99: Offers
Jason
“Hi Jason. I am guessing this is a friendly, informal visit since you came to my home two days after Christmas.” Alvin Rogers says as he lets me in the door.
“It is. I wanted to talk to you about Luci Forrester.”
He gestures toward one of the chairs in his living room as he sighs. “I wondered if you or Easton would come to see me. Luci is a popular topic, from reporters calling me to Dale Porter to the new hockey coach, Matt Powers, Gina Humphries, and now you.” He sits down heavily.
“Why is Gina Humphries calling you?” I ask with interest.
“She wants to sue us for firing her. Her lawyer has explained she doesn’t have a damn leg to
stand on. She’s relentless though. I have already filed for a restraining order from her. I only had ten angry voicemails where she threatened me to back it up. I’ll save you a few more
questions. Matt called me because Dale Porter claimed Humphries bullied Maxton and kicked
him off the team needlessly. As for Dale, he gives me the same story. I told him to go f**k
himself, his son should be expelled, but I was overruled. How is Luci? I planned to meet with
her next week.”
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you. What are you going to say to her?”
“That she can stay in school as long as she wants on our dime. Her scholarship is indefinitely
extended. If she wants back into the childhood development department, I’ll make sure her
schedule is what she needs it to be. And we’ll get her done as fast as we can. I also want to
know if she complained to anyone in my offices and they pushed her aside. They’ll be fired
too.” He props his elbow on the side of the chair and leans his head on his fingers. “One giant
f*****g mess Jason.”
“That will help. She’s miserable I believe in her current major.”
“Megan Anderson said the same thing. She will be Luci’s new advisor if that’s what she wants.
Also, I understand Humphries suppressed the police reports from the accident. He used the
school to back his threats and paid the officers off with school funds. I want her to file a
complaint for the money, Jason. Toward the school.”
I frown at him. “You want her to go after the school? She’s not like that.”
He leans forward. “I want her to do it so I can sue the hell out of them for it. Defamation of the
school, utilizing school funds for inappropriate means. But I need her complaint on record and
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99: Offers
us paying her out for it. It will be quick too.”
“You are vindictive Alvin.” I give him an approving nod.
“No that’s called justice. That fucker went after an innocent girl because he and his wife were
obsessed over their daughter. I want them to pay more than I can make them.”
“I’ll talk to her. It’s her decision though.” I warn him.
“She won’t have to suffer through anything. Her written complaint along with the evidence I
already have will suffice.” He promises me.
Luci
“Yes, we’re going to Mrs. Isabelle’s to play with Barrett.” I tell a very excited Cole. We were
supposed to have girls‘ night tonight but Stormi can’t make it. We’re going tomorrow for that,
but Cole and Barrett have been begging to play and Mrs. Isabelle has to go to work in a few
hours, so I’ll watch Barrett until Banning is off. When Mrs. Isabelle leaves, I’ll pack both boys
up and bring them back to the Reed house. Vince will be following me. I called him and told him we are picking up lunch first and then going to the Olmos house. He’s been invited to hang out inside so he’s excited I think.
Easton and the guys are at hockey practice today so we have the afternoon free. “Mommy can I take my superheroes?”
“Yep. I’ll pack them up.” I load us into the car and we drive off, finding Vince at the gate waiting. He follows us to the diner for hamburgers which the boys requested. I bought Vince
and Mrs. Isabelle one also. Syd is working today along with Banning.
“Alright, let’s go eat and play.”
Mrs. Isabelle opens the door before we even get to it and Cole races to her. “Hi Nanna!” He
hugs her and then runs in calling Barrett’s name.
“Make yourself at home Cole.” I say laughing. Vince is right behind me chuckling.
She shakes her head. “He’s family here and he knows it.”
“Come eat boys.” I call out before I hand her and Vince their bags.
“Luci you didn’t need to buy me lunch.” He protests.
“Are you stuck following me? I think that means lunch is in order.” I tell him as Cole and Barrett come racing to the table. They set their toys aside before climbing into their chairs. They are throwing their trash away when someone knocks on the front door. Mrs. Isabelle goes with Vince to check it. He comes back and gives me a look before Mrs. Isabelle steps in
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and stares at me. “Who…”
Imogen Reed walks in behind her looking very subdued compared to her normal austereness.
“Nanna can we go play in Barrett’s room?” Cole asks her and I watch Imogen step to the side
to see him.
“Grandmother.” He says and automatically straightens up becoming more serious.
“Hi Cole.” She says softly.
He turns to me and I nod at him. “I don’t see you at home anymore.”
“No I….I had to go somewhere else.” She answers him gently.
“Santa brought me a bike and a Spider–Man toy. Did you have a merry Christmas?” He tells her
with none of his usual excitement.
“It sounds like you had a good Christmas. I’m glad.” She smiles at him but it’s tremulous.
“Mommy, can we go play?” He asks me and I nod.
“Luci, do you want to talk to her?” Mrs. Isabelle asks me point blank. “She came here to see
you.”
“I don’t know how you knew I was here.” I say worriedly.
“I saw you at the diner and heard you say that you two were coming here.” She admits.
“It’s ok Mrs. Isabelle. Would you keep an eye on them for a minute?”
“Call for help if needed. I’ll bring my rolling pin or shovel if I need to.” She gives Imogen a clear
warning look before leaving.
Vince moves toward the front door. “I’m going to check both doors and then I’ll be nearby.”
“Do you want to sit down?” I ask her, curious why she came to see me.
“I suppose.” She sits but stares at her hands that she keeps clasping and unclasping. I see she’s still wearing her wedding rings. I let the silence continue, figuring she needs a minute. She finally scoots forward on the couch and looks up at me. “I….I came to apologize to you Luci. You…..you were very right about so much the other day. I did come thinking I’d ride in and show them I would help fix things and they would be happy about it. An easy way back in. But seeing the pain on Jason’s face when he told me I didn’t get it. When I saw my boys not move even a millimeter toward me when I was so upset at the end…..it showed me that you were
right. I haven’t worried for their needs more than my own in so long.” She gives a short self–deprecating laugh. “My own grandson didn’t even look happy to see me today. He’s calling
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Sydney’s mother Nanna with joy. I did that. Someting I can fully use the I word for, as you so aptly pointed out. I broke their trust and love for me. I let that go, the chance to be Cole’s Granny or Mimi.” She tears up and I can see she’s finally realized a portion of what she’s lost.
“It might not be too late.” I hazard and she gives me a rueful smile.
“You are as sweet as everyone says. It’s way past too late I fear, Luci. But I didn’t come for you to pity me or attempt to help me. I came to at least admit to you that I was very wrong about
you and I’m sorry. I’m going to work on myself. You are good for them. Seeing Easton defend
you….you have changed him. He was becoming cold and distant like me except with Cole and
his brothers. I hope that you continue to make him happy though it seems like you will. Cole
too. He’s been without a mom for a long time.” She stands up and begins walking to the door.
“Mrs. Imogen.” I call out, hoping this doesn’t bite me back later. She turns slightly.
“Maybe….maybe one day we can go have lunch and Cole can come if Easton’s ok with it. Cole
has to be willing to go too.”
She gives that tight smile. “He won’t be. Neither will Cole. And that’s….that’s how it should be. But you are very kind to offer that Luci. Please don’t let others change you. I listened to their poison. Avoid it. Though it seems like you won’t have the same problems I did.”
She walks to the door and I follow her only to find Vince waiting by it. She leaves and I watch her walk away. You can see the sadness in her form. “You’re very kind Luci.” Vince says as he closes the door and locks it. “Most would write her off not offer her a slight bit of hope.”
“I know. But she’s their mother and she could change. I won’t knock down a bridge if she’s
sincere about rebuilding it.”
11
Ivory Row
I’ll try to have the next chapter out late tonight. Imogen is not going to be redeemed in this book. But this is the beginning of her reckoning with herself no matter where she ends up.
