Catalyst

by Ross Richdale

  Her plans almost ran awry when the younger girl staggered into the ladies' powder room, violently ill.

  "Oh shit," the youngster muttered. "I feel terrible."

  Courtney coughed and felt ashamed. What had she done? Because of her selfishness, anything could have happened to Linda. Any of the boys hanging around could have taken advantage and the poor girl would not have remembered what happened.

  She filled a tumbler with water and handed it to Linda. "Look, sit here. Don't leave. Understand? I'll go and find Renee."

  "Sure, Courtney." Linda plunked herself down in an unladylike fashion on a small wooden stool in the corner.

  "Oh hell," Courtney replied and slipped out, straight into a youth waiting outside. "What are you, some sort of pervert?" she yelled. "Go on…get home. Linda's not coming out."

  He grinned sheepishly. "Right, Courtney. Well, I suppose I'd better go. Tell Linda I'll give her a call tomorrow."

  "Sure, now go." Courtney looked around the hall where the few remaining guests were cleaning up. Ken and Lem had a broom and were helping Renee sweep litter and downed streamers into a pile.

  "Renee, get over here!" Courtney hissed.

  "What is it?" She was a little tipsy but by no means drunk.

  "Linda's been as sick as a dog. I reckon she needs to get home. If one of those guys offers to give her a lift, anything could happen."

  Renee nodded. "Oh hell. I should have watched her."

  She brushed past Courtney to where the girl still sat on the stool with her head between her hands. After guiding the youngster to an adjacent medical room and laying her down, she returned and swept annoyed eyes over the blonde girl.

  "What are you doing, Courtney?" she accused. "Linda doesn't usually drink and I noticed Ken is in little better condition. Yet you're stone cold sober."

  "Nothing," the girl muttered and glanced at the floor.

  Silence reined before Courtney glanced up to find her companion's eyes focused on her. "I meant no harm. I just want to…oh hell, you know."

  "Go to bed with Ken and thought Linda would be in the way?"

  "Something like that?"

  "And is Ken in on this little scheme?"

  Courtney shook her head.

  "Well, don't you think he should be consulted?"

  "He's ready. He's had a stiff dick all night."

  "Oh, Courtney." Renee sighed and warmth returned to her eyes. "You're a beautiful young woman, so it's only natural he's aroused. That doesn't mean he'll come onto you."

  "Isn't that what it's all about?"

  "If you want a one night stand, yes. If there's more to it and I believe there is, what's the hurry?"

  Courtney pouted. "Because I'm scared Renee. I love Ken. Part of me wants it to happen, while a second part makes me shudder in pain and revulsion. Memories of what Jake did come back. If I don't try, I'll never know." She blinked her moistened eyes. "You and Lem are at it all the time and seem happy afterwards. Tell me, it is always painful?"

  "No." Renee spent several minutes explaining things that books or magazines rarely mentioned, the difference between love and the physical act. "Are you prepared?"

  Courtney dug her hand into a pocket of her bridesmaid's dress and pulled out a package containing a condom. "Yes," she whispered.

  "Good," Renee replied. "And where were you going to do it?"

  The girl shrugged. "The Mustang, I guess."

  "It's freezing outside, Courtney. My advice is to see what Ken wants and consider his needs. If he agrees, go back to the farm and use your bed. I'll keep Linda here. It will be an hour or more before we get everything tidied up." She placed her arm on Courtney's shoulder. "Remember, Ken has emotions to cope with, too. If nothing happens, it's not because he doesn't love you. In fact, it's probably the opposite."

  "So you don't object?"

  "You're an adult, Courtney. You can make up your own mind on these matters."

  "But would you do it if you were me?"

  "Probably," Renee admitted in a hushed voice. "In many ways the decision you're making is the same as when I was in the cave with Lem."

  Courtney broke into a smile and hugged her friend. "Thanks, Renee. I'll apologize to Linda in the morning. It's not that we aren't good friends..."

  "I know," Renee replied.

  ****

  Courtney hardly said a word as she drove the Mustang back to the farm but she could feel her heart thumping in her rib cage. Ken sat beside her, looking as nervous as she felt.

  They drove into the barn and walked through the chilly darkness to the house. It was only after they reached the kitchen when Ken wrapped an arm around her. She turned and cuddled against his chest, smiled and pretended not to notice his expanded fly.

  "Ken." She gulped. "Let's go to the bedroom." She took the condom from her pocket and handed it to him. "Put this on. I want you to make love to me."

  Ken held the package and flushed. "You do?"

  "Of course. Why not?" Courtney retorted, then remembered Renee's words and grabbed both his hands. "I love you, Ken and I want you. But if this isn't the right time, I can wait."

  "Of course I do," he stuttered. "It's just that I thought…"

  "Don't think. Just act," Courtney whispered and led him to the bedroom.

  ****

  After a frenzied session of lovemaking Renee awoke to find Lem snoring beside her. It was Sunday morning so there was one more day to relax before the onslaught of another week. She slipped out of the sheets and into her pajamas, before she headed to the bathroom. The shower was running behind a closed door, so she tapped on it.

  "Can I come in?"

  "There was a rattle of a latch being slid back, the door opened and Linda stood there with a towel around herself.

  "I'm so sorry, Renee," she said. "I remember being sick in that toilet then I woke up in Ken's bed. That scared the shit out of me until I realized he wasn't there." She glanced up. "Where is he, anyhow?"

  "With Courtney in your room."

  "They haven't…"

  "Probably."

  Linda frowned. "And what happened to me?"

  "Nothing. We brought you home and tucked you in bed. How are you feeling?"

  Linda grinned. "A thumping great headache but it serves me right. Apart from that end bit, I really enjoyed yesterday. You know, I felt really important when I stood in that church beside Jack and Diane."

  "You were," Renee said. "Look, the whole house will be snoring for hours yet. I was going to take Zona for a morning walk, along one of the trails at the back of the farm. Would you like to come?"

  The sixteen-year-old smiled. "I'd love to. Here, slip into the shower, while I dress."

  ****

  Twenty minutes later an excited dog ran ahead of the pair up the hill. A mist from earlier had lifted and water dripped from the foliage. They trudged forward in silence and savored the moment, before chatting. Renee explained what had happened but instead of being annoyed, Linda chuckled.

  "I knew she was thinking of doing it but she seemed afraid. Spiking my drink, though. That was a bit over the limit. All she needed to do was give me a shove and I would have disappeared."

  "What about Mark?" Renee asked cautiously.

  Linda screwed up her nose. "Mark. Who's he?"

  "The boy you were dancing half the night with ...one of Diane's nephews."

  Linda gasped. "I don't remember him." She flushed. "Did I do anything stupid?"

  "No." Renee laughed. "Just danced in your stocking feet, that's all. You were the life of the party for a while."

  "I've been merry before but never had this happen." She patted Zona's head and stared over the damp valley. "I don't want it to happen again. How can people call it fun if they have no memory of what they did?"

  "Beats me," Renee replied. "That's life, I guess."

  She glanced at the girl and compared her with Courtney. In many ways, the two were the same; they had been caught up in situations beyond their control and had attempt
ed to cope. Linda was more serious than Courtney but also appeared to be coming to grips with her life.

  "It's so beautiful out here in the country," Linda whispered. "And at this time of day everything is peaceful. It makes me want to forget the terrible things that go on."

  "Yes," Renee replied. "I was brought up in the valley but still enjoy the tranquility of a morning like this." She turned and watched as Zona tore off to chase something in the nearby trees.

  "Renee," Linda continued in a serious but hesitant voice. "Can you help me?"

  The older woman turned and studied her young companion. The girl stared out at the panorama below but her thoughts were elsewhere.

  "Of course. I'll help in any way I can. What's the problem?"

  "Not personal help. I know you would do anything for us kids. It's professional help I need."

  "My profession?"

  Linda turned and bit her bottom lip in nervousness. "Yes," she said quietly. "I need a lawyer but I've got no money."

  "Don't let that worry you. What do you need help with, Linda?"

  "My parents," Linda replied. "Now that I had an abortion, they're asking to have me returned to their care."

  "And you don't want that?"

  Linda nodded. "You, Lem, Jack and even the dean at Northside have helped me. I've broken away and don't wish to go back." She sighed. "My life was a little like Ken's."

  "How?"

  Linda stopped and turned away again. "My parents are autocratic and violent. I was never allowed to think for myself or even have an opinion. It was obey or be punished. As a little kid I was whipped with a belt or shut in my bedroom for doing something other children took as natural."

  "Like what?"

  "Playing in the park," Linda replied. "I wasn't allowed to go near a public playground because there were so-called naughty children there. One sunny Saturday when I was ten I went and used a swing. Nobody was around except my little brother and me. He told Daddy." Linda stopped and sighed again. "Oh, I don't blame Daniel. He was as terrified of my parents as I was. Anyhow, my father took a long switch and belted me across the back. I screamed and cried but it never helped. There are still traces of the scars."

  "I see," Renee replied and pursed her lips in anger.

  "One other thing," Linda said. Her eyes were dry but reflected inner turmoil. "I've never told a soul."

  "Wait a minute," Renee said and noticed the girl's face turn white and her lip quiver. "There is one small point."

  "Go on."

  "I not interested in a fee but would you like me to be your lawyer?"

  "Yes, please."

  "Good. We have what is called client confidentiality. Anything you tell me is confidential and protected by law. It's like a doctor and his patient. Nobody can force me to divulge what is said between us. Can you understand that? "

  "I think so," Linda said.

  "Good. Now what are you going to tell me?"

  "I'm not like Courtney," Linda said in a strong neutral voice. "I was not raped. In fact, I had several boys who had sex with me from the time I was fourteen. I enjoyed it. For a few moments there was someone who would love me. The inevitable happened in the end and I became pregnant. The father could have been any of three boys." She stared into Renee's eyes and for the first time, tears appeared. "I'm not a prostitute, Renee but I was what one would call an easy lay. All I wanted was love and that was a way of getting it."

  "And getting drunk?"

  "That happened quite regularly. It was another way for me to forget. Guys would get me drunk and have sex with me. I didn't mind. Courtney had nothing to do with my drinking binge last night."

  "And now, Linda?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Do you still have casual sex?"

  "No," Linda said. "Not since my abortion. I promised myself I would work hard to get a decent education and not drink or have sex. Yesterday was the first time I broke that promise." She reached down to pat Zona who sat patiently beside the pair. "If I hadn't passed out, I might have gone off in a car with that nephew of Diane's."

  "But you didn't." Renee studied the girl again. Something was wrong. She could tell by her body language.

  "I will represent you to try to prevent your parents regaining custody, Linda but you must tell me everything, the lot. You're holding back on something, aren't you?"

  The girl nodded.

  "What is it?"

  "I've been raped. Many times."

  "By whom?"

  "My father," Linda replied and burst into a flood of tears. "Ever since I was twelve, he did it. He stopped a year ago when I threatened to go to the police. I would have, too and he knew it." She sobbed and ran up the trail.

  Renee followed, caught the girl, swung her around and held on. Linda buried her head in a soft shoulder and cried long, shuddering tears that gradually subsided into silent weeping.

  "You're a brave girl, Linda," Renee said in an empathetic voice. "I'll do everything I can to help you. There are several things we can do so don't despair. It will turn out okay."

  "I tried to cope by myself," Linda whispered. "Then I met Courtney, you, your dad and Lem. I realized there were decent people in the world who would help me but I never had the nerve to ask, until now."

  "And we'll all help you, Linda," Renee said. "That's a promise."

  She turned and with her arm around the teenager, headed down the trail. Zona ran beside them and looked up at Linda with his large brown sympathetic eyes.

  "Oh, Zona," Linda said and squatted down to pat the Labrador. "You are the loveliest doggy in the world, aren't you?"

  "Woof," came the almost human reply as Zona wagged his tail.

  ****

  CHAPTER 21

  When Renee arrived home in Seattle on Wednesday night she had a look of quiet confidence.

  "Linda," she said. "Can we have a word?"

  "Sure, Renee." She stood up from the assignment she was doing on the living room floor with Courtney and Ken.

  "It's about your parents," Renee began when they were in the kitchen.

  The girl's face dropped. "Go on," she replied cautiously.

  "Cheer up, it's good news."

  "I hope so." Linda sighed.

  "I've placed a court injunction on your behalf. Your parents are not allowed to have contact with you until the custody hearing is heard."

  "And when will that be?"

  "In six to twelve months."

  "That long?"

  "I'm afraid so. There's one other thing. The court has put you under private foster care as of Monday."

  "What?" Linda gasped. "I'm being forced into a foster home?"

  "You are a minor, Linda. That's all I could do."

  "I don't want to go." She raised her voice to a scream. "It's not fair. I'm happy and safe here."

  Renee glanced at Lem, grinning from across the table. "Do you want to know the name of your new foster parents?"

  "No," Linda retorted. "I'm not damn well going."

  "A Mr. Lem Erksberg and his partner, a Renee Bonnett, are your temporary foster parents."

  "I said I don't care." The words sunk in and she turned with her mouth open in astonishment. "Huh?"

  Renee repeated her reply and glanced at Lem. "I don't think she wants us, Dear."

  "Pity," Lem replied. "She's a good kid. I think…" He got no further as the sobbing teenager flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

  "Oh Lem." She rushed to do the same thing to Renee. "I knew you wouldn't let me down. I just thought...."

  "It's not permanent, I'm afraid," Renee warned. "A judge at the court hearing makes the final decision."

  "I know but this is more than I'd hoped for. I'll go and tell Courtney." She kissed the pair again and rushed into the living room.

  "One happy girl." Lem observed. "What will happen in the end?"

  "I'm not sure," Renee said. "Linda will be seventeen shortly and by the time the case is heard she'll be well on her way to her eighteenth birth
day. The judge could postpone any decision until then. At that point she's an adult and any ruling becomes redundant." She smiled. "That's what I'm aiming for at the moment, rather than an outright decision."

  "Why?"

  "This is an unusual case since Linda's parents are together. Most custody cases involve separated parents fighting over a child. In the few cases like this that I have researched, the minors are returned to their parents unless the child's well-being is seriously affected."

  "Well, doesn't this apply to Linda?"

  "Yes." Renee sighed. With Linda's agreement, she had told Lem everything. "But what proof do we have? I don't want to put her through the trauma of testifying against her father."

  ****

  Over the next few months, hectic life continued for Renee, Lem and the three teenagers. The biggest event during this period was the decision to open a branch office of Usborne and Bonnett in Seattle. More and more family cases were referred to them from the city. With the shift to a new office on the mezzanine floor of Northworld Hypermart, only a few blocks from their homes and the college, came a change of name to Law Bonus, the last word formed from their names. Business became so brisk in the city that Suzanne Norwood shifted south with Renee, while Annette continued traditional services in Mount Vernon.

  Epsilon Products completed their contract with Boeing and against intense competition, won a new contract for internal latches in the 737-800 series passenger jet.

  After Jack's wedding, Linda immersed herself in schoolwork. She coped easily with the senior program but for reasons unknown to Courtney and Ken, wanted to prove something to herself. She refused to drink alcohol and withdrew into herself. Invitations to accompany Courtney and Ken when they went out were politely refused and instead she would turn up at Law Bonus and help the secretary with photocopying and odd jobs. In the end, Renee offered her a part-time job that she readily accepted. She spent several hours a week helping out.

  Finally, summer arrived and with it the end of the senior high school year.