And love
Chapter 79 Clouds gathering
Jamko Estates (Thanks patrickpopp)
RING – Saturday 10:00
5 smart phones are looked at.
"It's the vet, I'll answer," Mary Rose shouts.
4 pairs of eyes roll.
"Hi Donna, what's up?" She hasn't talked to Donna in quite a while; Joseph is very healthy. And well cared for.
"Mary Rose, hello. Are your parents available, please?"
"Yes, I'll get them." She runs into the office. She turns on her phone's speaker. "We're all here Donna."
"Hi, Donna. Jamie and Eddie here with Mary Rose."
"Hi folks. I was wondering if my little helper would like to come along with me today? I have a mare who is ready to deliver her 4th baby. This should be a wonderful experience for Mary Rose."
"WHAT! May I?" Mary Rose jumps up and down.
"No problems expected?" Eddie asks.
"I don't foresee any, no."
Jamie and Eddie look at each other and shrug.
"Ok, Donna. When will you be by to get her?"
"About 30", ok?"
"I'll be ready!" Mary Rose is off. She dashes to the barn for her "work'' clothes & boots. Then in for her jacket, gloves, scarf & hat. Dad checks everything over, all is ok.
In 33" Donna is there to pick her up, and they are off.
In the Jeep, Donna talks, "Mary Rose, we are going to the MacPherson ranch. Maddie, one of their brood mares, is about to give birth for her 4th time."
"Have you been there before?"
"Yes, for all 3 previous babies. And I have been checking Maddie regularly.
"Is it dangerous?"
"It shouldn't be. Now Mary Rose, it is especially important that you stay close to me, and do exactly as I say. OK?"
"Yes, I will."
"Good, we will be there in about 30 minutes."
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CHIME – FRONT DOOR – 30" LATER
Cassie shouts, "It's Father Raphael. I'll see what he wants."
"I'm in the nursery," mom declares.
Cassie opens the front door. "Father Raphael, come in."
He nods his thanks and enters the foyer.
"I'll get my mother, just a moment Father," Cassie hustles to the nursery. She returns soon and leads him to the home office.
Eddie is there with AJ; she motions for Father Raphael to take a seat. He nods and sits across from her.
"Cass, please take AJ, and watch Patrick. Bring them if they seem hungry."
Cassie complies, with a "Yes, momma."
"Father Raphael, what can we do for you?"
"Thank you for seeing me Mrs. Reagan. I have 2 things to discuss with you and Mr. Reagan. Is he available?"
"He is out in the barn, I believe. I'll TXT him."
Eddie texts Jamie - he soon joins them, apologizing for his work attire.
"No problem, Jameson," Father Raphael voices.
"Father Raphael, nice to see you." They shake hands and are seated.
"First, I have spoken with Helene Watson twice. She tells me that you know her, Eddie?"
"Yes, we have talked a few times," Eddie admits.
"Well, we have quite a lot of unused space at St. Bridget's. She is interested in leasing some for an office. But only if she has a partner to share space and cost. Of course, she mentioned you in that capacity; as you both do paralegal work. Might you be interested?" Father Raphael looks from Eddie to Jamie.
Jamie and Eddie look to each other. Eddie responds, "Well, we had only 1 conversation about work opportunities. I would need to talk with her again. Then get back to you."
"I understand. I look forward to hearing from you."
"You had another item?" Eddie mentions.
"Yes, has Cassandra mentioned what she saw at school last week?"
"No," they both voice. "Is she in trouble?" Jamie wonders out loud.
"No, no. It's just . . .well, can she join us?" He is wringing his hands, nervously.
Eddie nods, then gets up and goes to find Cassie. They soon return and take seats.
"The boys are with Mal." Cassie sets a monitor on the floor near herself.
"Cassie," Jamie starts. "Father Raphael says you saw something at school, that he apparently feels you should have told us about." Dad says, disappointment in his voice.
Cassie lowers her head, face in her hands.
"Mr. Reagan, I wouldn't be too hard on her. I'm sure she didn't know what to say." Father Raphael inserts, trying to be supportive of the young girl.
Cassie silently nods.
"We won't," mom assures her daughter – patting her on the back. "Sweetie, what was it?"
"It was Eli, a classmate." She pauses.
"What was it Cass? You can always talk with us, you know that." Dad comforts her also.
She nods, "I know, I'm sorry . . .-
Eddie scoots down to the floor; she motions for Cassie to sit beside her. She does, mom wraps her arm around Cassie's shoulders. "Go on, sweetie."
"Ah, it was after gym class. I was walking down the hall, past the boy's locker room when Eli came out. He dropped something and bent down to pick it up."
Jamie and Eddie look at each other.
"When he bent over his t-shirt rode up. I saw . . . um, bruises on his back. Long thin bruises. Like something had struck him. He straightened up quickly, and looked at me with, like, terror in his eyes. We both hurried off, to our next class."
She dropped her head, trembling.
Jamie and Eddie look to Father Raphael.
"Eli Abdul," Father Raphael said, softly.
"No!" Eddie whispered. She hugged Cassie tighter. "Sweetheart, why don't you go upstairs, while dad and I talk with Father Raphael?"
"Can't I hear what you are going to say?" She frowns.
"We will tell you everything, I promise."
"Promise, mom?"
"Yes, I promise," dad nods also.
Mom kisses her on her head, Cassie slips out of the office and climbs the stairs to her shared bedroom. She flops down on the floor, in front of her trundle. She folds her hands, bows her head and prays . . . 'God, have I done the right thing?'
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Jamie and Eddie, Father Raphael look to each other.
"Son of Sheriff Abdul?" Jamie voices. A worried look on his face.
Father Raphael nods, solemnly. 'Yes," he admits.
"Before?" Eddie breathes the one-word question.
Father Raphael just shrugs; "Unknown."
"Teachers questioned?" Eddie wonders. Then, "Oh damn, the sheriff is the law!"
The men knowingly nod. Oh, damn is right.
"CPS?" Eddie muses. "That's SOP, isn't it?"
"They would have to notify Law Enforcement." Jamie puts forth.
"Any way around local LEO?" Eddie looks to her husband.
"I haven't thought of any way, no." Father Raphael admits.
"Wait, this likely happened at home, right?" Jamie brings up.
"Yes, so?" Eddie looks up, puzzled.
Her husband responds, "Well, corporal punishment of children is legal in the US." He cringes, even as he says it. "If Eli is Cassie's classmate, then he is 12 or 13 y/o. Young enough to be punished this way."
"Jamie, this sounds like caning!" Eddie is disgusted.
"No matter the method, unless it's cruel AND unusual – it is permissible."
Eddie is incredulous, "Is that your legal opinion, counselor?" She smirks.
He smiles, ruefully. "Unfortunately, yes." He drops his head and sighs.
"So, what can we do?" Father Raphael questions.
Eddie thinks for a moment, "Let's talk with Cassie." She looks at the two men.
Father Raphael and Jamie nod. Eddie gets up and leaves the office; she stops by the nursery. She finds the boys asleep; Mal is sitting on the floor reading a book.
Mom mouths, OK? Mal nods and signs thumbs up. Eddie proceeds upstairs.
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HOME OFFICE
While Eddie is gone, Father Raphael fills Jamie in on the issue of space at St. Bridget's. "Your thoughts?"
"Well, it is really nice having mother here much of the time."
"Ah, yes. I'm sure that is a big factor."
"Then there is rent; no added cost here. At St. Bridget's?" Jamie raises a questioning eyebrow.
Father Raphael pauses, "I haven't discussed that, either with Eddie or Helene. It is something I will need to think about-
Mom opens the door; she and Cassie enter and sit on the floor. They look expectantly at dad, he asks Cassie "Will you tell us about Eli, sweetie?"
She pauses, "I've been thinking about Eli. I tried to find a way to describe him to you." She grasps her mother's hand.
"Have you come up with something?" Mom asks softly.
"I have . . . the best thing is, Eli seems to be a gentle soul." She smiles sweetly.
"Does he seem to be the kind of boy who would need that kind of discipline?" Father Raphael wonders.
"No," Cassie shakes her head. "Although . . . –
"What?" Her dad prompts.
"There was this one time . . . ah, he and I were talking in the hall, kidding around you know." She stops to think.
"Go on, sweetheart," mom whispers.
"Well, we were laughing and he reached out and touched my arm . . . and suddenly he got this terrified look on his face. He jerked his hand back, turned around and hurried away."in
"Was that a bad touch, like we talked about?" Mom is concerned.
"No, not at all. It was just a touch between, ah, friends," she blushes a touch and bows her head.
Jamie and Eddie look to each other.
"Is that all," dad probes.
"No, when I turned to go the other way; the sheriff was standing in the hallway, down by the office. Looking at me."
Jamie and Eddie and Father Raphael look at each other, knowing looks on their faces.
"Cassie, has deputy Ibrahim had other contacts with you? Except the day when you gave him your phone here in the office?" Mom is suspicious.
"Yeah, when he brought it back. You and dad were busy. We talked for a moment-
"Where were you," dad interrupts.
"In the foyer," Cassie says.
"Did he touch you?" Mom questions.
"Just a . . . handshake," the last word whispered. Cass covers her face with her hands. She moans out - "God, what did I do?"
Eddie's arm tightens around her daughter. "What is it sweetie?"
"Before he left, we shook hands . . . mom!"
"Like our 2nd handshake?" Mom cringes.
"Yes, then . . . he, ah . . . pulled me into a little hug! I tried to avoid it . . . but he was so strong and quick – I couldn't. Then he was gone . . . I'm sorry mommy!" Cassie starts to sob now.
Eddie tightens her grip, crying also.
Jamie and Father Raphael look to each other, grimacing. They hope they are wrong!
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TBC