Legacy of Silence

by Flo Fitzpatrick

  Sixteen heads bobbed in agreement. “No” to sloppy.

  Once the children had been led to their spot in line, Miranda showed them the proper way to kick, with backs straight and heads lifted. They spent the next eight minutes working on that as Miranda and her assistants patiently repeated that height didn’t matter. Proper form and unity was what counted.

  It wasn’t until Miranda was gently placing little hands behind the backs of their fellow kickers that she realized something was very wrong with Jesse Castillo. He winced when Miranda guided his arm to the right position next to Amos MacIntyre. Jesse was wearing a long-sleeved sweatshirt so Miranda signed, Is it okay if I roll this up? Jesse bit his lower lip but nodded yes.

  The instant she saw the bruise on his arm, right below his elbow, she knew. Someone had twisted that arm so forcefully it had nearly broken. Miranda felt a rage she’d never before experienced. She signaled to her assistants to carry on, took Jesse’s hand and with a calm exterior hiding the fury burning inside headed for the hall leading to Bonnie’s office.

  Jesse tugged at her hand. She stopped. Am I in trouble? he signed.

  She leaned down and gave him a quick and gentle hug. “No!” she said, then signed, We’re going to try and make things better for you, okay?

  He nodded.

  Once they reached Bonnie’s office Miranda asked him to stay with Miss Candy for a moment while she spoke to Miss Bonnie alone. Candy raised an eyebrow and Miranda whispered, “Possible abuse.” Candy’s expression remained placid but she turned from Miranda, winked at Jesse and pointed to the little cabinet across from her desk where she kept her “emergency stash.” There were carob bars, trail mix for kids without nut allergies, licorice and fruit twists and gummies of all shapes and sizes. Jesse eagerly accepted a cherry-flavored all-day sucker and settled down to watch Candy type. He was in good hands.

  Miranda knocked on Bonnie’s door and entered after hearing a cheery “Come on in.”

  Bonnie glanced up from a pile of scripts on her desk. “Problems? I heard you were teaching the most extraordinary adjective-and-adverb-filled kick line today. Are they getting rowdy?”

  “No. They’re great and the kick line is going fine. Sadly, Jesse is not fine although he’s a trouper. Bonnie, I want you to take a look at his arm. Possibly his back, as well, if we can check without embarrassing him. I’m almost a hundred-percent certain he’s been abused.”

  Bonnie’s eyes reflected Miranda’s anger. “Willow Terence, foster mother with the IQ of a peanut?”

  Miranda shrugged. “I don’t know. I assume so, but he does have some foster siblings. I haven’t met them so I have no idea if they’re angels or demons. I did, however, share ASL classes with Willow. She didn’t strike me as the abusive type, just, as you say, not the brightest bulb in the pack, but then, most abusers don’t run around with a tattoo on their forehead reading Villain, now, do they?”

  “Well, either way, he needs to be removed from the situation. Bring him in and let’s see what we can find out firsthand before I call his social worker.”

  Miranda opened the door and waved for Jesse to join her. He politely returned the unused portion of the lollipop to Candy, then ran to Miranda’s side.

  Would you show Miss Bonnie your arm? she signed.

  He closed his eyes and rolled his sleeve up. Bonnie took one look and asked Miranda, “What about his back?”

  Jesse’s eyes were still closed and since he couldn’t hear Miranda quietly said, “I could swear that’s a cigarette burn on the inside of his elbow. Right there near the bruise that looks like it came from a major twist. I’m no expert but it seems to me if someone burns once they’ll burn again and try to do so in spots that aren’t visible under shirts.” She took a breath. “Ms. Terence also happens to be a smoker.” Miranda knelt down by Jesse. He opened his eyes.

  Jesse? Did someone grab you really hard? she signed.

  He began to cry. Soft, slow tears that broke Miranda’s heart. He nodded.

  Miranda glanced at Bonnie. “I don’t even want to ask about that burn mark. What do you think?”

  “No. It’s enough,” Bonnie said. “He doesn’t need to relive those moments. Do you want to ask him who did this?”

  Jesse was clinging to Miranda like a fabric sheet in a dryer. “I don’t think so. Not right now anyway. Maybe it’s better to wait on that and just make sure he’s out of that house. Apartment. Whatever. I wish I could take him back to my place after classes, except that my place is currently my dad’s so I don’t really have the right to impose. Maybe I could arrange with Russ to do inventory today instead of tomorrow so Jesse could stay with us while we work for a little while. I just hate the idea of Jesse being with strangers.”

  “I’ll see if any of my social-worker friends can help. Call in a few favors.” Bonnie’s tone suddenly hardened. “But what’s most important for now is making sure he’s safe. Go ahead and take him back to class and I’ll track down everyone I know who has some pull at the DHR. End of day we’ll meet here. If all else fails, I’ll take him home with me. I’m an emergency foster.”

  Miranda and Jesse made it back to the special Saturday rehearsal in time for Jesse to join the kick line. Miranda gave him a spot at the very end and told Braydon Jenkins that they’d be holding hands instead of placing them behind their backs. With the understanding some children innately possess, Braydon followed instructions without asking questions. The kick line was a roaring success, and Jesse was smiling again.

  After rehearsal, Miranda and Jesse walked hand in hand back to Bonnie’s office where Candy had a coloring book and some juice waiting.

  Bonnie ushered Miranda into her office.

  “The good news is that Willow Terence doesn’t actually have custody over our young friend,” Bonnie said. “In fact, she’s a temporary foster. So no one has to go to Family Court to get him out of there. The bad news is that everybody who has experience dealing with special-needs kids is either out of town or taking care of a few children at once. But I talked to the folks at the DHR and managed to get myself designated as Jesse’s emergency foster for tonight and Sunday.”

  Miranda gave a sigh of relief, slumping back in her chair. She absently chewed on the fruit twist Candy had given her just before she entered Bonnie’s office.

  “I’m hoping you’ll also come spend the night, Miranda. Jesse’s social worker agreed that he needed someone who signs around so he won’t be scared. You can even bring Phoebe and I won’t complain about all the fur.”

  Miranda grinned. “I foresee immediate bonding. I’ll be lucky to have a dog I can call my own once Jesse sees her. You are awesome, Ms. Hamil.”

  “True.” Bonnie winked at her. “But so are you. This will be great. Kids love you. You love kids. Jesse loves you. You love him. Slumber party at Bonnie’s!”

  “What about this afternoon? I’m supposed to do inventory at Miss Virginia’s house.”

  Bonnie waved her hand. “Covered. I managed to call Russ, too. He’s got no problem with you taking Jesse to Miss Virginia’s house even though he can’t be there. He said he knew Virginia would approve, as well. ”

  Miranda jumped up and hugged Bonnie tightly. “You’re an angel.”

  Bonnie turned red. “I’ve been called many things, but that’s not usually one of them.” She smiled. “Thanks. Okay, brace yourself for the nasty part. Jesse needs to see a doctor—we need photos to keep him away from Willow Terence for good. Pictures would probably help in removing her other kids, although I’m not sure how that works. Hopefully by end of Monday Jesse will have some special-needs fosters who can take him in for the next couple of months.” She squinted at Miranda. “I’m forgetting something... Aha! Got it. Russ told me he’d call the law office and tell whoever’s up for the day to come by with the key so y’all can get in. That’s one nutty situation you guys have.
”

  “Agreed.” Miranda sank back down into her chair. “So, in between making all these arrangements, were you able to get the full scoop on Jesse’s background?” she asked.

  “I did. It’s really tough, Miranda. Heartbreaking in the first degree. Jesse’s dad was in the military, serving in Pakistan. He was killed a few years ago by a suicide bomber. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Jesse’s grandparents had died only six months earlier in a car wreck. Jesse’s mother sank into about the deepest depression possible and when she heard that her husband was gone...well, I don’t know why no one helped this poor woman, but she couldn’t cope.”

  Bonnie paused and grabbed a tissue.

  “Miranda, his mother decided to commit suicide. No idea if she also intended to kill Jesse but she chose a method of dying that included her son, who had just turned five.”

  Miranda’s stomach filled with acid. She didn’t want to hear this. “What happened?” she asked flatly.

  “She drove her car off the highway at the top of Shades Crest with Jesse strapped into the passenger seat. The driver’s-side air bag was disabled, but she apparently forgot there was one on Jesse’s side. The air bag saved his life but cost him his hearing. He broke a lot of bones, was in a body cast and had to stay in the hospital for about six months.” Bonnie cleared her throat, grabbed extra tissues, then, shoved the box toward Miranda.

  When Miranda felt capable of speech she asked, “Where did he live after he got out of the hospital?”

  “When he was finally ready to be released no one could find relatives who would take him in. But he was placed in a foster home that sounded ideal. The foster mom signed, so she was able to teach Jesse. He stayed for a year until the woman found out she was having twins and told social services she couldn’t keep the kids anymore. The dad had a job that kept him on the road a lot. So, long story short, Jesse was given to Willow Terence, who shouldn’t be in charge of a goldfish, much less a child.”

  Miranda remained quiet for a few moments, absorbing the tragedy of Jesse’s story. Finally she asked, “Do you know if it’s true that Jesse can speak? Willow seemed to think he wasn’t bright or was just being ornery.”

  “Well, he was five and talking in complete sentences at the time of his accident. There’s no physical reason for his not being able to speak. During his stay at the hospital, a tutor taught him to read since Jesse wasn’t able to go to school, but he hasn’t spoken a single word since the night that car went over the railing.” Bonnie wiped her eyes one last time, then waved Miranda away. “Now go tell the young Mr. Castillo that you’ll both be staying at my place. Give me about five minutes and I’ll meet you outside and then we’ll visit the doctor’s.”

  “Can we do a tour of a store or two?” Miranda asked. “There are a few things I think he’ll need for the next two nights.”

  Bonnie chuckled. “Fairy godmother time?”

  “Toothbrush and clothes time. Every kid can use a new toothbrush and jammies, not to mention something to wear for the rest of the weekend.”

  “It’s a plan.”

  Miranda paused before she opened the door to Candy’s office. “By the way, I didn’t realize you knew Russ well enough to call him. What’s up with that?”

  Bonnie chuckled. “I took his Intro to Cultural Anthropology class about eight years ago. The man’s an awesome teacher. Made me consider becoming an anthropologist and getting a second degree. But I couldn’t quite abandon a career in theater and focus on social conflicts in modern society.”

  Miranda laughed. “Social conflict and theater. Is there a difference?”

  “Go away, Miranda.”

  Jesse was waiting anxiously to find out where he’d be spending the next few days. Miranda was able to sign that she could stay with him, although Miss Bonnie was officially in charge. Jesse jumped in glee until he was told he’d have to check in with a doctor and talk to the police, but Miranda let him know that she’d be with him the whole time.

  Jesse nodded, ran to give Candy a quick goodbye hug, then grabbed Miranda’s hand.

  Miranda smiled, then gulped. She was about to be a foster co-mom for the weekend... She felt much the same way she had when she entered school for the first time in kindergarten—excited, grown-up—and just a bit terrified.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  TWO HOURS LATER Miranda and Jesse pulled into the driveway at Miss Virginia’s, ready to spend the rest of the afternoon inside.

  Bonnie, Miranda and Jesse had been a close trio at the doctor’s office, where a police officer had questioned Jesse using sign language. It was not a pleasant experience for anyone involved.

  After the X-rays were taken and the observations recorded, the police had headed off to Willow’s apartment for a meeting with Ms. Terence. Bonnie left to attend a meeting with the theater’s board of directors and rearrange her house for her guests. Miranda and Jesse went shopping before swinging by the Nolan house to pick up Phoebe.

  Dog spotted boy, boy spotted dog and an immediate bond was forged. Miranda was doubly grateful for Phoebe’s presence when they reached Virginia’s house, remembering the last time she’d entered. The paralegal from Brett’s office was then thoroughly scrutinized by Phoebe, who barked her approval. Miranda had Jesse wait with the paralegal while she and the dog proceeded to make a quick tour of the house like security guards doing rounds. Once Phoebe had indicated no threats were to be found, Miranda felt comfortable about bringing Jesse inside. Jesse actually let go of his new bag so he and Phoebe could hug and roll on the floor. Miranda rescued the tote before either of them could squash Jesse’s new supplies. He was now the proud owner of a pack of toothbrushes depicting cartoon characters, a large notebook designated for writing whatever Miranda was unable to convey through signing, several school shirts and sweatshirts, undershorts, sweatpants and school pants, sneakers, socks and a new backpack. Miranda carried the bigger “cool” bag that was filled with a bright red superhero baseball cap, two toy trucks, construction paper, a dozen bottles of watercolor paints and a build-your-own snap kit that assured the owner it could turn into a running robot if the snapper pieced it together correctly.

  Miranda took both bags into a spare bedroom for safe-keeping and began cutting tags and putting the new clothes and essentials into the backpack for the upcoming trip to Bonnie’s. She returned to the living room in time to watch Jesse and Phoebe engaging in a lively game of tug-of-war with Phoebe’s favorite rope toy. Miranda tapped Jesse on the shoulder then wrote on the first page of the notebook, “If you want a snack, I’ve got some fruit, nuts and cheese in the kitchen.”

  Jesse’s expression revealed his dilemma: leaving the dog versus the lure of a little sustenance. Miranda grinned and wrote, “I also have doggie biscuits. If you like, you can feed them to her while you eat.”

  Jesse signed, Would like. He and Phoebe continued to build their friendship over snacks. Only when the sated puppy flopped at Jesse’s feet and fell asleep did he look up at Miranda. He signed, What do I do now?

  Miranda had this covered. “Do you like to paint?” she wrote. “Mr. Fraser said you’d added some nice butterflies and clouds on the flats for the show. I’ve got materials if you want to play artist.”

  Jesse’s eyes lit up.

  Miranda led him back to the living room and gave him the paper and watercolor paints. Phoebe managed to wake up long enough to follow them before winding herself into a little canine ball and going back to sleep.

  What should I paint? Jesse signed.

  House across the street? Colorful. Flowers.

  Jesse ran to the window, took a good long look, then ran back to the spot on the floor that was clear of boxes or furniture. He immediately began to create his masterpiece and Miranda returned to the kitchen to make a little dinner. She wasn’t the greatest cook, as she kept telling Farrah, but chili was easy an
d she didn’t want Jesse to have to endure takeout. A home-cooked meal would make Jesse feel like he was in a real home.

  She was in the middle of chopping onions and peppers when she heard a small crash coming from the living room. She started to put down the knife but had second thoughts considering that whoever had broken in before had not been caught. She hurried out of the kitchen to see if Jesse was all right.

  He was kneeling on the floor with a once-white T-shirt in his hand and a horrified expression on his face. One of the plastic bottles of paint had spilled onto the floor and he was trying, without success, to clean it up. He looked at Miranda and began to cry. Phoebe anxiously nuzzled his leg but even the comfort offered by the dog didn’t help his distress.

  She quickly placed the knife on a high table, then ran over and knelt down by his side. It’s just paint. It’s okay, sweetie. You’re not hurt, right? she signed.

  He shook his head but continued to cry. Then he spoke. “Are you going to hit me?”

  Miranda wasn’t sure if she was more shocked that Jesse had chosen this day to finally give voice to his thoughts or at the awful memory behind his words. She was able to sign, Of course not! Why would you think that?

  He chewed his lower lip. “I dropped a whole bottle of red nail goo stuff on the carpet at Miz Willow’s. She was really mad. She...smacked my face and she grabbed my arm and pulled it. It hurt.”

  Willow Terence. Miranda had an urge to drive to the woman’s apartment and splash that “red nail goo” over her dyed blond hair. She stifled any murderous urges, reminding herself that the police and social services would handle Willow. It was far more important to reassure Jesse he wouldn’t be hit again.

  Jesse, Miranda signed. That was wrong of her. Even if you’d done something bad, that was wrong of her. Hitting another person is never a good thing. And what you did wasn’t bad at all. It was a little accident. Everybody drops things. Everybody spills stuff. People drop things and things break. It’s okay.