Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Chapter 08 - Unbowed

   For Sammie from Down Under, a fellow nurse who gives much yet asks for
little, truly one of the world's Angels.

   "In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud
Under the bludgeoning of chance, My head is bloody, but unbowed." Invictus

   "Well, you're dirty and sweet Clad in black, don't look back, and I love
you.  You're dirty and sweet, oh yeah Well you dance when you walk So let's
dance, take a chance, understand me You're dirty, sweet and you're my
girl." T.  Rex

   In Laci's world, the police were as much a part of the daily landscape
as the tatted up thugs selling drugs on the stoops.  They did not
intimidate her.  She knew from Karen's warning that they were apt to track
her down about what happened the other night.  However, she didn't expect
it to be at school away from Karen's protective presence.

   She was walking down the hall to her next class, when the assistant
principal, Mr.  Donovan, hustled up from behind.  "Laci," he called.

   Startled, Laci turned around.  Her first thought was, "Oh no, what did I
do?"

   "Laci," he called again.  The other students passing by snickered sure
she must have been caught getting high, or stealing something.

   "Yeah?" she answered, clutching her books closer to her chest.  "What's
the matter?"

   "I need you to come with me for a few minutes?" he said, his expression
neutral.

   "Why?  What did I do?"

   "You didn't do anything.  I just need you in the office for a few
minutes."

   "I have science," she pleaded, pointing at the classroom door.

   "Don't worry about that."

   Laci sighed.  "I wish you'd tell me what's going on.  I'm not a kid,
y'know."

   Laci's heart throbbed and a wave of dizziness washed over her when she
walked through the main office door.  The school's police Resource and DARE
Cop, Officer Saunders, was sitting in a chair, and her guidance counselor,
Ms St Amand stood next to him.

   Laci didn't know Saunders as except as an occasional presence in the
corridors.

   He was tall and muscular with short hair, and soft smile.  He could have
been one of the school's sports coaches.  He was dressed casually in a pair
of gray slacks and a long-sleeved shirt open at the collar.  He didn't look
mean.

   Officer Saunders stood up when Laci stepped into the office.  He smiled,
and it made him handsome.  "Hi Laci.  We've never had the chance to meet.
I'm the school's resource and DARE officer, Dan Saunders."

   "I know," Laci mumbled, looking down.

   "I'm sorry to drag you away from class, but I'd like to talk to you for
a few minutes."

   "Why?  What did I do wrong?  Am I in trouble?"

   Saunders smiled gently.  "No, you didn't do anything wrong.  Absolutely
not.  I just want to talk to you for a few minutes.  You're not in any
trouble."

   Laci sighed and shrugged.  She had an idea what this was about.

   Saunders led Laci into the assistant principal's office.  He motioned to
a chair in front of the desk.  "Have a seat."

   Laci sat in the chair, feeling very small and frightened.  Assistant
principal Donovan and Ms St Amand sat on either side of the office's
window, and Saunders sat at the desk, opening a folder and shuffling the
papers in it.  "Relax, Laci," he said.  "Considering where you live, your
circumstances, I'd guess you're not much scared by a cop."

   "No, but I'm not a troublemaker, so I don't, like, know you guys by name
or anything."

   Saunders smiled.  "You ought to be proud of that.  So.  Do you know why
you're here."

   "Not really." It was a small fib.

   "I need to talk to you about what happened at your apartment a couple of
nights ago."

   Laci rolled her eyes and muttered, "Shit."

   Saunders partially suppressed a smile.  "I guess you had quite the scary
episode with your mother and her boyfriend."

   Laci shrugged.  She desperately wanted Karen with her.

   "Laci, what happened there was serious.  I'm going to be very honest
with you.  Your mother and her boyfriend are in big trouble, no matter what
you tell me today.  They've been arrested for possession of
methamphetamine, and they're both in jail.  I doubt they're getting out any
time soon.  What they did to you was very bad.  Very bad.  They need to be
in jail just for that.  That...boyfriend of your mothers is seriously bad
news.  Now, I need your help to get him locked away for a long time.  I
need you to tell me what happened there."

   Laci looked at the floor.  She crossed her ankles and nervously rubbed
her hands.  "I'm scared.  Can I, like, have a grown-up or something with
me?"

   Saunders folded his hands.  "That's what Mr.  Donovan and Ms.  St Amand
are here for.  I just want your side of the story of what went on there
Monday night, what happened to you.  My boss, the chief of police, figured
it was best for me to talk to you, since you at least know who I am.  I
don't bite.  Promise."

   Tell the truth honey, Karen told her.  Don't lie.  Just don't say
anythinganything-about what we do in private, even kissing.

   That scared her.  What if I screw up and let something slip.  It might
be Karen going to jail.  "I really don't want to have to remember that
stuff."

   "I know Laci.  I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't so important."

   Laci sighed.  "Okay.  But if you make me cry, I'm going to stop talking
to you."

   "Fair enough.  I'll do my best to not upset you.  If I do, tell me so
I'll know, okay?  So, why don't you tell me what happened starting, say,
when you got to the apartment."

   "Well, I went there to get some of my stuff.  I haven't been staying
there much lately."

   "Where are you staying?"

   Alarms went off inside Laci.  "At a friend's."

   "What friend?"

   Laci looked up at Saunders.  She wrung her hands and squirmed.  What
should she say?  Karen said don't lie, and Laci promised not to lie.  But
would it get Karen in trouble?  Her lip quivered and tears threatened.  "My
friend Amy ...her Mom."

   Saunders' watched her carefully.  This was a touchy subject for the
girl. Pushing too hard and upsetting her over a small detail might put
valuable information out of reach.  "I'm sorry Laci.  Do you need some
tissues?"

   "I think so," she nodded

   Assistant Principal Donovan got up and opened his desk drawer, offering
a box of tissues to Laci.

   Saunders took a deep breath.  "Okay Laci, go on when you're ready."

   Laci blew her nose and held the wad tightly.  I wish I at least had the
teddy bear, she thought.  "I got there and when I went in, I could tell
they'd been smoking meth from the smell.  Believe me, I know that smell."
She glanced at Ms St Amand, and except for a small scowl, her face was
impassive.  "Well, as soon as I got in, my mother started screeching at me,
calling me awful names, and she didn't have any reason, 'cause I didn't
even say a word.  I was scared 'cause of the meth."

   "The boyfriend, Gerard Biron, was he there."

   "Yeah, like I said, they were smoking meth.  So, I tried to go to my
room to get my stuff, but she chased after me.  She accused me of stealing
her stuff, her drug money.  She tried to take my bag, an' I tried to run
out.  But she grabbed my hair.  Anyway, she had it and she started slapping
me, an' I couldn't get away.  And then her boyfriend, he came up and
grabbed me, so my mother could punch me and stuff, and then he pushed me
against the table, it's always a frigging junk pile, an' everything went
crashing.  Then he grabbed my hair and punched me..."

   "Excuse me Laci, I want make sure I get it right.  Biron punched you
after pushing you against the table?"

   Laci nodded.  "Yeah.  Then he grabbed me and held me so my mother could
punch me some more.  I think she grabbed a knife, but I'm not sure.  And he
goes, like, 'No, me first, then you can do whatcha gotta do." The guidance
counselor's eyes were closed, and she was rubbing her temples.

   "You must have been terrified."

   "I was scared shitless.  I was sure he was gonna...rape me.  Or kill
me."

   "How did you get away?"

   Laci paused a long time.  At last, she said, "My friend's Mom came up
'cause she heard me screaming."

   "That would be Karen Nelson." Saunders said matter-of-factly.  He
couldn't see any point in interrogating her about something they already
knew.  "So, how did you get away?"

   Laci paused, momentarily stunned.  They already knew about Karen.  She
closed her eyes, fighting tears.  "I don't remember it good.  I heard her-
Karen-scream something about letting me go, and they did, and I ran away."

   "What next?"

   "I ran to her car."

   "Did you see how Biron got hurt?"

   "No.  I wasn't sticking around, I just got outta there."

   Saunders smiled grimly.  "Sounds like a wise move.  Do you have any
bruises or marks from all that went on."

   Laci shrugged.  "My neck."

   "Can I see?"

   "I've got make-up on," she said, but lifted her hair and turned her
head.

   Saunders looked closely at her and shook his head.  In spite of her
make-up, the bruises on her neck and the side of her head were clearly
visible.  "Laci, I'd like to take a couple pictures for evidence.  Is that
okay"

   Laci shrugged, but kept her head turned and her hair back.

   Saunders took a small digital camera and clicked series of pictures. 
Finished, he put the camera away.  "Okay," he said sitting back.  "So.  Are
you still staying with Mrs.  Nelson?"

   "For now."

   "Good.  From what I know, it's the safest place for you right now.  I
know you're upset Laci, but we really want to put this guy in jail for a
long time, and you're being very helpful.  I'd like to ask you about things
besides that night, okay?"

   "I'll try." It was easier to go on knowing this was all to put that
motherfucker in jail-and her mother, too.

   "The boyfriend, Biron, how long has he been your mother's boyfriend?"

   "I dunno.  It seemed sometimes like she had a different one every week,
they were all gross pigs, they all wanted to touch me..." Laci shuddered
visibly.  "And make me...have sex with them."

   This bit of information was mildly startling to Saunders.  "Laci, don't
take this the wrong way, but did you ever have to have sex with any of her
boyfriends?"

   "No!" Laci said emphatically.  "I wouldn't let those disgusting, sick
pigs touch me!  Once when I was 7 and didn't know any better, one almost
made me ...do something sick.  Later my mother blamed me, said I was trying
to steal her boyfriend."

   Saunders' eye widened involuntarily.  "How old were you?"

   "7."

   St Amand grimaced, and Saunders shook his head and sighed.  "Do you
remember the first time you saw Biron?  Approximately."

   "Around Christmas time, I guess."

   "Did he move in?"

   "If you wanna call it that.  He's one of them guys who kinda go wherever
with whoever will give them a place to stay and drink and do drugs.  My
friend Tasha calls them Street Thugs.  They're scary, they look like they
don't give a fuck whether they hurt you or not." Laci was unconsciously
slipping back into street talk.

   "Laci, did you ever see drugs in the apartment when Biron was around?"

   Laci snorted.  "All the time.  There was always drugs, always."

   "What kind?" "Oh, pot, oxy, crack, meth, sometimes heroin, sometimes
Ecstasy.  I didn't mind when they shot up heroin or popped oxy, cause that
made them sleepy and they'd leave me alone.  But when it was meth or crack,
it was wicked scary.  I'd leave or lock the door to my room."

   Saunders shook his head.  "Did you ever see any weapons?  Guns?  Things
like that."

   Laci scrunched up her nose.  "I'm not sure.  I think a couple of times
he had a gun like you cops have, but I ain't sure, I almost wanna lie just
to make sure he goes to jail."

   "No, Laci, don't do that.  The truth is plenty helpful, you don't need
to make anything up.  Did you ever see people come up and buy drugs?  Not
when you thought they were, but did you ever actually see money and drugs
exchanged?"

   "Oh sure, all the time.  Especially oxy, he even bragged about, like,
robbing a drug store somewheres."

   Saunders nodded his head slowly.  This girl might turn into a goldmine.
Best to be careful and not push her too hard today.  She was cooperative
but clearly getting edgy.  "Almost done Laci.  You're being very, very
helpful.  Did Biron ever hit or hurt you anytime before Monday?"

   "No, he tried to make me have sex with him last week, said he'd pay me
$20, but I told him to fuck off, that he was a loser, and I ran off." She
shuddered visibly at the memory.

   "Okay Laci, I think you've had enough for one day.  It seems like you're
doing well staying with Ms.  Nelson, you happy there?"

   Laci almost smiled, but she had to be careful.  "Yeah, I like it a lot.
She keeps me safe, I have a nice bed to sleep in, she makes sure I eat,
helps me with my homework, takes me shopping.  I think she's the...nicest
lady I've ever known.  And she saved my life." Laci looked up and her eyes
brimmed with tears.  "You know that?  She saved my life, and she kept them
from chasing after me!" Her tears welled out and ran down her cheeks. 
"Would you do that Officer Saunders?  Save the life of a girl you hardly
knew, when you ain't even got a gun or anything?  She did, and she ain't
even big or anything!"

   Saunders got up, took a wad of tissue and squatted down to her level. 
He handed Laci the tissues.  Her face was quivering and distraught.  He was
struck by how naturally beautiful she was.  He put his hand on her shoulder
and said softly, "Laci, you are an amazing young lady.  My son goes to
school here, his name is Jake Saunders-do you know him?"

   Laci sniffled, looking directly at Saunders.  He looked nice up close,
and he didn't make her feel nervous.  She nodded, and said softly, "Kinda,
I know who he is."

   "Well, I'll tell you something, just between you and me.  I think you're
a hundred times braver than he is.  And Ms.  Nelson?  I think she's braver
than any officer on the police force.  If the world had more Laci's and Ms.
Nelson's, we'd be all be better off.  Now tomorrow, I'm going to bring you
a paper that will be about what we talked about here.  You can read it to
make sure it's the truth, and if you're sure, you'll sign it, okay?"

   Laci, the cuffs of her sweater sleeves hiding her hands below the
knuckles, held her fists up to her face.  She nodded quickly.

   "I'm all done pestering you.  You have been very, very helpful.  I know
how upsetting this whole thing is, but we'll get through it, okay?"

   She tried to judge his honesty, whether he meant it, or was just saying
it to make her feel better.  He seemed honest-well, except the part about
her being braver than his son, that was a lie, or a fib anyway.  She nodded
quickly again, wanting to get out of there.

   When Saunders stood, Laci quickly picked up her books and clutched them
to her chest.  "Mr.  Donovan, can I have a pass so I can go to the
library?"

   The assistant principal took a pass from his desk and gave it to Laci.
"You know Laci, you can take the rest of the day off if you want."

   "No thanks, I ain't got anywhere to go til Karen gets out of work."
Laci, like a frightened little bird, took off, bloody, but unbowed.

   "Extraordinary," Donovan murmured.  "I had no idea it was that bad."

   "I hear what you're saying," St Amand said, looking up from her files.
"A girl that age, that beautiful, should have every wannabe Tomcat from 13
to 30 chasing her down, and she does.  What's amazing is that she hasn't
given just for the attention.  There are 4 girls in her class who are
already pregnant, father's unknown because of multiple partners, and most
of those partners are adults.  Yet look at Laci, abused, neglected, exposed
to heavy drug use, and she's never failed a class, she's made high honors 6
times since the consolidation, and Jay Belden swears she's the next Wyeth."

   "You know anything about this woman she's been staying with?" Saunders
asked.  "Karen Nelson?"

   "As a matter of fact I do," St Amand said.  "She's a realtor with the
Perham Agency, sold me my house a few years back.  She was a joy to work
with.  Her daughter Amy was a student here until she moved to the west
coast to live with her father.  She-Karen-never missed a conference, she
was a very proactive advocate for her daughter.  If Laci's with her...well,
I can't think of a better set up."

   "Well I'll tell you," Saunders said.  "It takes some serious cojones for
anyone to barge in on what's basically a rape in progress, in a crack
house, and stand up to 2 seriously methed up thugs.  I would not want to
have that woman pissed off at me."

   "You ever met her, Dan?" St Amand said with a chuckle.  "She's all of 5
3 and 110 pounds, very attractive, not someone you'd normally expect to
rescue a girl being raped and beaten in a crack house."

   Karen grabbed her cell-phone and a cigarette from her purse, and stepped
out through her door to the back of the building.  It was the warmest it
had been since a week before the blizzard.  40 was in hailing distance. 
She took a deep drag from her cigarette.  She scrolled through her contact
list and found the number for her old friend and attorney Gail Wright.

   Karen felt a sense of relief that she'd finally been tracked down by the
police about Monday night.  She probably should have taken the initiative
and called them yesterday rather than wait for them to come to her.  She
hoped her passivity didn't come back to bite her in the ass, but the
detective she'd just spent half an hour talking to, Sergeant Potvin, didn't
seem overly concerned that she hadn't reached out to them.  Maybe it was
sincere, maybe it wasn't.  It was time to get Gail involved one way or the
other.  It would be stupid to navigate these waters alone.

   The phone was answered on the second ring.  "Phillipon and Lynch Law
Office, this is Janice, how may I help you."

   "Hi Janice.  My name is Karen Nelson.  I need to speak with Gail Wright
on an urgent matter.  Is she available?"

   "Are you a client, Ms.  Nelson?"

   "No.  If she's in the office, please tell her Karen Nelson is on the
line," Karen said, her voice hardening.  "I'm not interested in getting
into details with you.  She'll understand."

   Karen paced restlessly, smoking her cigarette quickly.  Finally, a
bright, perky voice said, "Karen!  What's up?  It must be important for you
to scare the shit out the receptionist...'I'm not interested in getting
into it with you.' Somebody watching that pretty little ass of yours would
have no clue you can be such a hard-assed bitch." Gail laughed, but it
tapered when she realized Karen wasn't laughing with her.  "Alright, Love,
what's up.  Small talk's done."

   "I need to talk to you, Gail.  Soon.  Today soon."

   "Personally?  Or professionally?"

   "You can decide when we talk.  I'm not being dramatic."

   "Okay sweetie.  For you, anything.  Come on over now.  I'm just working
on briefs, and they can take a backseat to the best fuck I've ever had."

   Now Karen smiled.  It was an old joke going back to the time they had a
brief but very intense affair during Karen's divorce.  "Thanks babe, I'll
be there in 15 minutes.  You think your receptionist will be surprised to
see I don't have snakes for hair?"

   Gail laughed heartily.  "God, I should have married you!  I guess we'll
find out, won't we?  See you in a few Sweetie."

   Karen went inside and grabbed her coat, shutting everything down.  As
she left, she said, "Night Marcie."

   Marcie's eyebrows went up.  "This early?"

   "Yup, I have a couple of new listings I want to look at."

   Marcie knew Karen was lying, but she didn't dare pursue it.  When Karen
got ticked off, she'd scare a Marine drill instructor.  "Okie-dokie smokey,
see you tomorrow."

   Karen slid into the car and lit another cigarette.  She whipped out her
phone and quickly tapped out a text to Laci.  "U there?  If ur in class
text me on ur break."

   Karen decided to wait a minute in case Laci texted her right off.  She
did.  "Karen!!!!!  Im here."

   "hi sweetie.  might be a little late picking u up.  Important meeting."

   "Karen the school policeman made me talk to him.  I didn't say anything
bad but im vy scared."

   "Shit!" Karen spat.  "Its ok babygirl.  I know you didn't say anything
bad.  We'll talk tonight k?"

   "I'm still scared really really scared."

   "Everything's okay sweetheart don't worry-please.  K?"

   "k i wish u were here NOW i need to be with you to feel better."

   "I know kitten.  Ill text you when my meetings done k?"

   "I LUV U!!!!!!"

   "Luv u 2-bye for now."

   Karen tossed her cigarette and left for town.

   The Law Offices of Phillipon and Lynch were in a large, stately old
Federal-style mansion located just on the edges of the city's downtown
proper.  Karen couldn't help smiling quietly when she introduced herself to
the pudgy but pretty receptionist.  "I'm Karen Nelson, here to see Gail. 
And as you can see, I don't have snakes for hair."

   The receptionist looked at Karen as though she might be dealing with a
dangerous psychopath.  Obviously, Karen thought, she wasn't bright enough
to understand the joke.  "I'll let her know you're here."

   Gail came out, and for just an instant, chills rippled over Karen. 
Their brief affair had burned like a super nova until they both realized
that the same things that sent them into orbit in the bedroom would lead to
tragedy if they ever started getting serious.

   Until Laci, Gail was the only one who'd ever been able to take Karen to
magical places.  She'd almost fallen in love with the woman.  She was
achingly lovely, about Karen's size with long (Laci long) dark hair, and
the most devastating blue eyes Karen had ever seen-eyes you could drown in.
"Karen!" she bubbled like an excited child.  "I've missed you!  Come, let's
go to my office.  Jan," she said to the receptionist.  "Unless it's the DA
or Mr.  Lynch himself, do not disturb us, or I'll sic Karen on you-and she
hasn't eaten yet today." Gail laughed at her own joke, and Karen joined in
in spite of herself.

   Karen followed Gail through the ornate halls of the mansion, still
vaguely impressed by the elaborately framed paintings on the wall.  There
was an original Monet somewhere in there.  Once they were in Gail's office,
the lawyer closed the door and grabbed Karen in a full embrace.  She kissed
Karen flush on the mouth, hard enough that she thought Gail might French
kiss her.

   Gail released her, and those blue eyes sparkled naughtily.  "God, I
needed that," Gail bubbled.

   "Jesus Christ Gail, be careful or I might just have to fuck you!"

   "I wouldn't complain.  I'm sorry babe.  You know me."

   "Yeah, I do, better than most." Karen doubted if more than a couple of
people in the building had ever seen Gail when her mask was off.  When the
hard-nosed, ambitious attorney facade was pushed aside, she was an
irresistibly perky, flirtatious tease.  Men drooled over her, but Gail was
interested strictly in other women.

   "Okay, my passionate friend, let's have a seat and see what's got you so
wound up."

   Gail's office was dominated by a huge mahogany desk and ornate built-in
bookcases jammed with law books.  The chair Karen sat in was an antique
Queen Anne worth over a grand.  Karen closed her eyes and pinched the
bridge of her nose between her thumb and middle finger.  "Jesus Christ
Gail, I don't know where to start."

   "How about the beginning.  That's usually the best place to start."

   Karen smiled.  "Okay.  Good idea.  When Amy left to go live with her
father, she had one little friend I was very worried about.  She's a sweet
girl who comes from Bartlett St." Gail winced.  "Somehow, she and Amy hit
it off in a big way, they became very close.  Well, this kid's life at home
was pure shit, but she never complained, never was anything but sweet,
polite, appreciative.  Jason and I both grew very fond of her, and we went
out of our way to make sure the girl felt at home with us.  It seemed like
the decent thing to do was give her one place that was safe and fun.  She
actually became like family.  When Amy left, I told the girl that if she
ever needed a safe place to go when things went bad at home, my door was
open."

   Karen paused and looked at Gail, who reclined in her chair, legs
stretched out, eyes closed.  Karen knew this was a sign that Gail was
listening very carefully, digesting every single word.  She was an attorney
now, not a friend and former lover.

   "Well, the night the blizzard started, she suddenly landed herself on my
front steps-took a taxi with her own money.  At that point, she was mine
whether I wanted her or not.  Fortunately, I hadn't disassembled Amy's room
yet, so she had a warm bed to sleep in.  Well, when 2 women are cooped up
together for 3 days..." Karen saw Gail wince uncomfortably, but she didn't
open her eyes or say anything.  "You tend to learn a lot about each other."
Gail nodded her head almost imperceptibly, as though relieved.  "Well, I
learned that her home life was much worse than I'd ever imagined.  It broke
my heart, because this kid is beautiful and very, very smart, smart enough
for Amy to comment on it.  Anyway, when the storm was over, I was dug out,
and school reopened-that would be Tuesday-I dropped her off at school,
after giving her some of Amy's left-behind clothes to wear, and told her if
things got bad again, she should call me.  I told her I was going shopping
that coming Saturday, and she was quite welcome to join me.  Well, things
got bad again, because she called me, all worked up, Thursday."

   "How bad?" Gail said simply.

   "I'm getting to that.  You'll see in a few minutes.  So I went to get
her.  She'd grabbed a few things, and I brought her home.  At that point,
for better or worse, I was not going to let that child go back there until
things settled down.  Not if I wanted to be able to live with myself.  Well
we began to settle into a nice little routine.  It was almost like having
the old Amy back home."

   "What's the girl's name?"

   "Laci.  Laci Harper.  So anyway, come Monday, Laci wanted to go back to
the apartment to 'get something', what that something was, she
didn't-wouldn't- say.  I wasn't at all comfortable with that.  I didn't
think it was safe for her yet.  But she insisted and I gave in."

   "That's a first."

   "So I dropped her off, and suddenly it hit me like I was punched, what
the fuck was wrong with me, letting her go up there alone.  I had a very
bad feeling about it.  So, I went in.  I opened the front door of that
fucking cesspool, and...and..." Karen took a deep breath to compose
herself. It didn't work well.  The tears started.  Gail had seen her cry
many times, so Karen let the tears trickle out of her burning eyes.  Gail
only frowned slightly.

   "I...all I could hear was Laci screaming bloody murder, screaming my
name, pleading for me to help her." Karen sobbed, and her voice choked. 
"So, I ran up the stairs.  What the fuck kind of low-lifes can hear a kid
scream like that and not call the cops?

   "When I got to the top of the stairs, the door was open just a bit, and
the things I heard in there would make the Devil himself cringe.  I threw
the door open, and...and I...I saw the mother's boyfriend holding Laci by
the hair, while the mother punched her, not just once my dear.  So, I
screeched to let her go.  And by Jesus, they did.  I think they were
shocked when I barged in screaming like a pissed off banshee.  I told Laci
to get the hell out.  She took off, and I thought I needed to buy her a
little time to get out, so when they both said who the fuck are you, I
basically said I wasn't a 13 year-old girl, and they'd have a tougher time
handling me than her."

   Gail smiled, but didn't open her eyes.

   "Well, the boyfriend came running at me.  When he got close I pushed
him. Well, that was like throwing gas on a fire.  The mother grabbed a
knife, and he came running again.  I stepped back through the door, and
when he came plowing out, I stuck out my leg and tripped him.  He pitched
forward and bashed his face against the newel post of the banister.  I
found out later they were both fucked up bad on meth.  I figured then it
was time to get the fuck out of Dodge.  Laci was in the car, an absolute
hysterical wreck.  I brought her to the house, tucked her into Amy's bed
and sat with her all night.  On the way to the house, we were passed by a
bunch of cop cars and an ambulance, and I assume that's where they were
going.

   "Okay, I knew by then, by yesterday morning, that it was only a matter
of time before I had a visit from the cops.  And today I did.  A Sergeant
Potvin paid me a visit.  I told him basically what I've told you."

   "Karen, you know I'm not a criminal lawyer.  That shit holds no interest
for me." Her eyes were still closed.  "Go on."

   "Well, apparently the boyfriend is being charged with possession of
meth, felony domestic violence assault, and resisting arrest.  The cops
apparently had to use their tasers on him-twice.  The mother is being
charged with the same thing.  Anyway, that's story." Karen fell silent.

   Gail didn't move or open her eyes for a minute.  Then she sat up.  "So,
what it boils down to is you saw fit to take in and assume responsibility
for a troubled teenaged girl, and in the process, you got yourself involved
in a methamphetamine, DVA crime."

   "That just about sums it up."

   "Okay darling woman, gimme a dollar.  Just shut up and gimme a dollar,"
Gail demanded, impatiently wiggling her fingers.

   Karen frowned and dug out a dollar bill.  "Payday loan?"

   "You might say that." The dollar bill hung from Gail's finger like a
limp flag.  "So.  Now, you have a decision to make.  If I keep this dollar,
I am your attorney and anything that passes between us regarding
this...situation is privileged information.  By law, I cannot be compelled
to divulge any of what we say to each other to anyone.  However!" Gail
said, holding her hand up.  "There's an important caveat.  If you reveal
anything illegal to me-say you really went there to buy meth for yourself,
or you've lied to the police and you really walked into a calm situation
and provoked the violence-that is not privileged.  In fact, as an officer
of the court, I am bound by law to report it to the authorities.  Do you
understand?"

   "Yes dear."

   "Scenario 2.  If I give this back to you, we remain on a strictly
personal basis.  You can say whatever, tell me you shot the Pope for all I
care, and I won't say a thing.  However, if I'm sworn in, or otherwise
under oath, I am obligated to tell the truth, just as you'd be obligated to
tell the truth if I told you I hit an old lady with my car and took off. 
Okay?"

   "I get it.  Keep the dollar."

   "You're sure?  Good." Gail put the bill in her desk.  "Now, a question.
Are you out of your fucking mind?" Gail cried, sitting bolt upright and
slapping the desktop.  "Jesus jumped up Christ Karen!  There's a time to be
a tough bitch, and a time to be a sane human being!  Do you have any
goddamned CLUE what a stupid fucking move it was for you to play the hero
and stand up to a goddamned meth-head who's wound tighter than bark to a
tree?  Karen, be VERY thankful he fell, because if that scumbag got his
hands on you, I'd be at your funeral right now."

   "I know, the detective told me the same.  But Christ, how was I to
know?"

   "Karen, you go to an apartment in that neighborhood, you go in assuming
meth is being used.  Look, I know you were all adrenalined up, and I know
you can be a serious hard-ass at times.  It's one reason we never would
have been a good married couple.  I'm the same way, and we would have
murdered each other within 6 months, but come on."

   "What can I say?  I did it, it's over, I'm in one piece.  Now my
question.  What about Laci?"

   "What about her?"

   "What do you mean, 'What about her'?  I want the kid staying with me. 
She needs an adult who's actually an adult, and cares about her.  I've got
too much of my time and soul wrapped up in this kid to see her dragged off
to some fucking foster home."

   Gail sighed.  "Karen, don't be so dramatic.  Nobody's gonna show up,
slap her in cuffs and drag her ass off like she's a criminal.  Has anyone
from DHHS contacted you?"

   "No."

   "Good.  They will.  Soon.  But right now, it means they're comfortable
that Laci's safe with you.  I'd imagine the cops told them to relax."

   "That's what that detective told me.  I get the sense they want her help
nailing the mother and boyfriend."

   "Good point.  I'm sure she's seen a lot of nasty stuff going on in that
apartment.  I'll have to talk with her soon.  Tonight soon if possible."

   "Gail, I dunno, the kid texted me to say the school DARE officer
questioned her about this during school today and she's scared shitless. 
She might be a basket case.  Let me talk to her first, make sure she's up
to it."

   Gail sighed and shook her head.  "Okay, I'll cut you a tiny bit of
slack. It MUST be tomorrow morning.  You need to be here by 8:30, with the
girl in tow.  Got it?"

   "Got it.  We'll be here."

   "Now, I'd suggest keeping Laci out of school for the rest of the
week-call them, let them know-don't you frigging scowl at me!  They know,
Karen!  If she was questioned by a cop, somebody from the school's admin
had to be there as her adult advocate.  So just call them.  And you stay
out of your office.

   "You are going to be visited by, minimum, Child Protective by Friday,
and I would be very surprised if the state police and state DEA don't visit
you with you within a week.  And those cops are not nice men, they don't
always like to play by the rules when it involves meth-heads.  They will
stomp you into the ground if that's what they need to do to pin that nasty
motherfucker to the wall.  I will fire your ass, disown you as a friend,
and never kiss you again if you so much as tell those guys the time of day
without me sitting on your lap.  I know you don't intimidate easily, but
these guys are used to dealing with some of nastiest, meanest scum out
there.  They aren't likely to be intimidated by a cute 5' 3", 100 pound
woman even if she is Karen Nelson.  You tell them just as politely as you
can, 'Excuse me officer, while I call my attorney.' DO NOT let them sucker
you into thinking you really don't need me there."

   "Gail, I need to know, am I in any trouble?  Criminal trouble?"

   "Not unless you have a secret stash of meth in your cellar, or some
other deep, dark secret you're not telling me.  And if so, don't.  Tell me,
I mean."

   "Gail, you're frigging piece of work."

   Gail grinned broadly.  "I know.  And you love it."

   They both stood, smiling.  They came together in a deep embrace.  "God
Karen, I would jump you right now if I dared.  You're still the best I've
ever had.  I beat off to fantasies of you."

   Karen laughed.  "So eloquent.  There is such a thing as a phone y'know.
In case you haven't noticed, I'm not getting laid any more than you are."

   They instinctively kissed, deeply.  Karen's knees began to tremble and
she felt herself getting wet for the first time in days.  Yeah, Gail was a
special one, not to be forgotten.  They broke their kiss, fortunately,
Karen thought, before their tongues got involved.  They both sighed.

   "Okay sweets," Gail said.  "Tomorrow morning, 8:30.  Sharp.  I have to
be in court at one, and there's a lot to do."

   "Yes dear." Karen grabbed her coat and slipped it on.

   "And Karen.  No more tough girl heroics, okay?  I don't want to live in
a world without you."

   Karen smiled broadly.  "Yes mother, message received.  See ya love."

   It turned out to be a long and miserable day for Laci.  It started out
pretty good.  For the first time since it happened, the agony of Monday
night was receding enough that Laci felt able to go to school.  She
listened raptly to Mrs.  Johnson's lecture on dependent and independent
clauses, secretly delighted that she was understanding it almost
effortlessly.  She noticed that Mrs.  Johnson gave her funny looks a couple
of times, but she didn't dwell on it.

   Then the bottom fell out.  Dragged off like a delinquent to talk to the
cops and reopen the wounds.  Saunders, the DARE officer seemed nice enough,
and he promised she wasn't in trouble, but he was a cop for God's sake. 
Considering where she came from and who her mother was, they'd probably
already written her off as a punk.  And oh God!  Didn't any of them
understand how bad it hurt inside to relive that nightmare?  And she didn't
even have Karen with her.

   Laci was lost for the day after that.  She moved like a robot from class
to class, hardly aware of where she was.  Her mind churned endlessly,
reliving Monday night, terrified she might have said something that would
get Karen in trouble and they couldn't be together any more.  That was the
thought that wouldn't go away.

   Her moping was so bad, Mr.  Belden, her art teacher, took notice.  After
class, he called Laci over, and he gently put his hand on her shoulder. 
Mr. Belden was her favorite teacher.  She didn't mind when he touched her;
his touch didn't feel threatening like it did when some of the other men
teachers got too close.  Mr.  Belden was very handsome and very gay, and
maybe that's why she felt okay with him.  Maybe, but mostly because he was
so kind and gentle and warm.  He'd be a good Dad to have, she thought.

   "Laci dear.  Is something wrong sweetie?" he asked gently.  "When my
very bestest, favoritest student is so blue, it worries me.  My regular
Laci, who lights up the room like the sun, looks like she has a cloud over
her."

   Laci shrugged.  "I dunno Mr.  Belden.  I think I'm getting my period. 
That always makes me feel kinda yucky."

   Of course Belden knew that was a fib.  The police had questioned him,
along with Laci's other teachers yesterday.  There were fibs and then there
were fibs.  If she wasn't inclined to open up, well, as long as she knew he
was there if needed.  He squatted down to her level and said in a low,
conspiratorial voice, "I'll have to take your word for it, since I don't
have that problem."

   For the only time since English class that day, Laci managed a small but
honest smile.  She looked at him shyly, her eyes open and pained, and he
felt a lurch.  Someday, this girl is going to devastate some boy-or girl-
with those eyes.

   The text with Karen didn't help.  What kind of meeting?  With the
police? Officer Saunders knew about her.  How did they even know about
Karen?

   It was only when Karen picked her up at 3:30 PM that she perked up. 
Karen seemed her usual self, smiling and affectionate.  Sadly, there could
be no kisses in public, though that would have gone a long way toward
easing Laci's pain.  When she tried to bring up the day's ugliness, Karen
shushed her and said, "Not now kitten.  Let's wait 'til we get home."

   Laci pouted a moment before taking Karen's free hand in both of hers so
she could nuzzle her face there and breath in Karen's essence.  She
whispered again and again, "I love you, I love you," into Karen's palm. 
She needed to feel Karen, to reassure herself that she was really still
there.