Gwendolyn just waved her hand over her shoulder. "Yeah, whatever, AJ!"
Gwendolyn entered the small room and searched around, studying the environment with great interest. "This'll do for tonight, just fine."
"Are you planning on staying only one night, Gwendolyn?" Bluey asked grimly.
"Yer never know, Daddyo," she flinched at the frightening big man staring down at her and backed away slightly.
Gwendolyn checked the window behind the blind but it was closed. However, the outlook gave a clear view of the front yard and the street just beyond. "Love-ly!" she sang.
Hannah gently placed her hand on Gwendolyn's shoulder and was about to make a suggestion. Gwendolyn ducked violently away from her touch, as if Hannah was going to slap her.
"Don't touch me!"
Hannah glanced up at Bluey with shocked concern. "I’m sorry, Gwendolyn; I didn't mean anything by it."
"Hannah was just trying to make you feel at home, Gwendolyn, that's all," Bluey broke in.
"Well, I ain't at home! So don't touch me, got it?! Don't ever touch me again!"
"We've got it, Gwendolyn. No touching. Now just calm down," Bluey chided firmly.
But Gwendolyn shot Bluey a dark, hate-filled look. Calculating, she thought, okay this dude thinks he is the head of the house. I'll sort him out first, then the two brainless chooks will be easy to pick off and I'll have them running for cover by morning.
The first meal together proved to be an interesting encounter. The three people sat around the table as Hannah served the meal, however, Gwendolyn had a new strategy that was just about to start. When Hannah had taken her seat with the others, Bluey bowed his head and prayed for the blessing on the food. He heard a heavy sound on the table, that made the table and its setting jump. However Bluey continued with his prayer until he had finished, then opened his eyes.
Gwendolyn had her booted feet on the table.
Bluey didn't even bat an eyelid, but asked Hannah to pass the salt and very gently requested, "Please take your feet off the table, Gwendolyn."
The family continued to talk about the day's happenings with neither Hannah or TJ even looking at Gwendolyn, but continued on as if Gwendolyn was just sitting normally. After time passed and she didn't get a response, she soon got tired of waiting for one and put her feet back down.
"Thank you, Gwendolyn," Bluey quietly affirmed.
Gwendolyn scraped her chair back and got up from the table and started to head for her room.
"Where are you going, Gwendolyn?" Bluey quietly asked.
"My room, if you must know!"
"It’s a sign of respect for other members of the family to ask for permission to leave the table. If everyone else is still eating, you must wait for them to finish. Please sit down again and ask to be excused."
Gwendolyn was just about to argue with the big man, when she saw a determination cross his eyes and she glared at him; now was not a good time to tackle him. She had to wait for the ball to cross into her court. Bluey had stopped eating and was just staring at her, waiting for her to obey him. The two other women ignored the standoff and continued eating, talking as if nothing unusual was happening. Eventually Gwendolyn flounced back toward her chair and plopped back down.
The big man had won this one, but her turn was coming.
"Is your meal okay, honey?" Hannah asked.
"Absolutely wonderful as usual, Hannah. Thank you," Bluey complimented.
Hannah and TJ excused themselves and collected the empty plates from the table, although Gwendolyn hadn't touched her food.
"If you have finished your meal, Gwendolyn, you may ask to be excused from the table," Bluey instructed.
Gwendolyn folded her arms across her chest in defiance and just sat there, staring at the chair across the table from her with a dark, challenging expression.
"We can sit here as long as you like, Gwendolyn, but you must show respect for us and our home and ask for permission to leave the table."
Bluey and Gwendolyn continued to sit at the table while Bluey waited for Gwendolyn to ask for permission to leave her place. Three hours went by and she still sat there, defiantly resisting Bluey's authority.
TJ was ready for bed and made her way out into the kitchen in her dressing gown and slippers, wrapping her arms around her father and kissing his cheek. "Good night, Daddy."
"Goodnight, baby. Sleep well."
"Goodnight, Gwendolyn," TJ called as she walked toward her room and closed the door.
No answer.
Gwendolyn kept up the dark, defiant expression, staring at the chair opposite her.
An hour later, Hannah was ready for bed, too. She understood the struggle for power going on in front of her and she knew Bluey wouldn't admit defeat.
This was a struggle he couldn't afford to lose.
"I am ready for bed, honey. You’re my hero, Bluey and you will always be. I love you," Hannah yawned.
"Sleep well, my beautiful wife. I love you with all of my heart," Bluey responded.
*~*~*~*
"You’re kidding, TJ. The standoff went all night?!"
Casey couldn't believe it.
"Yes, by the time breakfast came, they were still there. Whenever Gwendolyn would fall asleep, Bluey would wake her up again. 'Are you ready to ask for permission to leave the table?' Bluey would ask as she tried to go to sleep. Finally, just after breakfast, she broke and asked for permission to leave the table. She was so tired, she slept the rest of the day," TJ explained.
"I thought I could be stubborn," Casey admitted.
"Bluey won an important battle, but it was just the beginning of a long ride."
*~*~*~*
Chapter 28
By the time the little thundercloud appeared in the kitchen, it was late afternoon. But the dark expression remained while she peered around, looking for the giant. Satisfied he was nowhere in sight, she broke the silence, startling Hannah.
"I'm hungry, Mummsy!"
Hannah turned to face the voice. "You may call me Hannah or Mum, Gwendolyn. I don't like Mummsy and if you anticipate a response from me, then I expect you to ask properly."
The figure sighed heavily, spun around and flounced out of the room, calling over her shoulder, "Yeah, whatever!"
By the time the evening meal was served, Gwendolyn was still in her room with the door shut.
"TJ, would you go and ask Gwendolyn to join us please, honey," Hannah requested.
"Sure, Mum."
TJ returned with a shocked expression on her face. "She's gone, Mum, and the window is wide open!"
TJ and Bluey exchanged glances.
"I'll go look for her," Bluey sighed. "If I can't find her, I'll get the police involved."
"I'll put your dinner in the oven, Bluey," Hannah replied, hugging her husband.
"Thanks, Hannah, and maybe a prayer I will find her, too."
"TJ and I will pray until you come home."
Bluey kissed his wife and daughter, then headed for the car. He drove around the neighbourhood streets, searching for Gwendolyn. At one stage he thought he saw her and stopped his car and checked the rear vision, then backed up. But it wasn't her. After two hours of combing the streets, he finally pointed the vehicle for home.
Hannah saw the lights as Bluey pulled into the driveway and switched the oven back on to warm his dinner. He pushed the front door open and sighed and from the worried frown, Hannah could see he’d had no luck. Bluey reached for Hannah and as he held her in an embrace he spoke, but knew the answer before Hannah replied.
"Has she come back?"
Hannah just shook her head as Bluey released her from his hug.
"Time to call the police," he conceded.
By the time he’d been put through to every department in the police force, he finally came in contact with an officer whose job it was to deal with institutionalised absconders.
"My name is Constable Bryan Phelps, sir, and yes, Mr Burns, I am well acquainted with Gwendolyn and her
escapism. Don't worry too much, the patrol will pick her up eventually and return her to you, that is, if you want her back."
"Of course we want her, Officer Phelps. Can you advise me of any developments, please?" Bluey replaced the phone in its cradle and then sat down at the table to eat his dinner while Hannah joined him.
"What did they say?"
"They weren't concerned. They said she was used to escaping."
Hannah sighed deeply. "Can we pray, honey. I just don't like the thought of a thirteen year old being out there alone and unprotected."
*~*~*~*
Bluey tossed and turned into the early morning.
"Are you awake, Bluey?" Hannah whispered.
"Yeah, I haven't been to sleep yet," he responded.
"You worried too?" Hannah speculated.
"Yeah, she's a little tough nut, isn't she?"
"What makes a child act like this when people just want to help them?" Hannah tried to understand.
"My guess is, she's pretty messed up and can't decipher between help and hindrance. Did you see the way she flinched when I offered her my hand?"
"Yes and the way she ducked away from me, touching her shoulder," Hannah huffed.
"I think I’ll make some enquiries about our little alley cat tomorrow and see what her history is."
"Don't call her that, sweetheart. She needs positives built into her," Hannah gently chided.
Bluey sighed. "Yeah, Hannah, you’re right as usual."
"She must be planning on coming back though," Hannah reasoned.
"Why's that?" Bluey whispered.
"Her stuff is still here."
Bluey thought about Hannah's observation. "It doesn't matter how street-wise these kids think they are. They just have to run into the wrong sort and they could end up in all kinds of bad situations, maybe even dead," Bluey worried.
Hannah and Bluey fell silent and somewhere in the quiet, Bluey drifted off into a disturbed sleep.
A few hours later, a loud banging suddenly interrupted his slumber and his eyes flickered open. Hannah had heard it too and switched on her bedside light. Bluey wondered whether he had dreamt it, but heard it again a few seconds later. Bluey quickly rose and dressed, then went to find the source of the disturbance, closely followed by Hannah. He peered out the lounge room window into the darkness and saw a police car parked across the road under a street light. Bluey opened the front door and standing between two officers, was Gwendolyn.
"Oh, you're safe," Bluey offered, relieved.
Gwendolyn’s expression was tense and appeared to be expecting some form of reprisal for her actions.
Hannah noticed a bloody gash on her leg. "You're hurt, Gwendolyn."
"Yeah, she did that trying to scale a neighbour's fence, getting away from us."
"Will you let me dress that, Gwendolyn?" Hannah asked.
"Whatever," she replied, walking past Bluey and into the house.
"Arr... Mr Burns? She said something about being kept up all night and not being allowed to go to her room to sleep. And also that she asked for food and it was denied. She said that's why she ran away," one of the officers reported.
Once Bluey explained what had actually happened, the officer was happy.
"Gwendolyn can be imaginative sometimes. Sooner you than me looking after her. Good luck, sir, and good night."
The officers turned to go, when Bluey suddenly thought and stopped them. "Where did you find her, officers?"
The officer blew out his breath. "She’d broken into one of your neighbour's houses and helped herself to their fridge. They heard a noise in the dark and found her hiding in the laundry. They locked her in and called us and after we arrived, she charged for the door once it was opened. We took chase and caught her going over the fence and that's how she got the wound."
"What will happen to her now?" Bluey asked.
"The people didn't want to press charges so she’s lucky this time. It will go on our report though. As far as we are concerned, nothing more needs to be said." The officer turned to leave and then suddenly turned back. "You might want to secure her bedroom window, sir. Goodnight."
"Thanks officers and a goodnight to you."
*~*~*~*
Gwendolyn sat in a plastic chair in the bathroom, waiting for Hannah to clean her wound and bandage it.
"I’ll have to touch you, Gwendolyn, to dress your wound. So if you have any objections, please state them now and we can take you down to the hospital for treatment," Hannah instructed. "And please, use another statement other than whatever."
Hannah worked gently, cleaning Gwendolyn's leg, a far cry from the rough treatment she was used to. "This may sting a little, Gwendolyn." Hannah applied the antiseptic and then the bandage. "All done. Now, are we going to stay in bed or do we have to call out the dogs again?" Hannah's warm eyes and gentle manner caught a crack in Gwendolyn's armour.
"Are you hungry, Gwendolyn?"
"Nup," she replied.
Hannah followed Gwendolyn into her room. "Can I help you into bed?"
Gwendolyn shrugged.
Hannah helped her dress for bed and pulled back the covers, then Gwendolyn climbed in; however, Hannah caught Gwendolyn's quick gaze at the curtained window.
"You know, Gwendolyn, if we work together we can accomplish far more than if we pull against each other. It's all about respect. If you want to be allowed to do things, you have to show respect and then others will respect you in return. Respect turns to trust and once you’re there, all things are possible. The window will remain open, Gwendolyn. This is my first act of respecting you and trusting you. How you treat my first act of trust will determine whether I can trust you further."
Bluey stood at Gwendolyn's door, listening to the gentle wisdom of his wife. His heart swelled with love for Hannah; it would take a heart of steel to resist her warmth and her calm, sensible words.
"Goodnight, Gwendolyn," Hannah called. Bluey didn't want to upset Gwendolyn by his presence, so he just remained silent for now.
Gwendolyn's eyes were heavy from tiredness and Hannah's words kept echoing in a long forgotten place.
Her heart.
"Get a grip, Gwendolyn. No one can love you. It wasn't ever intended for you. Only hate and abuse!"
A rogue tear filled her eye, spilled over onto her cheek and ran onto the pillow.
"I wish someone could love me," she whispered, pleading into the darkness. "I am so tired of being alone."
*~*~*~*
Chapter 29
The phone rang in the earpiece and then clicked. "Police Central, what department please?"
"I would like to speak to Constable Bryan Phelps, please."
"Just one moment and I will connect you." The phone clicked and began to make an incessant b-e-r-p, b-e-r-p, b-e-r-p until it was answered.
"Phelps."
"Oh, g'day Constable Phelps, it's Bluey Burns."
"Hello, Mr Burns. I hear your charge was returned to you."
"Arr, yes, that's what I wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh, let me guess. Had enough and you want her moved out of your home?" Phelps teased.
"Sorry... arr no, quite the contrary. I was just wondering if you could fill me in on some of Gwendolyn's history," Bluey asked.
"Well, we don't usually discuss the history of our at-risk children, Mr Burns."
"It just seems that if we understood her background, then we’d be more able to connect with her," Bluey explained.
Phelps blew out a breath he had been holding. "I don't normally do this unless there is a really good reason to, Mr Burns. Are you considering investing in Gwendolyn's future?"
The question took Bluey off guard and the more he thought about it, the more it felt right. "It’s very possible, Constable Phelps."
"Gwendolyn's police records are relatively sparse and kept down in police archives, however Child Welfare have a comprehensive copy on her development and we only get involved once the child progresses to our At-Ri
sk Programme. Basically, because Gwendolyn was incarcerated, she was moved to our jurisdiction and out of Child Welfare's. I can show you what we have, but to obtain her full records, if you are to be further involved with Gwendolyn, then Child Welfare will want to take the case back and we will bow out, unless she offends again."
Bluey was quiet on the other end of the phone, mulling over what he had heard.
"Are you still there, Mr Burns?"
"Huh…? Arr, yes, I am still here," Bluey rejoined the conversation.
"Look, Mr Burns, I am going to be frank with you. Gwendolyn has been institutionalised all her life and gathering from what I have read of her case, it wasn't pretty. If you are trying to help her, then you have to be completely committed to her. You can't be half in and half out. There have been a lot of people wanting to help these hard nuts and they get burnt in the process; worse still, they damage the kids even more.
"So you see, it's not something you do when you feel like it. It's hard work and it will cost you dearly. But... having said that, if you commit to the long haul and pay the price, you just never know what may come out of it. Talk it over with your family and if you still want to take Gwendolyn on long term, then I’ll give you all the assistance I can, including a request for her records."
"Thank you for your assistance, Constable Phelps. I'll be in touch." Bluey sighed heavily, chewing on Phelps’ words and then absentmindedly hung up the phone.
*~*~*~*
Gwendolyn walked into TJ's room and shut the door. TJ looked up in surprise at Gwendolyn's actions.
"How ya doing, AJ."
"It's Tabatha-Jean, Gwendolyn... TJ."
"Yeah... TJ. I never was any good at names."
Hours went by and Gwendolyn and TJ laughed at Gwendolyn's antics with authority. TJ could feel herself being drawn into Gwendolyn's web a little at a time, but then Gwendolyn played her ace.
"Can you keep a secret… you know, just between us girls?" Gwendolyn studied TJ's face, watching the conflict happening behind her eyes.
"Depends on what the secret is, Gwendolyn," TJ replied.
"So, ya mean you can't keep a secret?" Gwendolyn trampled over TJ.
"Gwendolyn, I said it depends on what the secret is."
"Well, I know some boys around the neighbourhood who are getting together to have a party and there’ll be lots of hooch and weed," Gwendolyn's eyes sparkled at the thought. "What about we bust out of here and go and check it out? You could look out for me and I’ll look out for you, you know, like sisters."