Chapter 7: Rewind 2 Hours, Then Back To School"And what would the ladies like to order?", the waiter asks us at the table. "We'll all have the fillet minion", Cathy tells him, "medium well." "I'll take mine rare.", Fernando says to him, raising his hand slightly upwards to get the waiter's attention. "You'd have it raw of it were up to you.", Cathy says to him. "Francesca should have it rare too.", he says to her. "Raw meat is not good for you.", Cathy says. "Explain why we both got fangs?", Fernando tells her. "Because you're freaks...", Cathy started to say. "MOM!", I yell out at her. "Freak of nature, or not, you still my daughter and you mister- my husband... I love you both a lot.", Cathy says. "She can have some of mine then...", Fernando tells her. Cathy looks at him disapprovingly. "Where are we again?", I asked to break the tension. "Pierre's of Madison, dear.", Fernando says. "Yeah, where the menus don't have prices and they don't accept cash, mastercard or visa.", Cathy complains. "So? Only the best for my little girl.", Fernando says to her. "Yeah, its only money, right?", Cathy says, almost complaining. "At least its not lobster again.", Jaunita stated. "Eww...", I said to myself. "Why 'Eww...'?", Fernando asks. "I don't like lobster that much.", I tell him. "But you eat it.", Fernando says. "I get tired of it easily.", I said to him. "Alright, you choose dinner for tomorrow.", Fernando tells me. "I would have to think about it, dad.", I tell him. "Don't think too hard.", he tells me. "So no boyfriend yet?", Jaunita asks. "Jaunita!", I almost yelled at her, holding back much of it because of where we were. "I'm just trying to make conversation.", Jaunita says, "Look dear, I too have had that same problem you are having now; its not easy being a telepath when their mind are so open and there is nothing there but ancient pick up lines and methods of trying to get you to take your panties off." She reaches over and puts her hand over mine. I momentarily look at the ring, then glance over to mom's hand and notice that they are strikingly similar, as if the jeweler made two exact copies. "I'm not interested in boys right now.", I tell her. "No?", Jaunita asks, "Why?" "I need to study and get good grades...", I started to explain, "I don't know how it was in your day, but things are kinda hard now." "They only seem hard, it just requires a lot of work and memorization.", Jaunita stated. "Can I ask you a personal question?", I ask Jaunita. "Anything, ask.", she replies. "Where is your husband, you know- my uncle?", I asked. Both Cathy and Jaunita stare at me in shocked into silence. "You should never ask such personal questions, dear.", Fernando says to me. "But... she wears a wedding and engagement ring, just like mom. So, Why is he not here? Why have I not ever met him?", I ask. "Its a long story dear.", Cathy started to say to her, "One day she'll explain it to you... Right Jaun?" "Yeah...", Jaunita says. I try to reach out mentally, but sense that the walls have been put up by everyone around me. I withdraw my probing for answers seeing that I wont go no where. "He died in a car accident before you were born...", she then suddenly asks. "But, why do you still wear the rings?", I ask, sensing that I am being lied too. "Because like you, I too, have not been able to find the right guy.", Jaunita stated, "And if you love somebody a lot that you would give your life for them, you don't forget them when they die." "I see.", I said almost silently. 'One day, you'll know the truth... you have my memories to reference through...', Jaunita sends a mental message to me. I just nod as lightly as possible as to not be noticed by the others. "Dad? Is it true that you and Auntie Jaunita are sharing a connection?", I ask him. "Depending on what these girls had told you, yes we are, but its not what you think.", he tells me. "So... uhm... if you and her share your thoughts and things, why you two didn't get married instead of you and mom?", I ask. He reaches out to me, taking my hand into his, "Because my dear, we never would have had you if it were so." "Thanks, dad...", I tell him, having some reassurance in my mind as to where I stand with them. "Anytime dear.", he says. I quickly glance over everyone, to get to see how everyone is, and wondering how to stir things up. Then it pops into my head. "Auntie Jaunita, can I ask you something personal?", I ask. "Anything, what?", she says. "How do you handle being alone and horny?", I ask. "SAM!", Cathy yells at me. Jaunita stares at me with her jaw dropped opened. Fernando has his face covered, but I can sense that he wants to laugh as much as he tries to hold it in. "I just want to know...", I ask them. "I got to go to the little boy's room, I hope you girls can clear this up before I come back.", Fernando says as he gets up and starts to walk away. After some time had passed and he was no longer within view, Jaunita says, "There are ways to deal with it." "Like picking up guys from the bar?", I ask. "Sam...", Cathy says. "Something troubling you?", Jaunita asks. "Sometimes I think and the thought runs with a life of its own... until it drops dead later on. Know what I mean?", I said and asked. "You got dad's problem then.", Jaunita says. "How so?", I ask. "He gets thought that seem to run a life of their own and they continue until they die.", she stated. "But, you still not answer my question...", I said. "I got my ways of dealing with it.", Jaunita says. "Like you are right now?", I ask. Cathy gives me a smack to the back of my head for that remark. "No, don't do that... Cathy, its OK.", Jaunita saids as she stares at her. Then she turns back to me, "Yes, just like right now, and just like you are too." "She is?", Cathy asks. "Its because I can tell she's about to have her cycle in a couple of days..", Jaunita says. "Oh... its understandable then...", Cathy slowly stated, "I'm sorry hon." "Look dear, every girl has her way in dealing with it, so you're on your own with that.", Jaunita asks. "Uhm... are you two, uhm, you know... in a connected loop?", Cathy asks. "A connected loop?", I ask. "No.", Jaunita says, adding, "When your father and I used to date back in high school, because we were connected, our make out sessions would get into a loop and things, well, got heavier than they should have." "How heavy?", I asked. "Heavy enough to threaten my virginity in those days.", Jaunita stated. "That bad?", I asked, trying to stop from giggling. Cathy sighs momentarily. "What's wrong mom?", I then asked. "Don't mind her. We thought you said that you were not interested in boys, that's all.", Jaunita explained. "I'm just like any other girl, with wants, needs and desires; but this telepathy gets in the way sometimes.", I replied. "I know... I went through it as well.", Jaunita stated, "Finding Mister Right is not an easy thing." "Tell me about it.", I said to myself. "Give yourself time, love. You'll find somebody that's right for you.", Jaunita asks. "At least she likes boys and not girls...", Cathy says in with her face in her hands. "What are you trying to say, mom?", I ask her. "I meant nothing by it.", Cathy saids. "You had of meant something by it, or else you would not have said it.", I tell her. "Ladies... lets not forget our manners.", Jaunita tells us both. Momentarily we both stare at Jaunita. "Yes, lets not forget our manners...", Cathy then repeated. "Look mom, its not easy trying to find a boy friend when once you think you got one, you start to receive mental images from him of him having his ways with you sexually. And for me, I have pick that up from every guy I have dated at least once. Don't they think about anything else?", I tell her. "No.", Jaunita answers. "No?", I ask. "Look, Sam... guys think about sex almost all the time. In fact I could place it at about 99% of the time. Its the way they are. Its how they were made. Its in their programming...", Jaunita started to explain. "What about dad?", I asked, interrupting her. "Fernando is special. He has the urges just as much if not more than most guys, but he knows how to handle I better than the rest of them...", Jaunita explains. "How, because he shares a brain with you?", I asked. Jaunita just sits there, strucked into silent awe. "Yes, that why.", Cathy then said. "Cathy...", Jaunita finally spoke. "Its true Jaunita, I start noticing a pattern with you two back in high school, where you two shared your sexual urges back and forth between each other, and sometimes dump everything on to the other.", Cathy says. "Like how?", Jaunita asks. "Like when you shared the pain and emotions of your cycle with him, making it easier for you to deal with it.", Cathy explains, "Don't you think I did not know that..." "And he used to dump every horny moment onto me, so it was only fair.", Jaunita says. "You used to dump your own horny moments onto him too, you know. Or did you forget?", Cathy says. "Sounds like you were using dad...", I said to myself. "Neither one of us used the other.", Jaunita says. "How can we be sure about that?", Cathy asks. "Because it just happens, we don't have control over it. Believe me, we tried.", Jaunita explained. "Like you've really tried. I know that the both of you disconnect from each other every once in a while.", Cathy added. "That takes a lot of concentration to do, and when we relax, the connection reinstates itself. Its a part of us that we have to deal with.", Jaunita explains. "Wait...", I started to say, "What about... what if one of you dies before the other?" "We disconnect, and this time it would be permanent. Understand, I have been there when something happened to him, and was forced to disconnect from him for days, if not weeks at a time. Its not easy for me because he is my support in a lot of things... on that level.", Jaunita explains. "When did you ever disconnect from him for any length of time?", I asked. "I don't know if you remember- but when you were about 5, he was in a near fatal car accident, and was not home for more than several weeks. It was then that I had to deal with being alone on that level, and I did not like it for one bit.", Jaunita answers. "Enough of this, you two... Its getting me depressed just hearing of it.", Cathy says, "You two can connect and exchange thoughts after the party." # After the meal, we went to a Broadway show, and some more shopping in whatever stores were opened in this late hour. New shoes, clothes: skirts, blouses and fancy dresses, a few intimates from Victoria's Secrets (you should have seen the look on dad's face), a new mp3 player, a few watches from Swatch to match my clothes (though dad wanted a women's version of the all in one camera-casio like the one he has, which he got me anyways), and several other items, along with a couple more stuffed animals to add to the collection. Other items were preordered and would be on their way home by tomorrow. We get home at about 1am. Though Jaunita lives next door to us, she stays over for the night. # Dad wakes me up at 6am to get ready for school. Somehow that kiss on the forehead every morning gives me a jolt to wake up and be prepared for rest of the day. I stretch and yawn as I sit up. "Francesca dear, you know what you need to do. I'll be there later on and meet with you.", he tells me before slowly getting up off my bed and head to the door. "Dad...", I call to him. "Yes, hon?", he answers. "I had a really strange dream last night.", I tell him. He walks back to the bed, and sits on it like before. "Care to tell me about it?", he asks. "Yeah...", I tell him, "It was you and mom and aunite Jaunita, in the same bed. You were asleep, but they were awake, talking about James' father trying to kill mom. Also- the place was cold and outside the window, snow covered everything..." "And where were you in this dream?", he asks. "Inside mommy.", I tell him. "So you were mom in this dream?", he asks. "No- I was inside her, she was pregnant with me.", I explained. "I see. Uhm... you must have picked up one of their memories from a long time ago, dear. But... *(he gives me a kiss on the forehead)*... those days are over and there is nothing to fear from them ever again. You have nothing to fear, even if it is a memory or a dream, it may have been real then- it is not real now.", He explains. I lean over to him and give him a hug, "Thanks daddy... I love you." "I love you too dear.", he tells me, returning the hug in return, "You better get ready, or you'll be late for school." "OK daddy.", I tell him, as he slowly got up and walked out of my room. I got ready, going into the bathroom first and then getting dressed. We all meet at the dinning room table as we sat down and had breakfast together. "You'll take care of Sam, and I'll take care of James.", Cathy says to Fernando, as I gathered breakfast that was ready at the island that separates the kitchen from the dinning area. I sat down opposite from James with mom at my left and dad on my right. With the parents not happy with James being caught with several of his gang member friends, he was in a lot of trouble. After breakfast, we leave for our separate schools with our respective parents. It does not take dad too long for him to drive me to Tech, and find parking a couple of blocks away. Along the walk, we connect to each other psychically, as we reach into bags and pull out the dark glasses and extend our canes as we leave the parking area. Arm in arm, we walk along with the crowd of students heading to Brooklyn Tech like a couple of blind mice in a maze. Except for a few changes in the stores in the area, nothing has changed, according to the message dad sends me. We enter the building through the North East entrance of the building, where Dad signs into the visitor's log. "Long time no see, Curley.", he tells the security guard by the desk. "Uh? Who are you?", the guard asks. Dad pulls out an old wallet from another pocket and pulls out a card to hand to him; on it, it says: Brooklyn Technical High School- 1980/81 Student ID Number: 33789 Student Name: Fernando Gutierrez "Oh, you were a student here?", he says as looks at it before handing it back. Fernando puts the card back in the wallet and then the wallet away, "My, you've forgotten about me. I though you would not, considering the number of ass beatings 'The Gutich' had to give you and to many within these walls.", Fernando tells him. "The Gutich was a legend to make the students think that they have some power over the staff, but they don't.", Curley says. Fernando bends down to his desk, placing his balled fists onto it, then taking his glasses and lowering them down the bridge of his nose and stare into his eyes, "Then let me give you a reminder of those good old days..." Curley slides back onto his chair as if he was frightened by an angry dog at the gate. "Now, I'll be seeing the principal about a few matters for my little girl here, do not interfere.", Fernando finally adds. Fernando reaches back towards me and I take his arm into mine and we start to walk away from the desk, entering the first floor, tapping our canes in our blind act together. Curley remains at his seat, shaken up as if he saw a ghost, saying to himself, "Oh my god, he's here... and that was his daughter..." After a while, we arrive at the principal's office, stopping by the desk of the secretary. "Please have a seat and you will be called.", the secretary says with even looking at us as we sand by her desk. "Mrs. Moonan...?", Fernando asks at first, "First of all, he called me to be here, something of an utmost importance about my daughter? Second of all, I charge $250 for every hour wasted..." "Oh that's fine, just have a seat and he'll be with you in a moment.", the secretary says to us. "You have not changed in over 20 years, Mrs. Moonan. Now, how about guiding us to some seats to sit down on.", Fernando tells her. Being oblivious, she points behind us, "They are over there.", then she looks up at us since we had not moved and realizes that she was talking to a couple of blind people. She then does a complete turn around in attitude and gets out of her seat, quickly running into the principal's main office, saying, "I'll get his attention for you, just stay where you are. While she was gone, "Dad, it is me, or are these people actually afraid of you for some reason?" "I would not call it being afraid. Its more like I have gained the respect of these people through their expense.", Fernando tells me. "I see, so they are afraid...", I say to myself. "Rightfully so... damn... she must be pushing her 80's by now...", Fernando says. The secretary then comes out of the office, even with the principal protesting not to be disturbed in the background, tells us, "You can come in to see him now." We walk in together, passing Mrs. Moonan who later closes the door behind us. "I said that I did not wanted to be disturbed.", Mr. McCaskill says as he sits behind his desk looking over a few items. We stop by the front of the conference table and look at him. "Funny, your call said it was urgent that I come by to see you.", Fernando tells him. Mr. McCaskill looks above the papers in his hands to look at us. Fernando, pulls a seat from the conference table for me to sit on in front of the principal's desk, then takes another for he to sit on next to me. "When it comes to matters of my little girl, I don't take them lightly. Now, what seems to b the problem?", Fernando asks him. Mr. McCaskill reaches to his phone and calls his secretary, "Ms Moonan- have Mr. Mendelson, Mr. Rosenbluth and Ms Riley over to my office, immediately." Then he turns to us, "You could have waited outside, this may take a while." "Start wasting my time, Mr. McCaskill, and I'll submit a bill for that time. Mind you, consultants' fees start at $250 hour.", Fernando tells him, "The clock is running, now what seems to be the problem?" "Well,...", Mr. McCaskill started to say nervously, "We never had a student like this before..." "Actually, this school had, through me.", Fernando tells him, "Now, if you're such an incompetence that you cant make arrangements for handicap students in your prestigious school, I'll find somebody to replace you that can." "Well, uhm, its for her safety...", Mr. McCaskill tried to continue. "Back when I was here around 1980, there were over 25,000 students in these walls, crime was at an all time high, and staff corruption was common place. Mind you, Mr. McCaskill, it took a lot of valuable resources to clean that up, as I dealt with it accordingly- with this handicap. The school as it is now, is safer, cleaner and more respectful of its integrity. Francesca here has been already going here for a year already, even with her handicap, despite her condition , and did well. Now, what seems to be the problem...?", Fernando asks. Mr. Mendelson and Rosenbluth came in, apologizing for the delay, soon followed by Ms Rielly, who had little to say but sat with us. "Long time no see.", Fernando tells to the group as they say behind us by the conference table. "Definitely its been a long time, how has it been?", Mr. Mendelson says. "Its good to see you again, Fernando.", Mr. Rosenbluth says. "Its good to see you all as well...", Fernando says, then he takes a whiff of the air around him, "I see some things never change... Chanel Number 5? How are you, Ms Rielly." "Fine, and you?", Ms Rielly says, "You have a lovely daughter there." "She is... and you will have the proper mindset to stay at the opposite side of the building when she is here. You know what our past was, and if I find out you try to make a move on her, I will guarantee you will leave this city with your tail in between your legs.", Fernando tells her. "Is that a threat?", Ms Rielly asks. Fernando reaches into his suit pocket and pulls out a tiny recorder, reaching out to her with it, "No, a threat would be that I would make sure you would never be found alive... but I prefer you to be alive, and as far away from my daughter as possible. You see, we do have a vested interest in keeping you alive, at least for now." Ms Rielly can only sit there staring at the recording device place in front of her. "Now, back to the issue at hand. What seems to be the problem with my little girl and her apparent handicap?", Fernando says. "I find none... after all you did well here in Tech during your student years, and you were blind.", Mr. Mendelson stated. "Did well? Shit, he surpassed most of the students here- with his eyes closed, literally!", Mr. Rosenbluth stated. "Well, I think there is a safety issue to be concerned about.", Mr. McCaskill interjected. "Oh, you mean about her attitude, you think- Like father, like daughter...", Fernando says to him. "Let me tell you this, when you're down and out, and no one is willing to lend a helping hand, you can either curl up into a ball and cry in the corner all you want or you can be proactive in making things work for you. Like I did here when I was a student, my daughter is not going to crawl up into a ball and cry because the world is such a cruel place. In fact, she knows how bad it can be, and is willing to be proactive to her education. Now, if that's the attitude that you don't like to have here- then by tomorrow at exactly this time, you will be speaking to my lawyers.", Fernando says to him. "Dad...", I say to him. "Yes dear?", Fernando says. "Why would I need to be transferred?", I ask. "Why would she need to transfer?", Fernando asks Mr. McCaskill. "Its a safety issue concern.", Mr. McCaskill says. "Wait a minute we did not discuss about transferring her out of the school yesterday.", Mr. Mendelson says. "There was no issue for concern as far as her safety goes... Least you forget, transfer her out there will be a board inquiry to answer too.", Mr. Rosenbluth added. "You're scared Mr. McCaskill. Scared that something may happen, could be discovered, made available to common knowledge, that would get you fired. Scared that some blind girl, who has done nothing to you in the past would be the start of your downward decent. Why?", Fernando asks him, "I'll tell you why Mr. McCaskill. The answer is me and my past in putting this school on its ass in order to save it. And to save it, I got a principal and a good part of the staff fired along the way, but before several students were killed in the process." Mr. McCaskill sat there in silence for the moment. "Now, one last chance, Mr. McCaskill, why was this meeting called?", Fernando asks. "What do you want us to do for your daughter?", Mr. McCaskill asks. "Nothing.", Fernando says, adding after a moment of silence, "Nothing except for a chance to be equal with all the other students, and to function within the constraints of her disability. Just like I was given when I was there." "Acceptable then.", Mr. McCaskill says, "Anyone else has something to say?" "I have nothing to say." Mr. Mendelson says. "Neither do I.", Mr. Rosenbluth says. "Oh, I forgot. There is one thing I must add.", Fernando says. "And what would that be?", Mr. McCaskill asks. "I don't want her anywhere near my daughter.", Fernando says as he points to Ms Rielly, "She's a predator lesbian who went after students in my time here. I do not want her no where near my little girl. Do I make my self clear?" "That's a defamatory remark, and I will not take it..." Mr. McCaskill started to show some bravery as he barked at Fernando. "You want proof?", Fernando says as he reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out a cassette tape that looks older than dirt. On its label, its written, 'Ms Rielly class, April 1980 *caught*' With his other hand, reaches into another pocket and pulls out a casstte recorder where he opens up and presses play on it; ' "Who I courtship and date is none of your concern, young man...", says the voice of a younger Ms Rielly. "Even when its one of my best friends who happens to be a student of yours, who you driven to near suicide with your constant demand on the relationship?", Fernando's younger voice can be heard saying. "Interfere with me and any of my relationships, and I will guarentee that you never graduate from this shool.", Ms Rielly says. "Have it your way, Gaile. But mark my words, live out that threat, and you will regret running into me.", Fernando says. "What can you do, you're just a damn brat kid who cant see...", Ms Rielly says, "Now get into class so I can properly fail you." "Que sera, sera, hija de la gran puta...", Ferando says as he an be heard walking into class, and then taking a seat.' Fernando then presses the stop button on the cassette player as he stares at Mr. McCaskill through his dark glasses. "I can convert it to dvd if you like.", Fernando stated. Ms Rielly turned sickly pale after she heard the tape cassette player in his hand. Mr. Mendelson and Mr. Rosenbluth just sat there with smiles on their faces. Ms Rielly gets up and starts to walk out the room, saying, "Excuse me, I don't feel well." "Now, I'm done with my requests.", Fernando says. "I am not going to have black mail and extortion in my school.", Mr. McCaskill says. "Who says anything about extortion or blackmail? I'm just saying that I do not want that sexual predator anywhere my daughter. And if she comes within 100 ft towards of my little girl- the length of the very halls outside, you will have to deal with the news media and the police as they come to arrest her. Do you understand where I'm coming from?", Fernando explains to him. "I want a copy of that tape.", Mr. McCaskill says. Fernando pulls it out of his jacket again and tosses it on his desk, "You have keep that one. I have 50 other copies where that came from, plus digital back ups on my computers." "I'll have a talk with Ms Rielly after I have a listen to this.", Mr. McCaskill says. "Mind you, the events you're about to hear are over twenty years old, but since the stature of limitations for sex crimes have been eliminated, what she did then, as you will hear on that tape, can be opened in a court of law today. Furthermore, I can sue the school for her actions then that denied me my diploma.", Fernando explains to him. "Alright then, thank you for making it clear to me. I'll personally that all courtesies will be extended to your daughter.", Mr. McCaskill says. "That is all I ever asked for. Now what was the problem you said we need to talk about?", Fernando asks. "No problem, everything has been clarified.", Mr. McCaskill says. "We shall be going then.", Fernando says. "We? She has class to go to.", Mr. McCaskill says. "Actually we both have an optomologist appointment to go to, so, I'll be taking her with me.", Fernando says, adding, "Mr. Mendelson do you mind doing me a favor and get the work from her classes?" "That wont be a problem.", Mr. Mendelson says. With the meeting ended, dad and I leave the school and once outside he picks me up and spins me around. Along the way home, we drive all over the city, where dad spoils me with presents and a carnivore delight of a meal at Paul's Burger Place. Once at home, we sat down and watched tv movies with Meeshie the 4th. |