Dark Mind (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 1) (24 page)

23

The next morning during breakfast, Amy went to get ready in the bathroom, giving Cole the opportunity to ask the question that had been nagging at him for a while.

“Did Amy's mom have a will?”

“What?” Meredith shut off the kitchen sink and looked at Cole in surprise. “I assume her parents would have a joint will so since her father is still alive, it doesn't matter.”

“Weren't you wondering, though?”

Just then Amy walked in, cutting the conversation short. “Hey, good morning everyone.”

“Morning, Amy,” Meredith said. “You ready for today? I called Dr. Stern and you have an appointment at two o'clock which is perfect. You'll get out just in time so we can pick up Cole.”

“Great! Looking forward to it.”

In the cafeteria that day, the group asked him about Amy, how she was doing, and when she was coming back to school. He told them as much as he knew, or was comfortable telling, and perceived a warming in their attitude towards him.

During gym, he noticed Derek watching him again.

Seriously? What does he want?

Like last time, Derek played with his cards, every once in a while glancing up to look at Cole. Toward the end of the period, Derek approached the group.

Great, now what?

“Hey, Cole,” Derek said.

“Not in the mood, Derek.”

Derek's face twitched. “You think you're better than me? You think that just 'cause there's teachers that can see you that I won't touch you?”

“Yep.”

Derek's face flushed a deep red. “Oh yeah?!” In a burst of speed too fast for Cole to react, Derek swung his fist in a swift arc, plowing into the side of Cole's head and sending him sprawling to the concrete.

All at once, the entire schoolyard was in an uproar. There was shouting and commotion all around him, but Cole was too dazed to know what was happening. He rolled onto his back and shook his head. Everything came into focus. He was surrounded by students and teachers, all shouting his name, asking if he was all right. Near him he saw Derek struggling against some teachers, pointing at him and screaming over and over, “I hate you! I hate you!” After a few seconds he stopped fighting and burst into tears. “You think you're too good to be my friend?” he said through his tears before a teacher dragged him away.

“I'm fine, I'm fine,” Cole said in response to the chorus of voices around him. He got to his feet, rubbing the side of his head.

A teacher took hold of his hand. “Can you walk? We need to get you to the nurse's office.”

“I don't need to go to the nurse,” Cole said. “Really, I'm fine.”

The teacher wouldn't hear of it. She dragged Cole away, depositing him in the nurse's office to be checked out.

Thankfully, there was not a mark on him. He begged the nurse not to call his mother because he didn't want to worry her and he didn't do anything wrong. Since no teacher saw exactly what happened, the nurse consented and Cole was permitted to return to class. He noticed a number of looks from his classmates but they were not the kind he was used to.

*  *  *

As he had already become so accustomed, Amy and Meredith were outside waiting for him after school. “How was it?” he asked Amy.

Her eyes widened with excitement. “She's really nice. I can see why you like her. She really knows her stuff. I feel a little better after just one session.”

“She took a real interest in Amy,” Meredith said. “She agreed to make a time slot for her every day for the first couple weeks.”

“Knew you'd like her,” Cole said, smiling. “Life-changer.”

That evening, when Meredith called Amy and Cole in for dinner, they were surprised and dismayed to find Beth stirring a pot.

With Beth's back turned, Cole shot a mock look of horror at Amy. “You cooked dinner tonight?”

“I know I've been cooking a lot lately,” Meredith said, “but your Aunt Beth insisted on giving me a break. She said there was something special she wanted to make.”

“Yes, indeed,” Beth said, pausing her stirring to take a whiff of the pot.

Cole looked again towards Amy but Amy didn't miss a beat.

“What'cha making?” she asked in her sweetest voice.

“You'll find out in a minute,” Beth said. “It's just about ready. Take a seat.”

The table was already set and Cole and Amy exchanged looks of trepidation as they sat. Beth carried the large pot over to the table, placing it with a thud in the center. Cole attempted to catch a scent but the smell was not strong enough to figure out what it was.
I guess that's a good sign, right?

Beth spooned a massive helping of a reddish stew into each of their bowls. “Go ahead. Begin the feast.”

Cole took a spoonful and brought it slowly towards his mouth, prepared for the worst. However, Amy beat him to it.

“Mmm wow, that's amazing,” she said.

“Thought I'd try something a little different,” Beth said. “Glad you like it.”

Cole studied Amy's expression in confusion, trying to figure out if she was faking. Failing, to determine this, he stuck a spoonful into his own mouth and his eyes shot open in surprise.

“Oh. Man, it really is,” he said. It was not only the best thing Beth had ever made, but it was one of the best things he'd had. “No offense, but why don't you make this all the time?”

Beth chuckled. “Guess
I got stuck in my ways. Forgot what it was like to be a kid. This is a little more kid friendly.”

“A little?” Cole said.

Amy tried unsuccessfully to hold back a giggle.

“Did you really hate everything
I made you?” Beth said, showing the rare emotion of being hurt.

“Now kids,” Meredith said. “Show some appreciation. So Beth, what is in this delicious stew?
I might need to steal the recipe.”

As Beth recited the ingredients, her pained face gradually filled with pride. While she talked, Cole and Amy devoured their serving and sat back in their chairs, satisfied.

“Genius,” Meredith said and then, turning to Cole, “Anything special happen at school?”

Cole suddenly felt very hot and prayed that his cheeks did not turn red. “Nah it was pretty boring.” He shoved another spoonful of stew into his mouth.

Amy was the only one who seemed to notice his odd behavior but she just gave him a questioning look. Cole just shook his head.

“I might even miss school eventually,” Amy said. “But probably not. It's really boring.”

“Any other day I would try to show you the merits of school but for some reason I can't argue with you right now,” Meredith said. “It's boring. No way around that. But at least that just makes it all the better when you're finally done.”

“Agreed,” Beth said. “School sucks.”

“But there's so much more to go,” Cole said. “How do you expect me to look forward to the end?” He smiled his approval at Amy for the diversion. “I'm stuffed. Thanks, Aunt Beth.”

Beth nodded, her mouth full of stew.

After dinner, when Amy and Cole were talking in the library, Meredith poked her head in.

“Hey kids. Sorry to interrupt. Cole, can I speak with you for a second?”

Cole exchanged a look with Amy and followed his mother to the kitchen. Meredith leaned in close, placing her hands on Cole's shoulders. “I asked the lawyer today about the will,” she said in a hushed tone, “and I just got a call back. They didn't have one. They must have been too young to think about such things.” She hung her head. “Sad.”

“So what happens to their stuff?”

“Well, since her father is alive, all his money is tied up in the estate. Can't be touched. But...”

“But what?” Cole pressed, feeling the coming words.

“But, oh, I really hate to even consider this, but if he were to... pass away, all of the money would be given to a lawyer whose job it would be to handle her money until she's eighteen. That was the only semblance of a will they had.”

Cole's eyes widened. “Does that mean she gets to spend it?”

“Within reason, yes. Don't be excited about this.”

“So what happens if her dad wakes up?”

“It gets returned.”

“That sucks.”

“Cole!”

“Just kidding, Mom. Sorry, bad joke. So I take it you don't want to tell Amy?”

“I think it best not to burden her with this. It would just upset her. I'll tell her another time when she's recovered.”

“You do realize she knows you lost your job because of her?” he said. “I think this would actually make her happier.”

“What? What do you mean? I told you, I quit.”

“Uh-huh, that was believable. Even if I did believe it, this house is not as sound-proof as you may think.”

Meredith fell back into a chair behind her and put her hand to her forehead. “Oh jeez, you heard that? That's really embarrassing. But listen, do not tell her. This only affects her if something happens to her father. That will
not
make her feel better.”

“Yes, Mom.
I won't, if she hasn't already heard.”

He smirked, as Meredith shook her head, and returned to the library.

Amy looked up expectantly at his arrival. “What was that all about?”

“Nothing. She just wanted to make sure you were all right.
I told her everything was fine.”

Amy's chin dropped to her chest and her eyes closed. “Yep.”

A short while later, the doorbell rang.

“I've got it,” Cole called. He hurried to the front door and swung it open to find a solemn-looking Josh.

“Oh, hi Cole,” he said. “I told your mother I'd be stopping by today to talk to Amy. Is she here?”

“Yeah, she's here,” he said, opening the screen door. “What's this about?”

“Just checking in to see how she's doing. It's important to keep a close watch.”

“Who's there?”
Meredith said as she came towards the door. “Oh, Josh. Yes, of course. How are you?”

“I'm fine. How's Amy?”

“She's getting through. Come see her for yourself.”

She led them to the library where Amy was waiting, staring vacantly out a window. She turned at their arrival and her face fell.

“Hi, Amy,” Josh said. “Feel up for a chat?”

“Yeah, sure,” she said quietly.

“I'm going to have a short talk with her,” he said to Cole and his mom. “You can join us in a few minutes. I'll let you know when we're ready.”

Cole looked towards Amy, who caught his eye and nodded approval. At this sign, he left with his mom and they joined Beth in the kitchen.

“Poor Amy,” Meredith said as they sat down.

“At least they're taking care of her,” Beth said. “Making sure she gets through this. You see Cole? Josh does care about children.”

“I guess, but it is his job to check up on her. And what does he think she's gonna say? I'm all better?”

“I think he's checking on us more than her,” Beth said.

Meredith nodded. “Yeah, he didn't explicitly say it but it's pretty clear he needs to see if we're good caretakers.”

“Makes sense but all he's gonna do is make her cry,” Cole said.

There was a silence punctuated by Josh's voice. “Meredith? We're all done in here.”

“Coming,”
Meredith said.

They all convened in the living room. Amy hung back in the doorway watching from a distance. Cole glanced at her face and saw that her eyes were bloodshot.

“Well everything appears to be in order,” Josh said. “Anything anyone would like to add?”

“Are you going to keep coming back?” Cole said.

Josh shot him a sharp look. “Yes, I will need to come back periodically to check up on Amy and to find her a permanent residence.”

“She's fine here and you just upset her by making her talk about it.”

“It's all right, Cole,” Amy whispered.

“May I please have a word alone with your son?” Josh said to
Meredith.

She gave Cole a stern look. “Yes, of course. You may use the library.”

Cole grudgingly followed Josh into the library and closed the door. “I get what you're trying to do but is it necessary?” Cole said. “I feel like she would be better off alone for a while.”

Josh sat in a chair and folded his hands. “Since I will be seeing a lot of you in the future I figure we should get a few things straight. I know that you care for Amy and it's very noble to not want her to be upset. However, under the circumstances that is not possible. Even if I were not required by my job to do this, which I am, you have to realize that this, overall, is best for her. She needs to talk about it. She needs to let the pain out. It'll be there whether she talks about it or not and keeping it cooped up makes everything worse. It comes out in unfortunate ways. There are lots of studies on this.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Dammit! I know how to do my job. Don't make this any harder than it already is.”