Chapter 9: I Don't Strongarm

"Good evening Mr. McFarlin what can I do for you?"

Salvatore slams the door and storms over to Principal Sumpter's desk. He leans down slamming his hands down on the man's desk.

"Cut the pleasantries. You suspended my baby boy for defending himself?!"

"Mr. McFarlin your son broke the rules. Gender is common sense. Males are to dress masculine and females are to dress feminine. When your son came to school donning a wig, makeup, and heels it triggered some of the students. He was playing with fire when he decided to dress that way. He knew full well what would happen and punished him accordingly."

"It was celebrity day and as such how a student dresses shouldn't present a problem. On a regular day, my son comes dressed in polo shirts, slacks, dress shoes, and a sweater tied around his shoulders. What those boys did to him was heinous, discriminatory, uncalled for, and unprovoked. They should be expelled for inciting prejudice against another student. He did nothing wrong. They thought they had found a target and got the surprise of their lives. Now I expect my son to be back in school tomorrow. If not I will take matters into my own hands."

Principal Sumpter swiftly stands up.

"Now hold on a minute. I'm not going to allow you to come into my school and try to strongarm me. What your son did was against school policy and in turn is paying the well-deserved price for his crime. You both are just going to have to deal with it."

"I don't strongarm Principal Sumpter I connect directly to the bridge of the nose. Now this incident needs to be reassessed and Dante's attackers need to be severely punished. As for Dante, he will be exonerated based on the grounds of self-defense. If you refuse to follow through, I will rain down a shitstorm on your life and career. You enjoy the rest of your day Principal Sumpter."

Salvatore then leaves. Once Salvatore's gone Principal Sumpter screams before sliding a file off his desk. He looks at his office door before starting to pace with his hands resting on his hips.

Broderick and Gardenia are in the parlor room. Broderick is sitting in a wing chair reading the newspaper while Gardenia is sitting across from him writing in a notebook. Broderick is wearing a gray polo turtleneck shirt, black slacks, and gray leather dress shoes. On his left wrist is a silver watch. Inside his belt loops is a black leather belt.

 Gardenia is wearing a forest green mid-sleeve knee-length dress with a pair of black pointed-toe stilettos. In her ears are black crescent moon earrings. Around her neck is a matching necklace. On her left wrist a black bracelet. Her face is made up of black eye shadow, black eyeliner, and burgundy lipstick.

 "I'm going into the office on Friday. I have some new designs I want my secretary to see. Maybe it'll get Algier to finally wear something made by my fashion house." Broderick says getting Gardenia's attention.

 "You know him, darling. He's his own person with his own sense of self and reputation. If he wants to wear your designs, he'll come to you." Gardenia says encouraged.

 "I know and I hope he does soon. So what do you want to have for dinner?"

 "I was thinking about smothered pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, and sweet cornbread," Gardenia says with her right index finger under her chin.

 "That sounds scrumptious. I can't wait to sink my pearly white teeth into that juicy pork chop." Broderick says licking his lips.

 "It's going to be delectable."

 Gardenia brings her eyes to meet Broderick's who smiles lovingly at her.

 Over in West Wolf Colony is the Russell Brownleaf neighborhood. Nestled amongst its wooded trees stands Clayton Jensen Manor. Going down an orange dirt road leads It is a two-story peach brick Greek Revival mansion. It has an entablature that is supported by six Corinthian columns with a five-bay facade. There are four large windows embedded in front of the house. In between the four windows is a balcony complete with glass panel balcony doors. The front door is white with a large glass in the center. The doorknob is dark gold with a lock above it.

 Upon entering the opulent abode, you see a wide white grand staircase with an oak wood handrail. The staircase leads to a landing that turns left. At the landing is a large window that is decorated by a white curtain that is separated by gold hooks. Also in the foyer is a brown mahogany bench. Next to the bench is an open archway that leads to the living room. Six diamond chandeliers hang above. The walls are painted sand brown with white baseboards. The room is decorated with custom-made antebellum furniture.

The camel-back couch and loveseat are ice white with oak wood trim and cabriole legs. Standing in between them is a rectangular oak wood table with cabriole legs. On the outskirts sit four chairs with two on each side. Like the couch and loveseat, they are ice white with oak wood trim and cabriole legs. The furniture is resting on a beige rug with a silhouette of a horse standing on its hind legs with its rider pointing forward. A few feet away from the furniture is a white fireplace. Sitting on the mantle are several plaques commemorating Ida Jensen.

At the front of the living room is the window. It is decorated with white silk drapes that are separated by gold hooks. Leaving the living room and walking across the foyer through the swinging white door leads to the parlor room. The walls are forest green with champagne gold baseboards. There is a white piano resting up against the west wall. In the center of the room are two white wing chairs facing each other. Next to the first one is a small table with a black telephone resting on top.

A few feet away above the fireplace hangs a large golden framed oil portrait of a couple and a four-year-old female toddler. The male is standing beside the seated female. He has fair skin with short brown hair that is styled in a gelled left-side parted comb over. His gray eyes are clouded in determination. He also has freckles covering his cheeks. He is wearing a gray military uniform with gold buttons, epaulets, a gold belt, and black military boots. Also on his waist is a silver holstered pistol and a gold-sheathed sword.

He is holding the little girl on his right side with a proud smile. She has fair skin with brown hair that falls down to her shoulders in thick pigtails and a fringe on her forehead. She has her arms latched around the man's neck with her face pressed against his with a joyous smile. She is wearing a white short-sleeve lace knee-length dress with pink ribbons, white socks, and pink shoes. Around her neck is a diamond necklace and in her ears are diamond studs.

The woman is sitting in a suede burgundy cushioned chair with Cherry wood trim and cabriole legs. She is wearing a navy blue off-the-shoulder floor-length gown. She has cocoa brown skin with thick black hair that's swept into an elegant French twist. Around her neck is a diamond necklace. Her warm brown eyes are exuberant and filled with pride. On her left ring finger is a diamond ring.

Hanging on the other walls are pictures of nineteenth-century high-society female figures. At the front of the parlor room is a large window. It is decorated with white drapes that are separated by gold hooks. At the back of the parlor room is another swinging door that leads to the kitchen. The cabinets are white with silver oval knobs. The countertop is white marble. The appliances are white with chrome trim.

In the middle of the kitchen is an island counter. On the opposite side of the kitchen is another swinging door that leads to the dining room. Hanging above are four diamond chandeliers. The dining room set consists of a rustic cherry dining room table with ten chairs surrounding it. On it are forest green placemats. There are four bowls filled with apples, peaches, pears, and oranges. Walking to the back of the dining room leads to another swinging door which brings you back to the living room. Walking through the living room leads you back to the foyer.

Going upstairs to the second level which has five bedrooms. Each bedroom has private bathrooms. There are three bedrooms on the right and two on the left. The first room on the right has gray walls with white baseboards. Up against the wall is a white queen-size sleigh bed. It is decorated with a black cotton comforter and solid black, gray, and white pillows. The pillows are solid black, gray, and white. On both sides of the bed are nightstands with gray lamps with white lampshades.

There are two windows behind the nightstands that are covered in black curtains. Resting up against the front wall is a white dresser with dark brown pulls. On the left side of the room is the bathroom. It has a private toilet room. The bathtub is on the left side of the bathroom and has a showerhead. The sink countertop is a white marble with makeup-style lights lining the large rectangular mirror. On the right side of the bedroom is the closet. It is walk-in style with four long shelves and two long racks.

The second bedroom has purple walls with white baseboards. Up against the left wall is a queen-sized mahogany canopy bed. It is decorated in a blood-red cotton comforter. The pillows are solid white and red. There are two matching nightstands on both sides of the bed with white lamps. On the opposite side of the bedroom are a mahogany dresser with gold pulls, the bathroom, and a closet. The bathroom and closets are designed the same. Two large windows are decorated with white curtains that are separated by gold curtain hooks.

The third bedroom has navy blue walls with white baseboards. Standing against the back wall is a queen-sized bed with a black cast iron headboard and footboard. The bed is decorated in an orange cotton comforter with solid black and orange pillows. Resting on both sides of the bed are black nightstands with black lamps with orange lampshades. Standing against the front wall is a black dresser with black pulls. On the left side of the room is the bathroom and on the opposite side is the closet. The closet and bathroom are styled like the previous two. Behind the nightstands are windows that are decorated with orange curtains.

Across the hall is the fourth bedroom. It has sand brown walls with white baseboards. Up against the right wall is another queen-sized white sleigh bed. On both sides of the bed are matching nightstands with beige lamps. Up against the opposite wall is a white dresser with black pulls. A few feet away is the bathroom and closet. The bathroom and closet are designed the others. However, this bedroom lacks windows.

Next to the fourth bedroom is the master bedroom. It is a gigantic space with bronze walls and black baseboards. There is a pink ivory king-size four-post bed that rests against the right wall. It is decorated with a gold satin silk comforter with embedded emeralds. The pillows are solid gold and emerald green. Standing on both sides of the bed are matching nightstands with brown lamps. On the left nightstand is a black telephone. Near the door is a matching dresser with dark brown metal pulls.

A few feet away is an ice-white camel-back couch with oak wood trim and cabriole legs. Facing it are two ice-white chairs with oak wood trim and cabriole legs. In the middle of the couch and chairs is a small circular oak wood table also with cabriole legs. There is a set of balcony doors that lead to the balcony. A few feet away from the furniture is the bathroom. Upon entering there's a large cocoa brown counter to the left that houses a husband-and-wife sink. Lining the mirror are makeup-style lights.

On the left is a private toilet room. A few feet away from the toilet room is the shower room which also houses a Jacuzzi and shower head. In the center of the bathroom is a circular leather ottoman. Leaving the bathroom and heading left leads to the closet. To the right is a case that consists of twelve shelves filled with high-heeled shoes. To the left is three wide clothing racks that are framed by three walls. In the center of the closet is a table with a jewelry case. Straight ahead is a combined dressing and powder room.

Ida comes out of the dressing room. She is wearing a white pantsuit with a gray silk blouse and gray pointed-toe stilettos. Her face is made up of powder, gray eye shadow, black eyeliner, and gray lipstick. Her hair is styled in layered flips. In her ears are diamond studs. On her right ring finger is a diamond ring. On her left wrist is a gray watch embedded with diamonds. As she walks out of her closet, she hears the phone ring.

She walks over and sits down on her bed. After the second ring, Ida answers. She places her right hand under her left elbow.

 "This is the Jensen residence, Ida speaking."

 "Hello, Grandmother it's Kathy," Kathy says on the verge of crying.

 "I don't like your tone. Is everything okay Kathy?"

 "No ma'am. Mother has really lost her mind. She beat Natalee today for Galleria fibbing on her."

"What exactly did Galleria say to make your mother do something so terrible?"

 "A female in our school wrote a message on the girl's restroom mirror in blood. Galleria didn't have any proof and yet she told Principal Sumpter that Natalee was the culprit. For that mother beat Natalee. When I heard her cries of agony I went upstairs and shielded her from the strikes."

 Ida exhales horrified.

 "Do you want me to come over and speak with your mother and the two of you?"

 "Yes ma'am. If you could right away it would be greatly appreciated."

 "Okay. I will be there in thirty minutes." Ida says sweetly leaning over opening her nightstand drawer and grabbing a gray leather purse.

"Thank you."

Ida hangs up and rushes out of her bedroom.

Kathy goes to the table and sits down and starts eating her food. As she indulges herself someone opens the basement door and closes it. Kathy looks back at the stairs to see Bossier coming down with her plate. She goes and sits diagonally of her.

"No one should be eating dinner alone."

 Kathy smiles weakly at her.

"Mother doesn't want me in the dining room with the rest of you. For as long I can remember she's always had me lodging in the basement. I've become so accustomed to it that that's what I should accept." Kathy says picking up a baked drumstick and biting into it.

"You're wrong Kat. You are meant to be upstairs with us. Between us, I think Mother is jealous of you. You're smart you go after what you want without caring about the obstacles you face. You believe in planning things in advance and seeing them through. Mother doesn't live her life that way. She's more impulsive and victim-prone once she's yielded her consequence. You are nothing like her. You take care of all of us in her absence. Not even Daddy Vernon plays a role in our bringing. This is all because of you. Galleria and Yorkshire may not want to admit but you are the reason they're alive and know what they know." Bossier encourages.

"Thank you for seeing something redeeming in me. It seems the only people in this family who care about me are you and your grandmother. Hopefully, it remains that way." Kathy hopes while setting her chicken bone on her plate.

"You will always have us," Bossier says looking into Kathy's eyes.

"Thank you again, Bo. So what's going on with you and your friend Tron?"

"Nothing we're just going to the lake on Saturday. Lynn is steadily teasing me about him. He's just that a friend." Bossier groans pulling at her face.

"You do know the lake is called Lovers Lake for a reason. Besides I've seen him a few times. I think you two would be good for each other."

"If it doesn't work out then our friendship will end. That's not a chance I'm willing to take. If we start off as friends it should stay that way." Bossier says with finality crossing her arms and making Kathy chuckle.

"It's the best way to go about it. Algier and I started off as friends and it eventually blossomed into romance. If you start off as friends and you date and it doesn't work you can still be in each other's lives. But that decision is solely up to you." Kathy says before placing some macaroni and cheese in her mouth.

Salvatore returns home and heads upstairs to the living room where Grace is having a cup of tea. When she sees him, she stands up walks over to him, and puts her left hand on his right shoulder.

"How did everything go?"

"I told him that the incident should be reassessed, Dante's attackers should be expelled and Dante should be exonerated. I told him that if he doesn't, I will handle things myself."

Grace moves her hand to his right cheek.

"Salvatore, you promised me that you give up that life once you become a family man. I don't want you going down this road again. It will not be good for the person receiving it or for yourself." Grace pleads as tears brim her eyes.

"Dante is my baby boy and I don't want him inhabiting a world where people think they can just walk all over him. He's a McFarlin and resilience courses through a McFarlin's veins! I will protect him at all costs! Now what happens next will depend on Principal Sumpter." Salvatore says staunchly before kissing Grace and walking away.

Grace is left holding her glass worried. Salvatore goes upstairs to Dante's bedroom and knocks on the door.

"Come in."

 Salvatore goes inside and shuts the door softly.  

Dante is lying on his bed on his stomach doing his homework. He is wearing a blue T-shirt and a pair of white silk pajama pants. When he sees his father worry fills his eyes.

"Hey Daddy is everything okay?" Dante asks with uncertainty.

"Everything will be just fine."

Salvatore slips his hands in his pockets and walks over to his son's bed.

"How so?"

"I went and spoke with Principal Sumpter. You can go back to school tomorrow. If he sends you home don't hesitate to call me."

"Okay. Thank you for fighting for me. I know I'm not the most masculine son you have but I-" Dante says sadly looking away from his father.

Salvatore sits down beside him and wraps his arm around him.

"You are my son whether you're manly or girly. That's why I nicknamed you Princess. I saw all of your girly traits when you were younger. If I had a problem with it I would have sent you to receive electrotherapy and conversion."

Dante then looks into his father's eyes.

"Thank you for loving and supporting me Daddy. I appreciate it a tremendous deal."

Dante then sits up and hugs Salvatore.

"You're welcome Princess, and besides it's in my blood oath as your father," Salvatore says before they separate.

 "It's also my job to protect you from the outside world and that's what I intend to do until the day I day," Salvatore says affectionately ruffling Dante's hair who smiles.

"I'm going to let you get back to work. Dinner will be ready later." Salvatore says getting to his feet.

"Alright, I'll see you at dinner."

Salvatore walks to his door. Once he's gone Dante gives his attention back to his homework.

Ida gets out of her car and looks at Letha's house in disgust before walking up onto the porch. After knocking on the door, the door opens revealing Galleria. She is wearing a pink silk pajama set with red slippers.

"Grandmother, what are you doing here?" Galleria asks crossing her arms.

"A good evening would have been a better greeting my dear," Ida says eloquently.

"Hello, how are you, Grandmother?" Galleria asks with sass.

Ida's expression turns serious in a matter of milliseconds.

"You're not too old to be disciplined little girl."

Galleria opens the door wider. After walking into the foyer Galleria closes the door and locks it. Ida places her purse inside the foyer closet on the shelf. Afterwards, she looks back at Galleria clasping her hands together.

"Where is Kathy?"

Receiving no response Ida looks back at Galleria.

"Do you not have the activity of voice?"

"Her bedroom is downstairs in the basement."

"Thank you."

 Galleria rolls her eyes and returns to the living room.

When Ida gets to the door she knocks lightly.

"Come in."

When Ida gets downstairs Kathy looks to her right and sees her grandmother. Kathy gets up and walks over and meets Ida in the middle of the floor and hugs her.

"I'm so glad to see you," Kathy says on the verge of tears rubbing Ida's back.

"So am I," Ida says rubbing her back before they separate.

"Bossier come and give your grandmother a hug."

Bossier gets up and goes to hug her. When they separate Bossier grabs her plate and pushes in her chair. After she's gone Kathy and Ida go to the green couch and sit down.

"How bad are your bruises, Kathy?"

Kathy turns her back to her and lifts her shirt. Ida gasps horrified covering her mouth as her eyes begin watering.

"I'm so sorry Kathy. No child should experience discipline on this level." Ida says looking at the dried bloodied lines.

"Thanks for the concern but I'm sure Natalee's are far worse," Kathy says dropping her shirt.

"Be that as it may you are both subjected to unnecessary abuse. I'm going to put a stop to this." Ida says angrily clenching her fists.

"I hope you can get through to Mother. She's very ornery, controlling, narcissistic and obstinate. She doesn't see reason at all." Kathy says looking at her grandmother.

"Your mother was the most difficult of all my children. But even still I had managed to keep her in line until she left home. Once that maternal protection fell away, she completely lost sight of herself." Ida says sadly looking around Kathy's room.

"I can't believe she has you sleeping in a place like this. You should be upstairs with your siblings, that needs to be addressed."

"Well now that you have personal transportation don't hesitate to visit me. Being in that big empty house can be lonely."

Kathy beams with hope.

"After the homecoming dance, I'll take you up on your invitation."

"Alright. I'm going to talk to Natalee and your mother. I'll come back down and bid you goodbye before I depart."

Ida then kisses Kathy's forehead and stands up. Ida goes upstairs to the door and leaves closing it with a soft click. Kathy gets up and returns to the table and resumes eating her dinner. When Ida comes back up to the foyer Letha comes downstairs and stares her mother down which Ida returns with an icy glare.