by Maggie Ryan
She pointed a chubby finger at Bobby. “Dat’s my brudder. He is mah brudder, he is mah sister, and he is mah fwend.”
Bobby rolled his eyes. “She always says that.”
Yup, yup, yup, here I am, Tom Sydney. I got knocked up twice since I last saw you. Wonder what you’ve been up to?
“It’s nice to meet you.” Tom stood and shook Bobby’s hand. He turned to shake Megan’s, but she only covered her mouth and giggled. He sat back down and commented, “Why I do believe this is the finest hot chocolate I ever had.”
“Me too!” Megan blurted.
You better hope it’s good, cause that’s all you’re getting. There’s not enough food in here to feed a cock-a-roach.
“Hey, Mr. Policeman,” Bobby began.
“You can call me Tom. Is that all right, Sharon? I don’t mind if they call me by my first name.”
“Oh, no, that’s fine. Whatever you like.” Just look at those forearms of yours. You sure didn’t have those in high school. I think I see the edge of a tattoo under that shirt.
“Well, Tom, sir. I wuz wonderin. You ever shot anybody?”
Everyone immediately froze. Megan and Bobby looked intently at Tom for the answer.
Sharon was so embarrassed, she looked at the ground. “Oh, Bobby, I don’t think that’s an appropriate question. Why don’t we talk about something else?”
“Well, he’s got a great big pistol right there on his hip. What’s he got it for if he ain’t gonna use it?”
“Isn’t. Bobby, honey…”
“It’s all right, Sharon.” Tom was laughing. “I get that question all the time. Everybody wonders that.”
Megan’s eyes grew big and round. “Day doo?”
“Sure, the police do carry guns, but it’s not so they can shoot people. It’s so they can protect people. I’ve been a policeman for twelve years, and I’ve never had to shoot a single person. But I have had to draw my weapon plenty of times.”
Fifteen years suddenly disappeared. Sharon was back in high school. The bus had just dropped them off, and she was looking for Tom’s pick-up truck in the parking lot. He drove his grandpa’s old Ford. It had a gun rack filled with shotguns in the rear window. Those were the days before school shootings. All the boys drove pick-ups with gun racks. There it was, dingy brown, with a rust spot over the rear tire. The homecoming dance was tomorrow night, and everyone was supposed to stay after school and finish decorating the gym. Tom told her he’d be there after football practice. She could hardly wait to see him.
The final bell rang, and Sharon found herself in the gym, on top of a ladder, securing a bright streamer. The school colors were blue and gold and nearly everything in the gym was covered in it. “Darlene,” Sharon yelled, “would you mind moving that gold foil bush over to the front? It’s supposed to be the back drop for the pictures.”
Darlene and several other girls jumped up to comply. About ten guys from the team were slowly making their way into the gym. They had taken showers and changed into sweats, but they still looked pretty beat. Sharon yelled from atop her perch.
“I know y’all are tired but so are we. The dance is tomorrow night and we’re running out of time. I’ve got your work assignments right here.” She carefully stepped down the ladder. Tom was waiting for her at the bottom.
He screwed up his face and talked in a high pitch voice. “I’ve got your work assignments right here.”
Sharon hit him on the shoulder. “You better be quiet. Get over here and help.”
He mocked her again. “You better get over here and help.”
Sharon shook her fist and Tom took off. She had no hope of catching him. He could run like the wind. Round the gym floor he went, doing circles around her. Finally, out of breath, she gave up. He raced up to her, picked her up and swung her around. She squealed and wiggled. When he put her down, he whispered in her ear, “I’ve got a few assignments I’d like to give you, Miss Sharon Stanford.” He leaned down and kissed her. She would never forget it.
He really knew what he was doing too. The wonderful feeling of his lips descending upon hers was indelibly imprinted on her heart forever. He brushed his lips over hers, again and again. Gently, his tongue swept inside her mouth. He had just used peppermint toothpaste. Oh he felt so good up against her.
“Knock it off!”
She was suddenly whisked from high school back to the kitchen table. Megan was humming, and Bobby was annoyed. “Mom, she knows I can’t stand that.”
“All right, you two, go in the back and play. Let the grown-ups have a few moments to themselves.”
Bobby and Megan complied and disappeared. Sharon took a sip of chocolate and looked over her mug at Tom. He licked a chocolate mustache off his upper lip.
I remember that tongue.
“You’ve got some great kids. You’ve done a wonderful job.”
“Thanks.” You might not think so if you knew the mess I’ve made of our lives. “I’m surprised to find out you ended up being on the town police force. I thought you were going to go away for college.”
Tom leaned back in his chair and stuck out a leg. “I had planned on it, but my mom got sick. Did you know that? She passed away two years after you left. Dad had a hard time, and I decided to stay home and tend to him. He’s gone now, too.”
“Oh, wow. I’m so sorry. I hadn’t heard. Mom and I never talked much about Flat Rock, and in all this time, I only came back for short visits on holidays.”
“Yeah, I noticed. Why was that?”
Because I married an abusive alcoholic control freak, and I couldn’t get away from him long enough to come home. “I guess I was too busy raising kids and working.”
“You went into nursing, right?”
“Yes. I like it. Since moving back, I got a job at the hospital in Greensboro. The drive is only twenty minutes. I don’t start for another couple of weeks, which is nice. Gives us time to get settled in.” Are you married? “Are you still living in your parents’ old house?”
“Nah, I sold that old thing, and the owners ended up knocking it down and building something new on the lot. I wanted a little land. Built a cabin five minutes out of town on twenty acres. It has a pond. Just me and my dogs. It’s all in the world I need.”
JUST you and your dogs, huh? That’s nice to know.
“I guess I’d better be going. I’m actually still on duty.”
“Oh, of course. Well, listen, thanks for helping with Megan and Bobby. It was really nice to see you.”
He picked up his hat and grabbed his coat. She opened the back door. The smell of light aftershave wafted under her nose as he passed by. My gosh, what man smells that good?
Adjusting his hat, he stood with his hands on his hips. “I just thought of something. There’s a winter festival at the high school tomorrow. There will be arts and crafts, and food stalls. It’s held in the gym. I know you just moved back. There’s lots of new folks here you don’t know. I’d be glad to come by and pick you up. The kids would love a ride in my patrol car.”
Don’t do it, Sharon. Don’t do it. Yes, he’s hot. Yes, you know him, but you finally just got out of one mess. Don’t go getting in another one. “Uh, thanks, but I think my mom needs me over at her house tomorrow.”
“Okay.” His face seemed to drop. “I’ll see you around, I guess.”
Shoot! She watched him go through the backyard until he disappeared around front. She ran and hid behind the picture window curtains, and peeked out. He trudged up the hill. The lights of the patrol car turned on and exhaust fumes came out the back. The car disappeared over the hill.
Chapter 3
“Mom, I cannot go to that winter festival today.”
“Why not?”
Because I already lied to Tom. “Don’t you need me to help clean out your garage or something?”
“There’s three feet of snow outside. What else are you going to do? You’re being ridiculous. I’ll pick you up at eleven. You need to get out of that house and
so do those kids. It’s time you were moving on. You’ve been separated for two years, and your divorce is over. I’m calling a cease and desist on moping.”
She didn’t want to go did she? Sharon looked around at the mountain of boxes still waiting to be unpacked. I’m sick of moving. I don’t want to spend the day inside with this mess. “All right, Mom. Eleven it is.”
The gymnasium was packed. The kids were so happy to be out they were practically in tears. Her mom took them by the hand. “Sharon, I’m going to take the kids to get hotdogs. Go enjoy yourself. I’m sure you’ve got some old buddies somewhere around here. I don’t know why you didn’t call Michelle. She lives just down the street.”
“All right, Mom! Go! Go to the hotdogs. Meet you back at the front door in an hour.”
“Don’t forget there are arts and crafts booths all the way down the hallway.”
“Okay, thanks.” I’ll be sure to check those out because what I really need are some crocheted toilet paper covers and pine potato bins with heart shape cut outs.
Sharon was thirsty. She decided to go over to one of the food vendors and order a diet coke. The rotary club was selling BBQ. Maybe she would have that for lunch. Her hair fell into her eyes. Irritated, she pushed it behind her ear. She had blow-dried the mess that morning in an effort to pull herself together, but it hadn’t made much difference. What she really needed was a haircut. She hadn’t had one in months. Maybe I’ll just let it grow out and wear it like I just don’t care, cause I don’t.
Getting dressed that morning, she had eyed her skinny jeans. I’m ten pounds away from those. The mom jeans lay next to them. I’m ten pounds out of those. Sigh. Sweat pants aren’t going to cut it. She finally settled on a long sleeve T-shirt and black jeans. I look like one of those Goth teen-agers. Do I even own anything besides black? Oh, who cares? She pulled her long blonde hair into a ponytail at the nape of her neck, and slapped on a miniscule amount of make-up. It had been so long since she’d worn lipstick, she couldn’t even find a tube.
The BBQ line was long even though it was still early for lunch. Maybe I should go and try to find Mom and the kids and eat something with them.
“I guess your mom didn’t need you after all.”
Sharon turned around. Shoot! There stood Tom in all his splendor. He looked even better out of uniform than in. His blue plaid hunting shirt was tucked into perfectly fitting wranglers. Aviator sunglasses were sitting on top of his head. He wore a leather pilot’s jacket.
“Want to get lunch?”
“I’m not very hungry.”
“Then why are you standing in line to buy BBQ?”
He must think I’m the biggest idiot in the entire world.
He stepped in front of her, and took out his wallet. “I got this, Sharon.” He took a big red tray and loaded it down with BBQ, French fries and coleslaw plus drinks. He even bought some funnel cake. “I remember you liked it.” He grinned with a sidelong glance. She followed him to an empty table and sat down.
Now what do I say?
Tom unloaded the food and set the tray aside. “Relax, Sharon. It’s no big deal.”
“What?”
“You know what. Time was, I would have taken you behind the gym and spanked your behind for lying to me. You just moved back. I’m giving you a break.” He looked up at her. “This time.”
She was suddenly flooded with memories.
“Sharon, you know I don’t like to be lied to.” She had told him she had permission to go out on a date. She told her parents she was spending the night at a friend’s house.
“Oh, who cares, Tom? Kids lie to their parents all the time. They won’t let me go out on a school night. Lighten up.”
“Lighten up? What kind of attitude is that? If you’ll lie to them, it means you might lie to me.”
Sharon could not believe they were having this conversation. She’d ordered a cheeseburger and now she couldn’t even eat it. “But I wanted to go out with you.”
“I wanted to go out with you too, but not like this.” Tom motioned for the waitress. “Can we get a ‘to go’ box?” He looked back at Sharon. “We’re leaving, now, and you’re going to tell your parents what you did as soon as you get home.”
Sharon couldn’t believe it. Was this guy an alien? She’d never met a guy who cared a thing about what their parents had to say, much less her parents. The waitress brought their food and she followed Tom out the door. When they drove past the high school, he pulled his truck behind the school gym. He’s full of baloney. I bet he just wants to make out. She licked her lips in anticipation.
Tom put the truck in park and turned to look at her. “Before I drop you off, I’d like to take care of this myself.”
“You would?”
“Yes. I want you to get out of this truck, bend across the hood, and let me give you a spanking.”
“What? Have you lost your mind?”
“I know your dad won’t do it. He’d probably say you’re too old. As your boyfriend, it’s up to me.”
She wasn’t sure what to say. Biting her bottom lip, she actually thought about it. Tom was the nicest guy she’d ever met. She had a lot of respect for him. He was right. Her dad wouldn’t punish her. Certainly not like this. Lying to her parents wasn’t all that serious was it? She should have known Tom wouldn’t like it. Shoot, why did I even tell him I lied?
She got out of the truck. Thank goodness the area was deserted. The electric lights from around the school made it possible to see enough for her to walk around to the front of the truck. She placed her hands on the hood and waited. Only a few seconds passed before she heard the driver’s side door open and slam shut. She could feel him standing right beside her.
“Sharon, I hope this never happens again.”
The smell of BBQ brought her to the present. Tom was leaning across the table looking very serious. Very serious and very hot.
Sharon leaned across the table towards him. “What did you just say?”
“I said, I hope this never happens again. I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t be honest with me. If you don’t want to spend time with me, you certainly don’t have to lie about it.”
But I do want to spend time with you. Can’t you see that? She decided to change the subject. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself? It seems like I haven’t heard a thing about you.”
Tom arranged his food on the table. He gave her a dubious look but answered her question anyway. “I’ve enjoyed law enforcement. This is a nice little town.” He took a big bite of BBQ and chewed. Sharon dipped her fries in ketchup. They were delicious. “I moved out west for a few years. Montana, but I got homesick and came back. I dated plenty, but I never did end up getting married.”
Ah, there it was.
“Anyway, pretty much after high school, all the girls I was interested in had moved away.” He gave Sharon such an intense stare she had to look away.
She glanced around at the crowd. Everyone seemed so happy. There were lots of families and couples holding hands. The old gym looked just the same. It even smelled like basketball games and popcorn. In her mind, she could hear the clap of cheerleaders and the roar of the crowd. She used to be one of those cute cheerleaders.
She looked up at Tom. What the heck was she doing? He was so handsome and self-assured. His life had only gotten better with the passing years. He would never be interested in her if he knew about Jerry. Besides, what young, successful, single man, would ever want to raise someone else’s kids?
She angrily brushed a tear away and stood. “You might as well know. I’m a colossal failure. I moved away all right, but I married a gigantic loser who did nothing but drink and abuse me and the kids. I finally left two years ago, and the divorce was such a mess, it just became final. I’m broke, and I barely made it out alive. I have total custody of the kids. He’s in rehab, and I’ll never see a dime of child support. So there you have it. Sharon’s wonderful life.” She tossed her napkin on the table. You’re th
e best thing I’ve seen in years and you’ve been nicer to my kids in the last twenty-four hours than their father was in the last ten years. “I’ll see you around.” She took off.
Chapter 4
A week went by and she didn’t hear from Tom again. It was just as she had supposed. Once he found out the truth, she wouldn’t be seeing him around anymore, except in passing. Sharon punched the dashboard of her car. Smoke was pouring out the hood, and a nasty smell was coming from the motor. This is just what I need. Now what am I going to do? Thank goodness the car had decided to break down in town, but it was still way too far to walk home. Several feet of snow still remained on the ground. She lay her head on the steering wheel.
A rude knock sounded at her window. Looking up, she saw Tom standing beside her car with his hands in his pockets. Groan. He was in uniform, and his frosty breath mixed with the smoke rolling out from under her hood. Why can’t I catch a break! He motioned for her to roll down the window. She did.
“How did you know I was out here?” He turned and pointed to the building behind him. Sharon craned her neck to see. The Flat Rock police station was just across the street.
He smiled and leaned toward her window. “I was on my way into the office when I saw your car smoking.”
I’m beyond stellar. “Yep, looks like my old clunker has finally had it.” In agreement, the car let out a sputter, then a hiss.
Tom motioned for her to open the door. “You better get out of there. That engine might be on fire. Got a fire extinguisher?”
“What do you think?”
He opened the door and helped her out by the arm. “Come on, you can wait in the station while I make sure the engine is safe. I’ll call a tow truck for you.” She let Tom lead her inside.
The police station was toasty warm. “Bill,” Tom called, “can you grab a fire extinguisher? There’s a car engine smoking out front.” He took Sharon into a large office that said “Police Chief” on the outside. He sat her down in a chair, and stuck his head back out the door, calling down the hall, “Maxine, will you bring this young lady a cup of coffee?” Turning to Sharon, he smiled warmly. “You stay right here. I’ll be back in just a moment.” Sharon nodded.