What It Takes

New York Was Such a Pity...

August 25, 1986, The Home of Janie and Jade Tyler, New London, New Hampshire

"Jade Victoria Tyler! If you don't get your ass down here right now, we're not going! I mean it!" I yelled up the stairs to my daughter.

She came bouncing down the steps, wearing a pair of black shorts with rain boots and a striped shirt. "Mom, what the fuck?! Parker! Call me Jade Parker!" What kind of eleven year old talks like that? 

"Jade Victoria! If I hear that mouth one more time I'm gonna slap it! Get in the car. We're late already." I fixed my lipstick and grabbed my new purse, shoving some extra cash in the side pocket. I walked out to the car and popped a stick of gum in my mouth. Jade followed, throwing her back pack in the back seat.

"How long is it gonna take to get there from school?" Jade wanted to know. Her class was going to New York City, and I volunteered to be a chaperone. I had been there many times before.

"About five hours. It's a long ride." I told her truthfully.

She groaned unhappily. "What are we gonna do for five hours?" 

"Talk to your friends? I'm not sure. We're gonna stop a few times on the way." I answered her. We were taking a huge bus with her whole class and they were staying in a hotel overnight.

"Please don't say anything to them. I don't want them to know." she begged.

"Know what?" I asked her, putting the car in park in front of her school, where the bus was already waiting.

"Don't tell them my real last name. Please." she said, grabbing her bag out of the back seat. I never stopped her from talking about her dad. She never asked to see him or talk to him, but if she did, I wouldn't stop her. I think it's better this way though. She has no idea the kinds of things he was into.

"Okay." I agreed, grabbing my purse and turning the key in the ignition. I opened the door and sat for a second, thinking of what I saw on the news a few weeks ago.

"Lead Singer of Aerosmith, Steven Tyler Completes Drug Rehab Successfully" Read the headline.

Then a few days later: "Aerosmith Manager gets Whole Band to Agree to Rehab." 

Another: "Aerosmith's New Album Flops"

It made me laugh. The whole band was flat broke and they needed money. That's the only reason they were doing this again. I only got a few steps when I was stopped by Jade's teacher, Mr. Cooper.

"Janie Parker, It's great to see you. How have you been?" he leaned in for a hug, but I backed up and offered him my hand instead. He shook it gently.

"I've been great Kevin, it's nice to see you too." I said politely.

"You look great- I mean uhhh- perfect for the city." he said awkwardly shifting on his feet.

I looked down at my cut-off shorts and high heels. He thought this was good? I ignored his creepy comment completely "I hope we have good weather." I answered, looking up at the sky, which was teeming with dark clouds.

"Right-uhh-yeah." he stuttered nervously. He sighed in defeat. "You'll have a group of three kids, plus your daughter. She picked them out herself. Let me know if you have any trouble with them. The envelope has all the points of interest and the meeting times. Try your best to keep to the schedule." he instructed.

"Thanks Kevin." I took the folder from his hand and walked towards the bus, where Jade was already seated with her three best friends. On my way, I passed a group of mothers who were quietly gossiping. There eyes followed me and then flashed back to Jade. I overheard one of the Moms talking.