The Snowman

Chapter 2
Chapter 2

Outside of the office building, Billy ran halfway down the walk way. “It’s snowing,” he called back to Evelyn, no Valerie, he thought. He spread his arms out, turned his face up and caught a few flakes on his tongue.

“Very cute,” Valerie said walking toward a long, charcoal gray limousine.

“Whoa, that’s stretched to the max, isn’t it?” Billy commented, looking around. “Where’s the car?”

“I had it towed back home. This is our ride now,” she said as a tall man, in a gray chauffeur’s uniform stepped out of the car. The man’s clothing matched the color of the car.

“Carlos, this is my son, Billy.”

“Put her there, Pal,” the man said and offered his hand.

“Hi,” Billy answered and shook the man’s hand. “You work for my Mom?”

“Yep, been with your Mom for a couple of years now. She talks about you, a lot. Glad to be home from school?”

“Yeah,” Billy said as Carlos opened the door of the limo for Valerie. He climbed in after the lady and let Carlos close the door. “A couple of years?”

“Long story,” she said.

“I bet. I never knew my sweet, old lady wife had some sort of secret life on the side. Those investments must have paid off and big time because I would have known if you spent the family funds on this. Do we get to keep all this stuff when we turn back?”

“Do you want to change back?”

Billy paused for a second. “I could get used to this lifestyle and this age real quick, but it’s not who I am. It’s not who you are, either.”

“Then we go back to the things just the way they were,” Valerie answered.

From his wife’s tone of voice, he knew better than to question her feeling, but he still had a sinking feeling in his gut that something was wrong. He settled down in the seat, watched the road and the falling snow trying not to play with the row of buttons and dials by the armrest.

Carlos turned the car into Jennifer’s neighborhood. Another turn brought them into a long driveway that lead to one of the largest houses Billy had ever seen. Talk about mansions, he thought, ”Who lives here?”

“We do. It’s been in the Alexander family for years.”

“Uh, can he hear us back here?” Billy asked and looked at the glass that divided the passenger compartment with the driver. “There isn’t really a Alexander family, is there?”

“There is, there has been, and we are it. Remember that. We are rich, very rich. We can afford all of this and the staff to run the place. After your father’s untimely death a couple of years ago, it has been just me, here, waiting for the best time to bring my one and only son home to be with me.”

“That’s your story and you are sticking to it. Good enough. Man, I could really get used to living here.”

“Wait until you see your room.”

“My room? What about our room? I know I couldn’t do anything in a husbandly way, but we could snuggle.”

“Get that idea right out of your little head, too. You’re nine years old, and you are old enough to sleep in your own bed, got that, mister?”

“Yes, Mom,” Billy said and fell back against the seat, deflated again.

“It’s going to take me a year before I won’t get lost in this place,” Billy commented as his mother finished giving him the grand tour of the house. “This is crazy, you know. I know we’re rich, and everything, but we don’t need a place this big. I mean there are rooms just to have rooms in here.”

“For once in your life, young man, you don’t need to be practical about money, okay? You could have an army of kids over here for a sleepover, and I wouldn’t hear them.”

“Yeah, all we need to do is put a theater and a game room in the basement and we’re set.... Did I just say that?” Billy shook his head. “I need a cup of coffee.”

“Milk and cookies, sweetheart, you aren’t old enough for coffee.”

“Yes, Mom.”

Dressed in a heavy coat, and galoshes, Billy ran outside, and wondered if he would have time to play in the snow. The mansion did have a vast lawn, front and back, complete with gardeners to take care of it. He checked his new watch, and trudged down the driveway instead.

Before he knew it, Billy found himself halfway from the Alexander estate to his daughter’s place. He balanced his feet on the edge of the sidewalk, spread out his arms, and tight-rope walked the rest of the way. It was odd, he thought, how many years it had been since he had done this before.

Glancing up, Billy found himself close to bumping into his grandson. “Oh, hi.”

Trevor paced up and down his driveway, without a coat on. He hugged himself a few time before glancing at Billy. “Hi.”

“Something wrong? You look like you’re freezing.”

“My Mom was out with my little brother when I got home. I don’t have a coat.”

“You want to come over to my place? I’m Billy.”

Trevor glanced around. “Trevor Danielson. You new here?”

Billy nodded. “Just got here, today. Mom’s lived here for a while but I’ve been in school. Come on, you should see my place.”

“Maybe I better leave a note,” Trevor said and hugged himself again. “Maybe not. Watch out.”

Billy stopped, then looked around. A new boy stood right behind him. This one was huge, at least a head taller than he was, and it about three times as wide. The boy had a square face that seemed to be molded into a permanent scowl. “Sorry.”

“Well, looks like Trevor’s got a new little boyfriend. I brought back your coat, Danielson, it didn’t fit me. I tried ripping it open a bit, but that didn’t help so you’d better get me one in my size or you’re dead.” The boy threw a rag that had once been Trevor’s “Aurora B” Jacket. Trevor picked it up and put it back on anyway.

“You hear me, Trevor?”

“Yeah, I heard you, Johnnie. A coat in your size.”

“It had better be one these ?Aurora B’s’,” the boy said. “Since I don’t have a coat now,” he added, looking down at Billy, “you’d better hand over that one.”

“What are you supposed to be, anyway, the neighborhood gorilla?” Billy asked.

“Billy don’t,” Trevor said. “That’s Johnnie Boggs.”

“So? What’s a Johnnie Boggs?”

“I’m your worst nightmare, shrimp. Hand over that coat or I’ll pound you into the ground and take it.”

“You don’t know me. I just got here, and you’re making threats. Go swing on some trees and leave the humans alone, monkey boy.”

Trevor sniggered, and clamped a hand over his mouth. Johnnie pulled back and threw a punch, but Billy wasn’t there anymore.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Billy asked, as Johnnie turned around. “Come on, King Kong.” He stood there as Johnnie moved toward him. Without warning, Billy kicked the larger boy right between the legs, he backed up as Johnnie doubled over in pain, then decked him with two jabs to the jaw. Johnnie lay there, on the snow, crying his eyes out.

“Can you teach me that?” Trevor asked as he pounded Billy on the back. “Wow, I didn’t think anyone could take Johnnie like that. How’s it feel, Boggs?”

Other kids gathered around, staring at Johnnie, then at Billy.

“My drill sergeant would be proud of me right now,” Billy said, forgetting himself for the moment.

“You cheated,” Johnnie said, then groaned as he rolled over to his knees.

“You said you were gonna pound me into the ground. No one said anything about rules. I fight to win.”

Johnnie dragged himself to his feet, and clenched his fists. “I’m going to kill you, shrimp. No one does that to me.”

“Hey, Boggs,” Billy said. “I got the results of your IQ test back, they were negative.”

Several kids, laughed, but shut up as Johnnie glared at them.

Crouching down, Johnnie charged right for Billy. “Some people just don’t learn. He waited for a second, jumped up and kicked Johnnie square on the chin. He landed, spun around, and kicked the boy between the legs again. As Johnnie tumbled back to the ground, Billy said, “Don’t do that anymore, you hear me? Next time I won’t go so easy on you. Come on, Trevor.”

All the other kids started clapping, then rushed in to shake Billy’s hand.

“Where’d you learn to fight like that,” Trevor asked Billy as they broke away from the crowd.

“My Dad, he taught me,” Billy answered. “He died a couple of years ago.”

“Where are you going?” Trevor asked as Billy started down the driveway home.

“There,” Billy said, and pointed. “See that house there, the big one that looks like it’s out of some civil war movie. That one.”

“The Alexander place? What, your Mom works there or something?”

“Or something,” Billy agreed. “I’m Billy Alexander, my Mom owns that place. Waste of money if you ask me, but that’s home.”

“Whoa. Wait until my Mom hears I know you. She’s been dreaming about meeting your Mom for years.”

“What for?”

“We’re not rich, but my Mom thinks we are. She buys and buys all this really expensive stuff to impress all her friends, but.... She’s the one that got me this stupid coat. Johnnie beat me silly for it. Mom said she’s get me another one, but she keeps forgetting.”

“You don’t have others?” Billy asked.

“No, my Nana and Grampa bought me this great coat for Christmas, but Mom threw it away cause it didn’t have the right label.”

“My Mom doesn’t do that,” Billy said, then glanced out at the lawn. He looked at Trevor, and said, “You want to borrow one of my coats? I’ve got hundreds. Then maybe we could do something with all that snow.”

Billy lead Trevor around to the back door, then inside to the kitchen. He found Valerie sipping tea with another lady, one of the cooks, he thought. “Hi, Mom, this is Trevor. He’s freezing, and so am I. Can we have some hot chocolate?”

“It’s ?may’ I, and yes. Hi, Trevor. What happened to you?”

Trevor sat down, delighted to tell the story. Billy fixed the hot chocolate, and brought the cups over to the table.

“See, this kid, Johnnie Boggs thought he owned the whole neighborhood cause he was so big. He took my coat, then ripped it up and brought it back today, but he’s always doing that, and not to just me, either. He told Billy he was gonna pound him into the ground for Billy’s coat, and that’s when Billy beat him up.”

“You what?”

Billy nodded. “He started it. He came right at me, swinging and I had to do something.”

“That’s the biggest snowman I’ve ever seen,” Trevor commented.

“Yeah,” Billy said backing up to admire their work. “That’s great.”

“Thanks for having me over, Billy. I’d better see if Mom’s home by now.”

“Okay, I’ll go to.”

They saw no sign of Jennifer’s car at the house, but there was a new crowd of people on the street. A policeman, standing by his squad car, glanced at the boys.’

“That’s him, Daddy,” Johnnie Boggs told a huge man beside him. “That the one that hurt me.”

“That little wimp? You let that little kid beat you up?” The man slapped his son’s face.

“Watch it,” the policeman said. “Both of you, stay here. Don’t make me run you in, again, Boggs.” The man approached Billy and Trevor. “There was a fight here?”

“Yes, sir.” Trevor said. He held up the remains of his coat. “Johnnie took this from me a couple of days ago, and he ripped it up cause it didn’t fit him and told me I had to get him another that did fit him, but I don’t have any other coats, and then Johnnie told Billy to give him that coat, or he would pound Billy into the ground. Then when Johnnie started fighting, Billy beat him up.”

“You beat up Johnnie Boggs?” the officer asked, giving Billy another once over.

“Yeah, he started it.”

“All the kids in the neighborhood saw it,” Trevor added.

“I bet they did. So, Johnnie took your coat, ruined it, and then demanded Billy’s coat, too. Johnnie said he would pound you into the ground if you didn’t give him your coat, and then he swung at you?”

“Officer, you can’t just believe the word of those two kids. The kids in the neighborhood give Johnnie presents like that all the time. Don’t they, Johnnie.”

“Yeah, Dad, they do.”

“That’s Bullshit,” a man in the background said. “He beats my son up just about every day for his lunch money.”

“And mine,” a lady added. “That boy is the worst bully this neighborhood has ever seen. It’s about time some kid gave him what for.”

“Okay, Johnnie,” the officer said. “There have been fifteen complaints against you filed at the police station just over the holidays. This is an expensive coat that you mangled, and I will be holding you and your father responsible for it, too, so tell me, what happened?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Johnnie said, and glared at the other kids. “See, Trevor had this really nice coat, and my dad can’t afford to get me nice things like that cause we’re too poor, and I asked Trevor for it, and he gave it to me, but it didn’t fit me so I gave it back.”

“He’s lying,” several kids piped up. “We all saw him beat Trevor up at school for that coat.”

“Yeah, he pounded me into the ground even after I gave him that coat.”

“Now, officer, I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding here,” Mr. Boggs said walking up to the policeman. “My son’s bigger than the other kids in his class, and they don’t understand him, but he’s not a bully.”

The whole neighborhood broke into laughter.

“You started this,” Boggs said to Billy. “You made my son look like a wimp.”

Billy backed up, and checked his footing as the man drew closer. “Not me, he started it.”

“Boggs, get away from that kid, now.”

“I just want to talk to him,” Boggs said, then threw an arm out to catch Billy’s coat.

Billy grabbed the arm, spun around and sent Boggs crashing to the sidewalk. A second later, he jumped at the man, and landed with his right knee pressing into the man’s throat. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

“It’s okay,” the officer said, and pulled Billy up. “You’ve got a black belt?”

“No, Boot Camp, U.S. Army, Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.... Program for kids.”

“Watch out,” Trevor yelled.

Billy dodged out of the way as Johnnie tried to grab him from behind. “You don’t learn, do you?”

“You can’t do that to my Dad.” Johnnie started punching, wildly. “I’m gonna kill you, you little shrimp. I’m going to kill you.”

The policeman finished putting the handcuffs on Mr. Boggs, stood up and tried to grab Johnnie around the waist. Johnny screamed his frustration and punched his way through the cop and after Billy again.

Billy took one look at the bigger boy’s face, and felt like wetting his pants. This was a rampaging elephant. He backpedaled for a bit, dodging Johnnie’s punches. He felt his back hit the cop car. Johnnie grinned as he pulled back and threw a punch straight at Billy’s face. Dropping to his knees, Billy felt the punch go over his head, and heard a crunch as Johnnie’s hand crashed into the car.

Johnnie turned, with his right hand hanging bloody and limp to his side. He screamed in pain, then charged again. Billy backed up against the car, again, but this time he used the car to support himself as he jumped up and kicked both feet into Johnnie’s face.

Stunned, the other boy staggered, then fell to his knees.

“Give?” Billy asked as a second police car drove up with lights flashing.

“Yeah,” Johnnie answered. The first policeman pulled the boy to his feet.

“You’re under arrest. Get in the car with your Dad, or do I have to use cuffs on you, too.”

“No, it’s all his fault.”

“What’s going on?” a policewoman asked the first officer.

“This youngster is a combat soldier, trained at Ft. Leonard Wood, no less. We have a couple of hardened criminals in custody, thanks to him. I don’t think I could have handled Johnnie, either. You are okay, kid. You really are.”

“Is there a Trevor Danielson here?” the lady asked.

“Yeah, that’s me. I didn’t do anything.”

“I didn’t say you did, sweetie. Do you know where your mother is now?”

“No, she was out with my little brother when I got home. I don’t have a key to the house.”

“I see, and you weren’t staying with your grandparents? Mr. and Mrs. Conner?”

“No, Nana and Grampa went on vacation this morning. They’re taking a cruise down south where it’s warm. I wish I was with them.”

“Your mother knew this?”

“Sure, it’s all she could talk about. She’s mad cause they were going away and not spending money on her.”

“What’s the matter?” Billy asked.

“Trevor’s younger brother, Brandon? Brandon approached an officer at the mall because he was worried about his big brother stuck outside without a coat.”

“Long story,” the policeman added.

“Yeah, I didn’t have a coat, but I met Billy since he just moved in down the street, and he asked me over to his place and let me have this coat. He’s got hundreds of coats, really, and we made a snowman in his yard. Then we came here, that’s when he had to beat up Johnnie Boggs and Johnnie’s Dad, too.”

“You two just met?”

“I’ve been away at school,” Billy explained. “Mom’s been living in that house since Dad died, but this is the first time I’ve lived here.”

“What’s your name, son?” the lady asked.

“Billy.”

“I need your full name.”

Billy blushed, and sighed. “William Harrison Alexander, III.”

“You’re mother is Valerie Alexander?”

“Yes, that’s her. She’s home if you want to ask her. I took Trevor home with me, and I brought him back, but I’ll take him home for supper if his Mom isn’t coming back soon.”

“Where’s my Mom?” Trevor asked.

“We’re holding her at the mall. Your brother was worried that you would freeze to death, and your mother said you were with your grandparents, but Brandon told us the same thing, that they were on a cruise, so I had to check it out.”

“I would have frozen solid if I hadn’t met Billy today.”

“Would you kids ride down the station with me to meet your Mom?”

“Yeah, with lights and sirens going?” Trevor asked, although the lady shook her head.

“Sure,” Billy said, then pulled out a tiny cell phone from his pants pocket. He dialed Valerie’s number and waited. “Hi, Mom.”

“Billy? Is something wrong? I thought you were playing with Trev?”

“I am, but we have to go down to the police station to get his Mom. She’s in trouble for leaving him alone like that.”

“Do you need me to go with you?”

Billy thought for a moment, “No, not yet.”

“You have a very sneaky and downright evil tone to your voice, young man. Okay, you handle it.”

Billy sat in a room with Trevor, and the police lady. “What’s with your Mom? She could have waited to go to the mall.”

“I know, but then I’d never have met you.” He sighed, and shook his head. “Mom doesn’t like me that much. I know she says she does, but not for real. Watch, how much you want to bed that she bought Brandon a nice coat today, and not one for me.”

“She needs to get two coats, maybe not as nice, but....”

Trevor laughed. “It doesn’t work that way. She has to get the best, or what she thinks is the best for us, but I get it last. Always.”

“That really stinks,” Billy agreed. “What about your Dad?”

“Dad? I haven’t seen him since before Christmas. He’s trying to find himself so he’s off the mountains, I think. Mom isn’t sure.”

“What do you do for money?”

“She usually gets what she wants from Tom and Jan, Dad’s folks, they want to be called by their first names,” Billy said with a grimace. “I think it’s weird, but we’ve gotta be nice to them.”

“And your Nana and Grampa?”

“They’re the best. They really love us. Mom hates them, really hates them, and she keeps telling us how horrible they were to her when she was growing up, but I don’t believe it. I mean, it’s like every time I go over to their house I’m the most important person in the world. I know they love Brandon just as much as me, but they make me feel like.... It’s okay, sorry,” Trevor said and wiped his eyes. “I wish they didn’t have to go away.

“Do they know about your Mom and you?”

“No, they don’t. Grampa’s always on Mom about the way she treats us, but she never listens anyway.”

Jennifer stormed into the room, dragging Brandon behind her. “What did you do?” she half yelled. “I’ve never been in so much trouble over you.”

“Mrs. Danielson, I’m officer Melton, and I will thank you not to yell at the children like that. Please sit down. You are being charged with a criminal offence.”

“If Trevor had done what he was supposed to, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Me, what was I supposed to do? I didn’t have a coat, and no key to the house.”

“You were to call your Grandfather,” Jennifer said.

“But he’s on a cruise and Tom doesn’t even live near here. What was I supposed to do? Call him? How? I don’t have a cell phone, and I couldn’t get into the house to call him and I don’t know the number to his boat.”

“I forgot they were gone,” she said to the officer.

“Not according to both of your kids, but it’s your responsibility to watch out for your children. Both of them. Trevor isn’t old enough to stay by himself. It’s a very good thing that he was able to go over to Billy’s house, or this would be a lot worse, Mrs. Danielson.”

Jennifer turned to stare at Billy. “Do I know you?”

“No,” Billy squeaked out, trying to remember who he was now. “I just got here today. I met Trevor and since he was freezing I took him home with me for some hot chocolate. I got him a coat, and we made a snowman, and....”

“And he saved my life. He beat up Johnnie Boggs.”

“You know you are not supposed to go over to anyone’s house. Trevor, I’ve told you and told you that you don’t play with any other kids in the neighborhood. They aren’t good enough for you.”

“But Mom, you don’t understand....”

“What’s the matter with me?” Billy asked, placing a hand on Trevor’s shoulder. He gave the other boy a wink.

“My children only play with kids from the best families. It’s nothing against you....”

At that point, Officer Melton covered her mouth, and looked away.

“Wait until I tell my Mom we’re not a good family. She won’t believe this.”

“I’m sure you have a great family, Billy. But you’re just middle class.”

“And you’re not? I’ve seen your house, you know.”

“I’m just waiting to get my inheritance. When I get my father’s money, I’m buying the biggest mansion in Beverly Hills.”

“What about Uncle Chris?” Trevor cut in.

“He’s going to get nothing. Dad will leave everything to me or he’s never going to see you kids again.”

Billy laughed. “You think? I may be wrong, but if he’s dead he isn’t going to worry about seeing his grandkids again.”

Jennifer opened her mouth, then turned pale. “I....”

“What about Nana?” Brandon cut in. “Is she going to die, too?”

“You think your Dad might leave everything to your Mom, instead of to you? Then you’d have to wait for your Mom to die, and would she leave everything to you?” Billy asked, sweetly.

“I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Yeah, Mom, by the time you get to be rich Brandon and me will be grown up, and we’re gonna be middle class that whole time, so can I play over at Billy’s house?”

“No, he’s still not good enough for you, Trevor.”

“There isn’t anyone else in the whole neighborhood that’s good enough, why not Billy?”

“Valerie Alexander has a little boy that’s away at school. You can play with him when he gets home.”

“Yeah, but what if he’s this stuck up, snooty rich kid that thinks I’m not good enough to play with him cause I’m middle class?

“Well, if I ever get an invitation over to their house, I’ll set her straight, okay?”

“Can I go, too?” Brandon asked. “I got a new coat and some new pants and shoes and we didn’t get anything for Trevor.”

Billy watched the expression on Trevor’s face, as Jennifer said, “I’m sorry, Trevor. I couldn’t afford to get two coats, so you will just have to wait. I know, I never get you anything, but I will, next month, I promise.”

“Next month?” Officer Melton asked. “This child doesn’t have a coat, and he’s the one that goes to school. He’s the one that has to wait at the bus stop. Instead of buying Brandon new pants and shoes you could have bought two coats, instead.”

“Not at those prices,” Jennifer said. “That coat was almost four hundred dollars.”

“For a kid’s coat? You could have bought the kids five coats each for that. I know, I’ve got a boy Trevor’s age.”

“My kids aren’t going to wear that cheap stuff - ever. I forgot that Trevor didn’t have a coat, and I won’t have any money until next month.”

“I see. He called it right down the line a few minutes before you arrived, and you just admitted it to me. You’re being charged with Child Neglect.”

“Okay, so I made a mistake. I’ll take the coat back and buy Trevor one instead, if that’s what you want.”

“No, it isn’t, Mom,” Trevor said. “I got a better coat from Billy today than you got Brandon, anyway. His mom really likes me, you know.”

“If Trevor’s Mom is in trouble, can Trevor stay with us?”

“Yeah, can I?”

“We need to call your mother, and social services, but I doubt if that will be a problem. I think we need to get your friend out of that house for a while.”

“Here’s the number, and we’ve got room for the squirt over there, too. I think there are rooms in that house that even Mom doesn’t know about.”

“Where are we going?” Brandon asked.

“Over to Billy’s place for a while. You should see it. His house is like a dozen times bigger than ours. I mean, Billy’s got this closet that’s bigger than our living room. And his Mom is really nice.”

“For a stuck up, snooty, rich lady,” Billy said.

“But....” Jennifer said.

“Mom, you wouldn’t let me say anything before, but this is my friend, Billy Alexander. He’s home from school. And after everything you said about him and his family I don’t think his Mom is gonna want you over at her house.”

“It would take dynamite to get your foot out of your mouth, right now, Mrs. Danielson. I know, Trevor tried to tell you who his friend was, and you wouldn’t let him, but you did have to shoot your mouth off that Billy wasn’t good enough to play with your kids.”

“It’s weird, Mom. Billy’s family has all this money, and not once did he ever say I wasn’t good enough to play with him. He asked me over to his house, and I didn’t know who he was, but his Mom treated me like I was as rich as they were. You didn’t know who Billy was but you treated him like dirt. I don’t want to come home for years and years.”

“You’re not going to do this to me. You think things are bad at home now? Just wait, you rotten little brat.”

Valerie let a policeman open the meeting room door, and usher her inside. She found Billy hard at work on a coloring book with Trevor and Brandon, while Jennifer sat alone at a table. A lady in a suit, and another in a police uniform sat on the opposite side of the table.

“Mrs. Alexander? I am so glad you could come. I’m Officer Melton. I understand you know the children?”

“That one’s my son, so yes, and we had Trevor over for hot chocolate this afternoon. Officer Melton, my son just arrived home from school today. He has been assaulted, been involved in fights with the neighborhood bully and that boy’s father. He’s made friends with that boy, and apparently the little brother as well, so this has been a very interesting day for me. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.”

“You won’t get away with this,” Jennifer said.

“I beg your pardon? What am I supposed to have done? I came down here to pick up my son. Have we met?”

“I’m Jennifer Danielson,” she said.

“And?”

“And those are my kids.”

“Very well. If that is the case, why am I being asked to take one or both of them home with me?”

“Mrs. Alexander, I am Gloria Felton, from Social Services. Mrs. Danielson is being charged with neglecting her son, Trevor, according to her statements and witnesses, and we feel that right now it would be best to remove him from her home. His brother has not been neglected, but wants to stay with Trevor.”

“I see.”

“You can take Trevor and keep him for all I care,” Jennifer said. “That little brat ruined my entire life.” Jennifer stood up. “I never wanted him. The only reason I kept him was because my parents talked me out of an abortion. He ruined my life! I wasn’t supposed to get pregnant. I was the one that was supposed to marry a rich husband and live in mansions and have a limousine.

“My parents wouldn’t give me any of that. My husband is worse, he won’t buy me the kind of houses and clothes and cars that you have. No one has given me anything. All they cared about was Trevor. Not me, no, never me.”

“I see, so you blame Trevor for all of this?”

“Yes, if he hadn’t have come along I wouldn’t be stuck with that joke that calls himself my husband. I would have had someone special, someone rich! I couldn’t catch anyone with a kid at home. I should have let my parents adopt him after all.”

“What?” Valerie asked, leading Jennifer on.

“My parents told me that instead of having an abortion that they would take care of the baby, that I wouldn’t be stuck raising a child when I needed to be out, getting on with my life, but I figured that out, real quick. If I kept Trevor I had something to hold over their heads. They loved him, they cared about him, and I made them care about me, too.”

“How so?” Valerie asked, starting to pace. Trevor put his head on Billy’s shoulder, and started to cry.

“When I was pregnant it was just perfect. Everyone loved me, then. They cared about me, they gave me all the attention, and even after he was born they still loved me, but when he started to grow, they started paying attention to him. My folks, Jan and Tom, all they cared about was Trevor. He got all the attention, not me. I hated that. I would have let him starve if his father didn’t get in the way.”

Trevor looked up at Valerie, who held out her arms. He ran for them, and hugged.

“How can you do that,” Jennifer demanded. “How can you touch him. He’s so ugly. Look at him, he was born ugly. He’s not perfect.”

“How can you say that?” Valerie demanded. “He is perfect.”

“He’s nothing but a monster, a troll, isn’t that right, Brandon. Trevor’s a little troll that the fairies left in place of your real brother, who is perfect - like you.”

Brandon looked away. “It’s not true. Mommy, why do you hate Trevor like that?”

“He’s not perfect,” Jennifer screeched. “My kids are supposed to be perfect. I couldn’t have something that ugly come out of me. My whole life was supposed to be perfect, and what did that get me? My father was in the army. I didn’t get to live in fancy mansions or ride in beautiful cars, no, we lived on Army posts. He would never buy me fancy gowns, or horses, or anything. I hated that.

“I wasn’t supposed to get pregnant, I know I should have used protection, but Kevin was so insistent, then that brat came along. If Trevor had never been born then I could have looked for and married someone really rich, not that big troll I got instead. Trevor made my life Hell, and he’s paid for every minute of it, haven’t you? You think I cared if you froze to death while we were out? You ruined my entire life,” Jennifer screamed.

“You didn’t help anything, either,” Jennifer said to Valerie. “You never invited me over to your house. You never did anything for me. You had the others over, I know all about that, you invited Gail and Carol over a lot of times.”

“Yes, but then when I moved into that house, quite a few of my neighbors came over and introduced themselves. I still have them over, for tea, and girl talk, and they keep me posted when ?K-Mart’ has sales.”

“What?” Jennifer demanded.

“I buy most of Billy’s clothes at ?K-Mart’ or ?Target’. Little boys go through clothes very quickly, and he’s no exception. I can’t see wasting hundreds of dollars on designer clothes when he will outgrow them, or tear them up in a week. I may be rich, but I am not going to be stupid with my money.”

“Well,” Jennifer said, “my kids always got the best. Okay, I never bought clothes for Trevor unless I absolutely had to. But you, you were supposed to call me, and invite me over. I wasn’t about to go over there myself, and I knew, I just knew that when you saw I was so much better than those girls you would drop them and have me over all the time. That would have been perfect, too, but you never did.”

“I see,” Valerie commented and gave Trevor back to Billy. “Your whole life you have waited, and waited for someone to hand you the world on a silver platter. It isn’t going to happen. You expected that someday your prince would come on his white stallion and take you to the palace that you feel you so richly deserve. My bet is that you would still complain bitterly that the castle wasn’t as big as your neighbor’s, or that the local dragon wasn’t scary enough. Nothing in this life will ever satisfy you. Nothing will ever match that vision you have of a ?perfect’ life.

“What have you done to get it? You expected your father to give it to you, and then your husband, but what have you done? Where did you go to college?’

“I didn’t. I dropped out of high school because it was too hard. The teachers would never give me good grades, ever.”

“Yes, it was the teacher’s fault you didn’t get good grades. It was your parents’ fault that you weren’t born rich. It was your son’s fault that you got pregnant with him. You haven’t lifted a finger to live your life, and you are blaming the whole world for it. Well, sweetheart, it’s your fault for the way your life is. You are the only one responsible for this.”

“No,” Jennifer screamed. “I don’t have to listen to this. I don’t. I’m never did anything to deserve this, or that brat, either. He’s the one that messed up my life. Why do you think I paid Johnny Boggs to beat him up all the time? I wanted to see him hurt, to see him pay for what he did to me.”

Trevor broke away from Billy, “You paid him? I hate you. I hate you, I hate you, I hate you. He beat me up two or three times a week. He broke my arm last year, remember, and it was a good thing Dad was there to take me to the hospital cause you wouldn’t do it. I hate you.”

“I think we’ve heard enough,” the police officer said. “Mrs. Danielson, you are going to be charged with criminal child abuse for this, as well as child endangerment, and child neglect. If convicted, you will be spending time in jail. I suggest you call a lawyer. You will be held here, until a judge determines bail. Is that understood? Are you clear on your rights as I read them to you earlier?”

“You can’t do this to me. I’m Jennifer Danielson. I didn’t do anything wrong. You can take Trevor but I demand that you let me take Brandon home with me now.”

“Do we need to use handcuffs in front of the kids?”

“It’s okay with me,” Trevor added.

“Me, too,” Brandon said.

Jennifer glared at Valerie, as the officer lead her out of the room. “I will get you for this. So help me. I will make sure that you pay for this, all of you.” She kept on screaming down the hallway.

“Mrs. Alexander,” the social worker spoke up. “I know this is short notice, but I understand that you have agreed to take the boys into your home?”

“Yes, for as long as they need a place, they have it with us. Billy needs family, and I will get all three enrolled into St. Joseph’s in the morning.”

“Uh, Mom?” Billy asked. “I was going to be home schooled, remember?”

“Wrong answer, mister. You’re going to school with Trevor and Brandon.”

“I’ll have the Family court okay this, and I don’t think there will be a problem about permanent placement. Thank you so much, ma’am, and it has been a real pleasure meeting you.”

“Feel free to stop in anytime to see them.”

“I will.”

“May take days to find us in that place,” Billy cut in. “Mom needs to have search parties standing by.”

“Funny, very funny. Carlos is waiting for us, so we should get going. I take it you all have coats? This weekend we will make sure that you have enough clothes and shoes as well.”

“Carlos?” Trevor asked Billy.

“The chauffer. He’s cool.”

“We’re going to ride in the limo,” Trevor told Brandon. “Let’s go.”

“I am sure those two will need therapy for years over this but I can handle it.”

Billy stood in the front room, watching Trevor and Brandon out on the lawn, making snowmen. He yawned, and grinned, still feeling surprised from the night before when the boys had decided to share his rooms, instead of opting for rooms of their own. At least, he thought, he didn’t snore.

“Aren’t you going out?” Valerie asked.

“In a minute. Looks like we solved their problems in one day, gave them a new life, a new school, and a new brother, but when do Nana and Grandpa come back from their cruise?”

“Not for a long time, Billy. Do you really want to be old again?”

Billy shook his head. “I was your husband....” He frowned trying to remember what it felt like to be grown up.

“Yes, but you haven’t been my ?husband’ for quite a few years. This way, you will get a second chance, as the heir to a major fortune. Bill and Evelyn Conner will pass out of this life, their estate will go to Christopher and his family, and Jennifer will be left out, in the cold without a jacket.”

“But.... Where did this mansion come from?”

“I moved in here almost two years ago, after Junior died?”

“Junior?” Billy demanded.

“My husband, and the man whose name you have taken. He was a very rich man, and he would have been a great father to you. You have to understand that I’ve been Valerie off and on for years. It was difficult being married to you, and Junior. But he wasn’t interested in that ?New Age stuff’ either, but I made it work. After his death, I found myself a wealthy, and young, widow, but I knew I would never convince you to go back to childhood if it wasn’t for the boys.”

“I could have gone back to a twenty-something as you did.”

“Not good enough, the boys need you, Billy Alexander, and not a grandfather. You love it as much as they do.”

Billy nodded, and smiled. “Okay, I do, but.... I guess I should feel angry or upset, but.... I have only one question for you right now.”

“Okay, shoot,” Valerie said as Trevor and Brandon ran in through the front door.

“Can I have a dog?” Billy asked.

“Can we?” Trevor echoed.

“A dog?” Valerie asked, with her shoulders slumping.

“Yeah, a German Shepard puppy, or maybe a black lab.”

“A Shepard, but I will expect you kids to walk him, and take care of him.”

“We will, we will,” Trevor and Billy chorused.

“School starts Monday for you guys, so I think a trip to the pet store is in order now, to get the puppy used to this place, and we can start shopping for school clothes, too,” Valerie said, and all three boys cheered.

Two weeks later, Valerie answered the phone. The boys looked, sprawled on the floor with their coloring and their puppy.

“Hi, Tom,” Valerie said. Billy made a face. “Yes, that would be wonderful. I’d love to go. The boys? No problem, I’ll have Marta watch them. Billy? No, it worked out just as you said. He’s my little boy again, all the way.... I’m not ready to set the date, but it’s something to think about. Okay, I’ll be expecting you at eight. Bye.”

“Mom, you’re going out with Dr. Tom again?” Billy asked.

“Yes I am, sweetheart. You know we’ve been seeing each other for years, and it’s about time we were more than just friends.”

“Okay.”

Valerie settled back in her chair. He doesn’t remember anything, she thought as she looked at her son. Her life was perfect, just perfect, she would be married to the man of her dreams, she had three perfect kids, and the perfect life. If only Jennifer could see her now. Jennifer would spend a few years behind bars, then start over again. The girl knew what she wanted, but didn’t have a clue as to how to get it. Well, Valerie decided, if Jennifer had inherited some of her mother’s brains, instead of just her ambitions, watch out world.

Billy looked up at his mother and smiled. It was so great to be a kid again, he thought. And his former wife was buying the fact that didn’t remember their old life together. At least now she wouldn’t try to get him to change back. Life was just perfect. He chuckled as he thought of his daughter. Whatever she was, she came by it honestly.

The End

 

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