“Well, that doesn’t sound like it warrants a parent teacher conference.”
“It does when the picture showed me with a gun in my hand and our father lying dead in a pool of blood on the floor. He told the children that I’m his hero because I killed our father.”
She leaned back against the truck and looked up at the snow-topped Three Peaks looming over the ranch. “Apparently, he’s drawn some other pictures the teacher passed off as his overactive imagination or too much violence on TV. When the teacher put together today’s episode and picture with the others, she had a complete story. She said I willingly put him in harm’s way, and I haven’t provided him with the necessary counseling he obviously needs because of the traumatic event I inflicted on him. She said she wouldn’t be surprised if he felt threatened by me.”
She fell silent for a moment. Then her anger and frustration and hurt exploded. “Like I’d ever hurt that little boy. Traumatic event. His whole life has been a traumatic event! What the hell does she know about what happened to us? She wouldn’t even let me explain. She called the sheriff to make sure I wasn’t wanted in San Francisco for murder. She didn’t even bother to let me take Justin out of the room when the sheriff showed up to question me.”
“Did you explain what happened?”
“Hell no! I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. I gave the sheriff the name of the detective in San Francisco who cleared me. The detective was nice enough to be vague and tell the sheriff the shooting was self-defense.”
Gillian pushed off from the car with her butt and took a few steps toward the house, then turned back to Grandma Dee. “I could see it in her eyes. She wasn’t as concerned for Justin’s welfare as she was about getting the dirt on what happened. I can just see what’s going to happen now. All those children are going to go home and tell their parents Justin’s sister is a killer. Their parents will talk to Miss Crane, and she’ll tell them what happened in San Francisco. It’ll spread like wildfire across town.”
“Unfortunately, that’s what happens in a small town.”
“I don’t want what I did to affect you and Grandpa. I don’t want it to affect Justin. What will Blake think when the whole town starts talking about me? Us? Oh God, what will his parents think?”
“This will upset your grandfather and Blake. They won’t like one bit that the teacher put you through this today. You didn’t do anything wrong. He deserved what he got. I for one am glad you were there to protect Justin. Just think what might have happened if you hadn’t shown up to stop Ron. I think about that. Your grandfather thinks about that. We know the truth. That’s all that matters.
“Justin doesn’t know how to express himself in a constructive way. You’re his hero because you saved him. Yes, it was violent, and I’m sorry he had to live through something so terrible, but he did live. And so did you. His nightmares have tapered off over the last few weeks. He only got up once in the night this past week, and that’s with your grandfather and Blake gone. I was afraid that he’d be scared while they’re away. He sure does miss them. But he isn’t scared, because he’s got you. He knows you’ll protect him with your life.
“You’ve been a good mother to him. He loves you. He’s kind and caring. He befriends everyone he meets, and he trusts others. He’s not a bully or disrespectful. That’s a reflection of you, and the way you’ve raised him. Don’t let his teacher take that away from you. That’s something to be proud of.”
Justin was a bright, energetic, loving boy. In a few years, he’d forget all about their life with their father. It had only been a short time since they’d come to the ranch, and Gillian already saw differences in him. He was happier, yes, but also more carefree and enthusiastic. Spontaneous, the caution that he usually used in speaking to someone or doing something subsided. He wasn’t afraid to walk into a room without scoping out the situation to make sure it was safe.
Not like her. Still.
“You’re right. I overreacted because she made me feel like I’d failed him. I’ve tried so hard to be what he needs. Even though it’s difficult sometimes, I’ve done the best I can. To have someone say that Justin needed something that I didn’t give him really hurt.
“I don’t want other kids looking at him strangely or picking on him. I don’t want parents to keep their children from playing with him because of what I did.”
“If that happens, we’ll deal with it. I bet this will all die down in a few days. Now, on a different subject, Blake called. He was disappointed he missed you.”