Chapter 7: Time to Stop Idling

I was still panting, and my heart was racing after an extended session of after-dinner sex. Val had worked me over, the whole ABCDF routine, like on our first night together.

“Wow. That was fantastic, Val. What got into you?”

“You caught me.”

“What? I don’t understand.”

“For a man in his forties, you don’t have a lot of experience to go on. Let me be plain. I want something, so I buttered you up first.”

“I loved it, but you know that’s not necessary. I love spoiling you, sweetie.”

“This is different. What are your plans for tomorrow?”

“Hm, same as today, I guess. Do you have something in mind?”

“Are you still able to practice?”

“Assuming you don’t mean the harmonica, yes, I still have my license. Why?”

“I think it’s time I got off my ass and did something with my days, before my butt gets wider and flabbier. I sometimes see that you get bored, also. We can’t keep our brains going with only fantastic sex, swimming, and meals.”

“OK, you have a point. So, what?”

“You know other kinds of law, right? I mean, generally?”

“Yes, I do. I don’t do criminal work, but I have that friend over at the Placer County District Attorney’s office.”

“Here’s my idea. I want us both to volunteer at the Family Safety Center in Roseville.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, it mostly functions as a battered women’s shelter. Women and children go there for protection from violent partners and spouses. There are a few abused teens there as well.”

“OK, I understand, but why both of us?”

“Simple. Imagine your male partner or spouse has beaten and abused you. You’re getting help with your basic needs from the Safety Center, but you very likely have legal issues as well.

“Let me speak plainly. I know you’re as gentle as the spring rains, but the client doesn’t know that. She doesn’t want to be alone in a room with a guy she doesn’t know. So, I go in with you to be reassuring and helpful. And we help them with their legal problems.

“You mean things like restraining orders, child support, and custody?”

“You got it. And every night, we come back here, and I gratefully fuck your brains out for being such an excellent man. What do you think?”

“Hm. I guess I’m going to need to think about it.”

“Of course, it could be a lot of work for you to be volunteering.”

“OK, I’m finished.”

“Finished? What?”

“I’m done thinking. I’ll do it. You set it up, Val; I’ll be there.”

“Christ in a rowboat! I LOVE YOU!”

Not for the first time, I shifted uncomfortably in the hard wooden chairs in the meeting room at the Family Safety Center.

“Alright, Elena, let me sure I have everything. You were living with this guy Manuel in the house that you own, with your daughter and little son, who are yours but not his children. Then he lost his job and started beating on you and being rough with your daughter; that’s why you’re here at the center. We need to get him out of your house so you can go home, keep him away from you, and make sure he doesn’t steal any of your income or benefits. Oh, and we have to keep him away from your father, who wants to wring his neck after kicking him in the cojones.”

Throughout this description, one of the center’s staff, Natalia, was translating my words into Spanish. Everyone smiled when I said “cojones” (testicles), though. Elena understood my English, but I used Natalia just to be extra sure. Meanwhile, Valerie was taking notes for me.

“What do you think—do we need Lenny and Diego?” I asked Natalia.

“Absolutely.”

“Elena, everything—I mean, all the legal paperwork—will be ready on Friday. Make sure you have your things together, and my buddies will bring you home and kick out Manuel, firmly. Oh, don’t look scared. They’re former football players, uh, American football, and they each weigh twice as much as I do. All muscle. Those guys will hang around for a couple of days and keep you safe. In exchange, they will eat about 200 tacos each. That will be your problem. Now, go and be well; we’re going to take care of you and your kids.”

Val smiled and passed me her notepad.

“ABCDF,” it read.