Their Family Legacy

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“Whoa. That’s going to be interesting.”

“It gets worse. Her boys are in my class.” Harley made a sympathetic sound. “And we’re teamed up on the same committee for the carnival.”

“Oh man. What are you going to do?”

“Nothing I can do. I’m more worried about what she’ll do.”

“Such as?”

“Tell everyone how we’re connected, for one thing.”

“Would she do that?”

Even in the short time he’d been around her, he knew Annie would never do that. “I don’t think so, but she could say something inadvertently that could jeopardize my job, not to mention my hopes of snagging that high school coaching position.”

“I doubt that. Your records were sealed, and that was a long time ago. We talked about this when you decided to move back here. It’s sad to say few people remember Bobby Lee or how he died.”

“And what if the athletic director at Heritage High learns that the guy wanting to coach the students was driving drunk and killed his friend? How’s that going to look as a job reference?”

“You’re letting Annie’s presence get to you. Or is it more than that?”

He hesitated. “She made a comment today about family and how important it was to honor her aunt’s wishes.”

“Understandable. Family ties are strong.”

Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. “I suppose. I’m probably worrying for nothing. I’ve got to go. See you later.”

He ended the call just as an email popped up on his phone. It was a notice from the Heritage High administration office letting him know his application had been received and was being processed. He wanted that job. It was the next rung on his way to achieving his goal. He only hoped that Annie’s presence at his school wouldn’t put his future plans at risk.

The knot in his chest tightened as he drove to his meeting. The look on her face when she told him about how her husband died was burned into his mind. Was her husband’s death the reason she’d agreed to continue his sentence? Did she believe he should pay forever the way her aunt did? If she didn’t, then why wouldn’t she simply cut him loose? He parked his car and got out. How deep did her animosity run?

Jake strode down the narrow hallway to the small room at the back of the old storefront in downtown Hastings. A dozen or so people were already there, milling around, and a few had already taken a seat in the rows of folding chairs. At the front of the room a man stood at a rickety lectern. He didn’t know anyone at this location but he knew their situation and he knew the routine.

The man at the front called the meeting to order. After a few opening words, he asked if anyone would like to speak. Jake stood and squared his shoulders.

“My name is Jake and I’m an alcoholic.”

Chapter Four (#ufb580a37-d379-545f-9443-273f0c0af837)

School had been in session for a couple of weeks and Annie had yet to find an opportunity to talk to Jake. Getting her classroom ready for the new school year and starting classes had kept them both busy. With his classroom across the hall she’d expected to see him frequently, but it hadn’t happened that way. She suspected Jake was avoiding her.

Today she’d arrived early at the school determined to find a moment to talk to him. The twins hurried off to join their friends and Annie made her way to Jake’s classroom. She had to set things straight if she didn’t want Jake thinking she was deliberately trying to poke his wound.

She peeked into room 18C but Jake had a student seated near his desk. He glanced up and the slight smile on his face faded. “Hey. Do you need to see me?”

“Yes, but it can wait. I’ll catch you later.” He started to speak but she ducked away, grateful for the postponement. She wasn’t as ready to explain to him as she’d thought. She didn’t have another opportunity to approach him until the end of the day, when he exited the front door as she and the boys were leaving. She hurried to catch up.

“Jake.” He stopped and turned to face her and her heart rolled over in her chest. His serious expression punctured her resolve. Would he accept her apology? Would he understand?

“Boys, get in the car. I need to talk to Coach a minute.” She walked toward him, keenly aware of how imposing he could be with his height and his probing brown eyes, which made you feel as though he could see deep into who you really were. She inhaled a fortifying breath. “I wanted to apologize for the way I told you about Rick, my husband. It might have sounded like I was trying to subtly remind you about...the accident. I wasn’t.” He held her gaze a long moment, raising her discomfort and concern.

“I didn’t think that. I was surprised—that’s all. Losing two family members in the same way must be painful. And unfair.”

The quiet understanding in his deep voice touched her heart. “You and I both know life is never fair.”

He nodded, his eyes locked with hers. “Yes, we do.”

Her conscience burned again. No matter how she looked at things, under it all was her agreement with her aunt’s request, which made her both guilty and ashamed. Why didn’t he get mad or rant about the injustice? It would make things easier for her, but he was stoic and accepting, and that didn’t match her expectations.

The awkward silence lingered. She searched for something neutral to say. “I guess we should get started on making those flyers.”

“We should. When would you like to get together?”

“I’ll let you know. Soon.” Annie hurried to her car. She wasn’t sure she’d settled things with Jake or not. He’d still been cool and aloof. It’s what she’d wanted, wasn’t it? A nice wide emotional distance between them? It was safer that way.

So why didn’t it feel safe? Her encounters with Jake always left her feeling like she was standing on the edge of a cliff. It was scary and exciting at the same time and it made no sense at all.

* * *

Annie gripped the large box with both hands, trying to keep a firm hold on her side. The twins were struggling to control their side. She knew she was overloading the cardboard container, but she’d felt certain with the boys’ help they could carry it to the street for the trash men to pick up later today. The more trash she got rid of from the old house, the better she felt.

Using her foot she pushed the front door open, being careful to watch her step.

“Mom. It’s heavy,” Ryan whined.

“Can we set it down?” Tyler grunted.

Annie ignored the moaning and groaning as they struggled to hold on to the box. “Let’s get it down the steps. Then we can shove it toward the street.”

Slowly she found the top step with her foot. “Be careful on the—”

The weight in her hands suddenly shifted as the boys dropped their end, sending her hard against the brick porch post. The box tumbled down the steps and split open on one side, spilling the contents all over the sidewalk.

Tyler looked at her with apologetic eyes. “Sorry, Mom. It got heavy.”

Ryan stared at the mess and grinned. “Cool.”

Annie sighed and checked the scrape on her arm.

“Everyone okay over here? I tried to get here before you dropped the box.”

Jake.

Before she could speak, he took her forearm in his hand and examined the long scratch from the brick post. His touch was gentle and warm, and she couldn’t take her eyes from the sight of his strong tanned hand resting against her pale skin. Her senses reacted to being so close. Her throat went dry, her palms dampened and her pulse beat erratically as she noticed his intense gaze.

“You okay? It doesn’t look too bad.” He pulled out a handkerchief and lightly dabbed at the scrape.

She looked up into his eyes, caught off guard by the concern in the brown depths. A long-forgotten warmth encircled her heart. How long had it been since anyone had considered her wellbeing and tended to her wounds?

“I’m fine. Thank you. I shouldn’t have packed the box so full. I was in a hurry to get all the junk out of the house.”

The twins looked at each other and nodded. “It was heavy.”

“Well, here’s a thought. Why not call upon a friend and neighbor to help with the heavy stuff?”

A curt reply was on the tip of her tongue, but she clamped her mouth shut when she saw the teasing glint in his eyes.

“Mom, can we go now? You said if we helped with the box, we could go to Steve and Johnny’s.”

There was no reason to prolong their agony. “Yes. Fine. I’ll clean this up.”

The twins ran off and Annie realized Jake still held her arm in his hand. The current coursing through her veins at his touch alarmed her, and she tugged her arm free and took a step backward. “I’ll be fine. I’ve had worse.”

He gave her an indulgent smile, though she didn’t know why.

“Let’s get this mess cleaned up. Do you have another box?”

She nodded, using the opportunity to escape his presence and regain her equilibrium. When she returned with two more boxes, Jake was hunkered down, looking at the papers that had been in the container. He glanced up at her, his brows knitted together. “What is this stuff?”

Annie set the boxes down and then sat on the steps. “It’s all the pictures and drawings my aunt had on her bedroom walls.”

“All of this? It must be everything Bobby Lee ever did since kindergarten.”

She sighed. “Probably. His room hadn’t been touched since he died.”

Jake lowered his head. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

The odd tone in his voice pricked her irritation. Was he judging? He had no right. “Bobby Lee was Aunt Margaret’s whole life and he was my best friend growing up. We did everything together. He was smart, funny, athletic and a born leader. Aunt Margaret would tell my mom about all his accomplishments. President of his class, football hero, valedictorian. Everyone loved him. I can understand how losing him must have been crippling. My mom was afraid her sister would never recover.” It struck her that her mother had been right. Judging from the things she was discovering in this house, her aunt had never accepted her son’s death.

Annie faced Jake, expecting to find a look of remorse, guilt or sorrow. What she saw was an expression of puzzlement and concern, which didn’t make any sense. What had she expected? A spiritual confession or for him to fall on his knees, begging for her forgiveness?

“Any more boxes you need hauled away?”

“No. I can handle the rest. But thank you.”

Jake quickly loaded the boxes, secured the flaps and placed them at the curb before facing her. “If you have any more heavy lifting to do, call me. I don’t mind.”

She nodded. Fat chance. She’d needed him today, but she could have done it without him. She watched him walk across the street before going back inside. A pile of boxes and bags stared her in the face. It was going to take weeks to clear out the junk and the furniture. Not to mention pulling up the old carpet and refinishing the floors and taking down the old wallpaper.

Suddenly updating the house felt like an impossible task. She was used to doing things on her own and never asking for help. But Jake was right about one thing. She couldn’t do it alone. The boys weren’t strong enough and she lacked the skills. She could afford to hire someone to redo the entire house, but she couldn’t bring herself to spend money on such things even when there was more than enough.

She picked up another box and took it out to the street. Denise crossed the lawn as she was returning to the porch.

“Hey, was that Jake I saw over here a few minutes ago?”

Annie nodded. She’d only told her friend the bare minimum about her relationship with Jake. That they worked at the same school and were on a committee together. The rest was private matter between the two of them. Not for public consumption. “He helped me clean up a mess.”

“That was nice of him.”

“Yes. I guess.”

Denise studied her. “Do you have something against him? You always act weird whenever he’s mentioned.”

Had her feelings been so apparent? “No. Of course not. It’s just that I don’t know him very well.”

“I can assure you, he’s a great guy and a good role model for the kids. You’ve seen how much they all love playing games with him this summer. Most of the parents on the street think he’s a godsend. He keeps the kids entertained and outside instead of holed up inside, playing video games.”

She couldn’t argue with that. “I know.”

“Did I mention he’s also very involved with the youth at our church? Speaking of which, I’m hoping you’ll attend with us this Sunday.”

“Yes. We will. I want the twins to get involved again.”

“Great. The kids will be happy to hear that. I’ll see you then.” Denise started to leave but then glanced back. “Cut Jake some slack, okay? He’s a great guy when you get to know him.”

Annie nodded, unable to speak around the lump in her throat. To everyone else, Jake was a person to admire. They didn’t know what she knew.

How would they feel if they knew the truth? No. She couldn’t do that. Ever. If Jake had been a hardened criminal, she could have explained and everyone would understand her concern. But Jake was the hero of the neighborhood, a good guy with a heart for kids and helping others. She didn’t want to ruin that for him. She might not be able to end his sentence, but she could keep the accident and his part in it to herself. Jake didn’t deserve to have his past dug up and put on display. He’s paid long enough. She tried to imagine being forced to pay a debt over and over for the rest of your life. Her issues with him were her own.

What if she discovered Jake was a good guy? If the man had gotten his life together, made a contribution to society and became an upstanding citizen, then what purpose did the sentence serve? Did her aunt have any idea about Jake the man? Or had she only wanted to see the young man he’d been when he’d made a very bad decision?