Beautifying Bernadette: A BBW Romantic Comedy (The Jackson Tribe Book 1) Page 9

  Jacob got her attention. “Bernie, let me introduce everyone, you’ve already met Maggie and Ginny of course, then we have Joseph and Benjamin, Reuben, Dan, Caleigh Dan’s lady friend, Jude—of course you met him this morning, then our cherished staff for the week; Deborah, Luke, and Maddy, and the kids—Tyler, Kristen, Laura, Grace, Caleb, and Toni.”

  Bernie’s head was spinning with all of the names and faces, so she just smiled shyly and nodded her head. “It’s um, nice to meet you all.”

  Levi quietly put a small serving of meat, potatoes, salad, broccoli cheese casserole, and a roll on her plate.

  Bernie swallowed and looked at him shaking her head slightly.

  He reached under the table and gently squeezed her thigh. Then he leaned over and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear, “You need to eat, babe. It’s not very much. No one here is judging you. And I’m right here. But, you need to eat.”

  Bernie could feel her face blushing and her eyes welling yet again, but she nodded slightly and took an imperceptible nibble of something on her plate. She didn’t even register what it was. She just took in all of the chaos around her. It felt like there were twenty-five conversations going at once, which was pretty impressive considering there was only twenty people. She caught snippets of ribbing over a basketball game, someone commenting that the hot water had run out for their shower again, and something about a horse needing a bath.

  But what caught her attention and held it was Toni at the other end of the table. She was a diminutive girl; it was hard to tell with her wearing a baggy hoodie, but she seemed to be maybe twelve. She was very slender and since she was sitting in her chair, Bernie couldn’t tell her height, but she would be shocked if she was even five feet tall. And she looked miserable. Her plate wasn’t empty; Bernie had seen one of the counselors put food on to it. But she just kept moving the food around, never actually putting it into her mouth. She had holes in the edges of the sleeves of her hoody where her thumbs hooked through the sides. She looked like she was trying to melt away. Bernie had seen that before, and her heart broke for the girl. Her counselor side took hold, but she didn’t want to embarrass the girl, so she wasn’t sure how to proceed. Thoughtfully, she ate some more of her food. She decided to try to switch seats with someone else for dessert.

  She caught her name being spoken, and realized that Levi’s brothers were all teasing him and asking questions about her. She grinned watching Levi’s face turn red, as he mumbled something incomprehensible, and then shoveled more food in his mouth.

  With her chin sticking out and a grin on her face she asked, “What do you want to know? Each person who is curious may ask any one question they want, and I promise to answer honestly.”

  Dan piped up first. “Where did you meet?”

  “Glitter, that new club downtown. Well, technically we met when I was speeding, and Mr. Lawman over here caught me red handed, or I guess you could say red footed.”

  Everyone laughed, and Ginny asked quickly. “Where was your first date?”

  Bernie bit her lip and looked shyly at Levi. “I guess technically IHOP? Although this is the first place we have gone other than my apartment since we started, well, since he, um, I…” Now Bernie was blushing and stammering,

  Levi squeezed her shoulders and said quickly, “I didn’t want to waste time with random dates. Once she said she was interested in getting to know me, I wanted to show her off to the whole family. But y’all are not permitted to scare her away.”

  Dan yelled out with a laugh. “Her apartment, huh? So y’all are already doing sleepovers, huh? The kind where you don’t do much sleeping?”

  Bernie felt mortified and hid her face in her hands.

  Levi stood up. “Outside! Now. And in case anyone else is curious, yes, we have slept together, meaning sleep, meaning none of anyone’s flippin’ business.”

  Dan looked ashamed and stepped outside.

  Levi followed him.

  Bernie felt bereft. Without him there to protect her, she didn’t know what to do or say. The silence in the room was deafening and she stared at her plate. They could hear Levi’s voice, high in volume and very wordy coming through the open window.

  Maggie looked around the table and said gently, “I need to get the pies out of the oven, Bernie, do you think you could assist me?”

  Bernie nodded gratefully and followed her into the kitchen.

  “Don’t give them any mind, sweetheart, no one here is judging you, this is a safe place and we don’t really care what anyone does in their own homes as long as they are kind and compassionate towards themselves and others.”

  She smiled a little. “And, as his mother I shouldn’t say this, but if that boy is anything like his father, and I know he is, then he is going to be hard to resist in or out of the bedroom.”

  Bernie blushed, but she laughed as well, Maggie’s words making her feel more at ease. “It’s not that I am scared people will judge me, I just… it’s not something I am used to discussing. Besides his brother is a preacher and this is obviously a religious place and…”

  Maggie shook her head and put her hand on Bernie’s arm. “Sweetie, God made us sexual beings and there is no shame in that. I wouldn’t encourage explicit sharing in front of the young ones, but we don’t try to hide anything from them. This includes the pleasure a man and woman can experience when they are committed to each other. And don’t worry, I know you two just started your relationship, but I just have a feeling about you, Bernadette Douglas. You’re gonna be good for my boy.”

  With that, she handed Bernie a tray with three of the pies on it, and shoved her lightly towards the dining room.

  By this point, Levi and Dan were back in their seats, Dan looking a little meeker, but no worse for the wear. When Bernie set the pies on the table, he gave her a genuine look of remorse and said, “I apologize for speaking out of turn, Bernie. Please forgive me? I’d like it if we could have another chance to get to know each other.”

  Bernie gave him a sweet smile. “Of course, Dan, I need to know the kid who can best Mr. Lawman in basketball.”

  Everyone laughed and the tension was gone.

  After helping Maggie bring out all of the pies and a large gallon tub of vanilla ice cream, Bernie quietly asked Caleb if he’d mind switching seats with her. He appeared more than happy to sit with Levi and she assumed a mild man-crush going on there. Once seated, she smiled and softly spoke under her breath, “Hey, Toni. I’m Bernie, it’s nice to meet you, sweetheart.”

  When Toni looked up into her face, Bernie started to question her original assessment. She could tell looking into Toni’s deep blue eyes that Toni had an old soul, but her face also carried more maturity than she had seen from across the table. Toni’s hood slipped a bit and Bernie noticed jet black hair with purple streaks.

  Toni let out a very timid “Hi” before looking back at her hands again.

  Bernie took a slice of berry pie and a scoop of ice cream as it passed by. Nonchalant, she asked, “So, what's your story? As much or little as you’d like to share—there’s no pressure. I just think we might be kindred spirits in this craziness.”

  Toni offered a mild smile. “They are really loud. Umm, I’m just here ‘cause Mr. and Mrs. Jackson said maybe they could help me with… some stuff. So, I’m here. I got here last night. So, I don’t really know much.”

  Bernie continued eating, showing interest, but not giving her full attention so as to not overwhelm the girl. “So, how old are you, Toni? And is Toni short for anything?”

  Toni kept playing with the food on her plate. “I turned nineteen last week. I know this place is usually for kids, but the Jacksons said it was okay. And, my name is Antoinette. Like Marie? The French lady? I don’t think it’s actually a name, but my ma liked it I guess. Her grandparents were French or something.”

  Bernie smiled as Toni opened up a little. “That’s a beautiful name, I love creative names. Well, since you were so kind as to share with me I’ll tell you
that I am about to turn twenty-four, I’m an elementary school counselor, but I am hoping to get my Master’s in “regular” counseling, and I hope to see more of you this summer. I am going to see if the Jacksons need some help around here. But, really I just wanted to let you know that there is a non-judgmental listening ear available if you need one. You look as overwhelmed as I feel, so maybe we can help each other with the crazies, yeah?”

  Toni actually looked in her eyes and nodded. “I’d like that.”

  Just then Levi’s phone started ringing. His voice took on a very business-like tone. “Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I’m right on it.”

  He looked seriously at Bernie. “I need to go get a kid out of a drug bust, the social worker on duty is stuck at a domestic dispute, would you be willing to come with me and just be a second pair of eyes and ears?”

  Bernie stood up immediately. “Of course!” She squeezed Toni’s shoulder. “I’ll talk with you later. If you need to get in touch with me, I’ll make sure to leave my number with Maggie, okay?”

  Toni nodded and Bernie raced out of the house with Levi.

  Chapter Ten

  As they pulled into the neighborhood she had picked Ashley up in the day before, her stomach plummeted, it sunk even further as they pulled up in front of the same house.

  “Saul!” she gasped.

  Levi gave her a sharp look. “You know someone here?”

  She nodded. “This is where I picked up Ash yesterday when she called me to get her.”

  Levi shook his head and gave her an angry look. “You two were here alone?”

  Bernie nodded defensively. “Well, yeah, I mean did you want me to just leave her?”

  “Never again, Bernadette, if you need to go somewhere like this again, you call me. Understand? This neighborhood is known for being incredibly sketchy and I don’t want you anywhere near it, got it?”

  “Okay. Whatever. Fine.”

  Levi raised his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

  “Um, yes… sir?”

  “Better,” he grunted as he got out of the truck.

  Bernie didn’t wait for him to open her door and jumped out at the same time.

  “They already arrested the drug dealers, so we should be pretty safe, but, just to be sure, stay right at my side understood?” he said with a look that said, “Roasted buns if you don’t obey.”

  This time the “yes, sir” wasn’t forced or a question. Bernie had no desire to leave his side.

  They walked up to the house, Levi slightly in front shielding her from potential harm, and saw an officer and Saul standing to the side.

  Bernie let go of Levi and ran and knelt by them. “Saul! Are you okay? What happened?”

  He looked young and vulnerable wearing the officer’s jacket and his eyes were red rimmed; he had obviously been crying. “I… I dunno, Red, my buddy J was jus’ lyin’ there and I got scared and called 911 and then the cops came too and… I think I did real bad, Red. They never gonna forgive me. And I don’ even know if J’s okay. They took him out on oneuh those bed things with the handles, ya know?” He crumpled to his knees and Bernie pulled him into her chest and he began sobbing.

  She calmly stroked his head gently, seeming completely oblivious to anyone except the heartbroken child in her arms. “You’re a good kid, Saul. And you did the right thing, honey. Calling 911 was the right choice, okay? Your friend was obviously in danger and you needed to make a split second call.” She looked up at Levi and the other officer. “Is he in trouble? Are his parents coming?”

  The officer explained that his grandmother apparently lived down the street and Saul lived with her. They needed to do a cursory check of his living conditions, but he was welcome to go back to her as long as he promised to stay out of trouble.

  Still holding Saul, Bernie reached into her pocket and pulled out a slightly bent business card. “Saul, here is my cell phone number and email. If you need anything, even if it’s just to talk, you give me a call, understand?”

  Saul nodded and wiped his nose on the collar of his shirt. “Can I go home now?” He didn’t sound like a thug anymore. He just sounded like a little boy who wanted to go home.

  Bernie nodded. “We will come with you to make sure you’re settled and safe, okay?”

  Saul nodded and let her link arms with him and he led her down the street towards his apartment building.

  Levi and the other officer walked a few steps behind them, far enough that Saul didn’t feel crowded, but close enough that they could foresee any trouble that may occur. They ended up in front of a rundown apartment building, none of the streets lights appeared to be in working order, there were broken windows, trash and laundry strewn various places.

  When Saul led them inside, Bernie had to fight the bile rising to her throat at the oppressive heat and smell. It was only seventy degrees outdoors, but the inside was like a sauna, and smelled of feces and sweat. And blood. Bernie was pretty sure the spicy, mildly rotten stench, was blood. She squeezed Saul tighter and reached wildly behind her for Levi’s hand, he grabbed it immediately.

  Saul led them up the barely lit concrete stairs, they had to step over broken toys and piles of sticky matter that Bernie didn’t even want to know what it was. Her heart was breaking more and more the closer they got to his apartment. She again thanked the heavens that she had chosen against social work as her specialty. She didn’t think she would be able to deal with this on a daily basis. It was heart breaking enough to hear the stories from the kids she saw at the elementary school.

  Finally, Saul stopped at a door that looked slightly cleaner than the rest and had a withered poinsettia wreath on the door. Bernie gave a cursory glance and wondered if it had been there since Christmas. Saul unlocked the door and they all stepped inside. Bernie was surprised at how clean it was, it didn’t smell badly and, although obviously in disrepair, the floors were clean and everything had a cheery atmosphere. There was a worn dining set to the left with mismatched chairs, the room the door opened into held a ripped couch with homemade knit afghans, milk crates with boards that seemed to function as a coffee table, and a huge flat screen TV. Bernie raised her eyebrow at the TV, but didn’t say anything.

  Sitting next to the couch in a recliner was an older lady. She had silvery white hair, mocha skin, and thick coke bottle glasses. She was knitting, or crocheting Bernie could never tell the difference, but looked up and smiled at them, speaking in a very shaky voice, “Welcome home, Grandson. Who are your friends?”

  Saul walked over and very tenderly held the older lady’s hand. He spoke slowly and clearly, but with a gentleness to his voice. “Grandma, these men and this nice lady are just here to make sure that we are safe, okay? They are just making sure everyone in the apartment is healthy and okay. Everyone this is my grandma, Iris Whitacre. “

  “Well, isn’t that just so sweet of them? Offer them some iced tea. Please, won’t you all sit down? It’s so rare that Saul brings home his friends. He is usually so busy making sure I am taken care of and making money to help keep food on the table, he never takes time to entertain.”

  Saul looked pleadingly at the adults. Bernie assumed his grandmother did not know his actual goings on, and tugged at Levi’s hand to get him to sit down on the couch with her. “Mrs. Whitacre, you have a lovely home. I can tell that you take very good care of Saul. He is so lucky to have you.”

  Levi sat next to her and cleared his throat. “Officer Jenkins will need to take a quick look around, but Bernadette is right. I think we can tell that you love your grandson very much. I am sorry to have to tell you that—ouch!”

  He glared at Bernie who had pinched his arm. He gave her a warning look and continued. “As I was saying, you are probably unaware, but some of the people he has been hanging around with lately were involved in drugs. We have no reason to believe that Saul was implicated with the others or that he had anything to do with the drugs, but it’s imperative that he not get back in with those types of people, okay? I don’t know if he
has a curfew or something, but it probably would be a good idea.”

  Bernie had crossed her arms and was glaring at him by this point, but did not try to stop him any further.

  Mrs. Whitacre had raised herself up on the recliner and looked significantly taller than she had thirty seconds ago. “Saul Xavier Whitacre! Am I to understand that you've been around drugs? They're saying drugs? You told me you were at your job, you told me you were out making a living! You didn’t say nothing to me about—drugs!”

  Saul was practically cowering at the edge of the couch where he was standing. “Well, Grandma see—”

  She didn’t let him get any further. “Don't you 'well, grandma' me, boy. You listen to me, and you listen good.” Releasing his hand, she pointed to a spot directly in front of her chair. "Get your butt right here."

  Saul reluctantly obeyed. Dragging his feet, he stood in front of his grandmother looking like an errant child.

  Bernie had the awful urge to burst out laughing.

  “No grandson of mine is going to throw his life away in drugs, you hear me? You are worth more than that. You are smart and creative and a good boy! And I will not let you toss your life away by getting involved in drugs or gangs or any of that foolishness.”

  Looking at the officers, she shook her head sadly. “I promise you that he is going to be so busy doing chores and schoolwork he won’t have any time to get into trouble. Please, give him another chance.”

  Levi spoke quickly and clearly. “Mrs. Whitacre, like I said, we have no reason to think that Saul was involved in any way. We just wanted you to be aware where we found him so you could keep him out of trouble.”

  Saul’s grandmother looked at him sternly. “Oh, I will be.”

  Levi smiled and nodded. Standing he offered Bernie his hand as if to signal it was time for them to go. “Good, I know you will, Mrs. Whitacre. You have a beautiful home, and I know you want the best for Saul.”

  Bernie let go of Levi’s hand and walked over to Saul and pulled him into a big hug and whispered in his ear. “My cell phone number is on that card. You call me if you need anything, got it?”