Jim's Folly

Blessings on you, Angel, for my new inspiration!

Sorry, this chapter's kinda…short.

Chapter 21

It started with a phone call.

One afternoon, several months after Jim and Raven had shared a kiss under the stars, when Raven was reviewing her curriculum for the upcoming year, and Andrew was coloring in a coloring book on the floor, the phone rang.

Raven picked it up on impulse. "Hello?"

"Hello, precious. May I speak with my little boy, please?"

Raven froze. Simon.

"No, I'm sorry. I think you have the wrong number." She suppressed her trembling and averted her eyes as to not frighten her son, as he'd looked up when she'd answered the phone.

"I think you should be sorry, Raven. Does Jim know you're keeping my little boy away from me?" His voice was crass, full of hatred. He was enjoying every moment of this torture.

"Yes. Remember, you have no part in this. I told you to go away. Thank you."

She hung up the phone.

"Who was that, Mama?" Raven met Andrew's sparkling eyes with a smile. "Just someone trying to sell Mama something," she replied in their dialect.

The phone rang again and Raven slammed her hand down on the table, making Andrew jump.

"Scuzati-ma," she muttered instinctively before answering the phone.

"Hello?"

"What's the matter? Don't you like to hear my voice?"

Chills ran down her spine. She knew he was going to say some things she didn't want to hear.

"You couldn't get enough of it back then, you know…"

She felt sick.

"Raven, you must remember that it wasn't my fault. You didn't say no. Andrew is not an accident. He is our creation."
Raven bit down on her lip hard enough to draw blood. Her eyes were shut tight. It took every ounce of her energy to keep from yelling at him.

"I understand. Thank you. I'll let him know." Her reply was that to confuse her son. She didn't want him to know it was Simon on the phone, calling to harass them. How did he find that number?
She hung up.

The phone rang a third time, moments after she'd hung up and she almost tore out her hair.

Andrew frowned. "Wow, they must really want us to buy it…" he commented, referring to the telemarketer.

Simon's voice was cruel and he cursed at her, calling her numerous vile names.

"Listen here! You have no right to withhold him from me, and I'll do everything in my power to get him in my possession, princess. You just leave it to me. I'll make sure you see it my way. Remember, as you once did…look, Raven…all you have to do is give in…"

She hung up, trembling. Andrew frowned. "If they call again, let me answer it," he suggested, walking over to his mother and climbing into her lap.

She shook her head, sighing heavily. "Don't worry, Andy," she said quietly, unplugging the phone jack from the wall. "They won't call back."

**Scuzati-ma means 'Excuse me', another way of saying 'sorry.' You know, like 'sumimasen' in Nihongo. ^_~

---

Jim studied hard for his finals. He had a month to go until his graduation, and the next two weeks were going to be killer on him.

Raven had called once or twice and in a hushed voice, told him about Simon's phone calls. Her news made him angry. He wanted to show Simon a thing or two, but he knew he was powerless. This man would leave them alone eventually.

Jim raked his fingers through his hair. Since that night on the roof when he'd kissed Raven, things hadn't been the same.

She did call him on occasion, but he didn't feel the need to visit her. Perhaps he'd stepped over the line. Once the youthful excitement was gone, perhaps it was all downhill.

He shrugged. He didn't have time to think about this. He needed to study. Once he was a graduate he could think about her all he wanted with no troubles.

---

Admiral LeighArc nodded, taking in Raven's information with a reassuring confidence that calmed her to the core.

"He won't leave us alone, Admiral…what should I do?"

The Admiral looked at her, sighing heavily. "How long have I known you, Ms. Calls?"

"Since before Andrew's birth," she said.

"So…almost eight years?"

"Around there, yes."
"Have I always been there for you?"

She looked into his friendly eyes and nodded. He smiled faintly, wrinkles creasing in his eyes. "Then why do you think I wouldn't be this time?"

She smiled, relief flooding her veins.

"So you'll watch him?"

"Well, what am I supposed to do? I'm practically his uncle." Admiral LeighArc paused for a moment. "You know why I took you in, don't you, Raven?"

He rarely addressed her by her first name. This was important.

She nodded slightly. "I think so," she said quietly.

"I took you in because I saw you the way I'd see one of my own daughters. You were lost, lonely and afraid when you came here for schooling. There was no way I could turn you away. And look how far you've come!"

Raven nodded. "Even though I had a child," she whispered.

Admiral LeighArc nodded. "Andrew and I will find plenty to do. I will watch over him with all that is within me."

He stood and Raven followed suit, saluting.

"Thank you, Admiral. You have no idea what this means to me."

"Dismissed, Instructor."

Andrew was going to start spending time with Admiral LeighArc while Raven taught classes. The Admiral would receive Andrew from school and then spend a few hours with the boy before Raven and Andrew went home.

Raven couldn't be more grateful.

---

Jim's finals were done. Now all that was needed was to walk the podium, accept the diploma, and receive his title. Captain.

He sighed, looking in the mirror. Wow. What an accomplishment. He was back to normal by now, he noted as he poked his cheek. His face was full again, no longer could one see his cheekbones poking from the sides of his face. His eyes were back to normal and he looked healthy over all. He'd gained back ninety percent of the weight he'd lost and he was gaining more week by week as he ate heartily, following his doctor's instructions.

Sarah called to check on him each week and each week it was the same report:
Yes, Mom, I'm busy with school. Miss you too. Love you.

Jim smiled. He was almost finished. Silver would be proud of him.

"Didn't I say the lad had greatness in 'im?"

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