Chapter 2

Linda had been with me five weeks when she learned that her father was being released on the following Monday. Linda wanted to be there when he stepped out of prison a free man. Linda managed to get a couple of days off and because I had some vacation coming, I was able to travel with her. We arrived in New Jersey just before noon on Sunday.

We drove into a decent section of the city. “Mom lives in the section on the right. There is parking in the rear.” There was a little lawn in the front and some around the parking area. There was fencing that enclosed the whole lot. The house looked like it had four apartments.

“Did you live here?”

“I was born here and lived here until I moved out when I was seventeen and went on my own. I hope Mom is home. I didn’t tell her exactly when we were arriving.”

“She’ll be home. In fact unless I miss my guess that would be her that just came out the door. You look much like her.”

“It is. She’s beautiful isn’t she?”

“Yes, and you’re a perfect copy of her.” Linda had time before Wendy reached the car to turn and look at me.

“Stan, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” The car stopped and Linda jumped out to meet her mother. I watched the two hug. They stood where I could compare mother and daughter. I knew Wendy’s age was around forty and Linda was twenty-two. They looked more like sisters. They both had wavy brown hair. Linda’s had a little more sheen to it and she was a couple of inches taller. Wendy was a little fuller and heavier, but she still was a fine figure of a woman.

I eased out and started toward them as they came to meet me. Wendy stopped and looked at me. “So, Stanley, you’re my cousin I take it? I’ve heard some wonderful things about you. My mother sings so many praises of you if I didn’t know better I’d think you were her lover.”

“I would be if Aunt Mildred would have me. I practically was brought up by her. My folks didn’t live far from her so when I was big enough to ride my bike, I mowed her lawn and did odd jobs for her. I did that until I went away to college.”

“That’s odd she never mentioned you.”

“Maybe because you ran away just before I began helping her. In essence I did for her what you would have done if you hadn’t left.”

“I did run away, didn’t I? I wasn’t happy at home and mother wasn’t very forgiving when I contacted her some time later. When Linda called a few weeks ago, it was the first time I had kind words from mother since I moved here.”

“Not my business, but Aunt Mildred is happier now than she was before you talked. I hope you are too.”

“I am. I’m glad that Linda got in touch with her and asked her to speak with me.”

“Mother, it wasn’t me that made the decision to call and it wasn’t Gram either. It was this cousin that practically ordered us to.”

“Stanley, whatever possessed you to make them call me?”

“First of all, I didn’t order them and it was just a suggestion. I kept hearing about some beautiful cousin that I had never met. I figured if you all forgot your differences and got friendly then I might get to meet this person. I must say, you are as beautiful as I was led to believe and I’m not disappointed at all.”

My beautiful cousin, Wendy stared at me. I knew she didn’t have me figured out and didn’t know how to deal with me. She got out of it by asking, “Why are we standing out here in the parking lot? Come in and be comfortable. I have a lunch prepared. It is one of Linda’s favorites.”

“I hope it is Shepherd’s pie?”

“It is.”

“We went into the kitchen. The apartment was clean and arranged attractively. The furniture looked to be well worn, but, not tattered. Wendy went about setting the table with Linda’s help. “Stanley, I have beer and ale for a beverage. Your choice.”

“I’ll pass, I don’t imbibe. I’ve had a problem in the past with alcohol.”

“So, young man, you aren’t as perfect as I was led to believe?”

“I never said I was perfect. I was married for a time and when it ended, it tore me up pretty badly. I went off track for awhile.”

“That’s too bad. Tell me about getting off track. You know about Linda’s father don’t you?”

“Yes. Sometimes a person has to regroup and begin again.”

“Oh dear, this might cause a problem with the sleeping arrangements I had planned. I had the idea that you and Linda were sleeping together. We only have the two beds.”

“No we aren’t sleeping together, but just for a couple of nights we could. I brought pajamas and I assume Linda did too. I’m sure Linda will trust me not to go animal on her.”

“That may be, but can you trust her not to attack you?”

Linda exploded. “Mom, cut it out. We haven’t even kissed. We’re cousins, remember?”

“Stanley, you must be gay, then. There is enough distance between you two so a little sex wouldn’t matter.”

“No, I’m not gay and I’m not a rabbit either. Linda and I are housemates and if we started fooling around, it would upset the situation. You have a couch, I can sleep on that.”

“Stan, I knew this was going to come up. I just didn’t know how to tell you we might have to be in the same bed. I do trust you and I know we will be just as pure in the morning as when we went to sleep.”

Wendy spoke up. “For tonight then Stanley can sleep with me. My bed is bigger.”

Linda was getting mad. “Mother, I’ve told Stan why I left home and all about you and father. We can find us a motel if you keep needling us. Stanley will be sleeping with me, so change the subject.”

“Okay sweetheart, I’ve forgotten how touchy you are about your father and mother and how we live. I left Vermont to get away from what I call a bunch of hide-bound old Puritans.

I wasn’t getting into this at all. The air was a little frosty between Wendy and Linda. I was beginning to side with Linda that her mother was a difficult person. I was glad I wasn’t living with her. My heart went out to Linda. I wondered what her father would be like. Tomorrow at ten in the morning I would meet him.

After lunch nothing more triggered hard feelings. Mostly Linda talked about her grandmother and how wonderful she was. After supper and the kitchen were straightened up, Wendy announced, “I have to go out this evening. I’ll be back early.” She was looking at Linda and seemed to be daring Linda to say something. Linda just turned away.

Wendy waited, and not receiving any comments, went out the door. Linda immediately burst into tears. We were sitting on opposite ends of the couch. Linda got up and came over and sat next to me. Sobbing, she said, “Mom is going out and get screwed. I just know it. Dad is coming home tomorrow and she just has to have once more to throw it in all of our faces. I thought she could at least contain herself until we went back home. I almost wish we could leave right now.”

“We can’t do that. I was looking forward to being in bed with you.”

That got me a wan smile and, “You know just the right thing to say. You do see how difficult Mom can be, don’t you?”

“I can. We’ll meet your father tomorrow and then we’ll head back home. You’ve been happy there haven’t you?”

“I’ve never been happier. You know I’m never coming back to New Jersey again and I’m rethinking about going to live with Gram this fall. Maybe if we promise to visit her a couple times a month she’ll let me out of my promise.”

“We’ll see. There are still a few months before you planned to move, anyway.”

“Stan, I’m pretty close. Would you put your arm around me? I need some closeness.” I could give her that. My right arm went over her shoulders and she put her left arm behind me and then curled her head down on my chest. We stayed this way for a few minutes. “Stan, this is so nice, I could stay like this for ever.”

“Umm, it is nice.” I guess we dropped off because I awoke hearing someone coming in. I had time to nudge Linda and she scooted over to the other end of the couch pretending she was asleep. Wendy looked at me when she came into the living room.

“Geesus Stanley, I left long enough so you could make love to my daughter. I’m wondering about you.”

“Keep wondering. Linda was crying when you left. She assumed you went out to get screwed one more time before her father got home. It took a lot to convince her to wait and see her father tomorrow instead of going home tonight she was that upset. Was she right?

“None of her business.” She was lying, I could tell.

“Oh, well, we’ll be going back to Vermont just as soon as she sees her father. I’m afraid you have lost any chance of coming together with Linda. It is your loss. Linda has been trying to find some love from you most of her life. I feel sad for you.”

“What do you know about my life?”

“Not much and I have to admit I don’t think I want to know more about it either.”

Wendy looked at me ... and surprise ... she was looking hurt. “Wendy, I have to ask, do want to us to find a different place to stay tonight? I realize I haven’t been a very good guest.”

“No, no, please stay. I’ll think about this after you take Linda to bed. Tomorrow is a big day for all of us ... Mike’s especially.”

I poked Linda and she pretended to wake up. “Hi Mom, you’re back. I’m so tired I’ll see you in the morning.” She staggered down the short hall to the bedroom.

I washed up in the bathroom, putting my pajamas on at that time. Linda was waiting for me to finish. I got into bed on the far side and lay looking toward the door. Linda came in. She was still looking sad. “Linda, there is a freshness about you that makes you much more beautiful that she. I don’t want you looking sad either. Come to bed and I’ll hold you like I did on the couch.”

Linda crawled in beside me and held my hand. “You really laid into my mother didn’t you?”

“Yeah, and she deserved it.”

“Stan, now you know my mother and you can see what it was like for me while I was a kid.”

“I’m sorry I pushed for you to become friendly with her. I just didn’t know. What about your father?”

“Dad was always under Mom’s thumb. He never seemed to go against her. You know just before Dad got caught, I heard Mom screaming for him to go get some money and she didn’t care how he got it. Go rob a bank or something, she said. That same night Dad was apprehended and put in jail. Before his trial Mother had another sugar daddy to replace the one she had lost.

“We’re going to meet him tomorrow. You father has been in prison for how long?”

“Three and a half years. He told me not to visit prison when he went away. The only contact I have had with him is though mother and some letters. I’m sorry now I didn’t try to see him. I should have when I went to live with my friend.”

“You can make it up to him after today.”

“I sure have a screwed up family, don’t I?”

“I wouldn’t call Gram screwed up and I don’t see as you are too bad. I think you are a keeper if you don’t change that much. Let’s see what tomorrow and your father will bring.”

Wendy was jumpy and nervous at breakfast. The prison was sixty miles away and we had to be there at ten. Linda told her mother, “After I meet Dad, I’m going to go see Betsy, the friend I lived with. I think I’ll have Stanley drive his car so I can go from the prison there instead of coming back here.”

“Okay, I was going to suggest we take both cars. Are you staying another night?”

“Stan and I have two more days before we have to be home. You can have Dad today and we’ll have him tomorrow to get reacquainted with. Where will we be first seeing him?”

“There is a room provided for those inmates just released. His parole officer will be there and the man who I arranged to employ him will be there as well. This may all take an hour before you can go to your friends.”

“Okay.”

We left for the prison at eight, not knowing what the traffic would be like. We were a few minutes early. The parole officer was there. I sat down next to him and asked general questions about his job.

He admitted that being a felon was a bad situation to be in. “Half of them get into trouble and are back here, often for a more serious crime than what they were originally in for. The best way to help them is support from their families. I don’t hold out much hope for this person. His former wife found him a job and a place to live, but that’s it for him.”

“You mean he isn’t married now”

“No he isn’t. His wife started the divorce several months ago and it was final after six months. How are you related to him?”

“The young lady across the room is his daughter. I’m her cousin and she is my house mate. We live in Southern Vermont. His ex-wife, the girl’s mother, is a strange one, although she is my cousin too. I just met her yesterday.”

“Is there any way the girl can help her father?”

“I don’t see how. We both have jobs.”

“That’s too bad for him. Of course he might not have any problems. As long as he keeps his nose clean by staying out of trouble and reports to me on time he’ll be okay.”

“How long will he have to keep reporting to you?”

“A year. You know he has to call me if he wants to leave the state. What he does is tightly controlled, and there are some things I have to shut him down on. But then I have some leeway too. If you talk to him, impress on him to follow all the rules.”

“I will, but I don’t know what I can do.”

“I’ll give you my card if you have any questions. I’m busy so keep trying if I don’t get your first call.”

“I will.”

Just then the person who agreed to hire Mike came in and began a conversation with Sam Potter, the parole officer. I went over and sat down beside Wendy. It was ten minutes of ten. “Wendy, the parole officer tells me that you and Mike are divorced and you have found another place for him to live?”

“That’s true, but again it’s my business and nothing to you.”

“Mom, why haven’t you told me? Dad must be crushed.”

“He is a little upset, but that man over there in the work uniform gave him a job and Mike is boarding with one of his other employees. That fulfills my duty to your father. I decided to get on with my life. I can’t do it married to a felon. It’s done so get over it. I’ve already moved his clothes to his new home. They may not fit him but that’s not my problem.”

Just then Mike came through the door. He was out of prison garb, but what he was wearing was damned cheap. His eyes went first to Wendy. There was pleading in his voice as he spoke, “Wendy?”

“No Mike, it is all over. I said I would find you a job and I have. The owner is here, but first your parole officer needs to speak to you. He gave me a few minutes to let me introduce Linda’s friend. You of course know our Linda. I don’t think she has given you a thought since you went to prison.”

“That’s not true, mother. I came down from Vermont today just to be with him. Daddy, mother hasn’t changed at all. I’ve tried to be a good daughter to her these last few weeks when I was urged to by my friend. I’ve just found out today it is all for nothing. Daddy when you get your business done, can Stanley and I take you out to a nice place to eat when you finish?”

“Of course you can, sweetheart. I’m so glad you are here. Wendy, you might as well leave. I’ve had enough of you. I can get reacquainted with Linda and her friend without you.”

“Good, I doubt we will be seeing each other and that’s what I prefer.”

“Okay, it’s for the best, feeling the way you do about me.” Wendy turned and went out the door. Mike said, “Come Linda, and we’ll get me out of here. Linda said your name was Stanley. You might as well hear the lists of dos and don’ts as well, so you’re included too.”

We were introduced to Pat Huber, the auto mechanic who was going to employ Mike. He hired felons just saying he was one himself once and had someone who took him in hand when he came out of prison. He owned the house where Mike was going to be living and quoted what Mike would be paying for the room. The rent didn’t appear to be too steep even though Mike probably would be working for minimum wage. Mike seemed satisfied.

Sam Potter gave his spiel. “This has to be said, but it is mostly using common sense. I’ve been doing this for several years, so I can usually tell if you are trying to snow me about something. If you do make a mistake, call me first and I’ll see what I can do with your problem.

“Now, as far as reporting in, I’ll need a face to face the first few weeks. After that I may only need a phone call three weeks out of the month. We’ll see how it goes. Remember when a kid if you were in the habit of not minding your mother, you may be in trouble. What I’m saying is that I’m your new mother and you have to mind me. You will have a curfew because of the crime you were engaged in when apprehended.

“I understand this is your daughter who has been living in Vermont. I’m aware that you have been recently divorced from your wife. I gather that your daughter is the only member of your family that is in your support group. Be nice to her because you need her. It isn’t good to be alone since that’s a recipe for getting into trouble.

“Now, I’ve set up an appointment weekly at 11:30 every Monday. Bring a sandwich so that you can get back to work when work resumes at 1:00. Mike, I have faith that you will get through this and be a free man.

“Your record will always be with you, but don’t let it bother you. Many people are more understanding than you would think. Linda and Stanley, I want Mike to ride into town with Pat so if you want to get together, you might follow his car and find out where he will be living. Linda, do keep connected with your father as much as possible. For awhile you have to be the adult and encourage your father to stay on track.”

“I will. Stanley is good at keeping people on the straight and narrow. He will help.”

“Are you two a couple?”

“No, but we are cousins, housemates, and definitely not in any kind of relationship.”

“So then Mike is Stanley’s cousin or maybe Stanley’s nephew?”

“No such luck. He is cousin to my mother as well as to me.”

I spoke up, “Mike was married to my cousin and still would be if he hadn’t got divorced. I’ll still claim him.”

Mike looked pleased. “Thanks Stanley. I don’t know you yet, but I know I’m going to like you.”

Sam Potter led the three vehicles. I guess he wasn’t worried about a traffic cop for he soon left us behind. We could see Pat and Mike talking. Pat drove the speed of the traffic flow, which I was thankful for. We pulled up in front of a large three-story house. Pat and Mike went into the house, not waiting for us. We were just going up the steps when Mike came back out and motioned to us to hurry.

Pat was standing in the doorway of a medium sized room waiting. I estimated it to be 14x18 in size. It had a single bed, a bureau, a love seat, table, and two chairs. There was an area rug on the floor. Mikes clothes and a few personal items were stacked in the corner of the room to be sorted through and put away.

“Bathroom is down the hall with shower and a tub. There is a kitchen you can use if you care to cook your meals yourself. The five other men living here don’t bother, but eating out takes up a big part of their pay check.

“I expect you to get along with everyone. You’ll be working along side of three of the men at the garage anyway. I’ll start you off on maintenance. That is mostly keeping the place clean. Some mechanics are notorious for leaving shop equipment out on the floor. Your duties will include putting them away at the end of the day.

“If you want to make a little extra money, you can go over to the car wash and be the towel man. That opens an hour earlier than the shop. There is the noon hour when it is also difficult to have it manned. That’s yours if you want it. People around here tip well. Mondays you won’t be able to because you have to see Sam at the parole office. If you do work at the car wash, time there doesn’t count toward overtime.

“Other than that, you need to be on time and follow the shop rules. I think this is a good place for you to start to get your life back together. As time goes on I’ll have you doing basic mechanical work. How about a vehicle license, is that up to date?”

“Yes, I’ve kept it renewed.”

“That’s good. If I need a parts run I can use you. Maybe you can use a company vehicle when you see the parole officer rather than use the bus. We’ll see what works out. Now get reacquainted with your daughter. She is a beautiful young woman.”

“Thank you, Mr. Huber.”

“Call me Pat, everyone does.” He turned and went out. It looked like Mike had fallen into a great place to work. If I read things correctly, Mike might come out of this without problems.

Mike turned to us. Linda went and hugged her father. “Daddy, I’ll put your things away. They look like Mom just dumped them here.”

“Probably. Are you surprised that I’m divorced?”

“Yes, and I’m sorry.”

“I’m not and I must say I’m glad she did. I ought to thank the guy who is keeping her. He must want her pretty badly. I was going to do something about her if he hadn’t. Actually, I’m relieved. While I was sitting in court waiting to be sentenced I thought what a damned fool I’ve been.”

“You must hate me for not coming to see you, but you told me not to.”

“No, don’t be sorry. I don’t think I could have stood seeing you and not being able to get close to you. I think somehow after I get done with my parole, I will move to where you are and we can be a family again. Your mother used to scream at me if I showed you affection. I decided that was going to change, but by divorcing me I can show you all the affection I want to.”

“Daddy, I wish you could come to Vermont.”

“I can’t now. I’ve learned to not wish for the now and maybe the future will bring the things a person wants. I’ll be totally out of this mess in a year. I was born a Vermonter and the Lewis name goes back a long way. I think I’ll plan on moving to Vermont as soon as I can. In the meantime, I love you and I feel you love me.”

“I do. Daddy, let me tell you about Stanley and what a great person he is.” Linda shared how we met and how I had tried to get the different parts of the family together and how her mother had acted when we arrived yesterday.

“Linda and Stanley, I’ve given up on Wendy, and to save your selves from heartbreak, you may have to do likewise. I’ll leave it up to you. Now, you promised me a great meal somewhere in a nice restaurant. Let me get the prison stink off me and get into some of my own clothes. They may be a little loose, but that’s okay.

“What would you like?”

“Prime rib, real mashed potatoes, a salad and maybe broccoli or cauliflower. That is what I’m craving. I think dark chocolate cake and butter-brickle ice cream in a separate dish. To start with, I could use an ice cold brew.”

“You get changed while we look over the kitchen and we’ll fix you right up.” We walked down the hall to the kitchen. It was fully equipped, but didn’t look as it was used much. There was a moldy half sandwich in the refrigerator and someone hadn’t cleaned the stove. I suspected that would change.

“Your Dad just came out of prison, but he is a nice looking man. His graying hair and regular facial features make him very handsome.”

“I know. Being tall and thin helps out a lot too. Mom always thought she was the best looking, but with her bad attitude I’m inclined to think Dad is.”

I smiled at my cousin, “Linda, you know, you just someday might end up with a step-mother.”

“Stanley, I might at that. You know you might end up with a new wife as well.”

“When I’m totally over the wife I had, I’ll think about it.” Linda started to say something, but bit it off. Mike came into the kitchen saying he was ready. Yes, he definitely was more handsome than I was. Mike had a favorite restaurant he wanted to eat at. It was quite a distance from his new home.

There was one person on the wait-staff who remembered him and gave us a table in a little nook so we could converse quietly. “Tell me about your life, if you would Stanley?”