“I don’t think so,” Shannon answered.
“You’re right. It’s not. But David was still the daddy, and he had to take care of all those boys even though they all had different mothers.” Shannon nodded. Chuck swallowed hard and continued slowly and carefully. “Sweetheart, your daddy ... I ... I have another little boy ... who has a different mommy than you do.”
“You do?”
“Yeah,” Chuck answered quietly. He glanced over at his wife, looking for reinforcement that he was handling this right. Bobbi’s eyes were brimmed with tears, but she gave him the subtlest nod. “His name is Jack, and he’s six years old.”
“He’s almost the same age as me!” Shannon sat up straight in her seat, her eyes wide.
“Yes, he is, and he’s going to stay here with us sometimes. In fact, he’s going to spend this weekend with us. Friday night and Saturday night.”
“Can he go to church with us?”
“Definitely. It’s going to take some getting used to for all of us, especially Mommy and Jack. This is not Mommy’s little boy, so it’s a little weird for her. And Jack, he just has his mom, so it’s going to be different for him to have a bunch of family around.”
“It’ll be okay. I’ll teach him everything he needs to know.”
“I’m sure you will,” Chuck said with a smile, his own eyes tearing just a bit. “Thanks, sweetheart.” He motioned for Shannon to come closer for a hug. “Thanks for understanding.”
When Shannon let go, she looked him in the eye and gently asked, “Is that why your name was under the bucket?”
“Yeah, but I think it’s out now.” He glanced at Bobbi again.
“Yes,” Bobbi said. “Daddy’s name is out of the bucket.”
CHAPTER 10
INCORPORATION
While Chuck read Shannon’s bedtime story, Bobbi brewed a single cup of coffee and retreated to the quiet and solitude of the study. She switched on the desk light, leaving the overhead light off. Curling up on the love seat, she pulled an afghan down over her feet, and sipped from her cup.
Chuck, she had to concede, handled Shannon brilliantly. His explanation was simple and straightforward, and Shannon took it all in stride. Was she being unreasonable, then? Chuck kept saying Tracy wasn’t a threat to them.
Dear God, I get a sick to my stomach every time I think about Chuck going to her house, seeing her every week. I don’t believe her when she says she’s not after him. God, he’s only human, and if she—
“Honey? You okay?” Chuck switched on the overhead light. “You’re all alone here in the dark.”
Bobbi quickly wiped a tear away. “I’m fine. Just wanted a little quiet time after everything.”
“You want me to leave you alone?”
“No, come and sit with me, and tell me you love me.” She set her cup over on the desk, and swung her feet down off the love seat to make room for him.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Chuck flipped the light back off, and slid in beside his wife, pulling her close. “I love you.”
She nestled against him, lightly running her hand across his chest, across his favorite well-worn Cardinals jersey. That’s the way their marriage was, wasn’t it? Comfortable and familiar. Was that enough?
“She’s not what I pictured,” Bobbi said.
“How so?”
“I hoped she was a lot sleazier. Nothing was low cut. Nothing was too tight. She’s very attractive.”
“There’s no contest, you know.”
“Doesn’t matter. I can’t get it out of my head.”
“That’s my fault.” Chuck shifted around to face Bobbi. “Honey, my affair happened because I wasn’t right with God, and I wasn’t right with you. It will never happen again. No matter what my other failings are, I will never betray you again. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” Bobbi whispered. Rationally, she knew Chuck was right, but that awful knot in her stomach would never go away as long as Tracy was around. “She said she didn’t have a choice about coming back here. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“How should I know? She never confided in me.”
With some relief, Bobbi leaned against him again. “It’s almost like she’s bringing Jack to you. She made sure you found him. She knew you’d find out he was yours, and that you’d want to be part of his life. She’s arranged it all so it looked like you were the one pushing it forward. Then, after all her belligerent pretense, she didn’t fight you.”
“Why would she want me to take Jack?”
“I don’t know. She said he was her life. The whole reason she ... I mean, she wanted a baby, your baby. The creepy part again.”
Chuck gave his a wife a gentle squeeze. “How do you feel about Jack?”
“Jack’s a doll. I’d take him in a minute.” She reached for her cup and took a long drink. “This was never about Jack.”
“Never?” Chuck raised his eyebrows. “You said you didn’t want anything to do with him.”
“All right, for a little while, it was about Jack, too. You knew I’d come around though.”
“I was counting on it.”
“So ... you’re going to her house tomorrow?”
“To pick Jack up, yes. Do you want me to take Gavin or Glen?”
Bobbi sighed deeply. “No. I trust you.”
“I know that, but will it put your mind at ease?”
“I’ve got to get past this. As long as it tears me up, she owns me.”
Friday, September 7
“Miss Laurie! I’m gonna spend the whole weekend with my dad!” Jack Ravenna shouted as he got off the school bus at Building Blocks Daycare. “The judge said so!”
“What great news!” Laurie Dillard held the door for him.
“He’s a good guy. Mom said so, and he wants a picture of me for his wallet just like his other kids. And I have brothers and a sister, too!”
“That’s very exciting, Jack. I hope you have a great weekend with him.” Jack hung his backpack on its designated hook, and skipped outside.
As Laurie watched him dart around on the playground, she wondered what changed. A few weeks ago, Tracy couldn’t say anything good about the deadbeat who showed up suddenly. Was she simply trying to give the guy a fair chance by telling Jack that his dad was a good guy?
Chuck and Bobbi were in court yesterday, too. Wouldn’t it be bizarre if Chuck were Jack’s father? Laurie Dillard, that’s completely preposterous. Chuck’s not a vindictive deadbeat like Jack’s dad.
Chuck sighed when he checked his watch again. It was twenty after three, just four minutes later than the last time he’d looked. Unable to focus on anything but Jack, he spent the afternoon deleting old files from his computer, and clearing his desk.
Now his mind settled on the conversation with his wife last night. Bobbi had a point. Tracy’s actions didn’t make much sense. She threatened to fight me, came down here and made a scene, but she rolled over in court. She could have used Rita’s interference against me, and that would have shut the case down, but she didn’t. What’s her game?
He pulled the file from his briefcase with all the public records information he’d gathered on Tracy and read back through it.
She had a pattern of covering her tracks and disappearing. Was she getting ready to do that again? Would she really leave Jack behind? If Jack was her life like she said, how could she bear to leave him? Unless she was convinced somehow it was in his best interest.
What if he told her he knew all about the murder? What if he promised that he would see to it that she and Jack were safe? Would that be enough? Would she trust him that much?
“Mr. Molinsky?” Christine stood in the doorway. “It’s four o’clock. You asked me to remind you to call your wife.”
“Right, thank you. Aren’t you ready to go home yet?”
“It’s not five.”
“You make me look bad. I’m leaving after I make this phone call.”
“If you’re leaving, it’ll be just
like getting off an hour early,” Christine teased.
“Hey,” Chuck pointed at her as she closed his office door. He dialed his home number, and Bobbi answered after a couple of rings. “I’m getting ready to leave.”
“I hope everything goes smoothly,” Bobbi said with a long sigh.
“You sure you’re okay with me going by myself?”
“I’m trying not to think about it.”
“We won’t be alone. Jack will be there.”
“I know. Just don’t ... don’t linger. Hurry home.”
“I will. What ... What do you want Jack to call you?”
“Just Bobbi. That’s the simplest.”
“Kind of impersonal, though.” She didn’t reply. Best not to argue with her right now. “It works. I love you.”
“I love you, too, and Chuck ... I trust you.”
“Thank you.”
Chuck shut things down in his office and left. He didn’t want to get to Tracy’s house too early, and give her another excuse to be difficult, so he stopped for gasoline. Inside the convenience store, he picked up a drink for Jack, and another one to take home to Shannon.
He set the drinks on the roof of the car while he took his suit jacket off and pitched it in the backseat. He started to slip his tie off, too, but decided formality with Tracy was wiser.
God, help me be civil, and not let any of Tracy’s comments get to me. I don’t want to lose my temper with her, especially in front of Jack. Ease Bobbi’s mind about the visit. Help her remember the things she already knows are true.
He took a deep breath and headed for Tracy’s house. When he and Gavin came, he was so busy looking for the house, he didn’t notice anything about it. While it wasn’t new construction, the two-story was very up-to-date with new windows, probably a new roof, too. Neat, well-maintained landscaping set off the perfectly manicured lawn. As he neared the house, he had to shield his eyes from the blinding glare of the late afternoon sunshine reflecting off Tracy’s spotless white Lexus parked in the driveway.
Almost as soon as Chuck got out of his car, the front door opened. “You’re here! You came! Mom!” Jack Ravenna ran back through the house leaving the front door wide open. Chuck walked up to the porch, but didn’t venture inside. He could hear Tracy talking to her son. There was no sarcastic, defensive edge to her voice, just a soft gentleness. Shame reddened Chuck’s face as he involuntarily recalled the last time he’d heard her talk that way.
He closed his eyes and pushed his hands deep into the pockets of his slacks. The capital of Alabama is Montgomery. The capital of Alaska is Juneau. The capital of Arizona ...
“Jack, the air conditioner is on,” Tracy said from just inside the door.
“Sorry. Gimme a minute.”
“I’ll get it,” she said, but before she could close the door, she found Chuck waiting on the porch. “Jack didn’t mention you were here. That explains why he left the door open.” She stepped out of the way. “You can come in.”
Chuck silently thanked God Tracy hadn’t changed into shorts and a tank top yet. “I’ll just wait for him out here. I think that’d be safer for everybody.”
“Suit yourself.” She started to close the door.
“Tracy, thank you.” Chuck surprised himself when he spoke.
“For what?” Tracy’s eyes narrowed.
“You told Jack I was a good guy, and you didn’t fight this.”
“I want what’s best for Jack, period. If that happens to work out for you, too, then lucky you.” Now the edge returned to her voice.
“It’s not luck. It’s providence.”
“Providence lines out extramarital affairs, does it?”
“No, but providence, I mean God, can turn them around and bring good out of them.” Chuck looked Tracy in the eyes, never blinking. “He can bring good out of anything, even murder.” That was her opening, her cue.
Tracy never flinched. “That’s some God you’ve got there, Chuck.”
“Yes, He is.” Don’t press her. Live to fight another day. “I’m going to take Jack to church Sunday morning, and I’d like to take him Sunday evening, but that would make us late getting back.”
“Not this time,” Tracy said softly.
“Fair enough,” Chuck said. “You’re welcome to join us. It’s Preston Road—”
“Is that what your wife said?”
“My wife? She’d be glad for you to come to church with us.” I’m fairly sure she would be anyway. He heard a scraping sound inside the house, and leaned forward to see Jack with a backpack and pillow, dragging a suitcase. “You need some help, buddy?”
“This ... is ... heavy,” Jack complained. “Mom, I’m just going for two days! What’d you pack?”
“Three changes of clothes, and pajamas. Just the basics. Oh, and your toothpaste.”
“Toothpaste?” Chuck asked.
“I only use one kind,” Jack said. “And I don’t eat bananas or coconut anything.”
“I think we can handle that.” Chuck picked up the suitcase. “Do you know your phone number, Jack, in case we need to call your mom?”
“I’m in first grade. Of course, I know my phone number.”
“Anything else we need to know?” Chuck asked Tracy. “Is he allergic to anything?”
“No, he’s perfect,” Tracy answered. “There’s a card in his suitcase with my cell phone number on it.” She knelt down to Jack’s eye level. “I’ll miss you like crazy.” She pushed his bangs from his forehead then hugged him tightly.
“I’ll miss you too, but we’ll be okay,” Jack said.
“Sure you will,” Tracy replied, standing back up. “He’s never spent a night away from me in his life.” She sounded as if she were coaching herself rather than her son.
“You want me to bring him back tomorrow?” Chuck asked gently.
Tracy studied Chuck’s face for a moment. “No, it’ll be good for him. He can’t hang on to his mommy the rest of his life.”
“You can call and check on him.”
“He’ll be fine.”
“I’m not worried about him.”
“Dad, come on!” Jack called from the front seat of Chuck’s car. Chuck smiled broadly. It sounded just as natural as hearing Shannon or Brad or Joel say it.
“I’d better go. He sounds ready.” Chuck turned and stepped off the porch. “Hey! Back seat. You still need a booster.” Jack rolled his eyes and climbed out slowly. Chuck opened the back door, and helped the boy get his seat belt buckled. He walked around and opened his own door, but before getting in, he called, “Goodbye, Tracy.” She didn’t speak, didn’t wave, just gave them a slight nod.
“Is one of those drinks mine?” Jack asked as soon as Chuck got in the car.
“Yep. Here.” Chuck loosened the bottle’s cap and handed it back.
“I can drink it now?”
“Yes.”
“Mom never lets me drink anything in her car.” Jack gulped from the bottle.
“Your mom has a very nice car.”
“Yeah, but I don’t think it’ll go over eighty. Will this one?”
“Not while you’re in it,” Chuck answered, glancing at Jack in the rearview mirror.
“Will you teach me to drive?”
“You got a few more years before you have to worry about that.”
“I know. I just like to plan.”
“Jack, we usually get pizza on Friday night. How’s that sound?”
“Yum, yum, yum.” He slurped loudly from his drink. “Eat out or bring home?”
“Either.”
“I vote bring home.”
“Bring home it is then,” Chuck said. Shannon would’ve picked eating out in a heartbeat.
Jack gulped his soda, and then shook his head until it fizzed in his mouth.
“Everything okay, Jack?”
Jack could see his dad’s eyes in the rearview mirror. He swallowed hard and nodded. “Yep. I mean, yes, sir. Am I in trouble?”
“Of course not. I
just saw you shaking your head.”
“I was making a soda shake in my mouth. Mom never lets me do that ’cause sometimes it fizzes up a lot, and I spit. She hates that.”
“I see.”
“I can stop if you want.”
“Just be careful and don’t spit.”
Jack took another gulp from his bottle of Coke. His dad passed the soda shake test. This might work out better than he expected.
“Here’s our street,” his dad said, as they turned right.
“What’s it called?”
“Danbury Court.”
“Who’s Dan?”
“Dan? What are you talking about?”
“The Dan that’s buried here.”
His dad smiled in the rearview mirror. “Danbury. All one word. It’s somebody’s last name, I guess. Probably some real estate developer.” His dad pointed out the front window. “There’s Shannon waiting for us.”
Jack leaned up between the front seats so he could see. Yep, there was a girl all right, sitting on the edge of the front step watching for them. Then she jumped up and ran inside. By the time his dad pulled into the driveway, the girl was back outside, bouncing, dancing almost. Once his dad turned the car off, she flew down the steps toward them. “Daddy, you took forever! Did you get him?”
“Who?” his dad asked.
“My brother? Did you get him?”
“Yes ...”
“Oh, I see him!” the girl said, pushing past his dad. “Get him out!” She pointed at Jack and yanked his dad’s sleeve, her ponytail swishing.
“Sweetheart, you’re gonna scare him,” his dad said gently. “Calm down.” His dad took the girl by the arm and pulled her out of the way then he opened the car door.
Jack slid out and stood face to face with the girl. He remembered her picture from his dad’s wallet. She was his sister.
“Jack, this is your sister, Shannon. And Shannon, this is your brother, Jack.”
“You go to my school.” Jack pointed a finger and squinted at her. “But you’re not in my grade.”
“I’m in Mrs. Brubaker’s class,” the girl said. “You know, kinder-garten.”
Indemnity: Book Two: Covenant of Trust Series Page 13