by JR Thompson
Alayna was more frightened than she had ever been in her life. Remington was scared as well, but tried to not let it show. Brock didn’t move a muscle.
Collin told everyone to stay as still and as silent as they could while he went to check it out. He couldn’t have walked quieter if he had been walking barefoot on clouds. Collin sneaked to the kitchen counter and got a butcher knife for self-defense before making his way to the back door.
He got about three steps away when he heard a loud thump in the living room and a brief scream from Remington. Collin ran back to the living room. Everyone looked safe, but their eyes were wider than ever.
“What happened?” Collin asked.
“It sounded like somebody threw something at the front of the house,” Alayna replied, crying and holding Remington as tight as she could possibly hold him without smothering him to death.
Collin walked to the front door and peered out, still clutching the butcher knife. There were no cars in the driveway. No signs of anyone on the porch. Ever-so-quietly, he turned the doorknob and cracked the door.
With his heart racing, he opened it and stepped out on the porch. “Who’s out there?” he hollered.
His question was answered with the mysterious whistle.
Collin stepped back inside and locked the door behind him.
He told everyone to stay together in the living room while he attempted to make the house more predator-proof. Collin taped black trash bags up over all of the windows to make it harder for anyone to see in — inadvertently making it impossible to see out. He shoved a heavy bookcase against the front door and wedged the kitchen table between the back door and a kitchen counter. He armed Brock with a metal baseball bat, Alayna with a frying pan, and Remington with a golf club.
“If somebody gets in this house, I expect every one of you to leap into action. Don’t let fear cause you to freeze. We have to work together as a team. We cannot let whoever is out there hurt anyone in this house. Does everybody understand me?”
Three heads slowly nodded up and down, but not a single word was uttered.
The house was silent for several minutes. “Daddy, I’m scared,” Remington finally cried.
“I know, bud. Everybody’s scared. Let’s try to sing a song to get it off of our minds. How about ‘Amazing Grace?’”
Collin started the song out, but quickly realized he was singing a solo. He stopped after the third word and said, “Come on, guys. Sing.”
He started singing by himself again. This time he didn’t stop. A minute or so into the song, Alayna began to hum along. Brock started to clap his hands and sing. Remington tapped his foot, but couldn’t seem to get a word out of his mouth.
They managed to get through the entire song with nothing unusual happening. “Remington, your turn to pick a song,” Collin said.
Remington thought for a moment, before choosing “Count Your Many Blessings.”
Again, Collin began the song. This time, he wasn’t alone. Alayna, Brock, and Remington all joined in. They started off singing quietly, then got a little louder, and a little louder. Somehow their fear seemed to disappear. The more they sang, the higher their spirits seemed to soar.
That is, until someone started beating fiercely on the back door again. Collin grabbed the knife and ran to the back door. With the plastic bag covering the window, he couldn’t see anything. That is, he couldn’t see anything outside. What he did see was the doorknob trying to turn.
“I’ve got a gun!” Collin lied. “I don’t care that we don’t have the Castle Doctrine here in Rhode Island. You open that door and your shoes will belong to a corpse.”
The doorknob stopped turning. The house grew quiet. The rest of the night was silent, but the quietness did not provide enough serenity for anyone to sleep. The entire night was spent with everyone sitting in the living room making eye contact, then looking off to one side of the room and then to another. No one even dared go to the restroom, no matter how badly they felt like going.
◆◆◆
At 7 am, Collin took Alayna outside to talk in private.
“I don’t know about you,” he told her, “but I’m starting to believe Brock is innocent. What do you think?”
“I don’t know what I think, Collin. There is just too much going on. My brain can’t even comprehend all of it,” Alayna replied.
“Oh, no,” she suddenly remembered. “Victoria! She was supposed to meet us at the church last night!”
“Victoria?” Collin repeated. “Now she might be involved in all of this. I don’t know how or why, but I don’t have a good feeling about her. Not at all.”
When he was a boy, Collin’s mom had taught him to always trust his gut feeling. His dad, on the other hand, had taught him not to judge a book by its cover. In this case, those lessons were somewhat contradicting one another. He hadn’t even met Victoria, but just from the things he had heard about her and due to the odd things going on, her presence just didn’t feel right.
“Did I mess up in telling her where we go to church?” Alayna asked.
“I don’t know, hon,” Collin replied. “Like you, I don’t know what is right or wrong anymore.”
“Well, what are we going to do, Collin? Are you going to go to work and have Brock go out job hunting again? After everything that happened last night, I’m scared.”
“Me too, babe. What do you think we should do?”
“Collin, Collin, Collin,” Alayna said. “You’re trying to set me up, aren’t you? You’re the one wearing the pants in the family. What do you think we should do?”
Decisions sure were easier to make when I was a kid, Collin thought. Their electric bill was due in two weeks. Their refrigerator and cabinets desperately needed some restocking. The Jeep was going to require some gasoline in the near future. None of those things could be purchased by good looks or a charming personality.
At the same time, Collin was terrified of leaving Alayna and Remington home alone. What if whoever had attacked them planned on coming back? For that matter, why had they tied them up to begin with?
After much deliberation, together they agreed it would be best if Collin went on to work as normal and if Brock could just stay there at the house with Alayna and Remington. After everything that had taken place the day before, even though he was still slightly leery of Brock, both Collin and Alayna trusted him more than the mysterious whistler creep any day.
◆◆◆
“Good morning, Nikki” Collin said when he got to work. “How’s your day going?”
“I think I’m the one that should be asking you that question. Your life is the one that’s da bomb, these days. Get it? Da bomb?”
“Nikki, that’s not funny. They’re accusing my boy of trying to blow up the school yesterday.”
“Well, poop on my boots, Collin! Who taught him how to assemble bombs? You or Alayna?”
Collin went on to tell her what all had transpired the night before.
“You need to write an autobiography about this stuff,” Nikki said.
Shortly after they finished their conversation, a customer walked in. “Can I help you?” Nikki asked.
Ignoring Nikki altogether, the lady looked at Collin’s name tag. “Hi Collin,” she said. “I’m looking for good pair of shoes for my son. He runs track in high school. Could you help me find something for him?”
Collin led the lady to the athletic department. That’s when he found out she wasn’t really who she said she was. She introduced herself as a reporter for Clayville News.
At first, Collin told her he wasn’t in the mood to answer any of her questions. That is, until she quickly flipped the pancakes by telling him she already had her own ideas as to what his son was guilty of and why he had planted the bomb. She said he could choose to cooperate and get his side of the story out there or she could simply make it up as she went.
She started off by asking him how obedient Remington typically was to those in authority over him. Then she asked how he was able to support
his wife and son with the limited income of merely selling footwear. She wanted to know if they were sheltering Remington from the real world and suggested that is why they chose to live so many miles outside of town. Her questioning lasted for a good thirty minutes before she finally chose to leave the store.
“Thank you so much for your cooperation,” she said.
“My pleasure,” Collin replied, hoping with everything in him that her reporting would accurately reflect his responses and that nothing would be taken out of context.
Once she left, Nikki asked, “Collin, did I just hear what I thought I heard? Was that lady interviewing you?”
Nikki was no longer amused. “This is some serious stuff,” she said. “Once word gets around Clayville that your son may have had something to do with placing a bomb at the school, your reputation is history. And what about Just Right Shoes? If she tells people you work here, we might lose our customers.”
“Nikki, grow up. Everything in life is not about you,” Collin spouted off.
Nikki, not used to having Collin stand up to her, didn’t know what to say. She crossed her arms, thought for a second, and then tried to lighten the mood by jokingly saying, “I’m telling!”
Even though Collin could usually tolerate Nikki and sometimes even enjoyed her company, there were times when he felt like tying a giant boulder around her neck before shoving her over a cliff. That just happened to be one of those times. Nikki would have been alright had she ever been taught that there are different times for different actions. It wasn’t a time to make wisecracks when his family’s lives were being disrupted and it most certainly wasn’t a time to joke when she had just been so incredibly selfish.
◆◆◆
“Dad, I’m so glad you’re home,” Remington said later that evening. “Some lady from Clayville News came out here today.”
Are you kidding me? Collin thought. How far are they going to take this thing?
“Did she talk to your mom?” Collin asked.
“For a few minutes, but she mostly wanted to talk to me. Don’t worry, Dad. I didn’t say anything that would get any of us in trouble.”
Collin questioned both Alayna and Remington intently, wanting to know exactly what was asked and how they answered. It sounded like she asked them a completely different set of questions than they had asked him at work. The lady had asked Alayna if it was against her religion to work outside of the home, if she ever had any reason to believe Collin would be unfaithful to her, and if she was aware of any criminal history he may have had.
When she had talked to Remington, she asked him about both Collin’s and Alayna’s temperament, how he got along with Miss Aragon, how many friends he had at school, how often he went to the doctor for checkups, what his daily schedule was at home, and an onslaught of other questions that Remmy couldn’t even remember.
How Collin hoped that reporter would somehow lose the article. He was terrified to see what was going to be written about him and his family.
CHAPTER 25 – MEET THE PRESS
The Friday morning edition of the Clayville News made the Russell family famous.
On the front page was a picture of Remington, just under a caption that read, “Thirteen-Year-Old Terrorist Attempts To Bomb Clayville Middle School.”
The article read:
“Anything is possible here in the small town of Clayville. Yesterday, Clayville Middle School had to be evacuated on account of a bomb scare. Thirteen-year-old Remington Russell planted the bomb shortly after his teacher, Miss Aragon, sent a note home to his parents regarding his misbehavior in class.
Remington said, ‘Dad told me I was going to get it,” for getting in trouble at school. The dad he spoke of is none other than local Just Right Shoes salesman Collin Russell.
Collin, who, according to his family, has a shoe fetish, forced his son to scrub his shoes inside and out as a punishment for acting out in class.
Alayna, the boy’s mother, said Collin is too controlling — not just of Remington, but also of her. For example, she can’t hold an outside job. She is never allowed to leave the house unless Collin is with her.
Remington, undoubtedly having low self-esteem as a direct result of his father’s poor parenting skills, decided to take matters into his own hands. Acting as a suicide bomber, he could have taken out two hundred and fifty other students, while taking his own life as well.”
“Looks like you’re becoming quite infamous,” Nikki teased.
Collin thought he was going to be sick. How had an ordinary, average Joe become an overpowering lunatic over night? How would he be able to face his customers? How would he tell his family?
“I can’t believe Alayna thinks I’m too controlling. Do you think I’m controlling, Nikki?”
Nikki laughed sarcastically before asking, “Do you want my honest opinion?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do,” Collin replied.
“In that case, you are one of the biggest control freaks I’ve ever met. You control your wife, your son, and even Brock. You need to lighten up a bit and learn how to chill.”
That was harsh, Collin thought. But doesn’t the Bible teach me to be the leader of my home? Am I misinterpreting something?
Thinking more about it, he remembered that Nikki wasn’t a born-again Christian. She knew nothing of the Bible. Therefore, as far as he was concerned, her opinion on the matter was irrelevant.
◆◆◆
At home, a sleepy-eyed Remington said, “Tomorrow is Saturday! Do you know what that means?”
Alayna had forgotten all about their promise to go back to the park so Remington and his new friend could get better acquainted. After everything they had gone through in the last week, that had been the last thing on her mind.
She didn’t know if Collin had remembered their promise or not, but she could only imagine that he would not be interested in going – not after the warnings and threats he had received. She told Remington she thought the trip would have to be postponed indefinitely.
“But a promise is a promise, that’s what you always say.”
Alayna crossed her arms, “You can take it up with your dad when he gets home this evening — why don’t you run out and check the mail?”
Brock interceded, “Let’s all go check the mail together. None of us should be alone, not even for a second.”
Alayna felt foolish — why hadn’t she thought of that? The trio walked out to the mailbox, cautiously looking around them every step of the way. When they got there, they found a notice from the courthouse. Remington had been scheduled to take a polygraph test regarding the bomb in his locker on Tuesday morning at 9 am.
This is terrible, Alayna thought. A thirteen-year-old boy taking a lie-detector test? I don’t even want to break the news to Collin.
Throughout the day, the three prisoners of war took turns napping. The two who were awake kept themselves busy by having a Who Can Be The Jumpiest Contest and by nearly hyperventilating every time they heard the floor squeak or whenever the other person stood up or sat down too quickly. It was a miserable day to say the least.
CHAPTER 26 – TOO DANGEROUS, MY FOOT!
When Collin finally returned home that evening, he was relieved to find his house and everyone inside of it still alive and well. After giving everyone a hug, and everyone most certainly included Brock, Collin fell down on his knees and cried out, “God Almighty! You are worthy of my praise! Thank you for protecting my family while I had to work! Thank you for keeping them safe! Thank you for not allowing anything bad to happen! Thank you for being our fortress, our shield, our buckler!”
Collin’s prayer seemed to last forever. It was okay though; no one seemed to mind. By the time he said, “Amen,” there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
God is good, Alayna thought. She appreciated the fact that God was growing her husband. She enjoyed seeing him humbling himself before the King of Kings. She appreciated seeing him develop a mountain-moving faith. She took pleasure in seei
ng Remington and Brock cry as Collin prayed. As difficult as it was to understand, it appeared that their trials were bringing about a great revival in the Russell house.
As the four sat down at the dinner table, Alayna said “Dear, I think Remmy has something he wants to talk to you about.”
Collin gave the boy a perceptive look and said, “I bet I know what he wants to talk about. Come here and let me see how tight those shoes are young man. Have you outgrown them?”
“No, Dad. Everything in life doesn’t revolve around shoes.” Sporting the best puppy dog look he could muster, he added, “Dad, do you think it’s always important for a person to keep his word?”
Without catching on to his manipulation tactic, Collin said, “Of course I do.”
“Then, Dad, we’re not going to break our word about going to the park tomorrow, are we?”
Collin was silent. He looked over at Alayna, who purposely kept her eyes everywhere except on Collin’s. She was determined to not influence him at all. If he wants to be the head of the household, who am I to get in the way? she thought to herself.
◆◆◆
After a brief silence, Collin told Remington he was concerned for their safety. He had been warned that if any further investigations took place, his family could be in danger. He wasn’t so sure they should continue pursuing this.
Remington looked brokenhearted. He had been looking forward to meeting with Malachi again all week. He couldn’t believe Collin would back out the night before. Malachi would be expecting him. What a horrible way to begin a new friendship.
Hoping to prevent additional hurt feelings, Collin changed the subject, “I believe there is a more pressing matter we need to discuss. The whole bomb scare episode is far from over. I’m afraid the state isn’t going to give us much time before they show up again. We need to have a plan.”
“Sweetie,” Alayna said, “you’re right. It isn’t over. Remmy has to take a polygraph test Tuesday morning.”
