“I think it might be true. I’m not trying to be a gossip, but something happened, and I have to tell somebody, and you’re the only one I trust to keep it a secret.”
Lewis rolled his chair a bit closer to Gwen. He nodded. “Okay.”
“You know the rumor about there being a picture of Rick kissing a student?”
“Unfortunately. But I’m sure it’s bullshit.”
Gwen shook her head. “Somebody sent it to me.”
Lewis’s eyes widened.
“In the picture, Rick’s at his front door, wearing only a towel, kissing Ashlee Miles.”
Lewis winced. “I’m shocked. I’ve known Rick for a long time, and I’ve never seen him act inappropriately with a female student. And they do flirt with him. You should’ve seen it when he was younger. It was really bad, but he was always professional.”
She nodded. “I was shocked too.”
“Did you talk to him? Maybe there’s an explanation.”
“I talked to him on Sunday. He gave me an explanation, but it’s really difficult to believe. He thinks Janet orchestrated the whole thing as payback for playing Jamar over Shane.”
“Really? How?”
“I guess I’m getting ahead of myself. I should start from the beginning. Do you remember the Garden Grove game? The Friday before last?”
“That was Jamar’s first start.”
“It was. After the game, Rick and I went out for drinks and food at the Toad’s Stool.”
“I heard.”
Gwen sighed.
“The rumor mill,” Lewis replied, with a little shrug.
“It wasn’t a secret, although, if I’m honest, given everything that’s happened since then, I kind of wish nobody knew about us. I know that sounds really selfish.”
“I understand.”
“Anyway, we’d driven separately to the bar, so Rick offered to drive me home, since we both had been drinking, and I was worse off than him. Then he got pulled over, and he was given a sobriety test. He passed the breathalyzer, but Rick thought that Janet had followed us and had called the police.”
“Did you see Janet?”
“At the game, in the stands, but not afterward. Rick said he saw Janet’s car after he dropped me off from the bar. Then he went home and showered, and he claimed that Ashlee broke into his house. Well, she didn’t actually break in. Rick said he left the door unlocked. Then Ashlee came into his bedroom. Rick heard her, got out of the shower, put on a towel, and had to forcibly remove her from his house.”
“Why didn’t he just call the police?”
“I think he was worried about how it looked. An underaged girl in his bedroom, him not having any clothes on. He was worried that Ashlee would lie to the police.”
“What about the kiss?”
“Rick said that, when he opened the front door to push her out, he had to reach around her, and, when he did, she kissed him. He thinks that’s when Janet took the picture. But it doesn’t make sense. I mean, what are the chances that someone would be waiting for that shot at that perfect time? He claimed that he pushed Ashlee away immediately, so Janet, or whoever took the picture, only had a second or so to get the shot.”
“Unless Rick’s lying.”
Gwen blew out a breath. “Right. Unless Rick’s lying. What do you think? You know Rick better than me.”
Lewis shrugged again. “We’re work friends, but we don’t spend time together outside of school. He’s always busy with football, and, for a long time, he was taking care of his mom.”
“But you know this town. Do you think Janet would blackmail him just so her son can play high school football?”
“I wouldn’t put anything past her.”
“What about his house being unlocked? Is that normal?”
“I don’t know if that’s normal for him, but a lot of people leave their houses unlocked around here.”
“What about Ashlee? That’s a bold move for a sixteen-year-old. Do you think she’d go into Rick’s house unannounced and try to seduce him?”
Lewis took a deep breath. “It does sound unlikely, even for her, but I will tell you that Ashlee has some problems. She’s extremely intelligent, but something is off about her. This is straight-up gossip, so take it with a grain of salt, but supposedly one of her mother’s boyfriends sexually abused her when she was younger.”
“How old was she?” Gwen leaned forward in her chair, toward Lewis.
“I think eleven or twelve.”
“If that is true, that would explain her bold behavior. Maybe she did initiate it, but Rick went along with it. Does Mrs. Baumgartner know about her past?”
“I’m sure she does. Ashlee’s spent quite a few hours in her office.”
“I just tried calling Ashlee’s mother, not about Ashlee but about Caleb. He hasn’t been to my class all week.”
“I don’t think he’s been at school. He hasn’t been to my class either. Did you talk to his mother?”
Gwen shook her head. “No.”
Lewis leaned back in his chair. “Lemme guess. Straight to voice mail?”
“How’d you know?”
“I called her for the same reason. She’s not exactly an involved parent. I wouldn’t expect a return call. Just to give you an example of the type of mother she is, a few years ago I saw her in her car in the grocery store parking lot, tapping on her phone, while Caleb was inside doing all the shopping. As far as I can tell, Caleb and Ashlee have mostly raised themselves.”
“That’s awful. I think Caleb might be depressed, and who knows what this mess is doing to Ashlee.”
“Well, the school’s gonna investigate what happened with Rick. I’m sure they’ll get Ashlee the help she needs, but I think Caleb’s falling through the cracks. I think he’s having some issues with his sexual preference. I think he might be gay and doesn’t wanna face it.” Lewis paused for a moment and leaned toward Gwen. “I know what he’s going through. Fourteen years ago, I was Caleb. I tried talking to him, but he doesn’t wanna hear from me.”
“He won’t say much to me either. I even tried getting Jamar to talk to him.”
“How’d that go?”
“Jamar said that they’re different.”
Lewis sighed. “That sounds about right.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Gwen held out her hands.
“We can’t be their parents.”
CHAPTER 66
Caleb, the Liberal Faggot
A loud knock came at his bedroom door. Caleb awoke from his slumber, the room now dark. He had been high all day but had crashed a few hours ago.
“Unlock this door,” his mother said.
Caleb stirred.
“I said, Unlock this door,” his mother shouted.
Caleb staggered to his door, bleary-eyed. “Hold on.” He opened his door. Heather Miles stood with her arms crossed over her chest, wearing a tight shirt and yoga pants. Showing off her assets. All those hours in the gym on display.
“I got a message from school,” she said.
“So?” Caleb replied.
“So, you haven’t been at school all week.” His mother glared at him.
“Did you go to work today?”
“What I do is none of your business.”
“What I do is none of your business either.”
“As long as you live in my house, what you do is my business.”
“What do you care?”
“You’ve missed three days in a row. If you miss another, I have to produce a doctor’s note, or I’ll get fined.”
Caleb smirked. “That makes sense. You only give a shit because it might affect you.”
She dropped her arms. “You know what? I don’t care. I’ll just call the police. You can ruin your life. You’re not punishin’ me. Just another West Lake loser. Ain’t nothin’ special about that.”
“What about you? You drive a Pontiac Grand Am and live in a fucking trailer.”
Heather glowered at Caleb. “You ungrat
eful little piece of shit. How do you think I ended up like this? You and your sister have ruined my life. No good man wants a woman who already has children. If I didn’t have you two leeches, I’d probably be livin’ in a big house, watchin’ some Mexican cut my lawn.”
Caleb shook his head. “That’s racist.”
“You think you’re some kind of liberal faggot now?”
Caleb gritted his teeth, his face hot with shame.
Heather pointed at her son. “You’re goin’ to school tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 67
Rick and Disrespect
It was the end of an ugly road game. West Lake was winning fourteen to zero, but it should’ve been fifty to zero. Rick sat in the home team stands, wearing a knit cap, blending into the Tamaqua Valley crowd. Tamaqua Valley High School was a small soccer school with a traditionally bad football team. Drew Fuller and the defense had been stellar that night, but the offense wasn’t clicking. They could’ve just taken a knee and walked away with the win, but Shane needed his stats. So, on first and ten, with less than a minute left in the game, Shane threw a deep pass to Lance, who was wide open on a post pattern. The boo birds in the stands squawked at the meaningless touchdown pass. Shane shook his fist and high-fived Lance.
Jamar stood on the sideline, holding his helmet, his uniform clean. He’d dutifully cheered the entire game, but he hadn’t cheered that last touchdown.
After the game, the teams lined up on the fifty-yard line and slapped hands. The Tamaqua Valley coach was red-faced as he met Coach Schneider in the middle of the field. They shook hands, but the Tamaqua Valley coach didn’t let go, instead giving Coach Schneider an earful before releasing him.
CHAPTER 68
Janet and Complications
Janet stretched out on her king-size bed, like a snow angel, sunlight brightening her curtains. She grabbed her phone and her glasses from the bedside table and checked the time—8:27. She smiled, thinking about Shane’s big win last night. She checked her text messages and email. Nothing interesting. She navigated to the West Lake Watchdog on Facebook. Nothing new. She slipped from her bed and padded into her bathroom.
She leaned against the sink, glaring at her reflection in the mirror. She’d slept almost nine hours, but her frown lines looked deep, her face blotchy. She needed an appointment at the tanning bed. She lifted her blond bangs, her face twisting in disgust at her forehead furrows. She brushed her teeth, peed, and put on a pair of West Lake Football sweats. She went to the kitchen and turned on the coffeepot. While she waited, she sat at the kitchen table, tapping on her phone.
A squeaky door opened and shut upstairs. What’s Shane doing here? Shouldn’t he be at films? With the open floor plan, she had a good view of the stairs. Whispering carried downstairs, followed by tiptoeing teenagers. Shane led Ashlee Miles down the steps, holding her hand, his finger to his lips. Shit. This better be a fling. We do not need to be connected to that white-trash family, especially when people find out about Ashlee and Rick. Janet stood from the kitchen table and met them at the bottom of the stairs.
Ashlee’s long dark hair was disheveled. She wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, partly covered by a Patagonia vest. Her makeup had worn off, but her face was radiant. Once upon a time Janet could stay up all night, fucking the hottest guy in school, and still look radiant in the morning, never shameful on her walk home. Now she got nine hours of sleep and still looked like a fucking hobgoblin without makeup.
“Good morning, you two,” Janet said, with a smile.
Ashlee’s eyes were wide, a tight smile on her face.
“Hey, Mom,” Shane said, with a little smirk. The cat that ate the canary. “You know Ashlee Miles from school.”
“Of course,” Janet said. “It’s nice to see you, Ashlee.”
Ashlee gave a quick wave. “Hi, Principal Wilcox.”
“Please call me Janet.”
Ashlee nodded.
“Are you guys hungry? I was about to make breakfast.”
Ashlee glanced back at Shane, then said, “I really need to get home.”
Shane walked Ashlee outside. Janet parted the blinds and watched them make out, Shane pushing her against her Jeep, kissing openmouthed, their hands all over each other. A few minutes later, Shane returned. Janet waited for him in the foyer. He fucked her. It’s written all over his face. That self-satisfied smirk.
“We need to talk,” Janet said.
“About what?” Shane asked, playing coy.
“About you and Ashlee Miles.”
Shane sucked in his lower lip, trying to fend off the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “She’s a nice girl.”
Janet shook her head. “Did you wear a condom?”
Shane blushed. “I know what I’m doin’.”
“I hope so, because she’s been around the block a few times.”
Shane crossed his arms over his chest. “She’s not like that.”
“How do you know?”
“I’m not talkin’ about this with you. I’m goin’ back to bed.” Shane walked past his mother toward the stairs.
Janet followed. “I’m not finished talking to you.”
Shane shrugged but didn’t stop walking.
Janet followed him up the stairs, talking at him, nagging him like a pest. “Aren’t you supposed to be in films?”
He stopped at the open doorway to his room and turned to Janet, leaning on the frame. “I texted Coach Schneider and told him I was sick.”
Janet crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you think that’s smart? I bet Jamar Burris is there.”
“So what? They’re not gonna bench me for missin’ films. Especially with Barnett gone. I can pretty much do whatever I want now. You know that touchdown I threw to Lance at the end of the game last night?”
“What about it?”
“I was supposed to take a knee, but I knew it would be wide open. After the game, I thought Schneider would be pissed, but you know what he said to me?” Shane paused for a beat. “He said, ‘Good game, Shane.’”
“Well, maybe he saw that your play worked.”
“Maybe he’s afraid of you.”
Janet dropped her arms, her brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“Come on, Mom. Don’t bullshit me. I heard Coach Schneider does whatever you say.”
“That’s not true. Who told you that?”
“Drew Fuller’s been sayin’ that the only reason I’m startin’ over Jamar is because of you.”
Janet frowned. “That’s ridiculous.”
Shane lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “Is it? Coach Barnett thought Jamar was better, but then he gets suspended, and now I’m startin’ again.”
“Coach Schneider is a better judge of talent, and Coach Barnett had an affair with a student.”
Shane pursed his lips, looking down at his mother, diamond studs glistening in his earlobes. “Is that even true?”
“I’ve seen pictures.”
“Of Coach Barnett?”
“Yes.”
“With a student?”
“Yes.”
“What’s he doing?”
“Kissing her … and he’s naked.”
Shane shook his head. “He’s goin’ to jail, huh?”
“He might.” She paused for an instant, reflecting on her handiwork. “At the very least, he’ll never teach or coach again.”
“Who’s the girl?”
Janet broke eye contact for a moment. “I can’t say.”
Shane smiled that perfect smile. “Come on. Who is it? I won’t tell.”
Janet paused again, the wheels turning in her mind. If I don’t tell him now, he’ll be more involved with Ashlee when this thing breaks.
“Come on. Who is it?”
Janet looked him in the eyes and said, “Ashlee Miles.”
Shane recoiled as if Janet had punched him in the face. “That’s not true.”
“I’m sorry, Shane. I wish it wasn’t.”
&n
bsp; “Bullshit.” He turned and marched into his bedroom, swiping his keys off the dresser. He pushed past Janet and hurried down the stairs.
“Where are you going?”
He didn’t look back as he said, “To talk to Ashlee.”
CHAPTER 69
Gwen and Grocery-Store Gossip
Gwen parked her cart in the produce aisle. She collected kale, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, apples, sweet potatoes, and strawberries. As she placed apples into a plastic bag, she saw Enid Burris pushing a shopping cart her way, with Jamar walking alongside. They were dressed in their Sunday best.
Gwen twisted a tie around her apples and approached the Burrises. “Hi, Mrs. Burris. Jamar.”
Mrs. Burris smiled. “Gwen, it’s so nice to see you. Please, call me Enid.”
“Hi, Ms. Townsend.” Jamar’s head was tilted down, his voice barely above a whisper.
“You two look so nice,” Gwen said, referring to Jamar’s suit and Enid’s dress.
“Thank you, Gwen. We just came from church. I needed to pick up a few things for the week.”
Jamar was nonplussed by the compliment.
“My cupboards are literally bare,” Gwen said.
Enid motioned to Jamar. “This one’s eating me out of house and home.” She poked Jamar in the stomach and giggled. “I don’t know where he puts it.”
Gwen laughed. “I wish I had his metabolism.”
Jamar remained stoic.
Enid frowned at her son and pushed the cart toward him. “Go pick out some salad vegetables and some fruit for breakfast.”
Jamar pushed the cart toward the lettuces, leaving Gwen and Enid alone.
“Is he okay?” Gwen asked.
“Oh, he’s been in a funk since Friday. He didn’t play. I told him that his studies were more important, but I think that was the last thing he wanted to hear. He thinks that Coach Schneider’s cheating him somehow. I don’t know how that’s possible.”
Gwen nodded, her mouth turned down.
“Jamar misses Coach Barnett.”
Gwen glanced across the produce section at Jamar moving with the speed of an octogenarian, shuffling with slumped shoulders. Gwen returned her attention to his mother.
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