by Tey Holden
Still they had quorum and the recount went on. In the end, they got a whole new set of numbers, but still the numbers put Addy ahead by a large margin. Mr. Glass was outraged and demanded a second recount. This time the request was denied. He was advised to take the matter to court, if he was so sure that there had been fraud. He never did, but he spent the next four years bickering and complaining about everything.
Soon after the election, Addy began to make the necessary moves towards achieving her goals. She met with people and was always on the phone or going somewhere to meet someone. However, no matter what was on her plate, at four o’clock she’d quit whatever she was doing and went to pick up her daughter at school and take her wherever she needed to be to participate in all her extracurricular activities. She never allowed her work to interfere with what she always deemed her priority – her family.
Part 13
In the midst of the horse racing, and later Addy’s Chair campaign, Karen had slowly inched her way into school affairs. She began by funding different projects and offering financial and legal services to the school. It was not long after that a vacancy became available on the school board. Mrs. Rosalind Thompson had finally gone to meet her long dead Samuel.
Karen saw her opportunity and immediately announced her interest in the position. By then she was highly influential with the PTA and with some of the members of the board. Karen was very savvy and she could work her way to whatever she wanted, and she wanted the board seat. She was resolved to bring change to the school, and to never again have anyone go through what they went through. In a very small way, she was making her mark on the world. Needless to say, she won the majority’s vote and became a member of the school board and St. Claire’s was never the same with Karen’s infusion in the mix.
“Congrats, my gorgeousness! You did it!”
“I told you I was committed to making things change. I’m going to have that school filled with gays and lesbians left and right!” Of course, her comment was made in jest, and it got the expected reaction from Addy. The brunette opened her eyes and smiled in astonishment.
“If I didn’t know you better—.” Addy said pointing a finger at her.
“But you do and you know that what I really want is to bring change to the school’s backward thinking. So, while you have a whole town to change, I will concentrate on changing things at school. Which may be an even harder job, considering how stubborn and retrograde some of those people are!”
“I’m afraid that we have few battles ahead of us, but for now, I will say that I’m proud of you for taking the school on. You are my heroine, Blondie.” If having infiltrated the school board hadn’t given her enough satisfaction, nothing compared to the satisfaction of knowing that she was Addy’s heroine.
As soon as Karen became a board member, Lord Chesney resigned. In his own words, he ‘would not be part of the school’s downfall.’ Soon after, the older majority became the minority and things began to change. Financial assistance was offered to lower income minority candidates, and students with different backgrounds began to be admitted. There were many other changes that added to the school’s vibrancy.
***
When Alex was in 6th grade, Karen received a call from school to come to pick up Alex. Karen called Addy, who had gone to the distillery on a business matter before heading to town.
“Addy, I’m going to school to pick up Alex, apparently she got in a fight.”
“What? Our Alex? What happened? How?”
“Yeah, I don’t know what’s going on,” Karen replied.
“I’m coming home. Wait for me.”
“Okay, maybe it’s better if you come. You are better at handling this stuff.”
“I’m on my way.”
“JP, James, I need to go home. I don’t think I will be coming back today.”
“Oh! My God! I can’t believe you guys are still in honeymoon mode.”
Addy didn’t answer. She and Karen had resolved not to talk to JP about their private affairs, and she brushed off the comment, besides she was in a hurry to make it home to go get Alex. They were both private by nature and when it came to their relationship, the matter was totally exclusive. Any matter concerning Alex was also personal and kept close to their chest.
Addy ran home extremely worried. She couldn’t imagine what would have made Alex get into a fight. This was totally out of character for her. She had never been in trouble at school, and it was almost unthinkable to associate the name Alex with the word fight. She was a fun, loving, agreeable child and would never fight anyone. Addy thought that something really bad must have happened. This was serious. Addy arrived home within five minutes of having talked to Karen. Karen was waiting for her outside the house. Addy, stopped the car, Karen got in and they drove away.
“Did they say what happened?”
“No. They just said she was fine and that she was in a fight with another girl, and to come pick her up.
“Any thoughts?” Addy asked.
“The only thing I can think of is that someone might have brought us up.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lesbian moms, two moms?” Karen’s mind was already going at full speed.
Addy was quiet. “This has never happened before.”
“There’s always a first time, Addy. And you really didn’t think that she would be insulated from a judgmental world all her life, did you?”
Addy remained quiet and serious. “Let’s keep an open mind, Ker, and not assume anything.”
“Okay.”
They had just been to the parents’ night the night before and Alex seemed fine with everyone and was very proud to show them around and the things she was working on. When they arrived at school, they immediately went to the office and were directed to Mr. Stetson’s office. Alex was sitting outside.
When they saw Alex, they immediately ran to her. Alex looked at them, but instantly brought her eyes down to a focal point on the floor. “What happened, sweetie?” Alex did not respond. She kept her eyes down.
The principal came out of his office when he heard talk outside. Karen turned to speak to him. “Mr. Stetson, what happened?” Karen asked with a worried face.
“We really don’t know Ms. Larsen. Alex is a model student. We were hoping that you might be able to find out. Neither your daughter nor the other girl has spoken at all. Fortunately, Mr. Swenson, the PE teacher, was walking by and stopped them before either one got hurt.”
Addy looked at Alex and thought about the karate lessons and what blows she could have given the other girl. In her mind she was thankful that the other girl was not hurt, and that the parents would have no reason to sue them.
“We will find, out. Can we take her home now?”
“Yes.”
While Karen was talking to the Mr. Stetson, Addy sat next to Alex. Addy noticed that Alex was looking at her also from the corner of her eye, but she didn’t say a word.
“Are you hurt?” Alex shook her head. She had scratches on her arms and face and a couple of red spots on her neck. Her blouse sleeves were torn and her skirt was covered in mud. She had definitely rolled on the ground. “Are you going to tell me what happened?” Addy asked.
Alex said nothing and turned away from her, but Addy noticed the tears falling. Addy did not pursue her inquiry. About then, Karen came out of Mr. Stetson’s office. “Come on let’s go home.” They all walked out and got in the car with still not a word from Alex.
“Alexandra, could you, please, tell us what the hell happened?” Karen sounded somewhat upset at this point, probably because of Alex’s silence. She had expected Alex to come clean immediately and the silence was eating her up.
Alex still wouldn’t open her mouth. “So, you are not going to talk, are you? Is there any reason why you are not sharing this information with us?”
Addy was driving and could see Alex’s face in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were filled with tears and she looked away the minute she realized
she had been spotted in the mirror. Addy looked at Karen and gave her a signal, a slight shake of the head. She wanted Karen to stop the questioning. Karen immediately stopped, and silence filled the car all the way home.
The minute they got home, Alex went up to her room. Karen went after her, and Addy after both. Alex slammed the door, practically in Karen’s face, and locked it. Karen was mad and about to demand entry when she felt Addy’s hand on her arm.
“Don’t, let’s leave her alone. She needs time to cool off.”
Karen looked at her. When it came to Alex, she always followed Addy’s lead. Addy had experience raising a child and had been successful. Addy could see the anguish on Karen’s face.
“What about us? We need to know what happened. We need to help her. I can’t believe our child doesn’t trust us!” She whispered to Addy in an angry tone. Karen was fuming, but it was out of anxiety. She hated when a situation was out of her control, when she couldn’t fix things for the ones she loved.
“She does trust us. She needs time and space. Give it to her. She’s growing up. We will know what happened. Come on, let’s go downstairs.” Before they left, they could hear Alex crying in her room. Karen looked at Addy alarmed. “We all need to cry. Come on, baby, come with me, let’s sit outside for a bit. Can you, please, trust me on this one?”
“If this has to do with what we suspect, I’d like you to remember that years ago you asked me to be ready to deal with it. I’d like you to know that if that time has come, I’m ready.”
“I’m sure that’s it, Addy.” Karen’s voice trembled.
“I’ve been preparing her also for the talk. I’ve been watching her since the campaign. I’ve noticed her reactions to things that have happened, and we’ve been talking about people’s prejudices and about some people not accepting other people’s way of life.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Well, because it was not a planned thing. I’ve talked to her as opportunities presented themselves here and there.”
“I fear the worst, Addy. You know she’s stubborn. She’s a little mule, and I fear we are going to get kicked in the ass. Are you prepared for this?”
“I am. I told you I would be, didn’t I?”
Karen pursed her lips. “I thought you’d forgotten.”
“No, I don’t forget important things.”
“I think we are over our heads. This is unchartered territory. I know you can work miracles with people, but our little monster is one tough cookie.”
“Something for which I’m thankful, sweetie. Let me handle her. If I need your help, I will let you know. Please, trust me. We have a great daughter.”
Karen nodded. “Okay, I’m going to make something to eat.” They had been out on the patio. When Karen went inside, Addy remained sitting on the swing outside looking at the distant ocean.
Alex finally came down from her room. She was apparently hungry and went straight to the refrigerator and took a juice box and some cookies from the kitchen island. She looked at Karen, but said nothing and walked out to the patio where Addy was still sitting and sat next to her.
Karen kept a watchful eye from the kitchen, but felt a sense of relief when she saw Alex sit next to Addy. Alex liked to talk to Addy because Addy was always comforting and understanding. The two of them were very much alike. She was certain that Addy would find a way to get through to Alex, unfortunately that didn’t make her feel any better. She still couldn’t believe how calm ‘Ms. Fiery’ Addy was taking it all.
“I always thought this was a great view.” Addy said looking at the ocean. “It took me some time to realize that the best view in the world was the one from my own backyard, it didn’t matter if it was from the cottage or here. Sometimes we have the very best in front of us, but it is not until we stop and think about it that we realize it.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me what happened?” Alex asked.
“I already did and you chose not to tell me, so now I’m undecided.”
Alex looked at her puzzled. “I thought you wanted to know.”
“I want to know because I’m your mom, and I love you, and I’m supposed to help you resolve your problems, but on the other hand, I don’t want to pry.” Addy paused. “I mean, I’ve known you all your life, and I know fighting is not your thing. So, I figured whatever made you fight must have been a pretty big thing. Do you want to talk about it, or not? If you don’t want to—.”
“M’Addy, I do want to talk about it.” Alex looked to the ground as she spoke
Addy had been holding her breath, but this answer was a relief. She really had faith in her daughter and felt a little bit of a triumph with her answer. “Well, Alex, before you say anything, let me just say a couple of things here that I’m sure you already know. No matter what you say or will ever do, your mom and I will always love you just the same as the day we decided to bring you into this world, and we will support you and stand behind you 100% always no matter what. So, now I’m ready to hear whatever you want to say.”
“This girl saw you and Mom together last night at the parent’s night and asked where my dad was, even though she already knew I don’t have one. She only asked to poke me. I said I didn’t have a dad. Then she laughed and said ‘yeah, I forgot your moms are lesbians, are you a lesbo too?’ The way she said it was hurtful, and she said in front of everyone. I pushed her, and she pushed me back and all of a sudden we were fighting.”
“So, the fight began because she said that your mothers are lesbians?”
Alex nodded.
“Umm.”
Alex looked at her mom expectantly.
“Well, Alex, we always talk about everything, and I’ve never kept things from you. I’ve always been about the truth, so—.”
“M’Addy, I know what you are going to say. We’ve sort of talked about it.”
“Yes, but never directly, in a mature way. You are a very smart girl. We’ve never needed many words. But today, we are going to talk.” Alex was very attentive. “But, before we talk, let me ask you this, did that girl say something that wasn’t true? Aren’t your mom and I in a lesbian relationship?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“No, you always told me that love is love, no matter who you love. I understand about one woman loving another. I actually love the way you and mom love each other. I have nothing against lesbians.”
“So, then, if she spoke the truth, why did you fight with her?”
“I didn’t like the way she said it.”
“How did she say it?”
“She made it sound wrong. She made me feel bad.”
“Were you sorry, ashamed, or what?”
“It’s odd, it’s different. Most kids have a mother and a father. I have two mothers and no father.” Alex was upset. “You guys are not like everyone else’s parents. I have no problem with you guys, but other people don’t like it.”
“Alex, I’ve been with your mother now for, let me see, you are twelve, so it’s been more or less seventeen years, wow! How time flies! Anyway, I love your mother like I have never loved anyone. There’s absolutely nothing in this world that I wouldn’t do for her. I cannot possibly tell you how much I love her because there are no words to describe it.” She paused and looked at Alex who was smiling.
“You came into this world because of our love. You are a fortunate child. We wanted you even before you were conceived. Your Mom and I sat down and we talked about having you.” Addy smiled remembering those conversations. Alex was mesmerized listening. “We thought of everything when we decided to have you. In fact, we knew perfectly well that this moment, this very moment that you and I are having here, would happen.”
Alex furrowed her brow wondering. “How could you?”
“Because we know how things are and that a lot of people are prejudiced. That will never change. It’s a fact of life. We just have to deal with it.” Addy looked to the distance. “There are all s
orts of prejudices, race, ethnicity, homophobia, and tons of others. We cannot change how people think and feel, but we can do something about how we live our lives, and what we make of it.” She paused.
“So, this is how it is for you. Whether you like it or not this is your life, and we are your family.” Addy put her palms up as if to show. She paused again. “You have two mothers, and yes, we are in a lesbian relationship. We also happen to love each other and have been happy beyond belief for the last seventeen years. We have also raised a wonderful smart child, whom we love more than our own lives. We are proud of our love, our accomplishments and of you, and your accomplishments.” Alex was looking to the horizon now.
“That is your reality. People may not like it, and you may not like that people don’t like it, but that is what it is. The way I see it, you have two choices. One, you accept your family for who we are and love us to death like we love you. That means admitting the truth and learning to deal with people who don’t like us. That also means no more fighting with anyone. Your second choice, which is a bit more drastic, is that we find a boarding school for you where you can live your life and keep your family hidden from your friends.”
Alex looked at her horrified. Her eyes were huge and her jaw dropped. “M’Addy, how could you say that? How could you expect me to go to boarding school far away?” Her face became filled with anguish and her beautiful eyes became pools of tears.
“It’s not what we want. You being away from us would be very painful. What we want is for you to stay here with us where you belong. But, if you find it too difficult to deal with your life as it is because you are ashamed of us, or feel so miserable that your life will be ruined, we want you to have an alternative because we want you to be happy. We will do whatever we need to do to make you happy, even if that means letting you go. In a boarding school none of your friends would ever get to see us or have to deal with us. No one would ask you questions because no one would know us, and you would only see us when you are away from school on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and in the summer.” Alex shook her head and the tears began to fall.
