Mended Fences: Will love and kindness be able to mend the fences broken by intolerance? (Mended Hearts Book 2)

by Sarah Markel

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  “Hi! Just set that stuff on the coffee table with the rest.” Kelly said, standing aside to allow her guests to enter. “Alex! Robby and Tabitha are here!” she yelled up the stairs. Taking their coats, she motioned for the kids to join the others outside, and for the couple to head into the kitchen. “Steve, Terry, Billy, Lauren, these are my friends Robby and Tabitha” she said, making the introductions. While the group took turns shaking hands, Alex walked into the kitchen and groaned dramatically. “Dude, really?” she said with a smile as she made a show of looking over the man’s attire. “What? I told you they were going to crush your team.” he said, defending his decision to wear a Bears jersey. Shaking her head with mock disdain, Alex pointed to the porch. “You, Steve, Billy, and Terry can listen to the game on the radio. We’ll send out some juice boxes and string cheese later.” While the group laughed, Kelly took Tabitha’s hand and pulled her outside. Out on the porch, she introduced the rest of their guests. “Allan is Terry’s husband, Chelsea is Billy’s wife, Angie is Steve’s wife and Alex’s sister, and Judy is Lauren’s wife.” she explained as the group waved hello. Taking a seat, the group visited while they watched the children play.

  While the “wives” were outside watching the kids, Alex and the “husbands” got themselves situated for kick-off. “So Robby, how’s the ground breaking going?” Steve asked. “Good,” the man replied “We’ve got the area cleared and we are just waiting for the cement trucks to get here. They’re supposed to be here tomorrow, so we should be able to pour the foundation this week.” Smiling, Alex nodded. Before anyone else could say anything, the announcer came on T.V. and announced the coin flip. Alex and Lauren cheered loudly when the Bills won the coin toss and chose to receive. Groaning when the kick was returned quickly for a touchdown, Terry, Billy, and Steve joined Robby in throwing a handful of chips at the screen. All small talk forgotten, the group took turns both cheering and booing as the ball was passed back and forth across the field.

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  “So none of you watch football?” Tabitha asked. Shaking their heads, the others muttered about their dislike of the sport. “I just don’t understand the allure.” Allan said, sipping his coffee. “I watch college football, but not the pro stuff.” Angie answered with a shrug. “Lauren is a die-hard Bills fan. We end up paying a fortune so she can watch all their games during the regular season. I just watch for the cheerleaders.” Judy said, making the group laugh. While the other’s chatted about this and that, Kelly turned her attention to the children playing in the yard. She smiled as Shanna led Anya, Dej, Addy, and Carrie quietly around the pool house. Armed with a snowball in each hand, the girls all let out a battle cry as they assaulted the boys. While they attempted to shield themselves, the boys quickly assembled their own ammo and began pelting the girls in return. Realizing that they were outnumbered, the girls shrieked and made a beeline for the porch. “They won’t be able to get us if we are with the Moms and the baby!” Dej screamed to her platoon. “Wanna bet?” Zane hollered, chasing his sister onto the porch. Glaring at her son as he took aim at his sister, who was hiding behind her chair, Kelly pointed a finger at him. “Don’t you…” her warning was cut short when the boy released his snowball, striking the wall to the left of her head. Laughing maniacally, Zane turned on his heel and ran down the steps. Turning back and sticking his thumbs in his ears, he stuck his tongue out and taunted Kelly. “Neener, neener, boo, boo!” he teased. Setting her coffee cup on the table between her and Tabitha, Kelly stood and hurried after her son.

  While the other adults cheered them on, Kelly managed to catch the boy when he slipped on the snow and stumbled. Grabbing him by the jacket, she pulled him to the ground and knelt down to pin his shoulders to the ground. Smirking up at her, Zane taunted her again. “I’m not afraid of the snow, Mom.” Shrugging her shoulders, Kelly grinned evilly at the boy. “I’m not going to use the snow.” she said. Watching his face for a moment, Kelly enjoyed the look of weariness on the boy’s face. Before he could squirm away, she leaned down and covered his face in loud quick kisses. Screaming for help, Zane struggled against Kelly’s hold. “Help me! She’s kissing me!” he yelled to the other kids, trying not to laugh at his own misfortune. Laughing uproariously, the other kids knelt beside Kelly and began to help her. Hopelessly pinned down, Zane fought with all his might to ward off the kisses that were assaulting him. After a moment, Kelly stood and went to rejoin the adults on the porch, leaving the other children to their torture of the boy.

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  Hours later, after the Bills had beaten the Cowboys by three points in overtime, Alex and Kelly waved goodbye as the last of their friends left the house. Turning to look at the disaster that awaited them in the living room, Kelly placed her hands on her hips and glared at Alex. “There were six adults in this living room. All of the kids were outside with us. How in the hell did that much food end up on the floor?” she asked. Grinning sheepishly, Alex shrugged. “We got caught up in the game.” she replied matter-of-factly. Shaking her head, Kelly entered the living room and began picking up the popcorn, chips, and crackers that littered the floor. Feeling herself throb at the sight of Kelly on her hands and knees, Alex walked over to her. “Babe, stop.” she said, reaching her hand down to help the woman up. “Leave it for tomorrow. I will clean it up before breakfast.” Taking the offered hand, Kelly stood and glared at Alex. “You swear?” she asked. Nodding, Alex dipped her head and placed a kiss on Kelly’s lips. “I think you should come upstairs and help me celebrate.” she whispered, walking slowly toward the stairs. “Celebrate, huh?” Kelly asked. Nodding, Alex pulled her toward the bedroom. “My team just won the Super Bowl, guess what I’m going to do next.” she said softly against Kelly’s ear. Laughing, Kelly let herself be tugged along.

  CHAPTER 25

  As Valentine’s Day approached, Alex and Kelly watched helplessly as their little boy started his journey to manhood. They noticed subtle changes in the boy as the days passed, and on the Friday that preceded the romantic holiday, Zane walked into the kitchen as his mothers were making dinner. “How do you use a condom?” he asked, sitting himself down at the island. Alex whipped her head up, the knife she had been using clattering to the tiled floor. Kelly froze, a pork chop dangling in her hand above the hot pan on the stove. An uncomfortable silence set in, and after a moment the boy cleared his throat. “You guys said I could come to you if I had any questions.” he said, shrugging his shoulders and leaning on the counter top. Alex tried to speak, but despite her working mouth, the words wouldn’t come. “Why on Earth are you asking that?” Kelly asked quietly as she set the pork chop back on the plate. Turning off the stove and removing the hot pan to a cool burner, she approached the island slowly. Zane eyed his parents, curiosity evident on his face. “I just want to know how they work. I mean, I know they are supposed to prevent pregnancy and STDs and stuff, but how do they work? How do they keep those things out?” Laughter burst out of Alex, making both Zane and Kelly jump.

  “Why do you care how they work, son?” she asked, bending down to pick up the knife she had dropped. Placing the utensil in the sink, Alex turned and leaned against the counter. Shrugging, Zane met her eyes and answered honestly. “We had the sex education thing today, and they explained how, when, and why to use one. That class is gross, by the way.” he added, wrinkling his nose at the memory of the event. “But they never explained how a condom does its job.” Unsure whether to laugh again or cry, Alex motioned to Kelly. “Well, Doc? Explain to your son how a condom works.” she said. Glaring at her fiancée, Kelly searched her suddenly blank mind. “Well son, the material that is used to make condoms acts as a barrier. It’s kind of like putting a lid on a cup so it doesn’t spill.” she said, avoiding the child’s curious gaze. “But doesn’t that make sex less enjoyable? Isn’t the point of it to feel it?” he asked, completely oblivious to the fact that neither woman had any first-hand experience with the subject. At a loss for an explanation, the two wom
en stared helplessly at each other. Pulling out her phone, Alex did the only thing she could think of; she called Steve.

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  “I’ll bring him back later on, Alex.” Steve said as he and Zane made their way out the door. After Alex had called and told him that he needed to have the talk with the boy, Steve had rushed over. Amused by the situation, he offered to take the boy out to dinner and answer any questions he might have. Sighing with relief as she closed the door behind them, Alex ran her fingers through her hair. “I did not expect for things to go like that.” she said, walking back into the kitchen to finish dinner. “I honestly thought that talk would go a lot differently.” she added, resuming her task of chopping vegetables. Nodding as she finished searing the pork chop, Kelly placed the pan in the oven and went to sit in the seat Zane had vacated. “Honey, you don’t think he’s…” Kelly started, not wanting to finish her thought. Looking up at the woman, Alex considered the question. “I don’t think so, babe. But then again I’m not sure. He’s been kind of a mystery to me lately.” Neither woman spoke as they finished making dinner.

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  “Why are you so quiet?” Dej asked, halfway through her meal. Both women had been lost in their own thoughts, and there was an air of melancholy at the table. “I’m sorry, Sissy. Just got a lot going on in my head.” Alex said, resting her hand on the little girl’s shoulder. “Well get out of your head. I’ve been trying to tell you about school for the last ten minutes.” Dej grumbled. Chuckling, Kelly set down her fork and gave the child her undivided attention. “We’re sorry, baby. Tell us again.” All irritation forgotten, Dej happily regaled them with her story. “At lunch today, Greg Bettis took my tray and threw it in the trash!” the child said. “He asked if he could have a bite and I said no. He asked why I don’t eat the food from the cafeteria like everyone else and what makes me so special. I told him to buzz off Bozo. And he just grabbed my tray and dropped it in the bin and said that now I couldn’t eat it either!” she finished, her irritation back and evident on her face. “Did you get to eat any of it first?” Kelly asked with a look of surprise. “Did you tell the Chaperone?” Alex asked hotly. When the child nodded, Alex took out her phone and called Lauren.

  “Thanks Lauren, I really appreciate it. I don’t know why I wasn’t called, but you can bet I will be down there on Monday.” Alex finished. Setting the phone on the counter, she sat back down to finish her dinner. After the meal had ended, Kelly and Dej set about cleaning up. Sipping her coffee, Alex was content to watch the pair. Dej had pulled a stool up to the sink and demanded that Kelly let her wash. She chuckled to herself as the child scrubbed the plates that Kelly was holding, because even with the stool, the little girl was too short to fully accomplish the task on her own. When the dishes had been washed and put away, Dej grabbed a cloth from the drawer and went about wiping the counters and table. Watching the way Kelly eyed the child, Alex let her mind wander. She imagined Kelly standing just as she was now, her hip against the island, arms crossed over her chest. Except in her head she saw her cradling a newborn baby as she watched Dej. I wonder if she would say yes to carrying a baby. Smiling to herself, Alex decided to keep that thought quiet… for now.

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  Two hours later, Steve returned with Zane. “How’d it go?” Alex asked the man quietly. When they had walked in, Zane had a strange look on his face and sat on the couch without a word. Shrugging, Steve whispered “He seemed to take it well, but once we were headed back here he got quiet and didn’t say anything.” Looking at her son with concern, Alex thanked Steve and joined Kelly in the living room. “So… did Uncle Steve answer your questions?” she asked cautiously. Nodding, Zane eyed his mother. “I don’t think I will be needing to use a condom anytime soon.” he said matter-of-factly. Kelly let out a relieved sigh. “So you aren’t planning on being intimate with Willow then?” she asked hopefully.

  “Oh no. Uncle Steve explained all about what can happen if you have sex before you are eighteen.” With a shudder, Zane stood. “I am not looking to be a dad for a long, long, long time. And Uncle Steve said that even with a condom, things can go wrong. And women get pregnant all the time even when the guys use them. Not happening. If you two want grandchildren, you are going to have to wait.” Alex and Kelly stared after their son as he turned on his heel and ran up the stairs. After a moment, Kelly laid her hand on Alex’s thigh and chuckled, “I don’t know what Steve said to him, but maybe the school should have him teach sex-ed.” Alex snorted and leaned over to kiss Kelly. “Boy am I glad we don’t have to worry about condoms. I think that’s the greatest thing about being a lesbian… no broken condoms.” she said against Kelly’s ear. “That’s the greatest part?” Kelly asked softly, tipping her neck to allow Alex access. Bringing her hand up to cup Kelly’s breast, Alex muttered “Okay, maybe not the greatest part.” With a chuckle, Kelly pushed Alex away gently. “Not now, sweetheart. It’s too early and the kids are still awake.” she whispered, her voice husky. Alex pouted, meeting Kelly’s need-filled eyes. Mentally forcing her desires back into check, she leaned in and kissed Kelly’s soft, full lips. Despite the urges that refused to be quelled, Alex broke the kiss. Blowing out a breath, she ran her hand through her hair and headed upstairs to check on the kids.

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  The next morning, Alex and Kelly pulled into the parking lot of Willowbrook Academy. Alex had called as soon as the office had opened and demanded to speak with the principal. When the woman came on the phone, Alex had done her best to control her temper while she made an appointment to see her in person. Despite Kelly’s attempts to calm Alex’s temper, the woman practically shook with rage. This was not the first time over the years that Alex had dealt with the school over Dej’s accommodations, but those instances had, thankfully, been few and far between. Walking into the school, the pair was directed to the row of seats outside the principal’s office. “Mom, can I go to class? Or do you want me with you?” Dej asked when the women took their seats. Smiling at the child, Kelly told her to go on to class. As Dej skipped happily toward Anya and a group of their friends, Kelly took a moment to consider Alex’s severe posture. She had seen Alex mad before, but she couldn’t remember seeing the woman work so hard to control her anger. Alex’s knuckles were white where she gripped the arms of her chair, and her usually full lips were pressed into a pencil thin line. “Honey, please relax a little bit. I’m sure we can straighten this out easily.” she said, placing her hand over Alex’s. Alex turned to look at her fiancée and attempted to smile. “I hope so, babe. I haven’t dealt with this new principal before, but from what some of the other parents have said, she’s not the easiest person to talk to.” Before Alex could say more, the receptionist at the desk to the left of where they sat told them to go on in.

  “Ms. Walker. I’m Principal Klein, please come in and have a seat.” Alex sat in the indicated seat and stared at the woman who was seated at the large desk that took up most of the office. Susan Klein was a short, plump woman, who appeared to be only a few years older than Alex. Her short, dark brown hair was styled around her head in a pixie cut that Alex found completely unflattering to the woman’s features. The woman offered them a brilliant smile, but made no other attempt at warmth. Alex wondered just how long it would take before she lost her temper. She had a sneaking suspicion that the woman before her was used to getting her way, and Alex was unconvinced that this meeting would end well. “Ms. Klein.” Alex greeted the woman curtly. She studied the woman before her, searching her brain for the best way to initiate the conversation calmly.

  “Good Morning, Ms. Klein, I’m Kelly Taylor.” Kelly said, offering her hand to the principal. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Taylor. Are you related to Marissa?” the woman asked, shaking Kelly’s hand weakly. “Kelly’s my fiancée.” Alex replied, careful to keep her tone even. She didn’t like the way that the principal spoke. The woman’s voice held an air of entitlement that reminded Alex of the stuck up girls she had attended high school with
, and it grated on her nerves. Kelly sat next to Alex and rested her hands in her lap, her initial impression of the principal causing a small knot of apprehension in her stomach. For several moments, the three women sat and regarded each other silently. Clearing her throat, Susan Klein finally broke the silence.

  “I understand you wanted to talk to me about an incident on Friday?” the woman asked, leaning forward and resting her elbows on the desk. Nodding, Alex explained. “Dej, Marissa,” Alex corrected, “informed us that a boy named Greg Bettis threw her lunch in the trash because she wouldn’t share it with him.” Alex took a steadying breath when the woman across from her scoffed. “That’s why you demanded to see me today? Because someone threw your daughter’s lunch away? If she was still hungry, she should have gone to the Chaperone. They would have made sure she was given a replacement tray.” Principal Klein eased back in her chair and shook her head. “You know, Ms. Walker, there is no bigger waste of an educator’s time than a parent who thinks their child is being treated differently than the others.” Kelly placed her hand on Alex’s arm, seeing the anger that was building in her fiancée. “Ms. Klein, I understand that you are new to this school, but have you taken the time to familiarize yourself with any of the student files?” Kelly asked, hoping to give Alex time to collect herself. Scoffing again, the woman sneered at Kelly. “Ms. Taylor, there are seven hundred students enrolled in this school. I don’t have time to read up on who is who. I learn what I need to know from the students when they are in my office. To be honest, unless you have a child enrolled in this school, you shouldn’t even be a part of this meeting.” Unable to hold her tongue any longer, Alex leaned forward and placed her hands on the desk.