Jake balanced a ball on the tips of his booted foot and grinned at his own expertise he loved playing soccer it was his favorite sport though rugby came a close second, even if they were quite at odds with each other. Coach Raymond was heading in his direction, and he knew why though he still didn't have the answer to his predicament. Which sport did he want to concentrate, soccer or rugby? He had aspirations towards a professional career in one of the two disciplines.
"Jake, before we get started, have you thought over our conversation from last week?"
Shaking his head when the ball he'd been working with stopped spinning on his toe, he placed it under his booted foot and looked down at the object hoping it might have the answer for him.
"Jake, you're very good at both sports, but if you want to go the whole way it's about time to chose. I can help you in soccer as you know, however, I have a colleague, Phil Hodgson, who is itching to have you go play rugby for his team next season with a promise to build you up and get you to the right games to be noticed." The older man waited. His face had become craggy and weather beaten after having taken up physical education training when his own career had been cut short after breaking his leg on the field during his first year as a professional soccer player for a second division team in England. He'd immigrated to New Zealand five years later when schools in England were down sizing the physical education program. Now having spent the best part of fifteen years travelling around various schools he felt that here, where he'd taught for three years, was his final settling place. He had a good rapport with the kids and had made some good friends in the welcoming township. One thing he'd found when he came to live here was that the people were as friendly as you wanted them to be and before long you felt that this was home, no matter which nationality you came from.
"Coach, is it possible to play both?" His bright eyes looked at the man hopefully, he respected the Coach's judgement, except maybe with having Simon Arnett on the soccer team but that was a minor problem.
The older man pulled at the neat goatee beard he wore. Jake felt that on some it would look stupid, but on Coach it looked cool, even if he was ancient. "Jake, you need different skills to make it in the professional side of the sports. Have you discussed this at home? Surely your parents can help you with the choice; after all, they will have to help financially to get you on the right programs."
The teacher smiled slowly when he surmised by the sheepish expression on the boy's face that it wasn't likely he'd discussed anything at all on the home front. Was he having difficulties? He knew that Jake's circumstances were somewhat unique to others in the school. Though he wasn't apprised of every facet of the situation, maybe he should speak with Principal Atkins.
"I take it by the expression that you haven't. Will it cause a problem at home? If it's the money, I'm sure that with your record we can find support through other means..."
"No! No, coach, it isn't money, we have plenty of money! At least Catherine does and she's my Mom now so..."
"So?" Frowning at the comment, plenty of money? Who had plenty of commodities? He wished he did.
"I haven't found the right time. Tonight, I promise I'll talk with my Mom's and let you know." The boy heard his name shouted as Ian his best friend ran towards him, stopping suddenly as he saw whom his friend was talking to.
"Okay, let me know, whatever you decide is okay with me, Jake, no pressure, unless of course we have a championship match," smiling at the boy. He slapped his back in a friendly reassuring way before he ran towards a group who was arguing over a ball in the middle of the field.
Ian approached his friend cautiously, "You're not in trouble are you, Jake?"
"No! What made you think that?" Jake asked as he picked up the soccer ball and tossed it over to his friend and laughing when Ian misjudged the catch and it dropped to his feet bouncing away.
Shrugging his shoulders his friend didn't reply at first, "No reason. Are you captaining the next match?"
Smiling widely Jake gave Ian a push self-consciously, "Might be, might not, you know Coach doesn't announce it until the morning of the game.
"Yeah but it's a piece of cake, right. When hasn't he chosen you, you are the best we have." Ian grinned as they were called over to join the practice session.
Jake wasn't allowed to answer as they ran towards the rest on the field for the practice session. Although he knew that he probably was the best in school at the moment, he wasn't bigheaded enough to think there wasn't someone better than him. It was just a matter of time before that happened. He just hoped it wasn't until he'd been playing professionally for years and he was ready for retirement.
Tonight he'd talk with Catherine and Jace, maybe even ask Colin over for moral support. He'd wanted to talk with Colin about his problems, but each time he saw the man he was pre-occupied and there never had been a good time, especially now that Colin had a family of his own. Funny how when parents have their own kids, the ones they thought of as their own get pushed into the background, or that's how it appeared to him anyway. Why couldn't things stay as they were? If Jace had never come back to Destiny, maybe it would have stayed just as it had been...him, Catherine and Colin. Lisa had even been happier then and Grace...why oh why did adults change things it wasn't fair!
Lisa glanced around the classroom; it was about five minutes to the end of class with most of the rest of the class fidgeting to get out of school as they all did at this time of the day. Though she didn't know if staying behind would be more beneficial in her circumstances today.
As the teacher droned on she was tempted to sneak out on the pretext of going to the bathroom, her fingers clasping around her school bag in readiness to make her escape. Gulping rapidly she didn't hear the teacher call out her name.
"Ms. Simeon, have you paid any attention at all to my lesson today?"
Oh no, old frosty face Cameron was on her back now, that was all she needed. No chance of escape now as all eyes was staring in her direction.
"Yes, Ms. Cameron, I was, really I was." She knew that her voice wasn't confident and it as well might not be since she didn't have a clue what was going on in class.
"Have you something you want to share with the rest of the class in that case?" The teacher folded her arms across her chest and waited patiently for the child to speak.
Lisa looked at Toni Pehukana who sat beside her this lesson, mainly because no one else would sit next to the Maori girl who was supposed to be a rebel and always in trouble. Lisa had arrived late for the class therefore she'd had no choice as there wasn't another seat left, at least not where she was wanted or allowed to sit; one look was enough from some of the kids in the class.
Not expecting a helping hand from the girl, she was amazed when Toni pushed forward her notebook with the topic they were talking about.
Smiling gratefully at Toni she turned to the teacher, "My mom says sheep aren't as dumb as we think."
The teacher blinked her eyes several times at the odd comment, and had to force herself not to laugh as the other children were doing, "Quiet, class, quiet! Lisa has a valid point, although I'm sure she will expand on the subject matter for us."
Lisa sighed heavily. She didn't even know what had been said before only that the subject was ‘intelligent animals'. "Yeah, sure..." the sound of the bell ringing ending the session caused a bitter-sweet sensation in Lisa, contemplating which was a worse scenario: the bullies waiting for her or the heights of trying to make stuff up about sheep, oh what choices she had!
"Okay, class, we will pick this up next class. Go collect your things and be careful and safe on the way home."
The next thing heard was the sound of chairs scrapping on the tiled floor, banging of desktops and the shuffling and noise as everyone chatted and scrambled to leave as quickly as possible.
Lisa turned a shy glance to the girl who had saved her from even more trouble today and she was grateful, very grateful. "Thanks, Toni."
Toni gave the smaller girl a long stare, her brown eyes taking in the petite frame along with the strawberry blonde hair and the wide trusting blue eyes which were quite in contrast to her dark complexion, stout features and stocky build with ebony curly hair to crown it off, "no sweat. Don't you have a date?"
At first Lisa gave her a puzzled frown and then it dawned on her what the other girl meant. "Not really but I don't think I have choice. If you want the truth, I hate heights I'm scared to death."
The girl picked up her well-worn school holdall and Lisa guiltily glanced down at her own. It had been new at the start of the school term crafted in wonderful tooled leather, which Jace had agreed to buy for her with the understanding she took great care of it. "Don't do it if you're scared."
Oh if only it was as simple as that, if only... "They might beat me up and no one in school will talk to me if they think I'm a coward." Lisa gave voice to her feelings on the subject, not really understanding why she was. If anyone could make a mockery of her this girl could and probably would, if her reputation was anything to go by.
As the stocky girl walked away from Lisa towards the door, "your call. Me, I'd tell them to think what they wanted. Anyway, look at it this way, who talks to you now?"
Lisa listened to the amazing intuitive advice. Toni was right, who did talk to her now, no one! What difference would it make to be thought a coward too! Picking up her own school bag she rushed out after the girl who was now half way down the corridor towards the exit.
"Hey, Toni?"
Spinning around the Maori girl glanced at her in question, "What?"
"Thanks for the advice, I owe you."
"You owe me nothing and I didn't give you any advice. Take it easy, red." The girl left the building with Lisa gazing after her. This was like a miracle had happened, in the space of ten minutes she'd gone from being absolutely petrified of leaving school to holding up her head and saying no way to the bully boys. And all because a so-called rebel of the school had told her to stand up for herself! How cool was that! She didn't even mind Toni calling her red, yeah that was cool too!
As she walked out of the building she was immediately surrounded by three of Bobby Jenkins' friends who jeered at her, and refusing to be bullied walked towards the gate and the waiting bus, rather than the waiting circle of children around the climbing frame.
"Coward, coward! Lisa's a coward!" the boys chanted in loud angry voices.
Spinning around, the tormented child's anger getting the better of her, she rounded on the boys, "I am not, and you're all bullies that's all you are! Now get out of my way or else!"
The boys, taken aback for a split second, crowded around her preventing her from getting out of the gate, "Yeah, yeah, scaredy cat Lisa makes us frightened, what you going to do now? See, we are all scared!"
Pushing at the boy closest to her she was unable to get out of the closed in circle that had gone around her, what was she to do now?
As she contemplated that the circle opened a little and allowed Bobby Jenkins inside where he stood next to her with a sneer on his baby faced features. "You can't escape, Lisa, no one makes a fool out of me without paying for it."
A lone tear trickled down her cheek. She didn't want to cry and let all these horrible people see she was frightened, but she couldn't help it, she was scared and it was the right word for her. A jeer went up when they saw her crying and Jenkins came closer only to punch her in the stomach, and as she crouched and held her stomach at the attack she dropped her bag to the floor. Then she felt several other blows as the boy hit her again in pain. Unable to decipher what was going on as her hair was pulled, she dropped even further and felt her knees scrape the ground, instinctively putting her hands over her head to ward off any more attacks.
Suddenly, after being repeatedly attacked by more than Bobby Jenkins, the blows stopped and all she heard was a scuffle and several screams then the claustrophobic feeling of being in a circle of people was gone and the air around her flowed freely. Did she dare lift her head? Maybe it was a ploy to hit her face. Moving slightly, she peeked through her fingers and saw what appeared to be a vicious brawl. Several boys were chanting for Jenkins and seconds later they all ran for cover when a shout from the far building came from one of the teachers asking what was going on. Rapidly eating up the distance between them and the disturbance, the two brawlers separated and angrily shot out blistering crude words at each other then Jenkins running off. Lisa, kneeling on the pavement, was shocked to see Toni Pehukana wiping her hands with a satisfied smile at the retreating back of the bully, and then the girl turned to her.
"Go, before you get in trouble." Toni whispered to her as she looked over her shoulder to the teacher heading in her direction.
"What about you? You saved me." Lisa's sense of the dramatics went into overdrive with the last words as her blue eyes tried to understand why this girl had come to her rescue.
"I'm okay I'm used to this, go now I'll take care
of the teacher!" Toni turned back to face the teacher who had an angry
expression on her face.
"Thanks...Toni, I'll see you tomorrow." Lisa whispered
back in awe then ran towards the gate and left the school playground just
in time to see a familiar jeep pull up alongside her.
Oh no! Her moms were here and there was no way she didn't look a mess. Not only that, she now realized that she had lost her bag and it was nowhere to be seen on the ground, Jace was going to be upset! At least there was one good thing out of today; maybe she had made a new friend.
"Hi, Mom, what are you doing here?" Lisa smiled at Catherine who had wound the window down to prevent Lisa from climbing aboard the bus.
Staring at Lisa, Catherine was lost for words. Her knees were bleeding and badly scrapped, her usually tidy hair was strewn all over the place and she was covered in marks and dirt, if she didn't know better she'd say her daughter had been in a fight.
"Thought we'd give you a ride home since we were in town, looks like you've had...an interesting day."
Now was not the time to have a twenty question session with Lisa, Jace was tired and looking paler by the minute, home would be a more fitting place. Her eyes looked over the playground area and saw a stocky child talking to an adult who, from this angle, looked as much of a mess as Lisa.
"I did actually, mom, is that Chinese I smell? Have you bought some for me?" Lisa had her appetite back with a vengeance, the adrenaline rush of what had happened to her now taking over.
"Yes, we have some for you; get in, Princess, your Mom's tired we need to get home."
A look of concern passed over Lisa as she scrambled into the back seat and glanced at Jace who gave her a big smile, "Don't worry, Lisa, Catherine worries too much. Looks like you have a story to tell us when we get home. Are you okay darling?"
Lisa grinned, "Sure, I fell down that's all, they call me klutzy now." The explanation appeared to appease Jace, however Catherine gave her eldest daughter a sharp glance, her eyes challenging the statement, and they'd have words when they reached home.
The car set off in motion back to Destiny, and as they turned towards home Lisa glanced back towards the playground and saw Toni walking towards the building with the teacher. Her heart went out to the girl; she hoped she didn't get into any trouble because of her...at least any more trouble than she had already taken on in her behalf.
Tomorrow she'd stick up for her new friend, even if it meant detention!
"Grace called, Catherine, asked if you would call her back when you arrived home." Faith announced as they entered the house by the kitchen entrance. Now understanding why Catherine had called to say they were coming home early and not to bother with a meal for Lisa, as she looked from the three females that entered the house it was clear exactly why the day trip out had been shortened. Catherine placed the Chinese takeaway on the kitchen table with instructions to Lisa not to eat all the spring rolls before she came back, with a tender apologetic smile in Jace's direction she headed for the study to make the call. Lisa looked like she'd been in a brawl, angry marks on her face testified to that, however, she wouldn't inquire just yet. Jace had walked in behind the other two and her pale face and tired body language said it all.
"Jace, my dear, why don't I fix you up a drink, you look tuckered out." Her kind aged features gave the young woman a knowing look; pregnancy did have a way of catching up even on the fittest woman.
"Thanks, Faith, if you want the truth, all I need now is my bed. Can't even summon up the energy to eat," her wry smile acknowledging how strange a comment that was from her.
"I suggest you do just that, Jace, I'll bring you a lovely cup of hot chocolate and you can rest up." At the grateful though undecided glance she received, Faith knew the woman was toying with the idea but didn't want to worry anyone, especially her partner. "I'll cover for you, Jace, don't worry. I'll keep all your troublesome females in hand trust me. Elena's watching TV with Judy for the moment, Lisa and...Catherine can eat dinner, it smells delicious."
Jace looked over at Lisa who was opening all the packages,
her expression one of desperation to eat up her meal. "Sure, it sounds
like a good idea. I'll be back down later, if you could explain to Catherine
for me please," Her tone now almost as weary as her body.
Lisa looked up at the older women with a sheepish
delighted smile, "you got all my fav's, Mom."
"Yes we did, Princess, I'm going to take a short nap, okay. Don't forget what Catherine said and when I come back we will have a talk about what you've been up to today." Smiling at the child who went from joy to despondency at her remark, winking to take away any sting as she left the room not even checking on Elena because if her daughter saw her, that would be the end of her proposed nap time.
Faith watched the retreating back frowning slightly, Jace didn't look well at all she was way too pale. When the children were settled she'd have a quiet word with Catherine, perhaps a check up at the doctor's would be in order; it certainly wouldn't harm anything.
Ten minutes later, with Lisa having been scolded for trying to eat all the spring rolls and now relishing her sweet and sour main dish, Catherine entered the room and quirked her eyebrow at the demolished plate. "I hope you left me something to eat, between the two of...where is Jace?" concerned blue eyes immediately scanned the room for any evidence of her lover.
"Mom was tired she needed a nap, said she wasn't hungry." Lisa announced as she filled her fork and placed the tasty morsels in her mouth.
"She wasn't hungry, is she sick? I'd better go check on her..." Catherine turned alarmed eyes to Faith who smiled warmly at the tall woman, exactly what Jace predicted Catherine would be worried, waving her hand in the direction of the table.
"You will do no such thing, Catherine," she saw the anger mount in the expressive eyes and shook her head. "Jace was tired and said she needed a nap but to make sure you had dinner. I've made her a lovely cup of hot chocolate, which I shall deliver while you and Lisa finish your meal."
"I'll take it, dinner can wait!" Catherine announced pedantically. Who did Faith think she was...her mother?
"Please let me, Catherine, Jace will only feel even worse than she does now if she thinks that you are worried about her, and it spoils your dinner she knows you love Chinese. If there's a problem I promise to come back immediately and let you know, is that a deal?"
Catherine frowned at the older woman though she could understand her point of view, however, that didn't detract from the fact that this was Jace they were talking about and she was worried! "You promise?"
"Guides honor, Catherine. Now please have something to eat before Lisa snaffles it all. Not to mention Elena who will have finished watching TV in the next few minutes and you know what she's like, no spring rolls left for you if she sees them."
She walked towards the kitchen table and seated herself opposite Lisa who grinned at her with sauce covered lips, making her smile which alleviated the tension that was building up. Faith was right, Jace was tired that was all and an early night would be good for her, as soon as she could she'd go sit with her love. Damn, it was so hard when you had kids to take care off, how did people cope without help she wondered. Her thoughts changed suddenly as she ran over the conversation with Grace who had arranged an appointment with her doctor for tomorrow morning, which she'd promised to go along as support. Her friend knew the meaning of trying to cope alone with a baby and it clearly hadn't worked out.
"Tell her I'll be along shortly and...and... well she knows." Catherine trailed off embarrassed to ask the woman to convey her love to Jace. Instead, she selected a spring roll from the hot plate they were using to keep them warm along with the other dishes.
Smiling at the woman who had turned a cute pink, Faith knew exactly what she had wanted to convey but hadn't been able to say it in words. "I'll tell her, Catherine." Just as she was walking out of the room to take the hot chocolate to Jace, Judy opened the door to the lounge walking out with a giggling Elena who was holding her hand and chattering in almost gibberish about the program she had watched.
"I'll see you in a minute, okay." Taking the stairs as Judy nodded her head and they headed for the kitchen.
Catherine bit into the crispy roll and relished the taste. If she was allowed that would be all she had, but Jace insisted that several rolls would not be a good choice and she'd acquiesced not wanting to upset her lover. Now, if it had been the boot on the other foot she was sure Jace wouldn't have agreed so readily, but that was the subtle or not so subtle differences between them, rather wonderful differences she was quite happy to admit.
"Are you going to tell me what happened in school today?" Catherine spoke calmly as if it was an everyday occurrence that Lisa came home looking as she had today.
Lisa guiltily gazed up into the warm blue eyes that stared at her with interest. Catherine didn't look upset at all, it seemed more as if she was passing the time of day with her, it wasn't important. The kernel of hopelessness that she had felt earlier that day spurted up within her again as she wished her own Mom was here and not this woman. It wasn't that she didn't love Catherine, she did, but her real Mom would be better in the circumstances or Jace. Jace was kind, gentle, understood her and didn't make it hard for her to explain herself, even if she was in the wrong sometimes. Catherine, on the other hand, was totally different. She was harder to make understand and they usually ended up arguing though not in a bad way normally. But tonight...tonight she didn't want to go through that as well as everything else she'd endured today. "Nothing happened, I fell over."
"Really? When, where, who did you inform at school?" Selecting another of the tasty rolls and placing the tip in a wonderful sweet chili sauce she enjoyed.
Pulling a face Lisa wondered what to say next. She didn't like to lie to Catherine, it always came back on her when she did, and Catherine had an uncanny way of knowing she wasn't telling the truth. Though in this case she had fallen over, except, to get there, bullies had viciously pushed her. If she told Catherine that no one in school would ever speak to her again! That was telling tales and you never did that, ever!
"It was a silly accident, I fell over on an uneven piece of concrete on the playground." A satisfied smirk crossed her face as she thought up the lie.
"Oh, and did you inform anyone about the concrete not being safe?" Catherine persisted as she wiped away a drop of sauce that trickled down her chin.
"Well, I was going to tell someone...but you came by." Grinning broadly as the door to the kitchen opened and she was saved from further explanation as Elena burst into the room shouting at the top of her voice for them both.
Catherine was barreled over by a bustling toddler who wanted to have all her attention, not to mention some of her food.
"Guess you have to share, Catherine." Judy grinned as she saw her employer place the child on her knee and cut up a portion of her roll to give to the child.
"Hmm now is there any surprise in that?" Smiling as the child placed the whole piece in her mouth reminding her of a guinea pig with its cheeks full of seed. "Elena, you'll choke."
Catherine immediately regretted her impulse to say anything. She should have learnt by now because, much to her horror, the child smiled at her with wide green eyes as bright as a button and proceeded to speak and she felt the pieces of food project from the child's mouth to her face.
"Oh God no, Elena," picking up a napkin to wipe
away the offending traces, she heard the laughter of Lisa and Judy followed
by the giggles of Elena, whatever had she done to deserve this.
"Want me to take her, Catherine?" Judy asked stifling
the giggles at the sight of the tall woman's predicament. It was hard to
believe unless you actually witnessed it yourself and she had big time.
Funny how people had to adapt to various situations when children were
around, even people like Catherine!
"No, I think she's done all the damage she can for the moment thanks." Mock glaring at the child who was smiling as she chewed on the food she still had in her mouth.
Next time she'd sit Elena with Rio, he wouldn't mind the impromptu meal, kids!
Faith knocked softly on the door of the master bedroom wondering if she should disturb Jace. The way she'd looked earlier, it was clear sleep would welcome her in its waiting arms as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Opening the door and peering in through a thin aperture Faith saw the small woman sprawled on the bed, she hadn't even taken off her clothes. Walking silently inside she placed the hot chocolate on the nightstand and opened the linen cupboard retrieving a blanket, which she draped as gently as possible over the soundly sleeping woman.
There was no evidence Jace would wake to see any more of today, probably as well under the circumstances. However, she could do with that check up, she would mention it to Catherine later, always better to be safe, and sure it wouldn't harm anything at all.
Smiling at the young woman she tiptoed out of the room closing the door gently but firmly behind her.
As she headed for the stairs she heard a burst of laughter and it made her feel good inside. Being part of family, even if it wasn't strictly a blood one, was a tremendous feeling and she was so glad to be here. More importantly, she marveled at the way things changed, as you got older. Things you thought of, as taboo and wrong. now had no meaning in the big picture. Life...and love in particular...were there to be shared and experienced to the fullest extent, and here in this home, it leaped around you taking no account of prejudice or blood ties. If you gave you received, it was as simple as that, or so she thought, and she doubted anyone who had received the love of anyone at Destiny would disagree with her, in any way at all.