Highs and Lows

 

 

Joey’s last class of the day was science with Mr. Landry, and although Joey was doing well in all of his school subjects, he had grown to love science the most because Mr. Landry made the class interesting and fun.  Joey enjoyed finding out about scientific properties, evolution, and the human body.  Sometimes Joey and his friend Derek stayed after school and visited with Mr. Landry.  Joey usually left just in time to catch the school bus home, but this afternoon as they looked at Mr. Landry’s fossils, Joey lost track of time, and when he looked up at the clock and realized he had missed the bus, a wave of fear washed over him. “Oh shit!”

Mr. Landry looked at Joey with surprise.  He had never heard Joey swear.  “What’s wrong Joe?”

Joey rushed for the door of the classroom as fast as he could, and ran full speed outside and into the parking lot only to find it empty.  The bus was long gone and so were most of the students.  He felt like crying and a lump formed in his throat.  

Mr. Landry and Derek had followed Joey out to the parking lot.  They found Joey standing on the icy curb, and he looked as if he was about to cry.  Mr. Landry approached him.  “What’s wrong Joey?”

Joey quickly looked away, embarrassed by his tear-filled eyes.  “My dad’s gonna kill me for missing the bus.”

Mr. Landry was concerned by Joey’s reaction, and like most teachers, he wondered if Joey’s dad was abusive. “Missing the bus happens sometimes.”

“I’m not supposed to miss the bus,” Joey said.  

Mr. Landry was perplexed at how distraught Joey was.  “Would you like me to call your dad and explain?”

Joey thought about Mr. Landry’s offer.  “My dad doesn’t like it when we don’t do what we are supposed to,” Joey managed.  “I’m not sure it would matter if you called him.”

Derek slowly edged away and went home and Joey remained there alone with Mr. Landry.  “My dad’s not a bad guy,” Joey explained.  “I just hate disappointing him.”

Mr. Landry nodded.  “How about I drive you home today and help you explain.”  

“You don’t need to drive me home.  My dad is here in town.  He is working on his garage.”  Joey said.  “It’s within walking distance.”   

Mr. Landry insisted on driving Joey to the garage.  Drew was in the middle of examining one of the hydraulic lifts and Alex was painting the old bathroom, and resenting every minute of it.  When there was a knock on the door of the garage, Drew shot up with surprise.  When he realized it was Joey, he was a little annoyed.  He opened the door and looked at Joey.  “Did you miss the bus again?”  

Joey looked down.  “Yes sir.”  

Drew looked at Mr. Landry, realizing he had seen the man before.  He was the teacher who had directed him where to find Maddie a few weeks earlier.  “Can I help you?”  Drew asked Mr. Landry.

“Hi Mr. Jackson,” Mr. Landry said, extending his hand.  “It’s nice to meet you.”  Mr. Landry was beginning to put things together.  When he saw Alexis peek out of the bathroom, he realized that Drew was the father of several teens.  He wanted to talk to Drew about Maddie, so now was his chance.  “Joey missed his bus today because he was staying after school looking at some fossils.  He lost track of the time, and he didn’t mean to miss the bus.”

Drew frowned at Joey who slunk away and glared at Alex as she smirked at him.  “I see,” Drew responded.

“Joey is one of my best students, in fact his mind is very sharp when it comes to science,” Mr. Landry said.  “I don’t think he intended any harm when he missed the bus, and he was worried you would be upset with him.”

“I’m glad he’s doing so well in science.”  Drew said.  

“If only the rest of my students were as eager as Joey,” Mr. Landry said.

Drew grinned with pride and it was obvious to Mr. Landry that Drew was pleased to hear good things about Joey.  

“By the way, may I ask if you are Maddie’s father?”  Mr. Landry inquired.

“I’m her uncle,” Drew said warily.

“I know parent and teacher conferences are coming up this week, but I figure that since I’m here, I ought to let you know that I’m a bit concerned about Maddie.”  Mr. Landry said.  

Alex and Joey looked at one another.  

“How so?”  Drew asked.  

Mr. Landry was aware of Alex and Joey’s presence, and he was reluctant to share his concerns in front of them.  The garage had a front lobby and Drew sent Alex and Joey in there to wait behind the closed door in the front lobby while he talked with Mr. Landry.  

“What are your concerns?”  Drew asked.  

“Well for one thing, Maddie hasn’t bothered to turn in one assignment this semester,” Mr. Landry admitted.  “When she’s in class she isolates herself from the other students and refuses to talk to anyone.  She seems very unhappy.”  

Drew thought about Mr. Landry’s words, and his first reaction was anger because he had told Maddie to start doing her homework.  When Mr. Landry described her other behaviors, isolating from others and always dressed in black, something else dawned on Drew.  He realized that Maddie was not dealing very well with things.  “How do you suggest I solve this problem with Maddie?”  Drew asked.

Mr. Landry shook his head.  “I honestly don’t know Mr. Jackson; she’s the type of student who worries me.”  

Drew was not in the mood to think about Maddie’s isolationist behavior.  “She’s been through a lot, she’s living with me because her mother was about to put her in foster care.”

“I think she might benefit from some individual counseling,” Mr. Landry suggested.  “She’s always dressed in black, and if I can be so bold, I’ve noticed a few cuts on her forearms that she fondles sometimes during class while she stares out the window.”

Drew was agitated.  He didn’t know what to do about Maddie.  “What about my daughter Lizzie?”

“Lizzie Jackson is also your daughter?”  Mr. Landry laughed.  “Well she is the most delightful girl I think I’ve ever met.  She is fun, and although she seems a bit scattered and odd sometimes, she’s a delight.  She struggles handing in her assignments, but she gets them in about half the time.” there was a twinkle in his eye.   “You might have a nuclear scientist on your hands with Joey, but I think I can say without question, that Lizzie is not much of a scientist, but I think with continued help and encouragement, she will do fine.”

Mr. Landry’s insight was amazing to Drew.  It was obvious he cared about the students he taught.  “Lizzie has a tutor.”

“I’m happy to hear that,” Mr. Landry nodded.  “She seems to be gifted in other ways.  When I see the drawings she makes on her papers and in her notebook during class, they impress me.  She sketches portraits of the other students, and they are wonderful.”

Drew was surprised.  He had never seen any of Lizzie’s drawings.  

“That girl needs to go to art school,” he grinned.  

Drew laughed.  “She’s also great with animals.”

Mr. Landry nodded.  “I don’t believe I teach your other daughter,” he said, “the one who was just in here.”

“Alex?  Well consider yourself lucky,” Drew rolled his eyes.  

Mr. Landry laughed.  Alex Jackson.  Things were really coming together for Mr. Landry.  “Alex is a popular student.  I’ve heard the other teachers talk about her. I hear she’s very bright.”

“Maybe a little too bright,” Drew said and Mr. Landry could see a twinkle in Drew’s eye.  

“Well I better get going,” Mr. Landry stated.  “I hope you aren’t too hard on Joey for missing the bus, he’s a great kid.”

Drew nodded.  “He knows there are consequences for breaking rules at our house so I’m sure he was afraid of what might happen to him.”

“Terrified,” Mr. Landry raised his eyebrows.  

Drew smiled.  “I can assure you he will return to school in one piece tomorrow,” Drew said, “But he is smart enough to realize he is supposed to catch the bus.”

Mr. Landry nodded.  “I understand.  You have your hands full, but I hope you realize all of them are just kids and everyone makes mistakes.”  

Drew did not appreciate Mr. Landry giving him parenting advice, but he was polite and nodded.  When Mr. Landry was gone, Joey knew it was time to face Drew.  

“Joey,” Drew called, and Joey stiffened.  

Alex went back to work painting the bathroom.

“Y-yes s-sir,” Joey said.  

Drew unbuckled his belt.  “I told you not to miss the bus again.  Your getting ten licks and then I want you to get in there and help Alex paint the bathroom, understand?”

Joey looked down, and slowly undid his pants and pulled them down, bending over and placing his hands behind his knees.  Drew administered ten hard licks with his belt to Joey’s bare behind.  Joey struggled to keep his tears at bay, not wanting to cry in front of Alex.  The belt hurt a lot less than the paddle, but it still hurt, and Joey was relieved when his punishment was over.  He stood up and pulled up his jeans.  

“I’m sorry I had to do that Joey,” Drew said as he threaded his belt back around his waist.  “But you know by now that you have to take responsibility for your actions.”  

Joey nodded, holding his tears back.  

Drew put his arm around Joey.  “Now go paint with Alex, and we’ll talk more about this later.”

“Yes sir,” Joey said and he went into the bathroom with Alex to paint.  

Alex didn’t say anything to him.  As Joey painted, it began to dawn on him that he had referred to Drew as his dad and as Alex, Lizzie, and Maddie, as his sisters when he talked to Mr. Landry about his family.  It had automatically happened, and when he thought about that, he realized he already thought of them in that way.  He knew then that he wanted Drew and Michelle to adopt him.  He was without any living relatives, and even though he knew Drew would always be there for him, without adoption it was possible that if something happened to Drew, he would forever be alone.  If adopted, he would have sisters and a father and mother, and he wanted that.     

Alex watched him paint and wondered what he was thinking because he was so quiet.  “I’m sorry you got a whipping,” she finally said.  “I didn’t think you deserved it since your teacher came here to explain why you were late.”  

“I deserved it,” Joey said.  “I broke the rules.”

Alex looked at him curiously.  Something had changed in him, and she could sense it, but she didn’t know what it was.  “What’s wrong Joey?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Joey answered.  They both continued painting and finally Joey turned to her.  “I think I want your dad to adopt me.”

Alex wondered why this was suddenly coming up considering Joey just got a whipping.  “OK” she said slowly.

“I know you don’t love me anymore,” Joey continued, “I mean not like a boyfriend.”  

Alex couldn’t deny it.  She wasn’t attracted to him anymore in a sexual way.  She didn’t know how to respond, so she continued painting.

“I want us to be brother and sister,” Joey said.  “Even though it seems a little strange after we, well…you know…”

“I want that too Joey,” Alex quickly turned toward him.    

“Good, because I’m going to tell Drew that I’ve made up my mind about being adopted,” Joey said and he looked as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.  

Alex watched as Joey continued painting.  She was proud of him, and she did love him, but not as a boyfriend.  It gave her comfort to know that he would always be there for her and if Drew adopted Joey, he would always be her brother no matter what.  The two of them worked side by side until Drew stopped them and told them it was time to go pick up Lizzie from her tutoring session.  

When they finally arrived home, Drew took Joey into his office to talk to him in private.  “I’m sorry about the whipping Joey, but I can’t give you a break when the rules are broken.  I have to be consistent.”

“I know,” Joey said looking down.  

“Are you OK?”  Drew asked.

“It still hurts a little,” Joey winced.  

Drew patted him on the back.  “I love you Joey,” and he hugged Joey.  “Just because I punish you doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”   

Joey fell against Drew and tears welled up in his eyes.  “I’ve made up my mind,” he choked amid his tears.  “I want you and Michelle to adopt me.”

Drew pushed Joey away and looked down at him, “Really?”

“Yes sir,” Joey said.  “I’m proud that you would even consider adopting me and taking care of me, since I’m not really your responsibility.”

Drew laughed.  “Joey,” he put his hand on Joey’s shoulder.  “The day you walked into that old crummy apartment of ours, and began getting on Alex’s nerves, I knew I liked you.  Then the night we talked about your mom and her drinking, I felt in my heart from that day forward that you were my son.”

Joey swallowed, trying to hold back his tears.  

“I should have adopted you when your mother died, but I was worried about you and Alex.”  Drew said.  

“I think it’s over between me and Alex,” Joey admitted.  “I told Mr. Landry today she was my sister, and I didn’t think twice about it.”

Drew smiled.  “I’m proud that you want to be my son, even though I beat your butt from time to time.”  Drew pulled Joey close and hugged him.             

“I know you love me,” Joey said in a quiet voice, “And…I love you too.”  

Drew squeezed Joey.  “Michelle loves you too.  I’ll have Harve draw up the petition for adoption right away and then we need to get you that drivers license, so missing the bus stops being an issue.”

Joey nodded.  “I agree.”  

That moment was one they would always remember, but it lasted very briefly because the next moment was filled with frustration and panic.  Michelle was in the kitchen making dinner and after Drew hugged her, she casually asked.  “Where is Maddie?”

Drew stiffened, “What are you talking about?  She rode the bus home didn’t she?”

Michelle looked at him curiously.  “I assumed since none of the kids came home, they were all with you.”  

Alex, Lizzie, and Joey exchanged glances.  Joey stiffened, “If only I hadn’t missed that bus.”

“You missed the bus again?”  Michelle asked.

All of them began talking at once to Michelle to catch her up on the latest news about Joey missing the bus and Drew bringing them all home.  Drew hadn’t thought to call Michelle and tell her about Joey, and he wasn’t sure why.  He had assumed Maddie had come home on the bus, and Michelle assumed she was with Drew.  This meant she had probably been missing for hours.  

Drew felt the happiness drain from his body, and he balled up his fist and punched the wall as hard as he could.  It left a huge indentation in the wall and all of them stared at him.  They had not seen him do that in a long time.  “That little brat will be the death of me,” Drew said through clenched teeth.  “Do any of you know where she is?”

Alex, Lizzie, and Joey looked at him with blank expressions.  “How are we supposed to keep track of her?” Alex asked defensively.

“She’s your sister,” Drew said, “Or your cousin…” he paused.  “She’s part of this family and family looks out for family.”

“Sounds like Italian Mafia bullshit,” Alex quipped and Drew nearly turned around and put her through the wall.    

“Alex,” Michelle said sternly.  “This is no time for your sarcasm.  Go to your room.”  

Alex was about to give Michelle a piece of her mind and inform her that she was not her mother or in charge of her, but when she saw the fire in Drew’s eyes, she didn’t dare do either of those things.  She quickly scurried upstairs to her room.  

“This is my fault,” Joey said.  “If I had caught the bus maybe she wouldn’t have taken off.”  

Joey might have been correct, but Drew didn’t want Joey to bear the burden of Maddie’s running away.  “You can’t blame yourself Joey.”

“Fuck,” Lizzie cried out.  “What if something bad happened to her?”    

Drew began to calm down, taking deep breaths.  He thought about Maddie’s thin little form somewhere out in the cold, feeling miserable and probably suicidal.  Part of him wanted to strangle her, and another part of him wanted to hug her to pieces.  If something bad happened to Maddie, he would blame himself for the rest of his life.  “I’ve got to go find her.”

“I’ll come with you,” Joey said.  

Drew was about to tell Joey “no,” but he changed his mind.  He and Joey went out and got in the truck to go hunt for Maddie.  As they drove along the icy roads, Drew thought he was going to be sick.  “We’ll find her,” Joey said hopefully.

“I hope so,” Drew muttered.  

“We will,” Joey assured him, “you’ll see.”

Drew stared at the road.  When Maddie had come to live with him, Drew had doubts about loving her, but all of those doubts were gone.  When Mr. Landry told him of her loneliness in class, her scarred arms, and how much he struggled, he instant realized how much he loved her.  He sped up, anxious to get to town and begin tracking her down.  

 

~*~

 

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