Twenty-one Year Rule

by Alaina Stanford

  “That’s incredible, does Bash know?” Josh asked and took a sip of his beer.

  “No, Grace doesn’t want to upset him. She’s going to tell him tonight after everyone goes to bed.” Randy explained. “Bash claims they threatened Grace, but he won’t say anymore. I’m not sure what he’s thinking. Pete has a history of violence and drugs. He isn’t the type to walk away. I asked Grace to stay with us for a few days.”

  Josh stared at Randy until he turned to look at him. Josh said, “When is this going to end, Randy? What has Bash gotten himself mixed up in? If this guy is so bad, what was Bash doing with him? You said violence and drugs. Grace is a good kid. If Bash is into drugs, then we need to separate them. Grace’s dad isn’t here to protect her. I won’t be responsible for allowing Grace to take the wrong path.”

  Randy glanced down at the deck and said, “I spent the last few days trying to figure out what Bash’s role is in all this. I wish I could say I think he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I don’t believe it.”

  “So what did happen?” Josh asked quietly, not sure he wanted to know.

  “I don’t know, Josh.” Randy looked at him. “I don’t, but he’s my brother-in-law and he came clean about the meth. I didn’t get the whole story, but I don’t think he intended to distribute it. As for the death of Lt. Thomas, I think Bash tried to stop it and nearly died for his efforts. Therefore, as far as I’m concerned, he has a clean slate right now. What he chooses to do with it is up to him.”

  “And Grace?” Josh locked eyes with him.

  “If I see Bash heading in the wrong direction I’ll step in. For now, Bash is in love, probably for the first time in his life. Let him enjoy it. He hasn’t had a lot of happiness in his life. Maybe Grace is the one thing, the only thing that can turn him around.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Josh’s phone buzzed in his back pocket as they finished their beer. He pulled it out; it was Joanne’s home phone. “Joanne?” He answered.

  “Dad?” Jake’s voice cracked with emotion.

  “Jake, what’s wrong?” Josh quickly rose to his feet.

  “I want to come home.” Jake answered.

  “Are you okay?” Josh asked heading toward the kitchen door.

  Randy rose and followed him.

  “I just don’t want to be here anymore.” Jake answered defensively. “Mom left.”

  Josh didn’t like to tone of Jake’s voice. “I’m at your Uncle Randy’s. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  Once inside Josh announced, “I’m going to pick up Jake. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  **********

  Jake didn’t wait for Josh to get out of his truck. He rushed out the door and strode quickly to his dad’s truck. When the light of the door hit Jake’s face, a rage began to boil inside Josh like he’d never felt before.

  Jake’s right eye was swollen and bruised. Josh gritted his teeth and took a deep breath while Jake climbed in the truck. He reached out and cupped Jake’s chin, “What happened to your eye, son?”

  “I fell,” Jake said quietly.

  “You fell on what?” Josh asked pushing his anger down deep inside.

  “I don’t remember.” Jake said with a jerk of his head pulling free of his father’s grasp.

  Josh put the truck into gear and headed back toward Randy’s. When they reached the entrance to Randy’s driveway Josh pulled in and stopped. He turned off the truck and sat in the darkness with Jake.

  Jake slowly turned to face him. “Dad, what are you doing?”

  Josh sighed and looked at him. “We have to talk about the black eye son. I’m not taking you any further until you tell me what happened.”

  “It was my fault.” Jake said softly.

  Josh had a sinking feeling, “Jake, you’re just a kid. Fights happen, was it the kid down the street again?”

  “No,” Jake answered looking down.

  Josh stared at him in silence, waiting.

  “Mom didn’t mean to hurt me.” Jake admitted turning back to look at him, he added quickly, “I was yelling at her. She told me to stop and I wouldn’t.”

  Josh’s jaw clenched. “She hit you?”

  The tears came and Jake started talking, “We were at the drive-in and she said she was going to the concession stand for popcorn, but she didn’t come back. I waited for a long time, then I went to the concession stand to look for her, and she wasn’t there. On my way back to the car, I saw her standing near a car arguing with some guy. I went over to ask her what she was doing, and she got mad. She was drinking again dad. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I thought I could get her to stop. I kept taking the alcohol and hiding it, but she always got more. When she started yelling I me to go back to the car I got mad. I told her I was sick of her drinking, and she told me to shut up. I said no and the guy got mad. I called him an asshole. He started to yell at me, and mom started to yell at him. I grabbed her hand and tried to pull her back to the car. She screamed at me, and started shaking me. The guy ripped our hands apart. He shoved me. I fell against his car and hit my head on the chrome bumper.”

  Josh’s anger boiled inside him. He pushed it down again.

  Jake continued as tears streamed down his face. “The guy went ballistic and started screaming at me and mom. Some people got out of their cars and came over. A lady helped me up and took me over to her car. I don’t know what happened next. All I know is mom pulled up with her car a few minutes later, and we left.”

  Josh reached out and pulled Jake to him. He hugged him and said, “its okay, Jake. It wasn’t your fault. I’ll talk to your mom, and we’ll sort this out.”

  Jake hugged him hard and released him. “Why did she do that dad? It was supposed to be our night together.”

  “I don’t know, son. I’m sorry; I can’t explain it.” Josh added softly. He would get to the bottom of it, but first he’d find that guy and kick his ass. “Where’s your mom?”

  Jake climbed back into his seat, “She let me in the house and left. She told me to go to bed. I don’t think she knew I was hurt. She just left.”

  Josh started the truck and moved up the drive to the house. They climbed out and headed toward the door. “Let’s get some ice on that eye. You’re going to have a real shiner in the morning.”

  “Can I put a steak on it like they do in the movies?” Jake asked.

  Josh laughed and opened the door. Jake’s black eye drew everyone’s attention when he walked through the living room. Beth watched Josh closely. He was smiling and acting as if nothing was wrong.

  Molly ran up to Jake and peered closely at his eye. “What happened to you?”

  Josh answered for Jake, “He fell. He’s going to be fine.”

  Beth came up beside Jake and examined his eye. “It’s you’re first and hopefully last black eye Jake. It looks like your eye is fine. It’s a surface wound. I’ll get you some Ibuprofen.”

  Josh handed Jake an ice pack from the freezer as Beth went in search of medicine. Glancing around Josh asked, “Where’s Randy?”

  Amy walked down the stairs with Emma in her arms and said, “There was a disturbance at the drive-in. Randy went to help Ed sort it all out.”

  Jake turned to Josh in alarm. Josh pulled him aside and said softly, “its okay, Randy can handle it. If your mom’s there, Randy will take care of her.”

  “Dad, please?” Jake was beginning to panic.

  “Okay,” Josh said quickly, “I’ll head over there and see what’s going on. You stay here with Beth until I get back.”

  Jake sat down on the sofa next to Bash’s recliner. Bash glanced over at his black eye and said, “Stirring some things up tough guy?”

  Jake grinned and winced at the pain in his eye.

  Beth followed Josh to the door and kissed him goodbye, “Is everything all right?” she asked softly.

  “Yes,” Josh answered glancing back at Jake. “But Jake and Molly should stay with you. If Joanne calls, she can’t have them ton
ight. No matter what she says, the answer is no.”

  “I understand,” Beth answered as he turned and headed to his truck.

  When Josh reached the main road, he pulled out his cell phone and called Randy. Randy picked it up on the first ring. “Randy, is Joanne involved in the disturbance at the drive-in?” Josh got right to the point.

  “No, it was a bunch of teenagers whooping it up on the playground.” Randy chuckled, “I’m taking them back to spend a few hours in the jail.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Josh answered and hung up before Randy could ask any questions. He turned right at the main road through town and headed for Sadie’s, hoping he was wrong.

  Josh pulled into the lot and parked next to Joanne’s new car. The parking lot was packed. Thursday was ladies night, free drinks for gals all night. Josh climbed out of his truck and let the anger rise.

  Josh walked into Sadie’s and gazed slowly around the room from table to table. He could see Joanne across the dance floor. She was standing near the stage talking to a tall lanky man with long greasy brown hair. Josh’s eyes narrowed as the anger grew. No one placed a hand on his son.

  Josh strode boldly across the dance floor toward them. Joanne’s date saw him coming and pushed her to one side. Josh stopped at the edge of the dance floor and waited. Joanne stared at him in shock. Josh’s gaze moved from her date, back to Joanne. When their eyes met, she gasped and dropped the drink in her hand. She stepped toward him.

  “Josh, it was an accident.” She stammered.

  Josh moved his eyes back to the tall man and said, “You’re pretty tough against a fourteen year old kid. Let’s see how you hold up to a grown man.”

  Randy watched as Ed finished processing the last teenager then escorted them to the holding cell. He walked back to his desk as Ed answered the phone. “Right,” Ed said and hung up. “We’ve got trouble at Sadie’s. Two men in a fist fight in the parking lot.”

  “I’ll take it.” Randy said heading for the door. “You stay here and handle the angry parents when they arrive.” He added with a chuckle.

  **********

  Bash stretched his arms and shifted to one side of the recliner to allow Grace more room on the arm of the chair. He sighed and said, “I think I’m ready for a pain pill before I head upstairs.”

  Grace smiled and rose to run upstairs for his meds. Molly rushed to Bash’s chair and pushed down on the footrest for him. “Dr. Molly strikes again.” Bash said with a smile. “I don’t think I could have gotten that down myself.”

  Molly smiled and him and said, “I’ll get you some water for your pills, no charge.”

  Grace returned and handed Bash a large white pill. He accepted the water from Molly and washed down the pill.

  Grace sat down on the arm of the recliner and said, “Let’s give it about 15 minutes before we head upstairs. It will be easier on you once the pill kicks in.”

  Beth went upstairs to help Amy give Emma a quick bath before bed. They finished just as Grace and Bash headed up the stairs. Molly cuddled up to Jake on the sofa as he searched for a suitable cartoon they would both enjoy. Beth headed downstairs to get them ready to leave while Amy put Emma to bed.

  Bash really didn’t need to lean on Grace to get to his bed, but he liked having her arms around him. She helped him sit down on the edge of his bed and held his hand as he lay down. Pulling the blanket up over him she said, “I have to tell you something.”

  He relaxed into the pillow as the room began to float about him. Smiling up at her, he said, “You can tell me anything.”

  She smiled as his eyes glazed over and added, “Can you concentrate on me for a minute before you fall asleep? I went to the Sheriff’s office and looked at mug shots.”

  That got his attention, “Why?”

  “He wanted to see if I could identify the men at Sadie’s that left with the soldier.” Grace said softly, “I found one, his name is Pete. He was in a file of known associates of the guy the Sheriff killed.”

  Bash’s head cleared a bit as his pulse began to race. “No, Grace. You should have talked to me first. I don’t want you mixed up in this. Pete is dangerous.”

  “Well, it’s too late.” Grace said in a stern tone. “Sheriff Connor sent an alert and everyone is looking for him now. The Sheriff thinks they will find him soon and this will all be over.”

  Bash reached up and touched her cheek. She was so beautiful, so innocent. She had no idea what she’d done. “Stay here with me tonight.” He whispered.

  **********

  When Amy came down the stairs, she found all three of the Millers on their hands and knees looking under the furniture. “What did you lose?” She asked with a giggle.

  “My shoes,” Molly said, rising to her feet. “I don’t know what I did with them.”

  Suddenly a loud boom came from outside. Amy froze. Beth jumped to her feet and ran to the door. She pulled it open and peered outside asking, “What was that?”

  The scream of a frightened horse came from the stables.

  Amy nodded and said, “Close the door, Beth! It could be that bear.”

  Before Beth could shut the door, Grace came running down the stairs. “It’s the horses!” She said as she pushed past Beth and out the door. She bolted for the stables before Beth could say a word.

  “No!” Bash yelled from upstairs. “Don’t let her go!”

  Jake rose to his feet and locked eyes with Beth. “That was a gunshot.”

  Amy ran to the closet under the stairs and pulled her handgun out. She slammed the closet shut and told Beth. “Get the kids upstairs and take care of Emma,” then ran after Grace.

  “No Amy!” Bash called from the top of the stairs, “A handgun won’t stop a bear!”

  Beth grabbed Molly’s hand and pulled her toward the stairs.

  “My horses!” Molly started to cry, “I want my horses!”

  Jake rushed up the stairs behind them and wrapped his arm around Molly’s shoulders. “It’s okay Molly. Everything is going to be okay.”

  Bash disappeared into Amy’s bedroom as Beth pushed Molly and Jake into Emma’s room and said, “Stay here, don’t come out. I’ll be right back.”

  She shut the door and turned back to help Bash down the stairs. He was gone.

  **********

  Josh leaned over Joanne’s date who lay sprawled out on the parking lot. He scowled at him wishing he’d get up. Joanne rushed to his side and said, “What the hell are you doing? Stay out of my life!”

  “Your life?” Josh turned to her, “You’re drinking again and from what I hear turning tricks to earn the money to pay for your new car and all the time I’m foolishly paying your rent so you can subject my kids to God know what. Josh told me about the booze. The poor kid has been trying to save you from yourself and how do you repay him? You throw him into the middle of your drunken fight with this loser and get him hurt.”

  Joanne’s face lost all color. She stepped back from him and glanced down at her date. She looked back up at Josh and locked eyes with him. “Yeah, I’ve been drinking. So what? It’s my life. I never brought Bob home when they were there. I never drank in front of them, only after they went to bed. As for the hooker shit, I got the money from Bob. He loves me and wants to take care of me. I’m sorry Jake got hurt but it was just a black eye, no permanent damage was done.”

  “No permanent damage?” Josh growled taking a menacing step toward her. “He’s devastated. You left him in the car to go party with Bob. He had to come and look for you. When he tried to be the adult and get your drunken ass back to the car you started screaming at him. Jake has been trying to save you from alcohol, probably for weeks. It kills me that he had to see you like that. No fourteen year old kid should have to save him mom from booze or a drunken fight with her boyfriend; so no permanent damage? You just lost all visiting rights and consider this notice that I am no longer paying your rent. You’re on your own, stay away from my kids.”

  Randy pulled up with his lights flashing
. The small crowd of spectators scattered as he pulled up. He stopped the truck in front of a man and woman arguing over a second man who lay sprawled out on the gravel parking lot. Randy climbed out of the truck and moved toward them as the woman turned to face him and said, “Oh shit,”

  Randy stopped and frowned at her, “Joanne? I thought you gave up the bar scene.” He stared at the back of the man’s head and said, “Josh? What the hell are you doing?”

  Josh turned to face Randy. A thin trail of blood ran down his cheek. He said, “He gave Jake a black eye. He’s lucky to be alive.”

  Randy stared down as Bob rolled over and struggled to rise. Turning back to Josh Randy asked, “Is Jake okay?”

  “Yeah,” Josh added quietly.

  Randy looked at Joanne and said, “Get him in my truck, and I’ll take you home.” Then he turned back to Josh and added, “I’ll talk to you about this tomorrow. Go get your family and go home.”

  **********

  Amy stood staring into the pasture unable to move. Mazie pranced nervously at the far end of the pasture. Flo lay on the ground a few yards inside the pasture directly in front of Amy. Grace knelt on the ground next to Flo’s head and patted her gently.

  “Easy girl, easy now,” Grace spoke softly. She rose and headed for the stables calling to Amy. “I don’t know why she’s down. She’s breathing fast; she’s plenty scared, but I don’t see any indication she was attacked by a bear.”

  Amy stuffed her handgun in the back of her jeans and climbed over the fence. Grace returned with a halter and slid it over Flo’s nose. Once it was secure, she pulled on the reins and said, “Get up! Come on Flo, get up.”

  Flo wouldn’t move. Grace handed the reins to Amy and knelt beside Flo lifting her head. “Give it a pull Amy.” She said as she tried to push Flo’s head up as Amy pulled. Suddenly Grace gasped and pulled her hands away.

  They were covered in blood. Grace rose and glanced around the pasture staring into the trees and brush beyond. She turned to Amy who’s face was white as a ghost and said, “It wasn’t a bear. I could feel the wound. She’s been shot.”