Beyond Revenge

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Jason sat across from Catherine at the new restaurant in town. It was his 7th birthday. His blue eyes shone brighter than ever. His honey-colored hair had had a recent cut. His tan complexion complimented everything else about him.

People in town never got tired of comparing him to John. It annoyed Catherine but she never showed Jason any of that annoyance. She simply smiled and evaded the subject. She felt ridiculed when she walked away. It was almost like they were yelling to her that John had left her. That’s what everyone said behind her back.

Jason was attending the public school in town. The violence, bullying and gang problems the school had had a few years back was diminishing. Teachers had been removed, new ones came in. Catherine still hated the idea of Jason attending the school but she had no other options and she felt somewhat more at ease knowing the school was improving.

She sold the house they had lived in and gave her SUV back to Mr. Douglas. They both rode bikes.

They had to settle for that, even though she hated it. She wanted to give Jason much more. She cried endless nights cursing poverty. Cursing John.

‘Two years’ she thought. Two years since the day that that bastard had offered her the job. Two years that seemed like he had thrown a curse on her. And on Jason.

The only job she found in town was cleaning houses. There were no other jobs in two damn years. Almost every one had been moving to the city, to study and work. She didn’t dare go there. She had learned about the power Michael had in the city. She had received letters from him. he never gave up. It was almost like he had a bet going on with someone to get her. He scared the hell out of her.

Fortunately he never came around looking for her.

In many years she had never let anyone come close to her emotionally. She had shut the door to all men.

She was only twenty-seven and beautiful. Many men came to her; proposing and offering their love.

None of them were John. She couldn’t even imagine herself with another man.

“ Mom, what’s there to eat for breakfast today?” Jason asked his Catherine.

“ The same Jason, I’m sorry we just can’t afford more. The farmer’s wife will not give me a raise no matter how hard I work every day, sonny boy” she replied sadly.

“ I don’t want to eat that anymore mom. I want cereal and milk and many fruits like my friends have every morning. We always eat bread and jam or ham for breakfast. Sausages for lunch and beans with rice for dinner. If I get lucky we eat some chicken. I’m tired of that mommy. Let’s move to the city. Maybe now you can find a job”

“ Honey, you know I want to give you something better. I just can’t sweetie”

“ Let’s move. Dennis and his family moved and now they live good. He had lots of cars and he plays soccer every day in his nice school. I wanna go” he said in a tone that surprised Catherine.

“ You’re late for school, eat your food” she replied in a firm tone, even though she felt the lump making its way to her throat, while her eyes stung and her heart felt heavy in her chest.

Her little boy talking like a big man and asking her to move out of town.

Jason ate in silence, then he picked up his school bag and rode his bike to school. By now he was allowed to ride alone to school and was constantly reminded by his mom to stay out of trouble and bad influences.

It was Catherine’s day off. She quickly did the dishes and walked over to her mom’s house. She needed to hear her advice, the comfort of her warms hugs and the wise words from her father.