I adjust Peanut in her sling as my feet slowly carry me down the long, steep, winding path toward the Pit. Tobias thoughtfully let me sleep for about an hour this afternoon then I freshened up for our meeting with Bobby Ridinger's parents. We've been careful not to touch each other since I fell asleep in his arms earlier. The temptation is just too great but I'm craving his contact so I reach out and take his hand in mine. After a couple steps I sneak a peek up at him, and he's looking down at me.
"I need to apologize about earlier," I say. "You didn't make me cry … the stupid hormones did. You know, no one ever told me that the irrational ups and downs I had throughout the pregnancy would plague me long afterwards. A warning would have been nice." He chuckles at my comment, probably secretly agreeing with me.
"You don't have to apologize," he says. "I should have laid down with you to begin with, saved you the tears and me the …"
"Distress?"
"No heartache," he says as a frown overtakes his beautiful face. I hate that I'm the one who put it there. "Seeing you with tears in your eyes is always hard but knowing I'm the one who put them there was gut-wrenching." It always amazes me how much we think alike. I look around us but see no one following or approaching.
"I wanted you. That's why the tears came. It wasn't your fault or mine," I quietly say, color flooding my cheeks for being so bold in public. "Do you have an idea of a different way we can work off these … feelings? I don't want to keep doing this."
"Well short of moving into separate apartments …"
"Not an option."
"Separate bedrooms?" I emphatically shake my head no. Hell, I'd end up a walking zombie. My sleep isn't refreshing without him by my side. Suddenly his eyes light up. "The training room! We both need to take an hour a day and go to the training room to work off this … excess energy."
"Not a bad idea, Mr. Eaton," I say. "Maybe I should stop by the infirmary after our meeting and get it okayed with Zander or Isobel if she happens to be there. I've been feeling really good, and I wouldn't want to hurt anything."
"You jumped on and off a train," he says. "I'm sure that beating the hell out of a punching bag would be fine."
"I'd still like to ask. The last time I talked to Isobel she said no exercise until my next appointment," I say.
"I must have missed that," he says.
"I think we were both sleep walking that day," I say with a giggle.
"God, I love that sound," he mumbles. He hesitates for a moment then drapes his arm over my shoulder and kisses my temple. I put my arm around his waist and cuddle into his side.
"How's our little Peanut doing?" Tobias asks as we stop outside the door of the daycare center. He peeks inside the sling at our sleeping daughter.
"She's got her belly full so she content just sleeping against her mommy's chest," I say, caressing her plump little cheek causing her lips to curl up in a smile.
"She's so stinking cute," he says. He's not wrong about that.
"Are you ready for this?" I ask. He takes a deep breath and blows it out.
"Even if I wasn't, it needs to be done," he says. "I'm tired of this boy making Tyler feel bad about himself. It stops today." He gives me a quick kiss then opens the door for me.
"Thank you," I say.
"Hello, Four, Tris, oh and little Miss Teagan," Mrs. Wheeler says as she comes down the hallway. "Jennifer Chaucer is waiting for us in my office."
"Where's Bobby's father?" Tobias asks as we head up the hallway.
"His biological father is deceased. He died just after Bobby's first birthday," she says with empathy in her voice. "I'm afraid Jennifer didn't say where her husband is." When we walk into the room a very thin, anxious, familiar-looking woman with a chin-length brown bob jumps to her feet. She looks scared to death as her eyes glide from me to Tobias then she bows her head and averts her eyes. For a second I'm transported to Abnegation by her behavior. "Mrs. Chaucer, this is Four and Tris Prior. They would like to speak to you about your son." The three of us sit down in the chairs proffered, and Mrs. Wheeler sits behind her clutter-free desk.
"May I call you Jennifer?" Tobias asks.
"Y-yes," she stutters nervously.
"Where's your husband?" he asks. "He needs to be here also." I swear I see her pallid complexion pale two complete shades when he asks about her husband.
"He couldn't make it," she quietly says. "I can take care of this."
"If he's working, I can excuse him for the time he'll miss," he says. She looks at the floor and fidgets with the button on her sweater. It takes me a while but I finally realize who she reminds me of … Ruth when she was still with her abusive husband, Porter. Tobias is on the edge of his seat, ready to jump to his feet at any moment. I reach over and gently touch his arm. He looks my way, and I shake my head just once.
"Jennifer, please look at me," I say, my voice steady and strong. She finally raises her head but her eyes don't quite meet mine but I do see fear in them. "It's important that he be here for this meeting. I take it he isn't at work." She confirms my suspicions with a quick shake of her head. "Then where is he?"
"Please just let me take care of this," she desperately says. "He won't want to be disturbed."
"I don't care what he wants," Tobias says, trying to keep his cool. He's angry but not at her. "Where is he?"
"At the bar," she finally says. "He goes every afternoon."
"Stay here," Tobias says to her. "Tris." He gets to his feet and heads toward the door.
"Excuse me," I say as I get up and follow him. Before he makes his call I say, "We need to change our tactics with her."
"I know," he says. "That could be Evelyn sitting in that room. It's like I'm looking at a ghost. She needs to make a complaint or there's nothing we can do. If she does that, we can arrest him. He'll do jail time then become factionless. But until she says something…" He rubs his hand through his hair. I know this is bringing up disturbing memories for him.
"I know. Let me talk to her," I say. He stops me before I go back inside. "What is it?"
"He's probably hurting the boy, too, which is making him act out," he quietly says. Does he know that from experience? God, I hope not. "Send Mrs. Wheeler out. I need to talk to her."
"Okay," I say. I cup his cheek and he leans into my palm. "I'm right here if you need me." No one will ever hurt you again, my love. He leans in and gives me a tender kiss.
"I know. I'm alright, love," he says but I know different. I see it in his eyes. "I might have to stop by the training room for an hour or two after this is all over though."
"I totally understand where you're coming from. I feel like punching something right now, and I have a feeling it's only going to get worse before it gets better," I say then go back into the office. "Mrs. Wheeler, Four would like to speak with you in the hallway."
"Okay, Tris," she says. I notice that she, too, is as white as a ghost. I wonder if she suspected abuse in this family. Then again, she was trained by the old regime to look the other way. After she closes the door behind her, I sit down in the chair right next to Jennifer's.
"What my husband and I wanted to talk to you about is the fact that Bobby has been – I guess picking on is the best way to put it – picking on our son." She furrows her brows but says nothing. "For the past few months, Bobby has continually told Tyler that because he and his little sister, Tessa, are adopted Four and I don't love them because they aren't our real children." Her face falls when she hears this but still makes no move to say anything. "Tyler started acting out right before Choosing Day, and he finally confided in me what had been going on so, as protocol dictates, Four and I brought the problem to Mrs. Wheeler. She hadn't noticed any bad behavior toward Tyler but Bobby confirmed it and apologized to him. We thought the problem had been solved but this morning Tyler didn't want to come to daycare, and after a little prodding, he told us that Bobby has been at it again. Needless to say, Four and I are very upset. Bobby has Tyler convinced that we don't love him and Tessa as much as we love the new baby and that we don't want them at home since they have to go to daycare and Teagan gets to stay at home with me when in fact the truth is, I had a C-section. I couldn't take care of all three kids by myself. Deep down Tyler knows all this but with Bobby whispering in his ear day in and day out that he's unloved, he's insecure about our feelings. It needs to stop now. Do you have any idea why Bobby keeps saying these things?"
"No," she softly says.
"You remind me of a very dear friend," I say after I study her body language for a time. She looks up at me, her face unreadable. If I didn't know better I'd say she's been taking lessons from Tobias. "When I first met her she was timid … jumpy … tense … submissive. She has blossomed since she freed herself from the clutches of her abusive husband." Technically the city did it for her but she doesn't need to know that part. She flinches when I say abusive and diverts her eyes away from mine. "She has a new job she loves, new friends she can be herself with, a new apartment she finally feels at home in, a new style that matches her new outlook, and a brand new attitude to go with everything. Tell me, Jennifer, does your husband hurt you? Does he hurt Bobby?"
"This is highly inappropriate," she says, obviously frightened.
"If I'm wrong, tell me I'm wrong. I'll leave you alone." She sits staring at the floor, not saying a word. She may not be able to admit that he abuses her but she can't deny it either, which I think is a good sign. "If you tell us what he's doing to you, we can help you and Bobby. Four will arrest him, he will go to jail, and then he'll become factionless. He won't hurt you or your son ever again. I promise. You've just got to say the words. That's it. I can't help you if you're not willing to help yourself." I see a single tear slide down her cheek and fall into her lap. "Mrs. Wheeler told me that Bobby's father passed away when he was one. I'm sorry for your loss."
"It was a long time ago," she says, each word clipped.
"Do you have any other children?" I ask, trying to get her to trust me a little.
"A daughter, Becca," she says, thawing a bit.
"How old is she?" I ask, sensing that the way in is through her children.
"She just turned 8 months old earlier this week."
"Bobby must love his little sister," I say. "Tyler dotes on Tessa and Teagan." Her softening nature vanishes and she turns frigid.
"I'll talk to Bobby, tell him what he's saying isn't right. He'll listen to me," she coldly says. "Is that all?" I sigh which captures her attention, and she raises her eyes to mine.
"I want to help you, Jennifer," I say. "It's obvious you love your children. I can help you get them away from a bad situation but you have to tell me about it."
"Tris, thank you for your concern," she says. "I really do appreciate it." It's the first time since I've met her that she sounds completely sincere. "But there is nothing to tell you." Damn! Maybe I pushed her too hard. "Now, I've got to get the kids home and supper ready." When she stands up, I do too. She turns her back and heads toward the door. I reach out and put my hand on her shoulder, and she flinches away from my touch like she's in pain so I quickly remove it.
"If you ever change your mind, you have a friend in me," I say. "You have access to Four and me 24 hours a day. Don't hesitate to call."
"For the last time, I don't need your help." She opens to door and marches into the hallway. The minute she sees her husband being escorted down the hallway toward us by Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo, I see her shoulders slump and suddenly remember where it is I know her from. She and her husband were coming out of the daycare center as we were going in, and we almost ran right into each other. Jennifer offered her apology but her husband just gave her a hard look. It was almost as if he didn't like the fact that she spoke without permission.
"What's your brat done now?" he slurs when he stops in front of us. As much as I want to rip his tongue out, I hold mine.
"Your step son has been bullying my son and, according to Mrs. Wheeler, some of the other children, too, for approximately 18 months," Tobias says, his Four mask firmly in place. 18 months? That accounts for his mother's pregnancy and the time since little Becca was born. Maybe he doesn't love his baby sister the way Tyler loves his. "This is a new Dauntless and behavior such as his won't be tolerated."
"What are you going to do? Kick him out?" He laughs almost belligerently. "I'd say good riddance but he is only 4. I doubt his mother would allow it. I wouldn't care though." His words run together, and I look at the clock. What job affords him the time to drink the afternoon away? Tobias takes a step forward and gets right in his face.
"Is that a way to talk about a child?" he asks, his voice like ice.
"I'll speak any way I damn well please about the good for nothing little shit," he says. Tobias takes him by the throat and slams him up against the wall. I look at Jennifer, and she's got her head bowed, and she's looking anywhere but the scene unfolding in front of her. I step up in front of her and put my face in hers so that she has no choice but to look at me.
"Do you let him speak to your son that way?" I ask, trying to rein in the sudden fury I'm feeling. Maybe I was wrong about her loving her children. "I'm married, and I love my husband very much but if he spoke about my son in that way, I'd kill him. How can you stand here and listen to this piece of shit say these things about your little boy knowing that Bobby is right down the hall and probably listening? It's no wonder he acts out.
"The first time I noticed your son he said something to Tyler that hurt his feelings but instead of saying something back to him, Tyler took a book away from one of his little friends because, in his own words, he wanted her to feel like Bobby was making him feel. Is it possible this is why he does what he does? If all he ever gets is negative attention at home that is the only kind of attention he knows how to give. Four, I think we need to call Sheila Watkins."
"I agree," he growls, still face-to-face with the asshole.
"W-who is S-Sheila Watkins?" Jennifer stutters.
"She's a social worker specializing in abused and neglected children," I say. I'm not sure if that's her correct job title or not but it sounds good for what I'm needing at the moment, Jennifer to open up to me.
"No!" she screams. "You can't take my babies from me."
"This isn't about you," I spit. "This is about Bobby and what's best for him. From what I've seen and heard in the past few minutes, neither of you give a crap about that little boy who is probably dying inside for a compliment. Does he know anything good, Jennifer? Do you read to him? Do you play with him? Do you tuck him in at night and tell him that you love him more than anything? Do you allow him to play with his baby sister so they can bond and love each other? What do you do for him? Do you shield him from your husband's belt? Do you protect him from his vile, hateful spewing? Or do you only think of yourself?"
"If I don't do everything exactly the way he wants it," she stops and takes a deep breath, silent tears rolling down her face then everything comes pouring out, "he beats me." She turns her back to me and pulls the loose fitting sweater off her shoulder revealing the ugly purple bruises overlying the faded green ones. Bastard! No one should be treated this way. "If Bobby does anything he doesn't like, he locks him in his room and won't let him have meals." She pulls the sleeve back up and bows her head then turns around.
"The love of my life, Bobby's dad, was murdered the day after his first birthday. I didn't know how to function so I shut down emotionally. I physically took care of him and his needs but emotionally I wasn't there. Then I met Dale. By the time I realized the way he was treating me wasn't right, I was in too deep. Plus Bobby needed a father, and he never hurt him … not until I got pregnant with Becca. That's when Dale's attitude about Bobby started to change." I look over at Tobias who still has Dale by the throat. I motion to Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo to make sure he doesn't hurt the scum. They pull him off and each take the drunkard by the arms, not allowing him to move away from the wall. He stands there gasping for breath, staring down Jennifer who refuses to look his way. Mrs. Wheeler excuses herself and goes to get Bobby who peeked his head out into the hallway, watching the confrontation with awe on his face. "Once our daughter was born, Bobby couldn't do anything right in his book no matter how hard he tried to please him. Dale belittles him, makes fun of him, talks down to him, terrorizes him … and I let him because, yes, I'm terrified of my husband. He's done horrible things to me, too. Are you going to call the social worker? I know it may not seem like it but I love my kids."
"Four?"
"Here's the deal, Jennifer. Are you willing to press charges against your husband?"
"Yes," she says, her voice and body shaking.
"You will need to testify at his hearing under truth serum," he says.
"I can't do that," she says. "Everyone will know what he did to me."
"Jennifer?" She slides her eyes to mine. "I'm sure you were a totally different person when you were with Bobby's father. Remember her."
"Rob." She reverently whispers his name like it's the first time it's passed her lips in years.
"Remember the friend I told you about who blossomed when she came out from under the thumb of her abusive husband?" I ask and she nods, her eyes laser focused on mine. "That will be you one day, too. You just need to learn to believe in yourself again. I know it will take time but getting him out of your life and Bobby and Becca's forever is the first step. All you have to do is agree to testify."
"Yes, I'll do it," she says.
"Are you willing to get counseling for yourself and for Bobby?" Tobias asks.
"I'll do anything to make this right for Bobby," she says.
"You'll have to file for divorce and termination of his parental rights," Tobias says. "Do you have a problem with this?"
"No," she says.
"You can't do this," Dale spews. "This is my family, and I will deal with them any way I see fit. Do you hear me?" Jennifer slowly walks up in front of her husband, and I see Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo tighten their grips on his arms.
"I loved you once … but you ruined it," she softly says. Her back is to me but her head is held high so I know that she's looking him in the eye for the first time in ages. "I never should have allowed myself to be treated the way you treated me, and I definitely should have done a better job of protecting my son from a monster like you. And that's exactly what you are, a monster. You will never hurt him again."
"Bitch, these charges aren't going to stick, and you're going to be sorry … you and your little bastard," he growls and she jumps back, her body quaking with fear.
"He can't hurt you," I say. "Four and I will see to it."
"Take this garbage to the holding cells," Tobias says. "Get him out of my sight before I do something I can't take back." Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo literally drag him down the hallway and Jennifer's legs buckle under her and she collapses to the floor. Tobias and I both kneel down beside her, me being mindful of Peanut who slept through the entire confrontation. She buries her face in her hands, sobbing. Bobby comes out into the hallway and timidly approaches his mother.
"Are you okay, Mommy?" he asks. "Where did they take Daddy?" Jennifer lifts her head and looks at her son.
"He's not your Daddy, baby," she finally says. I expect confusion but his face is blank. "Your Daddy was kind and wonderful and he loved you more than anything in this world … just like I love you. I'm so sorry I brought that man into your life. No one will ever hurt you again, Bobby. I promise." He throws his arms around his mother's neck, and they hold tightly to one another. Tobias gets up off the floor then helps me to my feet. We move around them, giving them what privacy a hallway in the daycare center affords then I take his hand and pull him into Mrs. Wheeler's office.
"I have to admit that this didn't go like I thought it would," I say.
"I know." He puts his hands on either side of my face and caresses my cheeks with his thumbs.
"We did a good thing, right?" I ask.
"You did a wonderful thing," Jennifer quietly says from the doorway. Tobias drops his hands and whirls around. "I forgot there were kind people in the city." She takes a deep breath before she nervously continues. "I have something to ask you. Are there any job openings in Dauntless? Dale wouldn't allow me work. He said a woman's place was in the home. I don't have a way to provide for my children without his paycheck, which I hate to admit is one of the reasons I tolerated the abuse. He isolated me from everyone and everything I ever loved."
"There are. Can I let you know what they are in the morning?" Tobias asks. "I unfortunately don't know what jobs we have open right now but I promise I'll give you options."
"Thank you."
"Let's sit down," he says, motioning to the chairs in front of us. "Dale is being taken to a holding cell here in Dauntless. He will be transferred to Candor for trial as soon as I work out the details with Jack Kang."
"Four and I will let you know when you need to go to Candor for questioning. The process is not a lengthy one. Depending on the type of interview you are given, you will either be in a holding room or the interrogation room. Truth serum will be injected and you will be asked a series of questions. The first ones are always control questions like your name, born faction, chosen faction, parent's names. If you don't fight the serum, you'll feel no ill effects. Once your interview is over, the antiserum will be administered and your part will be done," I say. "There's one last thing you need to know, from this day forward you never have to see him again."
"After we're done here, I would like you to go to the infirmary to have your bruises documented," Tobias says. This request obviously embarrasses her. "I know I'm asking a lot but it will help solidify the case against him."
"We'll go with you and get you situated," I say. "Do you have anyone who can look after the kids?"
"I don't," she says. "I don't have any friends anymore."
"One of the nurses can watch them while the doctor is with you," I say.
"Jennifer, I also want you and Bobby to start counseling sessions as soon as possible so that you can start to heal. I can give you the name of a trusted therapist or Dr. Parrish can."
"Thank you, Four," she says, blushing lightly. She's obviously embarrassed by what has transpired this evening. "Once I pick a job is there a possibility for a new apartment also? I hate to appear greedy but I'd like a fresh start for my children and myself. I tried to build a home in our apartment but it's full of bad memories for both of us."
"Once you pick your job tomorrow, we can assign you a new, centrally located apartment that's better suited to your needs," he says.
"I don't know how to thank you," she says, wetness gathering in her eyes.
"The only thanks we need is for you, Bobby, and Becca to live a good life," I say.
"There is one last thing," she says then pauses for quite some time.
"Jennifer?" Tobias finally asks.
"It's about Rob … Robert Ridinger," she says. She raises her head and looks at us both before continuing. "I know things are hectic around here right now with Tori missing and the unsolved deaths but when things get back to normal, can you look into his murder? No one has ever been able to tell me what happened to him. One day we were blissfully happy and the next … he was just gone."
"I'll make a note to look into it but I can't make any promises. There might not be any answers to find," he says.
"That's all I'm asking," she says.
"I'll be in my office tomorrow morning unless something urgent comes up," Tobias says. "We'll walk you to the infirmary."
"Thank you again," she says then goes to get her kids.
"How did you know that threatening to call Sheila would get her to open up?" Tobias asks as he stops me from following her out of the door.
"I could tell that she loved her children but was terrified of him. I thought threatening that bond was the key to getting her to choose them over the fear," I say. "She was just stuck in a very bad situation. I gave her a way out. I'm glad she took it."
"So am I. You are a very smart woman, Mrs. Eaton," he says. "Beautiful, too. Sexy as hell."
"Thank you, Mr. Eaton," I say, blushing softly. "Just in case you're wondering, I think you're a sexy, sexy man and I love you very much." He gives me a tender kiss then straightens up and takes my hand.
"Let's go." We walk to the infirmary in uncomfortable silence. I can sense that Jennifer really doesn't want to be doing this but wants to comply with Tobias' requirements for not calling Sheila. When we enter the waiting room, I see Isobel at the desk and breathe a sigh of relief.
"I'm going to talk to Isobel and have her help you," Tobias says. When we sit down on the chairs to wait, I get Peanut out of the sling and put her up to my shoulder. She holds her head high, looking around at things.
"You'll like Isobel," I say. "She's a wonderful person. She helped me through a particularly rough period in my life." I don't elaborate about what Peter put me through but my chest squeezes tightly at the memories running through my mind and I flinch.
"Someone hurt you?" she quietly asks. I drop my eyes and take a deep breath.
"Yes," is all I say.
"I'm sorry you had to endure whatever it was," she says. "Can I trust her with my secrets? This Isobel person?"
"Yes, you can."
"Thank you for pushing. The minute I saw him in the hallway I knew I was in trouble. He would have hurt me when we got home and probably Bobby, too. I can't believe I let him do that."
"All of that is in the past now," I say. "What's important is the future. You got away from him." I see Tobias, Isobel, and Marlene approaching out of the corner of my eye and turn to look at them.
"I'm sorry, Jennifer, but I just realized that Tris and I are late for an appointment." I glance above Marlene's head at the clock on the wall and realize that we were supposed to meet Kirsten more than 15 minutes ago in the electronics store. Thankfully it's close by. "I'm going to leave you in Isobel and Marlene's capable hands. I'll have a list of jobs and apartments available for you tomorrow. You can stop by my office anytime. Tris, we've really got to go, love."