CHAPTER 24
DEVIL IN HER HEART
Once summer came and the boys were out of school, Paul hated to leave them home alone all day. He knew that Tyler was completely capable of handling everything, but he didn't want them to get bored and try to kill each other. So, Paul arranged for Travis to have a couple of days a week with Emily, who would invite Claire over so they could play together, and one day a week at Carly's house, and that way, Tyler had a couple of days a week to hang out with his friends.
It worked for the first month or so then Travis started getting on Tyler's nerves. He was short with him and as soon as Paul got home, Tyler was looking for an escape. He would rush out of the house to go to Collin's and leave him with a clingy, whiny Travis for the rest of the night. Paul had no idea how they would make it through the rest of the summer without all three of them killing each other.
Paul's birthday came, and he told the boys he didn't want to celebrate it this year. It was too hard to top last year which was the best he ever had. Travis pouted because he wanted to make him a cake. "Fine, make me a cake, but no presents! I mean it." He told Tyler later he meant that and not to go ahead and buy any. "I don't want to celebrate this year, Ty. It's too hard."
Tyler nodded, knowing without Grandma and Leah here, Paul was having a hard time. He worked all the time, and when he was home, he was quiet and moody. Tyler hated it. He told Paul that Travis got on his nerves and he needed to get out, but most of the time it was because of Paul. He missed his big brother and wished he knew some way to fix everything so they all could be happy, but he knew only Leah could do that.
Emily came over and helped Travis bake Paul's birthday cake and they ordered pizza for dinner like they had for Tyler. They ate their pizza, and when it came time for cake, they didn't put any candles on it or sing. Paul cut a big piece for everyone and told Travis that it was as good as Grandma's, which made him smile. After they ate, Travis said, "I know you didn't want any presents, but I made you a card. Can I still give it to you?"
Paul smiled. "Yeah, buddy. I'd like that." Travis went running to his room to get it and Tyler slipped a card onto the table. Paul looked down and recognized Leah's handwriting then closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. He wondered if she would send something. "Can you put that away for right now, Ty?" Tyler nodded and put it on the counter then sat down.
Travis ran back in and presented his card to Paul, which as always, made him smile. Travis had drawn a picture of them looking at the boats like they did in Port Angeles that day they went there with Leah. Paul noticed that Leah was in the picture, too. Hugging Travis to him, Paul whispered, "Thanks, buddy. I love you."
Travis squeezed him back as hard as could then whispered, "I love you, too."
Tyler gave him a funny card and they had a laugh over it then they ate more cake. When they finished, Travis ran off to play as Tyler insisted on cleaning up the kitchen. So, Paul took Leah's card from the counter and walked out the back door to sit down and read it in private. He stared at the envelope for a long time fighting with himself. His logical side told him to throw it away unopened. But his fucking emotional side was screaming at him to rip it open and read it.
Of course, the logical side lost . . . as always. Paul ripped open the envelope and took out the card then broke out into a smile as he saw it was a Far Side cartoon. He remembered the day last summer when he and Leah went to the drug store to pick out a birthday card for Sue and he told her how he loved the Far Side cartoons because they were so bizarre. This one had a picture of two farmers sitting at a strip club, watching a cow who was standing on her hind legs rubbing her udders against the pole. The one farmer is saying to the other, "Do you think those are real?" He laughed out loud as he read it and then shook his head. Leave it to Leah to know his sense of humor.
He opened the card and read:
Dear Paul,
Sorry, I couldn't resist. This card is SO you! I hope you have a good day.
I miss you,
Love, Leah
I miss you. Yeah, right. Paul slipped the card back into the envelope and sat there trying so hard not to think about last year's birthday. His grandma had been here to make his favorite meal, getting gifts from his brothers, and then being with Leah . . . alone, all night. God, he missed kissing her, running his fingers through her silky hair, touching her and making her moan and cry out . . . he knew no one would ever make him feel the way he did when he was with Leah.
Paul had run into Sheila one day in town and she had very clearly let him know that she was available anytime he wanted to get together. He thought long and hard about it. It had been 6 long months without sex, which was a pretty impressive streak for Paul. It was so tempting to bury himself balls deep into Shelia to drive Leah from his mind that he actually gave in, made the date and when she showed up and ran her tongue down his throat and grabbed his crotch, he knew he had made a big mistake. Paul sent her away, which wasn't easy, and then wished again he was old enough to buy some booze and get hammered. Living without Leah would be easier if he could escape the pain for just a little while.
Paul finally made his way back into the house and added the card to the box he now kept in his closet that held all of the other things he had received from Leah. He put the box back on the shelf and closed the door. If only he could do that with his heart.
It was a hot Sunday afternoon in early August. The boys were gone and Paul was mowing the lawn when a car he didn't recognize drove up and parked in the driveway. The passenger door opened and his worst nightmare stepped out: Doreen. Then a man climbed out of the driver's side and joined her as they walked toward Paul. He was tall, dark-skinned . . . looked like he might be around forty.
"What the hell do you want? I don't have any money," Paul greeted her angrily.
"Hello, Pauly. You always know the sweetest way to greet your mama." She was dressed, as usual, in tight pants, a low-cut top and her ever present high heels, what Paul called hooker casual.
Paul nodded toward the man who was dressed simply in jeans and a blue button down shirt with his sleeves rolled up. "Who are you?"
"You don't recognize your daddy?" Doreen cackled. "Well, I guess it has been quite awhile since he's been out of the joint."
Daddy? Did she say . . . daddy? Paul stood there in shock, staring at the man that was his father. As he looked at him he did start to recognize him from his shady memories.
The man stuck out his hand and said, "Hello, Paul."
Paul ignored it and glared back at Doreen as she asked, "Well, aren't you going to invite us in?"
"No."
"Well, I know mama will want to see me. Where are the boys?" she asked as she moved toward the house.
Shit. Paul didn't want her to know that Grandma was dead. Thankfully Travis was fishing with Sam and Ty was at Collin's. "Grandma and the boys are out for the afternoon. So, you can just turn around, put your ass back in the car and drive away."
Doreen turned to the man who supposedly was his father and pouted, "Do you see how he treats me, Jimmy? He is so hateful."
Paul snorted. "Are you fucking serious? You know this is an act for your benefit, right?" he pointed out to "Jimmy."
Jim smiled and said to Doreen, "Knock it off, baby. Leave the kid alone. Why don't you get back in the car? I'd like to have a minute alone with my son."
Doreen stomped her foot, threw a glare at Paul then teetered on her heels over the rough driveway back to the car.
Jim turned to Paul. "Sorry about her. I know exactly how she is. I know you got a raw deal, Paul, but I always felt good about you living here with you grandmother. She's one of the best women I ever met. You've done alright living here, haven't you?"
"Yes, I have. Best thing that ever happened to me."
"Good. You close with your cousin, Josh's kid?"
"Sam? Yeah."
Jim nodded. "Look, I just got out of the joint. I'm not sure where I'll settle, but I know there aren't alot of jobs around here, so I thought I might head to Seattle and see if there's something there on the docks. I, uh, I know I haven't been much of a father to you, kid, and I'm sorry about that. I don't have any money right now, but when I get some, I'll try and send some your way. I know it can't be easy for you and your grandmother raising your brothers."
"We're OK. Don't worry about us," Paul told him proudly.
Jim smiled at Paul's pride. "How are your brothers? Are they good boys?"
"Yeah, they are. It's a miracle really, growing up with her for so many years. Especially Tyler." Paul wondered if he knew that Tyler was his kid.
"I was hoping he would be here. I've never even met him." Oh, so he did know.
"Jimmy! How long you gonna make me sit in this car? It's hotter than hell in here!" Doreen called out.
Jim rolled his eyes and threw over his shoulder, "I'll be there in a minute, woman!" He turned to Paul and said, "She's going to want to come back to see the boys. Can we stop back?"
"No. It took a long time to get them settled in here. I don't want them upset again. Travis used to cry every night and Ty . . . well, I don't even want to talk about what happened to Ty before he got here. Just know that I hate that woman and I don't ever want her to come back here again."
Jim nodded and then Paul caught sight of Tyler walking out of the woods. Shit! He moved to shout to him to run the other way, but it was too late. Doreen jumped out of the car and hollered out, "Tyler, baby! Oh look at my baby boy!" Tyler froze like a deer in the headlights as his mother ran toward him as fast as she could in heels. When she reached him she pulled him to her and hugged him and gushed over how tall he was.
Paul ran quickly to stand beside Ty and order, "Let him go."
Doreen stepped back and glared at Paul. "Tyler is my son, Paul. You just back off."
"It's OK, Paul," Tyler said quietly. "How are you, Mom?"
"Oh, you know. Same as always. Where's your little brother?"
"He's fishing with Sam. He loves fishing."
Doreen laughed harshly. "I always hated it when my dad tried to drag me off to go fishing. It's filthy and disgusting." Tyler just shrugged as she said, "Well, let's go inside and talk. I've missed you so much."
Paul looked over at his dad, Jim, and hoped he would get the message that he didn't want her inside, but it was too late; Doreen was dragging Tyler to the door and already had it open. Jim looked at him and said, "We won't stay long, I promise."
Paul sighed and turned to walk inside with Jim right behind him. Doreen and Tyler were in the living room and Doreen sat down in Ruth's chair. "My, this place is a little run down. Mama is getting a little sloppy in her old age." There was some clutter lying around and the furniture was a little dusty as Kim hadn't been over yet to do her bi-weekly cleaning.
Tyler looked quickly at Paul. He realized that Doreen didn't know that her mother was dead. He gave Ty a look that told him to keep his mouth shut as he moved to stand so Doreen couldn't see into Ruth's, now his, open room. His bed wasn't made and that would be a dead give-away that it wasn't his grandma's room anymore. "Yeah, she's slowing down a little, but she still gets around," Paul said.
Doreen turned to Tyler and asked him about school and his friends. Paul noticed how Jim hung on every one of Tyler's answers. It confused him a little. Jim seemed really interested in both him and Tyler. Paul was determined to keep Jim in the same category as Doreen. He didn't want to find anything about him to like.
Tyler was very uncomfortable and Paul realized the no one had told him who this strange man with Doreen was. But then he guessed Tyler was used to seeing his mother with strange men.
Paul cleared his throat and said, "Tyler, the man sitting next to you is Jim Uley. Your father."
Tyler's eyes grew wide as he turned and looked at him. "You're . . . you're my dad?"
"Yes, Tyler, I am. I asked Doreen to bring me here to see Paul, and to meet you," Jim answered.
"Oh," was all Tyler could say.
"I know it's kind of a shock. Are you OK?"
Tyler looked up to Paul for guidance. Paul nodded and said, "Ask him anything you want, Ty. This maybe the only time you ever see him." He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at his father, daring him to squirm.
Jim smiled then looked at Tyler. "Your brother and I don't exactly have a warm and fuzzy relationship. See, when he was 5, I went to jail for dealing drugs. You'd think I would have learned my lesson, but it took a couple more trips for me to get the message. I just got out."
Tyler nodded. "Yeah, I get it. Don't do drugs."
Doreen laughed at that. "Well, at least we taught him something, Jimmy!" Paul just rolled his eyes. Just the hearing her voice grated on his every nerve.
"Look, Tyler, I know I'm not the dad you expected or wanted, but I'm the only one you got. And I told your brother, I'm heading to Seattle to find a job, and when I get some money, I want to send you some. I got a lot of years to make up for. How old are you now?"
"Twelve," Tyler answered.
"Twelve? Man, you're tall for twelve."
"Are you Travis' father, too?" Tyler asked.
"No, I'm sorry to say I'm not." Doreen snorted at that and Jim shot her a look.
"When is my little Travy gonna be back?" Doreen asked.
"Not till later tonight. Emily always cooks their catch for them when they get home. You'll be gone by then," Paul said sternly.
Doreen stood up and got in Paul's face. "Look here, Pauly, I'm sick and tired of you talking back to me and telling me when I can see my own fucking kids! Travis is MINE not yours!"
"Oh that's sweet, Doreen. I seem to recall you dumping him here over a year ago and not calling once to see if he was alive or dead. He's had a birthday and Christmas came and went, and not one word from you, so right now, I'd say he's a lot more mine than yours. And I swear to God, I will do everything in my power to protect him and make sure he never sees you again. Tyler, too. You have no idea how hard it is right now to hold myself back and not rip you apart for what you put Tyler through."
Doreen whipped her head toward Tyler and hissed, "What lies have you been telling him?"
Paul could see Tyler shrink back into the futon and before he could make a move, Jim stood up and put himself between Doreen and Tyler. "Alright, Doreen, that's enough." Hmm, Paul thought. His dad just moved up a notch in his book.
Tyler got up and moved over to stand beside Paul, who put his arm around Ty's shoulders. "I like it here with Paul. He takes care of us and loves us. He told me that he would always protect me and never let anyone ever hurt me again and I believe him. He even bought me a PlayStation for my birthday to make up for all the presents you never bought me!"
As soon as heard Tyler mention the PlayStation, Paul panicked. Oh no. Shit. She's going to wonder where I got the money for a gift like that.
Doreen turned to Paul and slyly said, "Really? Aren't those expensive, Pauly? How did you afford such a big present like that?"
Think of a lie, think of a lie . . . "A friend of mine had it and didn't want it anymore, so he sold it to me for fifty bucks. Thanks for ruining that for him," he said.
Doreen's eyes narrowed into slits as she started to look around. She noticed how Paul had taken a stand in front of the hall that led to her mother's room. Why didn't he want her to look in there? What was he hiding? "When did you say Mama would be home?" she asked Paul.
"I didn't."
"Well, I came to borrow something from her and I know where it is, so I'll just go and get it and we'll be on our way," Doreen said as she tried to slide by Paul. He quickly moved in front of her to block her path. "I knew it! You're hiding something back there you don't want me to see. What's going on here, Paul. You better tell me right now."
Tyler panicked and tried to escape to his bedroom when Doreen shot out and grabbed his arm. "Oh no you don't. You know, don't you, you little traitor?" She shook him hard as she raised her hand to slap him and demanded, "Tell me, or I swear I'll . . . "
Paul moved to grab Doreen away from him, but Jim beat him to it and then he heard Ty cry out, "She's dead, OK? She's dead! Grandma's dead!" Ty was crying now as he slid to the floor when Doreen let him go. Paul quickly picked him up and told him to go to his room and close the door.
Tyler did as Paul told him and then Paul turned on Doreen. "Get out of here, you bitch, and don't you ever come back. Do you hear me?" he roared.
Doreen just stood there for a moment as the news sunk in. Her mother had died and no one called her to tell her. Looking up into Paul's angry face, she hissed, "How dare you? My mother died and you didn't have the decency to call me and let me know? When? When did she die?"
"January. I figured you were drugged out in LA like you usually are that time of year."
Doreen's hand whipped across Paul's face in a wicked slap. Thankfully, he was a werewolf and he barely felt it. "Don't you do that. She was my mother. I had a right to know."
"A right? You had a right?" Paul growled in anger. "You gave up every right you ever had to anyone in this family when you took off. Drugs have always been more important to you than any of us ever were. Grandma cried and cried over you, always wishing you would come home and be different. I cried every night for months when you left me here and ran after your precious drugs. You put Tyler through hell using any money you got for drugs instead of food to feed him and Travis. You brought home all kinds of scum just to get money for sex in front of your kids! And then to let them abuse your own children . . . " Paul was shaking so violently he was afraid he would phase and rip her apart. He tried to calm himself as he hissed out, "You have no fucking rights in this house, Doreen. None."
Doreen stared at Paul as he ranted. She had never seen him so angry and it actually scared her. "I loved her. I loved all of you, but I . . . I just don't know how . . . " tears rolled down her cheeks and it sickened Paul.
"Just get out. Get out and don't come back."
Then just as quickly as she turned on the tears, they were gone and she asked, "What about a will? Mama had a will, didn't she? Is that why you didn't tell me? Are you keeping all this for yourself and not sharing?"
"Doreen, enough," Jim said sternly.
"No, I know this boy, Jimmy. He's stealing what's mine."
"Now you want to rip away the only home I've ever known?" Paul was walking slowly toward her with a look of such violence in his eyes that Doreen started shaking and backing away. "You would throw me and the boys out on the street just to get your hands on this house to sell it and then run straight to your dealer, wouldn't you?" Doreen was still backing away, now shaking her head slowly back and forth. Paul pulled his wallet out of his back pocket, and without looking at it, pulled out the money that was in it and threw it at her. "There you go, you bitch. That's all you know, money and drugs. Take it. TAKE IT! TAKE IT AND GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE! NOW!"
Doreen watched the bills flutter to the ground and started to stoop to pick them up when Jim stopped her by taking her arm and pulling her to the door. "This isn't over, Pauly. I will get what's mine!" she shrieked at him.
Jim shoved her outside, "For God's sake, woman, just shut your mouth! Get your ass in the car!"
Doreen huffed and stomped her way to the car as Jim turned to Paul who had finally stopped shaking. "I'm sorry, son. I know you hate her and you have every right. I had no idea what Tyler had to live through and maybe I don't really want to know. I guess she's got it worse than I ever thought she did. Maybe I can get her some help, you know? Get her off this stuff for good."
"Good luck with that," Paul sneered. "If she couldn't do it for her mom or her kids, you think she'll do it for you?"
Jim sighed and shook his head. "I don't know. Listen, I know you have no reason to trust me, but . . . I have changed. I don't do that anymore, nor do I have any desire to. I want to be a good man, and I want to live up to my responsibilities. Would you give me your phone number so I can stay in touch? I promise I won't share it with Doreen."
Paul stood there, trying to decide whether to trust him or not. Finally he nodded and quickly wrote down his phone number then handed it to him. "Thanks, Paul. This means a lot to me. I won't let you down." He held out his hand and Paul hesitated then finally shook it. "I can see you're doing a fine job with Tyler. I can't thank you enough for that. I hope I can see him again sometime, but I'll leave that up to you and to him."
Paul nodded. "I appreciate that."
"OK, I better get her out of here. You take care." Jim turned and walked out to the car.
Paul watched him get inside and drive away then finally let out a sigh of relief as he leaned against the door and tried to get a hold of himself. How in the hell did that woman come from someone as sweet and kind as his grandmother? Paul stood there for a few minutes until he was sure he was under control then he turned and walked over to Tyler's room.
Opening the door slowly, Paul found Tyler sitting on the bed, furiously writing in his journal. "Hey, Ty. You alright?"
Tyler looked up at him and quickly wiped the tears from his face as Paul sat down beside him on the bed and said, "It's OK, bro. Let it out." Tyler leaned into him then and sobbed out all of his hurt and confusion. Paul leaned back against the headboard to hold him and let out a few tears himself. He prayed that would be last time he ever had to face that woman, but knowing the way his life went, he doubted it would be.
Tyler finally sat up and wiped his face asking, "That was really our dad?"
"Yeah, Ty. I didn't know him at first, but then flashes of memory came back to me. I think it was his voice I recognized."
"Is he . . . is he like her?"
Paul had to smile a little at that. "I don't know. He told me before he left that he's changed and he doesn't do drugs anymore. I guess spending that much time in prison can cure you."
Tyler just shrugged. "I don't know anything about him. How do I know if I can trust him?"
"You don't, Ty, and neither do I. I guess I've decided to proceed with caution, you know? He said he would like to see you again, but he would leave that up to you and me."
"Yeah, I don't know about that."
"Yeah, me either. I know if I did, he would have to come alone."
Tyler looked at Paul and said, "I heard you yell at her. I heard the stuff you said to her. You were really mad. You hate her, don't you?"
Letting out a sigh, Paul admitted, "Yeah, I do. I know you're not supposed to hate your mom, but I can't help it. She has never done a good thing in her life for anyone. Look at how she's treated all of us, especially you. I'm sorry, Ty, but I will never give her another chance to be my mother. She's dead to me."
"Will she really try and take our house? Can she do that?"
Paul smiled. "Nope. No worries there. Grandma left a will that states she wanted me to have it. The house is in my name and she would have to hire a lawyer to try and do anything about it. You know she doesn't have the money to do that. Besides, what judge would take a house away from three good guys like us only to give it to a drug addict? No, I'm not worried."
They sat there in the quiet for awhile then Paul said, "Look, I need to finish mowing the lawn. How about when I'm done, we drive to Forks for cheeseburgers and pie at the diner? Just you and me?"
Tyler smiled. "Yeah, OK. That's cool."
"Good." Paul dropped a kiss on Ty's head, even though Ty thought he was too old for that stuff, then got up and walked back outside to start the lawn mower. He was a little freaked out at how close he had come to phasing right there in front of his parents. Paul pulled the starter rope on the lawn mower and smiled as he decided he would have liked to see the look on Doreen's face as she stared into a giant wolf's snarling teeth. Maybe next time . . .