2020-11-18 Public Notification

 2020-11-18 Public Notification

Spencer Newcastle was restless. He needed a new little project. November was too quiet in Alexandra after the usual October crime sprees. But now he had a fun new target; Gene Sinclair. All he had to do was figure out what the guy had gone to juvie for and he could find a way to work that into the guy’s welcome to the island. And low and behold, last night presented him with a gift from the universe, the gift of his father’s negligence. His father had brought police work home with him and Spencer was staying at his apartment this week. He had no rules there. And his father’s work laptop sat on the kitchen table open to a police criminal records database. It was too easy. His dad picked up a magazine and went for a lengthy sit down in the john and Spencer had a lengthy sit down at the police laptop and typed in the name Eugene Sinclair. Then he jotted a few things down, emailed himself Gene’s police mug shot with his face a mess and his jaw wired shut and then backed out of the search back to the main page and wandered off to his own laptop and opened Photoshop. He came early to school and plastered the hallways, bathrooms and every second locker with some clever posters he made. The posters had the mug shot at the top and then they said:

Public Notification:

A Violent Criminal Has Been Released and is now living in Your Community.

Eugene Kariwase Sinclair

DOB August 3rd 2004

Age 16 Years old

Race: Indigenous

Hair: Black

Eyes: Brown

Height: 6’2

Sinclair has a history of theft and violence and has been deemed at high risk to reoffend. He was charged with and incarcerated for attempted murder and served time in Prince George Youth Correctional Centre. But the question is, did he serve enough time? Perhaps not…

Then Spencer slipped back out the doors and made his usual entrance at the time he did every day to cover the fact that he’d been the person to put up all the posters.

Miranda had run into Winona and Tyler just before the doors and was walking in with them to their lockers, which happened to be right in front of the 11-12 classroom doors. The trio had arrived a little early so Miranda and Winona could discuss their science project idea. Tyler was really just there to be social as his project was not going to be with a partner. But today was the day to get science fair project ideas approved by Miss Girard before officially beginning the work that would lead to the big school science fair in early February. Miranda and Winona’s project idea was to compare fingerprint samples between related and non-related people and see if there was any similarity with family groups and patterns.

Miranda was gesturing at Winona excitedly “You have a bigger family so they’d be a great place to start. And we can ask your cousins now too. I’m sure my Dad and brothers will do it…..oooh I should ask Fernanda and all the Negrons! And there’s two sets of twins in the 7-8 room. I wonder how identical versus fraternal fingerprints compare….” She broke off at the lockers because she suddenly saw a sea of posters with a police mug shot of a guy who looked beaten up. Miranda blinked as she realized the posters were of Gene and detailing his criminal record. What the hell? Who made these? She pulled one off her locker and looked at it in complete horror about who would actually do this. She was pretty sure she didn’t like Gene still but this was a disgusting prank to pull on a new student. Clearly from the wording it was a prank, not an actual police poster.

Tyler looked over her shoulder “Jesus Christ look at his face…..” Then he shrank back into Winona’s arm “Attempted murder? Oh my god….high risk to reoffend. You guys he sits right beside me…”

Miranda just blinked at the poster as she read it again. Still shocked anyone would make these and plaster them around the school “That’s so fucked up. I’m seriously disgusted by this….” She was about to say more about her feelings on this malicious prank when she looked behind Tyler to see Gene walking right up behind them.

Gene had walked into the school with his head down in his phone.  He had found a site called the Internet Archive which was like a massive internet library and he had been browsing ever since.  If Alexandra had traffic, he’d be in danger of being honked at for just wandering in the street.  He loved this site and had not really looked up from his phone since breakfast.  It was his third day of school and so far, so good.  No one bothered him, he didn’t bother anyone.  Because he was so new, he had been exempted from the science project to a certain extent.  He was thinking what report he could do, even though the rest of the kids had a massive head start on him, he could try something easy..  But as he looked at his new favorite website for ideas, he could hear a murmuring in the hallway and when he looked up at his locker across from his homeroom door he saw his classmates, a bunch of posters with his mug shot on them, and Miranda holding one in her hands saying how fucked up it was and how disgusted she was.  He reached at the locker behind Tyler which had another poster on it and snatched it off.  Ironically it was right beside his assigned locker which didn't have a poster on it.  He read it and spoke aloud before he could even think about it.  “How would they even find this out?”  and then his eyes flew to Miss High And Mighty Miranda Rogers who was so disgusted by his fucked uppedness.  Tightening his jaw and straightening in as much pride as he could he tried to avoid shouting.  “Yea?  Well have your seat back you uppity bitch.  I got enough fucking problems.”  and he turned and stalked into the classroom where he went to the seat Miranda had been taking.  Back corner by the window.  He sat down, looked at the poster in his hand and crumpled it up, not sure what to do, so he just gave his phone his attention so he didn’t have to look around his class.

Winona had been giggling about fingerprinting her entire family when they saw the posters.  It was stunning.    But more stunning were Gene’s words, and not even the ones calling Miranda an uppity bitch.  That was insulting but …  She looked between Tyler and Miranda.  “Wait … did he just CONFIRM all this shit?”  she demanded.

Duncan couldn't avoid the posters all over the place as he walked to his class.  He narrowed his eyes and snorted at it.  By the time he got to class he’d already tossed the paper in a bin along the way.  He saw that Eugene had moved again and wondered what that was about.  In the corner, he was even more isolated than he had been before.

Otis had almost walked to class with his eyes closed.  He entered and sat, not knowing what to say about the posters but feeling sorry for Levar.  This was going to be one hell of a week.

Spencer had walked in casually with Cosmo like it was an ordinary morning and there would be nothing unusual to discover. But they were right behind Gene looking down at his phone and he had to work hard to keep his face impassive and then feign total surprise at all the reactions, including Gene’s. Gene’s reaction was golden to him and the fact that he lashed out at Miranda after her reaction was just the crowning gems. She was an uppity bitch and he’d been looking for a way to pay her back for that little visit from her lawyer earlier in the year. His wheels were turning. He pretended to read one of the posters “Holy shit...look at that…” He said to Cosmo as he forced his eyes wide with surprise. Winona’s question made him bite his lip to stop from grinning, but it looked like he was as concerned as she was.

Levar was jogging down the hallway from the gym and an early volleyball practice. He stopped short at the lockers and his jaw dropped at the poster of Gene “What the actual fuck…” He muttered and grabbed one off his locker. These hadn’t been here when he arrived to volleyball, but now it looked like they had been seen. He looked around “Who put these up?!” He was instantly pissed off about how low this prank was. Brandishing a poster he stormed down to the office to tell Mr. VanBuren.

Fernanda had come early to go to the library. She was having such a hard time narrowing down her science project topic, she needed a quiet place to make a decision and the Negron house in the morning was never quiet. She had even texted Duncan and said she loved him but she needed brain space, which of course he respected. She’d see him in the homeroom. Finally she’d chosen a physics project measuring angles of trajectories. It would involve a delightful amount of trigonometry. With a satisfied smile she emerged from her cocoon and walked towards the lockers where it seemed there was a commotion of people reacting to posters all around. Fernanada stopped and read one of them and then frowned and walked to class. She looked back at Gene, now sitting where Miranda had the last two days and looking at his phone like he was trying not to engage. God the poor guy…. Fernanada looked at Duncan with disbelief and shook her head whispering “That’s so not cool...what is wrong with people?” Nevermind if he did it. It was both unkind and a violation of his rights and privacy.

Sparrow was running late. They had been walking to school and were halfway when Lyra realized she had forgotten her special box of things for show and tell. She told Gene to keep walking and ran back with her sister to make sure she got it and the door was locked properly again. But the little box was not where Lyra had thought she left it and then it was a hunt and her sister was anxious until it was found...in the safe place she put it so she wouldn’t forget of course. Sparrow had been patient but a little curt in the end and now she was rushing. But there was a weird energy walking into class and Gene was sitting in a different seat. She had skipped going to her locker to save time and slung her coat over her chair looking around until someone passed her a poster with Gene’s old mug shot and a bunch of horrible words about him. She had been halfway to sitting when she read it and became instantly furious “What the fucking hell?!” She yelled basically at the whole room. She looked back at Gene worriedly and then scanned around “Where’s Mr. Negron?!”

Miranda had been stunned by Gene’s words to her, stunned and surprisingly really hurt, like they cut her in a palace she didn’t know existed inside her. She felt her eyes stinging with tears but blinked them back before they spilled. She got that this was beyond awful for him but what the hell was he directing it all at her? She had been disgusted with who did this too. She heard Winona ask if he had confirmed it all and vaguely nodded at her. Gene’s criminal record didn’t scare her. God knows they had talked about humanizing people who’d been in the prison system in their home because of her Dad’s work so on some level she got some of that. Now she had her seat back, but she didn’t want it back like this. She quietly went to sit in it, feeling a bit sick to her stomach over all of it.

Angel had been dealing with a paper jam at the copy machine while he tried to get his worksheets printed off for the day and it was killing his time management. “Come on...come on…..” He muttered….giving the machine a little light bang with the side of his fist. The second bell went before he was leaving for his classroom and Levar Hawkins-Domino burst into the office and caught his eye as well as looking towards Arthur Van Burran’s office hoping to catch his.

“This is completely unacceptable!” Levar said loudly as he held up a piece of paper with what looked like a mug shot on it. “Whoever did this should be EXPELLED and charged...criminally…”

Arthur looked up at the sound of Levar’s voice and stood immediately.  He was halfway into the main part of the office when another student walked in and his secretary started answering radio calls from other teachers complaining about … something.  He moved to Levar and took the flyer out of his hand, reading it.  “God damn it.”  he growled.  “Alright.  Levar, we will find whoever did this, but first we need to do some rumor control.  Come with me …”  he motions to Angel.  “Both of you.”  he heads out of his office and up to the 11-12 homeroom, thinking as he moved.

Cosmo took the flyer and looked at it when Spencer handed it to him.  “Fuck…”  he breathed.  Then he looked up and over at Gene.  “Dude, did you REALLY try and kill someone?”  his voice both shocked and admiring.  “Is this TRUE?”

Stella had seen the flyer but had just gone to class, not sure what to think.  When Sparrow stormed in, she completely got her anger.

Gene didn't look up until he heard Sparrow's voice.  He looked at her, resignation in his face.  He was about to just duck his head again when Cosmo out and out asked if he’d tried to kill someone and if the fliers were true.  There wasn’t a way around it that he could see.  If he stayed quiet he looked guilty and if he spoke up they’d think he was a monster.  So he straightened with as much dignity as he could muster.  “Except for that shit about a history of violence and theft and being a high risk to reoffend …”  he paused and figured this was the end of a decent school career.  “Yea.  It’s true.”  he wasn’t even thinking of the details .. that the charges had been reduced and he was let out for good behavior.  He was just suddenly exhausted.

Vera had been wrapping up on a parent phone call when she overheard something intense happening outside her office door “Yes…..thank you for supporting her at home with this. She just needs some extra study time I’m sure. You have a good day too…..Goodbye.” And she hung up and curiously peeked her head out the door as Arthur hurried off with Angel and Levar. “What have I missed?” she asked the secretaries. Then she was immediately handed the flyer and she read it and gasped “Oh why……”

Aisha Fairchild pursed her lips and watched Vera read “You should probably check in with Mr. Wheeler’s room this morning. Lyra Walsh is Gene’s foster sister. We’ve already had a call from Rob…...they’ve seen it.”

Vera cringed and read over the paper again, nodding and trying to think of how to diffuse this with the room full of 10-12 year olds and best support Lyra Walsh. She took three deep breaths and folded the flyer and began to walk to the 5-6 classroom. Maybe they should just pull the Walsh kida and Gene from class and call the foster parents? Would that make them bigger targets or give them a reprieve from whispers and taunts? Vera hated this and this was a new one for her.

Angel walked into his classroom with a grave expression on his face followed by Arthur and Levar. The PA system clicked on and O Canada started. Everyone stood in stony silence during the song with no one singing along today. Then Angel just closed the door so the principal could help him address the homeroom. There were no morning announcements.

Levar stayed in his homeroom because what could he possibly say for announcements that would take anyone’s mind off of this. He suspected no one would give a shit about basketball games and bake sales today. So after O’Canada there was just a  long obvious silence before the bell in which this issue would be somehow addressed. He looked worried at Gene and then tiredly at Otis.

Arthur walked into the 11-12 classroom and looked around, trying to get a bead on what the kids were thinking or feeling.  In particular, he looked between Gene and Sparrow, considering what he should do about any of this.

Gene closed his eyes when the Principal walked in.  Oh this was just getting better and better.  He took a deep breath and opened his eyes looking at Mr.  VanBuren.  “Sir.”  he began.  “I’ve just told them the truth.  Except for the part of it about the theft and violence and me being high risk to reoffend … that yes, I was convicted of attempted murder.”  he is sure he looks defeated.  He feels defeated.

Arthur walks into the classroom and stands behind and a little off to the side of Gene.  He places a hopefully comforting hand on the young man's shoulder.  “Well, then maybe that’s enough for your classmates.”  he looks around the class.  “If we need to talk, then we can talk, but Gene does not have to answer anything he is not comfortable answering.  I will protect him as I would protect anyone in this school.”  he declares, his face serious.  He gives his words the weight of a military order and hopes the kids will be respectful

Sparrow hadn’t gotten an answer until Mr. Negron walked in with Mr. Van Buren and Levar. O Canada had happened but announcements had not. Gene spoke up for himself bravely after he had been pressed to answer Cosmo. Now Mr. VanBuren at least seemed to be backing him up and offering protection. Her respect for the principal went up quite a few notches at that move but she was still steaming about the posters and her breathing was audible and she sat in her desk wondering who the hell made them and put them up.

Angel heard Gene speak before Arthur even addressed the class and his heart broke for the guy. What a horrible thing for this kid to have to face in his first week or any at this school. After Arthur states that Gene doesn’t need to answer anything more and he’ll be protected Angel adds on to that sentiment “I second what Mr. VanBuren said.” He holds up the poster he’s still holding from the office and says fiercely “This...is NOT ok. And any continued harassment will be met with discipline. Also if anyone saw these being put up, please speak to Mr. Van Buren or myself. This action has consequences for the person who made this choice. We will not tolerate this behaviour.” He slaps the poster down on his desk and looks at Gene “We’re here for you. And I’m sorry this ever happened. This is not what this school is about.”

Miranda’s anger at Gene taking things out on her by the lockers softened when she heard him have to answer Cosmo and then speak up for himself with the principal. She still felt sick….and now the pain she felt at him being angry at her just turned into pain for what he was going through, which she couldn’t even imagine. She looked down at the desk he had given back to her in anger and felt ashamed she had ever gotten pissy over a stupid desk.

Spencer had remained impassively silent as Cosmo questioned Gene and he answered and then even after O Canada when Mr. Van Buren offered his “protection”. His goal had been met. The class now knew Gene had indeed tried to kill someone and that should make for an interesting dynamic for the guy. Gene’s outburst at Miranda gave some ideas for something more to play with too. It was clear he had to be careful now though since people were ruffled and would be watching. Sparrow and Levar were clearly two he should be aware of. No surprises there.

Levar had nodded along emphatically with both Mr. VanBuren and Mr. Negron and looked compassionately at Gene “We are sorry and whoever did this should be ashamed to show their face in this school as far as I’m concerned.” He was visibly disturbed by the whole thing.

Fernanda nodded in agreement with Levar and then gave Gene a kind look. She didn’t say anything because she couldn’t imagine any words would be helpful beyond what was already said, if any of that even scratched the surface.

Tyler felt bad for Gene of course but given that he had in fact and now admittedly tried to murder someone, he was kinda glad to have Miranda back beside him at his desk. He didn’t want to judge the guy, but Tyler was easily scared by things like that. He ddi remember though that Gene had been cool about handing back his thermos. Maybe he wasn’t as scary, just had a messed up past coming into their school. Still he was glad to be sitting just a bit further over now.

Gene nodded at both Angel and Arthurs words.  “I’m out now and would like to just get on with my life.”  he shrugs.  “I don’t want to kill anyone.  That was … I guess special circumstances.  I don’t know what else to say about it.”  he looks a little helplessly at Mr VanBuren.  It was good to have this kind of backup, but he also worried it would make him a target.  And suddenly he was worried about Lyra.  Were these posters all over the school?  All over the town?  SO far he was getting support from adults like he wasn’t used to, but … were these two rare?

Cosmo stared at Gene and blew out a breath.  “Holy shit….”

Arthur nodded at Angel and then at Gene’s words.  He and his teacher were on the same page and that would help things greatly.  “And you will be allowed to in this school as long as myself and Ms.  Fisher are in charge of it.”  He inhales slowly.  “As for this little flyer…”  he looks around the classroom.  “I will be launching an investigation to find out who put these up.  No matter if they are an individual or a group, I will find out who did this.  Punishments will depend on the fallout, but could range from suspension to legal ramifications outside of this school's control.”  he lets that sink in.  “Do I make myself clear?”

Most of the class nodded immediately after Mr. VanBuren asked the question, which was obvious. A few people even said yes out loud like Levar who was voicing his discontent and Sparrow who said “Hell yes.” not caring she was swearing in front of a teacher and admin. The 11-12s weren’t in this room first period and the bell rang for class change which soon brought a scuffle of feet to the door from the 7-8s who were coming to their math class. Mr. Negron opened the door and instructed them to line up in the hall and wait until the 11-12s had exited so there was no further exchanges for Gene. The younger class had of course heard and nodded at him with wide eyes while they waited as instructed. Then the 11-12 moved through their morning with this unspoken event that permeated their thoughts and movements. The teachers were even walking on eggshells a bit and keeping an eye on anyone even looking at Gene as if they had been instructed to watch over him, which they of course had. Finally the lunch bell rang and everyone dispersed.

At the usual lunch table Elise sat with Gen and Nolan and she watched for Gene. Of course they had all seen the terrible posters. Elise had gone down a row of lockers, ripping them down and then grabbed as many from the bathrooms as she could too. Now she looked at Gene as he walked into view not wanting to stare and make him feel worse but also wanting to let him know she, Gen and Nolan had his back. She tried to smile but it came across awkwardly “Hey…..”

Sparrow didn’t always sit with Gene if there was a spot near Stella but today she followed behind him intending solidarity and expressed it “I will kick anyone’s ass who tries to ask you anything that’s not benign.” She swore to him.

Gen had helped Elise with the taking down of posters and now sat in the lunch room almost waiting on him.  When she saw him come in, she walked over with Elise.  Once she would have been a lot shier about approaching someone about this, but now she lust looked at him.  "That's some serious bullshit, Gene.  We're behind you."

Nolan was pretty angry himself on Gene's reply.  He'd heard all kinds of grumblings he didn't like.  Most of them were about Gene, but a few were also of the 'what kind of school is this' variety from people naming not only Gene but also Brett and Dante.  He stands with Gen and nods. "Yea, we are.  They should shut the fuck up in a few days.  You doin OK, man?"

Gene tried to ignore as much and as many people as he could throughout the morning, but he caught the wide-eyed stares in the classes and hallways and noticed the teachers were paying him more attention than he would ever want.  On the way to lunch, he passed Lyra’s class on their way to their homeroom to eat.  She flew into his arms and told him she loved him and she didn’t care what anyone had to say and that her friend's father was a lawyer and if he wanted to sue, she could make it happen.  Gene was touched and hugged her back, telling her he loved her and also telling her to be strong and not to believe anything people might say.  He also promised to explain as much as he could when they were home with Shea.  Now he was in the cafeteria with Sparrow, Gene, Nolan and Elise.  He looked at them all.  “Hey Elise . it’s ok. And thanks to you guys too.”  he bit his lip and sat at the table with them.  “What a fucking mess.  Just fuck me.”  he shakes his head and opens his lunch.  At least he got tuna which he loved.

Elise looks completely compassionate “We’re here for you. It totally sucks. I wish we knew who did it….god what asshole does that?” She looked between Gene, Gen, Nolan and Sparrow “I’d like to make them a poster.” She opened up a container from her lunch and started crunching on some snap peas as she shook her head.

Sparrow had seen her sister and Gene have their hug and exchange and it warmed her heart. Lyra was such a sweet girl and an old soul sometimes. She just got Gene and it was a good thing. Now she was eating her own tuna sandwich and nodding along with everyone “Mmmm.” She said as she chewed and then after she swallowed “Un fucking beleivable…..”

Miranda had scarfed down her lunch and then was ready to dash off to the library since Miss Girard had suggested she’d seen a book on fingerprints and forensic science in there at some point. Now was the time to make sure she and Winona had it and she volunteered to go see if it was there or if they should try the public library, which they planned to do later in the week anyway. As she hefted her book bag over her shoulder she made a point of catching her basketball team, or at least the ones she could see and reminding them about practice after school. Miranda was the girls team captain. Since morning announcements had gotten skipped, even though with good reason, she hoped they remembered. She leaned in over one of the 9-10 tables as she passed it “Basketball girls…..3:45 remember. Spread the word.” She noticed further down the table was Gen but sitting with Gene across from her. She was out of earshot dammit. Miranda casually walked by until she was past Gene and then called back “Hey Gen...basketball later. 3:45.” She nodded awkwardly and didn’t wait for confirmation as she had already been at the brunt end of Gene’s reaction earlier. She got it, but she didn’t want more of that right now as much as she felt bad about the posters. In three heartbeats after she was out of the gym or at that time of day, cafeteria doors and off to the library.

Gene took a bite and actually chucks a bit at Elise.  "Remind me not to piss you off, Elise.  You're like a honey badger."  he takes another bite and chews nodding because it was good.  He had made it and added lime, which might be new to Lyra and Sparrow but he loved it.  Then Miranda walked past and he couldn't help but physically tense, even though it turned out she didn't want anything from him.  But when she was gone he sighs.  "And THAT bitch....."  he told them what happened when Gen saw the wanted poster, including what she had said.

Gen giggled between mouthfuls of her lunch as Gene called Elise a honey badger.  Then she listened to what Miranda had said and glanced at the doors the older girl had gone out of.  "Well, I guess now I know where to expect bullshit from when Dante comes home."  she growled softly.

Nolan had to cover his mouth when he laughed when Gene compared Elise to a honey badger.  "It's so ... accurate."  he agrees.  "I love it.'' Then he hears what Miranda said and narrows his eyes.  "I don't know.  I mean .. well Duncan seems OK to me and I don't know his sister really at all."  he sighs softly.  "Then again I still get people telling me what a stand-up guy Brett was so fuck if I know."

Elise beams at being called a honey badger “Yes….don’t doubt me because I’m little!” She tries to look viciously at Nolan but it kind of comes off as a little bit goofy and adorable since she can’t possibly feel vicious towards him. She looks defensive for Gene about Miranda “What’s the deal with her? I mean we all love Romeo….but you can’t choose your relatives right...just like Zach seems normal but his twin sisters are creepy.” She nods at Nolan about Brett “Yep…” then she looks at Gen “Maybe I should come with you to that basketball practice.”

Sparrow hadn’t noticed anything earlier with Miranda but the fact that she was back in her regular seat but as Gene shared more information as she huffed before “This is good by the way. What’s her fucking problem? She’s taller than me but I could kick her ass you know…” She glares after where Miranda walked out.

Gene grins at them. It's nice feeling like somoene had his back and he wasn't facing all of this alone. He looks at Sparrow.  "Lime juice. We didn't have Miracle Whip so I had to kind of improvise."  he shrugs.  "Know what?  You guys are right about ignoring this shit.  Ignore her, I guess.  All this shit blew up but it'll eventually sort of calm down again.  I just need to NOT get in any fights or anything.  Not be whatever these fools assume an attempted murder wrap is."

Gen  shrugs about Miranda.  “Fuck her if she can’t get a clue.”  she looks sympathetically at Gene.  “I know the story.”  she speaks low, as if confessing.  “Dante told me … early after you met.  He didn’t know we’d all wind up in school together.”

Gene shrugs.  “It’s OK … but I’m glad you know more details.”  he looks at Elise and Nolan.  “You can tell them.  I’d do it, but I’m probably going to have to tell Lyra .. my foster sister.  She’s 10 and … this is bleeding on her.”  his voice rumbles a bit.  He is clearly unhappy about that.  “But for the record and between us … my lawyer got the charges lowered from attempted murder to assault causing bodily harm and then I was released with time served.”

Nolan listens and nods.  He winks and pats Elise on the head, but smirking.  “No ankle biting in the gym…”  he pauses and then just says it .. his new nickname for her.  “Honey.”  he gapes to find out that a 10 year old had to deal with this bullshit and then to what Gene’s charges were reduced to.  He knows Gen will tell he and Elise the whole story .. well away from school.  “Man, how do you tell a kid all this .. what the fuck?”

Elise nods at the fuck her if she can’t get a clue. She knew that Gene’s story was similar to Dante’s but not details. That was enough for her though. Then she giggles briefly at Nolan calling her honey after his comment and then sighs heavily “Oh my god…..she’s 10. And good about your charges….and of course you being out.”

Sparrow nods along and then gives Gene an encouraging look “Lyra is a pretty remarkable kid and she loves you. She might be mad at the world about it for a while because it does suck. I’ll help you talk to her. It’s Wednesday...we’re all home tonight I think.”

Gene blows out a breath.  “That’s what I’m REALLY mad at.”  he tells them, his voice still at a level so only they can hear. “I feel like I’m taking a lot of innocence from Lyra and its just fucking bullshit.”  he sighs and looks at Sparrow.  “Well, I have a couple hours of work after school. But I’ll be home by dinner .. and I am not skipping work on my second damn day.”  he lifts his hand to his temple.  “Ugh .. how long before this is all over town?  Parents calling the school about me .. or the fucking police…”  he begins to rub at his temple.

Gen sighs.  “Yea .. it was hard trying to really explain to Cath what Dante did and why.  What happened to me and why it made Dante do what he did.”  she sighs.  “I don’t envy you, but it’ll be okay.”  she looks at Gene.  “A town like this it’ll probably get around town, BUT not many will really care.  You can just be you and not try and kil anyone and folks wil be good with you.”

Nolan blows out a careful breath but remains quiet.  He is getting a lot better about what his brother did and how he had done all he could have done.  But on this, he stays mostly out of it.

Sparrow looks at Gene “I hear that….but you have no idea the shit Lyra has seen and heard about in this place. I mean we just had October. Started out with a sort of estranged couple murdering one another...then one of our school custodians killed his wife and attacked the vice principal…..turned out he’s just a psycho that killed his whole first family before them. I’m sure Lyra knows that deal since one of the Brown kids is in her class. And then….” She looks at Nolan but doesn’t tell Gene his deal, although she had mentioned it the other day “Stuff happens in October. Lyra knows you for you,” She laughs at Gen’s advice “Just try not to kill anyone...like the rest of us. I honestly think that November is a good time to have this hit the fan because we’re all maybe a bit desensitized. Not that it makes it ok...at all.”

Elise listens to Gen and nods along. “No one’s going to call the school Gene. It’s a weird place to live in the fall.” Her hand goes lightly to rub Nolan’s back as Sparrow talks about October. He had been part of this one in such a scary way. She was still grateful for every minute with him. “It’s true. It’ll be ok….” She half nods, thinking it might be hard to believe for Gene.

Gene listens, but doesn't look disbelieving or anything.  "Dante told me some stuff about the island.  Good and bad."  he sighs.  "But it's November ... but... I suppose it's just I don't know.  Do I take this as a warning from the island that it doesn't like me?"

Gen considers and looks surprised by Gene's lack of surprise.  "Well, I was attacked during the summer ... but October is just .. special."  she sighs deeply and looks between Elise and Nolan.  "It will be OK ... maybe it's rough in the beginning sometimes?"  she looks at Nolan, almost hopefully.

Nolan blinks when Eugene tells them that he basically already knows about the island's strangeness.  "Listen Gene .. once you're all settled in, I'll tell you all about what happened to me and my family."  he takes Elise's hand and squeezes.  "But I'm pretty sure the island actually likes me ... and I can't imagine why it wouldn't like you."  he grins just as the bell rings.

Later at the Walsh house Sparrow has been working on homework and trying to keep things light with Lyra. She knew Gene wanted to talk to her later on. Her father came home before Gene though and was putting about in the kitchen putting away some groceries.

Shea smiled at his girls as he came in “Hello Sparrow, Lyra….Gene’s still at work?” He started stacking things in the cupboard and fridge from the grocery bags “I figured I’d make us breakfast for dinner…..I’ll start the hash browns but when Gene’s back I’ll do the eggs.” He didn’t ask how was school because he already had a call from the principal. Shea was thinking on how to broach the topic  of the posters.

Lyra had gone home knowing she would have to talk about the horrible thing that had happened to Gene that day.  Part of her thought that she would be sent home early, but she wasn’t.  However, teachers seemed to be especially nice to her throughout the day and she learned it was because some of the kids believed the horrible things that Gene had been accused of.  Just before lunch, she saw him and ran to him.  She told him that she loved him and he told her that he loved her.  He told her to be strong and he promised to explain everything at home.  Unfortunately there was a lot of time between school getting out and her father getting home, plus Gene getting home from his new job.  So she had to wait.  But their father was home so Gene was going to be home soon.  She did her homework and was trying to watch light and mindless television.  “Yea breakfast.”  she replied, trying to sound cheerful like grown ups did but she didn’t think it worked.

Shea watched Lyra trying to sound cheerful. He could tell she was trying. He exchanged a look with Sparrow and nodded at her. Then he walked over to Lyra after putting the last of the food away and gave her a little kiss on the top of her head “The school called me so I know. It’s ok if you wanna talk my Stargirl.” Lyra was of course named after the constellation so her nickname since she was tiny was Stargirl. He sat down with the girls at the table “Or we can wait for Snagglepus?”

Sparrow had to smile at the nicknames. She knew what her Dad was doing and it did make her smile at least. She puts down her pencil and looked at her sister “Gene does want to talk to Lyra so let’s wait for him. It’s ok if you’re pissed Lyra. I am.”

Lyra sighed deeply and tried to smile as her father tried to distract her.  “I want to wait for Snagglepus.”  she replied, but she looked at her sister.  “I AM pissed.  It’s not .. right.  I don’t … “  she sighed deeply and them blinked and looked at the back door.

Gene went through the tree filled space between the small backyards between the row houses.  He paused at the door and put his key in the lock.  He blew out a breath and moved into the kitchen, toeing out of his shoes and then looking up.  He could see that everyone was here and he assumed that Shea knew, but he sighed.  “Hey.  Um …  I guess you heard?”

Shea just looked sympathetic and then patted the spot at the table in front of Gene’s chair “Yep. We were just waiting for you. I’m sorry Gene. How ya doin with it?”

Sparrow looked at Gene as he came in and gave her little sister’s shoulder a pat before leaning on her hand and watching Gene again “No pressure….just totally putting you on the spot as you walk in the house like I’m sure you like…” she laughs.

Lyra smiles when Gene walks in and shrugs.  “Yea.  You said you’d tell me everything when you got home, Snagglepus.  And now you’re home.”

Gene blows out a breath and heads for the living room.  “Everything?  Yea …”  he clears his throat.  “I guess I did say everything, huh?”  he blows out a breath.  “I guess over dinner?  Or I can tell you now and you can ask questions and stuff.”  he sighs.  “The short of it, Lyra is that the flyer was only part right.  I’m not dangerous to anyone.”  he’s almost bowled over by Rufus.  “I was wondering where you were.”

Shea looks kindly between Gene and his youngest and then laughs at Rufus “Yeah he likes you better for sure. I got a few butt wiggles. Gene we know you’re not dangerous. I hope they catch the kid that made those posters.” He gets up from the table. “I’ll keep cooking so we can talk and eat.” He heads to the stove and deals with the potatoes.

Sparrow closes her school binder to give Gene and Lyra her full attention. She laughs at Rufus and then smiles at her sister kindly “Go easy on him. I’m sure this conversation is not fun for him, even though he agreed to it.”

Lyra nods and sits up a little at the dining room table, looking into the kitchen at her father then at her sister and finally at Gene.  “I know you’re not dangerous.  At least not to us.”

Gene sat at the table, transitioning from two handed Rufus petting to one handed to no petting.  Rufus sat behind the chair patiently.  Gene considers and looks at Lyra.  There was so much stuff the flier hadn’t covered that might still come out if whoever was doing this was determined enough.  But he decided to try and cover just that and see how it went.  “No, I’m not dangerous.  Especially to you guys.”  He shrugged.  “Usually I was on the other end of the getting beat up.  I didn’t have as nice a childhood as you and you know I went through a lot of foster homes.  I think this is my thirteenth.”  he scoffs, thinking about it and the mixed bag of luck he’s had since being placed here.  “But in the last placement, I thought I met a really nice girl.  “ he pauses to try and figure out how to talk around the details without talking down to Lyra.  “My foster parents were making me do something illegal and this girl told me I should tell them I wouldn’t do it anymore.  So I tried to…”  he blows out another breath and remembers a bit about the conversation the night he arrived.  “I don’t mean to baby you, but , you know about rape, right Lyra?”

Shea sighs as he chops an onion “She does. We’ve had those talks….” The worst conversations parents had to have with their children. Explaining sex was nothing compared to explaining how someone could use it as a weapon to hurt someone that way.

Sparrow nodded at her father and Gene and then looked gently as her little sister “And we did talk about why Dante ended up going to prison….so maybe that helps the understanding.” She looks back up at Gene as if to encourage him to keep talking.

Lyra nods and looks around the table.  “I know what it is.  You didn’t ape anyone, did you? It said attempted murder.”  she looks like she would refuse to believe Gene would rape anyone.

Gene doesn’t know if he should feel relieved or not that a kid understood what rape was.  “No ..  I didn’t rape anyone.  But my … someone raped the girl I liked.  He hurt her really bad, and I got really mad.  So mad I came to BC and yes … I wanted to kill him.  I found him and we got into a big fight.  But the police came and I was arrested.  That  picture on the flier is from that day when they arrested me.  I had a government lawyer who didn’t care.  He had me sign plea papers saying I did it before I even got out of the hospital.  The lawyer said if I signed I would get a lighter sentence, but I didn’t.  I was convicted of attempted murder and incarcerated until my 18th birthday.”  he smiles a little bit.  “That is where I met Dante and the priest heard about my case and hired me a real lawyer …  I think.  I don’t know the details on that one.  Anyway …  that part is true.  BUT …  I never had a record before that of theft or violence and am not considered a high risk to reoffend.”

Shea starts frying the onions while he grates potatoes and looks over at his youngest after Gene’s explanation “And now he’s part of our family Stargirl. Fresh start and a good one I hope...after the poster thing blows over. Did the kids in your class talk about it a lot Lyra? Mr. VanBuren told me about how it went in Gene and Sparrow’s class.”

Sparrow nodded “Mr. VanBuren and Mr. Negron were both pretty awesome actually.”

Lyra listens and sighs deeply as she listens to what happened.  Then she nods at her father’s words.  “I hope it’s good too.  I’ve never had a brother that felt like a brother, not that I know what brothers feel like.”  she shrugs.  “When Ms Fisher came in to talk to Mr Wheeler I thought maybe there had been like a fire.  There hadn’t been any morning announcements after O Canada.  By then Ruth had shown me the flier.  Ruth and Maddy were just as mad as I was.  Maddy’s grandfather is the Chief of Police.  Mr Wheeler asked to see it and …  I don’t know … he didn’t really say anything mean or anything.  He just looked like he didn’t know what to do.” she admits.  “Ruth and Maddy were both demanding to know who had did it and proof of it all because people will believe anything.  But … a couple of the kids looked scared.”  she sighs deeply.

Gene listens.  “I like Ms Fisher.  I met her on my first day.  Her and Mr VanBuren.”  He hears that one of her classmates is related to the chief of police.  “So it probably WILL wind up all over town.”  he sighs a bit.  “But I’m glad they talked about it.  And I get them being scared.  There’s a kid in my class … he acts real nervous around me.  We don’t sit by each other anymore, so I guess that's an improvement.”

The big frying pan is sizzling with hash browns now and in a medium sized one Shea lays out some bacon. He walks over to the toaster after with a loaf of bread and gets started on toast. “Word travels here pretty fast yeah….but luckily most people are pretty understanding. And if it gets back to me I’ll correct any misunderstandings. So will people like Chief Greene. And Ruth’s father is the guy who runs the Samuels and Sons Law firm…...surely when Natalie hears she’ll do damage control just like any of them. You’ve got allies Gene, us and others. I mean even Dante’s family. I swear Lydia Alvin is everywhere. Right? The school, the Thrifty’s. She’ll back you up being a friend of Dante’s. And like Natalie, she won’t take any crap from anyone.”

Sparrow snorts about the kid being scared “Tyler? That guy’s scared of his own shadow. I wouldn’t take it too personally. Besides he’s got bitchface back beside him.” She’s still annoyed about Miranda’s reaction to the poster. “Lyra’s right...Dad’s right. We’ve got mostly good people here. It’ll be ok. Dad, you want me to butter those so you don’t burn the eggs again?”

Shea snorts “Yeah maybe…..I’ll never live that one down will I?”

Sparrow steps up to the toaster and grabs the butter and a stack of plates “It smelled so bad….”

Lyra nods.  “You’ve got a lot of people behind you, Gene.”  she agrees.  She looks mildly curious about the people in the class, but doesn’t say anything about it.  Then she giggles about the eggs.

Gene sighs.  “I know I’m just … it’s sut I like it here … maybe this is one of those good changes.”  he rolls his eyes about Tyler.  “I wish them every happiness together.”  he rolls his eyes.  Then there is talk of butter and eggs and he looks confused.  “Wait?  Shea isn’t a Master Chef?”

Shea smiles at the support for Gene and then laughs “Hey I only did it once. And I get by. I confess I’m newer to cooking than some dads. Belinda spoiled me for too many years by being both so awesome at it and a bit bossy in the kitchen that it became her domain. I just assisted and buttered toast, and washed the dishes. But I haven’t poisoned us and I’m getting better at not burning things.”

Sparrow scrapes butter across toast and cough whispers “Meatloaf bricks….call the fire department….” As she looks to Lyra. It was true their father was improving. They all missed her mom’s cooking and of course they all just missed her. “Be glad you’re here now Gene.”

Lyra keeps giggling and then stood and hugs Gene.  “I’m glad you’re here Gene.”  she bites her lip.  “Maybe you can take Dad’s cooking chores…”

Gene smiles and then hugs Lyra back.  She suggests he get the cooking slot and he shrugs.  “He’ll never learn if he doesn’t practice.”  he teases.  “But I like cooking, so if you want to give it up, I’m OK with it.”

Shea grins “I don’t mind it actually.” He deals with the eggs with careful attention and then as Sparrow plates up all the toast and bacon he serves the non burned eggs and bacon onto them too and the begin passing out plates, and putting ketchup and jam and cutlery on the table “See? This looks pretty good now. And Gene’s right...i need to keep practicing.”

Sparrow squeezes ketchup and then passes it “It does. And I think it’s good we take turns on everything. I want to make a rabbit stew this weekend….with some of that sage we picked...and bannock.”

Shea gives Sparrow a look “You got a rabbit?” He snorts “Because they’re fast.”

Sparrow rolls her eyes and looks at Rufus “Maybe we can get Rufus to catch one…..” She looks at the dog who’s now asleep and dreaming while he kicks his feet “He’s chasing one in his dreams. Maybe I can trap one…..or maybe the butcher has them….you know on the sly. I heard there’s a poacher in town but I think he’s related to the Newcastles so I’ll catch my own thanks.”

Lyra takes the ketchup and then smiles, looking between Rufus and Gene.  “Can we go hunting with Rufus?  In the woods?”  then she looks at her father.  “Please?  Pretty please with burnt eggs on top?”

Gene passes on the ketchup but lifts his fork.  “If Shea says we can, then I guess we can…”  he replies.  “But I don’t know if Rufus is up for it.  But we can make him a hunting dog.  Is it illegal if your dog happens to catch and kill one?”  he grins.  “I’m not sure the burnt eggs on top is really the way to get permission, Lyra.”  although it was definitely better than what he was used to.

Shea thinks about it “Well you can hunt or trap rabbits here without a license. They’re overpopulated since the fog...because you know...rabbits! Some people like them as pets mind you so we won’t go stewing anything domestic. Better head for the woods. You can get traps at the hardware store. Then you just have to wait…..see if anything takes the bait. Stay quiet ...keep Rufus from nosing around too fast. Don’t step in the damn trap.” He laughs and eats and then looks between them all as he chews.

Sparrow holds up her hands “I actually just want to cook it, not catch it. I’ll even skin it and gut if if someone else is willing. I’m not squeamish.” Talking about skinning and gutting doesn’t dissuade her appetite and she heartily eats as well looking between Gene and Lyra.

Lyra looks eager.  “I’ll ask Ruth if she wants to come.  I bet she’d love to learn.  And she claims she's friends with the wild man of the woods.”  She laughs as if she doesn’t believe it because she’s always thought that the Wildman of the Wods was a legend.  Then she gets to eating heartily, already looking forward to the weekend.

Gene looks fascinated.  “Wildman of the Woods?  Seriously?”  he is eating and glad he has an appetite.  Dante had not mentioned the wildman of the woods, but he had told him a couple of the legends of Alexandra which made Gene interested in the history of the island.

Sparrow looks amused “Wild man of the woods? We have that here? Are we talking like Bigfoot?” She looks both amused and curious “Your pal Ruth has a great imagination I bet.”

Shea laughs heartily “Only rabbits for stew. We don’t have a pot big enough for a sasquatch. Do you know the origin of the legend? It’s part of the West Coast Salish legends. The word they Anglicized was Sasq’ets meaning wild man or hairy man. The Sts’ailes Nation people believed he has the ability to move between the physical and spiritual realms. So we definitely shouldn’t stew him. But maybe offer him a rabbit if you catch two. Gotta keep the spirits happy.”