Family Bonds

Chapter 9, Episode 3

 "There you are!" Chet called as he looked in the window from the garden and waved. "Come on out. Everything's about ready."

He grinned at Jane and helped Ashley clamber over the garden wall and onto the lawn. "Can you make it okay with that cane, Ash?"

"Sure. But if you want to help us fill our plates, that would be great." Ashley limped toward a tall elm whose branches overhung the grass. She looked up. "There you are, Eva. Time to eat. Better come down."

Jane laughed when a child swung from her knees on an upper branch, the skirt of her dress hiding her face, her braids hanging close to the ground. "Do I have to?"

"Yes, you have to."

The child righted herself, jumped down and ran toward a woman who was chatting with Chet's mom.

Ashley, Jane, and Chet found seats at a table facing away from the house. As they ate, the sounds of conversation and laughter from nearby tables wafted in their direction.

"Enjoying yourself?" Chet asked, as he edged closer to Jane when Ashley got up to refill her plate.

"I wasn't expecting to see so many business people here."

"My dad's doing. He insists on bringing clients and business associates to these things. I'll introduce you to Oliver. You'll like him."

She brought her napkin to her lips. "Tell me when and I'll try to avoid smiling with bits of corn between my teeth."

"It is good, isn't it?" He rose. "Be right back." He returned with a distinguished-looking man with gray hair.

"Hello, Jane. Chet's told me how you're working two jobs and now you're at City College, too." The man grasped her hand and held it for an extra minute, his soft gray eyes on her. "You do Chet proud. Give this party real class." He smiled.

Her cheeks warmed. "I'm honored to be invited. Chet said you've been really helpful, letting him read law books and everything. He looks up to you."

"I figured those books would keep him out of trouble. Some of those tomes are guaranteed to put a body to sleep in minutes."

Jane looked over at Chet, who grinned broadly.

"Didn't I say she's gorgeous?" he asked Oliver, not taking his eyes off her.

"Why don't you be a gentleman, Chet, and get her another soda, if that's what she's drinking."

"Want another?" Chet asked.

She shook her head. "No thanks, I'm fine. I think I'll help Ashley bring our dishes into the house."

She picked up the plates. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. Smythe."

Minutes later, after chatting briefly with Eva, Jane rounded the corner as Chet's father entered the house from the deck, his hands filled with used platters.

"Can I help you with those, Mr. Barton?" she offered.

"I can do it." He brushed past her on the way into the kitchen. When he returned, empty-handed, he stopped in front of Jane.

"Collins, right? Where did you say you live?"

"On Willow Street."

His eyes were cold, calculating. "Did you meet Chet before or after he got that apartment?"

"Before."

The man nodded, his lips a white line in his ruddy face. "My wife said she saw you—at his place." He smirked. "Can guess why. Too bad she interrupted you what was going on there."