gram’s not worse, is she?” Mother’s concern was evident.

“She seems to be doing fine, but we have another problem….”

Paula McHenry said almost nothing as her daughter told what she’d just learned, but then she stated, “I’m calling the authorities tonight.”

“Is there any other way? Barb’s going to be terribly upset if this becomes public knowledge.”

“We have no choice.” There seemed to be sadness, at least resignation, in that voice. “Barb’s a minor, and what’s been perpetrated is a major crime which, by law, you and I must report.”

“I doubt she’ll be willing to repeat any of this.”

“There are people specially trained to work with these situations. I think she’ll open up once she finds this to be the only way she can ever feel safe.” She cleared her throat. “The girls adore Gram…she’ll be able to get Barb’s cooperation.”

Rob, too, asked Paula questions and discussed the situation with her and, later, with Vanessa, leaving only when she insisted she must get to bed if she was to be even functional the next day.

Vanessa had trouble sleeping, however, and awoke early. She must talk to Gram about Barb, and the sooner the better. She would have to find time today to run over to the hospital.

And then she stopped short, sitting there on the side of her bed, asking herself why she’d involved Rob with something that had nothing to do with him. It was my own weakness, my own need. It’s not his problem, and yet I dragged him into what could become very messy.

That bothered her even after their neighbor came and Vanessa was driving the two girls to school. They were nearly there when she told them what her mother had said.

“He’ll kill me!” Barb had become almost hysterical. “He said he would—over and over he said he’d kill me if I told anyone! And he’d kill Mom, too. I trusted you, Vanessa, and you’ve already told someone else!”

They were still a block from school, so Vanessa pulled to the curb, stopped, and turned to look her in the eye. “My mother is our legal advisor, the one who took care of all those forms and regulations that made it possible for Gram to open her home to you. I had to touch base with her, Barb, for your sake and for everyone else’s.

“Gram, herself, would have to report this if she knew. Since I’m trying to take care of things while she’s in the hospital, it was necessary to find out what must be done in order to stay within the law.”

When Jana also started yelling about not keeping confidences, Vanessa stated firmly, “Listen, you two! We could be closed down if we don’t obey the law. Then where would you be?

“Each one of you is more important to us than just keeping Gram’s home open, but you saw a certain car, Barb, which could mean someone’s looking for you, has perhaps found you. Should that be the case, the law is the only protection you have against what he could do.”

“I can run away….”

“Where could you go where you’d be absolutely certain he can’t find you?”

She almost mentioned that she and others could be hit with huge fines and lose the opportunity to continue doing for others what had been so recently begun, but that would seem of little importance to either girl right now. Instead, she tried to impress upon them the necessity of acting as normal as possible and staying together during lunch and after school.

She pulled up at the entrance nearest the cafeteria and pointed to the front corner of the parking area. “If at all possible, I’ll be over there by the time school’s out,” she said. “If I’m not, wait inside these doors for another five minutes. If I still haven’t come, walk back to Gram’s—with others, if possible—and along the main streets.”

They solemnly assured her they would do so, but as they left the car Vanessa added one more thing. “If you must walk home, go directly there.” I’m not sure that’s strong enough. “If you aren’t home in a reasonable amount of time, we’ll have to notify the authorities about two missing persons—which could become particularly sticky since we haven’t told them what’s going on.”

Cars behind hers kept her from staying until the girls were inside, but she did check her rearview mirror as she slowly moved forward….

She tried to tell herself that this day was no worse than usual, but didn’t believe it. Trouble with one packaging line right at the beginning of the shift kept that crew out of operation several hours.

A man in Shipping fell and hurt his back. The nurse didn’t think his injuries serious, but recommended that for his own and the company’s sake he should be taken to the hospital for X rays and evaluation.

It was then she learned that one huge carton of a large order of new-games-for-Christmas CDROMs had not arrived at a major wholesaler’s, and their purchasing agent was threatening to cancel the entire order if this portion wasn’t received by the following day. She finally got him to agree to giving them two days, but finding what went wrong and getting that taken care of took far too much of her time and attention.

She was out of her office more than usual, leaving Suzan Gibson, her secretary, to handle problems with her usual calm efficiency. Except for a granola bar and coffee, Vanessa had eaten nothing since a small breakfast, but was at her desk finishing a report that had to get out today when Suz came in. “You need an apple break, boss-lady.”

Leaning back in her chair, Vanessa reached for the shiny Red Delicious apple that Suz offered to her. “Ummm, it looks wonderful.” Shifting position and stretching, she glanced at the dainty ormolu clock Gram gave her when she first assumed the position. “Oh, no! It’s nearly four!”

“What’s that about time flying when you’re having fun?”

She ignored that remark as she struck her forehead lightly with the palm of her hand. “I intended to pick up the kids at school.”

Suz was shaking her head as she started for the outer office. “In case you hadn’t noticed, Vanessa, they’re in high school now. How ’bout giving that mother-hen complex a rest? Haven’t they walked home most days?”

She tried to smile, to come up with anything but her real reason for fretting, but blurted out, “It’s impossible for me to take Gram’s place in their lives!”

“Be yourself, Van.” Suz turned back to face her. “They don’t need cookie cutter adults around them, they need authentic, honest-to-goodness real people who care.”

“I’ll try to keep reminding myself of that.” Will they believe I care? she wondered. If only I’d paid attention to the time and got to the school when I said I would—but then I’d have had to come back later.

She reached for the phone as Suz closed the door after herself. Gin answered, saying that Jana and Barb were at the kitchen table doing homework. “Tell them I got held up here, but hope to be home by five-thirty.”

“Okay—and I understand it’s that dear Betty Jefferson preparing today’s meal. Maybe you’ll be here when she comes.”

“I’ll try to be.” It occurred to her that thus far the food had been provided by people she would least have expected. I consider myself a good judge of character, but these folks from First Church are amazing….

Little Teddy Jefferson came running across the yard as Rob’s car stopped in the driveway. “I been waitin’ and waitin’ for you to come.”

Rob got out and stooped to pick up the child, toss him in the air, then catch and set him on his shoulder. “I’ve been waiting for that, too, my young friend. Let’s go inside and see what your mama and sister and baby brother are doing.”

“Yeah!” He bounced a little more than was warranted by Rob’s long strides. “Mama’s been bakin’ and cookin’ all day long, and I’ve been a’ helpin’.”

Rob grinned, surmising that cooking help from a four-year-old would not make work easier.

Betty held the door open for them while, with her free arm, she scooped up the two-year-old trying to get outside. “This isn’t too much of an inconvenience, is it?”

“I’m not the best cook in the world, Betty, but I do drive. This way we pool our strengths.”

She smiled up at him, probably not realizing he’d provided the first meal. “I love cooking, and it’s little more time-or energy-consuming to make double of everything. So,” she continued with a sweeping gesture toward countertops covered with food, “our dinner and theirs came out at the same time.”

“Wow! Even pineapple upside-down cake for dessert!”

“It’s Paul’s favorite, and I don’t make it as often as I should. He’ll enjoy some when he gets home tonight.”

It took two trips for Rob to get everything to his car, and he was just starting up the front walk at Gram’s with his first armload when Vanessa pulled up. “You’re getting enough practice as a delivery-man to hang out your shingle,” she greeted, walking toward him as he waited. “If you need a reference, I’m available.”

It’s not as a reference I wish you were available! But he had no right to think such a thing—was almost shocked that he had. “Miz Aggie beat you to it, for she’s the one who told Betty. It’s a lot easier for me to bring this than for her, with her three little ones, especially since the baby has an ear infection.”

She nodded, then glanced back toward the car. “Is there more?”

“Mm-hmmm, but I’ll come back for it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. All I have to carry is this,” she said, raising her calfskin attaché case a few inches.

“Okay, you asked for it.” He handed her the box he’d been carrying. “I’ll bring the hot things.”

He’d expected her to go on, but was inordinately pleased when she waited for him to pick up the even larger, towel-covered box and push the car door shut with his hip. He came back toward her, going slowly enough to enjoy watching as she gracefully walked up the steps in front of him.

Kate met them at the door, offering to take part of the load, but Vanessa shook her head. “Things are well balanced weight-wise, and might shift if anything’s removed.”

“Rob?”

“No, thanks. This is more bulky than heavy.”

Jana and Ricki came running down the wide, carpeted stairs, so everyone was soon in the kitchen. Vanessa placed a hand on Mrs. Redding’s shoulder as she picked up her sweater. “Stay and eat with us, Gin.”

“That’s not necessary, dear. Really.” She took another step toward the back door. “I’m glad to help out…you don’t need to feed me.”

“Of course you’ll stay. We enjoyed having you and Rob with us before, and want very much for you to do it again.”

Gin looked at him with uncertainty, so for her sake as much as his—at least he told himself that—he grinned at her, then Vanessa. “You’ve talked us into it.”

This could become addictive, he told himself later, as the conversations swirled around him. Then he pulled himself up short, both physically, by sitting straighter in his chair, and psychologically. He’d been talking a lot, but now paid more attention to everyone else at the table.

Gin said Gram called late in the afternoon to report that the therapists not only had her out of bed, but took her by wheelchair to Rehab, where they had her try to walk with the parallel bars.

AnnaMae looked appalled. “How did she make out?”

“She said it was awful!” Gin made a face. “She tried real hard, but only managed a few steps. She hopes it will go better tomorrow.”

They talked about that, then about various things Phyl Bastian had discussed with the older three that day. Jana, who’d chattered most of the time the previous evening, said very little, and Barb was noticeably silent, toying with her food but eating little, and not looking anyone in the eye.

Vanessa must have noticed, too, for several times Rob saw her throwing worried, or at least concerned glances in that direction. She asked no questions, but when the phone rang as they were eating dessert, he thought that Barb’s expression betrayed panic as Vanessa left the table.

She relaxed with Vanessa’s first words, “Hi, Keith, how’s that wonderful baby and her mom?” She was smiling at his answer and said she was pleased Katherine slept six hours during the night. Then, her back to those at the table, her voice became lower, words indistinct.

Everyone was too quiet, so he asked Gin about someone at church, and tried to draw the girls into conversation. Vanessa, coming back to her seat, said Keith had gone in to see Gram for a short visit, and from there the talk drifted naturally in other directions.

Gin finally said she must go, which seemed his cue to leave also.

Barb had not said a word.

Vanessa checked homework while the rest of them cleared away things from dinner. She didn’t feel like working on GED material, so was relieved to learn that Aunt Phyl had done some of it with them in the late morning. She agreed with Ricki’s suggestion that if they got through the next three pages, then into pajamas and robes in time, they could join the younger two for a TV special. After all, it was Friday—and apparently Gram permitted them to sleep in Saturday mornings.

While the girls watched TV, Vanessa phoned her parents’ house to speak to her mother about Barb. Her father usually wasn’t the one to answer when she called, but this time he seemed cheerful and talkative, so she spent four or five minutes with him before asking to talk with her mother. Paula stated that preliminary notifications had been made to the authorities, and she was hoping for some sort of response soon.

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