No Way Out by Fern Michaels (best books to read for students txt) 📕

“Isn’t he supposed to keep away from you?” Jeanne asked.

“One hundred yards, which is almost exactly the distance from our yard to the end of the block. As soon as we started walking in his direction, he would drive off.”

“He knew you saw him, right?” Jeanne asked.

“Oh, yeah. That was the whole point,” Colleen answered. “I don’t know if he plans on continuing to stalk us. He was really in a rage that night, and after getting locked up, well, that just pissed him off even more.”

“But you said the visit went well?”

“Yes, much to my surprise.”

“Maybe he’s wised up,” Frank noted. “But if I see him parked at the end of the block, I might have to do something about it.”

“Frank, please don’t,” Colleen implored. “I don’t want to get him riled up again.”

“Fair enough,” Frank answered. “But if I see him setting one foot on the property, he will be one sorry guy.”

“I certainly wouldn’t want to mess with you.” Colleen laughed nervously. She knew that Frank was well intentioned, but she also knew how protective he was of her and Jackson. “My hope is that he can straighten himself out so he can have a relationship with his son. Mitch was only ten when his father was killed, so he missed a lot.” Colleen sighed. “I know he loves Jackson, and I hope and pray that he will want to be a better person for Jackson and himself.”

“Mitchel wasn’t a bad guy when he was sober,” Jeanne noted.

“Yes, I know. What I don’t know is what happened to him over the past couple of years. He had a good job; we were doing fine. Then he started drinking more, and that created so many problems. He even lost his job.”

“Oh no!” Jeanne exclaimed. “How? Why?”

“He was on probation because he was screwing up at work. Not showing up on time, leaving early. His boss had had it up to here, and when Mitch was sent to jail, that was it. His boss canned him.”

“Now that’s kicking a man when he’s down. But I understand his boss’s point, too. Such a shame.” Frank shook his head.

“What is he going to do for money? Can he collect unemployment?” Jeanne asked.

“Yes, but that isn’t going to cover child support and put a roof over his head. I don’t know how long Greg and Elaine are going to let him stay there. Elaine told me that Mitch was acting like an ungrateful ass, and she was going to throw him out the door if he didn’t straighten out,” Colleen said.

“That must be causing a lot of stress on Elaine and Greg’s relationship, too,” Jeanne mused.

“I don’t doubt it. But Greg has always looked after Mitch, ever since their father died. Mitch is his little brother.” Colleen sighed.

“Well, you keep your chin up and know that Frank and I are here for whatever you need. You have a built-in baby-sitter if you need us to watch Jackson.” Jeanne patted Colleen’s hand.

“Speaking of Jackson, I better get his dinner started.”

“Where is he right now?” Frank asked.

“Over at Ellie’s, with Buddy. That seems to be his routine when he gets home from school. Homework, Buddy, dinner.”

“It’s wonderful that she’s letting Jackson play with him so much,” Jeanne said.

“Oh, and you should see her backyard! It is absolutely magnificent!” Colleen exclaimed.

“You were in the yard?” Jeanne was incredulous.

Colleen leaned back in her chair and folded her arms. “Yes. I. Was.” She smiled.

Jeanne leaned in as if Colleen had a big secret to reveal. “Whoa. How did that happen?”

“Jackson went over there yesterday morning. It was really early. He’d had a nightmare and was restless, so he got up and walked over to Ellie’s to see if Jackson was out. She must have woken up early, too, because she called me at seven to check that it was OK for Jackson to go in the back.”

“Wait. She called you? As, like, on the phone?” Jeanne was intrigued.

“Yes, she did.”

Jeanne turned to Frank. “We were gone a month, and look at all the things we missed.”

“He was there all morning. Ellie noticed he had fallen asleep on the bench swing and called me around lunchtime. She didn’t think he could hear her over the intercom, so she suggested I come over and get him.”

“Wow. This is incredible.” Jeanne was dumbstruck.

“I know, right?” Colleen continued. “So she told me to ring the buzzer on the side gate, and she would let me in. I walked over, rang the buzzer, and she let me in.” She took a breath. “I was blown away. The trees and the perennials are just gorgeous. And there is a garden area in the back where she has a swinging bench, two Adirondack chairs, and a fountain.” Colleen exclaimed, “It’s stunning.”

“Too bad she can’t enjoy it,” Jeanne said. “So what else have you discovered about our secret neighbor?”

“Not much. She seems so normal when you talk to her.” Colleen shrugged. “She’s a computer whiz is all I know.”

“Very interesting.” Jeanne thought a moment. “Do you think she’s agoraphobic? Afraid to leave the house?”

“I have no idea. I’m just glad Jackson has something that makes him happy. I don’t know what I would do if he freaked out on me.”

“Jackson is a good kid.” Frank got up and helped himself to another beer and another frosted mug. “You ladies want a refill?”

“No, thank you. I really must get back.”

“Like I said, honey. You just let us know if you need anything.”

“I will. And thank you for listening and your understanding.”

“Thank you for making sure we didn’t go hungry.” Jeanne smiled.

“Or thirsty!” Frank raised the mug in Colleen’s direction.

Jeanne got up and gave Colleen a big hug. “Thanks, sweetie. You take care.”

Frank walked over and gave her one of his famous bear hugs.

“Remember, we are here for you.”

Colleen whispered, “Thank you, Frank.”

After Colleen left, Frank turned to Jeanne. “I told you something was going to happen. That Mitchel was going off