Chapter 6
Jackson awoke on the floor. His head pounded and every muscle in his body ached. He almost didn’t recognize that he had a hangover. He hadn’t had one since his youth. Taking in a breath, he managed to grab onto the couch and stand. The world spun.
But he had to get to school to teach Maisy’s class. Social Studies was first today. Boy, had he fucked things up. By suspending Maisy to begin with. By his actions with Frankie.
By making love with her.
At least you called DFS. Got Maisy emergency foster care. Had they let her know that? He couldn’t call her. He could barely think straight. But after he’d showered and changed and forced himself to eat breakfast of dry Cheerios and coffee, he headed to school.
Harry stood when he walked into the office. “You okay? You’re always here before everybody.”
“Not exactly. But I’ll live.”
“Are you still taking Maisy’s class? If you don’t feel up to it, I’ll stay with them until a sub can come in.”
“Thanks. You’re a good employee and friend. But I’ll do it.” He checked his watch. “I’ll head over there now. Is Frankie still in his cabin?”
“He is. I checked on him this morning.”
On the way to the classroom building, he thought about stopping to see Frankie, but decided that might be a mistake. He still hadn’t decided on what to do with the boy.
No, you got drunk instead. You’re an idiot .
Pushing away the thought, he entered the Social Studies classroom. The space was so her with motivational posters everywhere and kids’ work on the bulletin boards. It even smelled like her. He took a moment to enjoy the scent, then the boys filed in.
They were loud. “Hey, anybody hear what’s going on with Frankie?” This from Bryce.
Harlan said, “You know what happens when you get five demerits.”
Jackson decided he needed to orchestrate this discussion. “All right guys, everybody settle down and I’ll clear some things up.”
The boys went to the tables. Maisy let them sit wherever they wanted to. When they looked up at him, their expressions were stony.
“Frankie’s back but is confined to his cabin. We just found him yesterday and I haven’t made my decision on what to do with him.”
“But he’s got five demerits,” Timmy exclaimed. “Does that mean we can get five and nothing’ll happen? Cause I got four.”
“Me, too.” Harlan.
“Me, too.” Quentin.
Fuck. He should have expected this.
“No, the fact that he’s on campus doesn’t mean that. Five demerits get you sent to juvie.”
“Then why isn’t Frankie sent away?”
That was a good question. And Jackson knew why. It was because of Maisy.
The lesson today included a movie, Dead Poets Society, that Annie picked out. He was supposed to show half today and half tomorrow. He’d already seen this film but nonetheless found it engrossing.
When he stopped the film halfway, he asked the boys to record in their journal their impression so far. What did they think about the main teacher. The boys? The plot so far.
The kids wouldn’t even open their journals. He knew why. He’d squelched questions they had a right to know. Still, he said, “Why aren’t you writing?”
Bryce folded his arms across his chest. Harlan and Quentin stared down at their desks. Timmy glared at him.
“I know why you’re doing this. I’ll have an answer for you tomorrow.”
“Then we’ll talk tomorrow,” Bryce said. “Maybe, depending on what you say.”
He wouldn’t ask them what they wanted to happen to Frankie. It wasn’t their decision. It was his. To buy time, he said, “Okay, we’ll watch the rest of the movie.” He turned it on and sat back.
This school was the best thing Jackson had ever done. He had to protect it. Not himself. Not Maisy. Not even Frankie. So when the boys filed out grumbling, Jackson got out his cell and punched in a contact.
“Onondaga County Juvenile Corrections. Steven Lewis speaking.”
Steven was the director of the whole system. He did his best but juvie was still a hard place. Especially for the younger kids. He stuffed the notion and said simply. “I’m afraid I have to send one of my own to you.”
“Seriously? You haven’t sent a kid here since your first year.”
“Yeah, well, I failed again. I’ll have Nick bring him over. When would be best?”
“He can do it now. And Jackson, you can’t save all of them.”
Up until this happened, he thought he could. “Yeah, I know.”
“Want to think about this more?”
“No, I can’t waver. The other boys are confused. It’s hurting the school.”
“Okay. Tell Nick I’m in my office.”
“Thanks, Steve.”
He disconnected and felt his stomach pitch.
* * *
Maisy was teaching Freddie how to play dominoes when the doorbell rang again. She got up, ruffled the boy’s head and went to answer it.
Jackson stood before her. He looked terrible and her heart went out to him. A heart he already owned. “I didn’t expect to see you.”
“Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
When he got inside, she faced him. “I was going to call and thank you for arranging emergency care for us. I really appreciate it.”
He didn’t respond but walked over to Freddie. “Hey, there, buddy.”
“Hey, Jackson. Did you bring Frankie with you?”
“No, Freddie, I didn’t. I’ll talk to you about it in a few minutes, but I need to see Ms. Shepherd alone.”
“Freddie, Caleb’s free to play until four. Go to the den.”
“’kay.”
When he left, she asked, “Want to sit?”
“No.” If possible, he was more morose.
Reaching out, she squeezed his arm. Gently, she said, “What’s going on Jackson?”
“I’m sending Frankie to juvie.”
* * *
Maisy thought about Jackson all day. By the end of it, she recognized the cold hard facts. She would never be able to have a relationship with him. She’d never make love with him again. They were done.
With that in mind, she took out her computer and typed a letter. Then called a courier and sent it by messenger.
* * *
By the time Jackson got back to school, everyone at the Administration Building had left for the night. He’d had to stop a couple of times because he was emotional about Maisy’s harsh reaction to his news about Frankie. He just got inside his office when someone came to the door. He’d left it open to the screen.
A courier stood outside on the porch surrounded by the late afternoon sun. “Expedited envelope for you, Mr. Kane.” They got a lot of special deliveries. He took the envelope and tipped the courier.
He’d put whatever this was aside for a bit. But then he caught a glimpse of the sender. “Maisy Shepherd.”
He ripped open the envelope to find one sheet of paper with only a couple of lines on it.
I resign my teaching position at Pathways effective at the end of the school year .
* * *
School ended with a bang. Though they had three more months of activities, they’d finished the curriculum. The teachers would be finished in a week. Then the boys would have a week off before summer activities started.
Maisy and Annie met in the classroom, Annie on a high from her honeymoon, Maisy abhorred at the fact that she’d be here only one more week. Annie waxed on about her hot, sexy honeymoon, then stopped abruptly. “What’s wrong?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve been talking to the Grim Reaper.”
“Nah. I have good news. We’re fostering Freddie Pecorino.”
“We, as in you and Jackson?”
“No, silly, me and Caleb. We have to attend a support group for recent foster parents but I’m glad to be doing that.” It would be distracting. The summer loomed before her, empty.
“That’s terrific. I’m happy for you.” She cocked her head. “Why aren’t you happy?”
“I have some other news that you’re not going to like.”
“What is it?”
“I resigned from Pathways.”
“ What ?”
“I’m leaving this school.”
“Oh, dear, is it because of your feelings for Jackson? Or maybe you’re getting married?”
She gulped back the emotion. “N-neither. He wouldn’t listen to reason about Frankie and sent him to juvie.”
“But he was following policy. Following the rules.”
“Yes, Jackson’s all about rules.” Maisy got up then and went to the window, her back to Annie. “Too bad he has no feelings.”
“That’s bullshit.” Maisy turned at Annie’s vehement tone. “You two had something together. Who ended it?”
“It ran its course.”
“Again, bullshit.”
“Annie, you’re making all this harder.”
“Do you want to stay here at Pathways?”
“No, not if there isn’t any flexibility.”
“That never bothered you before.”
“We never expelled a kid before.”
“Yes, you did. That first year. Jackson mentioned it.”
“I forgot about that. I guess I was too new and learning the ropes to protest.”
“Maisy please, you’re giving up on me, too.”
“Won’t you still be my friend?”
“Of course, I will. But I won’t see you every day. Plan curriculum, get into it with kids.”
An avalanche of emotion welled inside her. She couldn’t contain it. She started to cry. Annie came up to her.
Maisy burst into tears.
When Annie pulled her close, hugged her, she sobbed.
* * *
Jackson walked into the faculty meeting like an automaton. He’d blanked his mind of Maisy, but she would be here today so he had to face her. He scanned the group. “Where are Annie and Maisy?”
No one seemed to know.
He said, “Hang on for ten minutes. Have the coffee and donuts in the back.” He stalked from the room. Strode to the Humanities wing. He heard the sobs just as he arrived at the doorway to the adjoining rooms. Maisy was crying in Annie’s arms. All his anger dissipated. Taking a deep breath, he crossed to them and said, gently, “What’s going on?”
Annie gave him a killer look. “You should know.”
He touched Annie’s shoulder. “I’ll handle this. Go to the faculty meeting.”
She didn’t right away, then finally left them alone.
He drew Maisy into his arms and brushed a hand down her hair. “Shh, love. Shh. We can fix this.”
She shook her head. He held her, each sob twisting the stake in his heart. Finally, she calmed. Stepped back. “I can’t go to the faculty meeting.”
“All right. What do you need?”
“I need you.”
“I’m here. I never left you.”
She swallowed hard. “That’s not true. When you sent Frankie to juvie, you did.”
He gave her a handkerchief.
She mopped her face. “I have to leave.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It is. I’ll come back tomorrow and finish my time here.” With that, she walked out of the room.
Fuck, what was he going to do?”
* * *
Maisy waited until her hands stopped shaking, then drove home. She walked inside and saw Mrs. Jenkins playing cards with Freddie. She’d come this afternoon when Caleb had to leave. The woman looked over. “Oh, I thought you needed me the rest of the day.”
“I do. I’m not feeling well and I’m going to lie down. I’ll still meet Caleb at the foster support group at four. I want you to stay like we planned.”
Freddie hurried over to her. “Are you okay Maisy?”
“Yes, honey. I just need to rest.” She kissed his head. “Don’t worry about me. All our plans are still in place.”
Upstairs, Maisy dropped down on the bed. She closed her eyes and sleep came.
After a nap, she showered again, put on jeans and a blouse and drove to the town hall. Went inside. Caleb wasn’t here yet, so she got coffee and took a seat, saving one for him.
People milled around.
Soon, Caleb came up to her. “Hey, Sis.” He kissed her cheek, then stepped back. “You all right?”
“Of course.”
“You haven’t changed your mind about long-term foster care, have you?” Caleb really wanted to keep Freddie.
“Never. Sit and tell me how your counseling session went.”
“It was hard. The woman was overwrought, so I spent most of it calming her down.”
“At least she came to you.”
From the front she heard, “If I can have your attention please.” The group leader scanned the couples in attendance. “I’m Luke Cummings from DFS. You’re here because you’re fostering a child. We have topics which we’ll go over later. But first, I’d like you to introduce yourselves and tell us a bit about your life.” He gestured to his left. “We’ll start with you.”
Another pleasant looking man smiled. “I’m George Patterson and this is my wife Lauren. We have three kids and took in a little girl to foster. We wanted to give back because we have so much. My job is principal at Westwood Elementary.”
“Good thanks. Next.”
Maisy listened to the people talking about themselves. When it was her turn, she spoke as enthusiastically as she could. “I’m Maisy Shepherd and this is my brother Caleb. We have a foster child, a boy, and I couldn’t be happier.”
“What do you do, Maisy?”
“Right now, I’m working at Pathways. But I’m leaving there. Six years is enough.”
George Patterson raised his hand. “May I address her?”
“Of course.”
“We have an opening at our school. A teacher is leaving unexpectedly. She has a class for at risk kids. Maisy, with your background, would you consider interviewing for the position?”
“I’d love to.”
“I’ll talk to you after this meeting.”
Luke smiled again. “Caleb?”
“I’m Caleb Shepherd. I came back to Westwood after my divorce and moved into the house our parents left for us. We’re fixing it up. I’m a certified psychologist and have a small practice.”
Maisy noted that he didn’t tell them about the church bombing. Or that he was an ordained pastor.
“Well, you’re both highly qualified to take part in foster care.”
When the group finished introducing themselves, Luke went to a whiteboard which was covered by the screen. He raised it and there were topics written on the board. “I’ll read these off quickly, then I want to hear if you have any you’d like to add.” He began reading.
Adjusting to a new situation
Missing their birth family
Making strong connections with your child
Encouraging openness
Challenging behavior
Interaction with the birth family
Possible reunification
“Let’s start with adjusting to the situation.”
* * *
His firehouse shift ended, Joe took a quick shower, left and headed to the outskirts of town. Jackson had called him and asked him to come over after work. As he took the twenty-minute drive, he thought of how he’d met Jackson…
After Jimmy’s death in a call gone bad, Joe went on the skids. Eventually, he sobered up and was forced by the chief to attend a support group. He’d walked in and didn’t recognize any of the others. He sat back, determined not to participate. Most of them were alert except one who stared at the floor. The woman asked them to introduce themselves. That guy got up and left. On impulse, Joe followed him.
“Hey,” he said when he caught up to Jackson. “Why’d you leave?”
“I didn’t like her. Or the group. I don’t want to be here.”
“Same here. Joe Romano.”
“Jackson Kane.”
They locked gazes. ““Let’s you and me get coffee.”
For some reason, Jackson agreed. After settling in a booth, Jackson said, “Why’d you go in the first place?”
“My chief insisted. I suppose I’ll catch hell for leaving. You?”
“Nightmares and flashbacks that affected my work. I run Pathways. The principal said I was a mess and needed help. I picked the wrong place, I guess. But I have to do something.”
“Me, too. Or the Chief’ll boot me out.” They sat there silently. Finally, Joe said, “Maybe you and me could talk regularly. Make a pact that we’ll listen to each other. That might satisfy my chief. And help you with flashbacks.”
“I’d be willing to try.”
Joe looked around. “This place is too public.”
“I got a cabin about a half-hour away. We could pick up some supplies and go there.
“You’re on buddy…”
As he pulled into Jackson’s driveway, he smiled at the memory. They’d been there for each other since. Now, he parked in the driveway and knocked on the front door.
Jackson opened it immediately. “Hey, thanks for coming.”
“You’re welcome.” He went inside and they settled on two of the four living room couches.
Jackson took a deep breath. “I’m a mess.”
“Nightmares, flashbacks again?”
“Some. But there’s more. Maisy Shepherd.”
“You told me about her before. Did you start something up with her?”
“It happened so fast. I…think I’m in love with her.”
“That’s a big deal. But Jackson, it didn’t happen fast. You’ve known all along you’re drawn to her. You kept it professional for six years. But I could tell you were getting closer.”
“She quit.”
“ What ?”
“She quit Pathways.” He told Joe the events around Frankie that occurred.
“Maybe that’s for the best. Now you can act on your feelings.”
“I, um, already did.”
“I’m a little confused here. Start at the beginning.”