The Pursuit

Of course, Mabel knew about Gerald. Brad had carefully screened several possible housing situations in Brunsville when the school board offered him his contract. He had been impressed with Mabel as a prospective foster mother for Gerald. She had been elated at the possibility “of raisin’ another youngun.” Brad had avoided explaining the fate that had thrown him into this double role of mother/father. He had only stated that he was alone now and would have to fulfill both roles for Gerald. Mabel’s response was sympathetic, though obviously alert for more grist for the gossip mill. Mabel now gazed at him over her spectacles as she replaced a wisp of grey hair that had fallen in her line of vision.

So what, thought Brad. I have nothing to hide. It’s not my fault I’m stuck with a five-month old baby boy. Brad swirled the melting ice around in his glass and crossed his legs.

“I really don’t know much about you, Mr. Crosley,” Mabel finally blurted.

“Well, there really isn’t a whole lot to tell, Mrs. Henry,” Brad modestly began. The facts slowly tumbled out as Mabel recorded them on her mental tape. Twenty-five years old... Presbyterian...Played a little basketball in high school… Masters degree from Walden University...Taught English literature at Central High in Davenport...Father successful lawyer...Older sister married to a young executive at 3M...Younger brother studying engineering at the University of Iowa...Mother partially paralyzed as a result of a stroke.

Mabel refilled their glasses. The oscillating fan in the corner complained a little as it threw the sultry air back where it came from. Brad knew that he had not related all that Mabel wanted to know. Gerald’s existence was yet unexplained. Brad took a long swallow of the cool brew, then grasped the glass with both hands as he rested his elbows on the arms of the old Captain’s chair. His eyes looked past Mabel’s when he finally spoke.

“Stella and I were married almost a year ago. In fact, our anniversary is a week from Sunday. We were happy together. We had our little scraps but we got along better than some of our friends did. When Gerald was born, something changed drastically in Stella. She acted as though she hated him. She refused to care for him.”

Now Brad’s eyes met Mabel’

Formats

Softcover

£11.31

£7.37

Hardcover

£18.04

£10.56

Softcover

£7.37