I was concerned that if I moved away, Janet might confront Kathleen and make a scene. Then again, my reason for being there was Kimberly, and if she wanted me at her side when meeting the Becks, that’s where I needed to be. I whispered to Kathleen to wait for us down the hill. Kimberly gave her a quick hug and glanced at her mother. Kathleen followed her glance, felt the tension, and excused herself. Kimberly and I watched her navigate the terrain down to the driveway. Then we made our way over to the parents.
“Mr. and Mrs. Beck?” Kimberly said. Her voice sounded small in the swirling wind.
“Yes?” said Jennifer Beck.
“I’m Kimberly.”
“Hello, Kimberly,” Jerry Beck said, extending his hand. “Were you a former classmate of Charlie’s?”
“Oh Jerry, she’s too young for that!” Jennifer Beck scolded. Then she said, “Nice to meet you, Kimberly. How did your know our son?”
“I’m Kimberly Creed,” said Kimberly. “I should have said.”
The Becks looked at each other, clearly confused.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Kimberly,” Jerry finally said. “I’m sure Charlie would be very gratified to know you that you came to pay your respects.”
Jerry Beck turned to look at me. “And you are?”
“Donovan Creed,” I said. “Kimberly’s father. Kimberly and Charlie were dating.”
They looked at Kimberly, and my daughter nodded.
“I loved your son,” Kimberly said. “Very much.”
Jennifer’s eyes softened a bit. “How old are you dear?”
“Sixteen.”
No one spoke for a few seconds.
“This is very awkward,” Jennifer said. “Charlie was very popular with…well, I’m sure he intended to introduce you to us someday. I’m just sorry it never happened before this.”
“He—he never mentioned my name?”
“I’m sorry,” Jerry Beck said. “It wouldn’t be fair to pretend he did.”
Kimberly’s face fell as she realized that the love of her life hadn’t considered their relationship significant enough to mention to his parents.
“Sorry for your loss,” Kimberly said.
She took my arm. As we walked down the hill and stepped onto the circular driveway below, Kimberly cussed a blue streak, expressing herself less like a teenage girl who’d lost her first love, and more like a woman scorned.
The shift in Kimberly’s attitude warmed my heart. Once again, everything was turning out for the best. Charlie and the other rapists had paid for their crimes with their lives. Kimberly learned she was nothing more than Charlie’s current flavor of the month. And Kimberly learned a valuable lesson about men.
My work in Darnell was done. Now if only I could sneak Kathleen out of there without having to deal with Janet…
“Donovan?”
It was Janet.
Chapter 24
“How many Kathleen Chapmans are there in the world, do you suppose?” Janet said.
“Hypothetically?” I said.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Kathleen heading toward us. She’d be here in seconds.
