Chapter 4: Blindsided

Lucy took a deep breath and started to explain.

“Bonnie and Claudia have been quarreling for a long time, A. After a bitter split four years ago, Claudia’s divorce became official last month, I believe. When I arrived at the Farrell house, Ben let me in, but then he went back to hanging onto his mother while she cried.

“‘Lucy, I’m so sorry; I should have called you,’ Claudia said.

“I said, ‘I don’t understand. Where’s your daughter?’

“That was the wrong question, A. Claudia started crying even harder. I begged Ben with my eyes, wanting an explanation. Ben was clearly in shock, but at least he could speak.

“Ben explained, ‘We finished the school day, and Jared, my father, showed up in a rental car at the curb in front of the school. He said he had flown in from Dallas, where he lives now. I was not expecting him, but Bonnie clearly was. He said that she didn’t need to live with Mom anymore. Instead, he was taking Bonnie to Texas where she would live with him and his new partner.’

“I asked Ben, ‘Just like that, he took her? Did your mom know?’ Ben confirmed this and continued the story. ‘They both made it clear that Mom’s opinion didn’t matter, and they were now on their way to the airport. Bonnie and my father said goodbye and drove off without even looking back at me. I walked home, and when Mom showed up after work, I had to tell—’

“Ben broke off, sniffling, and they went back to just hugging each other. I put my arms around both Ben and Claudia and squeezed.”

A couldn’t help but interrupt Lucy’s story, her green eyes flashing fire.

“How could a father be so cruel? And, Bonnie, what the fucking fuck! Ben’s going to be scarred for life after knowing his father is so hateful and only wants Bonnie and not him.”

“I have no explanation, A, for all this viciousness. Even if Jared was on fire, I wouldn’t piss on him. Once they calmed down a little, I realized they were probably hungry. I made them some dinner, followed by some therapeutic ice cream.

“Naturally, Ben and Claudia were exhausted from their dreadful day, and having dinner made them even more sleepy. I followed Ben into the hallway.

“I said, ‘Ben, Claudia is going to need all your help and strength starting in the morning. Go take a quick shower and get to bed. I’ll look after your mom tonight. I promise, you can both depend on me.”

Interrupting again, A said, “Grandma, I want to help, too.”

“I’m sure you can. Ben needs a few days off; you can ask for his assignments from the school. We can revisit that question as today is Saturday, of course.”

“Did you have breakfast?”

“Yeah, I made us all breakfast before I left their house this morning.”

“How were they doing?”

“So sad! But calmer. My guess is that by Monday they will be steaming mad instead of crying about yesterday. Now that I think about it, I’m going to call Jackie.”

“Who is Jackie?”

“Jacqueline Dubois is an old friend and the sharpest lawyer I know. I want to help with paying to hire her. That’s money out of our budget, though, A. Is that OK with you?”

“GRANDMA! You don’t need to ask. Jackie needs to take that fucker’s house in Texas from him, sell it, and use the proceeds to send Ben to college.”

“I don’t know if the law works that way, but I like the way you think, darling granddaughter. I’m kind of tired, though, A. Let me catch up on my sleep, and we’ll talk more this afternoon.”

In bed with her eyes closed and her head deep in her pillow, Lucy smiled as she felt a sweet kiss on her cheek.

A few hours later, Lucy woke and looked at her bedside alarm clock through bleary eyes, seeing “14:28” (2:28 p.m.). She struggled to her feet, headed to the bathroom, and stripped off her remaining clothes. The mirror showed her familiar shape.

“Not bad, Lucy, considering how old you are.”

She stepped into the shower and decided to wash her hair.

After twenty minutes, Lucy dried off and wrapped her head in a towel turban. As she padded out to the kitchen in her birthday suit, she saw her purse open with a note from A.

“Grandma, I took $20, and I copied the Farrell’s address. I’m going to stop at Poloni’s Market and get some sandwich fixings, then I’ll go make them some lunch. Love, A.”

Taken aback and smiling, Lucy once again realized how sweet her girl was.

Ben went to answer the door and found a smiling teenager.

“Hello?”

“Ben, I’m Ariel Evans; I go by just ‘A.’ I’m in the class behind you at the high school. Lucy Johnson is my grandmother. Here, hold this.”

“A grocery bag?”

“Yeah. My grandma made your breakfast, and I’m going to make your lunch. Got it?”

“Um, OK.”

“I’ll just go hide my bike behind your side gate. Look in the bag, then go ask your mom what she wants in her sandwich. I’ll be in shortly.”

Ben left the bag on the kitchen counter and went to the master bedroom door. He knocked briefly and turned the knob. On the edge of the mattress, Claudia sat naked except for some panties.