Page 16 of Bad to the Bone

My heart aches as I watch my father march up the driveway. I should have called. I should have warned them. I should have backed down at the house and kept him far away. The doorbell rings and a slimy, sick feeling creeps into my veins. Kim answer’s the door, looking adorable with no makeup and a pink sweatshirt on. Her face is splattered with flour and the smell of brown sugar wafts into the night air.

The smile on her face disappears as she opens the door and realizes who is standing in front of her. Her eyes move quickly from my dad to my mother and then to me. I jam my hands in my pockets and shake my head slightly before looking down at the floor.

“How can I help you?”

“It has come to our attention that our son has been spending a lot of time here and we-”

“Miss Macmillian, may we come in? I think there is a lot we need to discuss regarding Zayne and Shannon,” my mother interrupts my father. It’s an almost unheard of occurrence and he gives her a dirty look for her efforts.

“Sure, come on in. It’s a bit messy. I wasn’t expecting guests,” Kim says, stepping back to let them in.

My father holds the door open as my mother passes through, stepping in front of me as I follow.

“You keep your mouth shut, do you hear me?” He whispers to me.

I don’t answer. It’s not a question, it’s a demand. I keep my eyes on Kim as she rushes around to welcome the enemy into her home. My mother plays her part well, smiling congenially and accepting the offer of a cup of tea graciously.

I take up a sentry post against the wall, guarding the hallway that leads to the bedroom I share with this woman, my woman. My father takes a seat beside my mother but declines any refreshments.

“I know that Zayne has been spending a lot of time with Shannon lately. I also know that Shannon is generally a bright and well behaved young lady,” he begins.

“Excuse me but, how do you know that?”

“Well, I am, of course, interested in the kind of girl my son is spending time with,” he says, annoyed that he was interrupted.

“I’m sorry, but I doubt that,” Kim says, chortling softly.

“Excuse me-”

“What I think we need to focus on is the incident in school. It’s not like Zayne to get any disciplinary actions against him at school. Of course it was just a detention, but it’s still not a good sign,” my mother interjects, patting my father’s hand gently.

“I agree. Shannon has never had a fight in school and has never been in trouble. But, somehow some of the girls got it in their heads that she’s dating your son and decided to attack her for it. Did you decide to drop in on those girls as well?”

“Well, no. We thought it was best to try to sort this out privately.”

“And how do we sort this out?”

“Well, perhaps it would be best if the kids didn’t spend so much time together.”

“But, they’re just friends,” Kim retorts.

“Oh come on!” my father throws his hands in the air and my body tenses as I wait for him to pounce. “He eats here, he sleeps here, he is obviously in some kind of relationship with her and you aren’t going to do anything about it? You are just going to condone teenage sex in your home?!”

Kim’s face contorts into a look that I have never seen before. Indignation and hurt war for dominance in her eyes as she swallows slowly and struggles for calm.

“Mr. Turner, I am a teacher and a parent. I am there at school with them both and I am here whenever Zayne is here. I can guarantee you that although Zayne and Shannon are very close, their relationship is more like siblings than lovers. And Zayne is always welcome here. All of Shannon’s friends are. And more importantly, the ‘kids’ as you call them, are 17 and 18 years old. They’re nearly adults. If they decide to have sex I would rather that they feel like they can be open and honest with me about their relationship than to sneak around and keep secrets. I don’t think I need to tell you how dangerous secrets can be.”

Her words hit their mark and my father visibly winces as she delivers her last line. I am careful to hide my reaction and keep my face completely still as I watch the drama unfold.

“Mrs. Macmillian,” my mother begins.

“MISS Macmillian, I am not married.”

“We both want what’s best for the kids. There are only a few weeks left until the end of the term. Next year they’ll both be off to college and making new friends. I think we can let this go. None of us can control what happens when they are at school and away from supervision, but we would like you to stop allowing Zayne to come here and spend the night.”

“Firstly, I don’t believe for a minute that Zayne is ever out of your supervision. I don’t think that any of us are. However, this is still my house. And until the lease is up, Zayne will be welcome here. If you don’t want your son to associate with us, then I suggest you take it up with him.” Kim’s bare feet and ponytail are overshadowed by her calm, even tone of voice and dominating aura. They are on her turf now, and they are finding out how an unimposing woman like her manages to keep control of a classroom full of rowdy teens. She is magnificent, and regal, and not giving an inch.

“Let’s get out of here. It’s clear that she isn’t going to listen to reason,” my father stands suddenly. “I hope you know that this isn’t over. Far from it, young lady. And if there is one more upset like this one-”

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