A Family for Jason

by Virginia McCullough

  “Everything’s fine,” Mrs. Cermak said. “Here’s a notice about the school-wide art show at the high school this Thursday. When we decided to have an art show, holding it the week before Thanksgiving seemed ideal. I’d like to hang two of Jason’s pictures in the space allotted for my class.”

  “Really?” Mike squared his shoulders and chuckled. “Funny how that’s making me feel all puffed up and proud.”

  “Like a good dad should,” Mrs. Cermak teased. “I’ve held back some of the drawings the kids do and I’ll choose the best of them.” She glanced at Jason. “I think parents like the surprise of seeing their kids’ drawings.”

  “So, I won’t know ahead of time which ones you pick?”

  With a sly smile she said, “Nope. I’m keeping you all in suspense. It makes it more fun.”

  “Okay, I won’t sue and try to pry it out of you,” Mike said, sure Mrs. Cermak would get his humor. “I do wonder, though, how long the silence will continue. What will it take to make that breakthrough? Like I told Gloria, I’m trying to take this a day at a time. Noting the small things and enjoying each one.”

  “I admit I’m curious what he’ll have to say when the time comes,” Mrs. Cermak said. “I hope he’ll still want to draw. The trauma he’s suffered aside, his drawings are mature beyond his years. He’s got some natural artistic talent.”

  “Maybe he gets it from his mother,” Mike said, then he quickly added, “And some from mine. I’ll ask his grandparents about that.”

  She leaned in as if confiding a secret. “I told Jason he’d have a picture in the show, so he’ll be eager to go.”

  Mike immediately thought of Ruby. Maybe she’d like to see it. Jason would get a kick out of having her there. “I haven’t been inside the high school in a long time.”

  “No, I don’t suppose you have.” She called out to Jason, who came running.

  “We’ll see you at the high school, then,” Mike said, looking down at Jason, “at your art show.”

  Responding with his usual smile, Jason half skipped, half ran down the hall. “What energy,” Mike commented.

  Mrs. Cermak’s gaze followed Jason as he ran to the door. “He so often reminds me of you, Mike. I remember you, and there’s something about your son...”

  She didn’t finish the thought, but Mike saw the earnestness in her face and stayed quiet while she gathered her thoughts.

  “You were your own little person. Complete within yourself.”

  “I can’t speak to what I was like,” Mike said, suddenly self-conscious, “but Jason seems to do things deliberately, like lining up his animal collection at particular angles or arranging the crayons in the basket in neat piles.” Thinking of his neat stacks of legal pads and law journals, he had to laugh. “I guess I relate to that. Even now as an adult.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Mrs. Cermak said with a laugh. “See you at the show.”

  * * *

  “FIRST THINGS FIRST,” Mike said when he and Jason got home. “One peanut butter sandwich coming right up.” When that was out of the way and Jason was methodically eating the sandwich one crust at a time, Mike called Ruby. It wouldn’t feel right not to ask her to come to the art show with him, not after the interest she’d taken in Jason. If she felt obligated to say no in order to avoid him, then Mike would have to accept that.

  When she didn’t pick up the call, he left a voice mail, explaining the art show coming up on Thursday. “Jason’s going to have a couple of pictures in it, so I’m wondering if you’d come along with us. It’s going to be at the high school. Let me know. Bye.”

  The hours passed. She didn’t call him back, but around ten o’clock, a text came in: sounds fun—what time?

  Short and to-the-point. Pangs of regret took over his thoughts. But as he reminded himself, settling things with Ruby had been his idea.

  * * *

  “HOW DO I LOOK?” Ruby asked, doing a half turn one way and then the other.

  “Wonderful,” Emma said. “Black heels are great with the dress.”

  “An extravagance. But for some reason I don’t care.”

  Emma flashed an impish grin. “I wouldn’t care, either, if I had a date with a really great guy.”

  “Date? It’s not a date. I told you what Mike and I decided.”

  “Then what would you call it, Rubes?” Emma laughed as she spoke. “A little get-together with a friend.”

  “It’s a kids’ art show, his little boy’s pictures are in it. He just wants company.”

  Emma dismissed that idea with a flick of her hand. “I don’t care what he says. He wants you.”

  Ruby’s stomach did a little dance at the sound of those words. They might be true, but they didn’t matter. Did they?

  “Anyway, you look good. You can wear that shade of deep, dark green better than anyone I know.”

  She’d pulled out a casual wraparound dress in dark green, perfect with black heels and the bronze-and-garnet earrings. She let her hair hang loose and brush her shoulders. “Okay, I admit it. I like how I look tonight.” She made a stern face and added, “For the kids’ art show.”

  Emma laughed. “Have it your way. Now get out of here.”

  “I’m on my way.” She grabbed her purple raincoat and handbag and hurried to her car.

  Ruby had downplayed how much she was looking forward to being with Mike and Jason. She hadn’t seen Mike since the town-council meeting, where she’d watched Mike and Emma successfully clear the first hurdle of the trail project. His client, Maggie, had designed a detailed poster showing the trails and landmarks. Emma had guaranteed to cover any overages in spending, and Mike negotiated permission from all the connected property owners and made the case for this modest project. Mike’s hairdresser client, Georgia Greer, spoke up for it, and in the end, all but Jim Kellerman voted for it.

  The outcome bolstered Mike’s faith in Bluestone River’s future. “I believe in this little town,” he’d said to the group of project supporters.

  Now, on the way to the art show, she passed the skeletal remains of the shut-down food-processing plant. It hurt to see those buildings decay. Though she was planning on leaving, she hoped her trail idea would be her tiny contribution to boost tourism. And Maggie had reminded them that local people would use the trail and visit the sanctuary more often, too.

  If she’d been planning to stick around, Ruby would jump in and find funding for other special events and projects the town. So many ideas were on the table, from craft fairs to sports tournaments to a colorful flea market in the spring and fall. Emma said a couple of people had suggested grander holiday festivals meant for local people to enjoy, but that also might attract visitors. Ruby would help write grants no matter where she lived. Emma couldn’t be expected to pay for every innovation.

  “Relax, Bluestone River isn’t your project,” she murmured under her breath when she’d parked the car. She took in the familiar sights. The tree-lined drive to the high school. The stadium standing off in the distance. And the gaslight-style lights on the edges of the parking lot.

  Anxiety about being in the high school had gnawed at her all day. Now it was intensifying. She took a deep breath to reassure herself, but she didn’t shut off the engine.

  * * *

  “WE CAN COUNT on Ruby to be on time,” Mike said to Jason as he checked his phone for the time. “We’re early.” He’d stood under the lights at the entrance, so Ruby could find them easily. Why was he so jittery? It almost felt like prom night and he should have a corsage for her. At his side, Jason was taking two jumps forward to see if he could cross a whole square of sidewalk. He didn’t seem nervous at all. Good.

  Jason spotted her first and waved. She waved back, smiling happily. “Wow, Jason, you look so grown up in your blazer and tie.”

  “What about me?” Mike teased. “I’ve got a tie, too. Do I look as good a
s Jason?”

  “You’re both heartbreakers.” Ruby said.

  “And you’re a knockout. But that goes without saying.” Glancing down at Jason, he said, “So, let’s go inside and see what’s what?”

  A hint of apprehension clouded Ruby’s face. Mike didn’t know whether to note it or let it go. Finally, he decided it was better to acknowledge what was hanging in the air. “It’s going to seem strange to go inside, isn’t it?”

  “I know perfectly well nothing dangerous is lurking inside that building. But I keep thinking about my dad in his office, walking the halls.” With a wistful expression, she added, “You know how he used to take the time to stop and talk to all the kids.”

  “I remember it like it was yesterday,” Mike said. “We were lucky. And of all the good teachers and coaches we dealt with as kids, he was the most interested in us.”

  “He could have been a motivational speaker, my dad.” She glanced down at Jason. “And you’re quite the artist.”

  She was ready, Mike thought. He led the way up the stairs and opened the front door. “The grade-school kids’ work is in the gym.”

  Ruby cupped her ear. “I can hear it.”

  The school was buzzing with conversation and laughter piercing the air. “Check out those kids,” Mike said, pointing to a group of older teens. “They have that studied bored look.”

  “I suppose we were the same at that age.”

  “You’re probably right,” Mike responded. “But did we pretend to be that cool and detached?” As a teenager, his priorities were Ruby, basketball and history. If he hadn’t gone into law, Mike saw himself bringing history alive for kids.

  In the gym, parents and kids were crowded around sections of corkboard and easels. A couple of glass tables held pieces of sculpture and pottery. Most of the walls were covered with artwork.

  “Whoa, what an extravaganza.” Ruby twirled for emphasis. She grinned at Jason. “It’s a dazzling display of color.”

  I could watch her all day long. Stay, Ruby. Please.

  “I don’t know what to look at first.”

  “Well, I do.” Mike took Jason’s hand, getting hold of himself to focus on his son. “Let’s find the pictures from your class? Do you see any of yours?”

  Jason pointed ahead, not to a section of wall, but to Mrs. Cermak, who was standing alone near her class’s display. “Okay, let’s go say hello. Did I tell you, she was Ruby’s teacher, too? We were in the same classes all through school.”

  Ruby smiled. Maybe a little nervously, Mike observed. “Mrs. Cermak has been a real rock for me.”

  Ruby took a breath and put her hand over her chest. “I know. This is my stuff coming up. Has nothing to do with her.”

  Mrs. Cermak’s face lit up in surprise when she saw them walking toward her. She greeted Jason first, but then greeted Ruby with a lilt in her voice. “It’s such fun to see my former students all grown up. And looking beautiful and handsome.” She patted Ruby’s shoulder. “Mike mentioned you were visiting to help Emma O’Connell. I remember her, too.”

  “Emma had surgery, but she’s almost completely recovered now. I couldn’t miss a chance to see Jason’s drawings.” Ruby spoke fast and fidgeted with her necklace. “I happened to see a couple of them on the fridge in his house.”

  “I tape every one of his drawings up somewhere,” Mike said.

  “Well, I told Mike that we grade-school teachers decided to keep the choice of drawings for the show between ourselves and our students. That way, the parents will be surprised. I’m betting you will be.” Mrs. Cermak looked over Mike’s shoulder. “Oops, I have to catch someone before she leaves. Enjoy!”

  “That was a bit suspicious,” Ruby observed.

  Mike agreed. He brushed aside his curiosity when Jason tugged at the sleeve of his blazer and led him to the wall. When they got closer, Mike recognized the scene in the first of Jason’s drawings. He drew himself with three other kids and one adult with curly blond hair huddled under the covered bridge in the rain. “Oh, that’s the day you got caught in the rain with Heather.”

  “Heather said Jason had to be coaxed to get under the bridge to avoid getting soaked,” Mike explained to Ruby, who’d come alongside him. “Seems he likes being out in the rain.”

  “Very nice, Jason,” Ruby said.

  Mike took a couple of steps to the side to get a look at the picture next to it. Ruby’s stuttered inhale caught his attention. He could barely breathe himself.

  The noise in the room receded as a hush fell over him. And Ruby, who’d put a hand over her mouth in awe.

  “So this is what Mrs. Cermak meant when she said I’d be surprised,” he whispered. It was all there, complete in the picture. Mike, with curly hair and a big smile on his face, was in the front yard with Jason in front of him, and Peach at his side. The orange oval body with a round head and ears, four legs and a long tail left no room for doubt. The third person jumped off the page. A figure with red hair stood close to Mike, her head coming up to his shoulder. Like real life. Jason had even added the huge maple with golden leaves and the black tire swing he liked so much.

  Ruby smoothed her hand over the top of Jason’s head. “What a fine-looking Peach you drew. And you and your dad are so handsome.”

  Was her voice shaky or was that his imagination? Mike stole a glance at her, but she was pointing to the maple and the swing and then back to the bridge in the other drawing. “You did such a good job with the details and your gray slashes look just like rain.”

  Mike scanned the room for Mrs. Cermak. She likely hadn’t known who the third person was when Jason made the drawing, but one look at Ruby solved that mystery. Staring at the picture, Ruby’s warning came back to him. Too late, Rubes, Jason is already attached to you. The longer Mike stared at the drawing, the more obviously it matched what he and Ruby had wanted for themselves. Dreamed of. Planned for.

  So much for letting her off the hook.

  He was convinced Ruby had seen it the same way, but rather than staring at it, she herded Jason down the row to look at his classmates’ pieces. Mike busied himself by taking shots of the drawings with his phone, stepping back to widen the angle to encompass a large section. He turned away and took some shots of the room and the overhead sign: Bluestone River’s Third Annual School Art Show.

  When he turned around again, Jason and Ruby were gone, but he quickly spotted them at the long table set up with punch for the kids and coffee and tea for the adults. He hurried to join them.

  Ruby scanned the room. “Did you get some good shots of everything?”

  “I did.” He tried to be as casual in his answer as she was with the question. “Hey, Jason, we’ll put the photos in an album. That way, you’ll always remember this art show.”

  “I didn’t let him get cookies on his own,” Ruby said, stepping back. “I told him he had to wait for you.”

  “Oh, these treats won’t hurt him.” Mike wrapped two peanut-butter cookies in a napkin and gave them to Jason.

  “Do you recognize anyone else?” Ruby asked in a soft voice.

  “Are you afraid someone will see you...see us?” He held up his hands as if warding off her response. “I’m sorry. That came out all wrong.”

  “No problem. It’s okay. Really. But I was only assuming some of our classmates might have kids here. That’s all.”

  Of course, that was logical. “So far, the person I see most often is the mayor. In fact, I see her across the room now. Maybe we should roam around a little and try to avoid her.”

  Ruby’s smile was full of mischief. “Or, we could goad her and let her see us. Maybe this time she’ll come right out and ask what makes us think we have the right to be here. I mean, Mike, no one else’s families ever caused a minute of scandal in Bluestone River. Ours were the only ones.”

  He let out a frustrated growl. “Don’t look n
ow, but she’s heading our way.” He forced his expression to seem welcoming.

  Ruby didn’t respond but turned and smiled at the approaching mayor.

  “We meet again, Mike.” Kristine smiled.

  “You’re doing your mayor thing, I see,” he said.

  “And, Ruby, nice to see you again. You keep turning up. I didn’t get a chance to tell you how much I liked your trail idea. Thanks to Mike it went right through.” A puckish smile crossed her face. “But, last time I bumped into you, you had one foot out of town.”

  “I still do. December. I’ll be gone in December.”

  “Unless Emma and I can talk her into staying a few more weeks,” Mike said, his jaw tightening. Something in the almost hostile way Kristine cut her eyes back to Ruby struck a nerve. “We both wish she’d decide to stay.”

  As if the conversation had nothing to do with her, Ruby turned her attention to Jason and remarked again about how great his drawing was.

  Kristine kept her surprised eyes on Mike. “I can’t imagine why she’d want to do that, Mike. I’m still surprised to see you around town.”

  Mike squared his shoulders and stood a little taller. “Why wouldn’t I come back? Or Ruby? We were raised here, just like you.”

  “I only meant...” She pressed her lips together and clasped her hands.

  “What?” Mike challenged.

  Kristine looked helplessly at Ruby, as if expecting her to help get out of the mess she’d created for herself. Ruby lifted her chin and stared back.

  Obviously flustered, Kristine said, “Oh, come on, you two. You know exactly what I mean. Your family problems became a big deal in this little place. It all took place in public for everyone to see.”

  “So?” Mike widened his stance and crossed his arms.

  Kristine gave him a sharp look. “When your dad sold the resort, the lake was all that was left of the Abbots in this town. And the Driscolls were long gone by then. You all ran away.”