Free Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart by Jean C. Joachim Page A

fighting in the yard. Now I have to go in to
explain why. So what is this about? You were fighting? Why?”
    “Yeah, Mom. There were some bullies there,
like at camp. But Jim got me some lessons. Now I can fight back. So
they’ll leave me alone. No biggie, Mom.”
    The boy arose from the sofa. Sarah put her
hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down. When Jim entered the
living room, she turned to look at him.
    “You did what?”
    “It’s not Scottie’s fault,” he said, looking
sheepish.
    The youngster slipped out of the living room
to return to his room.
    “Fighting lessons? What’s this about?”
    “He told me about some bullies at camp. So I
took him to meet one of my professors, Danny Maine, ex-military
guy. He showed Scottie a few moves to defend himself and…”
    “And you were going to tell me about
this…when? You were going to ask my permission to teach my kid how
to fight…when?” She asked him her voice getting louder.
    “Every boy has to face these things,
Sarah…not a big deal…”
    “It’s a big deal to me.”
    “I talked to Scottie…”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” She rested her
hands on her hips.
    “He asked me not to.”
    “Oh, I see. So he comes before me? He’s my
responsibility, not yours.”
    “I know. I had no idea this would get out of
hand. I thought if he could defend himself…”
    “You thought? Who are you to think about
Scottie? He is my son, not yours,” She shouted.
    “Sarah…I didn’t mean to…I was only trying to
help…” Jim said, raising his voice.
    The sound of loud voices broke the quiet in
the house. Laura opened her door, then stopped at her brother’s
room, motioning him to come with her. He followed his sister out to
the living room. Sarah continued yelling at Jim, who increased his
volume to be heard. Laura and Scottie got between the couple to
form a wall. Scottie raised his fisted hands at Jim.
    “Don’t hurt my mother!” he yelled.
    Jim was taken aback. He stared at the
children, glancing from Laura to Scottie, then to Sarah. His
expression changed from exasperation to surprise.
    “What’s going on?” he asked.
    Silence greeted his question. He continued
to move his gaze from one angry face to another, then he focused on
Sarah. Color crept up her neck.
    “Did someone hurt you?” he asked gently.
    Sarah couldn’t speak. Tears welled in her
eyes. She nodded.
    “Did Bob hit you?” Jim asked, understanding
lighting up in his eyes.
    “Yes.” Tears threatened to spill onto her
cheeks, her hands rested on the children’s shoulders.
    He knelt down to eye level with Scottie.
    “I’d never hit your mother. I’ve never hit a
woman in my life. I wouldn’t now,” he said quietly.
    “That’s what he said,” Scottie replied.
    “You must believe me. We were having a loud
discussion. No matter how mad I’d ever get, I’d never raise a hand
to your mom.” He looked at Laura.
    Scottie looked hard at Jim, then at his
mother, who smiled at him. The boy looked relieved.
    “I believe him,” he said, turning to face
his sister who stood behind him.
    Laura relaxed.
    “It’s okay, kids. I was yelling at Jim. He
wasn’t even mad, only trying to be heard. Everything’s all right,”
Sarah said, her breathing returning to normal, the red draining out
of her face.
    She hugged the children before they returned
to their rooms. Sarah avoided Jim’s eyes as she turned to go to the
kitchen. He stepped forward quickly, blocking her retreat, took her
shoulders and turned her around.
    “Did he hit you…often?” Jim asked his eyes
warm with sympathy.
    “Twice.”
    “Twice?”
    “After the first time, he apologized
profusely…said he wouldn’t do it again. But when he did, I knew
he’d lied…he’d keep hitting me. I had to save myself, so I took the
children and left.”
    “Oh, Sarah! Did he hurt you badly?” He
surrounded her with his arms.
    “The first time, bruises, a black eye. But
the second time he broke two ribs,” she said,