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- Bonds of Trust
-- Part XIX
Brenda stares at her husband. “How could you have done this,
Nathan? Fencing stolen goods? You told me you were doing odd
jobs and that's where the money was coming from. I can't believe
you were stealing!"
-
- Nathan shakes his head sadly.
"I'm sorry, Brenda. I never meant for any of this to happen."
-
- "How are we going to
explain that to Stevie? Are you going to jail?”
-
- Nathan looks at John. “The
commissioner was offering me a deal when we got called over here.
So, what’s it going to be, commissioner? Am I going away?”
-
- John glares at him. “I
was leery of making a deal with you when I thought you were distributing
stolen goods. Now I find out you’re also a wife beater.
Not exactly the kind of upstanding citizen I like to see walking
the streets of Llanview.”
-
- Brenda glares at John. “He’s
not like that! If he hadn’t lost his job, Nathan never would
have done anything illegal.”
-
- “I was just trying to
feed my family,” Nathan says quietly.
-
- “The ones you were hitting?”
-
- Bo holds up his hands. “Easy,
guys. Can we dial it down a notch?”
-
- John looks at Nathan. “Bo
really went to bat for you. If it weren’t for him calling
in a personal favor on this, you would be sitting in lockup right
now with the DA ready to throw the book at you. It’s out
of my respect for him that I’m willing to do this sting
and take down your accomplices. But hearing what else you’ve
been up to, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”
-
- Brenda turns to Bo. “I
am so grateful for what you did for my husband. Things just got
out of control, but he’s a good man and a good father to
our son.”
-
- Bo nods. “I believe
that or I wouldn’t have stood up for him.”
-
- Nathan turns to John. “So
where do we go from here?”
-
- “I need some time to
think about this.”
-
- Brenda collapses into a chair,
crying. “I can’t believe this mess.”
-
- Nora goes and sits in front
of her. “It’s going to be okay. Why don’t we make
coffee for everyone? It looks like it’s going to be a long
night.”
-
- “That’s a good
idea.” Brenda gets up and Nora follows her out of the room.
-
- Nathan watches them leave
before turning to John. “Are we still going to make a deal
or not?”
-
- Rex pulls into the parking
lot near the ballfield, cutting the engine and switching off
the lights. Matt scans the darkened field, looking over near
the dugout area.
- “Over there. I see Stevie’s
bike.” He opens the door.
- “Can you wait here while
I talk to him?”
-
- “Sure, squirt. Take
all the time you need.”
-
- Matt closes the door and
makes his way over toward the dugout. He walks behind the fence
and sees Stevie sitting on the dugout bench, feet up, leaning
against the wall. “Get out of here, Buchanan. Just leave
me alone.”
-
- Matt walks over and takes
a seat on the bench, assuming the same pose as Stevie. “I
want to talk to you.”
-
- “I don’t want to
talk to the rat who used to be my friend.”
-
- “I’m still your
friend, Stevie. I’m trying to help you.”
-
- “By splitting up my
family? That’s some help.”
-
- Matt shakes his head. “It’s
not like that. My parents can help work this out. They promised.”
-
- “You told them, didn’t
you?”
-
- Matt nods. “I had to,
Stevie. For Danielle’s sake – and yours. This isn’t
like you. I don’t get it. Did you lose your temper like
that because of what your dad did to your mom?”
-
- Stevie shrugs. “I’ve
always been the fighter, Matt. Do you remember how we met?”
He nods. “In pre-school Trent was going to kick your scrawny
ass and I got him to back off.”
-
- “I remember. You saved
me a bloody nose that day – and probably many days after
that. But this isn’t about fighting bullies. This time you’re
the bully. That makes no sense to me.”
-
- Stevie shrugs. “Maybe
I was the bully all along.”
-
- “I don’t believe
that! You’re a good guy. You’ve always been popular
with girls. You know what to say and how to be cool. I always
wished I was more like you – except for now. How did this
happen?”
-
- Stevie looks away. “I
guess I just got scared. All the fighting got out of control
for a while there. The night you were there was the last time
it happened. I swear. I think my dad realized you knew what he
did. I think he was waiting for you to tell. So was I. Why didn’t
you?”
- “You’re my best
friend. And I was scared too. I read the research Kallie was
doing for her article. I didn’t know what would happen to
you and your mom. I hoped it would all blow over until I saw
you push Danielle at school. That’s when I knew I had to
tell.”
-
- “So why didn’t
you? You didn’t tell your mom before tonight, did you?”
Matt shakes his head. “Why not?”
-
- He looks down. “I was
being selfish. I didn’t want to ruin my date with Kallie.
Turns out she's pissed at me for hiding something anyway.”
-
- Stevie gives him a small
grin. “Women!”
-
- Matt can’t help but
smile. “Yeah… I didn’t think Danielle would go
with you to the dance. How did you talk her into it?”
-
- “I called her this morning
and told her it would never happen again. I guess she believed
me.”
-
- “You know you have to
talk to her parents, right?”
-
- Stevie nods. “So you
told my parents everything?” Matt nods. "My dad was
there too?"
-
- “Yeah. He showed up
after you left, with commissioner McBain.”
-
- “Why was my dad with
the commissioner?”
-
- “I’m not sure.
He showed up with my dad and Rex. I didn’t think to ask
why he was there. But I told your parents about Danielle and
about what I heard that night at your house. I had to, Stevie.
This is too big for me to handle by myself. My mom promised to
work something out."
-
- "Do you think my dad
is going to jail?"
-
- Matt shakes his head. "Rex
said he doesn't think so. He said you would probably have to
go to family counseling."
-
- "But if the commissioner
is involved, my dad must be going to jail and I'm probably headed
to juvie."
-
- "I don't think so. I
think my dad can work something out with the commissioner and
it’s going to be okay.”
-
- Stevie shakes his head. “Nothing
will ever be the same again. You know that.”
-
- “Maybe not, but I’m
still your friend. Now it’s my turn to stand up for you
the way you did for me with Trent. It’s my turn to be your
friend.”
-
- He slowly smiles. “Maybe
you’re okay after all, Buchanan.”
-
- He grins. “Of course
I am.”
-
- The boys sit silently for
a long while staring out at the baseball field, each thinking
about what lies ahead. Matt finally looks at his friend. “Are
you ready to go home?”
-
- Stevie nods slowly. “As
I’ll ever be.”
-
- Matt points toward the parking
lot. “Rex will take us back.”
-
- Nora and Brenda are sitting
at the table waiting for the coffeepot to fill. “I am so
sorry for all of this, Nora. I can’t believe how out of
control it is.”
-
- “How did it happen,
if you don’t mind me asking?”
-
- Brenda slowly shakes her
head, taking a deep breath. “I wish I knew. We were fine
until Nathan lost his job. Money got tight and he was so frustrated
about not working. That’s when the arguing started. Any
little thing seemed to set him off.” She pauses and looks
at Nora. “Matthew was right about what happened the night
he was here. Nathan never hit me in front of Stevie but I was
naïve to believe he didn’t know what was going on.
I just can’t believe he would start to treat his girlfriend
that way. What a mess I’ve created.”
-
- Nora puts her hand over Brenda’s.
“This is not your fault. You and Stevie are the victims
here. And now Danielle too.”
-
- “That poor girl. I guess
she’s been covering for Stevie the way I’ve been making
excuses for Nathan. This is all so wrong.”
-
- “But now that it’s
all out in the open, we’ll fix it, Brenda. Our family will
help yours. Matt and Stevie have been best friends for a very
long time. This affects both of them and they need the help of
all of the grownups in their lives. The boys have a very strong
bond, that’s the reason Matt was so reluctant to tell. It
was his way of protecting his friend.”
-
- Brenda looks at Nora with
tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry your son has been
dragged into this. He didn’t deserve to have to deal with
something so heavy.”
-
- Nora shakes her head. “It’s
part of the maturing process. He needs to learn to handle situations
like this. While I admit, it’s not my first choice of lessons,
it is a valuable one. I’m proud of how he has stood by his
friend. I wish he would have confided in me earlier, but we’ll
talk about that issue and hopefully he will be better about it
in the future.”
-
- Brenda smiles. “He’s
a teenager. I’m sure talking to parents is not high on his
priority list.”
-
- “I know, but we’re
trying. Matt’s at that age where I have no idea what he’s
thinking. That’s why I rely on Bo.”
-
- Brenda looks at her wistfully.
“I hope I can still count on Nathan for that too.”
-
- “Me too.” Nora
looks to the coffeepot. “Looks like the coffee is ready.”
-
- Brenda is pouring the coffee
when the phone rings. She picks it up. “Hello… Yes,
Mrs. Sanders. I was going to call you first thing in the morning…
Yes, I’m aware of what happened between Stevie and Danielle…
Yes, I’m very upset about it too… Of course it was
wrong. Stevie knows that… I will certainly bring Stevie
by to apologize… Tonight? Well, I’m afraid that’s
not possible.” Brenda’s voice breaks. “He’s
missing… No, no, the commissioner is here… Matthew
went out to look for him… Yes, the Buchanans are here too.
They're aware of the situation... Yes, I’m sure he’ll
turn up… I’ll call you in the morning… Please
tell Danielle how sorry I am… Thank you… Goodbye Mrs.
Sanders.”
-
- Brenda hangs up and turns
to Nora. “Will this nightmare ever end?”
-
- Nora gives her a hug. “It
may not seem like it right now, but it will.”
-
- “I hope so. We’re
going to take Stevie to the Sanders’ tomorrow to work this
all out.”
-
- Nora nods. “I intend
to take Matthew to visit with Kallie and her parents too. Even
though Kallie wasn’t directly involved, he lied to her too
and he needs to own up to that.”
-
- “Looks like we’re
both going to have an emotional day.”
-
- “Yes, but then the healing
can start.”
-
- “Yes, it can. Thanks
for being here, Nora.”
-
- “We just want to help.
For both our boys’ sakes.” Nora picks up the tray of
coffee. “Let’s get this out to the guys.”
-
- Brenda leads her into the
living room. John and Nathan are huddled on the couch talking.
Nora hands them each a mug of coffee. “Where’s Bo?”
-
- John takes his coffee. “Thanks.
Bo needed some air. He’s out on the porch.”
-
- Nora opens the door and sees
Bo standing at the rail. She goes to him and hands him a mug
of coffee.
- “Thanks, honey.”
He puts his arm around her, drawing her close. “You okay?”
-
- “I’ve been better.”
She circles her arm around his waist, leaning her head on his
shoulder. “What do you think?”
-
- “I think we missed this
one. We knew Matt had something on his mind and neither of us
got it out of him. How did you finally get him to tell you?”
-
- “I saw Danielle’s
bruise at the dance and I confronted him. He swears he intended
to tell us tomorrow. He didn’t want to ruin his date with
Kallie.”
-
- “Well, it certainly
will be a night he’ll never forget.”
-
- “What are we going to
do?”
-
- “We’re going to
help him. He needs to know that he should have come to us with
this but he won’t feel like doing that in the future if
we come down on him.”
- Nora sighs. “Then you
better be the one to talk to him first, if you can be the calm
one.”
-
- Bo smiles, kissing the top
of her head. “You must have done a pretty good job, given
how composed he was earlier.”
-
- “Maybe, but now that
it’s sunk in, I may not be so rational. I can’t believe
what Nathan has been up to. So you’re the one asking for
the favor in Hugh’s hypothetical case?” Bo nods. “You
really went out on a limb for him.”
-
- “It just made no sense
that Nathan would be involved in something like this. Besides,
this affects our son too.”
- “I know and that’s
why I wouldn’t expect any less from you. I hope Nathan takes
advantage of the break you’ve given him.”
-
- Bo nods. “I think he
will. Now that we know what’s going on, we can help. I’m
going to talk to Pa about finding something for him at BE.”
-
- Nora smiles. “Good strategy.
You know Asa will do anything for his grandson.”
-
- Rex pulls up in the Jeep
and Matt and Stevie get out, slowly making their way up the walk.
Nora meets them at the top step, pulling both boys into a hug.
Rex follows them up the steps as Bo nods to him. “Thanks
for bringing them back, Balsom.”
-
- “No problem, partner.”
-
- Nora looks down at them.
“I’m so relieved to see both of you. Stevie, I know
your parents are very anxious to see you.”
-
- “Are they really mad?”
-
- Nora shakes her head. “They
love you. Go on inside and let them know you’re okay.”
-
- Matt looks at his friend.
“I’m right behind you.”
-
- Stevie moves out of Nora’s
embrace and opens the door, walking into the living room. Brenda
sets down her coffee and rushes to him, enveloping him in her
arms. “Oh, Stevie. I’m so glad you’re all right.
Don’t ever run off like that again.”
-
- Nathan walks over and puts
his arms around them. “It’s all going to be okay now,
son.”
-
- Bo, Nora, Matthew and Rex
stay near the door, watching the family reunion.
-
- Stevie looks at John. “Why
is the commissioner here? Am I going to juvie for what I did
to Danielle?”
-
- “Not this time but I
had better never hear of a repeat of that behavior.”
-
- “No, sir. I promise
that will never happen again.”
-
- Nathan looks at John. “Same
for me, Commissioner. I learned a lesson tonight about how valuable
my family is. I’m going to do better from now on.”
-
- John nods. “I will see
that you do. I’m going to ask the DA to require family counseling
along with your community service. I’ll be closely monitoring
this case.”
-
- Stevie looks at his dad.
“What’s he talking about? Why are you getting community
service?”
-
- “I made a mistake, son.
I did the one thing we preach to you to avoid – I fell in
with the wrong crowd.”
-
- “What do you mean? Isn’t
he here because of what happened to Mom?”
-
- Nathan shakes his head. “There’s
a lot more to it than that. I’ll explain later but I just
need you to know that everything is going to be all right and
we’re going to stay together as a family.”
-
- Brenda looks down at her
son with tears in her eyes. “And we love you very much.
We’re going to get through this. You don’t have to
be scared anymore.”
-
- “Thanks, Mom.”
-
- “And first thing tomorrow,
we’re going to pay a visit to Danielle and her family and
you are going to apologize for hurting her.”
-
- Stevie nods slowly. “I
will. I am sorry for what I did to her.”
-
- Nathan nods to his son. “We
know that. And your mother and I will be right beside you when
you talk to her.”
-
- Stevie gives him a small
smile. “Thanks.”
-
- Bo looks at John. “Are
we done here? It’s been a long night and I’d like to
take my family home.”
-
- He nods. “We can meet
in my office Monday morning to formalize the deal and set up
the sting.”
-
- Nathan extends his hand to
John. “I’ll be there. Thank you, Commissioner.”
-
- John shakes his hand and
Bo’s. “Good night.”
-
- John leaves and Nathan extends
his hand to Bo. “I will never forget what you did for me
tonight. I can’t thank you enough for standing up for me
and my family.”
-
- Bo nods, shaking his hand.
“Don’t make me regret it.”
-
- “You won’t.”
He looks toward Matt. “And that’s a fine son you have
there. You should be very proud.”
| |