Same Old Truths (The Reluctant Avenger)

by Delora Dennis

  It was a cheap Merlot, but Kay didn’t mind. It was just what the love doctor ordered. She stood off to the side, sipping her wine, trying to be inconspicuous. Her plan was to finish the drink and then beg her leave.

  Oh, shit! The crock pot.

  Normally, she would have taken the time to empty what was left into a bowl and wash the pot before transporting it back home. But not tonight. She didn’t want any unnecessary delays. The pot lid was going on and it would go, as is, into the bamboo tote.

  She took a step toward the table when she heard a man’s voice say, “You’re not coming back, are you?” She turned to see Delbert, whose amorous leer had been replaced by a look of stony disdain. Even the tone of his voice had gone from welcoming to near intimidating.

  “I’m sorry?” Kay asked, feigning ignorance.

  “I’ve seen your type before. You come here with your pretty face, tight pants, and tasty cheese dip, looking for the guys with the six packs and the fast cars. And when you don’t find them, you’re outta here. You bitches never give nice guys like me a chance. I may not look like Tom Selleck, but at least I know how to treat a woman.”

  But before Kay could say anything in her defense, Delbert walked away in a huff with an audible “toot” escaping from his backside.

  Well, if that’s how you treat a woman, you don’t deserve a chance.

  With her purse and tote in hand, Kay hurried for the front door, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone. She doubted if anyone even noticed. As she turned the corner to the entry, she almost bumped into Virginia who was standing there counting the money in the donation basket. She had a defeated look on her face but managed to smile when she saw Kay.

  “I’m so glad you were able to come. I’m afraid we didn’t make a very good first impression on you. But I hope you’ll give us another chance. Like I told you on the phone, we need people like you.” It was sad to see the woman so disheartened.

  “It was fine,” Kay said trying to bolster the spirits of the crestfallen woman. “Don’t let the houseboat thing get you down. You know how hard it is to get people to commit to anything. I mean, just look how long it took me to get here.” Kay smiled really big trying to make Virginia feel better.

  “Yes, and now I’m afraid you won’t be coming back,” Virginia said as if reading Kay’s mind.

  Kay kept the big smile on her face, frantically searching her mind for something to say that wouldn’t sound like a lie. “Well, I’m anxious to hear what people’s reaction will be to the email you’re going to send out.”

  “Oh my god!” Virginia said slapping her hand to her cheek. “The email! I’ve got to show Carol Ann how to do the mass mailing. I hope she’s still here. Well, bye Kay. Be careful going home.” She rushed away, leaving Kay standing alone in the entry.

  Kay looked down at the sorry little stack of money laying at the bottom of the donation basket. She dug her wallet out of her purse, pulled out a five and tossed it in.

  My dues for dis-membership.

  8

  September Skies

  What is it about the blue of September skies that makes it so special from all the rest?

  Kay sat gazing out the window of her bedroom, mesmerized by the beauty overhead. She was sure there was a scientific explanation having to do with the angle of the sun this time of year, or some other equally-as-boring reason for its uniqueness. But Kay preferred to imagine it like a divine (either small or big “d”) overture playing a sentimental recap of summer which gracefully segued to a seductive preview of the coming autumn.

  But as captivating as this little parenthetical season was, there was an ever-present, low grade sadness preventing Kay from fully relishing this special time of year.

  It must be “cell memory.”

  This was the explanation she gave herself for these feelings sneaking up on her every September. Once reminded by her cells, her full memory took over and she could recall in detail, the pain and anguish that were hers in those last weeks of September, when Dave slowly but deliberately made his exit from their family. It also didn’t help that she was still feeling the sting of the previous night’s social let-down.

  Kay looked at the clock on the nightstand next to her bed. It was almost 1:00 p.m. Dave was nearly an hour late bringing Mariah home. Not that she was one of those ex-wives who insisted on strict adherence to agreed-upon pick up and return times. Far from it. Mariah was Dave’s child too and if he was a little late it was no big deal. She was with her dad. Kay was just anxious to see how the visit went - especially since Mariah had gone without her sister.

  As soon as she saw Dave’s truck pull up to the curb in front of her house, Kay ran downstairs to welcome Mariah and say hello to Dave. She wanted the girls to see she was making an effort to keep things civil. But truth be told, she wanted to talk to Dave - friendly-like, in the spirit of new beginnings.

  It only took her a couple of seconds to reach the front door, but as soon as Kay opened it she saw a cloud of dust left in the wake of Dave’s truck as it zoomed away from its brief parking spot. Mariah stood on the sidewalk where her dad had unceremoniously dumped her, looking as crumpled as the little overnight bag laying next to her feet. Kay felt her heart drop to the floor.

  “Wow, I hope your dad at least slowed the truck down before you got out,” Kay said, trying to make a little joke. “What’s the hurry?”

  “Oh, you know,” Mariah said with a sigh as she bent down to pick up her bag. “He had to get back home right away so Sandy wouldn’t be mad at him.”

  Kay wondered if Dave actually said this to Mariah, or if she had concluded this on her own.

  “Here, let me help you with that,” Kay said taking the bag from the little girl’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re home. I missed you.”

  “I really missed you too, Mom.” Kay could hear pain in Mariah’s voice. “I wanted to call you last night, but Dad wouldn’t let me.”

  Kay felt a burning heat slowly inch up her face. According to the terms of the visitation agreement, phone calls to either parent, at any time and for any reason were supposed to be permitted. Kay did her best to remain calm. “Oh, I know how it feels to be homesick. I remember one time…”

  “Mom,” Mariah said, cutting Kay off. “I wasn’t homesick. I was mad and I needed to talk to you.”

  Kay’s insides began to churn. This was the first visit of their new agreement.

  How could things go off track so soon?

  She gently guided her little girl back into the house.

  “Sandy wanted me to show her my homework,” Mariah said.

  Oh no she di-ent!

  School was another area where Mariah had issues. She was a very bright little girl, and well-liked by her teachers. Her participation in class was excellent and she got along well with her classmates. But when it came to doing and turning in homework, Mariah seemed to falter.

  Last school term, after more than one parent-teacher meeting where Kay was shown a grade-book with numerous zeros next to Mariah’s name, she’d become diligent about checking Mariah’s work to make sure it was finished and carefully placed in her backpack for the next day. Unfortunately, for some reason Kay couldn’t understand, Mariah wouldn’t turn in her work. Kay would find the papers in the backpack right where Mariah had put them the evening before. Asking the little girl for an explanation would just elicit a vacant stare and befuddled, “I don’t know.”

  In the interest of full disclosure, Kay had made sure to keep Dave apprised of Mariah’s progress in school, or lack thereof. Apparently he had full-disclosure issues of his own.

  The girls were only a few weeks into the new semester and Kay had already alerted Mariah’s new teacher to the possibility of a repeat of last term’s problems. So far, things seemed to be going ok. Not only was Sandy’s meddling unnecessary, it was terribly inappropriate. But, of course, that had never stopped Sandy before.

  “So, did you show her?” Kay asked, hoping Mariah couldn’t detect the fury buildi
ng up inside her.

  “I didn’t take my backpack with me, Mom. I was going to do my homework when I got back from dad’s today,” she explained. Mariah’s voice trembled as if she was about to cry.

  “Did you explain that to Sandy?”

  “Yes. But she just got mad and started saying a bunch of stuff about how it wasn’t right that I was making Dad worry and that I was old enough to do my homework without people having to check up on me like a little baby.”

  So why is the bitch checking up on her?

  Mariah went on. “Then she said something else that really made me mad, Mommy.” Mariah stopped, obviously apprehensive about continuing.

  “What was it, Honey?” Kay wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.

  “Well…” Mariah hesitated. “She said, “Your mother may let you get away with murder at home, but that’s not going to happen here. The next time you come you’d better have your homework with you.”

  Kay felt pain in her hands from the tight fists she had made without knowing.

  “Was your dad there? What did he say?” Kay asked, hoping Dave had stepped in.

  “Yeah, he was there. But, as usual, he just sat in his chair watching TV.”

  “Was that when you wanted to call me?

  “Yeah, and that’s the only time Dad said anything. He told me it wasn’t a good idea.”

  So the jerk was listening.

  “Then what happened?” Kay said, immediately wishing she had waited for Mariah to continue on her own.

  “Well, I didn’t want Sandy to see me cry, so I just went to the bedroom.”

  Kay wrapped her arms around her little girl, kissed her on the forehead and said, “Don’t worry, Baby. Everything is going to be ok.”

  Mariah sank into her mother’s reassuring embrace, allowing Kay to hold her longer than she normally would have…being nine and all.

  “Here. Take your bag and go put your stuff away. I’ll fix you something to eat and then you can go back up and start on your homework.”

  “Ok. I’m really hungry.” She headed up the stairs, but stopped and turned back to Kay. “Do I have to show her my homework, Mom?”

  “Well, I think it might be nice if you showed it to your dad. But if you’d rather leave it here and work on it when you get home, I think that’s fine. I’ll talk to Dad and we’ll get everything squared away.”

  The look of terror that flashed across Mariah’s face was instant. “Oh, no. Please, Mom. Don’t call him. You’re going to get me in trouble with Sandy,” Mariah cried.

  “Don’t worry, Honey. You’re not going to get in trouble. I promise,” Kay said trying to soothe her daughter, not exactly sure if she could keep the promise.

  Mariah stood on the stair step, not moving. She searched her mother’s eyes for a moment before dropping her gaze to the floor. Kay knew there was something else, but she stopped herself from asking.

  Finally, Mariah spoke in a small voice Kay could barely hear. “Mommy…when Sandy got mad at me I messed my pants.”

  The room undulated like a reflection in a fun house mirror, making Kay dizzy.

  “Did you tell Dad?” Kay asked, regaining her equilibrium.

  “Mom! I can’t tell him. It’s too embarrassing. Anyway, he’d tell Sandy and I’d just get yelled at again.”

  “Ok…ok. But I’m still going to have to talk to him. This business of not allowing you to call me is unacceptable. Like Aunt Les always says, “silence equals permission.” Anyway, Kiddo, if we don’t stick up for ourselves, who will?” Kay gave Mariah a reassuring smile. “Finish what I told you to do and then come down to eat.”

  Mariah gave her mother a look mixed with relief and gratitude, turned around and started back up the stairs.

  Kay headed into the kitchen and yanked open the refrigerator door so hard the salad dressing bottles loudly clinked as they bounced off each other. She stood there staring at the contents of her fridge, not really seeing anything. White hot rage was building inside her. She didn’t know if she was angrier at Sandy for bullying Mariah, or Dave, for granting Sandy permission with his silence. Her heart broke imagining the helplessness Mariah must feel when the man who is supposed to protect her hands her over to her tormentor.

  “Mom, can I have a grilled cheese sandwich?” Mariah yelled from upstairs, bringing Kay back to the task at hand. She opened the cheese drawer and pulled out the pack of American cheese slices. Her hands were trembling.

  “How ‘bout some soup to go with it?” Kay called back. She hoped Mariah couldn’t tell how upset she was.

  “Do we have tomato?”

  Kay opened her pantry door, did a quick check and found what she needed.

  “There’s one can left and it’s all yours,” Kay loudly reported.

  “What about Cory? Won’t she want some?”

  “I don’t expect her until after 7:00. Like I said, it’s all yours.”

  “Super!” Mariah said.

  Kay was grateful she could do something to make her child happy…and it was such a little thing. She could already picture the appreciative look on Mariah’s face when she placed the simple meal in front of her at the table. Just the thought of that beautiful little smile gave Kay such a feeling of warm satisfaction; she could feel her wrath subside.

  What kind of sick satisfaction do you get from terrorizing a child?

  Kay took turns between tending the sandwich in the skillet and the small saucepan heating the soup, making sure neither one burned. In between stirs and spatula flips, Kay stole glances at the clock. She wanted to make sure Dave had plenty of time to get home before she called. Calling now and airing her grievances to Sandy would only elevate the importance of Sandy’s role in the situation. As far as Kay was concerned, Sandy had no role…other than Dave’s wife. Dave was the parent and he needed to start acting like it. If he and Kay couldn’t be on the same page when it came to the kids, then maybe the visitation agreement would have to be revised.

  There was another reason Kay didn’t want to talk to Sandy - one she didn’t want to admit. She was afraid of the woman, too. Sandy seemed to possess some strange confidence Kay didn’t understand. What else could explain Sandy so brazenly helping her herself to a married man? The woman’s shameless proprietary attitude toward someone who, clearly, didn’t belong to her, was so steadfast and sure she didn’t even care it had cost them both their jobs. It was as if Sandy knew something she didn’t.

  Mariah’s meal was ready. Kay placed it on the table, added a glass of milk and called her down to eat. The hungry little girl wasted no time getting her butt in the dining room chair. She took one look at the plain lunch and grinned as if she was looking at a gourmet feast.

  “Thanks, Mom,” Mariah said, smiling up at her mother. “Is there enough cheese if I want another sandwich?”

  “Eat that first and then we’ll see,” Kay said, even though she knew it was likely she’d have to make another. But it would have to wait until she made her important phone call.

  “Slow down, Mariah. That sandwich isn’t going anywhere. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Mariah was so focused on enjoying her grilled cheese, she voiced no objection to what Kay was obviously on her way to do. Kay knew, deep down, Mariah was grateful her mother was coming to her rescue - even if it was a day late.

  Kay closed the door to her bedroom just in case she might have to raise her voice.

  Maybe I should take the phone in the closet.

  Kay wanted to be sure Mariah wouldn’t be subjected to any further stress. But she nixed the idea realizing it would be setting the stage for a heated confrontation. And while telling Dave and Sandy off would have given her a boat-load of satisfaction, she reminded herself this wasn’t about her but about Mariah. The best way to handle the situation was to stay firm, cool and detached.

  With each ring of the line, Kay’s heart pounded in a rhythmic response. The hand holding the phone was cold and clammy with sweat. She was just about to lose her nerve
and hang up when she heard Sandy’s slow, thick-throated “hullo.” In an instant Kay could feel her fear evaporate as the reason for Sandy’s menacing behavior suddenly became crystal clear.

  “Hello, Sandy. This is Kay. May I please speak to Dave, if he’s available?” Kay said, trying to be as polite as possible.

  “Jusssst a minute,” Sandy hissed through clenched teeth.

  Even though Sandy had covered up the receiver with her hand, she couldn’t cover up the loathing in her muffled voice as she grudgingly summoned her husband to the phone.

  “Hello?” Dave said. He tried to sound as if he had no clue who was on the other end of the line.“Dave, this is Kay.”

  “Oh, hi,” he responded in fake surprise.

  “I wanted to talk to you earlier but you drove away so fast I didn’t get the chance,” she began. “Anyway, I wish you would at least wait until you know Mariah is safely in the door.”

  Kay could hear the wheels in Dave’s head whirling as he tried to come up with a plausible excuse for his quick get-away.

  “Oh. Uh, well, I knew you were home so I didn’t think there’d be a problem. But I’ll be sure to wait next time. What did you want to talk to me about?”

  “Nothing specific. I just wanted to know how the weekend went and if there was anything I needed to be aware of, or if you had any questions for me. Now that you’re back I think it’s important for the two of us to communicate regularly about the kids.”

  Kay knew he hated being reminded there was still “the two of us,” even if it was only as parents of Cory and Mariah.