Between the Lines

by Jane Charles

  “They were hoping for a fluff piece.” I laugh.

  “That’s what I assume.” Mag sobers. “So, are you?”

  I can tell she’s worried. “I’ll write a post, but I promise it will be the article they are hoping for, not what you are afraid of.”

  Gabe – 36

  “We’re more than a school. We’re family.”

  I turn and find Louie standing just inside the gate with a bunch of my students.

  “You know you aren’t supposed to be on this side of the wall,” Mag chastises.

  Louie grins and shrugs. “You left they gate open. We’re just kids.”

  She shakes her head. “Go back.”

  “Not yet,” Marissa says. She looks at Miss West. “We heard what you said.”

  Her face goes pale. I know Ellen is scared to death about telling anyone anything and took a great risk in telling Mag. Now all of these kids know.

  “Your secret is safe with us.”

  The Babin twins are nodding their head vigorously.

  “How do I know?”

  “Who we gonna tell?” Louie laughs.

  “Going to tell,” Marissa corrects.

  “We’ll tell you ours and then if you talk, we will,” Eric says.

  “No!” Mag orders.

  “It’s cool, Miss Mag,” Louie says and saunters forward. “Gang member, not by choice but survival. They got me out of juvie.” He grins. “And, I’m going to be an epic street artist someday so you probably should remember my name.”

  “Oh, I will,” Ellen humors him.

  “Abused kid, and gay,” says Mick.

  “None of you should be telling Miss West anything,” Mag warns.

  “We read her blog. We aren’t afraid of her telling the world,” Marissa says.

  “Cutter,” Carlie says. “But I’m not saying any more.”

  “You don’t need to,” Ellen says gently, meeting the girl’s eyes.

  “Asperger’s!” Marissa announces. “My parents wanted to pretend I was normal. They made me worse.”

  “Foster care after my father was wrongfully imprisoned,” says Tyler Beach. “I like your blog, Miss West. You’re doing good things.”

  “Foster care, then group home, then juvie.” Jada Daniels shrugs, as if it’s no big deal.

  Ellen slowly sits as if she is trying to take all of this in.

  Maria Vasquez steps forward. “My mom’s boyfriend did things with me he shouldn’t.”

  Ethan Cook is looking around and finally steps out. “I was bullied and tried to kill myself.”

  Ellen’s hand goes to her chest.

  “Eating disorder and I can’t wait to start the culinary arts classes,” says McKenzie Dolson.

  “Mr. Gabe saved my life,” Isaac says.

  There’s dead silence after that and the students look between me and him.

  “That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think,” Louie says.

  “No. My heart stopped, he gave me CPR.”

  “Whoa. Way to go Mr. Gabe,” Mick says.

  “Maybe I’ll tell you guys the rest of it someday.” He quirks a smile. “When I know you a little better.”

  “These are my people,” Louie announces. “Mick is my best friend. I got his back and he’s got mine.”

  “I have his back,” Marissa corrects.

  Louie rolls his eyes. “And Marissa, she can be a pain with the way she’s always correcting me and shi…things like that. But, that’s what a sister would do.”

  “We may be broken, Miss West, but we are family,” Tamara says from the back of the group. “Even after I leave here, I’ll still consider these guys my brothers and sisters. They accepted me when my own flesh and blood didn’t.”

  My heart swells with pride for these kids. Even I didn’t know some of the things they told Ellen, and it couldn’t have been easy. They are far braver than I ever was.

  “No, you are wrong.” Ellen comes to her feet. “You’re not broken or you wouldn’t be here. You would have given up. Maybe your spirit is battered, bruised and shaken from what you experience, but you guys are far from broken.” She’s smiling looking over the group. “And, you’re right. Blood isn’t what makes a family. Love is.”

  I need to turn away. I’m choked up and I never get choked up, but I’ve just witnessed a strength and understanding in Ellen. And these kids, they are so much more than I ever gave them credit for.

  Ellen

  I know what I’m going to write and it’s also time for change. I’ve spent the last few years looking for bad guys, seeking them out. I hadn’t realized it but it’s done something to me. I stopped trusting. Sure, my father’s illegal activities and realizing my uncle wasn’t who I though he was, had something to do with that. But, isn’t it time to find the good in the world? Like Baxter. To seek out hope and love? The news is already filled with the worst of the worst and I don’t want to do that anymore.

  Baxter’s amazing. The staff is amazing. And even more, the kids are amazing. They are the ones that need a story. They are what people should read about and not the criminals or the corrupt.

  “What are you working on?” Gabe asks as he takes a seat next to me on the couch. After meeting the kids today, I found the courage to return to my own apartment. They each gave me a one-liner of why they are at Baxter, but I know the stories are far more involved and if these kids can get it together, or at least make the progress they have, I can sleep in my own apartment.

  I close the lid on my laptop.”

  “More secrets?” Gabe asks.

  “Just my post on Baxter.”

  He stiffens.

  Really? “Do you think I spill their secrets after today?”

  He relaxes. “I’m just so used to using every precaution where the school is concerned.”

  I lean over and kiss his cheek. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

  “So, what are you writing?” He tries to lift the lid and I slap his fingers away.

  “You can read it with the rest of the world tomorrow morning.”

  “Fine,” he says getting up off the couch and heading back to the bedroom. I may have come back to my apartment but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to stay alone in it and asked Gabe to spend the night. He pauses at the door. “Coming to bed?”

  “Soon,” I answer.

  His eyes darken as he pulls a t-shirt over his head. “Don’t be long. I have a few plans for you.”

  Heat rushes through me, but I don’t follow. This post is too important.

  Looking West?

  When I started out to write an article on Baxter Academy of Arts, I was expecting to step into a world of privileged, intelligent kids being groomed for admission to Yale, Harvard and the like. If you have lived in the area long, you know that Baxter Academy is a high school, protected by the walls surrounding what once was the Baxter Plantation, built back in 1810. Since the school was established ten years ago, Baxter has been a mystery with very little information being released. We know about the fundraisers for the schools, but that isn’t any different than any school around here. Except, where one high school is selling candy bars or holding car washes, Baxter holds auctions and sells exclusive art. Maybe this is one of the reasons we, who do not know better, see Baxter as a school only those of wealth and brains can attend.

  I was prepared to encounter the preppy, uniformed students as soon as I stepped through the gates, and frankly, expected to encounter snobbery almost immediately. Such was not the case.

  The students are an eclectic group of individuals. Deep, thoughtful, caring, each dressing in a style that suits them best, from raggedy jeans to feminine dresses. They are free thinkers and dreamers. They are artists.

  Some of the most talented kids from the State of New York attend this private boarding school. They come from all walks of life, are rich, poor or middle class and about every ethnicity there is.

  My life was changed, for the better, having experienced Baxter. Not only do their academic
s rival any school, but I dare anyone not to be moved by the art. They are actors, writers, poets, painters, sculptors, musicians, dancers and vocalists. I read an expose’ that brought tears to my eyes. I listened to a choir that sent chills down my spine, and so much more.

  Visit their gallery and you will see what I mean. It’s open on the weekends and like many of you, until I visited, I didn’t even know it was there. Watch for listings, which I will keep updated on this site, for their plays, musicals, ballets and concerts. You won’t be sorry and be a better person for it.

  Other schools can groom the politicians, lawyers, doctors and scientists for the future. Baxter is grooming the artists, the people who bring color and emotion to our too often grey and stressful world.

  Gabe – 37

  I can’t imagine what’s taking so long. Mag called Ellen this morning and said she wanted to see her during last hour. It can’t be the article because that was amazing and couldn’t be better publicity for the school.

  If they don’t hurry, I’m going to have to leave. The new soccer coach is going to arrive and I need to have the kids ready.

  Mag’s door opens and I come to my feet. At least Ellen is smiling, so it couldn’t have been too bad.

  “Let me know your decision when you can.”

  “I will,” Ellen answers and turns toward me. “Let’s go to soccer practice.”

  She doesn’t say anything and we’re halfway to the open area we’ve decided to use as a field before one can be built when I finally stop. “What did she want?” I finally blurt out.

  Ellen grins. “She offered me a job.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Apparently there’s someone in the main office who is supposed to check backgrounds and isn’t doing such a good job.”

  “Tabitha.”

  “She didn’t want the job anyway, but being a family member she was given little choice when she couldn’t find a job.”

  “That doesn’t mean she should be careless,” I say.

  “Well, she quit anyway and since I like digging up dirt on people, Mag though I’d be the perfect candidate.”

  I’m almost afraid to ask what she intends to do. Her story is done and there’s no reason for her to hang around anymore. She has an apartment in New York and all the places she loves is there. We’re close, I’m fucking in love, but you can’t set a future on a two week relationship, even though I know in my gut that she’s the one.

  “I want to do more though.”

  Shit, she’s going back to New York. Somehow we’ll make it work.

  “First of all, that website is abysmal. No wonder it’s not drawing the attention of colleges and universities.”

  Hope sparks in my chest.

  “And then there is the fundraising.”

  “That’s Mag’s baby,” I tell her. I hope Ellen didn’t trash what had been done so far because I’m sure Mag did not take that well.

  “Oh, I know, and she’s had some excellent programs.”

  “So?” I as slowly.

  “She needs help.”

  That I don’t doubt.

  “I did a lot of thinking about it today. At least I understand why everyone is a scholarship kid, but the more money Baxter has, the more they can do.”

  “And you told her this.”

  “Yep, and she’s all for the assistance, she just hates to ask me to do background checks, manage the website and help with fundraising when they can only afford to pay me barely above minimum wage.” She laughs.

  “So, you aren’t going to take it.”

  Ellen rolls her eyes. “The reason I don’t really work is because I’ll never have to.”

  Damn, I knew she was rich, but knowing you’ll never have to work a day in your life is richer than my comprehension. “What do you need to think about, if it isn’t the wages?”

  “You.”

  She bites her bottom lip. “Me?”

  Ellen blows out a sigh. “This has been a whirlwind. Two weeks. I know how I feel in my heart, but it scares me.”

  “Me too,” I admit.

  “I’m not even sure if you want me that close. If we’re ready for the permanency of my living above you.”

  “I think it’s necessary to see what this is, and if it’s what we both believe it is.”

  “So, you won’t mind if I take the job, just to see?” she hedges.

  After last night, how we were in the bed, the shower and then how comfortable we were just talking today, she still has to ask? “I’d mind more if you went back to New York.”

  A smile blooms on her lips. “Then, I guess I’ll be taking the job.”

  I’d kiss her, but I can’t. We are standing in the middle of the campus. The kids just got out of class and they are all around us. I’d get in trouble if I showed affection in front of the kids and they’d never let me hear the end of it. I can just imagine the catcalls from the likes of Louie. “Let’s go see who wants to play soccer.”

  Ellen

  I can’t believe I’m now going to be a part of Baxter. When Mag offered me the position I nearly jumped at the chance, but held my tongue. I knew I’d need to think about it, and see how Gabe felt. Things are great between us, but that doesn’t mean he wants me underfoot indefinitely. But he wants me to stay and I’m practically on cloud nine. And, the job is perfect for me. I can still do my blogs, but chasing after the bad guys, dirty politicians, and the like is exhausting. Here, I can dig into everyone they want me to for the one purpose of protecting the kids.

  I like that. I want to be a part of this organization. Be a part of something good.

  The students are gathered outside the walls in an open field not far from the lake. The counselors are there, sitting on picnic tables, along with some of the teachers, watching the boys kick a few balls around. Female students are gathered too, sitting around on blankets and talking. I’m not sure if it’s because they are interested in soccer, or because it’s a chance to be outside the walls and have a change of scenery. Most of the students are inside the walls of Baxter and I’m not sure if they just aren’t interested in the sport or not secure enough to step outside the walls.

  I glance around. There is no protection for the kids out here. The parking lot is just on the other side of the trees and beyond that, the highway. If they are going to make this into a soccer field, it’s going to need to be enclosed as well, somehow. Not that they need to worry about the kids running off, or at least not most of them, but a wall would protect the kids from anyone coming in, just like the gate at the entrance. Mag showed me a list of things the school still needs, including a library. I’ve just added a soccer field and equipment to it, with a wall for protection and my mind is awake with all kinds of ideas for fundraising.

  Gabe stops at the edge of the temporary field beside some picnic tables. Jenna and Alexia are seated beside each other talking quietly. I don’t want to intrude and look around for another place to sit. I don’t know them and I’ve never been comfortable joining others without a specific invitation. Maybe in time they’ll be friends. I will be an employee of Baxter, just like them, but I won’t be at the school. My office will be in Poughkeepsie, so it isn’t like I’ll see them on a regular basis.

  Mateo is sitting not far away, with a few guys I hadn’t met, but recognize as being teachers and counselors. This is Gabe’s world and I suddenly feel like an intruder. I’ve always felt that way when investigating a place, but didn’t care if it got me the story. This is different. What if they don’t accept me?

  “Ellen,” Jenna says with a big smile. “Join us.”

  The anxiety around my heart eases just a bit.

  “Loved the blog post.” Alexia says with a smile. “I hope other outlets pick up on it. Baxter could use the good publicity.”

  “I sent it to newspapers, both local and all over the state,” I tell them.

  Jenna beams at me. “Maybe I’ll send it to the colleges that are reluctant to help me because they aren’t sure about the sch
ool.”

  “So, this is the soccer team?” A voice says from behind and I turn. I recognize Kian, the officer, but not the two guys with them.

  “This is Cole,” Jenna begins the introductions. “He’s an EMT and firefighter.”

  “I’m here in case anyone gets hurt.” He grins and winks at Jenna. I get the feeling she is the only reason he’s here.

  “And the guy not paying us any attention is Ben.” Alexia laughs. “He coaches soccer at the local high school and is going to help train the kids over the summer.”

  This Ben has not looked at us once. Instead, he’s watching the boys on the field, a hand up, shielding his eyes from the sun. He stiffens and takes a step forward, squinting, and watching one particular player. “Hold up,” he says. “Is that Ethan Cook?”

  Jenna and Alexia share a look. “Why?” They ask slowly.

  Given what I know about of how protective Baxter is about people showing up from the past, I wonder if I need to start my job right now and do a thorough background check.

  He ignores Jenna and Alexia and strides over to Gabe. “Why didn’t you tell me you have Ethan Cook? The kid was amazing and colleges were already keeping an eye on him when he was in middle school and then he up and disappeared.”

  What had Ethan said? He was bullied and tried to kill himself? That just goes to show that kids can be haunted, hurt and depressed even when it seems as if they have everything going for them.

  “He’s still got the moves.” Ben is grinning. “And that other kid guarding him isn’t bad either.”

  “That’s Isaac,” Gabe says with pride.

  “If the other kids are half as good as those two, you guys just may have a decent team.”

  “Well, they’re all yours,” he gestures to the boys on the field.

  The smile hasn’t left Ben’s face as he starts to stride across the field.

  “I’ll just sit back and watch, and learn. I’m sure Ben will be training me too.” Gabe laughs and turns to me. The smile falls from his face as he sees something behind me. I turn and the anxiety that had been leaving me returns in full force. Mag is walking toward the students. Beside her is Scott.