Bailing On The Grim Rimwoods

Bailing On The Grim Rimwoods

By Beverly D. Harris

Copyright 2015 by Beverly D. Harris

Smashwords Edition

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This is a work of fiction and the environs of Rosedale, Fruitvale and Hillman Lake are a fictional locale set somewhere in Northern California. References to other cities are real.

For the missing kids who haven’t been bailed

out of their scary living conditions

and for those who were lost

then found

I pray you get the counseling you need

and your family can understand

your very real nightmares and worries

and love you in spite of

what happened to you.

Your abduction was not your fault.

Chris Rimwood feels like 14 going on 30, with serious responsibilities to his sister and six other children in the dark secrets of the Rimwoods’ foster home. He is a young assistant organist at his church, and a secret detective on the case of a seven year old kidnapping. The children in the Rimwoods’ house don’t get enough to eat and have to wear ill fitting clothes, and obey the control freak Rimwoods about doing all the house and yard work, or else there are abusive consequences from the Rimwoods and their criminal son and nephew.

Chris, Wendy and the other six children have small breaks from the Rimwoods when they are with their after school sitters, the Chamberlains. For just a couple of hours, each afternoon they enjoy playing music and games. All of them play instruments, thanks to the generosity and mentoring of the Chamberlains. The Chamberlains and a new social worker work behind the scenes to bail Chris and his kid family out of the Rimwoods’ abusive control. The eight children move in with the Chamberlains in time to enjoy Halloween. At Thanksgiving they learn the shocking fate of the Rimwoods when the Rimwoods’ criminal son and nephew, who lived in the basement apartment, do a final fiery act which terminates their reign of terror for Chris and his kid family.

Chris finally feels safe enough to share his secret detective notes with the Chamberlains about him and Wendy being kidnapped in a vehicle jacking seven years before. They meet a real detective who can get Chris and Wendy reunited with their real family and reclaim their real names of Daniel and Katie Adamson.

The Adamson children get to enjoy playing in the grand reopening concert at the Palace Theatre under their real names. Daniel won an organ solo position in the concert at the summer young organists’ recital, along with his friends Wes Hawthorne and Jeannine Hiller. Katie gets to play violin in the concert orchestra. Daniel and Katie learn their real family will be the Chamberlains’ neighbors and continue with their good schools and being close to their kid family. The other six children will eventually be adopted by the Chamberlains.

Will Daniel’s older sister, Margo, forgive him and Katie for not calling the police sooner about their captors? Stay tuned for Daniel Glad To Be Adamson as he copes with his rebellious older sister, carries on as assistant church organist and finds a new secret detective case to be intrigued about.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1-Grim Rimwoods

Chapter 2-Writing Wallet

Chapter 3-Going Out

Chapter 4-The Chamberlains

Chapter 5-Special Lunch

Chapter 6-School Shopping

Chapter 7-Starting School

Chapter 8-The Rustbucket

Chapter 9-Consequences

Chapter 10-Understandings

Chapter 11-Forbidden Zone

Chapter 12-Realeased

Chapter 13-Living Chamberlain

Chapter 14-Detective Marina

Chapter 15-Face Cards

Chapter 16-Thanksgiving

Chapter 17-Blazing Shock

Chapter 18-Scared Buddy

Chapter 19-No More Secrets

Chapter 20-Gramma Comes

Chapter 21-At Chamberlains

Chapter 22-At School

Chapter 23-Family Reunion

Chapter 24-Family Matters

Chapter 25-Preparations

Chapter 26-Concert Magic

Chapter 27-Midnight Adamsons

Author’s Note

Acknowledgements

About The Author

Chapter 1—Grim Rimwoods

Chris took to heart the statement from Eric Chamberlain, his organ teacher, that he was 14 going on 30. He’d overheard it weeks ago at church when his friend had been talking to Pastor Arnie about how the Rimwoods treated Chris and his seven foster siblings like free housekeeping and garden slaves. He’d always helped the younger kids get along with the Rimwood’s endless rules and restrictions. He’d gulped down a swimming pool’s worth of tears when the grim Rimwoods were so mean to him and the other kids in their smelly old house.

He wiped away tears, sighed heavily and led his seven foster siblings into the grungy dining room after they finished washing their hands in the downstairs bathroom. He plopped in the desk closest to the dirty front window and watched the others solemnly sit down. Today’s yard chores had been interrupted when a teacher from Mr. Rimwood’s school drove by and noticed all of them pulling weeds and bush whacking in the 103 degree heat. He could vaguely remember a happier summer when he’d played in sprinklers with his parents, grandmother, a brother and another sister. Chris heard a car park in front of the house and heard someone walking up the warped steps to the front porch then heard someone actually use the doorbell.

Mr. Rimwood called out, Gladys, were you expecting someone?

Mrs. Rimwood finished inspecting the downstairs bathroom and pushed past her husband then stomped to the front door and growled, "No one comes unless they make an appointment.

You kids get busy on those worksheets! There will be no talking, whispering or gawking!" She farted loudly, but no one smiled or giggled.

Chris grimly tried to concentrate on his pile of worksheets. He rubbed his itchy eyes and sniffed hard. There were things he wanted to remember, but every time he tried to think of his past he was jolted back to the task in front of him. He jumped a little when Mr. Rimwood slapped his desk with a fly swatter.

The old man growled, Chris get to work! Sharon, stop staring and get busy! He walked around the circle of desks to grump at the others to mind their papers.

Chris swallowed hard when Sharon whimpered and picked up her well chewed pencil. Sharon, the youngest, was only five years old. He looked up when he heard their intruder introduce herself as Mrs. Denton from Rosedale Childrens Services. He watched the tall black lady push past Mrs. Rimwood and plonk her briefcase on the old dining table.

Mr. and Mrs. Rimwood, I don’t make appointments because I want to see how things really are. I am the new social worker assigned to all these children in your place. You know me as Lottie Denton from the choir at church and now you’ll know me as the childrens’ social worker. I need the notebooks you were required to keep when Olivegate supervised your household. She pulled a packet of tissues from her skirt pocket and gently set them in front of Chris.

Mr. Rimwood waddled over to the bookcase to pull out eight black binders and crash them on the table.

Chris grabbed a tissue and wiped his eyes and nose before a Rimwood noticed he had tears and snot. He wadded the tissue and tucked it in his pocket.

Mrs. Denton pocketed the tissue packet and winked.

Chris pretended to be busy with his paper then jumped when Mrs. Rimwood hollered at the kids to put their work away and line up.

Mrs. Rimwood grumbled, It’s time for the children to take their showers and change their clothes after morning chores. I was just about to make lunch when you rudely barged in here!

Chris felt a surge of hope when Mrs. Denton smiled at him. He gave her a tight smile in return, then led his kid family upstairs. Larry and John, you go first. I’ll get the clean clothes. He watched the little boys go into the boys’ bathroom. He trudged into the front bedroom and groaned when he saw their bedspreads, sheets and pillows had been tossed on the floor and their drawers and the closet had been ransacked. He and the boys tried to be so careful about keeping their room neat. He’d heard Mrs. Rimwood thumping around upstairs while they were getting their orders from Mr. Rimwood for house and yard chores after breakfast.

He gulped when he remembered something he’d always hoped the old hag bag wouldn’t find. He got on his knees and looked under the bed for his music bag. He dragged the bag out and held his breath while he pulled out his church organ binder and a small leather notebook. He hugged the writing wallet and kissed it then loosened the tab to look inside. He breathed hard when he saw his secret detective notes and some journal materials were safe. A lot of those notes were things he remembered about the scary way he and his sister had been kidnapped from their real family. He had a lot more to be afraid of than Mr. and Mrs. Rimwood. Their son, Wayne, and nephew, Lloyd, in the basement apartment were criminals with guns.

He’d overhead those dudes bragging to each other and a couple of other scary guys about doing car jackings, arsons and some robberies. He’d also heard them talking about how funny it was that a couple of kids they had gotten in an out of town vehicle jacking had been their stupid relatives’ foster kids for almost seven years. Those bad dudes had beaten him and the other kids so often that they didn’t dare tell anyone at church or school about secrets in the Rimwood household. He stuffed the notebook in his bag and put the music binder on top when he heard someone stomp up the stairs and do a loud fart in the hall. He shoved his bag under the bed and got very busy with putting things away so Mr. Rimwood wouldn’t think he was goofing off.

Mr. Rimwood looked in the boys’ bedroom then humphed, Oh, you’re straightening the place. He turned away and stomped toward the girls’ bedroom and grumbled at Wendy and Sally.

Chris finished straightening the sheets and pillow on his bed while he heard his sister and Sally say Heather and Linda were in the girls’ bathroom. They reported that Sharon was sorting the socks and underwear. He straightened John’s bed while he listened to Mr. Rimwood’s instructions.

When all of you are through with your rooms, showers and are changed to your church clothes, you will come down to your desks. Mr. Rimwood heavily walked to the stairs and started to go down. He stopped at the landing and called out, Gladys, the kids know what to do! I told them and they are minding!

Chris listened for the old man to get downstairs then heard what the adults were arguing about. The last time a social worker had come, they hadn’t been ordered to shower and change.

…I have numerous reports from the teachers that they thought the children weren’t getting enough to eat. They also reported too many unexcused absences from school. I have several reports from teachers that the children haven’t had their medical and dental checkups. Sally’s teacher sent notes home that she needed vision exams. I also have reports from Eric and Randilynn Chamberlain that you never did anything about the kids’ colds or strep infections. Olivegate approved of the Chamberlains being the childrens’ sitters and music instructors. The music lessons and daycare with this couple will continue. I also have reports about some driving violations…

The younger boys softly said it was Chris’ turn for the shower. Guys, I straightened your beds and started to make our drawers and closet tidy. Mr. Rimwood wants us to dress in our church clothes and meet at our desks when we’re done here.

Larry gave Chris a hug and softly asked, Are we going to be busted?

I don’t think so. The Rimwoods might be in trouble. I heard Mrs. Denton telling about reports from all our teachers. She also knows about the Rimwoods being pulled over for drunk driving.

John wrinkled his nose then solemnly said, Mrs. Wormwood has the world’s worst bad breath. I hate when she gets in my face and has dragon breath. I hate when the Wormwoods fart then yell at us about it.

Guys, I better get cleaned up. Chris grabbed his clean clothes and hurried to the bathroom.

Yeah, right. Before Mr. Wormwood stomps up here to find out we’re talking. John made a face then followed Larry to their room.

Chris and his kid family were ready to go downstairs together almost half an hour later. They glumly sat in their desks and waited for the adults to notice them. They heard Mrs. Denton say the Rimwoods wouldn’t be able to keep any child from going to school unless they had a doctor’s excuse from an RCS doctor. Then he heard Mrs. Denton say she had appointments for each child to see a doctor and dentist. She would take them, the next day, to their appointments.

…I can see that Mr. Crabtree didn’t make sure that Mrs. Middleton follow through on medical, vision and dental checkups. I also see reports from Wendy’s and Sally’s teachers that you didn’t do anything about buying those girls sanitary supplies. The girls can’t afford to miss a whole week of school each month.

Mrs. Rimwood argued, It’s not proper for 11 and 12 year old girls to have or know such things.

Mrs. Denton ran over Mrs. Rimwood by saying, Sally and Wendy are not freaks of nature. I will buy them the supplies they need so they don’t have to miss a week of school each month. Though, from what I see by your check stubs from each child’s monthly allotment, you had more than enough money to buy sanitary supplies. You also have a teenage boy who needs shaving supplies and deodorant. He doesn’t have to face embarrassment until friends from school or church supply him with necessities.

Chris wanted to cheer a few minutes later when he heard Olivegate’s heavies were terminated from any type of childcare. He sighed heavily and sat straighter in his chair while the old man handed out packets of paper and sharp pencils. He thumbed through the packet that was thumped on his desk. There were a bunch of new math problems, some more vocabulary words and a new fire and brimstone story to read and answer questions about. He didn’t know where Mrs. Rimwood found horror stories about children dying and going to hell for not following teachers’ or foster parents’ directions.

There had been times when he wondered why he and his sister had been allowed to continue being friends with the Chamberlains after some bullies had chased them away from school and all the way to Hazelton Terrace their first week of being Rimwoods. The Chamberlains had been so kind about cleaning up their scraped knees, giving them a snack and letting them explore their awesome music room before they drove Chris and Wendy back to Dudley Street, when they were sure the Rimwoods were home. Mr. and Mrs. Rimwood knew the Chamberlains from their church. Eric was the organist and Randilynn was a Sunday school teacher. Chris and Wendy had known how to play instruments and the Rimwoods had felt it was a good idea for them to continue their lessons. A few times there had been threats to discontinue lessons after the Rimwoods got stricter about things and more kids were moved into their household. Mrs. Denton changed the subject about their care by asking for a tour of the house. Chris really hoped the new social worker would make things better for all of them. He finished the math problems by the time Mrs. Rimwood and Mrs. Denton returned to the room.

Mrs. Denton said, Mr. Rimwood I want you to show me the outside areas, garage and basement. Mrs. Rimwood, you get on with preparing lunch and giving these kids something cool to drink. You have an air conditioner and it would be more comfortable for all of you if you would turn it on.

Mrs. Rimwood grumbled about not being able to supervise the kids while she had to do things in the kitchen.

Chris pretended to be busy with the horror story while he listened to Mrs. Rimwood bang things around. He barely looked up when she returned to slam a plastic tumbler of water on his desk. The water sloshed on his papers and he almost expected her to blame him for spilling. He only reached for the glass when the mad woman turned to slam a tumbler on Sharon’s desk. He slowly drank after he saw the other kids get water and saw Mrs. Rimwood stomp to the kitchen. He set his empty tumbler on the old dining table and watched the others do the same when they were finished. They were too afraid to talk about what was going on, even though he knew they had to be bursting to whisper about this visitation. He smiled a little when he felt some cool air waft through the stuffy room. He doodled on the back of a worksheet and thought hard about the way they’d become foster kids.

He and Wendy had been the first. He could remember the fierce battle about their names with the Rimwoods and Mr. Crabtree, the Olivegate foster care director. Chris’ real name was Daniel Leland Adamson and Wendy’s real name was Katie Elizabeth Adamson. The Gate people hadn’t believed them about being kidnapped. He wrote a list of rhyming words to make it look like he was busy while he brainstormed. He’d never understood why Mr. Crabtree hadn’t changed the names of Sally, Linda, Heather, John, Larry or Sharon when they’d been added to the Rimwood household. Chris knew Olivegate had been put out of business in June and some people had been arrested for abusing kids.

Chris hunched over his worksheets and hoped Mrs. Denton would make things right for all of them. The Rimwoods had gotten by with being stingy about food and making them wear baggy old clothes from thrift stores. Their teachers had asked uncomfortable questions about the Rimwoods. He was glad all of them would have uniforms like the other kids in school. The Rimwoods had grumbled about having to buy everyone new white shirts and new navy blue pants and new black shoes for school uniforms. Maybe they wouldn’t be picked on and called Baggy Dorks or Welfare Wimps or the other demeaning things other kids said about them.

Mrs. Denton and Mr. Rimwood met Mrs. Rimwood in the kitchen. Mr. Rimwood growled that he had turned on the air conditioner and said he felt much better for having a slightly cooler house. Chris heard Mrs. Denton repeat that she was going to be there the next morning to take all the children to dentist and doctor appointments. They would be dropped off at the Chamberlains for the remainder of the afternoon and have dinner with the couple while Mrs. Denton and another social worker completed their home study.

Mrs. Denton clucked, One little can of soup isn’t enough to fill more than two bowls. I see you have more cans of soup on the shelf. You don’t have to water the soup down to make it so thin that it’s nothing more than flavored water. Ten cans of soup and thick sandwiches are more adequate for growing children who have done all your house and yard work for you. Those children need more than half of a piece of bread with just a half slice of cheese. Your cupboards and fridge are stuffed with food. I want to see you give them at least three slices of that roast beef, two slices of cheese each, and some lettuce on whole slices of bread to make them decent sandwiches.

Mrs. Rimwood argued, I give them enough to eat. I know how much they can eat without wasting food. If I give them more, they waste it.

I don’t believe that. I’m going to look at your receipts and notebooks. I want to see you give each child a full glass of milk in taller glasses than those puny juice glasses you’re lining up on the counter. The teachers reported to me that they made sure all those starving children had free milk and lunch passes. I’m glad the teachers ignored your disapproval about the free lunch and milk program. Things are going to be a lot different for many children who were neglected by Olivegate and stingy foster parents.

Mrs. Rimwood argued, I’m not stingy! They are fed well and they are dressed well!

Chris smiled slightly and saw his kid family was avidly listening to the argument.

Mrs. Denton said, The childrens’ teachers have not been fooled by any of them mumbling that they were okay. Those children sitting so stiffly in those desks in your dining room look malnourished. I haven’t seen any evidence that they do anything except do your all house and yard work. They are kids, not slave labor or prisoners. The inmates at the county jail are treated better than what I have seen so far.

Chris wanted to jump up and give Mrs. Denton a hug for the way she was running over all of Mrs. Rimwood’s lame excuses about their diet, clothing and lifestyle. He tried very hard to concentrate on his packet of worksheets when Mrs. Rimwood came out to make sure all of them were on task with their paper and pencils.

Chapter 2-Writing Wallet

Chris sighed heavily when he and his kid family were ordered to move to the kitchen. He saw a full bowl of soup along with a real sandwich and a full glass of milk. It felt good to have a satisfying lunch. He helped the boys clear the table and tried not to make an audible sigh when they were ordered to go upstairs and sit in their room to do several pages in the grammar workbooks. He grabbed his workbook from the box under his desk and took two pencils from the can Mr. Rimwood held out to him.

He heard the youngest girls get ordered to sit in the girls’ bedroom to do their workbooks, while Wendy and Sally washed the dishes and the Rimwoods were with Mrs. Denton. He was sure this was when the Rimwoods would tell lies about all of them not following directions and the numerous small infractions that the mean foster parents made larger than life. He checked the boys’ bathroom to make sure all their towels were straight and the place was clean. He nodded when Sharon softly said she’d made sure things were perfect in the girls’ bathroom. That’s good. We have to be as quiet as we can while we’re in our rooms. He gave the little girl a hug and walked as far as the girls’ bedroom doorway. He turned away when he saw Sharon, Heather and Linda sitting on their beds. He hurried to the front bedroom to keep Larry and John company.

Larry and John wanted to sit on the bed with Chris while John said, We didn’t find our little boxes of colors or our coloring papers we’d saved from Sunday school.

Yeah. We think Mrs. Wormwood stole them when she tore up our beds and stuff. Larry sat on the bed and leaned