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THE BARKLEYS INSISTED HE COME with them for supper. Jim was surprised.
“I thought you ate out.”
Mike smiled: “Only on weekends. Mother now likes fixing supper for us. It’s made us feel more like a family again. Jim, we’d like you to feel as if you are part of our family.”
“I would love that, but first I need to let you know more about me before you decide to welcome me with open arms.”
That night after Mother cleared the table and cut them each a piece of apple pie for dessert he decided it was time to bring the Barkleys into his secret world.
“Mike, I’d like to talk to you about something very serious, like big time.”
Mother spoke first: “Jim, please tell us. You seem to be carrying a big load. Maybe we can help.”
“I’m not sure you will think much of me when I tell you everything.”
“Let us be the judge of that.”
“My real name is Coleman, not Cole. I didn’t tell you because I spent half of my teen years in a detention center.”
“We suspected something like that.”
“You never let on.”
“Mother and I try to judge people by what they do now, not by what they may have done in the past. We knew you would tell us someday if we needed to know.”
“Thank you, sir. You have treated me better than my own parents. That’s the reason I want you to know everything. I was a real troublemaker when I was young. When the son of our town leader got into trouble, my father and he struck a deal where I would accept the punishment. My father was a drunk and it’s a long story, but the end result was I went to jail. While I was in jail, the same son of our town leader raped my sister. She committed suicide and my mom died shortly after that.”
Mother said: “My God! How awful. No wonder you didn’t want to be around people.”
“Did you confront the son when you got out? Is that it?” — Mike said.
“No, sir! I planned to but both father and son were killed in a car accident six months before my release. I wanted you to know the complete story so you would understand why I only have a GED and not a high school diploma. Also, and more important, I need to help Peggy and I’m sure my past will come out. I didn’t want you to find out that way. You have both been too good to me.”
“We understand. We also wondered when you would bring Peggy up. We know her as Margaret. That’s why we didn’t recognize her as your Peggy.”
“Do you know why she changed her name?”
“I’m not sure, but something happened to her in the last year of college. We had heard she would start teaching at West Fannin High School in the fall after graduating, but that didn’t happen. The prosecutor revealed that Peggy’s roommate had committed suicide. He went on to say that Peggy has blamed her brother and when her father took Craig’s side Peggy rebelled and changed her name.”
“Mike, why would they bring all that up in court?”
“Remember before you left to help your friend, Craig shot and killed Sam McGill?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, Sue, Sam’s wife, was Peggy’s roommate for a year. The prosecutor built his case based on Peggy’s losing control when she heard what Craig did.”
“The newspaper said she killed her father also. When did that happen?”
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“Mr. Bob was killed with the same bullet that killed Craig.”
“How could that be?” The question just flew out of his mouth. This news was just too much for him. The situation was more complicated than he had first thought. Mike tried to answer his question but Jim wasn’t really listening. Something about Mr. Bob being behind Craig when he was shot. Jim did hear him say that they were shot from the woods behind Mr. Bob’s house. He had depended on a sloppy investigation of Craig’s death. However, he did not want the blame to be placed on an innocent person — especially Peggy. He was extremely confused with this new information. He tried to calm down. He felt the Barkleys knew enough about him already. He needed some time to himself to work out this mess. He also needed much more information but did not want to get it from the Barkleys. Nick was the solution. His law background could help him turn this mess around.
“Mother, thanks for the best meal I have ever had.”
“You’re welcome, I love to cook for men that eat.”
“Mike, I would like my old job back if that is possible. However, I need a few days before I start. I would like to visit Peggy if I could.”
“We understand. You just let us know when you are ready to work.”
“Thank you, sir. Do you know where they took Peggy after the trial?”
“They didn’t take her any where. She is still in the county jail behind the courthouse.”
“Really? I would have thought they would take her to Atlanta.”
“Normally, yes, but her being pregnant and all changed everything. She is to remain here until she has the baby.”
“Then what?”
“Atlanta.”
“What about the baby?”
“Judge Foster is Peggy’s nearest relative. I’ve heard he and his wife are going to adopt the baby.”
“Can they do that?”
“Son, I think it’s already done.”
He was sick to his stomach. More horrible news came at him by the ton. What should he do? What could he do? The Barkley’s saw the pain on his face. They looked at each other and Mother whispered to Mike: “Take him home, that’s enough bad news for tonight. I can’t stand to watch him suffer.”
Mike agreed. “Jim, let me drive you back to the apartment.” Almost in a trance, he nodded “Thanks!”
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