We somehow got over the big fight. I doubted at first that Cody had been as well behaved as he claimed but I heard later from Sherry that he hadn't lied. She found him trying his darnedest to stay away from Rosemary and had his hands up in the air making sure not to touch her. Good for him, really. He had a good woman and it was good he was mature enough to see that. I was proud of him really.

I got a call sometime shortly after Sherry made her little stand for what was hers. It was from the district office. It wasn't common really then to have social workers in schools full time. Now you won't hardly find a high school or junior high for that matter without a social worker on staff and then the elementary schools even share them. It's not that kids need 'em more now or anything but just I think we finally realized they needed them. Well, I was an actual social worker then. I had the degree and it was all official. I could still have been a counselor but I really wanted to work more directly with the kids who needed me the most. That call was the news I'd been waiting for. I was being given the chance to be a social worker in the building. I wasn't even changing offices but I was changing duties a little bit. I wasn't dealing anymore with setting schedules for the kids and helping them all fill out college applications. I could spend all my time with kids who just needed to talk and needed someone who understood how lonely it could be in those situations. I would have to sometimes have office hours at another school too but still it was nearly full time at the job I really envisioned myself doing since I declared my major. I was pretty excited about it and that lasted until I got to Sunday dinner and I could see poor Annie looked absolutely distraught. Ike was beside himself trying to comfort her but he looked as upset himself. I immediately worried about the baby she was carrying but they quickly assured me that nothing was wrong with that baby. That was good but still something was wrong. Emma's eyes were ringed in red too. Ike and Annie were too upset to explain anything but luckily Buck was sitting there and he filled me in. The guys was all getting their kids enrolled in school. Lisa and Bobby and Timmy was all five and ready to get into kindergarten. The school for the deaf was in Flint. It still is actually. I knew this of course but then for some reason it hadn't occurred to me until then that it meant that Ike and Annie would have to send their sweet little boy a couple hours drive away and he'd live there and they wouldn't see him hardly at all.

The tears and sadness made sense then. He was just a little guy and sending him away like that was more than I figured most parents could handle. But I had heard about another option. I went over to where Ike was trying to comfort Annie and I crouched in front of the chair she was sitting in.

"I think there might be another way to do this," I told her, "It's a school I heard about and I don't know quite enough about it yet but if you let me make a call or two tomorrow I can see about this other option. I think you might be able to keep your boy home and still get him the education he needs."

"Really?" Annie sniffed.

"Yeah, really," I said, "I can't tell you more than I know, which ain't much, but I just think there's another choice. How about you calm down a little and join us for dinner? It's probably not good for the baby to get so worked up."

She nodded and dried her eyes and Ike shot me a grateful look. I was hoping the place I had heard about was what they needed. I was really hoping I could help them. Hell, I'd miss seeing that kid at Sunday dinners.

So the next day I made a few phone calls and decided I had news that had to be delivered in person. I went over to Ike and Annie's house and was greeted by the dog and Timmy's smiling face followed close by Annie.

"Did you find something out?" she asked.

"I did," I said, "If you have a minute I can explain it all."

She nodded and stepped back to let me in and I sat down on the couch only to be climbed on by Karen. She was two and pretty adorable. I guess she had a mischievous streak about a mile wide too but I only saw her every once in a while so I only ever got the cute.

"There's a school here in Detroit," I began, "It's called a day school. That means that it's more like the schools the other kids are going to. But this school is for the deaf. The kids learn sign and lip reading and things like that but they go every day and come home in the afternoon like other kids. I wasn't sure enough yesterday but I talked to some people today. They're holding a spot for Timmy. There's no need to send your boy away, Annie. You're too good at teaching him. I'd hate for him to lose what you and Ike and even Karen here bring to his life. And he still gets the environment during the day where he's around other kids with the same challenges he has. It's the best of all worlds really. I need to call them back and let them know for sure if you're going to take the space. Or I could take you there and you could see it if you like. Some of the teachers are there setting up their rooms."

"I think I'd like that," she said.

I never had spent near enough time with Annie but I always knew she was a sweet gal. She looked at me so grateful right then. I don't think I've known many mothers more dedicated than she was. Too bad, the world could use more like her.

We loaded Timmy and Karen into the car and I drove her over to the Detroit Day School for the Deaf.

"Are you sure we can go in?" she asked seeing the still mostly dark hallways.

"I'm sure."

I led her to the office and explained to the lady there that Annie was thinking of sending little Timmy to their school and wanted to look around before deciding for sure. She was more than happy to lead us around and she crouched down a couple of times and talked right to Timmy in sign. He brightened right up. It turned out the kindergarten teacher was in getting her classroom ready and we got to talk to her. Miss Briggs was a pretty lady maybe thirty years old with a bright smile who spoke in a cheerful voice as she signed.

"What's your name?" she said and signed to him and watched as he spelled out his name.

"Hello Timmy," she went on and then signed her name. "What do you think about coming to school? Are your friends going to school?"

The two of them chatted a while as Annie and I looked around the classroom.

"I should have thought about this before but I guess I didn't want to think about a time when he wouldn't be with me all day."

"I think that's probably normal for good parents like you," I told her and I wasn't just humoring her. The compliment was genuine. "But you have to send him to some school. What do you think of this one?"

"They have a place for him, you said?"

"They do," I replied taking Karen from her, "You could go to the office now and get the paperwork done while I tell Miss Briggs and Timmy the good news. I think they're best friends already."

I'll tell you I was feeling pretty good about myself right then. It was nice to feel like a hero and I really did right about then. I have to admit that feeling like a hero might have been one of the reasons I went into the line of work I did. I loved being able to help people who had the same crap to live through I did. And even the ones who had other crap to deal with too. It didn't hurt that Joanie thought I was pretty darned cool for what I'd done too. And it wasn't that I really did a whole lot. A man doing the job I did and even trying to do it right would know what schools are in the area. I didn't always know all the details of every school but knowing what was basically out there was important.

I got to be a hero to Theresa too in those few weeks. She was terrified about going to high school. Poor thing had just had too many changes in a short time. I reminded her that she'd be going to Jesse's school and I was still no farther than a phone call. She settled down. That girl never had a thing to worry about anyway. Smart as a whip and determined as her sister, we never had to even nag her too much about her schoolwork.

As it often happens in life, when you're flying high life sends a torpedo to make sure you don't get too full of yourself. And I was about to get reminded of the lowdown creep I really was.

It was a lazy enough late summer's day. Joanie was at the office. There was some case they were preparing. Oh hell, it wasn't just some case; it was the custody case for Noah. Anyway, I was home alone and just reading or watching TV or maybe even both. Just laying on the couch in my jeans sipping a Stroh's and probably dozing off and on as well. There was a knock at the door and when I opened it I saw Rosemary standing there. I was torn at first about letting her in. She was my friend's soon to be ex-wife and all but I opened the door the rest of the way anyway and let her walk past me into the living room.

"James, you simply must help me," Rosemary begged, "I know I've lost Noah but I cannot lose Michael. I need someone on my side. I know the others are against me but someone who works with kids like you do would carry a lot of weight."

"Rosemary, I'm no lawyer," I reminded her, "I can't be much help against the entire firm."

"You could testify on my behalf," she said, "To take Michael from me they have to prove I'm unfit. Surely you could tell the court what a good mother I am."

"I haven't seen you with him enough in the year since he was born to form an opinion on that at all," I told her.

"You know when I'm away it's only because I'm fighting for a better life for him, don't you?"

"Doesn't change that he's more likely to call Emma 'mama' than you once he gets to talking good."

"Please," she said her lips pooching out as she stepped close to me, closer than I should have allowed. I should have ordered her out. I shouldn't have let her in the apartment in the first place.

I think that was the first time I really saw that pout for what it was and I felt disgusted with myself for every time I'd given in to it. Still I was falling for it once again. Everything in me screamed how wrong this was. She was a spiteful and manipulative woman and even if she wasn't, she still wasn't Joanie. All at once I understood the fear that gripped my girl when Rosemary had first entered our circle. Somehow she just knew that someday Rosemary would have a reason to turn her charms on me and she feared I wouldn't love her enough to resist.

Rosemary just got closer and closer and I leaned back as far as I could. I was right up against the back of the couch and nearly bent over backward. Her perfume filled my nose. It was intoxicating.

"Rosemary," I choked out, "You need to leave."

"But we're just getting to really know each other," she purred and I swear it really was a purr. Then her fingers trailed softly along my neck and I felt her lips along my jaw line. My head, the one on my shoulders anyway, told me I should push her away and order her out but men sometimes don't think with that head and right then I wasn't at all. From below my waist I was getting a very different message, one that said this would be fine, just fine. Well, no that's not what it said exactly I think it was something more about how good she smelled and a few things I wouldn't repeat in mixed company. The war between the two inner voices kept me from lifting my arms to touch her but then her lips covered mine and her hand groped at the front of my jeans.

The response to that was immediate and not just from below my waist. I opened my mouth against hers as my tongue roamed on its own. She grabbed my hands and placed one on her backside and the other on one of her breasts but the curves didn't feel right so I let my hands fall back to my side. I wish the rest of me was as smart as my hands. I was grinding my hips against hers and kissing her mouth and neck.

"James," she panted, "We could help each other out. I'm sure I can be much more accommodating than Miss Goody Two-Shoes."

I swear I wanted to break away from her at the mention of my wife and it would have made things easier if I had because Joanie walked in right then. There I was bent backwards against the back of the sofa by a woman who wasn't my wife. Her hand was creating a visible response and my tongue was in her mouth. My previously well behaved hands had taken residence in her dark hair holding her mouth to mine. No wife should ever see such a thing.

I didn't hear the door open but I heard her gasp and I heard it slam shut.

I pushed her away and headed for the door yelling, "If you're not gone when I come back, I'm calling the cops."

I think she knew about then that she could kiss my testimony goodbye. I guess that's not entirely true because I testified alright—for Noah. Told how she came on to me to get me to lie for her. I left out how close I came to taking her up on her offer. In the end Noah got full custody of Michael.

At the time though all I could think about was how I needed to find my Joanie and make sure she still was mine.

I ran out and didn't even take time to shut the door. I ran down the stairs and thankfully found Joanie leaning against the wall outside the door crying. Her face was buried in her hands so she didn't see me approach her.

"Joanie, honey," I said reaching for her. She noticed me real good right then.

"Don't you touch me," she screamed hitting my hand away, "Stay the hell away from me!"

"I'm sorry. I'm just so sorry."

"You got that right," she spat and then she did something even more out of character than use a word like 'hell', she hit me. She slapped me hard across the face. She was stronger than she looked but I think what hurt worst was knowing how much I deserved to get hit right then. I watched her storm off toward the 'Vette.

"Joanie, where are you going," I asked.

"None of your damned business!" she yelled, "You just go back and yentz your shiksa whore!"

My Yiddish was never that good but I understood all of that. Calling Rosemary a shiksa whore didn't bother me. It surprised me coming out of her mouth a little bit but it was accurate at any rate. But the word 'yentz' hurt as did her referring to Rosemary as mine. She wasn't my anything and I didn't want her to be. The only one I ever wanted to be mine was Joanie. And yentz was a word I was surprised Joanie even knew. It certainly was not a polite one for all of the Yiddish words for sex; it was one of the coarser and really meant cheating.

As much as I would love to blame Rosemary for the whole incident, I had so many chances to get her out and I didn't have to let her in at all. I kissed her back. I'd love to sit here and tell you that it would never have gone further that that but if Joanie hadn't walked in then, I don't know. I might've slept with Rosemary. It astounds me to this day that Billy resisted and I didn't. Sherry got herself a good man, Joanie not so much.

Joanie stalked off and I just stood there. What else was I going to do? I had no defense for what I'd done, what she'd seen.

Sweet Joanie with all of her insecurities and I had just confirmed all of them. I was supposed to comfort her when the world was mean or got to be too much for her. But I betrayed her. The gold band on my hand mocked me.

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

She said those words to me as she had placed that ring on my finger and I know at the time no words were truer. Leaning against the wall of our apartment building, I didn't know if I still was her beloved and I surely didn't know if she still wanted to be mine.

Okay...the Michigan School for the Deaf is really in Flint which is a couple hours north of Detroit. But there really is a Detroit Day School for the Deaf and it is one of the oldest day schools for the education of the deaf in the country. It is a public school and offers regular curriculum along with sign, lip reading and any other skills children with hearing impairments may need. Sadly it is closing because our giant douchebag of a governor doesn't seem to understand its importance. But it was there in 1966 and thank goodness because Timmy needs it. As for Jimmy...he better hope I don't get my hands on those Colts he's so fond of in the 19th century...not pleased with that idiot right now.-J