Chapter Seven

1990 – Paldeer, Illinois 11: 30 a. m.

A knocking on her bedroom door jolted Erin awake. Her eyes went wide with the realization of who was on the other side of that door.

“Erin, honey, are you still asleep? ” Katie called, jiggling the handle. “Why is your door locked? ”

Jackson heard the voice and instantly sat up in a panic. Her focal expression matched Erin’s who had placed a finger over her mouth, shushing her.

“Yeah, Mom. I was really beat. ” She paused. “I must have locked it by mistake last night. I don’t wanna get up to open it, though. Did you need something? ” Erin heard her mother sigh.

“I am going to the store. Since we emptied the house before we left for vacation, I need to shop. I was going to ask you if you wanted to come, but since you’re still in bed, I’ll go alone. ”

“Okay, Mom. Have fun. ”

“Did you want anything special from the grocery? ”

Jackson kept mouthing, “Go away” while Erin tried hard not to laugh. “No, Mom, I’ll be fine with whatever you pick. I’m gonna rest for a while longer. ”

“Okay, honey. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. ”

Jackson pumped her fist. “’Kay, Mom. Bye. ”

The girls didn’t make a sound until they heard the front door close. Both released a huge sigh and laughed nervously once the coast was clear.

“Man, that was a close one. I gotta pee! ” Jackson exclaimed and ducked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Erin leaned back in bed and laughed. She closed her eyes and opened them wide when she heard a knock on her outside window. Her mother had stopped on the way to the detached garage in the backyard.

“Honey? ” she shouted through the closed glass.

Erin leapt off her bed and answered loudly, “Yes, Mom? Why are you outside my window? ” She hoped Jackson heard her so she’d stay in the bathroom.

Motioning for Erin to open her window, Erin did, only to have her mother yell, “What’s your screen doing open? Anyone could just climb in your room. ”

Thinking quickly, Erin said, “I locked myself out of the house before we left for Wisconsin. I guess I forgot to put it back. Don’t worry, I always keep my window locked, Mom. ”

“You’d better. That isn’t safe, honey. ”

“Mom, if someone wants to get in, they’re gonna get in despite a screen. ”

Katie smiled. “You’re so smart, dear. That’s probably very true. I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to bed and I’ll see you in a little bit. ”

Erin smiled, hoping the sweat she felt pouring from her body wasn’t visible. “See ya later, Mom. ”

Erin watched her mother walk through the side garage door and waited until she saw the overhead door open. She watched her mother back out and close the door. The burgundy Nissan backed slowly down the drive and out of Erin’s view. She quickly opened her door and raced upstairs to watch through the bay window in the living room as her mother drove off down the street.

“Oh, thank God! ”

Jackson stealthily came up behind her and grabbed her sides. “Boo! ”

“Hey! ” Erin whipped around. “You’ve had the chance to pee, I haven’t! I’d prefer not to do it on my living room floor. ” They laughed and Erin ran into the powder room.

Jackson took the opportunity to look at Erin’s house for the first time. The house was very, very tidy. Everything was neatly arranged, from the sofas to the grandfather clock, to the large potted plants on Oriental carpets. All in all, it was a nicely decorated house.

Erin came out of the powder room with a loud sigh of relief. “Aahhhh, so much better. ”

Jackson laughed. “I’m sure. God, I’m so glad you spoke up when you did, I was ready to come out of the bathroom. ”

“Oh, my God! I thought I was going to die from fear! I forgot to slide the screen back into place and, of course, she saw it and had to ask me about it. I just hope she doesn’t remember that you can only unlock the screen from the inside. I told her I always kept my window locked, but then how would I have gotten inside? Uggh! I think she bought it, though. ”

“I think so too or she wouldn’t have left until she had you under the lights. ” She changed her voice and raised her hands up like she was holding lamps. “Where were you the night the screen was opened? What are you hiding? ”

Erin laughed and slapped her hands away. “She’s been so crazy this year. I just don’t get it. She has this ridiculous idea of what she wants me to be and it’s not even close to what I want. ”

Sighing, Jackson said, “I know, Hawk. She has this picture in her head of you going to school, graduating from the best college, finding the perfect man and settling down to have grandchildren…for her. ” She shook her head. “This is what she wants. Just stick to your guns and live the life you want. ”

“I’ll do my best. It’s so hard around her. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I wasn’t a disappointment. My dad, on the other hand, just wants what you want and that’s for me to be happy. He’s really a great dad. ”

Jackson smiled. “I can see that. I see the way his eyes light up when you’re around. That’s one thing I missed, not having a dad that I knew. ”

“You’ve never told me about that. ”

“There’s nothing to tell, Hawk. My mom got pregnant when she wasn’t married. I was the oops and the guy that did it was nowhere to be found. ”

Softening her voice, Erin asked, “Does that bother you at all? ”

“Mmm, some, but Jackie has been a great mom and I don’t think I could ask for a better life. ”

“True. ” Erin smiled. “You do seem very happy. ”

“I am, for the most part. ”

“Okay, enough of this. I need some breakfast or something. I am so hungry! ” Erin exclaimed.

“Come back with me, ” Jackson blurted suddenly.

“What? ” Erin wasn’t sure she’d heard right.

“Come back to Wisconsin with me. ”

“Jack…”

“Hawk, your dad is up there so it’s not like you don’t have a place to stay or a ride home. The only obstacle would be…”

“My mother. ” “Your mother, ” they said in unison.

“That’s a pretty big obstacle, Jack. ”

“Yeah, but she won’t be home for a couple hours. We could be a third of the way back by then. ”

Thoughts raced through Erin’s mind. God, she’d kill me. Although, Daddy is still up there. God, she’d kill me… Still, I only get a month a year with Jack… She’ll get over it.

“Let’s do it! ” She knew she would be grounded until next year, but she didn’t really care. “I get one month out of the year to see you and we’ve only had a few days. ”

“Are you sure, Hawk? I’m being selfish and want to spend more time with you, but I don’t want you to deal with the wrath of your mom. ”

“I haven’t even unpacked my suitcase. I just need to shower, change my clothes, and grab my art stuff. We can eat on the road. ”

“You’re serious? ” Jack could hardly contain her excitement. “You’ll really come back with me? ”

“Yeah. Let’s get going before my mom decides to come home sooner. ” She ran to the kitchen and opened drawers, looking for paper.

Jackson watched, amused, happy, and really excited.

“I just need to write her…”

“A note! ” they both yelled, and then laughed.

Erin wrote her mom a note with an apology and a promise to call when she got back to the resort. “She’s gonna have a major cow, but I won’t be here for it and I know she won’t drive back to get me with my dad already there. ”

“Rock and roll! Get going, girl! ”

Erin shot a toothy smile at Jackson and ran downstairs to shower and get her stuff together.

Jackson chuckled at her friend’s excitement and hoped that Jackie would allow her a few last moments with Erin before she killed her.

The music was blaring from the car windows as the two teenagers sped their way up I-90. They were getting close to Madison and Jackson knew she’d soon have to be watching for her turn off. Erin was bopping to Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’ CD in the player. She was singing loudly and badly, much to the amusement of her riding buddy. ‘Keep it Together’ was playing and the two girls began to sing it together.

“Keep people together! Yeah, Mom! ” Erin shouted, making Jackson laugh.

They were having a great time in the car, both relieved that the tension between them was gone and they could simply enjoy the company and closeness that was unique in their lives. Both knew that their maternal figures were going to be less than pleased, but somehow the punishment for their crime didn’t seem as bad as it would’ve been to not commit the offense.

For Jackson, having Erin around was like having a new supply of oxygen. Everything seemed clearer, more vivid, and her heart couldn’t have been more full. With Erin coming back with her, Jackson was truly a happy girl.

Erin’s head was bopping as the last track on the CD was coming to an end. She saw that Jackson got in the far right lane to get onto Route 39. Jackson had only been driving a little less than a year, but Erin thought she was doing a fantastic job.

“Hey, Jack, how’d you find out how to get to my house? ”

Jackson pulled the trip ticket out of her pocket and held it out for Erin to see. “Jackie’s a member of the motor club and they tell you exactly how to get to places. I looked you up a long time ago and just kept the directions in case I ever wanted to pop in and surprise you. ” She gave Erin a grin, making Erin giggle.

“I’m sure my mom would’ve loved that. ”

Thinking about her mother, Erin was certain she would be home by now. She knew that she would be beyond angry at her decision to get in the car with Jackson and drive all the way back to the Island City. As she thought about what punishment her mother might devise, she quickly thought about spending three more weeks with just her dad. They’d never had a vacation alone before and Erin knew she’d have a great time with him. He is always so much more relaxed when Mom’s not around.

“We’re halfway there, Hawk. God, the ride down to you seemed so much longer. Time is just flying! ”

“This is so awesome! Woohoo! ” she screamed out the car window. Jackson laughed at her antics. Settling back against the seat, Erin put her arm out the window and let the wind take her hand up and down, depending on the angle she held it. With Jackson by her side driving to their favorite place, this was by far one of the best days of her life and she was going to enjoy every minute of it.

1990 - Paldeer, Illinois

Katie Hawkins pulled her car up the drive and hit the button on her garage door opener. The door opened and she drove the car inside. Hitting her trunk opener, she slowly exited the vehicle and walked around to the back of the car. She pulled out a couple of bags of groceries and carried them to the back door of her home. Opening the door, she walked into the kitchen and put the bags down on the counter.

“Erin! ” she shouted. “I’m back! Give me a hand with the rest of the bags, will you? ” Emptying a bag, she realized Erin had not answered her. She shouted again, “Erin! Come up here and help me! ”

She walked to the edge of the stairs. “Erin? Are you home? ” Sighing indignantly, she descended the stairs and looked into Erin’s empty room. Her bed was made, her sleep clothes were on the floor, but nothing else seemed amiss. “Erin? ” She looked in the bathroom, but no one was there.

Where the hell has she gone now?

Angry, Katie made her way up the stairs and went outside to retrieve the rest of her groceries. She began her meticulous task of putting away the groceries. Martha Stewart had nothing on Katie Hawkins when it came to order. Every shelf had a label, shelf paper, and cans facing forward. Once all the groceries were put away, she grabbed all the plastic bags and wadded them up to recycle later. She opened the door to the pantry to put the bags away and noticed the garbage can was empty without a new bag inside of it. Realizing it was garbage day, she was happy that Erin had at least remembered to do that. Opening the cabinet under the sink, she grabbed a new trash liner and put it in the garbage can then closed the door.

Feeling a little hungry after leaving the house without lunch, Katie began to make herself an open-faced sandwich. She fluffed her lunchmeat just so, added a dollop of mustard, put it on a plate, and poured a glass of water. She sat down at the kitchen table. Noticing a piece of paper with Erin’s handwriting on it, she picked it up and began to read as she took a drink of water. Water flew out of her mouth and she began to cough.

Dear Mom,

Don’t be mad! Jackson came down from Wisconsin and paid me a visit. We had a bit of a misunderstanding, which is the truth of why I left there in the first place. We talked and made up and she offered to take me back up to the resort to spend the rest of the time with Dad. I figured since you were already leaving there without me, this wouldn’t be too big of a deal.

I’m sorry we won’t have any “our time” but I’ll make it up to you when we get back. I’ll give you a call when I arrive so you don’t worry too much.

Love,

Erin

Katie slapped the kitchen table so hard and thoughtlessly that she hit the side of the plate with her hand and her sandwich flew into her lap. She screamed in uncontrolled anger as she grabbed a towel from the kitchen sink to wipe up the mess she’d made.

“Damn you, Jackson Thomas! Damn you straight to hell! ”

Running to her address book, she flipped the pages until she got to the tab with “N” and found the number for Northwoods Island City resort. She picked up her receiver and dialed.

“Hello, Northwoods Island City, how can I help you? ” Jackie answered.

“Miss Thomas, this is Katie Hawkins. ”

Jackie swallowed hard, knowing this was about Jackson and her jaunt to Illinois. “Yes, Katie? ”

“Do you have any idea where Jackson is? ”

“Well, she told me—”

“Let me answer that for you. Jackson is in the car right now with my daughter, heading back to Wisconsin! ”

“Really? Well, at least they’re all right. ”

“All right? How is two teenagers driving six hours in a car by themselves considered all right? ”

“Katie, I think you’re overreacting. Jackson is a responsible driver. ”

“There’s that word again. Tell me, Jacqueline, do you always use the word responsible when your niece is caught doing something wrong? Or is it just when she’s caught doing something to endanger my daughter? ”

“Now, look here, Katie. That boating accident was not Jackson’s fault. As you know, my niece saved Erin’s life. I find that extremely responsible. As far as this impulsive drive to Illinois, well it was definitely not one of her better ideas, but that’s for me to deal with when she gets back home. ”

Katie was pacing her kitchen. “Well, I suggest you put a leash on her if you expect her to listen to what she’s told. ”

“That was uncalled for! Jackson has done nothing to warrant such hateful remarks from you. ”

“Your niece is unnatural and I don’t want her anywhere near my daughter! ”

Jackie became angry. “Excuse me? ”

“Your sweet, responsible Jackson is unnatural and a queer. I can see it when she looks at Erin, touches her. Those are not natural thoughts from one girl to another! ”

“So, what you are telling me is that not only are you overreacting about all of this, but you are a bigoted fool as well? ”

“How dare you! ” Katie screamed.

“How dare I? You’re the one accusing my niece of…of God knows what, when all she’s done to Erin is be a friend to her since they’ve met. I think you are the one who is a little unnatural if that’s the only aspect of their friendship you have been focusing on. Tell me, Katie, how much time, really, do you spend on how Jackson touches Erin? Doesn’t that sound a little unnatural to you? ”

“You’re no better than she is—a charmer spewing poison, like a viper. Snakes, that’s what you all are. ”

Jackie couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous woman. “You know what, Katie? You’re right; we are snakes. But you know what? We really like to eat rats so you’d better be careful, because you’ll be what’s next on the menu. ” Jackie abruptly disconnected the call.

Katie hung up and threw the telephone, screaming out her rage.

1990 – Northwoods Island City

Jackie paced endlessly, trying to get rid of the residual anger she felt toward Katie Hawkins.

Sandra watched her walk around the house for a short while before feeling a little dizzy. “Jackie, calm down. You know that woman isn’t balanced. ”

“I know, but damn, I wanted to reach through that phone line and strangle her! She’s got a lot of nerve, that one. ” She mumbled a few choice words.

Sandra was a little uncomfortable with the topic since she knew her family felt the same about gays. “I’m sorry to say that my mom isn’t really much better. You know she would freak out about us if she knew. ”

Jackie stopped and stared at her. “So, what exactly does she think of our friendship? ” I can’t believe you haven’t told her, yet.

Uh-oh, bad timing, Sandra. You know this is a sore subject. “She knows we’re really close friends, ” she said evasively.

“What does she think of us living together? ” Jackie’s ire was starting to turn toward Sandra.

Head suddenly falling in shame, Sandra answered, “She thinks I’m helping you with the resort this summer. ”

“Are you serious? ” Jackie asked, disbelieving the words being spoken. “So, she still has no idea about us? ”

“No, she doesn’t. Honey, she would make it so hard for us. I don’t want to tell her. ”

“Are you ashamed of who you are? ”

Jackie’s stare was intense and making Sandra thoroughly uncomfortable. “No, I’m not. I just don’t want to hurt her and this would hurt her. ” She paused. “Jackie, you know she’s from an older generation and wouldn’t understand. ”

“I don’t understand how you can let this not bother you. You are supposed to be my partner, my lover. I mean, do you have any idea how this makes me feel? ”

“Jackie, I’m sorry. Believe me, I am bothered by this. I hate that I can’t muster up the courage to tell her about us. Don’t make this so hard for me. I don’t want to have to choose between you and my mom. ”

Jackie’s anger turned to disappointment in Sandra. Her last statement said far too much about their future. “I can’t believe you just said that. It should not have to be a choice! You either love me for keeps or you don’t. I’m too old to play games, Sandra. ” She took deep breaths to keep the tears at bay.

Jackie looked out the window and saw Jackson and Erin getting out of Jackson’s Honda. “We’ll talk more about this later. Jackson just got back and we are going to have a nice long talk. ”

“Okay. I’m gonna make myself scarce for a while. ” She walked up to Jackie, lightly kissing her cheek. “I’ll give you some time alone. ”

Jackie gave her a wan smile and nodded. “Thanks. ”

Jackson and Erin walked up the path to the main house with big smiles on their faces. When the house was in sight, Jackie came out of the door with her arms crossed. Uh-oh. Good feeling’s gone.

“Jackson Emma Thomas, you get your ass in this house immediately. ”

“I’ll see you later, Erin. ” Jackson gave her an apologetic look, which was returned.

“I’m gonna go look for my dad. ”

“’Kay, see you later, ” Jackson said.

“Jackson! ” Jackie shouted.

“Maybe, ” Jackson added with a whisper and large round eyes.

Erin hustled away in search of her dad to tell him she was back.

When Jackson reached her, Jackie grabbed an earlobe and dragged her into the house. “Ow! Jackie, come on, you haven’t done that to me since I was nine! ”

“Well, you behaved like a child last night. What the hell were you thinking? Driving to Illinois in the middle of the night. Did you even think once, what would happen to you if something went wrong with your car? What would have happened if you ran out of gas or had a flat tire? Just who do you think would help a young girl on the side of the road in the middle of the night? Some knight in shining armor or some sicko with teenaged girls on his mind? ”

“Jackie…”

“No! You put yourself in extreme danger with this stunt, Jackson, and I’m very disappointed in you. ”

Those words cut deeply. Jackson absolutely hated disappointing her aunt. “I’m sorry, Jackie. ”

“Yeah, me too. ” She held out her hand. “You know this drill all too well these days. Give me your keys. ”

“Wha…? Aw, come on, Jackie, nothing happened! ”

“Keys! ”

Shaking her head in disbelief, she handed over the keys to her car.

“You’ll get these back after I think of something else to do to you. You have no idea what you’ve done, do you? ”

“What are you talking about? ”

“I got a nasty phone call from Erin’s mother. ” Jackson’s eyes went wide. “Yeah, it was not pretty. Seems as though she thinks you are an unnatural snake with eyes for her daughter. ”

“You’ve got to be kidding me! ” Jackson couldn’t believe Katie Hawkins had the nerve to call her aunt. On second thought, who are we talking about here? “ Erin knew she’d be mad, but God, I can’t believe she called you. ”

“Why wouldn’t she call me? You’re my responsibility, Jack. Erin got in the car with you and you two drove four hundred miles to Wisconsin, all by yourselves! Why does this surprise you at all? ”

“I dunno. ” Jackson sat heavily on the couch. After several long minutes of silence, Jackson whispered, “I had to go. ”

Slowly calming down, Jackie sat next to her niece and tried to understand what had happened that made her niece jump in the car in the middle of the night. “Tell me why. ”

Jackson looked up into her aunt’s eyes and told her the whole sordid story about Molly. She didn’t gloss over anything, just so Jackie would understand the full impact that all had had on her.

“So, you went to Paldeer to get your friend to forgive you? ”

“Well, when you say it like that, it certainly doesn’t sound as desperate as it felt. Jackie, I was dying inside! ” she cried, tears starting to form.

“Shh, okay, okay, don’t cry. Because nothing happened to you or to Erin, I’m not going to chop your head off. Just realize that it wasn’t a very smart thing to do, especially at that hour. Had you told me all of that, I would’ve let you go during the day. Of course, I would’ve made you stop and call me every hour, but I would’ve let you go. ” She started to rub Jackson’s back. “Don’t ever do anything like that again. ”

“I won’t, I promise. I just couldn’t lose her, Jackie. She means too much to me. ”

“I know, honey, I know. ” After a few moments, she asked, “Does she know how you feel about her? ”

Jackson shook her head. “No, she doesn’t, but that’s okay. She doesn’t need to know. She’s not gay, so it isn’t important. What is important is that she knows I am and she still wants to be around me and be my best friend. ”

Smiling at her niece, she said, “You know, Jack, sometimes you are wise beyond your years. I think it’s great that Erin knows about you and still loves you for who you are. Do me a favor? Next time just pick up the damn phone and call her! ”

Chuckling softly, Jackson replied, “I will, but I was so afraid her mom would answer and not let me talk to her. ”

“Mmm, true. She’s a pip, that one. I really hope the discussion we had today doesn’t affect Erin visiting. ”

Jackson frowned. “Crap, I didn’t think about that. ”

“I’ll go find Joe later on and tell him the situation. He could probably use the information to gear up for the call I’m sure he’s going to get from her. ”

“Uggh, why does he stay with that woman? ”

Laughing, Jackie said, “You know…it wasn’t too long ago that Sandra and I were saying the same thing about Molly. ”

“Ha, ha, very funny. ” They bumped shoulders and leaned their heads together. “So, am I grounded? ” Jackson asked, not really wanting to hear the answer.

“Yes, until Christmas. ”

Jackson whipped around to face Jackie. “What? ”

“You can’t possibly think you’d get off the hook by just forking over your keys, did you? ”

“No, but Jackie… Christmas? ”

“You’ll have a nice New Year’s resolution, now won’t you? ” Jackson let out a sigh. “But you aren’t grounded until Erin goes home. ”

Her face lit up immediately and she hugged her aunt. “Thank you, Jackie. Christmas is just fine. ”

Erin walked down to cabin six, hauling her suitcase and backpack. Pulling open the screen door, she pushed the big door open and walked inside. “Dad? ”

Erin walked into her bedroom and put her stuff down, then went into her parents’ room but found it empty. Hmm…he must be out fishing. She turned around…and ran smack dab into her father.

“Daddy! ” she screamed. She threw her arms around him.

“Hey, Peanut. What are you doing here? When you called me yesterday I thought you were home. ” They separated and looked at each other with smiles.

“I was, Daddy, but Jack came and got me. ”

Joe’s eyes widened at the revelation. “Jack went down to Paldeer? ”

“Yep. ”

“And what did your mother say about all of this? ” he asked, knowing full well she had come without her mother’s blessing.

Erin blushed a deep red. “Um…I kind of didn’t ask her. ”

“Uh-huh. So what did you do? ”

“I, ah…wrote her a note and then we left while she was out grocery shopping. ”

Joe shook his head, not looking forward to the next phone call he would be receiving from his wife. “You do realize your mother is going to have a cow. ”

Erin nodded. “I kinda thought the same thing. But Daddy, she was leaving without me anyway! Why is it a big deal? ”

“Peanut, it’s a big deal because you left without asking her and you left with Jack. You know how she feels about her. ” Erin started to pace. “Honey, whether or not you realize it, you put yourself in danger. ”

She turned to regard him with a shocked expression. “Daddy, not you too! Jack is not trying to hurt me! ”

“No, no, I didn’t mean it like that. Come here and sit down. ” They walked over and sat on the couch. “What I meant was, were you prepared to handle an emergency situation on the road? ” When Erin’s face blanked, he continued. “What would’ve happened if you got a flat, or the car broke down in the middle of nowhere? There are so many patches of dead highway on the way up here. Anyone could’ve found you and Jack stranded and I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if the wrong person had found you. ”

Understanding what her dad was explaining finally hit home. Erin’s head hung a little. “I didn’t think about that part. I just wanted to come back here. ” She paused and decided to tell her dad some of the truth. “Jack and I had a fight the night before I left. I didn’t want to face her the next day and when I saw that Mom was leaving, I decided to take the easy way out. ”

“I see. ” Joe nodded. “You do realize that there are consequences for things like this, don’t you? ”

Erin’s eyes welled. “Don’t take me back home, Daddy, please. ”

“Oh, I’m gonna take you back home, all right, ” Erin’s eyes widened, “but not for another three weeks. ” He shook his head. “Your mother is going to be furious and I think I’d rather keep four hundred miles between us for a while, thank you very much. ” He coughed and laughed.

Erin regarded him seriously. “Are you guys okay, Daddy? ”

Joe hugged his daughter. “Don’t you worry about us, Peanut. Your mom and I are just having a disagreement about something. We’ll get past it. We love each other very much. ”

“Hmm…she said the same thing. ” She pulled back from the hug. “I guess that means to mind my own beeswax then? ”

Joe laughed at his little girl. “Something like that. ” He ruffled her hair. “Let’s see if Jack wants to go to Bosaki’s with us for dinner. ”

“Oh, um…I don’t know about that. I think she’s in trouble with Jackie. ” He gave her a look that said, See, this wasn’t such a great idea for either of you. “But I’ll go and ask. ”

The phone rang. Joe looked at it and back to Erin. “Three guesses who that is and the first two don’t count. ”

“I’m sorry, Daddy. ”

“It’s okay, Peanut. We’ll get through this. ” He patted her knee and got up to answer the phone on the fourth ring.

“Hello? ”

“Hello, Joe. ”

“Katie, we were just talking about you. ”

“So, I guess that Erin has arrived. Let me speak to her. ”

“Katie, if you’re not going to be calm about this, I’m not putting her on the phone. I had a long talk with her about the dangerous trip she took and she understands that it was wrong. ”

Katie snarled. “Oh, well, doesn’t that make you Father of the Year. She left without even asking permission! ”

“Is that what you’re so upset about, or is it who she left with? ” Joe rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. Erin sat very still on the couch, watching him.

“Joe, she could’ve been killed! ” Katie snapped, “Jackson is only sixteen. There could’ve been an accident. ”

Joe tried to placate his wife. “Yes, but there wasn’t. Erin is fine, Jackson is fine. ”

“I don’t give a damn about Jackson. She could’ve hurt Erin. ”

“All right, that’s what I’m talking about. You need to calm down. Nothing happened. If you keep obsessing about things that might happen, you’re going to go insane and drive all of us there with you! ”

“Joseph, I am not obsessing. ”

“Yes, you are, Katherine. You’ve got to stop this before it tears this family apart. You were already out the door before Erin even asked to go with you, so what has you so angry about her being here with me? Am I going to harm our daughter now? ” Joe turned the conversation around.

Katie was completely flustered. “What? Now you’re just talking crazy. ”

“Then I guess I’m starting to talk like you. ” Joe scrunched up his face, knowing that wasn’t the smartest thing to have said.

“I think you’ve said quite enough. ” Katie put her foot down. “Tell Erin she’s grounded until I say differently. I will not back down from that. ”

“I think a grounding is very fair for this escapade. I think she’s quite aware that she will be punished when we return home. ”

“She’d better, because she is not getting off scot free this time. ”

“I’ll let her know. ”

“You do that. ” Katie hung up the phone loudly in Joe’s ear.

He hung up the receiver and exhaled deeply. “That went well. ”

Erin got up and went to her father. “Daddy, I’m really sorry about this. I’ll call Mom later and take the heat. I deserve it. ”

Not wanting to comment to his daughter about what he thought about her mother’s reasoning, Joe just took her in his arms. “It’ll be okay. I think after she’s had some time to calm down, she’d appreciate that call. ”

“I’ll call her after dinner. ”

Joe pulled back from the hug. “Go see if Jack can come with us and I’ll grab a shower and a shave. ”

“I wasn’t gonna say anything, but you stink like fish. ”

“See what happens when I’m left on my own for a day? ”

Erin laughed. “Well, I’m here now, so you’d better wash up. ”

“Go on, I’ll meet you back here. ”

“’Kay” Erin dashed out the door in search of Jackson, feeling lighter than she had in days. The summer was going to end much better than it had started and for that, she was very grateful.

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