The Word of a Liar (21 page)

Mason removed his arm and leaned forward. Resting his elbows on his knees, he avoided making eye contact. “I couldn’t believe a ten-year-old boy was capable of such destruction. My dad would have literally killed me if he had come to school and found out I had done something like that.”

“You don’t have autism.”

Mason turned to look at Ellen. “Jesus, Ellen, he can’t be doing that shit. He could hurt someone. What’s going to happen when he’s a man?   His wild tantrums could get him in serious trouble. He could be sent to jail or placed in an institution. Aren’t you worried? It was a scary scene.”

Ellen sat motionless and quiet. Eyes focused straight ahead, hands folded quietly in her lap, she bit her lower lip. Imperceptibly, her shoulders rose and fell as she breathed in shallow breaths. She shook her head. A feeble grin appeared. Finally she responded in a quiet, restrained voice, as if she were disciplining a small child. “Because you’ve known me for such a short time, I’m not going to get angry over that ridiculous question. I probably shouldn’t have asked you to go to the school. I keep forgetting about how little we know of each another. The fact that you went and are concerned is a big comfort.”

She bent forward bringing her face inches from his. Her dark brown eyes belied the indignation simmering inside.

“Don’t assume I’m the kind of parent with her head in the clouds, thinking all is right with the world. I am keenly aware of what could happen to my son. If you were unnerved by what you saw today, imagine how much more so I am. I’m JD’s mother!”

Ellen’s lips trembled as she continued to stare at Mason.

“You don’t know what it feels like to get a call from the school about what your child has done. That he had to be restrained or had to be in the
quiet room,
as they call it, because he was unable to maintain his self-control. You don’t know how useless and helpless I feel when JD’s autism causes him to explode into one of his rages. What happened in the boat was minor compared to some of the meltdowns he’s experienced.”

Ellen twisted her hands in her lap. Mason could see her frustration building. Obviously he had struck a raw nerve and was sorry now for underestimating Ellen’s parenting skills.
I should have known a woman as intelligent as Ellen wouldn’t ignore behavior like that.

“You haven’t felt a stranger’s eyes judging you when your child throws himself down in an aisle of a store and starts screaming and kicking because he can no longer stand all the stimulus. You haven’t endured family and friends well-meaning advice on how you should discipline your son, even though they don’t know what you go through on a day-to-day basis. Their children are normal.”

Ellen sank back in the chair.

“When JD was five, a school psychologist told me that when JD turned eighteen I should bribe him into having a vasectomy. Can you imagine someone telling your mother that when you were five?  Her reasoning was sound. She figured JD would never understand the nuances of being a father. I remember when I left that meeting I took JD out on the playground, and while I watched him play I started to cry. JD came to me and said, ‘What have they done to you, Mommy?’” Ellen exhaled.

“Parents of a special needs child—God, I hate that term—suffer little deaths all the time. You’re always fearful for your child, but the biggest fear is not knowing what’s going to happen when you’re no longer around. I still dream JD will eventually be able to connect with someone, that he’ll be able to love someone, that she will love him in spite of his autism. It’s a death I’m not ready to face.... I don’t want him to be alone.”

Ellen lost her composure. Mason sat back and covered her hand with his. Nausea coiled in his belly. Never had he felt such helplessness.

“You’ve been wonderful with JD. When you jumped into that freezing lake to get his mind off that damned fish—” Ellen smiled through her tears. “I know today must have been terribly confusing and frightening for you, but whatever you said or did must have been right. Your efforts to understand my son mean a lot. I know you’re tired of him being around all the time, but your patience only makes me love you more.”

Mason pulled Ellen into his arms and kissed her with tender, light kisses. He wiped her cheeks with his thumb. She rested her head on his chest and wept while he combed his fingers through her damp hair. Finally her sobs subsided and she looked up. Her red swollen eyes broke Mason’s heart.

“Ellen, do you have any books on autism that I can read? I think I need to learn a whole lot more about it?

Ellen’s face lit up. “I love you so much, Mason,” she sniffled.

CHAPTER nineteen

Two menacing men stood at the only open entrance to Brookfield Alternative High School. They wore doo rags and black leather jackets layered with the denim cut of the Sons of Thunder Motorcycle Club
.
They greeted children and adults dressed in costumes of every kind: small witches, pirates, vampires. All were directed into the school’s gymnasium by the two imposing bikers. The velvety black sky glistened with tiny facets of white light. A filmy gray cloud swirled around a crescent moon. A cold, damp wind made brown, brittle leaves fidget and twitch beneath the bushes and in the gutters.

More of
the Sons of Thunder
patrolled the hallway and the perimeter of the brightly lit gym. Booths made of cotton sheets hosted carnival games. The sounds of laughter and the screams of little children hovered among the huge, caged lights hanging from the ceiling. Mason stood at the open door leading out into the parking lot. He kept a sharp eye on the motorcycles lined up along the brick wall. A large outdoor light illuminated the bikes sleek curved bodies and polished chrome. Mad Dog stood adjacent, watching people move about.

Mad Dog’s eye caught his daughter Tess, trailing JD. He smiled. His hunch Tess would be the perfect babysitter appeared accurate. Several weeks ago Mad Dog had introduced Tess to Ellen and JD. JD had responded positively to her quiet disposition and love for children. Ellen was so impressed she had hired Tess to be her mother’s helper. Mad Dog was glad he had been right for Ellen’s sake. Busy making sure things were running smoothly, visiting with parents, and joking with her students and fellow teachers, Ellen had no time to worry about JD.  Mad Dog noticed Spider and Dee Dee heading their way.

“Rambo, get a load of Dee’s costume,” Mad Dog said, smiling as the petite woman neared.

Dressed in a frilly French maid costume, her wild auburn hair piled on the top of her head, and corkscrew curls framing her petite face, Dee looked younger. Mad Dog whistled. “You can clean my house any time, little lady.”

“My bedroom could use a good dusting, Dee,” Mason joined in.

Dee’s face glowed.

“Turn around, you French beauty, and let us get the full effect of your costume,” Mason said as he twirled her around.

“Better look out, Rambo. I think the Spider has you in his sights.”

Mason dipped her as if they had been doing a tango. Dee laughed. Mason ignored Spider standing beside them.

“What the hell you doing with my wife, Rambo!”

Mason looked up but kept Dee draped over his arm. “This cute little French angel is your wife?  I don’t believe it. Mademoiselle, tell me it ain’t so.”

Dee giggled as Mason pulled her upward. “I’m afraid it’s true. This red-haired Scotsman is my husband.”

“That’s right, you scrawny-assed Irishman, so don’t mess with my woman.”

Spider grabbed Dee Dee and kissed her. When they came up for air, Dee Dee smiled.

“I haven’t even shown them the poem you wrote on my panties,” Dee said, lifting an eyebrow at Mason and Mad Dog.

“Now I’m interested.” Mad Dog attempted to lift her skirt, but Spider caught his wrist.

“Don’t even think about it!”

Mad Dog considered his president. Unable to hide a smile, he knew later on this evening he’d be reading Spider’s poem. He stepped back and then winked at Dee Dee. “I’ll catch you later, doll.”

Spider grumbled some obscenity.

Mad Dog lightened the mood.  “I think your wife is going to win best costume tonight at the Ritz. Don’t you, guys?”

Spider smiled proudly.

“I don’t know about that.” Dee Dee looked across the gym. “Look at Ellen’s costume.”

They all watched Ellen as she approached them. The conservative school teacher looked like she had stepped off the cover of
Easy Rider
magazine. Mad Dog glanced at Mason. Transfixed by the transformation of his girlfriend, Mason’s expression reminded Mad Dog of the life he no longer had. It made Mad Dog both angry and sad yet pleased his brother had found his soul mate. Mason took her hands. In Ellen’s smile, the existence of their love was undeniable.  

“Well, what do you think?” Ellen asked and twirled around, showing off her costume.

Dressed in black leather chaps over tight fitting jeans and a black leather vest with its seams trimmed in leather braid and chains clipped to the buttons, she looked tough and sexy. Black leather harness boots with slender high heels adorned her feet. A black and silver bandana tied around her head, silver spiders dangled from her ears, and a bike chain bracelet around her wrist complimented her heavily mascaraed eyelashes and cherry red lipstick. Tattoos of roses and spiders adorned her upper arms, and the points of a black spider’s web protruded slightly from the small amount of cleavage she showed.

Mason wished it could have been a bit more revealing, a little more seductive. He realized her modest teacher mentality kept her from going too far—and he understood it—but he still wished she had gone further. Maybe later when she wasn’t at the school he could coax her into showing a little more skin.

She held her hands out to her sides. She flushed with excitement, and her eyes sparkled with merriment under their heavily made-up lids. “So what do you think?  Do I look like I’m good enough to be an authentic biker chick?”

“Get over here and let’s see what you got on the back of that vest, young lady,” Spider commanded.

Ellen sighed and turned her back to Spider. Mad Dog and Mason moved behind her.

On the back of the vest were three patches. The top rocker read
The Black Widow MC
and the bottom rocker read
Rides Alone
. Both patches were in a gothic font and stitched in red satin floss. The round center patch portrayed a shimmering silver spider’s web. A single embroidered red rose, slightly off center, overlaid the web, and perched upon the top of the rose was a dazzling black widow spider with exaggerated yellow, glowing eyes.

“Where did you get this, Ellen?  It’s fucking amazing!” Spider scrutinized the patches, running the tips of his fingers over the smooth, satiny threads.

“I designed it myself,” Ellen beamed. “Do you like it, Mason?”

Mason nodded. “It’s sweet. You are quite the artist.”

“I like
Black Widow MC/ Rides Alone
on the rockers.” Mad Dog grinned. “It’s threatening. Perfect for a motorcycle patch. But may I suggest you add a skull or skeleton that is stuck helplessly in the web.”

Ellen faced him. “Excellent idea! I love it. I’m going to have to add that to my cuts. Isn’t that what you call your vests?”

“That’s what you call them,” Spider said, scrutinizing Ellen’s back again.

“What have the students said about your outfit?” Dee Dee asked.

“They like it, but they can’t believe I know members of the Sons of Thunder. I haven’t mentioned I’m dating one, but I think your daughter has been filling them in on the gossip. A few have come up to me and asked who my old man is.”

Ellen looked directly at Mason and smiled.

“Did you tell them it was the tall, ugly one standing by the doors?” Mad Dog grinned.

“No, I said it was the devilishly handsome one who likes to play with guns.” Ellen smiled and then turned her attention to Dee Dee. “I love your costume. You look so different with all those ruffles and lace surrounding you. You look absolutely adorable. Don’t you think so, Spider?”

“I told her she could come and clean my bedroom any time,” Mason said and grinned.

“How about I lend Ellen the costume sometime, Rambo?  Then you won’t have to worry about Spider coming after you.”

“Oh, yeah. Do that, Dee,” Mason said and meant it. “But I’m not worried about Spider coming after me. He hits like a girl.”

“You’re asking for it, Rambo.” Spider raised his fist.

“Boys, boys now stop it! You want me to take you both into my office and punish you?”

“Oh, oh, can I come, too?” Mad Dog begged.

Ellen and Dee Dee rolled their eyes.

“I came over here to tell you that I think Sons of Thunder sponsoring this event has been great. My students are really behaving themselves. Some of my staff were a little concerned about you being here, but I think they feel like I do. Your intimidating presence works out rather nicely. We haven’t had a speck of trouble, and there is only one more hour to go. So don’t the three of you start something,” Ellen said.

“I’ll keep them under my thumb, Ellen. Don’t you worry,” Dee Dee said and elbowed Spider.

“I better make my rounds again. Any of you happen to see JD?  I haven’t heard a peep out of him all night.”

“Tess is following him around. Don’t worry. She’ll take good care of him, and Mason and I have been keeping an eye open. You do your principal thing, and we’ll take care of JD.”

“Thanks.” Ellen smiled and then gave Mason a quick kiss. She left them to return to her supervisory duties. They watched her disappear into a crowd of hooded goblins.

“Now that she’s gone,” Dee Dee sighed, “I need to sneak outside and have a smoke. Watch the door, you two. I don’t want to get caught smoking in a school zone.”

“You ought to quit, Dee,” Mason chided. “It’s bad for your health.”

“Fuck you, Rambo,” Dee Dee said as she slid out into the cool night air.

The three men laughed.

“My wife might be tiny, but she sure is feisty.” Spider smiled. “Tell the little tiger I’ll be over by the main entrance. I want to make sure Monk and Bush Cat are still there. Those two might get the notion to slip into the shadows for a snort.”

Spider raised his eyebrows, smiled, and then walked away.

“I’m looking forward to the party after this, aren’t you?” Mad Dog leaned up against the wall and folded his arms across his chest.

Mason sighed. “Ellen’s not too keen on the idea. The Ritz isn’t the kind of place she’s use to, but she’s going.”

It can’t be any worse than the rally.”

Mason grinned. “Truer words have never been spoken.”

The two men laughed.

***

8:00 p.m. and the Brookfield Alternative High School Halloween Carnival shut down for business. Students dismantled the booths as teachers directed their clean-up efforts. Spider and Dee Dee helped Mandy and her friends close up the fishpond they had operated. Mason and Mad Dog assisted Ellen with garbage detail. As they threw trash bags on a cart, Ron Richardson approached. Mason saw him coming and swallowed hard. Ron’s worried expression meant trouble.

“Excuse me, Ellen. I need to talk to you. Do you mind if we go to your office for a minute?” Ron asked as he shifted uncomfortably.

Mason looked at him, but Ron dropped his gaze to the floor.

“Is it one of the students?” Ellen moaned. “It was rather naive of me to think this would go off without one single incident.”

Ellen turned to Mason and Mad Dog and smiled. “Will you two gentlemen excuse me? Duty calls.”

“Go get ‘um, my tough biker lady,” Mason teased, despite the apprehension squeezing his chest.

“Don’t hurt ‘um too bad, Ellen.” Mad Dog tied up another garbage bag. “Remember: they’re only children.”

“I’ll do my best.” Ellen looked over at JD, who played with the water in the duck pond. “I’ll be right back, JD. I have to talk to Ron for a minute.”

He didn’t respond.

“I’ll keep my eye on him. Go ahead so we can get out of here,” Mason sighed.

“What do you suppose that’s all about?” Mad Dog looked at Mason. “The guy acted like he was going to the firing squad.”

Mason shrugged. He needed a believable story and fast.

***

Ellen followed Ron to her office and was surprised to find no student waiting.

“What’s up?  I thought you had some kid in here,” Ellen said as she sat down at her desk.

“It’s not about any student, Ellen. It’s about Mason.”

Ron’s face twisted into a grimace. He sat down in one of the chairs. The look on Ron’s face made her uncomfortable.

“What about Mason?”

Ellen folded her hands on the desk.

“You know, Ellen….” Ron paused, looking down. “I think Mason is an all right guy. He seems nice enough to you and JD, but I’ve never thought he was anyone you should be involved with.”

Ron looked up with a feeble smile. He exhaled.

“Maggie would kill me if she knew I was telling you this. She said it was none of my business, but I like you, Ellen.  However, I think you are naïve when it comes to Mason.”

Ellen fumed. She rapped her fingers on the desk. “I appreciate your concern about my choice of boyfriends, but Maggie is right, Ron, it isn’t any of your business.”

“Mason doesn’t work at the mill!” Ron blurted.

His sharp-edged voice took Ellen by surprise. She should be angry, not him. She sat straight and pulled back her shoulders. “What do you mean?”