Love Octagon

by Felicia Rogers

  “What a day!” exclaimed Dana.

  “You’re telling me. It wasn’t enough I had all the errands to take care of, but then Randi and I come home and Kevin had let the boys completely destroy the house! Parker keeps talking about some guy named Officer Bob. I have no idea what that means,” said Karen.

  “Well, I took Leah to the doctor, and we waited there for almost three hours! Leah held a trashcan on her lap and was puking like every five seconds and still they made her wait. I told the receptionist she was pregnant and needed to see the doctor right away, but they said she had to take her turn like everyone else.”

  “Was Kevin home when you left?” asked Randi.

  “Nope. We had to leave them with the Mrs. Krantz, the neighbor.”

  “Not the crazy lady?” asked Randi, horrified.

  “Yeah. I didn’t have a choice. I called Kevin, and he said he would come home. And obviously he did, but Leah needed to go right then.”

  The group was silent for a few moments. Only the chirping sound of crickets could be heard as they moved around the manicured lawn, looking for a mate.

  Then Candace spoke, her tone full of anger. “My day was no better. I spent it at the school because Rhonda kissed some boy in the hallway. When I called Rick to tell him what happened, he just said in this gruff way, ‘Be glad the dude’s her age.’ Then once I got that issue resolved, the middle school called to tell me Todd was pretending to play cops and robbers and this kind of activity was prohibited because it involved guns. So I called Rick again. And this time his response was, ‘So?’ It took me half a day to convince the principal not to suspend Todd for the rest of the year!”

  Heads around the small group nodded and eyes rolled. Some of the other women looked down at the mugs they held in their hands, avoiding Candace’s gaze altogether. None of them seemed surprised.

  After a few moments of evading, another voice was heard. “Today was my doctor’s appointment,” said Shannon in a quiet manner.

  “What did they say?” asked Dana.

  “Let me start at the beginning. The doctor takes me back into a room and he shows me an ultrasound of my ovaries and my uterus, and he says, ‘Shannon, there is nothing wrong with you. Everything is where it’s supposed to be, and it’s in perfect working order.’ So, I ask him why I’m not getting pregnant, and he says…” Shannon paused and shook her head “You’re not going to believe this one, but he says, ‘There must be a problem with your husband’s sperm.’ Can you believe that! I asked him if this was some kind of sick joke. But he didn’t laugh or even crack a smile. I just sat there. I couldn’t even move, you know. There were certain things I expected to hear but not that. Definitely not that.”

  Looking away, Shannon’s eyes filled with tears. In the moonlight they glistened on her cheeks. Shannon cried softly, and all the women offered her comfort. Choking back a sob she said, “Now, what am I going to do?”

  From inside, Kevin took a swig of his own iced tea. As he peered out at the women through the window from above the sink, he could feel a cool wind. He’d listened to all of them tell about their day. He felt sorry for them. Worries over children, worries over the household, just worries, worries, and more worries. But the more he reviewed their speeches the more he began to realize that during the women’s complaining session, one woman had been extremely quiet. Martha. Kevin could feel the hairs on his neck stand on end. He didn’t quite know why, but this didn’t bode well.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Thursday…

  If the afternoon had been a nightmare, then the nighttime was a regular horror. Leah moaned and groaned with stomach pains. The lights upstairs flickered on and off as she made runs to the bathroom to empty her stomach every ten minutes.

  Then there was the yakking. Whispers were heard as Rhonda and Candace sat up all night long, droning on and on about ‘issues’ at school, from Rhonda’s problems with boys to Todd’s issues with guns, and everything in-between. Of course, Billy and Pierre wouldn’t stop flapping their jaws either. Stories about Beyblades, Bakugan, and something Kevin thought sounded like Yu-Gi-Oh floated down the stairs. They just kept talking.

  Then to top it all off, Kevin heard the pitter-patter of little feet and the tears of a small girl. Weeping daughters were getting up and down and going to their mothers. Kevin heard complaints about bad dreams, stomachaches, and the classic “I’m not sleepy.”

  Kevin tossed and turned. But there was no way to get comfortable on the overly small couch. Placing the pillow over his head, he tried to block out the noises, but it was no use. Around three o’clock in the morning, Kevin drifted into a restless sleep. When he awoke several hours later, the house was strangely quiet. Rising from his pseudo bed, Kevin stumbled into the kitchen and found a note on the table.

  Sorry but we all have appointments today. Please prepare the kids for school and drop them off. Leah is still at home and not feeling well. She will stay at home with the sleeping babies until you return from school.

  Thanks, Martha

  Was this Martha’s way of getting revenge? Unfortunately, Kevin didn’t have time to worry about the first wife’s reasoning because all the school-aged children burst into the kitchen. He was spun around like a top as they ran past him on all sides. Little mouths worked in unison as they shouted out.

  “I’m hungry.”

  “What’s for breakfast?”

  “I’m thirsty.”

  “I’m sleepy.”

  Kevin was trying to take it all in when Leah came in with the babies. She looked like death warmed over; black circles rimmed bloodshot eyes. She placed Kitty in the high chair and went to fix some baby food, but before Leah could complete the task, she doubled over and heaved on the floor.

  “Ooo, gross,” said the girls.

  “Cool!” said the boys.

  “Great,” said Kevin.

  Leah stood up and wobbled. Kevin caught her. He tried to swing her up into his arms and carry her, but she was just too heavy in her current condition.

  Kevin looked at her sheepishly and said, “Lean on me and I’ll get you upstairs to bed.”

  “But you can’t…”

  “Leah, you’re sick. Whether I can take care of the children or not is not an option.”

  Kevin settled Leah in bed then went back to the kitchen. Some of the older kids had taken charge and started preparing lunches. No one had touched Leah’s mess.

  As the children ate, Kevin grabbed paper towels and disinfecting wipes and began to clean. As he wiped up the last drop, he felt something wet land on his neck. Putting a hand back there, he grasped something gooey. Pulling it around to his face, Kevin saw it was a gob of wet, mushy cereal. He looked up in time to notice Kitty’s guilty grin.

  “Sorry,” she said in her little baby voice.

  Kevin stood up and stared at the gawking children. “What?”

  Billy pointed at his hair and said, “Nice do.”

  Mumbling under his breath all the way, Kevin went to the downstairs bathroom and looked in the mirror. Cheerios and milk dotted his head. The liquid was now running down his neck and beading up along his collar. He cleaned himself up the best he could and headed back to the kitchen. All the children had left. But bowls, cups, plates, and silverware remained scattered all over the table and throughout the dining room.

  With a groan, Kevin started to clean up the mess. He was empting the leftovers into the trash when the screams were heard.

  “That’s mine!”

  “No, it’s not. I had it first!”

  “I’m going to tell!”

  “Go ahead! Tattletale!”

  “Take that back!”

  “No!”

  Closing his eyes and counting to ten, Kevin went in search of the problem. Emma and Gina were pulling each other’s hair. Wrestling them apart and standing between them, he gave them his best fatherly glare. “What are you two arguing about?”

  They folded their arms across their tiny, heaving chests and purse
d their lips. They weren’t going to answer. Kevin decided to take another approach. Perhaps they weren’t afraid of their father, but maybe they weren’t completely immune to parental authority. “I’ll tell Martha.”

  Their arms dropped to their sides and they implored him. Big eyes, wide with concern, they both said, “No, please don’t tell Martha!”

  “And, why shouldn’t I tell her?”

  “Because we’ll tell you what we’re fighting about,” answered Gina with head downcast.

  “Good. What was it?”

  “This,” they said in unison.

  Kevin raised his eyebrows as Emma handed over a small plastic doll no bigger than his finger. When he peered down at the object, he saw three more just like it littering the ground next to his feet.

  “You were fighting over this?”

  Two little heads nodded.

  “But you have three more just like it on the floor.”

  “No, we don’t. Those are different. Completely different. Can’t you see?” asked Emma.

  They picked the toys up and tried to show him the differences, but Kevin just didn’t get it. He sensed their frustration when they stood before him with their little hands clasped upon their hips. Join the crowd. He was frustrated as well. Finally Kevin said, “Listen, can’t we argue about this later? You have to get ready so I can take you to school.”

  “But Mom always picks out my clothes,” whined Emma.

  “Yeah, Emma. That’s because you’re a big baby.”

  “You better take that back, or I’m going to pound your head in!”

  “Emma,” said Kevin, trying to hide a smile.

  “Well, Billy says it,” Emma said, shrugging her shoulders.

  “I’m telling my mom,” said Gina.

  Kevin needed to get the girls under control. What should he do? A thought entered his mind. It might work. It had to work. Straightening his spine and puffing out his chest, Kevin said, “Gina, your mother isn’t here right now. I’m in charge. So do what I said. Both of you stop arguing and get ready for school! Or you can go in your pajamas with your teeth unbrushed and your hair sticking up all over your head. I don’t care, but you’re going to school! One way or another!”

  At first Kevin thought Emma and Gina were going to burst into tears. But they surprised him by going to their drawers and pulling out clothes. He watched them as they moved toward the bathroom. Breathing a sigh of relief, Kevin headed back downstairs.

  Kevin put out little fires like this all morning. When he finally got all the kids in the van for school, nerves overwhelmed him and he couldn’t remember what to do.

  “Rhonda, I need you to tell me where to go.”

  “Sure,” she said in between chopping her ever-faithful wad of gum.

  It was good for him Rhonda was in an accommodating mood. She gave directions like a pro. “Just take a left right here and we’ll be at the elementary school.”

  “Thanks,” Kevin said while following Rhonda’s directions. He was glad for her company. Fortunately, she remained quiet about him forgetting his own children’s schools. Did Rhonda think he was a bit crazy? If so, Kevin couldn’t tell.

  After dropping off Roxie, Emma, Gina, Pierre, and Billy at the elementary school, Kevin asked, “Okay, what is the quickest route to the middle school?”

  Kevin shifted his gaze from the road to stare at Rhonda. His question caused her to raise a fake eyebrow in his direction. Had Rhonda shaved her natural eyebrows and drawn in new ones? The new ones looked like they’d been drawn on with a magic marker. But since he didn’t want to hurt her self-esteem he didn’t say anything. Besides, Kevin had a feeling someone at school would be more than happy to point out how stupid they looked, and he wouldn’t need to be the bad guy.

  While Kevin studied Rhonda, she was busy giving him directions. Kitty and the twins were making so much noise he could barely think. Only half paying attention to where they were going, he soon pulled the van up in front of a large, brick building. When Kevin reached the school, Todd and Cathy jumped out of the van without even a backward glance. It was like a theme park ride; they jumped out and he kept right on moving.

  As Todd and Cathy walked up the sidewalk, Rhonda pushed him to drive faster. “We’ve got to hurry or I’ll be late for school. I can’t be late again. Do you understand? If I’m late again, I’ll get expelled. And Mom won’t be happy.”

  Rhonda continued to give directions. When Kevin dropped her off she asked, “Are you coming to pick us up this afternoon?”

  “I don’t know,” Kevin replied. Before she could get too far away, Kevin rolled down the passenger side window and yelled, “Rhonda?”

  With a secret glance over her shoulder as if she didn’t want to be seen talking to him, she said, “Yeah?”

  “Thanks.”

  Rhonda shrugged and left. Kevin was glad to be finished. Now he could get the others home and finally rest. But as soon as he pulled the vehicle away from the high school, his cell phone rang. A quick glance at the ID revealed an unknown number.

  Answering timidly, Kevin said, “Hello?”

  “Mr. Smith?”

  “Yes.”

  “I have some children here who claim you’re their father.”

  “What? Who is this? I just dropped my children off at school.”

  “Of course, sir, I understand. But I believe you’ve made a mistake. This is a school, but your kids don’t attend here. You see, this is the Kerker Institute. It is a school for incarcerated children.”

  “Rhonda,” Kevin groaned under his breath.

  “Excuse me, sir?”

  “Nothing. I’ll come get them. Thanks for calling.”

  Chapter Twenty

  While Kevin headed toward the Kerker Institute to retrieve the elementary school children, he picked up his phone and called the middle school. Sure enough, Todd and Cathy weren’t at their school either.

  Instead of continuing to the elementary school, Kevin retraced his steps and stopped at the place where he’d dropped off the two middle school children. Upon arrival he noticed a sign. It read Fou. No other markers indicated what this building housed and his heart skipped a beat from fear.

  Driving around the parking lot looking for a space took forever. By the time he found one empty there was another car waiting as well. Would he have to battle for the spot? The opposing car revved their engine. And Kevin did the same. Okay, his was a mini-van and theirs was a full-sized truck with tires almost as tall the van. But he didn’t care. This space belonged to him. Glaring at the driver through the window, Kevin dared them to swoop in ahead of him. The other driver must have taken the hint because they had the good sense to move out of the way.

  After Kevin settled in the space, he glanced back at his passengers. He couldn’t leave them here. He would have to take the three youngest children into the building with him. With a deep breath, he hit the automatic opener. The sliding doors on the van opened and the twins jumped out. Big, goofy grins covered their faces, pride exuded from their success at slipping out of the car seats.

  Shaking his head, Kevin retrieved his youngest daughter and headed toward the entrance. Kitty was in his arms and the two boys held tightly to his hand. Upon entering the building, Kevin saw a long, white hallway. A sterile smell of bleach and cleaner wafted up his nose. Large closed doors with bars for windows faced them. Moaning and groaning could be heard.

  The rattle of someone trying to shake a knob and escape to freedom jarred Kevin. “Help me,” came a timid voice.

  Kevin tried to ignore the words as the voice continued. “The angel from the park, she did this to me. She gave me my heart’s desire. I wanted to be rich. Filthy stinking rich. But it ruined me. Ruined me. Save me. Get me out of here. Help me. Help me.”

  The voice drifted away as Kevin hurried the children past the ranting. Kevin didn’t have time to think about what the individual had said because before him loomed a sign that read, Office.

  Going inside, Kevin saw Todd a
nd Cathy sitting in two plastic chairs. Their hands were clasped tightly in their laps. Both of them were glancing around the room, fear dancing in their eyes. Their lips twitched although neither of them spoke aloud. The only sounds that could be heard were of the inmates moaning and wailing from their rooms. Once Kevin was inside the office with the door securely shut, he spoke to someone on staff. That’s when he discovered Rhonda had tricked him into leaving Todd and Cathy at a home for the mentally insane.

  Kevin felt utterly stupid. But at this point, what could he do? When they got back into the van, a few of the children quivered. Their small bodies shaking against the vinyl seats caused an eerie creaking sound. Calming down Todd and Cathy, he drove to the Kerker Institute. After picking up the other five children, Kevin tried to make sure they were all okay. There was no telling what they’d seen while waiting on him to figure out Rhonda’s deception. Most of the kids thought what had happened was funny. A few of the others would probably have bad dreams for years to come.

  Setting out again, it took Kevin over an hour to get the kids where they truly belonged. He had to speak to those in charge at the schools and explain his mistake before he could leave them in the correct locations.

  Just to be safe, Kevin called to check on Rhonda. She was exactly where she was supposed to be. She must have been trying to hide her devil horns behind an artificial halo. Kevin asked the principal to keep a special eye on Rhonda and then hung up the phone.

  Since Leah had been ill when Kevin left the house, he’d offered to take the babies—Parker, Jackson, and Kitty—along to deliver the kids to school. But after riding in the car seats for nearly two hours, they were beginning to show their irritability.

  Kitty was whining. At one constant pitch, she moaned on and on. Parker and Jackson soon took up the thread, and all three of them created their own moaning band. The morose tune was making even Kevin gloomy.

  It took all Kevin’s concentration to drive. His head roared. His heart beat rapidly. His pulse sped. He needed to get home and lie down. But when he arrived home, Leah met him at the door.