Joe had given his class a set of ten short stories with a blurb describing each. He’d asked the kids to pick one, read it and answer a series of questions they would later discuss in a small group. The day the assignment was due, he stood in front of the class. “All right, let’s see who’s working together.”
“First, Ernest Hemingway’s ‘The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber’?”
Four students.
“Check out who’s in your group, but don’t move chairs yet.”
“Gotcha, Mr. Taylor.” Dave Baker had been unusually friendly of late.
“Next, ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks,’ by Victor Hugo.”
“Third, Robert Cormier’s ‘Protestants Cry, Too.”
“Finally, Thomas Pike’s ‘The Last Big Game.’”
Damn it. The three football players in the class picked the Pike story, as Joe knew they would. He’d had no idea that Dash Bodine might be interested in that one.
But he had to continue. “All right, get in groups and begin with question one. I expect you to finish by the end of the period, with one set of answers recorded by a secretary.”
Big and brawny, the three players dragged their chairs into a closed circle. From the other side of the room, Dash scanned the class. His face stayed neutral as he saw who he’d be working with. He walked over to them. A girl joined them. She was a football cheerleader. She smiled at Dash. “Hi, I’m Tammy Cramer.”
“Dash.”
“You’re new.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you know the others? Dave, Adam, and Peter?”
“Hi to everybody.”
Tammy frowned. “Come on, guys, widen the circle so we can join.”
Shamed into it, the three others scraped back their chairs. Since they were closest to the front of the room, Joe busied himself at his desk in case things went south.
“So, who’s going to be secretary?” Baker asked.
“Don’t you dare say me because I’m a girl.”
“I’ll do it,” Dash volunteered.
“I’ll be the reader.” This from Mark. “Question one. ‘What role does sports play in this story?’”
“That’s easy. It’s a place to get out aggression,” Dave said. “Sounds good to me.”
“Does it really?” Tammy asked. “There’s no fun in it anymore in this world. Sports are used as a means to control society, and people are forced to play.”
Baker wiggled his brows. “And it’s legal to maim and kill others.”
The girl made a disgusted sound.
“Chill out, Tammy. I was joking.”
Mark read, “Question two. ‘Do you see any parallels to today in the story?’”
“The spate of high school deaths occurring today in high school football,” Peter said. “There were twenty last year. Maybe the author’s warning about where we’re headed.” Joe liked Peter, and he was smart, but Baker was a bad influence on him.
“Bodine, whaddaya think?” Dave challenged.
Looking up from his notes, Dash held the guy’s gaze steadily. “I think it’s a judgment on how prevalent violence is today.”
“Yeah, you’d know about that.”
Dash’s eyes narrowed on him. “Yeah, I would. Want me to tell you how violent it is on the streets today, Baker? Because I will if it’ll get you off my ass.”
“Yeah, sure, tough guy, clue me in.”
Joe stayed where he was. Dash had asked him not to intervene, but he hoped like hell the boy could handle himself. He didn’t much feel like breaking up another fight.
oOo
Sitting in a circle in class, Juliet greeted her students. This was a place she was competent and valued. “The assignment to be completed for today was to relate the play Othello to current social issues. I’ll collect these at the end of class but am asking for three volunteers on different issues to read theirs aloud.”
Joanna raised her hand. “I did mine on intermarriage and the bias against it.”
“You can read first.”
“Next?”
A black student contributed. “Mine’s on the stereotype of the angry black man.”
“Last?”
Chelsea raised her hand. “Mine’s on the premise that Othello is a wife beater, perhaps the most abusive male in all of literature.”
Juliet’s heart clenched. She had to struggle hard to listen and comment on the first two, which were well documented. Then Chelsea read her paper:
“Reader Response for Othello. From a feminist perspective, it’s obvious that in Shakespeare’s play Othello, the female lead is abused. There are many ways this is shown besides the obvious ending of the work. First, abusers often don’t reveal their tendencies until after they’ve won the girl, so to speak. Othello courts and marries Desdemona, and they are blissfully happy. Until he becomes an insane, jealous madman. As evidence, he states at the beginning of the play, ‘But that I love the gentle Desdemona,’ to midway through, ‘I’ll tear her to pieces.’
“Second, as soon as he marries her, he becomes manically possessive. He challenges her to show how devoted she is to him. He jumps to conclusions when Iago, the villain, hints at her adultery. He asks her outright but won’t believe her when she vows she’s been faithful.
“Third, he isolates her from her family and intimidates her completely by the second half of the play.
“Fourth are the instances of physical abuse—he grabs her roughly, strikes her in public and eventually chokes her to death.
“Last, he blames her for his actions, and in the classic abused-woman syndrome, she agrees to punishment, even right before she breathes her last breath. This is shown in act five, scene 2, ‘O, banish me, my lord.’”
No one spoke after she finished. Her voice had started off flat, then rose and fell with emotion as she got into her paper. Juliet was moved for many reasons, not the least of which was seeing her and Dave in the hall that day and then comforting the girl in the bathroom.
Chelsea was a victim of teenage dating abuse.
“I need to ask you something about the literary magazine before you leave, Chelsea.” Juliet waited until the class emptied, then closed the door.
Her student was wild-eyed. So Juliet said directly, “Chelsea, tell me why you wrote that essay about abuse. Is it personal?”
oOo
From their sitting room in the wing of the Taylor house, Joe opened the door to his private entrance to find Juliet and her daughter on the stoop. Bending down, he picked up Hannah and she squealed. “Hey, girl. Think you can handle the boys in this house tonight?”
“You have brothers, Mr. Taylor. I wish I had them.”
Juliet bit her lip. The gesture elicited a male protective response from him.
“Yeah. I hope you feel that way tomorrow after they tease the heck out of you.” The students had an extra day off for teacher conferences on the Thursday before Columbus Day break.
“Come see my room, Hannah.” Joe set the little girl down and Brady grabbed her hand. “We’re gonna sleep in there in a tent.”
Juliet shifted from one foot to the other.
“Oh, sorry. Come on in.”
She checked her watch. “For a minute. I have plans.”
“Darn. I was hoping you’d stay and have dinner with us.” He didn’t know why he’d said that. He’d been avoiding her the past several days. Still, he went on, “I made homemade pizza. Don’t worry. Lacey left us a salad.”
“I can’t, but I’m happy that Hannah gets an overnight. Are you sure Lacey doesn’t mind having her at your house tomorrow?”
“Not at all. The boys are off, and Dad’s taking them on a fishing trip since it’s still warm enough out. Lacey can supervise Hannah and Brady. They’ll probably do their own thing anyway.”
Reaching out, Juliet put her hand on his arm. And left it there for a minute. Joe felt the warmth flow from her to him. “Thanks Joe. She does mean that she wished she had siblings.”
“How come she doesn’t, Juliet?”
“For a myriad of reasons. I wish she did, too.”
“I’m sorry you don’t have everything you want in life.”
“Hardly.” She blew out a heavy breath. “Listen to me. I’m whining. Have fun with Hannah and Brady.”
“Have fun wherever you’re going.”
“I will. Like you suggested, I’ve been reaching out to friends at school. They invited me on a girl’s night out.”
“Oh, Lacey’s already left for that. I didn’t know you were going, too.”
“I’m anxious to get better acquainted with her.”
When he closed the door behind Juliet, Joe went to look in on the kids, who shooed him away. Then he sat at the desk in the living area between his and Brady’s bedrooms and pulled out his journal. He had to get some things off his chest.
Son of a bitch! I’m trying. Really, really trying. I’ve been dating. I haven’t sought her out at school. I’ve controlled my thoughts better than I ever have because of what’s at stake here. But when I saw her on my doorstep tonight, I wanted to scoop her up. I wanted to drag her into my room and make love to her.
Maybe I should have let myself go with Lila last Sunday. She wanted to. In some ways, I wanted to, too. But something stopped me. Probably an innate integrity Dad drilled into me about always being fair to women, and even in my pitiful state, I know making love to one woman when you wanted another is the height of hypocrisy, of unfairness, of a seediness I wasn’t capable of. Dear God, I need more help.
oOo
Sitting on one of the chairs on Zoe’s porch at her condo, Juliet sipped her wine and looked out at the water lapping on the shore. Its whoosh filtered in through the open screen doors. “This is a lovely place, Zoe.”
Glassed in, it had a magnificent view of the bay, comfortable furniture in nubby white fabric and a Southwest print rug on the floor, the room was a showplace.
Curled up on a sofa with Lacey at the other end, Zoe grinned mischievously. “Yeah, some interesting things happened out on this porch before Kurt and I got married.”
The girls laughed.
“We considered selling the condo after we built a house near Cassie and Lacey. We should, but…we’re keeping it for sentimental reasons, I guess.”
“That’s sweet.” So sweet that her story and her obvious love for her husband made Juliet’s throat clog.
“Is Craig sentimental, Juliet?” Cassie asked from the big loveseat.
“I don’t think he ever was. But before and right after we married, he was attentive. Not so much when he became a congressman.”
She thought of Chelsea’s paper on Othello.
Abusers often don’t reveal their tendencies until after they’ve won the girl….
“And he’s away a lot.”
“Which you don’t like, right?” Cassie probed.
“Um, yes, of course I don’t like it.” She purposely turned to Lacey to change the subject. “Thanks for watching Hannah tomorrow.”
“Hannah’s a doll. Brady adores her.”
“Who knows,” Zoe chimed in. “Given our six degrees of separation, maybe they’ll get married and you’ll be part of our family.”
A thunderbolt of awareness hit Juliet. She wanted to be part of their family but not that way.
“Wouldn’t that be something?” The words were as sincere as Juliet could make them.
“What do you like to do, Juliet, besides be with Hannah and teach?” The question came from Lacey.
She sighed. “I’ll tell you, but the rest of you have to share, too. This isn’t get-to-know-Juliet night. You each have to talk.”
The women nodded, but somehow, their focus on her seemed preplanned. Oh, hell, what if it was? She appreciated their interest.
“I like to swim. I was on my college swim team and try to do laps every Saturday and Sunday.”
“I love to travel,” Zoe told her. “Paris is my favorite city.”
Lacey was thoughtful. “I have a confession to make. I miss working. Even with my brood, I’d like to be doing something of my own.”
“Then, go for it.” This from Cass.
They discussed at length the pros and cons of finding work. Juliet offered, “You know, if Seth isn’t available for anything you might want to do, you could drop Brady at my house. I have an excellent, caring nanny you could meet ahead of time.”
“How nice of you. I’ll tell Seth that, if I decide to pursue this.”
Cassie stretched out her long legs, encased in jeans. “I still like to play volleyball, but the girls are so busy with their own teams, I don’t get to Hotshots much.”
“Mitch could go to a game with them one night,” Zoe suggested.
“He could. But I don’t want to miss seeing them play. It’s only for a season anyway. And soon Alexandra will go to college.”
After a while, dinner, which they’d sent out for, arrived. They were about to sit down when Juliet’s phone rang. The others looked at her. “I have to get that. Cassie told me you don’t answer calls on nights like this, but I’m alone in raising Hannah.”
“Go ahead, Juliet.” This from Cassie.
She went back to the porch. “Hello.”
“Juliet. What took you so long to answer?”
“Hello, Craig.” She hadn’t talked to him since Sunday and was still annoyed with him. “I’m out tonight with some teachers.”
“Where’s Hannah? You’re supposed to be parenting her and not gallivanting around town.”
As soon as he marries her, he becomes manically possessive. Then he isolates her.
“She’s fine. She’s staying with a friend.”
A long pause. “I can tell by your tone you’re upset with me.”
“I am, Craig. I’m upset about how you talked to me on the phone the other night.”
“You brought it on yourself.”
Last, he blames her for his actions, and in the classic abused-woman syndrome, she agrees, even right before she breathes her last breath.
“I don’t agree with that. But you know what? I’m having fun, so unless you wanted something specific, we were about to eat.”
“Honey, listen. I’m sorry. I’ll be better when I come home.”
Here it came, again the apologies and the kindness, which were both phony. The reaction always made her feel worse because she knew he was manipulating her. But she wanted so badly for him to treat her lovingly.
A tear fell down her cheek. “Good-bye, Craig,” she said and clicked off. Then she put her face in her hands. Damn him for ruining tonight.
When she was more composed, she turned to go back inside. And found the three women behind her. “W-what are you doing out here?”
Cassie spoke up. “We knew something was wrong when you got that awful expression on your face.”
“So we’re doing an intervention.” This from Zoe. “We care about you, Juliet.”
“And I don’t know you very well,” Lacey told her, “but I do know Joe adores you.”
Oh, Lord.
Cassie came in closest and grasped her hands. “Talk to us, sweetie. We can help.”
She should lie. She should tell them her relationship with her husband was none of their business. But her loneliness…her hopelessness…emerged. She couldn’t give them the whole story, but she could confide her unhappiness. She had to do something.
“You’re right. My marriage isn’t happy. Craig doesn’t treat me anything like your husbands treat you. And truthfully, I’m sick of it.”
The rest of the night—even when they ate—the women gave her sympathy, support and advice. All of it made her feel better, not so alone. As they were leaving, Zoe reached for her hand and pressed something into it. “Take this. In case you need to get away again. We’ll come with you or you come alone.”
Juliet looked down at what she’d been given.
A key to Zoe’s condo.
oOo
He dreamed about Juliet. After he’d seen her last night, written about how much he wanted to be with her, his nocturnal musings had been X-rated. This morning, he woke up hard and hungry from his time in the phantom bed he’d occupied with another man’s wife. And so, Joe being Joe, he felt like pond scum.
After teacher conferences, he’d been anxious to get out of school and was hurrying by her classroom when he saw her inside staring out the window. Her shoulders were hunched and her entire posture was stiff. Something was wrong. Damn it. He couldn’t leave her like this. He went to the door. “Juliet? Are you all right?”
His position gave him a view of her as she wiped her cheeks. Then she turned. “Yes, of course.”
After a moment’s hesitation, he crossed to her. “You were crying.”
“Just a little teary. I get that way sometimes.”
“Aren’t you looking forward to the long weekend?”
“Are you?” It was a pointed question, and he knew in his gut her query referred to the fact that the two of them wouldn’t see each other for three days.
Still plagued by recrimination, he shook his head. “We shouldn’t talk about our feelings.”
“I agree. So, sure. I can’t wait to spend the weekend with Craig. He’ll be home tonight and then leaves Monday.”
“You don’t sound happy about that.”
“We argued bitterly when we last talked.”
That comment and the earlier one seemed to slip out, as if she couldn’t control what she said.
“Why was he angry with you?”
“He found out about the speech I gave to the Women Republicans. And then I criticized him for his mean comments about what I did.”
“I don’t understand.”
“A colleague’s wife told him about how much I helped them understand their son.”
“And Craig got mad?”
“I think his exact words were ‘This is about me, not you.’”
Joe’s insides clenched. He struggled not to let his fists curl. “Sorry to criticize the man you married, Juliet, but he’s an asshole for saying that to you. For feeling that way.”
She started to laugh, but the sound was unpleasant. Desperate. She was on the edge, so Joe went to the classroom door and closed it. Then he led her to the screened-off area where she conferenced kids. Easing her down onto a chair, he drew another over to her and took both her hands in his. Her eyes widened.
He said quickly, “No, don’t object. Just for a minute, let me be your friend.”
She gripped his fingers.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“Nothing new. Our relationship hasn’t ever been equal.”
“What do you mean?”
“I told you neither of us had any family when I was in college and he attended law school. I let him take care of me, make decisions for me. He treated me like a queen then, but I didn’t realize how much of myself I relinquished to him until it was too late.”
“It’s never too late to take back your life.”
“Isn’t it? He manages the money, the cars are in his name, he’s been making the decisions in our family for more than a decade.”
“You’re an adult, sweetheart. You can step back anytime you want.”
It took him a second to realize she looked panicked.
“I…I’m sorry. The word slipped out. I, um, call other women that. Cassie’s girls…”
Juliet yanked hands from his and stood abruptly. “What are we doing? I can’t complain to you about my marriage when I feel…no, no!”
She rushed out from behind the screen and over to her desk. Grabbing her purse and teacher bag, she fled out of the room. All before Joe could say anything more.
A giant hole formed in his stomach. He’d unwittingly added to her already troubled state.
oOo
Still upset from her encounter with Joe, where so many things had been said, more than just the word sweetheart, Juliet focused on Hannah. She listened intently over dinner about her overnight and how awesome Mr. Taylor was. He’d gotten in the tent with them, she said, and the three of them fell asleep together there. She talked about Lacey and Seth, wishing she had grandparents. Brady told her they could pretend they were brother and sister. Hannah even liked that the teenagers in the house teased her. Pleased by her daughter’s happiness, Juliet put her to bed at eight, poured herself a glass of wine and waited for Craig in the dimly lit living room.
Her conversation with Cassie that night at dinner came back to her…
Hannah and I often feel we’re intruding on his important work.
“Well, that sucks.
With Joe…
You could never, ever be window dressing…
Sorry to criticize the man you married, Juliet, but he’s an asshole for saying that to you.
And last night with the girls…
You don’t have to take shit from him, Juliet… (Cassie)
Would you like us to help you get some counseling? I know some talented people in the community. (Zoe)
What can we do, sweetie? (Lacey)
Juliet sat there, as the things Craig had said and done to her surfaced—the ones she’d been denying for years.
And she cried.
He stormed through the door thirty minutes later than he’d said he would be home. “Juliet? Where are you?”
She swallowed hard at his aggressive tone. “In here.”
Silhouetted against the light from the foyer, his stance was stiff. “What the hell are you doing in the dark?”
“Thinking.”
“What’s wrong now?” Impatience permeated every word.
Silence from her.
He switched a light on in the corner and headed straight for the wet bar. His gait was uneven. Then, glass in his hand, he took a chair. “I’m not in the mood for a fight.”
“Have you been drinking?”
“Yeah, I had a couple at the airport. I wasn’t driving.”
Her hand tightened on the glass.
“You, too, I see. You never drink alone. Why now?”
“I guess I’m feeling bad these days.” She raised her chin. “About you and me.”
“Christ Juliet, I don’t need this shit. I get enough of it on the Armed Forces Investigative Committee.”
“What? Why?”
“Didn’t you see it on TV?”
“Um, no.” In truth, she’d forgotten the proceedings were televised.
“That’s great. My own wife can’t support me.”
Slamming her drink on the coffee table, Juliet stood and circled it so she was directly in front of him. “Don’t you dare say that to me. I’ve supported you my entire life.”
“What’s gotten into you? You know I don’t like smart-mouth talk.”
“I’m tired of you blaming me for things.”
He gulped back the liquor. Carefully set his glass down. He stood, and his fists curled at his side. Her heartbeat escalated at the look she’d seen in his eyes three times in the past year when he…
The blow came fast and hard.
Juliet’s cheek exploded and she stumbled away from him.
She fell backward.
Her head grazed the edge of the coffee table before she hit the floor.
Craig loomed over her and her hands went reflexively to cover her face. “Don’t you ever talk back to me again. Or you’ll be sorrier than you are now.”
For the first time, Juliet was afraid for her life. She thought of Desdemona at the hands of an angry Othello. So she said no more.
“I’m going to my den. Do not disturb me.” Stopping to get the bottle of liquor, he stormed into the other room and slammed the door. She heard the lock snick.
She lay there, as she had the other three times he’d hit her, wallowing in desolation and grief.