Second Chances: Hide Behind The Shadows
Christmas time brings a surprise visit from the Collins family, as well as a new man in the life of Chrystal Austin. But when the Simon brothers investigate his background while helping a victim of child abuse, a dark curse from the past threatens both families.
(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the characters are owned by Universal Studios and are only being borrowed for a little while. .)
A/N: For any new readers, "Second Chances" is my "what if?" for Rick and A.J. Simon...What if they didn't end the partnership or A.J. didn't marry Janet or Liz... What if Rick had a long-lost sweetheart who needed protection from a crazed stalker? And...what if Rick and his girl fell in love, adopted her niece and nephew, and made a home first in San Diego, then in Arizona? These "what if''s" are the basis for my continuing "Simon & Simon" as if they never went off the air. This series also includes crossovers from Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman and Dark Shadows...so feel free to read my other stories for the whys and wherefores of these three worlds meeting!
"And that's what started the first "Cowboy Christmas Ball" in Silver Rock." Laurie Simon concluded, snapping off the overhead projector and turning back to the students. Twenty interested faces stared back at her, as their teacher spoke up.
"Any more questions for Mrs. Simon?"
Three hands were raised, and Laurie smiled as she called on the first one. "Beth, isn't it?"
"Yes, Mrs. Simon. I was wondering if anyone could go to the Christmas Ball?" A brunette girl stood up, then blushed as the boy next to her added, "you mean, can you go?"
"Yes, Brett?" At once the boy turned red at the polite tone Laurie used on him. "If you are interested to attending, ages sixteen and over are allowed. No alcohol is served, as it is a family event. Plus, starting ten years ago, it became a major fundraiser for "Cowpoke, Inc.", the group behind the retired cowboys and farmers home between Silver Rock and Window Rock."
"Mrs. Simon, what kind of music do they play, I mean, is it all country for like, old people?" Another girl asked, wrinkling her nose at the word "country".
Laurie looked at her squarely. "No, Sara. Nowadays it's contemporary music, but a few traditional pieces of music lead off the dance, then it always ends with the "Christmas" song."
"Uh, thank you, Mrs. Simon." The teenager had the grace to look embarrassed as Chrystal Austin took charge at that moment.
"I think that's all we have time for today. Everyone have a great holiday and I'll see you next year!" she announced, receiving several handshakes and hugs from the students.
As the students filed out, Chrystal saw the student named Sara wince, as she clumsily picked up her backpack.
"Sara, did you hurt yourself? Let me help you with that."
Instantly tears filled the girl's eyes as her teacher took one strap and helped slide it over her shoulder.
"Thank you, Ms. Austin…I'm sorry I made the remark about "old", I didn't mean to insult you or Mrs. Simon." She replied, then Laurie smiled at her.
"It's all right, Sara. It's hard to think of country music as something for everyone, but it does have its roots in our culture. I hope you'll give it a chance sometime."
"I will, thank you, Mrs. Simon. Thanks again, Ms. Austin.." Sara beamed at Chrystal, then looked scared when a harsh voice spoke from the doorway.
"Sara, you lazy thing, how many times have I told you to get out of class immediately…uh, "
The two women turned, then Chrystal glared at the medium-built man who stood outside the classroom.
Neatly dressed in a white shirt and pants, the thin-lipped man fell silent as the young teacher addressed him.
"Excuse me, sir…but class just let out, so I don't think my student is "lazy" for staying until the end. You are?"
"Uh, Forest Johns…Sara's stepfather. I'm sorry, Ms. Austin….but I'm in a hurry and…"
"Mr. Johns, it is never "okay" to put down a child in the presence of others. Now, Sara, if you have any questions on the reading material for next quarter, please call me…okay?" Chrystal handed the girl a business card with her name and phone number.
Eagerly Sara took it from her hand, then Mr. Johns started to take it from her, saying, "Now, now, Ms.Austin, I don't think it will be necessary…"
"No, she gave it to me, and I'll call her if I want to." Sara spoke up, putting the card in her pocket.
Laurie saw the rise in color in Chrystal's face, and immediately said,
"Surely, Mr. Johns, you know of the school's policy to have an open door for students to reach their teachers during school breaks. If there's a problem I'm sure the principal would be happy to speak to you about this…"
"No, no, ma'am, that won't be necessary…thank you for your time,…" Johns answered, then Sara beamed at Laurie and Chrystal.
"Thanks again for your help…I hope you have a good holiday." The girl said, then put her nose up and walked past her stepfather and down the hall. The man stared after his daughter for a moment, then nodded and followed her.
As the door closed, both women sat down, with Chrystal's eyes snapping in anger. Laurie's lip trembled as she finally said, "Of all the….what a piece of work. That was awful."
"Thank God you were here, Aunt Laurie….I was just about to lose it, no wonder Sara has such issues …" Chrystal replied, upset. At that Laurie got up and put an arm around the young teacher.
"You were fine, honey. For me…it was like listening to that murdering jerk of a stepfather of mine…he was just like that man. I wonder…"
"You mean, if he's abusing Sara? That arm of hers seemed pretty tender." Chrystal mused.
"Well, we don't have anything to go on other then a bad first impression …..all the same, after Christmas I'd keep an eye on her." Laurie suggested, picking up her purse.
"In the meantime, Chrissy, I need to pick up your Uncle Rick's Christmas gift. Do you want to come along?"
"Oh, I'd love to….maybe I'll get an idea for Dad's gift. Mom stole my thunder by getting him the new fishing rod he saw at Mack's …. I was thinking maybe some new waders….but that's so blah." Chrissy said with a sigh.
"Blah? That's funny. I'll help you find something good for him." Laurie grinned, then linked arms with her . "Come on, we can drop your car off at your place."
As they stopped first at Chrystal's condo, then the mall, Laurie relayed her impressions of Chrystal's Arizona AP class.
"I did have my doubts about this new state history class, but the fact that it will take all year just to get the last 100 years….and your students do seem to enjoy it. At least they pay attention."
"That's the best compliment, Auntie…and you're right. I thought California history was interesting, but Arizona has some good stories behind it…and the guys really like the "old West" angle." Chrystal smiled.
After Laurie pointed out a dark sweater and shirt for Steve in a store window, then helped find a soft rose sweater for Jaime, Chrystal excused herself to make a phone call.
"Anything wrong, honey?" Laurie saw the quick way Chrystal came back to where she was waiting.
"No, but Mom and Dad want us to meet them at the ranch, seems Uncle Rick needs help with decorations." At that Laurie began to laugh.
"My king of Christmas decorations just wants to show off his new "Circling wreaths" What a goof!"
Hurriedly leaving the stores, Laurie drove them home through the gathering dusk, then pulled into the ranch driveway and honked to be let in the gate.
"What's the secret password?" Rick called through the speaker.
"I'm getting nothing for Christmas!" Laurie yodeled back, cracking Chrystal up.
"Hm..Santa might have something to say about that…" Rick teased, then opened the gate.
As the two women got out of the jeep and went up the walk, Rick Simon came out onto the porch. Hugging first the youngest Austin, he whispered something, then let her go to embrace his wife.
"What are you up to, you ….hmmmm" Laurie's words were lost in Rick's kiss, then she giggled as he picked her up in his arms.
"My princess has a surprise waiting for her…."
"Well, I love your surprises, and I love you…." She began as he carried her over the threshold, then stopped at the sight of 3 newcomers.
"Oh, Rick…you didn't…..:"