The Contract

by Jerry D. Young

  The judge let out a piercing whistle. Harry turned and jogged back, plucking the javelins out of the ground as he retraced his steps.

  Coach Crandall leaned over and whispered to Coach Andrews. “Geez! He is not even breathing hard!”

  “Neither is Jason,” Coach Andrews said.

  “I hope you are not going to suggest my bailiff set this up with the boy,” Judge Grovener said.

  Obviously angry at the display, the Congressman said, “No. Of course not! But… I still think it is a fluke. He could have been aiming at Rodney. Throwing behind someone, on a test like this means nothing. There is no real risk. There are acres of area for the javelin to land. It just looks impressive. There is no way to prove he can do as he said. Without proof, the burden of evidence is with my son.”

  “I can prove he can do it,” Sara said. She looked over at Harry. “You run like before. I will run five feet behind you.”

  Sara looked over at the Congressman. “Jason will put the javelin between us. On the fly, not even into the ground.”

  Judge Grovener looked at Jason. “That young woman has extraordinary courage and faith in you, young man.”

  “Yes, she does.”

  “Harry?” the judge asked.

  “Like I said, I have seen him compete. I just saw him do it, here, once. I will run.” Harry looked at Sara. “Whenever you are ready.”

  Sara handed Jason a javelin. “I thought I might ask some people up to that lodge the Commodore suggested for skiing, for that weekend I have to enjoy. So do not mess this up, okay?”

  “Would I put a javelin in the woman I am in love with?”

  Judge Grovener looked over at the pair sharply. They had kept their voices low, but the judge had excellent hearing.

  Jim Faulkenberg said, “She will just dodge them. How will we know at that distance?”

  “You are a real son of a bitch, did you know that?” Harry said, low enough that only the Congressman and the Judge heard him. The judge turned away when the Congressman turned to him.

  Harry went over to Bridgette and took the backing from one of her notebooks. “Let me have your cap,” he told Alan.

  Alan handed him the cap. Harry tore the thin cardboard into the shape he wanted, then held in place as he put the cap on Sara’s head. “Blinders. All she will be able to see is my back.”

  He looked at Sara, moving in front of her so she could see him. “You ready?”

  Sara nodded. Harry took off, Sara following a fraction of a second later. She paced the running man, keeping five feet between them.

  She flinched when the first javelin flew passed. Sara caught her balance and moved slightly closer to Harry. She lost count of the javelins, concentrating on not tripping as Harry, good as his word, juked back and forth, so the congressman could not claim they had made it easy on Jason.

  Sara almost ran into Harry’s back when he slowed. “The Judge whistled,” he said when Sara looked up at his face. “Test is over.”

  She took a deep breath swelling her cheeks, then blew it out. “Thanks. I am not sure anyone else would have done this with me.”

  “Oh, I believe so,” Harry said as they jogged slowly back toward the group. “He seems to inspire trust in people. I think any of your other friends would have done exactly the same, had they thought of it.”

  “Okay,” Judge Grovener said, looking at the Congressman, a challenging glint in his eyes. “Any other protestations?”

  “I did not think so,” he said after a moment. He looked at Jason. “That was a very dangerous thing you did. You could have caused injury, despite the intent to not do so. Do not, ever, let me hear of you using a sports javelin as a weapon of intimidation again. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “The boy’s punishment stands. There will be no further legal action on this matter. If you want, you can take it to appeal. But remember. I was the closest thing you had to a friend on the bench. And that is no longer true. Get your boy some professional help, Jim. He needs it.”

  The Congressman stormed off, with his entourage.

  “Bridgette, the record is closed. Load up. We are going back to the courthouse. Harry, here is your gun belt. Good job. Try to buy a sweat gland, will you? You just ran two quarter mile runs and there is not a bead of sweat on you.”

  Harry grinned. “Conditioning.”

  “Go away. I want to talk to these amazing young people.”

  Judge Grovener walked over to join Jason, Sara and some of the others. Alan was helping the coaches get things put away. Jack Lawrence waited a moment, then hurried after the Congressman to try to mend some fences.

  “How the hell did you manage to stay good, with him as your guardian?” Judge Grovener asked Jason.

  “It is easy. I have incentive to do so.”

  “Well, Sally,” the judge said, “you never said a word.”

  “Nothing to say. Best client I could ask for. And the best bench. All I have to do is sit back and collect money.”

  “Yes. Well, I would still be ready. Jim is a horse’s behind. He may still try some other legal action.”

  He looked over at the Commodore. “You were mighty quiet, too, Commodore.”

  “Sally is right. We were not really needed. That pair is remarkable.” Sally, the judge, and the Commodore all looked over to where Sara was talking to Jason.

  “He plans to marry her,” Sally said.

  “And,” the Commodore added, “Sara is dead set against it. Come by the Marina one of these days, Frank. There is a very interesting story here. You will enjoy it.”

  “I may just do that. I wonder, sometimes why I ever considered Jim Faulkenberg a friend. And that boy of his. He has serious problems.”

  “These kids are smart,” the Commodore said. “They will figure out how to deal with him. They have already done a good job.”

  “Does he ever tell a lie?”

  Sally and the Commodore both smiled. “Never known him to,” the Commodore said. “I have known him since he was born.”

  Sara and Jason walked over. “Is it appropriate to thank you, Your Honor?” Jason asked quietly.

  “No, I am afraid not. But I understand. If you ever do decide to join the legal profession, let me know. I have a spot for you.”

  Jason nodded.

  “And you,” the judge said, looking at Sara, “are a remarkable young woman. You never doubted him for a moment, did you?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Why?”

  “I do not know, really,” Sara said with a shrug. “Some things you just know.”

  Jason suddenly grinned at her.

  “Jason McKindrick if you say one word about marriage, because of that, you will suffer greatly.”

  “I already knew that,” Jason said, still smiling. “I was not going to say anything. Just think it.”

  “Trinity!” Sara called. “Come take him home before I maim him!” She looked over at the adults sheepishly. “Uh… Sorry. He just…” Sara shook her head.

  Jason moved over to join Trinity. Sara watched him for a moment before turning back to the three adults. “He thinks he is in love with me. Even says he wants to marry me, eventually. Sometimes he just says and does goofy things. I better go find Kathy and her mom. I made them ride over with me. I did not want either of them trying to drive, after what came out at the courtroom.”

  “The poor girl does not have a clue!” the judge said, looking over at the Commodore and Sally.

  Both shook their heads.

  “Talk about blinders,” was his final comment before joining his staff.

  “How is she? Or rather, they?” Jason asked when Sara returned to the house a half hour after Trinity had dropped Jason off.

  “Pretty good, actually,” Sara said. “They are going to have to decide whether to try and do something about what happened before. I think Kathy would rather just forget it. Her father really wants to go after Rodney.”

  “I can understand that,” Jaso
n said, taking Sara’s light jacket to hang in the closet.

  “Where is everyone?” Sara asked.

  “They all seemed to find something that needed doing, all of a sudden,” Jason said with a smile. Trinity filled them in when she dropped me off. Made things sound very… dramatic.

  “I believe the staff thinks I should have a long talk with you about what hap-pened.”

  “Why?” Sara asked as they moved toward the study. “I was there. I know what happened.”

  “I believe the consensus is that you were terribly foolish, and very romantic, to risk your life that way to help me.”

  Sara frowned. “Foolish? Romantic!” Her eyes quickly cut to Jason. “Did you say something to them?” she asked accusingly.

  Jason smiled. “You know I value my life. I would never imply that you were foolish. And you have already told me what would happen if I brought up certain subjects again.”

  “Then, if Trinity told them what happened, why the sentiment? Not even Trinity could embellish the simple facts. Lordy! You threw javelins between me and the bailiff to prove you could. There is nothing romantic or foolish about it. Someone had to be the second person. I was the best runner there, besides the bailiff. You were never closer than a foot to either of us. I do not see what the big deal is. I knew you could do it. So did the bailiff.”

  Jason nodded. “If you want to discuss it with them, be my guest. I had no luck explaining. They would not even listen to me, after Trinity left.”

  “Yeah, well… Having tried to argue with every one of them before, I think I will just bypass the subject, if it does come up. You do not know what Duchess is preparing for supper, do you? I am getting really hungry.”

  They had just finished the dinner when Jack Lawrence arrived.

  “Jason,” he stormed, almost dragging Jason toward the study. “You have caused me a great deal of trouble today. I cannot believe that judge let you off so lightly. I think we shall call your mother, and see what she has to say about this mess.”

  “Yes, Mr. Lawrence. I will get the number for you.”

  Jason went to the desk, checked his stepmother’s itinerary, and started the call.

  When the phone rang on the other end, Jason handed Jack the receiver.

  “Abigail McKindrick. And make it quick!”

  Jason saw Jack’s startled look. “Abigail! I was not expecting you to answer the phone.

  “Abigail, Jason has managed to get himself into serious trouble.”

  Jason simply sat and listened calmly as Jack Lawrence spun a rather fanciful tale of the events.

  With a triumphant smile Jack handed Jason the telephone. “You mother wishes to talk to you.”

  “Hello, Mother. How are you?”

  “I am fine. Having a wonderful time, until now. Jack was not quite clear. Did this involve the girl living there in the house?”

  “No, Mother. It was due to a situation involving a friend, Kathy Wilkenson. Sara became involved peripherally, trying to help.”

  “I assume you heard Jack’s recommendation as to your punishment for your actions.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “Should I come home and deal with this myself?”

  “No, Mother. Mr. Lawrence is capable of dealing with the situation.”

  “Jason, do you prefer me to come home?”

  “Mother, I want you to have a nice trip. I knew the consequences when I decided to do what I did. I am prepared to deal with them.”

  “Very well, Jason. Put Jack back on.”

  “She would like to speak with you again.” Jason handed the phone back to Jack Lawrence.

  “Abigail, I think the boy needs an object lesson.”

  “You implied that the school had meted out punishment. And the judge upheld that.”

  “That is true, Abigail. I believe it to be inadequate. He has started to run wild. I find it difficult to believe you are allowing the young…” Jack saw Jason’s eyes on him and hurriedly turned away, and changed the word he had started to use. “woman to stay in this house with him.

  “This activity… He could have seriously injured the son of a very important public figure. If this kind of activity is not nipped in the bud, he could wind up in serious trouble in the future. A firm hand is called for. A very firm hand.”

  “Jason did say you could deal with the situation, Jack. He also said he was prepared to deal with the consequences of his act. So be it. Good-bye.”

  With a large smile on his face Jack turned to Jason. “Abigail instructed me to handle this situation. I intend to do so. You managed to evade appropriate punishment at school and through the courts. You will not evade mine.”

  Jason nodded.

  Jack frowned. He hated Jason’s always calm demeanor.

  “Unfortunately, I cannot change either the school’s rulings, nor the courts. I can and am applying my own discipline for this transgression.

  “You are restricted to this house, except for school. And I mean school work. No extracurricular school activities. No outside social activities at all. You will walk to and from school. No roller blades or bicycle.”

  Jack paused and Jason asked, “My job, dance class, music class and fencing? How am I to handle those, Mr. Lawrence?”

  Jack Lawrence stared at Jason. There had been no hint of sarcasm, or pleading. Just a request for further information.

  “Your fencing is a social activity. You may not attend meetings or meets. The same with dance class and music class. They are a lark for you. You are taking them both because you enjoy them, not because of any need.

  “Your job…” Suddenly Jack smiled.

  “You shall keep your job. But your wages will be turned over to me to be donated to some type of charity. The work will be good for you. Build some discipline, of which you are so lacking. Since you will have so much free time on your hands, to avoid letting it go to waste, you will talk to your employer and increase your hours to the maximum allowable.

  “Do you understand me, young man?”

  “Yes, Mr. Lawrence. But I do have two questions.”

  His eyes narrowed, anticipating he knew not what, Jack said, “What are they?”

  “I am curious to the duration of the restrictions. And as I have made several social engagements already…”

  “You will not keep them!” Jack said sharply. “I thought you understood that!”

  “Yes, Mr. Lawrence, I do. I was asking if I might be permitted to cancel them in person. I was taught not to do such thing by telephone or letter unless there is absolutely no way to do so in person. You might accompany me, to make sure that is what I do, or I am sure Mrs. MacDougal would see to it, if you do not wish to take the time.”

  “I suppose that would be proper,” Jack said. “But I do not have the time, of course. I will instruct Mrs. MacDougal to have the chauffeur accompany you.”

  With a large smile on his face, as he headed for the study doors, Jack Lawrence told Jason the duration of the punishment.

  Sara and the entire staff entered the study after Jack Lawrence had left the house.

  “Master Jason,” Mrs. MacDougal said, tears trying to form in her eyes. “Talk to the Commodore. Miss Richardson. This is not fair!”

  Jason smiled. “I knew what would happen, Mrs. MacDougal. Mr. Lawrence was greatly inconvenienced by my actions. I knew he had extensive dealings with Rodney’s father. I knew he would be very displeased with me.

  “It is only until school is out.”

  “That is months!” Sara said, her anger obvious. “You cannot just stay in the house for months! And what about my weekend? You said I had to have a good time! I was going to have you and Trinity and Bootsi and Alan and a bunch of others go up to the Commodore’s lodge. I thought you would teach me to ski.”

  Now tears were beginning to form in Sara’s eyes.

  “Actually,” Jason said, “I am not a very good skier. Trinity is a whiz. She will teach you.”

  Jason shrugged. “I can and wil
l deal with it. There are many things to keep me occupied here. I should have time now to complete several projects I have been thinking of starting.”

  “Please allow me to call your stepmother. I cannot believe that even she would condone this,” Mrs. MacDougal said.

  “She does not know the particulars,” Jason said. “She does not need to know them. She placed Mr. Lawrence in the position of my guardian. I do not want you to disturb her trip about this. I have already told Mr. Lawrence I would abide by the restrictions. Now, I think I shall go to bed.”

  With a wan smile he added, “I think I might just sleep in. Mr. Lawrence really did not realize how much he was actually giving me, by taking away what he believes he has. To be an attorney, he really does not think things through very well.”

  Jason sighed. “The only difficult part is disappointing Kathy and Trinity. I really hate to disappoint people.”

  As soon as Jason had left the study, Sara turned to Mrs. MacDougal. “Do you think his stepmother would intervene? Jason said she did not know the particulars.”

  “He told me specifically not to call her, Miss Sara. I really do not think she would countermand the instructions, anyway.”

  “Jason did not tell me not to call her,” Sara said, moving to the desk.

  “Mrs. McKindrick can be a very… unsympathetic… woman, Miss Sara. And even though he did not tell you specifically not to call, the implication was that he did not want anyone to disturb her,” Mrs. MacDougal told Sara.

  Sara smiled. “Yes. Well, he was very specific in the contract. If he had wanted me to not call, he could have said so specifically. He did not.”

  As she picked up the telephone she told the others, “But to make sure he will not be disappointed in you, perhaps I should make the following call in private.”

  Mrs. MacDougal made no further protests, leading the rest of the staff from the study.

  Jason had shown her his mother’s itinerary. Sara opened the desk drawer and found the appropriate telephone number.

  “Mrs. McKindrick? This Sara Lee.”

  “The girl staying with Jason?” Abigail asked.

  “Yes. I am…” Sara’s words faded when Jason entered the study.