“Jeez, sorry for having a hot girlfriend who can cook.” He took another mouthful of cake before following my line of vision to Elena. “I didn’t know she baked.”
I couldn’t look away from her. “She never used to.”
“Glad to see my secret brain programming worked during surgery. She will also be able to have better orgasms now.” He winked. “Not that you’ll ever find out.” I elbowed him in the ribs as his laughter became even louder. “It’s true. What you’re selling, she ain’t buying.” Usually, his banter would be met with a witty retort, but not today. My emotions were on edge.
“Dick,” I grumbled through gritted teeth.
“No, that’s what your wife wants, remember?”
“Shut up, Greg,” I yelled, and his laughter disappeared immediately.
“Mate, I’m sorry, I was just joking.”
“Well, don’t.” I chugged the rest of my beer.
Greg placed the plate of half-eaten cake on the table and took a step closer, lowering his voice and keeping his eyes on mine. “What’s wrong?”
I gripped the bottle so tightly, I thought it might shatter. “He’s here. Tom wants to see her. Tonight.”
Greg’s hand landed on my shoulder, all he could offer without drawing attention from the kids. “Fuck. Are you okay?”
“What do you think?” My eyes began to sting, the emotion rising.
“Hey, maybe we should get some air.” He rubbed my shoulder, but I shook him off. His touch only caused a swirl of unrest in my stomach. “Okay. Well then, how ’bout I kick his ass?”
“With your chicken arms? I think I’d do more damage.”
He cracked a smile before turning serious again. “She can’t really meet him. Not after everything she knows.”
“I can’t exactly stop her.”
“But you could talk to her.”
“What’s the point?” I whispered in defeat.
“Because she’s your fucking wife.” His harsh words hung in the air for a moment, stirring a mix of surprise and shock. The surprise quickly faded, and a more dominating emotion was left in its place: anger. He sheepishly dipped his head. “Look, it’s just—”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Fury was building in my chest. “Do you think this is easy for me? Watching her fall in love with someone else? I wanted to tell her from day one, and you all insisted this would be better. ‘Let her remember on her own.’” I mocked his voice. “You remember that?” He audibly gulped as his eyes darted around the room, silently warning me to calm down.
“Jax—”
“I have my kid wishing his mother will remember who he is for his sixth birthday.” I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. “Do you have any idea how fucked up that is? For weeks, I have just stood by and done nothing because of you.” I glared at him through blurry eyes. “And now she’s going to see him again, and I can’t do a damn thing about it.”
“Lower your voice before she hears you,” my mum said, appearing from nowhere.
I glared at her and saw only empathy. “What does it matter now anyway?” I began, frustrated. “I’ve already lost her.”
“Is everything okay?” Elena asked, causing everyone to jump slightly. Thankfully, I had my back to her, so she couldn’t see how upset I was.
“Everything is great.” Greg took charge. “Delicious cake, by the way. We’re out of beer, so I think we will just make a trip to the store. Right, Jax?” He placed a hand on my back, ushering me toward the door. I didn’t look back at Elena, though I could feel her eyes on me.
Greg and I walked around the park for an hour to give me some time to compose myself. Thankfully, the party was almost over, so my abrupt exit was barely noticed by the guests. Greg lent an ear, listening intently to my fears of losing Elena. His reassurance helped break through the cloud in my judgement, reminding me Elena wasn’t gone. In fact, she was still very much in my life. Whether or not she would remain there and in what capacity was entirely up to me and my actions.
We stopped by the store on our way home, and I noticed Greg buying wine, beer, and other snacks, much more than would be needed for just me tonight. His motives only became abundantly clear when I arrived home to my apartment, expecting to find only Jamie and my mother but instead, I was welcomed by a full house.
“What’s going on?” I asked Greg as he nudged me down the hallway.
I found Mum, Cat, and the children playing board games in the middle of the living room. Nick emerged from the kitchen at that moment and gave a huge grin on his way to the living room, where he handed glasses of wine to Mum and Cat. He took his seat on the floor as Greg whispered into my ear.
“We thought you could use some company tonight.”
My heart felt like it had grown in size as my mum winked at me from the couch and sipped her wine. I turned to Greg in amazement at the effort he had made to make me feel less alone. Frantically texting while we were in the park and the excess food and drink began to make sense. Unbeknownst to me, he was arranging my pity party while Elena chose to meet Tom. Greg turned to me again before I could utter my appreciation.
“No matter what happens, Jax, we will be here for you.” He pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear, “And you will always have Jamie.”
I let out a shaky breath, touched by the gesture of those closest to me. On a Saturday night, most, if not all of them, certainly had plans but cancelled them to be here. Greg released me from the tight embrace and led me to where my family gathered, playing games on the floor. Someone was missing, of course, but I tried not to dwell on Elena as I focused on enjoying this time with my son.
The front door swinging open surprised us all, as it was followed by Cat shouting, “Pizza’s here!” The children ran in first to the kitchen, and I followed slowly, stunned to see that the delivery person was none other than the very person I wanted to see most.
I felt my heart rate accelerate the moment her emerald eyes landed on mine. A small smile graced my lips. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Elena returned the smile, gravitating toward me and into the living room where it was quieter. The frenzy that came with fresh pizza pulled everyone into the kitchen.
“What are you doing here?”
“I live here, remember?” she joked before she removed her coat and placed it on the coatrack. Her hands slid into her jean pockets as she looked up at me and inched closer.
“I know, it’s just…” I trailed off, still surprised she was standing in front of me. “I thought you had plans tonight.”
She bit her lip for a moment. She’d never divulged the call she had earlier with Tom, especially to me, but her response hinted that she knew I overheard: “I’m exactly where I want to be.” I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face as she gestured toward the kitchen. “Shall we?”
Chapter Thirteen
“Last quarter’s results were fantastic,” I announced to my small team as I clicked to the next slide of my presentation, revealing customer feedback. “We are now halfway through November, and I have no doubt we will reach our end-of-year target. And with me being off for basically September and a part-timer in October, I am so impressed with the hustle.” Chuck and Sam high-fived each other as Tansy danced in her chair excitedly.
“Does that mean we all get bonuses?” Chuck asked.
“Do we get an office like yours?” Sam said before Tansy added, “How ’bout a company car?”
“How about lunch is on me?” My simple gesture was met by a sea of cheers in the small work space.
The loud vibrations from my phone on the table pulled my attention away from them, and I excused myself to take the call in my office. “Hello?”
“Hello, this is Morgan Ellis calling for Principal Gibson at Winton Primary School. Is this Elena Ricci?”
“Yes. Is something wrong?” I asked as the team watched me through the opening in my office door.
“There has been an incident with Jamie, and we can’t seem to get a
hold of Keelin Jax.”
“She’s in surgeries all day. Is Jamie okay? Is he hurt?”
“Jamie was involved in a fight with another pupil. Winton has a zero tolerance to violence policy, so he is suspended effective immediately. We need someone to come down to the school and collect him.”
“Of course, I’ll be right there.” I grabbed my laptop bag, shoving whatever was scattered across my desk into it before I spoke to the team. “Jamie was in a fight.”
“What? That doesn’t sound like him.” Tansy stood in shock, watching me helplessly.
“I have to go.” I left no room for discussion despite my assistant looking hesitant. “Tansy, redirect all calls to my mobile phone.” I sighed as I sent a text to Jax.
Call me, its urgent.
“What about your meeting with Alan Bishop?” Tansy called as I was about to dash out of our office.
“Reschedule for tomorrow, make something up,” I replied over my shoulder as I rushed down the hallway toward the elevator.
I didn’t hesitate to cancel despite me and Tansy preparing for it all week. This was more important. Jamie’s school wasn’t far from work, and I arrived not long after taking the call, a little short of breath.
“Hi, I’m Elena Ricci, here to collect Jamie Jax.” I spoke to the younger man at reception, the same person I assumed had called earlier.
“Jamie Jax?” He returned, clear confusion in his voice. “Don’t you mean Jamie Ricci?”
I rolled my eyes at my own forgetfulness. “Yes, Jamie Ricci.” I clarified as the man stared, clearly sceptical. Perhaps surveying if I was an imposter since I was unable to remember my own son’s name. “Sorry, it’s been a long day,” I remarked but regretted that excuse instantly, considering the clock above his head revealed it was barely eleven a.m.
He went back to shuffling paper on his desk as I strummed my nails anxiously on the mahogany desk. Most children were in class, so the hallways seemed derelict, hauntingly silent, though it made finding Jamie much easier. After spotting the bloody cloth, I raced toward him. Kneeling to his eye level, I tried to comfort the worry etched on his features.
“Are you okay? What happened?” I pulled back the damp cloth, revealing a cut to his lip which was oozing blood. He tried to speak, but it only caused more snuffling. “It’s okay. I’m here.” His eyes were full to the brim, and his cheeks were puffy from crying.
“Ms Ricci?” I turned to be met by a tall, broad, older woman who stood at a door behind me. “Join me in my office.”
Her voice was stern and echoed, reminding me of the horrible nuns who used to teach in St Catherine’s Boarding House. Past memories rushed to the surface. Facing Jamie’s intimidating headmistress coupled with being in a school setting again was an unfortunate combination which made suppressing those memories near impossible. My breathing turned uneasy, and a cold sweat broke out along my neck.
Her fiery glaring eyes bored into my soul and caused me to shift back toward Jamie, and when I did, it was clear that he was just as frightened.
“You wait here, Jay.” I patted his knee as I tried to conjure my bravest voice.
“I don’t believe we have officially met.” The demanding voice vibrated in the small and immaculate office once I’d closed the door behind me. The dated magnolia decor brought me back to boarding school again, an unnerving and debilitating feeling. The large crucifix positioned behind her head wasn’t helping either.
“I am Principal Gibson.” She informed rather than introduced as she sat behind the large desk. “Usually, it’s not necessary for me to meet Primary Two parents, but here we are.” Her brow peaked as she studied my standing, frozen figure. “At this school, where I am the headmaster and leader of these children, we do not tolerate bad behaviour. Especially the kind of behaviour I witnessed today.”
“I’m just as shocked as you are, Principal Gib—”
“I am outraged that Jamie struck another six-year-old student, and I am holding you personally responsible.” She pursed her lips, somehow looking down at me even though she was seated.
Her tone transported me yet again, and I found myself dipping my head as Jamie had done moments ago. If the daily torment wasn’t enough, I remembered the other girls who used to pick on me. They’d been almost as bad as the nuns. Every day at lunch time, the girls would tease my broken English, my darker skin, my hair or freckles or backpack, anything at all. Then the teasing turned violent, and I finally stood up for myself. The months of bruises on my ribcage, arms, and legs meant nothing to the nuns because I had made the mistake of leaving a visible mark on my bully’s face: a bloody nose.
The drawbacks of boarding school were simple, there was no escape, no respite. I had to face the wrath of the nuns and was put in solitary confinement between classes for weeks. For my own protection, they claimed. I remembered telling my parents, but to no surprise, they’d sided with the nuns. That was how things were handled in my parents’ household. Why listen to the child when they could take the word of an adult they hardly knew?
I had tuned out the principal’s voice as she criticised Jax and my parenting skills. Until I reminded myself that I was not that little girl anymore, dipping my head from the accusing tone of the principal. I didn’t have to be like my parents and take the teacher’s word. I trusted that Jamie knew better than violence. I might not have remembered everything about him, but I trusted his character and the person who’d raised him.
“Excuse me?” I said, cutting her off. She looked taken aback for a second, providing me with the ammo I needed to turn this crusade around. “From where I am standing, Principal Gibson, Jamie was physically assaulted under your supervision, and I am holding you personally responsible.”
She looked flabbergasted, and I must say, it felt good, avenging myself on all the cruel teachers who’d ever wrongly accused me.
“I expect an explanation.” I pursed my lips back at her.
“From the information I received”—she shifted papers on her desk—“it was Jamie who threw the first punch at another student in his class.” Her tone was back to accusing.
It was like a trigger, causing an overwhelming need to defend Jamie. “He would never touch anyone. Why exactly did this fight start?”
“Well, I don’t know the exact details. But the bottom line—”
“What do you mean, you don’t know? You don’t know the context of the assault that took place on your property? He’s six!” I argued before moving toward the door to call for backup. “Jamie, come inside.”
The old bat tried to insist that this conversation remain private. I dismissed her and waited until Jamie was inside the office.
“Did you hit the other student first?” I asked. I didn’t even look at him, staring at the principal, waiting to see that righteous smile wiped from her face when she heard the truth.
“Yes.” He frowned, still holding the cloth to his face as my head whipped toward him.
I knelt in shock. “Jamie, why?”
“You see. He lacks discipline. The child is clearly prone to violent outbursts.”
“Shut up and let him speak.” My voice seemed to shock her, and she stared with rage in her eyes, but I turned back to Jamie, ignoring her. “You know you are never to lay a hand on anyone,” I said softly as he nodded, but his face was still scrunched angrily. “Why would you hit another pupil?” He looked at the principal with a glimpse of fear, prompting me to take his hand. “You can tell me.”
With a big breath, he blurted, “Michael Peters said my mummy was a dyke, and she was gonna burn in hell.” His hands tightened into little fists. “So I hit him.” I couldn’t hide the shock on my face as the harsh words hung heavily in the air. I nodded slowly before kissing him on the forehead, rising to my feet again.
“Please sit outside for two minutes, and we will go home.”
When the door was closed again, I could feel the rage growing from the pit of my belly as my eyes turned on the principal, who looked a lot smal
ler behind her desk. “I was not aware of any conversations between Jamie and the other student—”
“How dare you? How dare you sit there and humiliate me and Jamie like that?” Her mouth bobbed open and closed, but she failed to verbalise her thoughts. “They are six-year-olds. Where the fuck do they learn words like ‘dyke’? What kind of a circus school are you running here? And where is the other pupil from his class? Is he suspended too?”
“Ms Ricci,” she calmly stuttered. “There appears to have been a mistake, a misunderstanding.”
“You’re damn right! I expect this suspension to be lifted immediately, or I will be writing a formal complaint to the education board for harassment and bullying of a student under your care.”
“There will be no need for a complaint. This has all been a mix-up.” She began to panic, wild eyes scattering around the room too ashamed to meet me. “My sincerest apologies for—”
“Keep your apologies for Sunday confession. I assume the other student’s parents will be on their way to pick up their child for verbally and physically assaulting Jamie.”
“I will be calling the other pupil’s parents right away. This incident will be expunged from your son’s record. I assure you, this is an inclusive school, tolerant of all family types—”
“How about you add the job of changing the word ‘tolerant’ to ‘accepting’ to your long list of things you have to do this afternoon. Right after you apologise to the young man sitting outside your office?”
She jumped from her plush seat, brushing past me, unable to meet my eyes.
* * *
“That was so cool,” Jamie said before wincing as the smiling irritated the cut on his lip. I too, found myself walking on a cloud as we exited the school grounds into the busy streets. “Mum is afraid of Principal Gibson. She never talked to her like that.”
“Bitch needed to be put in her place,” I said before checking myself. “And don’t repeat that bad word to anyone.” He nodded frantically.
“Are we going home?” he asked, jumping over a puddle as we walked toward the underground station.
Aurora Page 15
