See part one for all the disclaimers!

Thanksgiving

Part 2

by

Fantasy

November 20, 2000

Chapter 4: The Powers That Be

I always hated going to the principal’s office when I was a kid because I knew if I got in trouble at school, my old man would beat the shit out of me when I got home. Not that he needed an excuse mind you, but I guess because I was in trouble, he could justify the harder beating he gave me. You’d think I’d stay out of trouble huh? Not! I was pretty much a regular customer with Sister Mary Elizabeth, or Sis Liz as we called her. Even more than thirty years removed from high school, the hair still stands up on the back of my neck, and I get a sick feeling in my guts, when I go into the principal or superintendent’s office. Some things never change.

Dr. Elena Vargas, was a Ph.D. in psychology and held a doctorate in administration, had been the Superintendent of Schools for the past five years. The students adored her. And both the parents and community as a whole respected her tremendously. Elena had been a guest in our home on several occasions, and she was a member of the community auxiliary for the trauma center. She even played a mean third base for our team in the adult summer softball league. Dr. Vargas’ husband Manny had retired from the Chicago Panthers pro ball team. He had won several Cy Young awards as the best pitcher in the American League. I sought out his advice often when it came time for me to get our softball team ready for the summer. He was never overbearing or insisted that we do things his way, and his suggestions were usually right on the mark. In fact, I tried to get him to coach us, but he said he preferred sitting in the stands with Harley, who had really taken to the ex-big leaguer, and drink beer. The Vargas’ two sons, Scott and Anthony, played both basketball and football. They helped lead the Malibu High Seals to the all city district championships as well as state championships, in both sports, three years running. All in all, the Vargas family had become quite an integral part of the community and our friends as well.

Elena was at the end of her contract period, and as a member of the school board, Rebecca was the main guiding force instrumental in getting Dr. Vargas to come to California, and more specifically to Malibu. It was a forgone conclusion, if she wished to have her contract renewed, it would be done forthwith. She had come from an inner city school in Chicago, and had impeccable credentials. Her expertise in dealing with troubled children and her excellent judge of character was invaluable. I think more than anything that was the reason I was so puzzled as to why Coach Askins was hired. Not so puzzling smartass. Think about it! Both Becca and Ms Vargas were out of town when the deed was done. That sniveling idiot Grant Stanton hired her. Oh yeah. God you need a keeper. I have one thank you.

Grant Stanton, the Assistant Superintendent, was the biggest horse’s ass I think I have ever met. He was passed over by the board for the superintendent’s position due mostly to his inability to communicate effectively. He had a patronizing, condescending attitude toward people, particularly women. Public relations with the parents seemed to be in a constant state of turmoil. Elena was constantly putting out fires he started. I wondered what kept the board from firing his ass. He especially disliked Becca and me. I understood why he hated me; I told him he was a moron, that he’d have to take classes to become an idiot, and my Rottweilers had more going for them in the brain department than he did. This took place in public, at a summer league softball game. What made it worse was that everyone in hearing distance, which included San Diego, applauded my verbal undressing of the unfortunate man. The only reason I could imagine why he disliked Becca, since virtually everyone loved my angel, would be if he made a pass and she decked him, verbally or otherwise or both. Betcha Coach Askins scored her job by screwing her way into the position. Now look, that’s a rotten thing to say. We don’t know that for sure. Yeah bet me that’s not what you’re thinking too. Umph!

We arrived at the office to be greeted by Elena’s Executive Assistant, Annie Dryer. Annie was an ex-high fashion model who had decided all the glitz and glitter just wasn’t for her. She went back to college and got a degree in business administration, and was working on her master’s degree. She had married the football coach, and they were expecting their first child at Christmas time. Coach David Dryer was beside himself with joy. He had been wearing a permanent grin for the past eight months, and he was continually checking on Annie throughout the day to make sure she was okay. Annie decided not to come back to work after Thanksgiving and planned to await the birth of their child at home, and prepare for their first Christmas with their new addition. Elena was about to have puppies thinking how lost she was going to be while Annie was gone on pregnancy leave. Everyone kept trying to reassure her she would survive the two-month ordeal, but Elena would not be comforted. Now with this Coach Askins business, the superintendent wouldn’t be pleased.

"Dr. and Mrs. McGregor, it’s so good to see you," Annie said as she tried to get up, rather ungracefully given her rather large, round belly. Again the wistful expression appeared on my wife’s face as she gazed at Annie’s protruding abdomen. I squeezed by lover’s hand and received a glowing smile in return.

"I’m okay honey, really," my angel whispered. Then she kissed my cheek. I assisted Annie to her feet just as Coach Dryer entered the office. Upon seeing me, he went instantly into panic mode. The young man rushed to his wife’s side, the huge man gently encased his wife in massive well-muscled arms.

"Annie, baby are you okay? Dr. McGregor is there something wrong with Annie or the baby?" David was nearly hyperventilating.

"Coach, relax there is absolutely nothing wrong with your wife or child, but you on the other hand, I’m not so sure about." His face turned ashen at the prospect of not being able to see his wife and child ever again.

"What do you mean," David gasped, "I…I…I feel fine…I guess."

"Son relax," I urged, "you’re a nervous wreck. And your nervousness is not good for your wife. Women have been having babies for thousands of years; your wife is not different. She’ll do fine, probably a whole lot better than you will. We’re just here to see Dr. Vargas, and we were helping Annie up. It’s okay." My angel chuckled.

"I don’t know, I think it’s sweet, don’t you Annie?" The petite woman kissed her husband’s cheek.

"Yes I do Mrs. McGregor, and he’s been this way ever since we found out about the baby. But to be honest, I agree with Dr. McGregor, I don’t know if David with last until the baby is born." We all had a good laugh at the big man’s expense, who blushed profusely, unable to hide his embarrassment. We had been standing there for some time before Annie remembered why Becca and I were here. "Oh, I’m sorry, let me take you to Dr. Vargas, I’m sure you’re both very busy."

"Don’t worry about it Annie, we sort of took the day off. But there is a matter of concern to us we would like to visit with Elena about." I rocked back and forth on my heels, an immediate indication of my dislike for the task I was about to undertake.

"Let me go tell the superintendent you’re here. I’ll only be a moment," she commented, then turned to her husband, "you stay put, I’ll be right back." The huge man was bolted to the spot instantly. The football coach and I exchanged knowing glances.

"She does this to me all the time. It’s kind of scary," he confided

"Tell me about it."

"Does it get any better?"

"Humph, are you kidding; it only gets worse. They get better at doing whatever it is they do to intimidate the hell out of us the longer they’re with us." The young man could only sigh. Why the hell are you scaring him? He might just as well be prepared. No one ever warned me! I beg your pardon. You had me. Like I said…I’m leaving. You mean to tell me that’s all I would have had to do to get rid of you?

"Um Dr. Mc…"

"Call me Mac; this doctor business is very tiring."

"Okay Mac, this is none of my business, but the reason you’re here wouldn’t have anything to do with Coach Barbara Askins would it? I mean if it is, you won’t be the first set of parents coming in here complaining."

"Really? Huh."

"Yeah, I thought Doug Flannery was gonna have kittens. I know he’s a yeller, but my gosh, you could here him all over the building."

"What was he so concerned about; do you know?"

"Something about eating with the team and a diet, and her yelling and berating the kids."

"When was he in here?"

"Just about an hour ago. Excuse my language, but the man was one pissed puppy!"

"Hum umm well, stick around, you ain’t heard nothin’ yet." Oh goody! You, on the other hand, feel free to leave. Aaahhh you’re no fun. That’s not what Becca says. While David and I were chatting, Elena came into the outer office.

"Well if you’ll excuse me Mac, Mrs. McGregor, I’ll be going. It was nice to see you both," David said. As he was turning to leave, Dr. Vargas stopped him.

"Just a minute Coach Dryer, if it is all right with Stacey and Rebecca, I would like you to sit in on this meeting." Elena looked at us both to gauge our reactions.

"I gave no objections. It won’t make any difference to me who is there; I will say what I want to say regardless. Becca do you have a problem with David’s presence?"

"No not at all, and darling, I’m sure we will be able to control ourselves won’t we?" I looked at David, Becca having made her point; I was truly and thoroughly put in my place.

"See what I mean?" I whispered to David. Becca graced me with one of her withering glares, and I fell into step with no more discussion. You are so whipped. You would be too. We followed Dr. Vargas into her office and sat down in the overstuffed chairs opposite her desk. David pulled up another chair from the corner and settled his massive bulk into it. He crossed on long leg over the other and sat waiting for his boss to open the discussion.

Rebecca, Stacey, I think I can guess why you’re hear. You aren’t the first parent who has come to see me about Coach Askins."

"Yes, David told me about Doug stopping by this morning." The young man looked rather uncomfortable about divulging potential confidential information. Quickly I jumped to his defense. "Elena believe me, David didn’t volunteer the information, I asked him flat out, and you know how I am when I get on the prod." Becca snorted and squeezed my hand gently.

"Don’t worry about that; that is the least of my problems right now. As of this hour, you are the eighth parent who as either called or came in to talk to me about the new coach. Frankly, I’m surprised you have been in before this."

"Yes, well it was just last night Syd talked to us bout the team and the current situation," Becca confided. "We just left her office."

"Oh?"

"That’s right," I supplied, "I let her know in no uncertain terms that as a physician and most importantly as a parent, I would not allow my child to be placed on any kind of diet without my knowledge or consent. Furthermore, there is no way my child is going to eat a pre-game meal with the team. Away games are one thing, and eating with her friends is one thing, but an organized team meal, sanctioned by the school district, that’s a different matter altogether." Elena was shocked.

"What?! Coach, do you know about this?"

"No its news to me; the football team doesn’t even have team meals before home games."

"Oh my God. What is this woman thinking? If I could get my hands on Grant Stanton right now, I think we would need your services as a trauma surgeon Stacey." Works for me! "Well while these things are bad enough, I am even more concerned about her coaching methods and interaction with the team members. I have had parents in here complaining about their children being bullied, berated, and intimidated by this woman. Tell me something Stacey, you’ve both met her what do you think? Do you think these allegations are reasonable, or are parents just overreacting?"

"I didn’t like the woman. Instantly I had a bad feeling about her, and when Syd told us she was thinking about quitting basketball because it wasn’t fun anymore, we decided we needed to do some investigating. The preliminary verdict is not good."

"Coach Dryer you work with the students on a day to day basis. What do you think?" Elena was not going to jump to any conclusions; she was going to use due process to investigate this matter thoroughly. Although my gut instinct was to rip her limb from limb, I knew that wasn’t going to be an option. Damn! I’m not going to be part of the problem, remember? I had to respect Elena for her fairness. And in terms of any possible litigation, she needed to have her ducks in a row.

"Well Dr. Vargas, I have to say the kids haven’t been happy. At first I thought it was just because she made the kids work harder than they had before. Her coaching style is a lot more intense than they were used to with Coach Walker. That isn’t to say that’s bad, but it does require some adjustment for the kids. Then after a while, even kids who interacted with her, in the PE classes she taught, started complaining about being called babies and wimps; then I began to seriously wonder. And Mac is right; if someone like Syd starts complaining, then I have to take what the kids are saying quite seriously. I mean Syd isn’t one to give up easily or complain; she’s one tough, resourceful kid. I’m not saying that just because her folks are here either, it’s simply the truth, ya know, that’s just the way it is." I couldn’t help smiling, my pride clearly evident.

"I know coach, I know. I’ve heard the talk too; I just needed your corroboration. Damn I hate this." Dr. Vargas hated confrontations with her staff, although she didn’t shy away from them, she just didn’t like when the results ended the way they would this time. I knew how she felt, I had to take disciplinary action against employees on several occasions, and it was never pleasant. My angel entered the conversation.

"Elena, what do we know about this woman? What are her credentials? Where did she come from?" The superintendent opened the intercom on her desk.

"Annie would you please bring in Coach Barbara Askins’ personnel file please? Thank you." In a short time, Annie entered the office with the requested file. The unabashed adoring looks that passed between husband and wife were impossible to ignore. "Thank you Annie. Listen, why don’t you take the rest of the day off. Go home and rest."

"Oh well, really doctor, that isn’t necessary. I’m fine, really I am." I cleared my throat and found the floor very interesting once I noticed the look David gave his wife. "Honey, I mean David, really this isn’t necessary."

"Um Dr. Vargas could you excuse me for just a minute, I want to step out and talk with Annie." Good luck there bucko. Elena tried to hide her smile, knowing all to well how an expectant father can be while he anxiously awaits the birth of his first child.

"Of course coach, take all the time you need." The three of us chuckled lightly until I felt azure eyes boring into me.

"What?"

"Elena, it isn’t just expectant fathers; expectant mothers can be just as bad."

"What are you talking about. I was never like him." I thrust my head in the direction the big man had just gone.

"No honey that’s true; you were much worse." I thought Elena was going to swallow her tongue she snorted so loud. Not very ladylike huh? Yeah like you’d know.

"I was not!" I even surprised myself by the strength of conviction with which I shouted the words. "I can’t help it that I was concerned about little Syd and you too I might add. I wanted to make sure you got plenty of rest. Besides I am a doctor ya know." My world just smiled and kissed my hand sweetly.

"Stacey, I didn’t give birth you know, I wasn’t nursing, I was perfectly capable of getting up to feed a baby once in a while. But I thought it was sweet. Elena you should have seen her. After a while, Stacey got really good at stumbling around in the dark half a sleep." Even I had to chuckle.

"Yeah until I stubbed my toe, then the whole neighborhood was awake." Hmmph, that was a long time ago. I’d gladly go through it again just to see the look on my angel’s face while she held our little girl while she fed her. Then she’d burp little Syd, and sing her a sweet lullaby until she fell asleep. So beautiful. Well back to the matter at hand. Elena returned to the file, which lay opened on her desk.

"To answer your question Becca, her resume and credentials look to be in order. Her transcripts showed her to be a good student. She finished her degree from the University of Washington, completed her masters from UCLA." Ummm, I wonder.

"When did she finish her masters Elana?" I asked.

"Oh let me see here, a 1985. Why?" I didn’t know for sure.

"Uh know reason I guess, just curious." Still. "What do her records say about relatives?"

"Stacey, why are you…" I hated to interrupt my angel, but something about the woman seemed familiar to me.

"Just bare with me babe. Go ahead Elena; what does it say."

"Okay, uh, she was originally from the mid-west, Indiana. She moved with her parents and one sister to Ellensberg, Washington in 1976. She graduated high school from there and entered the UW in 1979, graduated in 1983. Entered UCLA in the fall of 1983 received her masters in the spring of 1985. She was married in 1988, divorced in 1995, no children." Shit Askins is her married name? I was afraid to ask, but I did anyway.

"Is Askins her maiden name?" I held my breath waiting for the answer.

"Why no, her maiden name is…I closed my eyes on the verge of hyperventilating…uh let’s see. It’s here somewhere." Dammit Elena get on with it. "Oh here it, it’s Stafford."

My God I knew it! Shit that fucking woman is Syd’s birth mother’s sister. Shit, shit, shit! The audible gasp to my right was all I needed to hear. Instantly I was on my feet kneeling in front of my world holding her in my arms. My angel was trembling noticeably but not from cold; she was frightened, very frightened. I stroked my love’s back and arms whispering words to soothe her fears.

"Baby, don’t worry, it’ll be all right. Look maybe she doesn’t know who we are. Maybe this is just a coincidence." My lover wasn’t convinced.

"You don’t really believe that do you?" My baby cried. God what did I believe, what did I know for sure?

"Honey I don’t know what to think." Neither did Elena. She sat there dumb struck at the reaction we had to Askins’ maiden name.

"Forgive me Stacey, but I’m in the dark here. What does this woman mean to you?" I told Elena everything regarding how we came to adopt Sydnee René. We didn’t know anything about the woman who gave Syd life; we didn’t know anything about the biological father. But because the child was abandoned, our attorney assured us the father probably didn’t even know he was a father. And for fifteen years, we didn’t give Sydnee’s biological family another thought. Looking back now, it was obvious we should have.

*******************

Coach Askins’ office was quiet; a pall had descended on not only the room, but the occupant as well. She was totally unprepared for the meeting with us. She had been watching us for months, studying every move we made. She knew our movements, marking our comings and goings with exact precision. She decided the security at our luxurious home was to substantial and sophisticated for her to try to make a move there. However, school was another matter and her new position as girl’s basketball coach was just the ticket. What she’s failed to take into consideration was the immense popularity Syd enjoyed. The fact that she was constantly surrounded by people frustrated the coach at every turn. And, of course, Ange never left Syd’s side. But she was determined to remove her niece from, what she perceived to be, out wicked, sinful environment in which Syd was forced to live. Askins didn’t regret having to use the fool Stanton as a pawn in her plan. It was true she had to use her sexual attributes to gain this position, but that was irrelevant. God would forgive her this one indiscretion as long as it was for the greater good. And getting her beloved sister’s daughter away from the abominations in God’s sight was definitely for the greater good.

The other problem Askins had not envisioned, when she began her quest to save her niece, were our dynamic personalities. She hadn’t counted on us being so popular and such important members of both the community and the school district. According to her, we were sinners in the eyes of God! How could the people of this town be so blind to that fact? But then she decided most of the citizens of this city were members of the entertainment business and the lot of them were sinners as well. She would be glad to get Sydnee free from all of us and return to God fearing people of the mid-west. She realized there would have to be some retribution for the girl. She had been, after all, subjected to the vilest of all sins: that of two women lying together fornicating. She would have to be purged of this influence. It would be painful, but the end justified the means. In no time, Synee René would be back in the bosom of the Lord, and free of sin. But we had thrown a wrench in the machinery, but with God’s help, she would prevail.

"Be patient my child. Auntie Barbara will remove you from the clutches of those evil women. There has been a little delay, since we will not be having dinner together this evening, and you always seem to be surrounded by these sinners, I will have to find another way to take you away from this evil. Just be patient for a little while longer."

Chapter 5: Defense, Defense, Defense

Well there was one good thing about this whole mess; it would bring our family closer together. Not that we weren’t close already; this family was hell on wheels under normal conditions, but when one of us was sick, hurting, threatened, or in danger look out. The rest of our extended family wrapped itself around us like a cocoon keeping us safe and heeled any ill. There were two other pieces of good fortune, which was advantageous for us, and bad for Askins. First of all, she didn’t know we were on to her that we knew she was biologically related to Syd. Second, since we were on to her, we could keep and eye on her while we formulated a plan of action of our own. You sound almost evilly happy. I am. That broad doesn’t have any idea how much trouble she’s in does she. None at all, none at all.

Before we set about making a plan, I had to make sure my angel was okay. Dr. Vargas had taken Coach Dryer out of the room to give us a few moments of privacy. I had gotten up and followed them to the door to assure them we’d be only a few minutes. When I returned to where Becca had been sitting, I found her whole demeanor had changed. She had a solid, determined set to her jaw, her body was tight as a bowstring, and her eyes were burning pools of blue fire. Gone was the trembling frightened woman who sat in this same chair only a few moments earlier. I walked over to kneel before my heart and gently reached out to touch her hard set jaw. The tight muscles softened just slightly, but the burn never left her eyes. Becca had such a death grip on the arms of the chair I could hear wood cracking. I spoke softly; unsure of the reaction my voice would receive.

"Darling, Becca tell me what you’re thinking; please babe talk to me." The unseeing steely gaze settled on my face. I waited expectantly wondering at the sudden change in my wife’s countenance. Only silence pervaded the room, and when my world did finally speak, her voice was hard, menacing, and frightening.

"As God is my witness, I will not stand idly by and let that woman to hurt my child. I swear to all the powers that be, I will kill her before allow her to harm my baby."

There was only one other time since I had known Becca that I had seen this determined, violent aspect of her character. That was when my ol’ man had beaten me so badly I ended up in the hospital. Fortunately my lover had never had to follow through on her threat; Harley had put him in jail where he stayed until he died. Although I never wanted my love to ever experience that kind of hate and violence, I was filled with pride at the fervor with which she would defend our child. Still, my natural defense mechanism kicked in, and I immediately took the lead as head of my household.

"Honey, listen to me," I whispered, "no one is going to hurt our little girl. I promise I will protect you both, from anyone who tries to take my world from me. You know how cranky I get when someone messes with my stuff." My lame attempt to lighten the mood and bring my angel back to me must have met with some success because my heart looked into my eyes, and the loving, caring light had returned to her lapis pools.

"I know my love." She cupped my cheek in her palm, and I turned my face slightly so I could place a loving, tender kiss in her hand. "I’m sorry about before. I guess I just kind of lost it, but still, I meant what I said. I won’t allow anyone to hurt Sydnee, or you either; do you hear me my soul?" The kiss that followed was one of reassurance, reconnecting, a strengthening of a bond that would last for an eternity.

"Ya know, I think this woman hasn’t a clue who she’s messing with, and I for one, never want you as pissed off at me as you are at her right now. I think she’s in really deep, deep shit, and she don’t even know it. Now let’s get the powers that be back in here and decide what we’re going to do about this."

*******************

"…but Syd why do you think our form of government is patterned after Athens rather than Sparta?"

"Mrs. Benson, I think that is obvious, the lasting form of governments throughout history, that have been successful, have taken individual freedoms into consideration, and the people have a voice in what happens to them. Those forms of governments, which try to suppress those freedoms, eventually fall apart. Sparta was a militaristic society. Virtually every aspect of day to day life was controlled by the state. It’s a lot like the former Soviet Union, and look what happened there. The United States is a combination of the two: we have both a strong central government and military, but not at the expense of individual freedoms." God my kid is smart! A little irreverent, but smart. Wonder where she gets that?

Elena, Becca, and I had slipped into the back of Mrs. Henson’s classroom so as not to disturb her instruction. Sydnee was the primary priority now, and we decided we had better make sure she was okay. As a school district employee, Coach Askins could conceivably come into any classroom and remove Syd, and no one would think anything about it. We had to let enough people know the situation in order to protect Syd, without letting the whole school know, and risk tipping our hand to Askins. We wanted her to think her true identity was still a secret, and we needed to know exactly why she was here. I hoped I was wrong, and she was no threat, that her presence here was simply coincidental, but that nagging voice…who me? No; not you; the intelligent one…kept telling me something was not right here. No, there was no coincidence here, this woman was dangerous, and I had no intention of allowing her to get anywhere near anyone I loved. The bell, ending the class period, rang bringing me out of my thoughts. Sydnee knew the three of us were in the room and the look on her face was one of pure chagrin.

Syd hated it when we came to see her teachers. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of us, far from it, but she didn’t like to draw attention to her abilities intentionally. She wasn’t the least bit conceited; on the contrary, she tended to go out of her way not to blow her own horn. But when we came in for parent-teacher conferences, that notion was blown right out of the water. Her teachers always had good things to say about both her behaviors and her grades. Obviously she never got those traits from you! Hey I got good grades! Yeah, but it wasn’t the grade part I was alluding to. Humph! Anyway, it wasn’t long before the results of the conferences made the rounds of all the student hangouts and Syd took a good deal of good-natured ribbing from her friends…

"Hey McGregor! I heard your folks were here again for conferences. Rumor has it that the next thing ya know the pope’s gonna visit to make you a saint!" Scott Vargas yelled. That earned him a sound cuffing up side the head by Ange. There were always multitudes of friends who jumped to Syd’s rescue and would defend her to the end.

"Yeah Vargas," Kylie returned, "that’s right, so if I were you I’d be really nice, and Syd might put in a good word for you with the powers that be. Maybe then you won’t get knocked flat on your ass by St. Francis’ linebackers when we play them next week…" The light retaliation usually signaled the end of the ribbing, and no one was usually any worse for wear. And I might point out Scott Vargas asked Syd to the homecoming dance after that game. Now that I think about it, that Vargas kid has been spending a lot more time at our house lately. Hmmm. Finally, smartass gets a clue after most of the summer.

Ange leaned over to whisper something to Syd then left. Syd turned four shades of red, glared at her friends retreating back, then walked back to where her mother and I were standing. Elena had gone up to the front of the class to talk with Mrs. Benson. With some trepidation Syd kissed the two of us lightly on the cheek.

"That was very impressive Syd," Becca beamed, "I thought you defended your position very well. Don’t you agree Stace."

"Absolutely!" I grinned, "Our kid is one smart cookie. Please tell me Mrs. Benson is giving you an A in this class."

"No actually I’m not giving her an A…" And just why the hell not. Are you just gonna stand here and let that old…shut up and let the woman finish. "…Syd’s earning an A all on her own, with very little guidance. I really have to stay on my toes to keep up with her. I can tell she must have a great deal of support at home." The blush that covered our daughter’s face was obvious and her embarrassment at the unabashed praise was impossible to hide. I hugges my daughter and kissed her head.

"We are very proud of her," I smiled. My angel added.

"That’s right, and we like to make sure Syd takes her education very seriously. Besides, Stacey’s expertise is English Literature and the History of Ancient Civilization, so the conversations around the dinner table covers everything from ancient Egyptians to Samuel Johnson, and everything in between." Syd decided it was time to give credit where credit was due.

"Yes mother, but your artistic expertise gives me a whole new point of view on the Renaissance, don’t forget that!" Well, I think this meeting of the mutual admiration society is getting a little deep. For once, I have to agree with you. Oh God the end of the world as we know it is at hand! It was time to move on.

"Well we’re just glad Syd is doing well, and we appreciate your efforts." Now the hard part.

"Mrs. Benson, we have a serious problem, concerning Syd, which has the potential to be quite dangerous," Elena explained. "I would like you to come to the office and I’ll explain more fully. Coach Dryer will take your next class for you. I’ll leave you to get them started and then come to my office." It was unfortunate Syd overheard the admin’s conversation. Damn sensitive hearing!

"Mom, what’s going on?" Syd’s face was etched with fear. I motioned for my wife and daughter to follow me out into the hall. The bell for the next class rang, and the corridor was empty. God, how do I tell Syd about this stranger from her past. What if she wants to get to know her? I never even thought…oh shit.

Elena was standing near the principal’s office engaged in a quiet conversation with the man. Steven Whitman had been the high school principal for fifteen years, and was a very respected administrator. He had the respect and admiration of both his staff and students; I know he certainly had mine. A principal’s job had to be the most precarious of all administrative positions to handle. He had to support his teacher’s needs and desires, keep a handle on the students and their needs and desires, then there was the superintendent and school board to consider. On top of all that, he had to be a public relations expert and keep the parents and community leaders happy as well. Elena and Steven finished their conversation and looked to where we were standing.

"Stacey, Becca, why don’t you use my office to talk to Sydnee," Steven offered, "I’m going to Elena’s office so she can fill me in on what’s going on here. Take all the time you need, and join us when you’ve finished."

"Thank you Steven," Becca replied, "we’d appreciate that." The man smiled and turned to join Dr. Vargas.

While not one of our staunchest supporters, Principal Whitman was bright enough to understand our lifestyle choice, and defend our right to choose. At least, while he couldn’t condone our lifestyle, he never held it against us, or more importantly our daughter, and I had to respect the man for standing by his beliefs. Well now, on to the difficult stuff. We went into the office and sat down. I started to pace; an instinctive, ingrained habit I developed when I had to discuss difficult situations with people and was trying to formulate what I wanted to say. My angel noticed right away and brought me to an abrupt halt.

"Stacey, you’re pacing," my world smiled, "and you’re scaring Syd. Just tell her." I stopped all movement and knelt in front of my little girl.

"Syd…uh…pumpkin, there is someone…uh…well Coach…" My daughter touched my hand in a gesture meant to reassure me. It worked. "Coach Askins is your mother’s sister. She’s your aunt." The confused look on her face told me immediately I screwed up.

"Mom, mother doesn’t have a sister." Hello smartass!

"I…I…know…I’m sorry I confused you…I meant your biological mother." Shock would not begin to describe the look on my daughter’s face, but there was something else too. Mirth? As quickly as the words were out of my mouth, Syd began to snicker, then giggle, and then she laughed out loud, uncontrollably. Maybe the shock of the news has caused her to become hysterical. I thought she might cry, or get angry, but laughter was the last response I expected to see manifested in our daughter.

"Mom, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh, I know how serious this is, but I can’t imagine that woman being related to me biologically or any other way. It’s so inconceivable; my first reaction was to laugh. I mean think about it; she is one screwed up individual!" Well I she would know; I guess she knows her better than we do. Another round of loud fits of laughter followed.

"Honey this is no laughing matter," Becca sternly reminded Syd, "we think she means to try to do something to you." Suddenly the seriousness of the situation hit the blonde haired imp, and the implications of what their relationship might mean to all of us.

"You don’t think she would try to take me away from you? Could she do that? Well I won’t go! She can’t make me…can she?" All the traces of humor vanished as Syd realized the potentially dangerous and frightening predicament in which we found ourselves.

"No baby, we won’t let her take you anywhere. You’re ours and ours you will stay. We are a family, and no one will do anything to tear us apart. I promise." I meant the vow I made.

"Besides," my heart interjected, "we don’t even know what she wants. We don’t even know for sure if she knows who you are. Actually all we have to go on is your mom’s nagging little voice." Syd frowned.

"Not that," Syd groaned, "Mom is that all you have to go on?" Hey, I don’t like the insinuation here. Then go away.

"Don’t knock it young lady," I retaliated, "sometimes my little voice is right on target." Thank you. Don’t mention it. "The point is, we need to find out just what she has in mind. You said yourself she’s pretty screwed up. There’s no telling what she has in mind. But we have to be really careful, if she is planning something, we don’t want to tip her off that we know who she is." Becca had been deep in thought while Syd and I were talking.

"Ya know babe, there is one way to find out what we need to know fairly easily." A wicked glint filled my baby’s eyes. Whoever the intended victim was, I was glad it wasn’t me.

"And just what do you have in that devious little mind of yours my love?"

"Well nothing really; I was just thinking there might be one person who knows what’s going on, besides Askins that is."

"Uh huh and who might that be?" I already knew, but I wanted verbal verification.

"Who do you think? The man who hired her, Grant Stanton. I think it’s time we had a little talk with him, don’t you?"

"Oh yeah, I think you’re right my dear." We both grinned malevolently. Syd just shook her head as we exited the office and headed to find Stanton to spend a little quality time together.

Chapter 6: Send in the Offense

Grant Stanton’s office was just down the hall from Dr. Vargas’. There was an adjoining conference room, which separated the two offices, with entrances on either side of the room to provide easy access to both administrative offices. Before we entered the office, I sent Syd to fetch Dr. Vargas and Principal Whitman. I made sure to instruct Syd to have them come through the conference room and listen at the door. Very sneaky. I have my moments. At the appropriate signal, they should enter the assistant’s office and we’d, hopefully have all the information we needed to determine Askins’ plan and, if it was indeed nefarious, stop her.

Becca and I walked into Stanton’s outer office where his secretary sat behind her desk checking her make-up. The difference between his secretary and Elena’s was purely obvious. Annie Dryer was very good at her job; she was efficient and very professional. Patty Laraby was good at her job too; it just didn’t have anything to do with typing and filing, if you get my meaning. Here was another example of Stanton’s hiring practices based solely on his glands, rather than his brain. Be that as it may, it did make it easier to get into see him. Since Ms. Laraby was totally oblivious to her surroundings, we just walked right in. Stanton sat behind his desk his attention riveted on the open magazine in front of him and his hand working overtime. Needless to say, this put the man at a distinct disadvantage. The man is truly a Neanderthal. Oooo good word! Ya like that huh? Yeah. It fits.

"Grant, shame on you," I purred, "didn’t your mother ever warn you about that? You wouldn’t want to go blind would you." I moved up to his left side, while my angel flanked him on the right.

"Oh babe, don’t scare the poor man," my wife sighed, "that’s only a silly old wives’ tale." Stanton tried to put his still stiff member back in his pants, but I stopped him.

"Oh Grant that really isn’t necessary. We didn’t mean to interrupt you. Did we hon."

"Of course not darling," Becca moaned sensually, "we certainly wouldn’t want to deprive a man of his…needs. Hmmm?" Stanton was starting to sweat profusely. His swollen appendage was beginning to leak. He tried to move his hand to relieve the building pressure, but my hand stopped him.

"But still my love, this really is inappropriate behavior in the workplace, especially for someone who works with impressionable children on a daily basis. This sort of thing should definitely be reported, and as a member of the school board, you are completely within your rights to remove this man from his position. In fact, it’s your duty." Now the sweat was running down the man’s face in little rivulets. The man was in intense pain that much was obvious, but we refused to let up on the man.

"You are right my dear, I think Dr. Vargas should be made aware of this and an emergency meeting of the school board should be called immediately."

"I agree," I shook my head sadly, "it’s too bad too. I hate to see anyone lose his or her job. But I can see no other way unless…" The hook ha been baited, now just set it, and reel him in slowly. Stanton’s attention was instantly drawn to me.

"Wh…wha…what are you saying…"

"Stacey, we have no right to make any deals…"

"Now honey, I think we might…" Stanton interrupted my thought.

"Yes…yes…I…I’ll do whatever you want," Stanton stammered, "just name it." I was hoping our audience was listening at the keyhole, but I needn’t have worried.

"Why that worthless, slimy son of a bitch." Steven Whitman snarled.

"Principal Whitman, watch your language," Superintendent Vargas warned, " we have a student present."

"Hey don’t worry Dr. Vargas, when Margie gets mad at the dogs, I hear a lot worse," Syd chuckled quietly. "Mom’s really got this guy by the short hairs huh?" Both adults gave dour looks to Sydnee René. "Ooops, sorry," Syd apologized.

"Okay, I think we might be able to work something out to our mutual satisfaction." Becca arched a single dark eyebrow, and I merely shrugged. "Tell me what prompted you to hire Barbara Askins? And what is the connection you have with her." Again Becca’s eyebrow disappeared underneath dark bangs, but a disapproving glare accompanied the movement.

"I…I…don’t…know…" I grabbed the man’s private parts and gave him a nasty little squeeze.

"I’m a doctor, Stanton; I know the human anatomy very well. And I especially know all the parts most sensitive to pleasure…a gentle caress, which resulted in a deep-throated moan, then a rough squeeze, followed by a harsh gasp…and pain. It’s up to you Stanton, if your gonna play, ya gotta pay." The pressure now was becoming unbearable for the rotten little man.

"All right, all right. I’ll tell you." I released the pressure.

"Talk."

"The woman is crazy. She has a fixation about gays and lesbians. She some sorta fundamentalist whacko. Anyway, she told me her niece was being held against her will by a couple of dykes." I grabbed the man’s balls and squeezed harder. He winced in pain. "Those were her words not mine. Her credentials were in order, and we needed a women’s basketball coach to replace Walker, so I hired her."

"Without checking with the board or Superintendent Vargas?" Becca growled menacingly.

"She was out of town, and the board okayed the hire. There were enough members to make a quorum." Yeah, all the mindless idiots that back you, ya son of a bitch. I got down to the heart of the matter.

"Just what did she offer you to get the job? I’ve seen her credentials; they aren’t that good." Stanton knew if he answered the question truthfully, he would be out of a job. But at this point he was more interested in saving his precious anatomy than his job.

"I get to keep my job? Right?"

"I told you we’d work something out. Now what did she have to offer?"

"We went to bed to seal the deal," Stanton grinned lasciviously. "Plus she gave me a little cash."

"You sorry bast…" Becca stopped me with a look.

"Are you saying you took a bribe?" Becca asked.

"Yeah sure, it happens all the time. It’s no biggie."

"Well, I guess since that’s how you feel, you won’t be to concerned to explain all this again to Superintendent Vargas huh?" I swiveled his chair around to face his superior and the high school principal, not to mention my grinning daughter. Shit Sydnee. "Shove that back in your pants ya sick bastard." Stanton looked down at his now deflated ego.

"You can’t prove any of this, it’s just your word against mine." False confidence has defeated more criminals that the justice system alone.

"Really, ya know, you should learn to be more aware of your surroundings and less aware of your anatomy. While you were, shall we say otherwise distracted, Rebecca opened the intercom system to the conference room. They heard every word we said. Can you say busted?" I grinned.

"YES!!!" Syd yelled as she pumped her fist up and down triumphantly. "All right Mom; you go girl!" I couldn’t help but smile. You’re pretty damn cocky their smartass, but don’t forget, there is a small matter of the fundamentalist whacko to deal with. Shit shit shit!! Oh that was articulate.

"Elena, we have to get to Askins quickly. I don’t want to run the risk of losing her."

"Oh course Stacey, we’ll get the resource officer over to the gym to pick her up immediately."

Officer Michael Simms was sent to the gymnasium complex to arrest Barbara Askins. Then the unthinkable happened. The phone rang a purveyor of disastrous news. The woman we were after was gone; how could that happen. I whirled on Stanton; the hapless man never knew what hit him. I lifted him bodily out of the chair and slammed him hard against the wall, his pants pooling in a heap around his feet. My fist was wrapped securely around the slim ball’s throat.

"You miserable son of a bitch, did you warn her we were on to her. Tell me you bastard," I shouted.

"No…no…I swear," he gasped, "I don’t know where she is." Becca touched me calming me instantly.

"Let me tell you something you little weasel, if anything happens to my daughter because of what you’ve done, I will come after you, and I will perform a surgery on you, one you will never, ever forget. Do you understand me?" The man nodded then crumbled to the floor as I released my hold on his throat. Oh fuck, now what do I do? Simple you protect your family anyway you can. Yeah you’re right.

*******************

It didn’t take long for Lieutenant Kyle O’Brien to arrive at the school. We were all gathered in Elena’s office discussing our options. But I heard little of the conversation going on around me. I felt like the bottom of my world had fallen off and I was suspended in open space with nothing to ground me. I felt like I was floating out of control, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get back to earth. I sensed rather than felt a life line being tossed in my direction, and warm arms surrounding me from behind and the unmistakable scent of my heart filled my entire being.

"Oh my love, don’t worry, we’ll get through this. We always do, this time will be no different. We are a family and family’s stick together; we gather strength from each other. I have all the faith in the world in you, in us, in our love." God help me but I couldn’t go on without you.

"What did I ever do to warrant your undying faith in me?"

"You’ve never let me down," my angel whispered.

"What if, one day I do, then what?"

"It’ll never happen."

"You can’t be sure of that."

"I can, and I am."

"I love you my heart."

"I love you my soul."

"Since you are so sure I’ll fix this, then I better get at it huh?"

"No, let’s us, the two of us…"

"No, let’s the three of us get at it." We turned to see a beautiful young blonde woman with soft brown doe eyes smiling at the two of us. Becca and I opened our arms to engulf our daughter into a loving group hug. Yeah the three of us. It’s true; families can get through anything if they stick together.

This is the end of Thanksgiving Part II. What do you think so far? The conclusion will follow appropriately enough around Thanksgiving.