Trust Our Tomorrows Read online

  "Can I go now?" Lorrie asked. Her hand was poised on the door handle. "I bet Al's already inside."

  "I guess--" Lex's words were lost on Lorrie, who hopped out of the truck and raced into the elementary school, "so." Lex climbed out of the vehicle, opened the back door and gave Melanie a kiss before she swung her daughter to the ground. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

  Melanie's blonde curls danced in the breeze. "Thanks, Momma."

  She spun in a circle, causing her yellow costume skirt to whirl around her legs. "Snow White's my favorite." They rounded the front of the truck and joined Amanda, who held out her hand.

  "She's my favorite, too," Amanda said. With Melanie between them, she and Lex swung their arms, causing her to giggle. "Let's go find your classroom."

  As they passed through the front doors decorated with cutouts of pumpkins and a scarecrow, Lex muttered, "Fall Festival, my ass."

  "What?" Amanda blinked as her eyes became accustomed to the bright fluorescent lights.

  "I don't know why they can't call it the Halloween Carnival, like they did when I was in school," Lex said. "I mean, they've got the same decorations as they did then. And why on earth do they have it a blasted week before Halloween?"

  Amanda laughed. "I'm sure they're just trying to keep from insulting anyone." She tightened her grip on Melanie's hand as they weaved through the crowded halls.

  "I'm insulted by their stupid ideas," Lex said. "Next thing you'll know, they'll take away Christmas."

  "Momma, look. There's my room," Melanie pointed out excitedly. "We're doing the cakewalk." She dragged them toward the room where loud music could be heard.

  Lex looked questioningly at Amanda. "Cakewalk? Did we--"

  "I brought a pie yesterday." Amanda cringed as they entered the room and the loud music assailed her senses. "Yippee."

  NOT FAR AWAY, Lorrie roamed the familiar halls looking for her best friend, who she was supposed to meet by the cafeteria. As Lorrie rounded the corner, she saw a pudgy blonde girl dressed as an angel, surrounded by three loud boys. The ninja, fireman and soldier were all teasing her. "Hey!"

  The angel turned at the voice and a smile lit up her face. "Lorrie!" She tried to push by the boy dressed all in black, but he stopped her.

  "Wait," he ordered. The dark clothes clung tightly to his stocky frame, and his black pants were several inches too short, showing his white tube socks.

  Lorrie joined the group and lifted her mask to the top of her head. "What's your problem, Jerry?"

  The ninja-boy sneered through his black ski mask. "Nobody's talking to you. Go 'way." He flipped the mask off Lorrie's head and started to laugh. "Why didn't you dress like you usually do?"

  "'Cause we're supposed to be in costumes, Jerry. Or do you always dress like a ninja?" Lorrie picked up her zombie mask and held it in one fist. "Al, let's go."

  The angel, also known as Allison Skimmerly, jerked her arm free.

  "Okay." She followed Lorrie away from the cafeteria, until Jerry's voice caused Lorrie to stop in her tracks.

  "I figured you'd be a little cow-pie, like you are every day. Just like your mom." He constantly teased Lorrie about the boots and jeans she wore to school. Jerry's comment caused the two boys with him to start laughing.

  Lorrie spun around and tossed her mask on the floor. "Take it back, Jerry."

  "No." Jerry danced from foot to foot. "Your mom's a cow-pie. Cow-pie, cow-pie," he sang.

  The former zombie rushed the ninja and pushed him to the ground. "Take it back, or I'll--" Lorrie's words stopped when she was grabbed by the back of her shirt and pulled away.

  "Lorrie Walters, what's going on?" the middle aged woman asked. Dressed in denim bib overalls, flannel shirt and floppy hat, the pseudo-farmer separated the two feuding children.

  Allison piped up. "It wasn't her fault, Mrs. Barrett. Jerry started it."

  "Did not!" Jerry shouted. "I didn't do nothin'. Lorrie pushed me for no reason."

  The fifth grade teacher took Jerry's arm in her free hand. "Let's go to the office to straighten this out." She gave the costumed fireman and soldier a stern look. "You boys have a choice, either find your parents or come with us."

  "I--I--think I see my dad," the soldier said. He took off with the fireman close on his heels.

  Mrs. Barrett looked at Allison. "How about you?"

  Allison raised her chin defiantly. "I'm staying with Lorrie." She picked up Lorrie's mask and handed it to her.

  "All right." The teacher escorted the trio down the hall. "Lorrie, are your parents here?"

  "Yes, ma'am. They're with my little sister." Lorrie ignored Jerry's derisive snort.

  "Cow-pie," he whispered.

  "Shut up!" Lorrie yelled, twisting out of Mrs. Barrett's grasp. She would have knocked him down but the teacher's grip kept him upright.

  Mrs. Barrett took a fistful of the back of Lorrie's shirt and yanked her away from Jerry. "Lorrie! That's enough!"

  Allison pointed at the obnoxious boy as they walked into the office. "He's saying bad things, Mrs. Barrett."

  With a heavy sigh, Mrs. Barrett separated the three, keeping at least two chairs between Jerry and Lorrie. "I don't want to hear another word out of any of you until your parents get here."

  Lorrie crossed her arms over her chest and glared straight ahead.

  IN THE FIRST grade room, Lex watched as Amanda and Melanie walked around the perimeter to music. She couldn't get over how much their youngest looked like her wife. Although Amanda had started wearing her hair short years earlier, the two still favored each other. Melanie's hair was lighter and her head was covered with curls, but even their facial structure was similar.

  The outer edges of the floor were taped off into squares, with numbers in some of the boxes. Amanda's sister Jeannie and her son Teddy were on the opposite side of the room, walking and laughing as well. When the music stopped, so did the walkers. Some of them ended up in numbered squares, while others were stuck in empty spaces. Lex laughed as Melanie danced around Amanda in a numbered box.

  "We win, Mommy!" Melanie's clear voice floated across the room. "Number seven!"

  Amanda clapped along with her. "Why don't you go get the prize and take it to your Momma?" She waited until Melanie skipped to the prize table before joining Lex. "Pretty cool, huh?"

  "Yep. Hope it's the cream cheese covered brownies," Lex whispered. She watched Melanie claim a box of baked goods. "Damn. I think it's the peanut brittle."

  "Yum." Amanda was about to say more when an announcement came over the loudspeaker.

  "Would the parents of Jerry Sater, Allison Skimmerly, and Lorrie Walters please come to the office?"

  Lex shook her head. "Great. I wonder what she's gotten into this time." She turned to her wife. "Do you want me to handle this?"

  "No, let's both go." Amanda smiled at Melanie when she bounced forward with her prize. "Honey, would you mind staying with Aunt Jeannie for a little while?" She waved at her sister.

  "Is Lorrie in trouble?" Melanie asked.

  Lex scooped Melanie into her arms. "We don't know. But I promise we'll let you know as soon as we can, okay?"

  Jeannie and Teddy joined the trio. "We're going to the kindergarten class and try the ring toss. Would you like to come, Melanie?" Jeannie nodded at Amanda's whispered thanks. She grinned when Melanie took her hand.

  "We'll catch up to y'all as soon as we can," Lex called after them. Once Jeannie and the children were out of the room, she turned her attention to Amanda. "Want to take bets on what Lorrie has done?"

  Amanda swatted Lex's arm. "Behave. She might surprise you."

  "Uh-huh." Lex followed Amanda down the hall, her hands tucked into her back pockets in an effort to keep them to herself. She learned a long time ago that while the majority of people in Somerville left them alone, they didn't like to see two women holding hands.

  Loud voices echoed from the office as they arrived. Lex was able to pick out Wanda Skimmerly's voice easily. She stepped into the
room and saw Wanda and another woman going at it, nose to nose.

  "Your kid is a bully!" Wanda shouted at the woman in front of her. "I'm sure he got at least a portion of what he deserved."

  Mrs. Barrett stepped in between the two women. "Ladies, please." She turned her head when Lex and Amanda entered the room. "Lexington, Amanda. I'm glad you're here."

  Lex glanced at Lorrie, who looked none the worse for wear. "What's going on here?"

  "I caught Lorrie and Jerry fighting," Mrs. Barrett said.

  Allison piped up. "Jerry started it."

  Jerry's mother, Susan, a weather-beaten heavyset woman, snapped at Allison. "My boy didn't start anything." Years of alcohol abuse had aged her unkindly. Her puffy red face was slick with perspiration in the cool room. She gave Jerry a pointed look. "Did you?"

  He raised his head until he met her face. "No, ma'am," he said quietly. His eyes tracked to the floor.

  "See?" Susan whirled and pointed an accusing finger at Lex. "This is all your fault, Lexington Walters. You were no good in school, and--"

  Amanda interrupted the woman's tirade. "Excuse me, we haven't met. I'm Amanda." She held out her hand.

  Susan disregarded the offer and crossed her arms over her chest. "Walters, what are you going to do about your kid?"

  Lex ignored Susan and knelt in front of Lorrie's chair. "Want to tell me what happened?"

  Lorrie sniffled, trying not to cry. "I got mad." She lowered her gaze, focusing on Lex's knees.

  "Did you hit Jerry?" Lex gently asked. "Tell the truth, sweetheart."

  "No."

  Lex shook her head and exhaled heavily. "Lorrie."

  "I pushed him. But I didn't hit him." Big, heavy tears slid from Lorrie's eyes.

  Amanda sat beside Lorrie and put her arm around her. "Why did you push him?"

  Jerry jumped to his feet. "'Cause she's a big meanie!"

  "No she's not." Allison said, "You're a jerk."

  Susan took Jerry by the shoulder and shook him. "What have I told you about yelling?"

  Mrs. Barrett held out her hands in an attempt to control the situation. "Ms. Sater, please."

  Allison ran to her mother and wrapped her arms around Wanda's waist. "He called Lorrie a cow-pie, and said her mom was one, too."

  "He said what?" Amanda looked at Lex to see how she took the news.

  Lex clenched her teeth and made eye contact with her daughter. "Lorrie, is that why you pushed him?"

  "Yes, ma'am." Lorrie blinked and wiped her tears on her sleeve.

  "Remember what I told you about name-calling?" Lex quietly asked.

  Lorrie nodded. "We're supposed to ignore people who have to use nasty words to make them feel better." Her big gray eyes stared into Lex's face. "I did okay until he talked about you. That's when I got so mad."

  "I know, sweetheart." Lex put her arms around Lorrie and brought her close. "But words won't hurt me. It's okay." She kissed Lorrie's head and held her until she stopped crying.

  "Oh, please," Susan snorted. She turned to Mrs. Barrett. "Are you going to let that little brat get away with this?"

  Lex stood and turned. "Sue, I'd be careful what I said if I were you."

  Susan would not be dissuaded. "You let your children run wild and then seem surprised when they get caught. Come on, Jerry. I'll take care of you when we get home." She yanked Jerry toward the door. "Keep your mongrel away from my kid, Lexington, or you'll be the one that's sorry."

  Wanda tucked Allison close as well. "Well, isn't she the pleasant one?" She said, breaking the tension.

  Amanda noticed Wanda was alone. "Where's Dirk?"

  "He's with Penny. I think they were going to try the ring toss in her classroom." Penny was their other daughter who was one year behind Melanie.

  Mrs. Barrett sounded truly regretful. "Lexington, Amanda, I'm afraid Lorrie will have to be suspended Monday and Tuesday. It's school policy."

  "We understand." Amanda shook the teacher's hand. "Thank you for bringing the kids to the office, instead of handling it out in the hall." She followed Lex and Lorrie from the room.

  Wanda wasn't as impressed, however. "What about Jerry? It was his fault to begin with."

  "Mrs. Skimmerly, I can't do anything to Jerry because I didn't hear what he said. All I witnessed were Lorrie's actions."

  "It's still ridiculous," Wanda said. "Come on, Allie. Let's go see what your sister is up to."

  "Can we get a candied apple? I'm hungry," Allison trailed after her mother, her foil-covered wings bouncing behind her.

  AT HOME LATER that evening, Lex sat on the edge of Lorrie's bed. Lorrie had to be punished for getting suspended from school, but Lex's heart wasn't in it. She remembered being in her daughter's shoes. "Do you understand what you did wrong?"

  Lorrie, tucked under the bright blue covers, nodded solemnly. "Yes, ma'am. Fighting's bad, no matter what."

  "Right." Lex looked around the room, seeing small pieces of herself in her oldest child's decorating. Posters of horses shared space with magazine pictures of sports figures. The full-sized, four-poster oak bed was a birthday gift made by Amanda's grandfather, Jacob, the previous year, with a matching dresser and nightstand. Books covered almost every available space, along with a softball glove and bat tossed in one corner. Lex realized how better rounded her children were than she was at their age, and knew it was due to her wife's influence. She cleared her throat. "Halloween is coming up next Saturday, and--"

  "No! Please, Momma. I want to go trick-or-treating," Lorrie said. "I'll do better."

  Lex sighed. "We already promised Melanie you could take her. So it wouldn't be fair to her if we kept you home." Lex decided on another punishment, one that would hurt her almost as bad. "No riding for the rest of the week."

  "What? But Momma--"

  "I'm sorry, Lorrie. But you have to realize that your actions have consequences. You still have to groom Mine every day, but no riding until Sunday. You'll just have to lead her around the corral for exercise."

  Tears trickled down Lorrie's cheeks. "But me and you was going riding Friday after school."

  "I know. I was hoping you could help me check the well on the west pasture, but now I'll have to go alone." Lex felt like crying herself. She enjoyed the time she was able to spend with Lorrie, just the two of them. At her daughter's sob, she brought Lorrie nearer and held her. "Sssh. We'll have other times, I promise."

  Lorrie snuggled as close as she could. Although her feelings were hurt at the punishment, there was no safer place than in her mother's arms.

  AMANDA LOOKED UP from the book she was reading when Lex came into the room. She could tell her wife's talk with their oldest had taken a toll on her. She closed the book and placed it on her nightstand, patting the bed beside her. "You look pretty ragged."

  "Yeah." Lex sat on the edge of the bed and kicked off her boots, then stood and undressed, tossing her clothes on a nearby chair. Amanda had laid out her cotton nightshirt, so she draped it over her body before climbing into bed. "God, this feels good," she said, stretching out under the covers.

  "Rough talk?" Amanda asked, crawling next to Lex and taking her usual position against her side.

  Lex closed her eyes in an attempt to control her emotions. "I grounded her from riding until Sunday."

  "Ouch." Amanda sneaked her hand beneath Lex's shirt, stroking the soft skin of her stomach. "Weren't you supposed to go riding together Friday?"

  "Yep." Lex relaxed as the gentle touch continued. "It hurt me almost as much as it did her. But I don't know what else to do. She can't go around pushing other kids just because they say something she doesn't like."

  Amanda kissed her wife's jaw. "I know. And for the record, I think you did the right thing." She played with the ends of Lex's hair. The dark strands were slowly losing the battle against the gray, especially around her temples. Lex had started wearing it shorter than when they first met, and now the ends barely grazed her shoulders.

  "Thanks. I remember going through the sa
me thing at her age. Town kids always picked on those of us who lived out on ranches and farms." Lex turned and propped her head on her hand, staring into Amanda's eyes. "Is it wrong to keep our girls so isolated out here?"

  Mirroring Lex's posture, Amanda brushed her free hand along Lex's arm. "Honey, it doesn't matter where you live or what you do. Kids will always find something to pick on other kids about. I got teased because my dad's driver always dropped us off. One of my friends always got pushed around for wearing nothing but black."

  "I guess you're right. I just don't want our kids to suffer because of how we live."

  "I know." Amanda studied her face. "Not to change the subject, but I take it you and Susan Sater have a history?"

  Lex shrugged. "We went to school together, that's all." When Amanda continued to look at her, she rolled her eyes. "Yeah. We've never gotten along. She was Rick's girlfriend back in the bad-old-days. She was just as mean as a kid." Rick Thompson had been an adversary of Lex's in school. Later, he managed the realty office that Amanda's grandmother, Anna Leigh, owned. He was fired for his animosity toward Amanda, and at Anna Leigh's request, Amanda now managed Sunflower Realty.

  "Nice."

  "She blamed me because she got suspended before homecoming, and didn't get a chance to be Homecoming Queen. Susan got caught cheating on a test, and she swore up and down that I turned her in."

  Amanda frowned. "Did you?"

  "Hell, no. But I think Rick told her I did, and that was good enough for her. After graduation she left town, but came back a few years later with a couple of kids and a hen-pecked husband. Last I heard, he left with the kids they had at the time. Guess it was before Jerry was born. No one knows who his father is. I haven't had much to do with her."

  "Good." Amanda started to trace around the edge of Lex's ear. "I think we've talked enough, don't you?"

  Lex shivered as Amanda's finger drew a line down her throat. "Um, yeah."

  Amanda leaned closer and lightly touched her lips to Lex's. "I love you."

  Threading her fingers through Amanda's hair, Lex rolled onto her back and brought her partner with her. "Love you, too." She had no trouble removing the nightgown Amanda wore, and somehow felt her own shirt disappear. The delicious skin-on-skin contact drove all other thoughts from her mind.