Just Try It

Chapter 26- Let's Make Some Things Clear

Tuesday, February 14th 12:15pm

Lincoln High School lunchroom

Sondra watched as Malcolm turned quickly away and noticed Jamie's small smile of satisfaction.  Their table seemed to be the only ones that had noticed anything strange. 

In the rest of the lunchroom, voices swelled as the interesting entertainment disappeared.  Everyone seemed to have an opinion on what had occurred.  Their table was the island of silence until Danica said dryly, "I don't think that Malcolm forgot Jamie."

Finn let out a hoot of laughter before asking in a low voice, "Did you see him flinch?"

Korbin and Moe exchanged knowing smiles before before Korbin went back to frowning.  Sondra overheard Moe telling him, "I know.  It is hard to know that someone you care for has an enemy." 

Sondra didn't know what he was talking about.  Just as she was getting ready to ask, she heard her name calling her to the office. 

Finally, she thought as she quickly stood up.  As she left, she noticed Moe's concerned gaze, and gave him a confident smile.  Her mom had gone too far this time.  Grandma had to take money from her retirement account for bail.  She should never have had to do that.  As soon as she had heard the details, she had realized that taking charge wasn't just important in her love life.  To really mean something, it had to include other parts of her life as well.  She was done living in fear of her mom, and it was time to let her mom know that the rules had changed.  

Sondra thought of the speech that she had prepared on her way to the office.  Once she got there, it completely slipped her mind.  Mostly that was because of what her mom considered to be an appropriate outfit to wear when visiting the school.  She was dressed in flashy skin pants, and a tight, low-cut top that exposed more than it covered.  She wore her full make-up, with bright eye shadow that extended like a mask.  Did Pamela actually think that she looked good like that?  Sondra went to school here.  Sondra glanced at Ms. Johnson in embarrassment, and realized it would be even worse for her grandmother.  Sondra saw the look of satisfaction on her mom's face, and realized that embarrassing the coach was at least part of her goal. 

When her mom turned and called out, "Darling!" and rushed forward for a hug, Sondra was filled with an almost overwhelming rage.  Sondra avoided the hug with a last minute turn.  Sondra slid an arm around her mom's waist and was guiding her out of the office before her mom could turn around.  The things she had to say to her mom needed some privacy, and getting her away from the prying eyes in the office would be a good idea.  She wasn't going to help her mom embarrass her grandma any more than she had to.

Sondra forced a smile and said, "Why don't we talk in the parking lot?"

Pamela glanced back at the office with a little pout, but since they were almost to the doors she kept walking.  Sondra kept an arm around her waist until they were outside, and ignored Pamela's cheerful chatting until they reached the parking lot.

Sondra gave a quick glance around the parking lot, but missed seeing the two people just inside the student entrance.   

Sondra made sure there weren't any people coming or going in the parking lot before she glared at her mom and held up her hand.

Pamela's smile faded in confusion and she finally stopped talking.

Sondra waited a moment and then asked in a low voice, "How dare you call Grandma and ask her for bail.  She had to take the money from her retirement account.  Why didn't your new husband bail you out of jail?"

Pamela's eyes heated with anger and she replied, "Anthony is still in jail with his brothers.  They are all part of the family business. This time the whole family was arrested, and they are having trouble raising the funds.  Our accounts have been frozen, and your grandma wouldn't bail him out too.  He has other money, but I can't get to it.  I actually wanted to talk to you about giving me some money to bail Anthony out."

Sondra jerked back in surprise and asked, "What money?"

Pamela flapped her hands and said, "Your grandma probably put money away for your college.  If she hasn't, then you have a job.  Your boss might give you an advance.  Tony will be able to straighten this out in a couple of days."

Sondra wondered how the conversation had gotten so far away from her.  She shook her head firmly and said, "No.  I am not giving you money.  You need to pay back Grandma as soon as possible, and when you do, it had better include the amount that the bank charged in penalty fees for withdrawing it early."

Pamela's eyes narrowed as Sondra gave her orders.  She drew herself up and slowly asked, "Are you saying that you won't help me get your step-father out of jail?"

"That is exactly what I am saying," answered Sondra firmly, even as she wondered if any of the rest of her message had gotten through.

Pamela turned partly away.  Sondra began to follow.  She didn't want Pamela to leave before understanding all of Sondra's demands.  However, Pamela wasn't leaving.  She was only turning to get more force for when she unexpectedly turned back and slapped Sondra across her face. 

Sondra fell back against the closest car, and put her hand to her stinging cheek.  She blinked in surprise and pain as she rolled further away from her mom, belatedly remembering to dodge.  She needn't have bothered. 

Pamela had switched from hitting, to pacing and raging.  "No daughter of mine will show such disrespect.  Your grandma has turning you against me.  It isn't too late though.  After Anthony gets out he will help me take you in hand.  We may have to go away for awhile, but you can just come with us."

Sondra shook her head, and prepared to defend herself if her mother attacked again.  She didn't try to argue with Pamela this time.  Sondra was beginning to realize that her mom was nuts, and it didn't do any good to reason with the crazy.

All of a sudden, Pamela turned and pointed at Sondra.  "Go back to school.  I have to concentrate on getting Tony out of jail, but you had better be ready when I tell you it is time to go.  Do you understand?", she asked as she jabbed her long pointed nail at Sondra's chest.

Sondra nodded in numb shock, and stumbled back to the school.  She didn't see the two faces watching her from the entrance. 

Sondra was having trouble getting past the fact that this time her mom seemed serious about taking her.  Sondra's mind began racing as she made and discarded multiple plans in just a couple of steps.  She took a deep breath as she went to the bathroom.  At first, she only thought about how she didn't want to look like her mom anymore, and she washed all her makeup off.  Then she looked in the mirror.  One side of her face had a bright red hand print, and some areas were already showing signs of bruising.  She wanted to hide, but an idea on what to do was beginning to form.  If it worked, she wouldn't have to worry about her mom ever again, but there were some drawbacks. 

Her new plan would be a true test of her new resolve to stand up for herself, and some people would see it as betrayal.  Her loyalty was to her grandmother, but not everyone would understand that.  Her grandmother might not even understand.  She swallowed hard and wondered how her friends would react.  Thinking about them led her to think about Moe and the new information she had learned about his mom.  Moe would get it, she decided, and that was enough for her.  With new resolve, she took out her phone to take pictures of the damage before putting a heavy layer of makeup back on. 

Back at the student entrance to the parking lot, Susie was grateful Sondra's mom had caused a scene in the parking lot.  She had lost control of the situation quickly, and Malcolm had seemed to have more hands than an octopus.  When she had seen Sondra and a lady come out to the parking lot, she had desperately drawn Malcolm's attention to them, but she hadn't really hoped that it would work.  After a quick glance he not only stopped, but he ducked down, and pulled her down too. 

Even though Susie wasn't getting along with Sondra, she had almost gone out the door when the lady had slapped her, but Malcolm had pulled her back down out of sight.  He had said that it was a family matter, and his Uncle Tony wouldn't be happy if they interfered.   Susie was ashamed that she hadn't argued, but by then the lady was just pacing.  When Sondra had gone inside without noticing them, Malcolm had sighed in relief before leading Susie back to the lunchroom.