Season of Terror
by Tigger
Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved

Chapter 16: A Time to Sow

"Aunt Jane?" Victoria said, just a little breathlessly.  "I think we should check our faces if we have the time. If I look like I feel, my mascara probably looks like a Louisiana bayou chart.  I don't think I have that 'ladies glow, they don't sweat' thing down pat just yet."
 
"We did walk rather briskly getting up here from the parking lot, didn't we?" Jane responded.  "Well, your make up is fine, but perhaps a stroke or two of the hairbrush wouldn't go amiss for either of us.  Ah, the lady's lounge is right over there."

It was only after they were side by side in the restroom, fixing their hair and repairing non-existent cosmetic faults that recognition hit Jane.  Victoria hadn't so much as flinched at walking into the lady's room.  Nor had she gawked at anything or anyone while they were in there.  The girl had simply gone about her business as if strolling into a women's public restroom were something she did every day. 

*Good Heavens! Is she THAT comfortable with the feminine role? Even Michael and Darryl balked at entering the lady's convenience those first few times in public, and Victoria just nonchalantly takes it in her stride.  Oh, my.*

Jane was still mulling that over in her mind when they reached the now-secured waiting area where they would meet her new student.  She was glad that the FAA had resumed limited flights in and out of T. F. Green Airport.  The new boy's parents had wanted, since they had been forced to accompany him on the trip because of the suicide risk, to take him to Logan International in Boston, or perhaps Bradley International in Hartford, but Jane had vetoed both.  She wanted this boy safely under surveillance at Seasons House as quickly as that could be arranged and a two-plus hour drive combined with the larger crowds of the bigger airports just increased the already too great a risk this boy posed to himself.

*Besides,* Jane admitted privately, *I'm still just a little annoyed that they couldn't find the time to escort their son by train.  What is the priority here?*
A gentle tug on her sleeve broke through Jane's reveries.  Turning in the direction Victoria indicated, she saw a group of people enter the waiting area from the direction of the concourse.  She began to wonder if her student has missed the flight when three people arrived - a tall, ungainly boy, his arm firmly gripped by a rather grim-looking woman, her face lined with fatigue.  They were followed by a tall, wan-looking man, his eyes fixed on the younger man in front of him. *Clearly, the trip has been difficult for them,* Jane realized. *Perhaps the train wasn't such a good idea after all, if they are that drained from their time getting here by plane.*

She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. *God, don't let this be a mistake.  Help me to help this poor child find worth in himself again.* "Ready, Victoria?"  The girl nodded solemnly.  "Remember to speak only when I invite you to speak.  Other than that, just keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut."

Jane marched up to the trio, her carriage regal, her head held high.  "Mr. and Mrs. McQueen?" she asked.  At their weary nods, she inclined her head in greeting.  "I am Jane Thompson.  Welcome to Providence."  She then turned 'the eye' on the tall slender young person, still firmly in the grip of his Mother. *It will be a challenge to get this one to pass,* Jane thought with some resignation. *Even without heels, the she he'll be will draw a good deal of attention.  Six foot tall women do tend to stand out in a crowd.* "And you are Benjamin?  Benjamin McQueen?"

Eyes dulled with an emotion that tugged at Jane's hidden soft heart momentarily looked up and then returned to the floor.  "Yes, ma'am," was the almost inaudible reply.

"Benjamin, I am Ms. Jane Thompson. You may call me 'Ms. Thompson' or if you prefer, 'Ms. Jane'.  You will be staying at my house, and attending my school."

Not waiting for a reply, Jane turned to the young girl at her side.  "Victoria, this is Mr. and Mrs. McQueen and their son, Mr. Benjamin McQueen.  Benjamin, this is Victoria Denato, my niece."

Victoria bobbed a smiling little curtsy to the two adults "Hello, Mr. McQueen, Mrs. McQueen.  It is indeed my pleasure to make your acquaintance," before turning to smile shyly at the new student.  "Hello, Benjamin."

"Um, Benny will do, if that's okay with you," Benny interjected softly.
*Now what brought that on?* Jane wondered. *How many of my boys willingly called themselves ANYTHING that ended in a 'y' when they arrived here? Well, it was the first thing he's asked for and it won't hurt to give in here.  Might simplify getting him to the house. "Very well, as you wish."  Jane turned to the two adults. "And what are your plans?  I would like to get Benja. . I mean, Benny settled in."

Mr. McQueen shrugged and Jane thought she saw him reel momentarily.  "Not much we can do, right now, Ms. Thompson.  There's no chance of even trying to get home before tomorrow afternoon.  The national flight schedule is still a mess after the Trade Center disaster - planes in the wrong cities, extra stringent security.  And we, ah, left the moment we could get reservations and unfortunately, they were one-way. About the only thing we have going for us is that we didn't have time to pack, other than what we brought for our son."

"I see," Jane murmured.

The elder McQueen tried to smile and didn't quite succeed. "I just hope we can find a room until we can get a flight back home. All of the nearby motels were listed as being full-up when I tried to make reservations from home.  It'll be a long night here at the airport if we can't find a place."

*They're exhausted on every level, and yet, I can't afford to have them at Seasons House.  Knowing what I plan for their son and seeing it happen are two very different things.  The next two days. . .heavens, the next few hours will be especially critical for this one. I can't take the chance that Mom or Dad might interfere! I know.* 

Reaching into her purse, Jane withdrew a credit card which she handed to Victoria.  "Go to the Courtesy Counter and make arrangements for Mr. and Mrs. McQueen to stay at the Roger Williams Hotel.  If they give you any trouble, ask for the managing director and use my name - he owes me several favors. Use that card to pay for the rooms.  The hotel is in downtown Providence so have them send the courtesy limousine here to meet the McQueens.  Inform the concierge that I want them provided with a change of clothing, also at my expense, please."

"That's not necessary," Mr. McQueen protested, only to stop short when he saw the near longing look on his wife's face.  "We'll be even more in your debt, Ms. Thompson.  Thank you."

"You're more than welcome," she told him before turning back to her student.  "After you've set up the hotel accommodations, go find a Redcap and have him collect Benny's suitcases at the baggage stand.  Escort him and the luggage to my car.  Use this," and Jane handed over a small wad of bills, "for the tip. We will be in the coffee shop when you're done."

"Yes, Aunt Jane."

"Now, you three look like you could do with a sandwich and something to drink.  I feel just a tad peckish myself, so if you would care to join me for a bit of lunch?

Only after they were half way back to Seasons House, Benny riding in the front seat beside Jane and Victoria watching him like a hawk from the back seat, did Jane realize what she had done.  She had put her American Express Gold Card in Victoria's hands, which was the same as giving the girl a free ticket anywhere in the world, and nothing had happened. *Nothing except what you ordered her to see done,* she amended thoughtfully.