Straight After the Bend

by S M Mala

  ‘He’s being hurt by his brothers,’ Bea said, smiling at the little boy. ‘And it’s a lot worse than I thought. Henry, this is bad. I don’t know how to tell Mylo.’

  ‘That’s not good.’ She heard him sigh. ‘Bea, if you run away with me then you needn’t face all this. I know a friend who has an island where you can walk around naked. I’d like that very much.’

  ‘I don’t want to run away from this. I think it’s going to be complicated and I have no idea how it will turn out.’

  Thinking hard about what Kayden had told her, she wondered if Bligh’s nasty little secret could be discovered.

  Then she questioned if this was why Cole was covering for the child, as it was his own flesh and blood. It was easier to blame the problem child, River, than star pupil Bligh. He had told her about River being mean to Kayden and she had fallen for it, believing every word but it was a lie to deflect what he was doing.

  There was too much deceit floating about.

  ‘And you’re prepared for then wedding? All sorted?’ he asked chirpily. Bea shrugged. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘My father isn’t going to turn up.’ Her eyes darted towards Mylo. ‘And the man I love is upset about what’s happening to his son, he can’t even focus that far ahead.’

  ‘That it?’

  ‘There’s too much uncertainty, that’s the problem.’

  ‘But that makes is exciting.’

  ‘What are you really doing here?’

  ‘Rachel wanted to meet up after I told her we were finished. She says it’s to discuss my work but I know it’s because she wants my body. It’s a hard life.’

  Bea couldn’t hold back. She laughed out hard at his comment.

  ‘You hero,’ she said, putting a napkin over her mouth.

  ‘Hello Bethi,’ her father said, startling her out of happiness. ‘And you are?’

  ‘I’m Henry, a friend of your daughter’s and a former Krishna devotee. I respect what you’re doing.’

  ‘I see.’ Bernie smiled in response. ‘How wonderful my daughter has spiritual friends.’

  ‘Grandpa Bernie, can we dance some more?’ Kayden asked, rushing to the table and holding onto him. ‘That was so much fun!’

  ‘Your father said you hurt yourself and couldn’t jump up and down,’ he replied, darting a disgruntled glance at Mylo. ‘What did you do?’

  ‘It’s nothing,’ Mylo said, looking uncomfortably at Bernie. ‘We’re going to take care of him.’

  ‘And how will his other father feel about that?’ The comment was challenging. ‘He might not like it.’

  ‘There are lots of things we do not like or approve of in life but we just have to learn to accept its other’s wishes.’ Mylo smiled at Bernie, not flinching. ‘And if you don’t accept me, I’ll leave it up to you. There is always a place for you at our table.’

  ‘Yes, why don’t you have lunch here?’ Kayden asked, grabbing Bernie’s hand. ‘I know you’re a vegetable and they have lots you can each. I don’t like vegetables but I saw them.’

  ‘That’s very sweet of you, my child,’ he said, bending down to look at him in the eye. ‘But I’m having lunch at the centre.’

  Even Bea could see her father was smitten with the boy.

  ‘Will I be seeing you at the wedding?’ asked Henry, blatantly shit stirring. ‘I look forward to it. I hear the caterers are the best Indian chefs in town.’

  ‘I love curry,’ said Kayden, rubbing his tummy. ‘I like it spicy and nice. I’m daddy’s best man and I am very important. I have to talk to everyone.’

  ‘We’ll talk about the wedding later,’ her father replied and she noticed he then looked straight at her. ‘And I want to talk to you too.’ Bernie bent down and kissed her before whispering. ‘And everything is still okay?’

  ‘It’s just a little bit more complicated, that’s all.’

  ‘When wouldn’t it be with you, Bethi?’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  Mylo looked shocked at her suggestion. ‘You want Cole and the boys to come here tomorrow for lunch?’

  ‘Why not? We need to clear the air. If we don’t, all hell is going to break loose before the end of the week, and it’s not fair on anyone.’

  She was sitting up in bed watching him brush his teeth.

  ‘You do know he has already contacted his lawyers petitioning against me about keeping Kayden? The last thing I want is for my son to be taken away for good.’

  ‘That’s not going to happen.’

  ‘How sure are you about that?’

  ‘Let’s see if we can powwow this out before Saturday.’ She let out a massive groan, unable to hold it in. ‘I also have to find a wedding dress, as I’m not wearing that rag my father got made for me. If he’s not coming then I don’t see why I have to look like a dog’s dinner.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll look lovely.’

  ‘All eyes will be truly focussed on you, which might not be a bad thing.’ Then she thought about what Kayden had told her that day. ‘He’s a lovely little boy, you know that don’t you?’

  Mylo walked into the bedroom and stopped at the end of the bed.

  ‘Like me.’

  ‘Whatever you do, don’t lose sight that they are his brothers and Cole is his other father. We need to make sure we’re doing the right thing for everyone.’ Then she hesitated. ‘As your father is now sightseeing with Prudence, we could ask your mother for lunch as well. I’m thinking about asking my dad.’

  ‘Seriously?’ He grimaced. ‘Why?’

  ‘He needs to see that his backward idea about same sex couples is wrong. And he needs to apologise to your mother and you. Cole needs to understand I’m not here to replace him but to give additional support to his son.’

  Mylo crawled up the bed to look at her, starting to grin.

  ‘I know that sex smile. We had a very good session this morning so give it a rest,’ she said, tapping his face.

  ‘Did I tell you how much I loved you?’

  ‘I really hope you do.’

  ‘And Henry loves you too.’

  ‘Mylo.’

  ‘Well, he has the hots for you and doesn’t even disguise it. And as for my son? Did you see his face when he was snuggling into your boobs? That child was in heaven.’ He pulled down the covers. ‘As he’s fast asleep, I’d like a piece of heaven too.’

  ‘Dearest Doctor Mylo.’ Bea placed her hands either side of his face. ‘I want to talk to you about something. We won’t get the chance to speak tomorrow, especially with Kayden in ear shot.’

  ‘What about?’ he asked, shaking his head to remove her hands as he headed towards her breasts. ‘Can I nuzzle on these while you talk?’

  ‘Help yourself.’ Bea realised he wanted to play. ‘But you have to answer me honestly.’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Tell me what it was like when you lived with Cole.’ He looked up at her, frowning. ‘So I get a picture of how the kids got on and why they’re acting like this. It’s what I have to do as part of my job, understand the home life.’

  Mylo sat up and looked at her, staring right into her eyes.

  ‘I moved in properly a month before Kayden arrived and it was a little stressful to say the least. The boys were going through a major upheaval with Riccardo leaving and there I was. The straight friend of the family who was now with their father.’

  ‘A bend after the straight?’ she asked, trying not to smile at the comment.

  ‘When Kayden arrived it was difficult. The boys realised the affections were for this little guy and it caused some friction. River hated the fact and said, point blank, that he didn’t want to have anything to do with him.’

  ‘And Bligh?’

  ‘Yeah, well, he’s a sweet kid and wanted to be part of it.’

  ‘But has he always treated Kayden well, and was River more of a challenge?’ she asked, kissing his cheek. ‘Has it always been obvious that River is such a bully?’

  ‘If I’m honest, he ha
s a fiery temper but I’ve never seen him hit Kayden. He was going through his own personal hell with his dad walking out.’

  ‘And Bligh? He’s Cole’s flesh and blood so is he treated differently?’ As she asked the question, she noticed Mylo’s’ eyes narrow through uncertainty. ‘I hear about people adopting kids but always favouring their own children. Is that true?’ Bea bit her lip. ‘Mylo, when you adopted Kayden, didn’t you want to have your own kids? Why didn’t you hire the same woman and get her artificially inseminated?’

  In all the weeks and months, she never asked him that question.

  Deep down she was worried what he would say.

  There was a look of confusion as he sat back.

  ‘Because, even after adopting Kayden, I felt that I would have my own kids but I didn’t know with whom and when.’ Mylo shook his head. ‘I wondered when you were going to ask.’

  ‘I was unsure of what you’d say.’ Bea watched him look away then back at her.

  ‘You know, if Kayden does come to live with us, I’ll do everything. Please don’t think you’re getting lumbered with my responsibility.’

  ‘He’s our responsibility.’ Then she took a deep breath. ‘What if Kayden is really being mistreated under the nose of Cole, what happens then? Can you allow him to go back knowing it might get worse for the child?’ Mylo shook his head from side to side. ‘If we are trying to get custody of Kayden then we can’t be flitting away and leaving him. You have to show you are a good, reliable parent.’

  ‘Bea,’ he whispered, then lunged at her, pulling her down onto the bed.

  The kiss was very long and passionate as his hands tried ride up her nightdress.

  ‘What was that for?’ She pushed his face away.

  ‘Please don’t think this was a set up. I’d prefer to have him physically fit and healthy, living with Cole, than being in pain. I’m his dad and I want him to be safe and happy.’

  ‘He will be with us.’ Bea kissed his cheek before giving him a massive hug. ‘It just might be upsetting for his current family.’

  Right then, she was thinking how Cole was going to react to what Bea had discovered.

  ‘I really shouldn’t be here.’

  Her father looked flustered the following day. ‘It has nothing to do with me.’

  ‘It has everything to do with you as it concerns me. Whether you’re coming to the wedding or not isn’t the issue. I need to give the impression I have a solid family base who supports me.’ Then she glanced at his pensive expression. ‘Regardless of the reality.’

  Bea had decided to make lots of sandwiches, cakes and scones, that way she could be in the living room and not eavesdrop from the kitchen.

  There was a knock on the door and her heart leapt into her throat. She looked at her watch and they were half an hour early. All her father did was roll his eyes and shake his head.

  ‘Don’t say anything you’re not supposed to,’ she whispered.

  ‘Which mean what? The truth?’

  ‘That’s your interpretation of the truth, not mine.’

  Bea walked towards the door and flung it open.

  ‘Chloe?’ she said, seeing the girl smile uncomfortably at her. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Miss Mayon, Bea, I hope you don’t mind but I needed to speak to you. Is this a bad time?’

  ‘It’s…’ Even looking at her, she knew the young girl was upset. ‘I’ve got people coming for lunch in thirty minutes. Come in.’

  ‘A girl?’ her father asked, looking confused. ‘I thought they were boys.’

  ‘This is Chloe Dewhurst. She is a pupil at school who I help,’ replied Bea, shaking her head discreetly from side to side. ‘This is my father called-.’

  ‘It’s you!’ said Chloe with delight. ‘I see you every day.’ She then turned to Bea. ‘I didn’t know your father was a Hari Krishna’

  ‘It’s not something I like to talk about,’ came her curt reply.

  ‘I think you’re wonderful!’ she gushed, walking towards her father. ‘On days when I feel really sad, I see you and your friends down the High Road. It makes me smile.’

  ‘Is that so?’ Bernie replied, with a broad grin. ‘That’s what we’re here to do. To bring peace and love into the world.’

  ‘Is that so?’ mumbled Bea, examining Chloe looking a little dishevelled. ‘Why aren’t you in school?’

  ‘I went in but decided to leave,’ she said, and on closer inspection, Bea could see she had been crying.

  ‘What happened?’ Bea flicked her head as to gesture for her father to leave the room. ‘Come and talk to me.’

  ‘You can speak freely in front of me,’ her father replied, blatantly ignoring the instructions. ‘It might be good for another set of ears to listen.’

  Chloe darted a glance at Bea then at her father.

  What she wanted to say wasn’t for male ears.

  ‘You know what you could do, daddy? Make us both a nice cup of tea and we can chat. Alone.’

  He heard her clearly this time and left the room slowly.

  ‘Sit down,’ she said, gesturing to Chloe.

  ‘I wanted to talk. It’s odd not having you there.’

  Then she hesitated before sitting down as Bea sat next to her.

  ‘Chloe?’ Bea stroked her arm. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘It’s mum,’ she said, swallowing hard. ‘We had a row last night and she was pretty mean. So was I.’

  ‘What about?’

  ‘Henry.’ Chloe let out a massive sigh as Bea internally cringed. ‘She says it’s my fault that he feels uncomfortable and I’m forcing them apart, because I’m jealous.’

  ‘I know you’re upset about her attention being diverted to Henry and…’ Bea realised she had to say something to help. ‘When it comes to adults, it’s best to let them get on with it. Your mum won’t really blame you if the relationship doesn’t work out. I think she knows that, deep down.’

  ‘But if they split, she’s going to be awful, I know it. She will blame me.’ The tears started to splash down her face. ‘I feel like I don’t belong anywhere.’

  ‘You do belong. Right now, people can’t see the pain you’re in because they’re too busy dealing with their own hurt. I guess it’s like being invisible. They want you to be happy, move on, but you can’t. Because the pain you feel, the hurt, is so pronounced, it’s unbearable. Plus they don’t want to listen to what bothers you. They can just about deal with it themselves.’ Bea moved closer and put an arm around her. ‘Your mum loves you. I think adults use us as punch bags, verbal ones, because they need something else to blame, other than themselves. That would be far too easy.’

  Chloe wept in Bea’s arms as she held her close, hoping the child’s pain would go away soon.

  Then she thought about her own mum and what she would say about her current set up. Closing her eyes, Bea didn’t want to weep at how awful the week proceeding her wedding was turning out. As she moved closer, it happened.

  The shooting pain up her leg which startled Bea, making her jolt and yelp at the same time.

  ‘Are you okay?’ asked Chloe, her face wet and red.

  ‘I twisted my leg, that’s all.’

  Her father peeked at her from the kitchen and when she saw him, he pulled away.

  Bernie had been snooping on their conversation.

  The doorbell rang again. Chloe immediately stopped crying.

  ‘I better go,’ she said, startled. ‘You have guests and-.’

  ‘Join us for lunch.’ Bea realised the girl was in need of a friend. ‘I’d like you to meet Mylo and his family. You think your life is complicated? Welcome to my world.’

  ‘You’re right.’

  Chloe was sitting next to Bea at the table. ‘This is strange.’

  ‘I know,’ replied Bea, observing Bligh, knowing it had been an awkward twenty minutes since Cole and the boys walked in.

  After her father had internally stopped hyper ventilating, only then he could join in. It was Jessica who calme
d him down, taking everything in her stride but she had years of getting used to the scenario.

  Bligh was chatting to her father, being very polite and knowledgeable. It was when she glanced at Kayden, sat in-between her and Mylo, did she realise exactly what was happening.

  The little boy avoided eye contact with Bligh but not with River, who would simply shake his head before looking away. When he did catch Bligh’s glance, he instantly moved closer to his daddy.

  What Bea was trying to figure out was the reason behind Bligh’s action.

  He certainly was good at making you believe he was a nice kid.

  Then she noticed Cole was staring at all of them as if dissecting the people who sat with his children.

  ‘I do love sandwiches,’ her father said, oblivious to what was going on. ‘But scones are my favourite. They simply are the most wonderful invention.’

  ‘I agree,’ replied Bligh, nodding enthusiastically.

  ‘And Chloe?’ asked Cole, half smiling at the girl. ‘You attend the school that Beatrice works at. Has school finished?’

  ‘No but…’ She hesitated in her reply, looking at Bea.

  ‘She had a free period and decided to come and visit. As she’s coming to the wedding, Chloe wanted to know what sort of outfit she should wear. And she wanted to see my dress but that’s a bit silly, as I haven’t got one.’

  ‘You’re not going to wear the sari?’ Jessica asked, coming in with a pot of tea.

  Her future mother-in-law was trying not to glare at River at every opportune moment. Bea figured out that Jessica had a pitcher of martini hidden in the kitchen, hence her enthusiasm to play waitress.

  Or she was poisoning the food.

  ‘I’ll find something,’ Bea shrugged in response seeing her father stare and Mylo look at her. ‘Anyway, let’s change the subject. I’m sure Cole and the boys aren’t interested in the wedding.’ Bea let out a little laugh. ‘What have you been doing since you got to town? Anything interesting?’

  ‘Being here is lame and I don’t know why you wanted us to do lunch. We could have gone somewhere else,’ River said, giving her a challenging glare. ‘What are you trying to do? Play happy families?’