Ruth Samuels gripped her pencil nervously when she wrote a placement test given to her by her teacher, Mr. Wheeler. He said he wanted clarity on her math abilities since her homework was so good but when called on in class she seemed to falter on the answers. He then decided all three new kids should take the test. Ruth knew exactly why she faltered, because she did it on purpose. She didn’t want to stand out for her grades at this school and give anyone a reason to bully her here. She’d already stolen a classmate’s bike to run away before they missed the ferry and she was avoiding that girl as best she could. In a small classroom it was hard. Ruth kept to herself as much as possible. She read on the back school steps at recess, which was somewhat normalized since Emma Wong did as well. Emma was very sweet and quiet and didn't ask questions so Ruth sat with her a lot. But she watched the group of girls that were more social with a pang of longing to join in. Chloe, who’s bike she’d stolen, Penny and Maddy. Fierce friends who seemed to have an awful lot of fun. Ruth had never really had any of those. Emma might turn into one but they were both slow to warm to people. And then Emma Wong, Miguel Negron and she were writing this same test. Ruth was panicked the results would be on the door tomorrow so she answered every single question wrong to ensure she’d fail.
The next morning she parted from her brother and headed for her classroom but ducked into a bathroom and hid in there instead of going to the 5-6 room. Oh Canada happened on the PA followed by morning announcements. Maybe she could make it until lunchtime. Shortly after 9:30 she heard her name being paged.
“Ruth Samuels, please come to the office.”
Ruth stayed hidden but at 10 am they called again and it dawned on her they might call her father if she wasn’t found. She didn’t want any more trouble or to worry him again so she went to the office and the secretary directed her to sit and wait in a chair for Ms. Fisher who was in a meeting with another student. Ruth was in jeans and her apple printed hoodie with a grey tshirt under it and white sneakers. The door opens and a sullen looking teenage girl with pink hair skulks out, pulling up a hood as she walks.
Mrs. Fisher pops her head out the door after “Ruth, stay right there, I’ll be with you in 5 minutes.” She’s smiling kindly and then takes a little note from one of the secretaries and goes back in. She’s wearing a classic looking faded green tea dress and brown wedge heels.
In her office Ms. Fisher dials the number given to her for Joseph Samuels. She has to go through his office and leave a message so she finally gets to his voicemail and says “Hi Mr. Samuels. Ms. Vera Fisher, Vice Principal at Alexandra Academy. I’m calling about Ruth. She’s not hurt and not in trouble, but she’s been out of the classroom for half the morning and I just thought I should check in so we can coordinate and best help her if she’s feeling upset about something. She did come to the office when we paged her. I’m going to try and talk to her now and see what comes of it. You don’t need to come in for a meeting yet but if you think it would help, give me a call back and we can set something up. Like I said, not an emergency, just a little heads up.”
Vera hangs up the phone and opens her door again “Come on in Ruth.”
Ruth reluctantly follows Ms. Fisher into her office but has no intention of talking about her problem. She could handle this, her way. As they talk though it turns out Ms. Fisher is so kind it’s hard not to tell her what’s wrong. This lady is nothing like Ms. Spanner.
Vera tries to get Ruth to open up about what’s bothering her and why she was out of class but the kid is a tough little cookie and stubborn. She feels like they’re building rapport though and she decides to try an old strategy to help that along and pulls out a board game. Sometimes through play or drawing you could get more out of kids as they let their guard down and express themselves. Maybe Ruth was one of those kids. She seems to enjoy the game regardless.
Joseph Samuels had been working from home in the time since their last minute move. He ordered fast delivery of their furniture and had made arrangements to transfer custody of his son Elazar to his older brother Immanuel. Then he got into a short meeting with Natan about the future, telling his third brn that he was in the running to take over the company when he retired and what he needed to change in his life to make sure that happened. Once that was over, he checked his office voicemail and found a message from Very Fisher about Ruth. He remembered what had made his daughter run away and part of him was convinced she might try it again … where she could go was anyone’s guess. Back into the woods with her wild man friend? In any event, he left his house for the school … literally at the end of 3rd street. He was in a shirt, tie and jacket … plus jeans and sneakers. The time of virtual meetings. He walked into the office and told the secretary, his voice imperious without trying to be. “Joseph Samuel to see Vera Fisher.”
Aisha Fairchild is the full time secretary and she smiles at Mr. Samuels. “Let me go check in with her Mr. Samuels.” And she walks to Ms. Fisher’s door and knocks. She sees Vera nod and beckon and peeks in “Mr. Samuels is here Ms. Fisher.”
Ruth was about to roll the dice and her eyes go wide and she shrinks a bit. She had called her father after all. Ruth grips the dice and looks at the board feeling a bit betrayed by the nice Ms. Fisher.
Vera looks past Aisha and sees the father, who is older than she might have guessed for the age of his daughter. “Send him in Aisha and thank you.” She looks at Ruth and hopes she hasn’t destroyed all the connection they’ve been building. “You can take your turn Ruth…”
Ruth sets the dice down on the board “No thank you.” She gulps and looks at her father.
Aisha leaves the door open and gestures to Mr. Samuels “Go on in.”
Joseph nods at the secretary and walks in, his hand out to shake before he realizes he’s done it. He pulls it back to himself. “Ms. Fisher. I’m Joseph Samuels.” he looks at Ruth, who seems to be fine, sitting at a board game. At last he pulls his eyes from her, satisfied it's nothing physical at least. “Was there a problem?” he suddenly realizes he may have jumped the gun and panicked.
Vera sees the hand offered and retracted and laughs. “We have sanitizer if you really want to...but I do the same thing myself. Very nice to meet you properly Mr. Samuels. Have a seat. Please.” There is a chair beside the one Ruth is in across from her desk. Now Vera looks at Ruth “I called your father not because you’re in trouble Ruth, but because I was worried. You skipped two classes this morning. That strikes me as unlike you. I’m worried that something is upsetting you and I want to help. But your father knows you better than I do so maybe he can help too. Can you tell us why you didn’t want to go to Mr. Wheeler’s room this morning? And where did you go?”
Now Ruth looks really sorry and most of it is directed at her father “I hid in the bathroom. Mr. Wheeler gave me a math placement test yesterday with Emma and Miguel. I thought maybe he’d post the results on the door….like they did in my old school. I’m pretty sure I flunked it though….” she looks almost comforted by the idea.
Now Vera looks a bit at a loss “We don’t post test scores at this school. We actually don’t even...give grades….but if you’re struggling in math that surprises me given that I’ve seen your transcript from Bairdmore Hall.”
Ruth’s eyes light up “No grades?” She begins to quietly cry but it looks almost like happy tears.
Joseph chuckles. “I’m glad to know I’m not the only one adjusting to this new normal.” he goes into his suit pocket and takes out his own hand sanitizer and uses it while Ms Fisher tells Ruth why he is here. He looks stunned and a little confused that Ruth had skipped classes, and then that she thinks she flunked the test. Opening his mouth to say something, Ruth begins to cry at the news that there are no grades posted or even grades and he kneels by her chair, offering her a hug. “Oh, my Ruth.” he sighs. “This isn’t like your old school.” he blows out a breath and looks up at the vice principal. “Her old school was quite prestigious and competitive. And there was bullying.” he sighs. “Ruth is very good at math.” he looks at his daughter. “Why would you think you flunked?” he asked. “Did you give all the wrong answers trying to get placed low?” he is a lawyer and her father. Now that he knows about the problems she had at Bairdmore Hall, he deduces she might try something like throwing the test to avoid attention … which brought her more attention.
Ruth looks up at her father and nods. Humbly “I answered every question wrong. Every single one.” She admits. Than she looks at Ms. Fisher “I didn’t know there were no grades here…..”
Ms. Fisher looks pained at what Ruth went through “Ruth….” she laughs a little “Every question? Honestly that takes some clever planning on it’s own. No one’s going to make you feel bad for being good at math here...or anything.” She frowns a bit “Bairdmore Hall….Dolores Spanner. I’m new this year but we’re still unravelling some of her….legacy at this school. Please believe me when I tell you I have a different approach and so does Mr. Van Buren. We will do our best to nip any bullying we hear about in the bud. Part of the problem is students don’t tell us. Has anyone bullied you since you’ve been here Ruth? You can tell me. I can help and I will help.”
Ruth shakes her head “No it’s been fine that way. There’s one girl I’m afraid of but it’s because of something I did.” she hangs her head “I stole her bicycle. I didn’t mean to.” She looks up at her father “She’s in my class. Her name is Chloe.”
Joseph sighs at the confirmation. “Every one, Ruth? Really?” he can;t help but chuckle a little bit. Then he hears the name Deloris Spanner. “She left a legacy here?” he looks concerned, then he turns his attention back to Ruth. “You could explain to Chloe what happened.” he suggests. “I don’t think she’s upset. Or her parents. I certainly haven’t heard anything from Levi’s friend Marcus. Remember him? The police officer?”
Vera clears her throat and nods. There are certain details she can’t reveal to a school parent about the mess Spanner left behind and how many terrible things she said and did to students and staff and morale. That was behind closed doors stuff. “New year, new admin. new goals.” Is all she says, putting a positive spin on it. She nods along about Chloe “I’m sure Chloe would hear you out Ruth. If you want Mr Wheeler or myself to help you talk to her...or just to be in the room…..we can do that...but it might be easier socially to try first on your own? Maybe you’ll even make a new friend?” She nudges.
Ruth smiles a little sheepishly. Failing a test had taken some planning because passing with flying colours would have been effortless for her. She takes in the information about Ms. Spanner aware that Ms. Fisher probably can’t tell them everything but glad someone’s fixing things. She looks between her father and Ms. Fisher “I’ll talk to her. Maybe we could buy her a lock for her bike so no one else can do what I did. It’s a good bike. It was easy to ride on dirt and grass even.” She looks up at her father.
Joseph looks at Vera with a slow nod. He plans to research this woman, and thoroughly. If there was a legal recourse he would find it and use it against this woman. Ruth looks up at him and he nods. “I think that sounds like a good idea. I haven’t seen a bike locked up in this town yet, but it is a good peace offering. And tell her that is is a good bike. Offer a tune up, maybe. Every bike needs one sooner or later. I saw a place with a bunch of bikes parked out front of it near where Saba moved. Maybe they can tune the bike up? Out of your allowance, naturally.” he tells her. But his kids got a very generous allowance. They all had bank accounts nearly from birth.
Vera sanitizes her hands from the bottle on her desk out of habit and smiles “Sounds like we have some good solutions here. Ruth, do you feel ready to go back to class now?” she looks up at Joseph. He was a handsome man with kind eyes. He was also a parent and very likely married, but she couldn’t help but notice. “Thank you for coming in Mr. Samuels.”
Ruth nods at her father “I’ll ask there and then I’ll apologize to Chloe tomorrow when I have more information and maybe a lock.” She looks at Ms. Fisher who was the nicest school admin she’d ever met and nods. “I can go back. Sorry for all the trouble. I think you won Snakes and Ladders anyway.” She looks at the game board and stands up.
Vera looks down at the board and laughs “Maybe…..but if I rolled a 3 I’d end up right back at the beginning. It’s why it’s my favourite game. It makes you let go of your expectations.” Now she does reach out a hand to shake to Joseph since they both just sanitized. “Have a good day.”
Joseph nods. “Good strategy.” he finally stands and shakes Vera’s kand, starting at the shock. Damnable fall weather and static electricity. “Sorry about that.” he apologizes, pulling his hand away, albeit slowly. “You seem to have my office number.” he reaches into his expensive suit jacket and pulls out his business card holder and a pen. He quickly writes another number on it. “My personal cell and the number to the house here.” he tells her. “Not that you’ll need it, right Ruth?” he glances down at his daughter. “You have a good day too, Ms. Fisher.” and he’s ready to go.
Vera feels a shock too and laughs “Probably the carpet.” Mr. Samuel’s hand feels hard to let go of for some strange reason though but they both did so slowly. She watches him get his cards and a pen. It was a nice jacket and it fit him very well. She blinks at herself and then comments on the pen “Nice pen. I have some of those. Bit of a pen snob.” She takes the card and nods “Thank you.” She also looks at Ruth “How about we make a deal? You come to me if you have a school problem and we’ll talk about whether it’s a call a parent problem.” she holds up the card “Is there another parent or guardian we should also have a number for, in case you’re indisposed? Yours was the only number on file.” She steps back as it is her last pertinent question.
Ruth nods contritely at her father and in agreement with Ms. Fisher, liking her more and more by the minute. “I will thank you.” She steps just outside the office and slides her backpack over one shoulder.
Joseph grins. “Me too. I stopped using fountain pens on the job, but I still have a bunch of them.” he grins at the deal and Ruth’s acceptance of it. Then Vera asks about another parent or guardian. “I’m divorced.” he tells her. “But you can also call my son Levi. He lives and works here in town also.” he goes for his card case again, this time offering Levi’s business card. “Another lawyer. Try not to hold it against us.” he quips. He realizes that there is quite the age difference between Ruth and Levi and sometimes that requires explanation.
Vera smiles about the pen connection and then frowns a little about the divorced. Should she feel sad for him? Some people were sad to be divorced while others were most definitely not. Vera gives a little nod “Way of the world. I’m divorced and then later widowed.” She’s not sure why she just told him that. A little personal for a parent conversation. She puts on a smile and takes the second card “Sometimes we need lawyers.” She chuckles “Thank you.”
Ruth watches the now chattier exchange between her father and Ms. Fisher and raises a brow. Then she just shrugs “I’m going back to class. Bye.” She announces and begins to walk off as it was beginning to be a longer goodbye. Were they flirting or just being boring grown ups? She shakes her head and heads down the hallway.
Joseph glances towards Ruth. “Bye. See you at home.” and then he turns to Vera. “Especially in my life.” he rolls his eyes. “This was my forth divorce and I’ve been widowed once. That was Levi’s mother. Wife number 3.” he realizes he’s divulging a lot of personal information. “He’s my fourth born. Ruth is the baby.”
Vera smiles at Joseph and takes in all he’s sharing with interest and not judgement “Good thing you’re a lawyer?” she jokes “Although I suppose you don’t represent yourself.” She keeps sharing too. “I had my son with my first husband, the only good thing to come out of that one. He teaches her actually. Landon Burrows...phys ed.” Then she pauses for a breath “And my daughter came much later...Beth..she’s a nature photographer. She lives in Mission with her partner, Janet. I’m telling you all about my kids…” She laughs.”Don’t get me started on the grandchildren. I have three and a wallet full of pictures. They all go to school here so I try not to embarrass them.” She sighs and then says seriously “Ruth is a great kid. Very smart. Flunking EVERY question. That’s brilliance.”
Joseph laughs. “The man who represents himself has a fool for a client.” he tells her the old saying with a smile. “But our firm has a divorce lawyer on retainer. Sadly, my older boys can’t get it right, either.” he grins. “Well, my kids are spread out. My oldest is 40 … Ruth is 10. Levi’s mother was only able to give me the one child before she got sick. She died when he was 10 .. he’s 31 now. Now … a lot of people think he is Ruth;s father .. so that always requires some explanation. And .. was part of the bullying at Ruth’s old school. Having an old man as a father.” he grins and it becomes a laugh. “Yes .. she was clearly determined to not be placed in any honors programs … but I know the school has them … maybe tho she will be a bit more accepting of the title if she isn’t bullied here.” he hopes that is the case.
Vera just folds her arms and is happy to keep listening but soon realizes that people are walking around her. Secretaries with files, teachers heading to get copies of worksheets from the big copier. She’s presenting an obstacle, but really enjoying talking to Joseph Samuels “I’ll walk you out.” She offers. It’s not something she normally does so she qualifies “I could use some fresh air.” If he walks with her she’ll reply “That’s a lot of folks to keep track of. My kids are 10 years apart and it used to feel like a lot. Once they’re adults none of it matters of course.” Her heels click a bit on the hallway floor. “I can’t believe they gave your daughter a hard time over your age? Kids pick on eachother for odd things. I take a hard line on bullying so the kids better be ready for that. The problem like I said is they don’t always tell us….” They’re almost at the door when a pointy faced man in coveralls fast walks up to Vera. “Mr. Brown...I’ll be with you in a moment…”
The man, who appears to be a custodian, seems to have no problem interrupting “Ms Fisher….we’ve had a pipe burst in the food lab…..it’s corrosion so we need to call a plumber.”
Vera smiles politely “Do what you need to do, just fill out the forms for the work order and submit them to Aisha. Thank you.”
Craig Brown gives Vera a sort of look over and then gives a sugary smile, ignoring the man “Will do Ms. Fisher. Will do.” He walks away.
Vera shakes her head around “Anyway….” It was clear the conversation there had somehow mildly ruffled her.
Joseph doesn’t realize until she mentions walking him out that they are in an office with all sorts of people around them. They begin walking and he agrees. “Well, the first few not so much … but then I graduated law school and was working full time for the family and from there it was maids, cooks and … not parents.” he sighs at the last realizing his biggest mistake with his kids. “So yes. Bullies.” he sighs a bit and then a rat of a man walks up to them, interrupting. Vera deals with him, but Joseph is annoyed with how the man looked at her … although it was none of his business, it still irked him. They continue to walk. “Anyway … the bullies picked at the obvious and then got cruel. ‘Dirty old man’ was apparently one of the nicer things they called me to Ruth.” he opened the school dor for her out of pure ingrained habit to walk out on te school steps. “So getting her out of that school … had she told me it was happening before .. would have been much easier than her running away and fracking us to miss the last ferry out of town.”
Vera smiles at the door opening “Thank you.” She had listened attentively and now stepped into the sunlight and the angle of it on her made her hair shine a bit in it. She looked like she enjoyed the warmth of it a for a moment after being cooped up in her office all morning. “You’re right, maids and cooks are not parents.” She smiles. Ironically that had been her childhood but she doesn’t mention that part of her life. She frowns about the dirty old man comment. Joseph seemed so kind to her he certainly didn’t fit that in her mind. So he had some kids late in life? She thinks about Ruth “She must have been very afraid of her old school and those bullies to go to such an extreme. Because she's a pretty level headed girl. Maybe you’re all just meant to be here. I hope it all works out. I quite like this town so far myself. It has a good energy, good people.” she muses.
Joseph lets the door closed and then looks at Vera. For a moment he can’t move. All he can do is look at her hair. He misses her talk about maids and cooks and shakes his head when her voice comes to his ears again. “Yes … she told her brother … Daniel. He’s also here. But .. not me.” he sighs and shakes his head. “Maybe we are. I know this has taught me I need to be there more for my kids. The boys all had each other, but Ruth is the only girl and I think that I’ve neglected her.” he sounds pained. But he looks at her. “I am learning about the good people. Yes.”
Vera smiles kindly at Joseph “We’ve all been there. Balancing work and family is hard.” she goes to put a hand gently on his arm but near his wrist and she taps one finger on the skin of his upper hand and feels the spark again and pulls her hand back opening and closing it “One of us must be wearing something right from the dryer.” She laughs and then gets serious “Ruth is what….10? You have time to connect still…..and Daniel...he’s in the 7-8s…..I’m still learning all these kids. They’re both young. Maybe living in a small town will give you all a bit more time together. And your older son too...the lawyer. I’m very lucky Landon moved his family here and took the job after I got the admin one. And his wife Ronja works in resource here too. I swear it wasn’t nepotism though. Mr. VanBurren interviewed them both and I stayed out of it.” She laughs “But, now we can have holidays together with the kids.”
Joseph feels the spark again and chuckles. “I’m still learning how to work the washer and dryer.” he admits. “Yes. Ruth is 10 and Daniel is 13.” he grins about her family. “Oh but nepotism is very easy to understand in my family.” he sort of teases. “Oh .. holidays…” he seems to consider. “I don’t know when the last time I spent a holiday with the kids. I’ve been known to work Christmas and we’re Jewish.”
Vera laughs “Then I’m blaming all the sparks on you Mr. Samuels.” She takes a deep breath feeling like she needed to compose herself a bit. This man was charming and handsome and she felt like she was letting it go to her head. She asked more subdued “Well if you’re Jewish does working on Christmas not just mean another workday….you’d have different holidays that would be of significance. I know many people of all faiths celebrate the commercial side of Christmas though. Thanksgiving is coming up. You could cook your children a turkey.” It’s a bit of a tease again as he just mentioned figuring out the washer and dryer. She’s not even judging. Growing up as she did she completely understands, but she left that life behind long ago.
Joseph smiles at her. “I will gladly take that blame Ms Fisher.” He inhales and exhales deeply. Why was he still hee talking ot this … incredible … attractive … amusing woman? “Well, Christmas is the only time the courts are closed … not Yom Kippur or any of the Jewish high holy holidays” he blinks and looks a little sly. “I might be able to, ma’am.” he is teasing. Playing. “There is a young man who is a chef at a very prestigious restaurant … owned by clients … who has agreed to teach me how to cook. There was one small fire when I tried to cook our first night and I learned you should not put water on a grease fire.” he sounds quite impressed with himself. “Daniel put it out. He can use a fire extinguisher … but he reads quite fast.”
Vera just looks highly amused by it all. It had been awhile since she had this much fun talking to a man, to anyone really. He was a little devilish in all the right ways and it was getting under her skin. “A chef? Well you just don’t do anything small scale do you?” she laughs about the fire “Glad you’re all here to tell the tale.” The bell rings behind them and Vera lets out a sigh after looking visibly sad to go “I should get back….” She hesitates. “You’re fun to talk to Mr. Samuels….” She teeters back like she’s taking a step and then doesn’t.
Joseph is having a wonderful time. More fun than he’s had since … since he was married to Levi’s mother. “I’m afraid I’m very much a ‘go big or go home’ kind of man.” he admits and then the bell rings and she has to go. He reaches out for her hand, getting a shock again, but he holds it. “Joseph. Please, call me Joseph.” he sighs. “I should also … um .. call me .. maybe we can talk some more …” he is about to say over dinner. But he leaves it open, a bit surprised at his own cheek.
Vera smiles at him and then he takes her hand and holds it, past another shock that makes her just stand and stare into his eyes. His hand is warm and fits perfectly around hers in a comforting way. She takes a moment to reply “Alright then Joseph…..please call me Vera.” He suggests she call him and she feels her heart soar. Then it plummets a bit realizing she really shouldn’t. He’s the parent of a student...two students. Vera has an obvious struggle with the idea and then lets go of his hand and is just honest “Joseph….you’re delightful and attractive and so charming I could just run away with you. But….” She winces “Yes there’s a but. I’m not sure it’s appropriate for me to call you as an administrator at your children’s school.” She rolls her head back and groans a bit “I curse my own dedication to my profession but...there it is. I’m sorry.” She starts to step back “Really I am….”
Joseph is a little disappointed when she lets go of his hand. Then she says she could run away with him and he starts to smile. But there is more. She reminds him of her position in the school and it hits him hard. He sighs deeply, even though his heart plummets. “No … I … you’re right … Vera. It’s unprofessional … of both of us.” he sighs deeply. “Please … forgive me I .. I was out of line…”
Vera shakes her head as she walks backwards “No you’re not. It’s just timing and circumstances. You take care Joseph. It was really nice to meet you.” She finally turns and goes in feeling her heart ache. How does it feel this painful not to go out with this stranger she just met? How is she so invested in this man so immediately? She exhales hard as she walks through the doors and is immediately plunged into the barrage of work with a small line of of discipline matters to attend to and a child sitting in her office holding a bucket and a tooth. The nurse was off today. God help them all.
Joseph watched Vera until the door of the school closed behind her. What was the matter with him? Acting like a man in his 20’s? Or worse, a teenaged boy. And why was he aching to see her again? He blew out a breath and walked slowly home. There was a meeting he needed to be in, but by the time Daniel and Ruth came home he had freed up his schedule and was ready to spend time with them.
They, however, had other plans.
“Levi invited us for pizza!” Daniel announced. “All of us kids … well Duncan isn’t a kid, but still!” he was all but hopping up and down in excitement. “We can go, right?”
Joseph let them go with his blessings. They were probably a bit tired of his attempts at cooking already, and he couldn’t blame him. He was a good student, but young Vincent Reinhardt had only been teaching him for two lessons. He wasn’t ready to fly solo. Nor was he ready to test his own cooking on himself. So once Daniel and Ruth had gone over to Levi’s house, he got on his laptop and searched for restaurants. There was a place near the water called The Catch of the Day that promised seafood so fresh it was sinful. It also specifically mentioned they had a kosher menu as well as non kosher. Mostly it was based on what they had caught that day combined with whatever vegetables they had on hand. The menu was written daily. It sounded very nice and he decided to console himself from the day by eating there. He decided to dine early and maybe go home for a movie before the kids came home … unless they contacted him to spend the night with their brother, which with them being so close to school was an option.
He arrived as the sun was setting and the view was lovely. ALmost romantic. He looked at the manu, mildly annoyed that the view was enchanting and he had to enjoy it alone. ALone had never bothered him before, why should it now?
Vera found herself the last woman standing in the office at the end of the day and it had been a doozy. The afternoon had offered her the bucket kid who was apparently holding the bucket because his tooth had been knocked out during baseball in gym, by a bat and every time he tasted blood he threw up. She felt sorry for the dentist as the parents took him off to an emergency appointment. Then she had two teenage boys in a fight that she practically had to break up physically. They were both bigger than her so that was highly stressful. A teacher found sexually explicit graffiti about another teacher etched into his desk and Ms. Fisher found herself drafting an email home to all the senior years students' families. Then she got a phone call from an angry parent about said email and had to try to diffuse them. Vera was done, beyond done. She wanted a quiet dinner to herself and a large glass of wine, maybe even several. She walked around a bit deciding on a restaurant and walked into a little place called Catch of the Day. Fish and wine. Yes please. she had a long cardigan jacket on that she took off as she was ushered in. The sun was setting. It was a beautiful place and she wished she could share it, to have someone to unwind with and tell the tales of her crazy day, or just sip wine and not. And as if the universe heard her wish her eyes came to rest on none other than Joseph Samuels at a table alone, just as she was being seated at hers. She saw him and had to laugh "I swear I didn't plan this. Are you meeting someone?" Their tables were stupidly close together, diagonally across from one another. She set her sweater over the back of a chair and pulled it out and sat down and then dropped her brown leather purse to the floor and took a menu from the host "Oh and a wine list please....actually I don't even need to see it, just a bottle of anything in a Reisling and a glass please." She looked back at Joseph. He was still perfectly handsome. Damn him. Damn her ethics.
Joseph had barely sat down when Vera walked in. She was dressed the same .. as was he, but she had on a cardigan jacket now. End of business, he assumed. He smiled at her when she spoke to him and shook his head. “No. I’m not meeting anyone. How was your day?” The hostess brings him a wine list as well and he looks at it and then at Vera. “We could scream across the restaurant at each other, or we could sit together. Just two old friends after work, of course.” he realizes he’s said ‘old friends’ which it felt like to him, but the truth was he’d never set eyes on her before that very day. He straightens a bit, not that he has to. For his age, he is in pretty good shape. Esther had got him working out many years ago and he still did, albeit with something work related on a screen in front of him or listening to a deposition instead of music. So he was a bit physically wider than he was in his youth, but still in excellent shape. It helped in court, he believed. “We didn’t plan this, so … it’s just … fate … chance .. whatever.” he begins to stumble over his words like a kid fresh out of law school in front of the resident evil judge.
Vera laughs again when he asks about her day. It was not a short answer. Then she deliberates on his suggestion to share a table. Finally she picked up her cardigan and purse and moved to the chair across from him “Old friends who just met?” She teases “Isn’t that in a song?” She settles in. “You saw the best part of my day.” In truth he was the best part of it “The rest was like a battlefield. How was yours?” Her wine arrives and the server pours “I’ll share my bottle with you Joseph.” Since hers is already here “Otherwise I will be tempted to drink it all.” She was very happy to see him but she was also wearing her mental exhaustion.
Joseph is thrilled to see her moving to his table. He grins at her and nods. “It is. The Muppet Movie.” he tells her. He’s moved to sing, which is not exactly him. His voice isn’t the worst but he’s a lawyer at heart. “There's not a word yet, For old friends who've just met … Part Heaven
Part Space Or have I found my place … You can just visit, But I plan to stay.” he stops and actually blushes a little bit. “Kids?” he offers. “My oldest .. Yosef .. when he was a kid … I .. had more time then.” he stammers. He smiles when she suggests he had something to do with the best part of her day. Or Ruth did. And he winces at the rest. He nods when she offers to pour. “I will help you drink it. A meeting with a client. A discussion with one of my sons about why I am choosing another son to take over when I retire. Explaining why I have decided to retire instead of dtng at my desk in my office in Vancouver.” he shrugs. “And my children passed on dinner with me for dinner with their brother … and pizza. So I decided … I will treat myself to a lonely dinner … so thank you for ruining my plans.”
Vera snaps her fingers “I knew it was the Muppet Movie. I love that movie. Of course you can tell people you watch it for your kids.” She teases him and then listens to the rest and looks sympathetic “To ruining your plans?” She holds up her wine to toast his. After the toast and sip she shares the rest of hers “After we said goodbye earlier there was a kid in my office holding a bucket and a tooth. The tooth got knocked out by a baseball bat in gym. There was a lot of blood apparently and eveytime he saw or tasted it he threw up. Then I broke up a fight... and they were both bigger than me. After that we had the sexually explicit etching in a teacher’s desk about another teacher. So I had to email the senior years families. And 5 minutes after I sent the email I got an angry parent calling about the email. Why are we accusing everyone? Why aren’t the teachers watching 24/7? Why do we send so many emails?” She starts laughing and drinks some more and then exhales “I can’t win with some people.” Then she looks at him “You don’t look old enough to retire Joseph. Maybe I’m just distracted by your boyish charms.” She looks down at her wine in disbelief that she seems to be flirting again.
Joseph grins. “I do watch it for my kids .. starting with my sweet baby Yoseph … who .. is now 40 with two kids and two ex wives of his own.” he toasts to her ruining his plans and takes a few sips of his own as she relates her story. He winces. “Isn’t there a principal they can harass?” he asks “Go straight to the top?” he smiles at her when she tells him he doesn’t look old enough to retire. But a little more when she talks about his boyish charms. “Well, I’m close. I’ll be 61 on New Years Eve, and Ruth will be 11.” he grins at her. “Well, it must be the company I am in. I’m not usually so charming if you’re not on a jury. Occupational hazard.” he looks into her eyes and feels like searching them. “And if I can ask without getting a glass of wine thrown on me … how old are you? 45?” he asks and then guesses.
Vera nods “There is a principal. Arthur is fantastic at his job. We do share the load. Today that was just my half. I heard loud crying coming from his office while I switched out the bucket for our little hurling boy so god only knows what he had. We’ll debrief at our morning meeting tomorrow.” She chuckles “So divorcing is a family tradition? I’m not judging. Marriage is no picnic sometimes. New year’s eve? Both of you? That’s kind of sweet for you and Ruth.” She smiles at the rest and when he looks into her eyes she feels strangely exposed, like he can see the essence of her being. But when he asks her age and assumes 45 she blushes and giggles, shaking her head “You flatter me. Add 10 years to your guess Joseph. Must be all my green tea and yoga. I was so happy to find a studio here.”
Joseph winces. “I never imagined being a principal or vice principal could be … dangerous. But it's never boring, is it?” he shrugs. “I haven’t been very lucky in love.” he admits. “Four of my wives were after money. The older I got the younger my wives got. I suppose I was quite lonely. But I’ve got 8 incredible boys and Ruth. Apple of her father’s eye I suppose.” he chuckles. She tells him he is 10 years off of her actual age. “You’re only five years younger than I am? You don’t look it.” he is still looking at her when the waiter comes by in his mask asking if they’re ready to order. Joseph starts. “Oh … no … um .. I haven’t even looked….” he looks at Vera with a wince. “What do you think? I’m trying to be good and eat kosher today.” he warns her, but with seafood as long as it has fins it’s pretty much kosher.
Vera smiles “Never boring. But I still love it. Honestly for all the crazy scary moments I also get kids like your daughter. And sometimes you get to see a really hard done by kids have a true breakthrough and find their path. It’s that light that leads my way. It might be similar in philosophy for you. Very different context of course.” She shrugs “But we help people.” Vera looks oddly understanding about the relationship struggles and the women who married him for his money. The phrase he says that really reaches her is about feeling lonely. “It sounds like you lucked out with the children. I feel for the loneliness.” She smiles sadly at him. “Thank you for the compliment.” As the waiter arrives she hasn’t looked at the menu either and she laughs “Hmm...what’s the special? Salmon fillet with lemon, dill and capers, pan fried potatoes and grilled vegetables? That’s what I will have please.”
Joseph smiles at her feelings for the job. “I usually feel good about my job … other times … it can be difficult.” he looks at the waiter and opens his hands. “I’ll have what she’s having.” the menus are of course only computer print outs, so the waiter only writes it down and then returns to the kitchen. Then he replies once they are alone again. “I did … my older sons have had their challenges, but they’re overall relatively good men. But if I have ot be stuck on an island with three of my kids … I confess … these are the three I’d want to be here with. Levi, Daniel and Ruth.”
Now Vera looks curious “These three. Well I already know Ruth a bit and she’s completely delightful. Tell me about the other two? Levi and Daniel.” She sets down her glass and leans on her hand ready to hear him.
Joseph smiles as only a proud father can. “Daniel is wonderful to me because of how he cares for his sister. Maybe it’s because she’s a girl, but none of the other boys was as attentive to a younger sibling, except for Levi. Now Levi is the only child with so many years between himself and the sibling under him. He’s 13 years older than Immanuel who is now 18. And even though he was a teenager, he was quite helpful with him and the ones who came after him.” he pauses. “And Levi is my son with Talia, the wife I didn’t divorce. She died of Cystic fibrosis when Levi was ten.” he picks up his wine and sips. “And perhaps the only one I actually loved. I know that is a horrible thing to say, but it’s true. She was the one that wasn’t into me for my family money, or my own.” he twists his wine glass with two fingers. “She loved me … and she never let me forget it. And I never let her forget it, either.” He clears his throat and drinks his wine. He isn’t still hung up on a dead wife, just remembering what he believes is the only true love that will ever be in his life.
Vera smiles sadly at him “They sound lovely. So does Talia. It’s very different losing a spouse to death, especially when the love was the real thing. I know that story well. My James died of stomach cancer and I wanted to die with him at first. My kids got me through. I had good friends. We survive but we’re never the same.” She holds up her glass again for another toast “To Talia and James.”
Joseph nods slowly and then more animatedly as she speaks. “Yes … the kids get us through. Even Joseph, David and Natan helped me and they had been poisoned against Talia and Levi for years. I also had work … my mistress. He chuckles a bit and toasts with her. “To Talia and James.” he clinks and drinks. “So … let’s move on. Tell me the truth …” he places his elbow on the table and his chin in his hand. “Are you a Muppets fan? You picked up on my quote with amazing ease…” it’s almost like when he nails someone on the witness stand, but with far less wine and far more twinkles in his brown eyes.
Vera nods seriously and then when he asks about the Muppets she cracks up completely. “Busted. I have all the DVDs. I wouldn’t even let my kids take any when they moved out.” Then she gets a little lost in his brown eyes “Is that a prerequisite or a rule her out with you?” She blinks at her own boldness and sips more wine and then refills both glasses.
Joseph laughs happily. “So do I. I still have the VHS tapes in storage. My children all think that makes me crazy. All nine of them agree on this ONE thing about me.” he waits until his glass is filled and then looks at her, reaching for her hand. The spark isn’t as bad, but its still there. Maybe her sweater. He doesn’t take it, but he places is fingers on the top of her hand. “Absolutely a prerequisite for approval.” he intones before a happy voice interrupts him, causing him to withdraw his hand as their salmon is set before them each.
Vera beams at Joseph when he confesses his muppets fandom and practically gasps “VHS tapes. Oh you’re perfect...” His hand on hers again makes her give him a melting look. She feels the spark but less and somehow more grounded. Then the food comes and she smiles at him and picks up her fork “This looks amazing.” She’s about to dig in when her phone rings and she frowns at the call display “I’m sorry I have to get this.” She answers “Hola Flora. Si...wait...why won’t they let you in to see him today? Is he worse?” She sighs and swallows, looking a bit anxious. The person on the other end is a woman speaking Spanish at lighting speed. “Ok...ok Flora...we don’t know that. Let me call the nurses desk. I’ll call you back ok? Thank you for trying.” Vera hangs up the phone. “My father’s housekeeper. He’s in a care home and he’s been in ....he’s not doing well right now. I need to make another call.” She gets up to step away but the restaurant is not huge. She steps to one of the corners by the door and sort of hunches over on the phone. It looks like a tough conversation. Vera nods and eventually has her hand shoved in her hair and looks like she’s in shock. She slowly walks back to the table and sits down stares stunned at the space in the table between she and Joseph.
Joseph bites his lip at the word ‘perfect’ and when it is time to eat, he lifts his fork, then sets it down when her phone call comes in. He speaks decent Spanish, but can’t hear enough of the conversation from his end to guess what it is. Vera then steps away and looks more and more upset. Finally she returns to the table looking stunned. “Vera…” he prompts her, concern in his voice and face.
Vera looks up at her name and into Joseph’s brown eyes again as her own big blue ones fill with tears “He’s gone. My father died about an hour ago.” She sniffs and looks at the wall and closes her eyes just breathing “I’m sorry I seem to be the worst dinner date you could ask for….” She laughs sardonically and then takes a deep breath and shakes her head “They didn’t call me….Flora said there’s been a Covid outbreak in the home. His regular nurse wasn’t there. I got some guy named Derek who sounded like one of my students…...why didn't they call me?” She’s spinning a bit and she chokes up “I realize it doesn’t make him any less dead…”
Joseph looks shocked and sympathetic to hear the news. “Oh, Vera. I’m so sorry.” he reaches for her hand again, just ignoring the jolt which is odd but apparently its just them somehow. “Not a date, remember. Just two old friends who ran into each other.” he offers softly. He sighs. “I don’t know Very .. why they didn’t call. Was it Covid he died of or was it just …” he doesn’t know but he doesn’t like it It’s not fair.
Vera looks a mixture of confused, shocked angry and sad “I don’t even know. He had a fall awhile back and things started slipping for him. He’s in Portland, Oregon...it’s where I’m from originally. I tried to get him to move up here after my mother died but he refused. And suddenly we were in a pandemic with travel restrictions and I took this job and things suddenly get worse for him.” She wraps her fingers around Joseph’s. “I’m getting used to the little sparks…” She laughs and shrugs “Shit Joseph...I don’t even know what to do next. He took care of everything with my mother. I did it all with James but we were married, we shared a home...all the stuff after was just kind of a linear process….” She exhales and runs her other hand through her hair again looking down at her food “I think I need to pack this up and take it home. You’re welcome to join me. I’m just a bit overwhelmed….”
Joseph keeps hold of her hand, mre to comfort her than anything. He feels the sparks and nods. “I am too.” he murmurs as she goes on. “If you don’t mind. I’m not trying to take advantage, just be a good friend.” he means that. He motions to the waiter. We’ll take these, thank you.” the waiter nods and takes the plates to pack up and returns with the check wish Joseph just pays not thinking about it. Vera is upset and has enough to think about.
Vera nods at Joseph “I know you’re trustworthy. I can just tell. And i could use a friend….and possibly in a day or two a lawyer…..god dammit…” She trails off and lets Joseph take care of the details, not totally present to all of that. In a bit of a daze she slowly pulls on her sweater and shoulders her purse. She heads out with Joseph and gestures to the direction the need to walk “I live close to here….view of the ferry…” She says absently. It’s an older building and a walk up with dark wood framed doorways and long hallways with slat wood floors that Vera’s heels click on to the rhythm of her walk. She leads them to the second floor and to a door at the end of the hallway and then she unlocks it. It’s a spacious suite and simple but elegant in decor. Vera has good taste and a bit traditional. She takes off her shoes at the door and then offers to take to food packets and starts a bit “Oh shit...you just paid for my dinner didn’t you? Let me pay you back. I wasn’t even paying attention. Thanks for not letting me walk out without paying them.” She laughs a bit.
Joseph goes home with Vera and looks around her apartment, curiously. She realizes he has paid and he shakes his head. “The next time we run into each other, you can pay for dinner. Right now you need a friend .. possibly a lawyer and someone to buy you a nice salmon dinner.” he motions for her to sit. “Let me plate this up for you and I can try and help you figure eout what to do … because this is probably going to be very complicated, Vera.” he tells her already looking for her plates and utensils.
Vera takes great comfort in Joseph’s being there and his care of her as she can barely navigate dealing with a restaurant bill. “OK next time…” She does sit and lets him fuss. Her home is very tidy and well organized so everything is very easy to find in the kitchen. The couch is a deep green velvet with patterned throw cushions. She drapes her sweater over it and takes her phone from her purse “I should call Flora back...I should call my kids…..” But she can’ bring herself to dial anyone yet.
Joseph puters around a bit in the kitchen, plating the food. It isn’t cold, but it's no longer hot, so he runs each late in the microwave for a few seconds. Then he brings it to the counc and sets the plates, silverware and napkins on the coffee table. “Eat first. Everyone will have questions, and right now you don’t have answers.” he pauses. “I can find some of those answers for you, if you’d like. I have investigators who can look up the information you’re going to need.” he offers her, sitting beside her.
Vera takes his advice and the plate and does actually eat some of it “Thank you. You’re right.” She gets through about half of it and sets it down, dabbing her mouth with a napkin “It’s complicated. My father was …..he was well known in certain circles. You can google him.” She laughs breathily “His name was Darwin Fisher. He was an architect……” She’s never sure exactly who will know that name but she’s lived in it’s shadow all her life.
Joseph eats with her and stops when she does. He listens to her and arches his brows at the name. “I’ve argued in a couple of Darwin Fisher courthouses.” he tells her. “But that’s about all I know.” he pauses. “I don’t know exactly what you mean by complicated, but I think we may be thinking of different things.” he doesn’t react too excitedly about who her father is. Acknowledges he knows the name and moves on, but it means she is very likely rich in her own right.
Vera shrugs “His estate would be complicated, diverse maybe is a better word. But first I need to make some calls.” She looks overwhelmed again and dials on her phone “Flora? Hi…..I’m sorry. He’s gone now. No, they didn’t call me.” The housekeeper is positively wailing on the other end of the phone and getting the odd phrase out “No don’t try to go in, they’ve had Covid in there…..Flora go home….leave the stuff. He’ll be taken to the morgue and we’ll sort it from there…” At the word morgue Vera’s voice cracks. He father lying in a morgue was a horrible image. She’s quietly crying at the end of the call while the the woman still wails “Si Gracious…..get some sleep ok?” Vera clicks off and sort of cradles her phone to her chest. “Did you say you have investigators?” She looks tearfully and curiously at Joseph.
Joseph finds a couple of wine glasses while Vera talks on the phone. He pours from their bottle and sets the glasses on the coffee table, sitting down again. “I do. Best in North America.” he assures her. “What do you need?” He is about to say more when hs own phone rings. He holds up a finger asking her to wait a moment and he answers after looking at the ID. “Hello, Levi. How was pizza?” he listens and chuckles. “Yes, they can spend the night. It’s probably for the best. I’ve been retained.” he pauses again. “I might but I can probably handle it on my own. There may be some international facets to it, I’ll have to wait and see how complicated it might get.” he pauses again and nods. “Good to know. Don’t forget to tuck the kids in like they’re both 3 and kiss them on both cheeks. One from me and one from you.” he laughs. “I have to mortify them as much as I can. Good night, son.” he clicks off. “Now .. yes .What do you need, Vera?”
Vera wipes at her face as he begins to explain about investigators. This surely wasn’t a thing lawyers had access to as a usual practice or connection. She takes the wine glass from him and smiles a little “Thanks.” as she pulls up her feet on the couch so her legs are curled beside her sideways and she’s twisted in her seat to look at him. She smooths her mid length dress so it’s laying decently around her on the couch. Then Joseph asks what she needs and she doesn’t even know how to answer him. But he gets a call so she drinks some of her wine and listens to his side of it. His older son Levi. She has to smile at how sweet Joseph's words are to him about tucking in and kissing the younger ones and then she quietly laughs. He’s ff the phone and asks her the question again “I don’t even know how to answer...I mean this….what you’re already doing is more than i could ever ask for. You just met me….today…” She marvels at it all.
Joseph sips his wine. “In my line of work, trust can be a hard thing to come by.” he tells her. “So I’ve learned to trust my instincts and … I feel I can trust you. Hell, Vera. I feel like I’ve known you a decade, nevermind a day. It’s nothing that makes sense, so I won’t even try. I’ll just trust my gut. As far as I am concerned you’ve retained my services for as long as you need me.” he smiles at her half curled up on the couch. “Alright now … we’ve got that sorted, I hope.” he goes in his suit jacket for his ever present small notepad and pen. “A little laundry list.” he begins to write. “Can you get the body? Can there be a funeral? Can you go to said funeral if you wanted to attend? Had Covid shut down services in Oregon? Those are probably the most immediate questions. After that, if you need me to do something involving wills or estates … again… I’m all yours.” He realizes that the last statement could be taken in several ways .. and he realizes he means it in all of them.
Vera leans on her hand, now on the back of her couch and looks at Joseph as he talks with a small sad smile. The timing of him was strange and beautiful torture. “I feel like we’ve known each other a long time too. And I do trust you Joseph. Thank you…” She watches him write and then when he’s finished she thinks for a moment trying not to get stuck on his last words and stay practical. She did want this man to be hers. She swallows and shakes her head around “OK I think I should be able to make arrangements about the body but it might depend how he died. I don’t know what the protocols are for Covid deaths and dealing with things.He didn’t want a funeral but he wanted to be cremated and interned. If I can’t arrange it by phone or distantly I could…” She looks like this is not a choice she wants to consider “I don’t want to ask Flora. She’s too fragile and her English….my father was skilled at rescuing illegal immigrants and getting them the right paperwork. I just hope Flora’s is all finished.” She grimaces “I could ask my ex husband but he’s the last person I trust. Landon’s father...Michael…..Michael Burrows. Remember you said 4 women married you just for your money? Well when Michael found out who my father was he pretended to fall for me and married me for mine. But he owes me a million favours for how that all ended….and he does love Landon….he’d help us for him if I asked.”
Joseph nods slowly. “I can have my investigators check to see the status of Flora’s imigration status. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem.” he speaks as if it is not. He seems to have the confidence that he can do anything she asks. He is not a simple lawyer, that’s for sure. Pursing his lips when Micharl Burrows comes up, he nods. “If you insist on using him, use him. But frankly I’d prefer you use me and my resources.” he tells her.
Vera takes her hand out from under her head and extends that arm to touch Joseph’s shoulder “Why do I feel like you’re more than just a lawyer?” She absently lets a finger run along the side of his shirt collar. “I would rather not call Michael for anything so I’m happy not to. He just happens to be one of the people I still know there who’s been connected to my family. I’m an only child and other than my parents our family was the staff of the household…. Like you mentioned before cooks, maids….drivers. We’ve walked parallel paths. Actually in a lot of ways I’ve walked the same path as you describe for your kids without the divorced parents. My father was very married to his work more than he was to my mother but she handled it.”
Joseph looks into her eyes as she talks about him being more than just a lawyer. He can feel her singer on his neck and collar bone. “Because I am, Vera.” he tells her. He lets her go on and sighs. “My mistress was my work because I am a faithful man in a relationship. I don’t cheat. Not even when my wives would insist I take a seperate bedroom.” he shrugs. “I love my work and it kept my mind occupied.” he sighs and looks at her for a long time. “Samuels and Sons has had some of the same clients for a very long time.” he tells her. “Rich, powerful clients. There were Samuels on the same boat to Ellis Island. We came to Canada in the early 20th century. It’s a damned successful partnership. So … I … my whole firm .. has investigators at ou disposal who would get us nearly anything we wanted.” he places his hand over hers on his shoulder. “I hope that doesn’t scare you…”
Vera listens to Joseph with an open mind and heart. She respects immensely that he’s faithful and it makes her inwardly smile. But the separate bedroom comment hints at the loneliness he mentioned before. The long history and connectedness of the Samuels is interesting but not scary to her. And the warmth of his hand relaxes her a bit in all her big feelings and reactions “No….it’s strangely comforting...as are you.” She lets their hands connect and intertwine a bit on top of his shoulder.
Joseph nods and lets his fingers intertwine with hers. “I feel the same.” and then he sighs and shakes his head. “I almost wish I knew the secrets of my ex wives.” he scoffs. “Because you were so right about the appropriateness of … us … and our positions and the school. But damn if I don’t want to have an affair with you, Vera Fisher.” he sighs yet again. Could he do anything riskier than having a love affair with the vice principal of his kids school? And then he closes his eyes as he listens to his own thoughts. Love affair? Love?
Vera sort of laughs at the secrets of his exes lead up. Where was this going? Then he talks about her own self discipline in setting a boundary based on her job and what would be seen as appropriate. When he says he wants to have an affair with her she inhales in a little gasp and squeezes his hand. “Joseph….” She looks into his eyes “Our timing is ridiculous...in every way. And completely inappropriate….but I want to have an affair with you. God I’ve never done that….snuck around, broken the rules, kept secrets…” She blushes at the thought and then ducks her head down into his shoulder “What are we talking ourselves into?”
Joseph sighs. Timing. “Yes .. it is. You could lose your job … “ he locks eyes with her. “I am being insanely disrespectful to your father. I could get disbarred.” he replies to her points and when she places her head on her shoulder, he shuckles. “I’ve never snuck around .. only sort of bent rules … and the secrets … that’s an occupational hazard.” he chuckles lightly and then puts his finger and moves her head to face him. “We’re talking ourselves into risking everything to have a love affair, Vera.” he murmurs and moves in to kiss her softly.
Vera cringes a bit at the idea of losing her job and Joseph getting disbarred. She loved the job. She didn’t need it but she loved it. Then she shakes her head “No….my father was a hopeless romantic. He’d be furious at me if I didn’t consider this to be perfectly honest. He was constantly asking me if I had met anyone nice as soon as he felt enough time had passed after James. There wasn’t anyone I even looked at twice until you...today.” She gives a jovial little eye roll at Joseph’s bending the rules and secrets related to his work and laughs. As his finger moves her face she feels herself tremble a little. His touch was so riveting. She nods a little at what the risk is “Oh is that all?” She sort of jokes and then his soft kiss finds her mouth and she finds her mouth meeting his movements gently but at the first connection the little sparks paled in comparison to a jolt of what felt like lightning between them. Instead of pulling away from it, she found herself leaning in more and kissing Joseph with a sudden passion as she eased herself closer to him and practically into his lap. Her arms wound around his neck.
Joseph is not surprised that she accepted the kiss. He could tell she felt the same way about him that he did about her. What surprised him was the jolt, or sparkle, or magnetism of the kiss. The moment their lips touched, it was as if her were pleasantly fused to her And the kiss got more passionate minute by minute. It was as if he were in high school, except not as clumsy and fumbling. For a few minutes, he enjoys it, then breathlessly breaks the kiss. “God … Vera …” he blows out a breath and caresses her face. ”Soon … priorities … but … very soon .. I promise.” he pants. “Let’s get this business with your father taken care of. Then … then there’s time for love…” he doesn’t know exactly why he used those specific words but they fit.
Vera is breathless too as they break apart. “Oh my goodness…” She exhales and leans her face into Joseph’s caress. “I know...priorities……” she pulls herself back to sitting beside him and takes his hand just composing herself. “I could technically go and deal with all the arrangements in person if travel was safer right now. I have dual citizenship...American and Canadian. So does Landon because he was born in Portland and lived there until he was 10. But it’s not safe. I need to tell my kids. They weren’t particularly close to their grandfather but they were fond of him for some of their lives, Landon was closer but more as a child. And he broke his connection with Beth….my father did. He wasn’t very accepting of her coming out as a lesbian. In a way he broke some of his connection with me too by doing that. He didn’t out and out condemn her but he made some stupid comments now and then and eventually she just stopped talking to him. She likely won’t mourn him. He did soften over the years but the damage was already done as far as she was concerned. He was old...I’m not making excuses for him but….sadly part of his own upbringing.”
Joseph nodded holds her hand, just needing that connection. “It’s not just that. The way things are in the US … you might get into the country but Canada may hesitate to let you back in. There could be 2 week quarantines in both directions.” he pauses and sighs. “And … in the current political clime in the US … I’d have to advise you to be very careful of travelling anywhere in that country. The hotspots for Covid and violence keep changing.” then he listens to the coming out story. “I get .. both sides. It can be hard to escape our upbringing. Levi just came out of the closet to the family. I was able to accept it, but both of us thought it might be … better … if he came to this place to practice law. My own father would never have accepted him. Upbringing.”
Vera sighs and nods “I know it’s worse in the States and no I certainly couldn’t take a month off from a brand new job. I’m not going to travel. Don’t worry.” She smiles about Levi “This town is very accepting as far as I can see so I would say you and Levi chose wisely. Wow we really do have a lot in common. That’s amusing and endearing to me. I confess I mourned the idea of grandchildren with Beth…..I know they could adopt or do artificial insemination. She and her partner Jan are not really inclined that way. They’ve given me grandcats?” She laughs “Way too many cats if you ask me. They have a bit of a hobby farm on the outskirts of Mission so the cats are outside but if you try to eat lunch at the picnic table you get swarmed and they’re a little feral. No mice mind you.” She looks at her phone “Beth will be a quicker call than Landon.” She begins to dial and puts the phone to her ear as it rings. It goes to voicemail and she looks a little defeated “Hi Beth, it’s Mom. Give me a call when you get this. Love you.” She hangs up and opens her contact for Beth “I could try the landline….not that they ever use it….” She makes a face and dials that now and then has the phone to her face “Oh hi...is this Jan? Hey it’s Vera. Is Beth home?” There’s a pause as Jan speaks but she’s a quiet talker compared to Flora. “Oh way up North….no wonder it went to voicemail. OK well I think maybe she’ll take it as well coming from you….my father passed away…..oh….thank you. I know how he was with her so she probably won’t be broken up...but she should know. She can call me anytime if it’s you who tells her first Jan. I’m ok…” Vera glances up at Joseph “Yes I do have someone I can talk to….thank you Jan. Have a good night.” She clicks off and exhales. “That’s one….for all intensive purposes. Beth’s on assignment probably camped in a tree in some forest trying to take pictures of bears or owls or something.” Joseph had said the word love several times now and she hadn’t commented on it, but it was rolling around in her brain as the only word that made sense for what this could be. She let herself look at him and ran her thumb over the top of his hand.
Joseph is relieved to hear that Vera doesn’t plan on doing any travelling. He grins about the cats. “Cats … are … cats. I don’t dislike them, but I don’t want a housefull either. Me and the kids have always lived in penthouses, and it never seemed fair to me to have a pet.” he listens to the phone call and chuckles at where Beth might be. “Well, you have one more call to make, but I’d like to give one of my investigators a call. By morning he’ll have all the information needed on the climate in Oregon and some suggestions on what to do or how to do it. That’ll save you some time.” he pulls out his phone and dials a number from memory. What may surprise Vera is that he begins speaking in rapid fire Italian. But the call only lasts four or five minutes and then he ends it. “Ys, he’ll send me all the information and phone numbers and web sites in an email tomorrow and I will pass it on to you.” he assures her. He picks up hia fork to finish his meal, knowing she has one more call to make, at least.
Vera laughs lightly “Yes I like animals outside too, preferably with fur. Landon had an iguana for a while. They eat live crickets…..so inevitably the crickets escape and are all through the house. Cats or dogs only please. Rabbits are also acceptable. They eat vegetables and hay.” She is poised to call Landon when Joseph makes a call and she hears him speaking in Italian. She recognizes it because there are a few common words to Spanish but she doesn’t speak it and is curious that he does. She also appreciates his haste on calling the investigators. She nods at what he says after he’s off the phone “That would be very helpful, thank you.” Now she dials Landon’s number and he picks up and his hello can be heard muffled. “Hi Honey, is this a good time?” She winces “You’re doing bedtime….I can call back…..oh Ronja’s shifting in...thank her for me. It is actually important. Tell me when you’re not beside them…” She waits and then Landon’s voice sounds worried as he asks if she’s ok. “I’m OK. Grandpa passed away.” She closes her eyes “Are you still there? No….no no don’t come over. I’ll be ok.” More muffled talking. “You could call in for a sub tomorrow if you want…..you’re entitled to 3 bereavement days...you can take them whenever. I may take the morning tomorrow to make some calls from home.” Now she sighs “It’s unclear what he died of. I’m working on getting those answers. They wouldn’t let Flora in and then I called and they told me. But the care home has had Covid...maybe it’s that...maybe it’s just the decline he was in. I don’t know Landon but I’ll let you know as soon as I do.” she pauses again “Beth was off working. I got Jan. No I don’t expect she’ll be sad….but if you need to talk...I’m here. I love you…..Goodnight.” After hanging up the phone on this call Vera’s hand goes over her mouth and nose and she has a little cry. Landon was clearly upset and it was hard for her to deliver that news to him.
Joseph grins at the choices of furred animals. Once he is off the phone, she calls her son and that call is a lot harder for her, obviously. When she is done he watches her for a second and then reaches for her, pulling her into a hug, if she’ll allow it.
Vera hugs Joseph back tightly and cries into his shoulder for a while and then exhales “Thank you….it comes in waves.” She pulls back to look at him “You mentioned your father in past tense so you’ve done this. Is your mother alive?” she sniffs and smiles a bit “And where did you learn Italian?”
Joseph simply nods. “You’re welcome.” he nods. “I have. My mother is also gone, but my mother-in-law .. Talia’s mother .. is still with us. She’s here also.” he searches her face. “I learned in high school. It’s almost a requirement .. not for lawyers, but for a Samuels and Sons lawyer. We have a lot of Italian clients.”
Vera accepts his answer on Italian but finds it interesting. Not a common language for high schools that she knew of. “So your kids have a Grandma here. That’s nice for you all. You’re by far the most fascinating person I’ve met on this island...maybe even in years…” she chuckles and then as if she can’t hold back from it, she leans in and kisses him again if she can, just sweetly. The spark happens but just a little one and then this feeling of deep connectedness between them and she sort of lets out a laugh into the kiss. Would this always be a thing?
Joseph nods. “We all need her. She’s an incredible woman.” he grins as she calls him fascinating and kisses her again, loving the feel, as if this is the millionth time he’s kissed her and is not tired of it yet. He breaks the kiss. “Well … I am trying to be appropriate. Your father just died and our relationship .. if this is a relationship … could be … problematic. So …” he sighs. “I will ask what else you need from me and … go home?” it’s all coming out as if he’s unsure, which is not like him at all. “Maybe …. Definitely soon … A better night … more … romantic?”
Vera smiled about the mother in law and then as Joseph seems hesitant she pulls back and looks almost a bit rejected. She knows he’s right. She looks up at him tearfully “No I get what you’re saying and you’re right. I’m letting my feelings get the better of me and pushing this...whatever this is. I’m sorry.” She doesn’t ask for anything else she needs because she’s pretty sure her request is a want not a need so she just eases off “You’re being sensible. We’ll pick a time.” She smooths her hair. “You’ve been more than kind and supportive and I appreciate it all. Thank you.”
Joseph nods, hating his rational thinking brain for a moment. “Well, lets do this …” he offers. “Daniel and Ruth are spending the night at Levi’s, so I am free to spend the night wherever I want.” he pauses. “I know where I want to sleep, but I don’t want this to be overshadowed by emotional turmoil.” he caresses her face. “Vera … I know you need me … and I will stay ..” he chuckles. “Would you trust me not to molest you in your bed, because this is a comfortable couch…”
Vera has to laugh and leans into the caress “I absolutely trust you not to molest me. I would love it if you stayed. I would even love it if you slept beside me but I’m probably not up for more than sleep and I suspect as soon as my head hits the pillow I’ll be out cold after the day I’ve had. The idea of knowing you’re there in reach is incredibly comforting though. I think that’s what I need. But I don’t want to torture you…” she smiles a bit. “Maybe it’s a want…..the lines are blurred with you.”
Joseph laughs. “I will be happy to sleep beside you. That may be the one thing we won’t get to do often.” he grins, happy to be needed by this woman. “No torture. I know … I just .. know .. sometime … we will.” he nods. “The lines are blurred, but to me it feels … beautiful ..as beautiful as you are.”
Vera kisses Joseph just lightly now, not trying to get them too worked up after what she and they both committed to. But she does look very happy with the decision they’ve made to share her bed for sleep. “Sometime...we will for sure.” She mirrors back to him. Vera gives him a loving look when he calls her beautiful “Thank you...not so bad yourself.” She stands and reaches to take both plates to the kitchen now that they seem to be done with them.
Joseph is quite satisfied with the way things are working out. He watches her take the plates to the kitchen and then sits back on the couch, giving himself a moment to bask in … contentment .. something he hasn’t truly felt since Levi was a boy and Talia was still alive.
Vera dealt quickly with the dishes and felt a strange companionship like she hadn’t felt since James was alive. But it was different too, a different connection, a deep connection with Joseph and a good one. She disappeared into her room for a few minutes and put on her most appropriate pajamas, the ones she wore with her grandchildren when they slept over. A big t-shirt with hugging bears on it and a pair of flannel loose pants, both in pale pink. She’d save her preferred silky nightgowns for that sometime they spoke of. She stepped into her ensuite bathroom and brushed her teeth and washed her face after using the toilet. Then she dug around for a toothbrush for Joseph and all she had were extra children’s ones. She was laughing as she brought him a small toothbrush with a green dinosaur on it “I’m sorry it’s not Kermit the Frog….but I figured a dinosaur might be more your thing than a fairy one. I don’t have any men’s pajamas either.”
Joseph just enjoys the companionship and feeling of comfort he has with Vera. She comes out dressed quite modestly and he looks at the toothbrush. “Yes. I like dinosaurs also. And I can sleep in my boxers and still control myself.” he teases. “But I think I may need to do a little shopping if I’ll be spending the odd night over… If that’s alright.” he realizes he is planning ahead. He takes his turn in the bathroom, carefully stripping out of his suit and jeans and leaving on his boxers. As he looks at himself in the mirror he is glad he’s kept in shape. Once he brushes his teeth, he returns to see which side of the bed he’ll be given. “And Vera .. while we’re being all awkward … “ he clears his throat and tries not to look like a teen ager with silver hair. “I had a vasectomy after Ruth was born and I apparently don’t need an HIV or ADS test because of how long I’ve been … cut off.” he raises his hand. “No pressure. I can live without it just fine, thank you. But I thought you should know … I’ll buy condoms if you want me to.” he offers.
Vera both blushes and looks pleased at his self control. “I’d like you to spend the ...odd night over.” She freely admits. “It’s more than alright to be prepared.” She gives him space while he’s in the bathroom but then casually looks into her dresser drawers and pulls all the sweaters out of the middle one and hangs them up “Middle drawer….not to get too ahead of ourselves…..but it’s empty now….for pajamas…..toothbrushes..” She teases and then turns and sees him standing in his boxers and has to give a little sigh “You’re very very...handsome. But I can also control myself.” She sounds like she’s chastising herself into it a bit and then walks towards the bed and turns down the right side to climb in “If you prefer the left...I can switch….” He starts talking birth control and HIV testing and she blushes fiercely and then laughs “Well thank you. Just so you know...the fertility ship has sailed for me. Went to Mexico two years ago with my best friend Dot and apparently I just left it behind. Best vacation choice ever. I haven’t actually had that many partners and all in long term monogamous relationships so I’m clean. I’ve been tested early on in those and always with no concerns. I suppose i should make a doctor’s appointment in general but it’s not really a huge worry. Condoms at your discretion but we probably won’t need them.” She frowns a bit “It sounds like your last wife wasn’t a very loving woman. I’m sorry.”
Joseph gets in on the left side of the bed. “This is just fine, thank you.” he offers to put his arm around her for a snuggle. “Oh .. that sounds like one hell of a vacation package for a woman.” he teases. “I’ve had my wives and one woman before them .. you make lucky seven, I suppose.” he teases. “I know all of this because one of the things we practice is divorce law. Never our own of course. So if I sound too … cold and lawyer .. let me know, please.” he clears his throat. “I just feel this is a good time to get all the awkward discussions out of the way. More .. efficient I suppose. So …” he looks at her, far from embarrassed. “If lubrication is a problem, one of the things I’ve learned over the decades is that lube now comes in all kinds of incredible flavors…” he pauses when she talks about his last wife not being a very loving woman. “She .. wasn’t. She wanted money … and she was quite young. The children apparently nearly destroyed her figure and she wanted to abort Ruth. I wouldn’t allow it and told her she would be out of my will so fast it would be like we never met. But after Ruth, I had a vasectomy … I just never told her. No problem, as when she and Ruth came home from the hospital, I had my seperate bedroom.” he pauses. “She had affairs … and she gave me a hard time about a lot of things. The end was when she both wanted me home supposedly afraid I would catch Covid or bring it home to her and the kids while at he same time telling me in the most annoying passive aggressive ways that I was an old man and to get out of her face. SO … I divorced her. It wasn’t even hard. Offered her a hundred thousand dollars and she signed on the dotted line.” he sighs softly. “There was a custody and visitation agreement, but .. she hasn’t spoken to Daniel or Ruth since … nor asked to see them.”
Vera snuggles into Joseph and he feels so perfect to her, his arms, him in her bed, the way he smells...even his voice soothes her. She chuckles “Dot thought so. It was.” She tilts her head at his count “Lucky seven. You win….body count wise. Isn’t that what the kids call it nowadays? You would be number 4 in our sometime plan. High school boyfriend, university boyfriend turned terrible husband….talked enough about him already. And then James who was a good man. As are you Joseph.” She leans over and kisses his cheek. “I don’t think you sound cold at all. Your communication is clear, which I appreciate immensely.” She has to laugh at his frank discussion of lubricant and shrugs “Menopause happened when I was on my own so I’m not sure.” She clears her throat a bit “I do use it….in personal practice so I would probably enjoy it...sometime.” She muses. “In whatever flavour….you’ve had a few more adventures than me in that area.” Then she gets over herself and looks pained about the awful wife and her feelings about Joseph and the children “I don’t say this about many people but what a bitch.” She caresses his face “I don’t understand women like that...at all.”
Joseph nods and smiles as she kisses his cheek. Then he chuckles. “Talia taught me … so I have some ideas .. it was a long time ago and I can stand to have a new favorite flavor, if we need one.” he blows out a breath. “I accept my part in it. I think I was trying to replace Talia .. which of course is impossible. But I have 5 beautiful children after she died, so I won’t complain. And I got out of them all with full custody of all of my kids. I’m sure a psychologist or something might know what their motivation was, but …” he shrugs. “I don’t think Daniel and Ruth much miss her, to be honest.” he suppresses a yawn. “Goodness. What a day, eh?”
Vera raises a brow and then chuckles. She wasn’t threatened by anything he’d learned with someone else he loved. It was just life. She felt herself fading but fighting to stay awake to keep talking because she was enjoying it and being close to Joseph. Absently, she traced a finger on his chest as she let out a little yawn “No you can’t ever replace someone…..I feel like you might have broken your own heart trying and ending up with someone not so nice to you. Not that I’m blaming you for her being cruel.” She hears his suppressed yawn and it makes her yawn again. She leans her cheek on his chest now with her hand under it “Joseph stop that, you’re contagious…” she murmurs “Daniel and Ruth have you….and they’re very lucky...and I’m very lucky…” She nods off, breathing into his chest and her last murmur is “to love you….” It’s almost nonsense but in Vera’s head and heart it isn’t.
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