EXONERATION (INTERFERENCE)

by Kimberly Schwartzmiller

  “I’m sorry, Rebecca. This isn’t how I wanted it to be…but I didn’t know what else to do. I want…my daughter! I’ll bring her home on time. I promise not to tell her who I am…without you. Is that okay?” he asked, looking me right in the eye.

  I nodded and he walked away. I watched as he walked down the hall toward the children’s game room to keep his promise to his daughter.

  The tears were silent, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I said it to everyone, but I knew I really wasn’t sorry. I also knew I was in for a huge fight.

  “That’s it? That’s all you have to say? You kissed…him!” Parker spat.

  “He kissed me,” I said, softly.

  “Rebecca! How could you?” my mother asked.

  “He’s Shannon’s father. He has rights.”

  “He doesn’t have any rights where you’re concerned. You’re my wife!”

  My father stood up and grabbed the check off the table. “It’s time to go home. We’ll take Shannon and keep her. He won’t dare try to get her there!”

  “NO DAD! He’s her father! He loves her! He can see her if he wants!” I stood tall.

  “You don’t have to be afraid of him, Pumpkin. I’ll take care of him again.”

  I looked at my father, “What did you say?”

  “I said I’d take care of him.”

  “No Dad, you said you’d take care of him again! What does that mean?”

  “Nothing. It doesn’t mean anything. I just meant he won’t be bothering you anymore.”

  “What did you do?”

  “He got what he deserved. Let’s go home Rebecca!” Parker said, pulling on my arm.

  I looked at my father and then my husband. They both looked guilty but neither of them would say anything. I looked at my mother. “MOM?” She looked as confused as I was.

  “I want to know what you did!” I looked at them both.

  “Don’t look at me like I’m a criminal. He’s the thief!” Parker said.

  “What did you do?”

  “NOTHING!”

  “Pumpkin…”

  “Don’t call me that! Tell me what you did?” I was yelling now.

  “Rebecca, calm down. All we did was tell you a little lie to protect you,” Parker said.

  “What lie?”

  “We knew where he was…at first,” my father said.

  “What?”

  “We knew he was arrested. We just didn’t want to upset you.”

  “Upset me? I was beyond upset! I love…loved him!”

  “Yes, I know, and we didn’t want you throwing your life away waiting for a man in prison!”

  “We? Who’s we? And, it was my life! It should have been my decision.”

  My father glanced at Parker, looking very guilty.

  I turned to face my husband and said, “What did you have to do with this?”

  “I told your father about the thievery, that’s all.”

  “But, how did you know? What did you have to do with it?”

  “I didn’t have anything to do with it. What do you think Rebecca?”

  “I’m not sure what to think anymore. How would you know anything about it?” I asked.

  “I told you, I didn’t have anything to do with it. I just heard that he’d been caught stealing…and I wanted to protect you!”

  “You’re lying. There’s something you’re not telling me!”

  “No, I’m not. Your dad offered him the money, Rebecca! He took it! I found out he was stealing and I told your dad. Of course, he denied it! He said he was borrowing it…likely story. He was caught stealing…on tape, Rebecca! We were only protecting you! But, he’s a thief…and he took a pay off! A pay off to leave you and never come back!”

  I stared at them both, not sure what to say or believe. “I’m going to get Shannon and then I’m going home!”

  “Rebecca, we have to talk!” Parker said, following after me.

  “I think you said enough.”

  I walked away, grabbing Shannon and heading to the car. I pulled out my set of keys and buckled Shannon in and got in the drivers’ seat. Parker followed after me. “I’m going home Parker. Since you’re so tight with my Dad, you can sleep with him, tonight!”

  I slammed the car door and drove off.

  My parents dropped him off about an hour later, no doubt having spent that hour planning how they were going to get me to believe more lies.

  The house was cold when I got home, but it was a lot colder for Parker. I refused to speak to him and when he showed up at my door, I shoved a chair under the doorknob and told him to leave me alone. I cuddled in bed with my daughter and told her I was playing a game with Daddy. She thought it was fun, and she talked excitedly about going to the clinic the next day to work with Shane.

  “Mommy, why do Daddy and Grandpa hate Shane?”

  I looked at her and said, “They don’t…just go to sleep now, okay?”

  “They were mad at him. Daddy said you knew he was back. Back from where?”

  “I um, I wanted to talk to you about…Shane.”

  “What about him?”

  “You like him, right? He’s good to you…nice?”

  “He’s great! We had so much fun at the park. He pushed me on the swings and we fed the ducks bird food. He said people feed the ducks bread, but it’s not good for them, so he brought bird food, or duck food to give them good trients,” she grinned.

  “That’s nutrients, and yes I’m sure he’s right about that. Um, well, I sort of…knew Shane…a long time ago. We were…friends.”

  “Was he your boyfriend?”

  I nodded.

  “Is that why Daddy doesn’t like him?”

  “Um, that’s part of it.”

  “Oh. Well, I like him. He’s nice and fun!”

  “So, then how would you like to spend some time with him…a couple days a week…or so?”

  “Are you coming too?”

  “No, Honey. But, you get to do stuff like go to the park and help him at the clinic. Is that okay?”

  She nodded. “I like Shane, but I want you to come, too. Why did you kiss him?”

  “I didn’t…” I was stunned.

  “I saw you kissing. Is that why Daddy’s mad?”

  “He’s not…yeah, that’s part of it, too. Shane and I…well, we were engaged to be married. But, he um, he had to leave, so I married your dad, instead.”

  “Oh. Can I have some ice cream?”

  I actually laughed and started to tickle her. “It’s too late for ice cream, but how about we watch Cinderella?”

  “Nope, I want to watch Tangled!”

  “Tangled it is,” I said getting up to start the Disney film.

  A Surprise from an Old Friend

  “Is it true?” Jillian asked me the next morning. We weren’t planning on meeting, and I was a mess when she knocked on the door at 9:15.

  “I um, I wasn’t expecting you,” I said.

  “Were you expecting Shane?” she asked, giving me a grin.

  “What? NO!”

  “Oh, well…can I come in, then?” she asked, holding up a bag of some form of pastry in her hand. I assumed she’d planned on staying for a while, so I stood back and opened the door, letting her glide past me.

  “I um, I’ll start some coffee.”

  She watched me for a while, not saying anything. Jillian had grown up a lot. In fact, she had fallen in love with a wonderful man who didn’t have a penny to his name. But, he loved her and the second they met, her entire attitude changed.

  We sat down and she stared at me. “So, what’s new?” she grinned.

  I sighed. “I’m assuming you know what’s new.”

  “Yeah, I do. But, what I don’t know, is why you’re still here…in this house…with Parker, when you could be with the man of your dreams.”

  “That’s not an option, and you know it!”

  “Why not? What’s keeping you here? You don’t love Parker…” she visibly trembled when she said his
name. “You never did and you never will. But, you’ve always loved Shane. What are you waiting for?”

  “I’m married.”

  “They have this thing called…divorce. You should try it, it’s all the rage!”

  “Be serious!”

  “I’m dead serious! Um, by the extra baggage under your eyes, I’m assuming you haven’t slept much since he’s been back?”

  “No.”

  “Have you slept with him?” she asked, grinning.

  I stood up and grabbed the coffee pot.

  “OH MY GOD! You did sleep with him! Was it as good as…before?” she brazenly asked.

  She knew. She could read me like a book. I couldn’t hide it, and frankly, I needed to talk about it. “No…it was so much better. But, it’s over. We had two nights together…closure. And I ended it.”

  She laughed, “Yeah, right. You keep telling yourself that.”

  “He left me! I won’t fall into that trap again. I can’t believe you’re pushing me to leave my husband and run off with a man that almost killed me when he left.”

  “Oh, Rebecca! Maybe he’s grown up now. I know he hurt you. I know he did a lot of things. But, he really did love you. Maybe he just got scared. He’s older now, with a good career. He obviously isn’t just going to up and run off with a thriving business. Isn’t he worth another chance?”

  “NO!”

  “Why?”

  “He didn’t just leave me, Jillian. My father paid him…to leave me,” I said, the tears starting.

  “What?”

  “My father offered him a bribe to leave me. He…he took it! And he left!”

  “A bribe? Why would your father do that?”

  “He was trying to protect me.”

  “Look, I um, I admit, I was always rotten to Shane. But, it wasn’t for the reasons you think.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked, dabbing my tear-stained cheeks.

  She sighed. “I’d seen him…across the street at the tire store, long before you met him at the mall. He um, he was the one…” she said, looking down.

  “Oh…I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know. I honestly thought it was Jeb Henstrom that you had that crush on.”

  “Yeah, I know.” she grinned.

  “So, it was Shane that you were so in love with…and I just…I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “It was a long time ago. I was jealous and I was a bitch! I’m sorry for that. When we saw him at the mall that first day, I was hurt that he was looking at you the same way I had been looking at him…for months.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, crying again.

  “NO! Stop it! I’m happy! More than happy, actually. I love Jake so much! I have my dream guy…now, what’s stopping you from re-claiming yours?”

  “I told you. I can’t risk it. I won’t be hurt like that again! And, I won’t let him hurt Shannon like that, either.”

  “Hmm, so then, you’d just rather rattle around in this big old house…alone, when you could be getting laid by the man you’ve always loved? Grow up, Becca! Put your big girl panties on and leave Parker!”

  “And do what? What happens when he leaves again?”

  “What happens if he doesn’t? Oh, wow, maybe…just maybe you might actually find some happiness!”

  “But for how long? I’ll die if…I just can’t!”

  She stood up and said, “I didn’t know about the bribe, but honestly, I don’t buy it. Something’s not right here, Becca. I may have been horrible to you when you started dating Shane, but I wasn’t blind, I could see how much he loved you. Don’t let him go…not this time!”

  “I didn’t let him go! He left!”

  “I have to go. I have a doctors’ appointment,” she said.

  “You didn’t even touch your coffee.”

  “I um, I’m drinking decaf…these days,” she grinned.

  “Why? Oh…really?” I stood up and hugged her.

  “Yeah, you’re the first to know…well, besides Jake.”

  “I’m so happy for you. I’m going to be an aunt twice! Sam’s pregnant too!”

  “That’s great. Give her my love.”

  “I will. Thanks for stopping by.”

  “Yeah, well, it feels good to get that off my ‘suddenly larger’ chest!” she grinned, sticking out her 32 AA’s, that may have possibly grown to a 34 A. That made me laugh, and it felt good.

  “Congratulations!”

  “Talk to him. Find out his side of the story. You belong with him. You always have. You were never happier than when you were with him. And, Shannon deserves a father.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  She shook her head at me and then headed out the door.

  The next afternoon, I walked to Shannon's school, getting there a little early. Shane was already there, eagerly awaiting his time with his daughter.

  “Hi,” I said, looking up at him.

  “Hi. You didn't have to come. I told you, I'll bring her back...”

  “I know. I'm not worried. I um, I wanted to talk to you...for a minute.” I decided Jillian was right, I needed to hear his side of the story.

  “Okay. Do you want to go sit on the swings?” he asked, grinning.

  “Um, okay,” the blush was instant.

  Parker came up behind us then. I cringed when I heard his voice. “What are you doing here Parker?”

  “I wanted to see my daughter and set some ground rules.”

  “Parker, go back to work. I can handle this.”

  “Yeah, because you've done so well up to now!”

  I closed my eyes. I was concentrating on taking a few breaths and gathering my thoughts, when Shane spoke up.

  “For the record, I'm her father. You know it and I know it. And, since I've been deprived of spending time with her, or even knowing she existed until a few weeks ago, I'm going to set the ground rules...with Rebecca!”

  “You listen to me...” Parker started.

  Shane towered over him. “I don't think you really want to mess with me right now! Back off and let me talk to Rebecca for a minute!”

  “You mean MY WIFE!”

  “I know she's your wife, although I still haven't figured out why. But, she's also the mother of my child, so we are going to have a conversation. In fact, I'm certain that we're going to have quite a few conversations about our daughter, so you better get used to it!”

  “Whatever you need to say about my...Shannon, you can say to me!”

  Shane laughed. “Hayes, the only reason I'm even bothering to talk to you now is out of respect for Rebecca. But, if you so much as come near me, then believe me, the next time I go to jail, it'll be justified!”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “Call it what you want. You will anyway. But, I will see my daughter and I will talk to Rebecca about Shannon or anything else that needs to be said.”

  “Talk? So, now you want to talk to my wife? Or, are you planning on kissing her again?” he glared, waiting for Shane to hang his head in shame.

  He only smiled. “Well, I guess that's up to Rebecca.”

  “You Son of A BITCH!” Parker shouted and lunged at Shane. Shane, the faster of the two, quickly averted Parker and had him in a choke hold with no effort on his part.

  “I told you, I learned a lot about self-defense. I also know my rights. Go back to work before you get hurt!”

  “Parker, please go. What do you think we're going to do standing outside of Shannon's school?”

  “I wouldn't put anything passed HIM!”

  Shane let Parker go and stood prepared for another attack. He must have realized that he was no match for Shane and said, “I'll see you tonight! And, we will talk!”

  “Fine! Just...go to work,” I ordered, irritated that he showed up at all.

  Finally, we were alone and as we started to walk over to the swings, the bell went off and suddenly the doors burst open and kids came out running and screaming. “Um, well, I guess we c
an talk later. Why don't you come inside to the office with me and I'll put you on the list so that you can pick her up without me having to call.”

  “Hmm, so, is that your way of avoiding me?”

  “NO!”

  “I was kidding, Rebecca. I appreciate it, really.”

  Shannon came running up to us and ran straight to Shane. I have to admit, I was a little hurt, but as I looked at the two of them together, I knew it was a good thing. He was going to be a great father, he'd already proven that. I’d just prayed he’d stick around.

  We walked into the office and patiently waited while the school nurse and the secretary fussed over a child who’d run into a door and had a nice shiner on his eye.

  “Well, next time watch where you're going, Jason.”

  The child sniffled and moaned and soon the secretary walked away, leaving the nurse to deal with the crying child. “How can I help you?”

  “Hi, um, we need to get Mr. Ramsay's name on Shannon's pick up list.”

  She pulled the card from a file and said, “Name?”

  “Oh, um, Shane Ramsay.”

  “Phone?”

  Shane rattled off the numbers for both his cell and his office.

  “Relation?”

  This stunned us both. He looked at me, waiting for me to answer. I know he wanted me to say ‘father,’ but since we hadn't told Shannon who he was, I couldn't give him what he wanted. He knew it and started to say something, but Shannon spoke up instead, “He's my friend!”

  This seemed to appease her and she wrote it down, “Okay, you're all set. If for some reason you need to pick her up early, just give us a call and we’ll have her ready.”

  “Thank you,” Shane said and took Shannon's hand.

  “So, can I see the puppy now? I've been waiting forever!”

  “Yep, it's time to feed her too, so let's go.” He smiled and turned to me, “Do you want to come?”

  What I wanted, and what was appropriate were two entirely different things. I wanted to scream yes, but I said, “No, I have some accounts to take care of. You um, you two have fun.”

  “She'll be home by six-thirty at the latest. I'll take care of dinner.”

  I nodded and watched them walk away, hand in hand.

  “Wow, why don't I have friends that look like that?” the secretary said, watching Shane out her window.