Young and Hungry - For Life - 36. I Want a Real Family

“Now while we wait for Jack to call, you two need to tell me what this is all about. Who’s going to talk first?” asked Hannah

There was silence from both boys, so Hannah prompted James.

“OK Mum, Francesco doesn’t want to stay with the circus anymore, he wants to stay with me and I want him here also”

“Francesco, I need to hear from you, that this is entirely a personal decision, that you were not coerced by James or anyone else”

“What does she mean?” Francesco asked James.

“She means that you have to tell her you want to do this, and that I did not talk you into it”

“Yes, I want to stay here with James, he is my boyfriend” Then looking at James, asked “is that what I have to say?”

“James, I think you need to leave us to talk to Francesco alone. I sense that you have some influence over him”

“But...”

“No buts, just go to your room for a while. I’ll call you soon”

James went off dragging his feet and mumbling something unintelligible under his breath, but he was ignored by his mothers.

“Now Francesco, please tell me in your own words why you left the circus. Not just why you want to be here”

“Um...I used to be happy at the circus because that’s all I knew”

He paused, looked around the room nervously, while collecting his thoughts, then continued “But since meeting James and visiting you... that is, this family... I’m no longer happy at the circus”

He paused again, but only briefly, “I want a real family that loves me and treats me as person, not just a circus act”

“That’s a pretty comprehensive explanation. Thanks Francesco”

“I agree” replied Julia

Then Hannah continued “If we accept your reasoning and agree to let you stay with us, for now, we need to make sure Candy and Jack know and understand why you want this”

“You won’t make me go back will you?”

“Not if you don’t want to go back”

“Can Jack make me go back?”

“No, not without a court order and that’s unlikely”

“I don’t understand court order”

“I’ll explain for you, but before that, can you call James to come back?” she asked Julia

As Julia rose, James said “I’m here”

“Have you been listening all the time?”

“Yes and I think Francesco is right”

“Yes, there’s no disputing that, but when I ask you to go to your room, I don’t mean hang about in the hall eavesdropping”

“Sorry”

“However, the desired result was achieved. Now I’ll explain the legal situation here. Firstly, Jack and Candy are not your legal parents, they are only fosters carers so you are still a ward of the state and as such, Child Services have jurisdiction here. That means, if you don’t want to go back they can’t force you and Child Services are unlikely to order it, under the circumstances. They always consider what’s best for the child. Their main concerns will be that you are in a safe environment, cared for and have food and shelter”

Julia then asked “How long before you are eighteen?”

“Three months”

“Then that will also work to your advantage. There is no minimum age by law in this state as to when a minor can leave home. But the law is clear that parents are responsible for children until they reach eighteen, so there is a bit of wriggle room there, depending on the circumstances. But as you are a ward of the state for the next three months, it will be their decision”

“Is that good?” asked Francesco

“Yes, that is good, so long as you want to stay with us, we are willing to and capable of caring for you. We can make application to Child Services to have your foster arrangements changed”

“So I can stay?”

“Yes, but we’ll have to make it official with the department”

James then reassured Francesco “You can stay here and Mum will fix it all up legally, that’s her job”

Francesco then hugged James, looked over his shoulder and said “Thank you ladies and I promise not to be any trouble for you”

“Hannah” said Julia “We will need to look at Francesco’s employment status with the circus, but knowing what we already know, I don’t believe Francesco has any contractual arrangements that would prevent him from ceasing to perform there”

“I agree, but we’ll see what Jack has to say. He won’t be happy about losing a headline act without notice”

“Why hasn’t he called us back? Maybe I should check with Alex”

<>

Alex was busy unloading the truck when his phone rang and one look from Smudge meant, you don’t have time to answer phones, so he let it go to voicemail. Julia left a message and then texted as well. When Alex had a moment unobserved, he quickly checked the text and decided at the next opportunity, he would tell Jack.

The pace of unloading and erecting was frantic but at the same time running like clockwork. There was not a wasted moment, a misplaced tent peg or a moment of hesitation by any of the staff. Everybody, regardless of their position in the circus was on deck to help with the set up.

The truck driver who towed Francesco’s van parked it in an appropriate place, lowered the stabilisers then went into the van to ensure nothing had moved or been damaged during the tow. Satisfied all was well, he turned to leave, when noticed a note on the floor. He read it and was about to place it on the table, when he realised the importance of the message.

“Fucking hell, Jack’s not going to take this well”

As he stepped out of the van, a mate was passing by, so he stopped him and showed him the note.

“What do you think I should do?”

“You’ll have to give Jack the message”

“Easy for you to say, you know how he likes to shoot the messenger. Maybe I could just leave it in his van, for him or the missus to find”

“He may not go in there for hours, you know how he is on set up day. Has to have a finger in every pie”

Then noticing who was passing by, he said “Hey, he’s an opportunity....Ah Wanda, I wonder if you could do me a favour and give this note to Jack for me. I’ve got to park a few more vans”

“Sure, no problem”

He handed over the folded note and disappeared before Wanda could read it.

Normally Wanda would not read her father’s mail, but as this was not in an envelope and seemed to be from one of the staff, she took a look.

“Bloody hell” she said audibly and went looking for Alex.

She took him aside and as she handed the note over, she asked “Do you know anything about this?”

“The note, no...but...”

“Yes, what do you know?”

“My mum told me. That was the call I got in the car”

“Why didn’t you tell Dad then?”

“Because my mum told me not to and besides she asked to speak to Jack and he refused”

“I’ll have to tell him immediately, we have a performance tomorrow and Francesco needs to be back by then”

“As may be, but don’t tell him I knew before this. Just give him the note and let him take it from there. And while you do that, I call Mum and tell her not to say she told me before”

“Then you better give me your mum’s number, and I’ll give it to Dad so you don’t get involved”

When Alex looked at his phone he noticed a missed call from his mother as well as the text. He called her immediately. “Hi Mum, what’s up?”

“I’m waiting for Jack to call me so I can tell him about Francesco”

“I think that’s happening about now”

“Why, did you tell him?”

“No, but we found a note Francesco left in his van and Wanda is giving to Jack right now, so he’ll probably explode any moment”

“Oh, I wanted to tell him myself. Anyway, make sure you don’t get involved”

“That’s what I want to ask you, if Jack does call then don’t tell him I already knew”

“Of course not, but I need to assure him, Francesco is safe with us”

“I don’t think Francesco’s welfare is at the top of Jack’s list. It’s all about him missing performances, especially without any notice”

“You’re probably right”

“So what do we do now?”

“You do nothing, except give Jack my number and....”

“Already done that, Wanda’s giving him the number with the note”

“OK, then I’ll wait for Jack to call...I’ve got another call coming in, probably Jack, I’ll you back”

“Bye Mum”

As Julia switched calls she heard “Are you the woman who kidnapped my act?”

“I assume this is Jack calling?”

“You bet it is, and if you don’t get my act back before nightfall, there will be consequences”

“Well, Jack let me tell you a few facts. Firstly, do not threaten me, I don’t take it well. Secondly, I did not kidnap anyone. It is true that Francesco is with us, but he is only here of his own efforts, and I didn’t even know he left the circus until he showed up here”

“Regardless, you have to bring him back”

“I also must inform you that Francesco does not want to go back and neither you nor I can force him to do that”

“But he’s my son, he does what I tell him”

“You are only his foster carer, so he is a ward of the state and DOCS will have the final say about his return or otherwise”

“Regardless of that he has an obligation to be here and perform tomorrow”

“If you can send me a copy of his work contract, then I may be able to help you”

“You know, we don’t work that way, so don’t get all smart lawyer-like with me”

“Jack, I am telling you now, that Francesco will not be returning to the circus immediately and furthermore I will be contacting DOCS first thing in the morning to have them not only look in Francesco’s current wishes but also the way you have treated him over recent years”

“You will be sorry woman”

“I’ve already told you, I don’t take kindly to threats Jack, and be advised that I am turning on record at this very moment. Therefore anything you say from now will be recorded and presented to the police if I deem it necessary. Have I made myself clear and do you have any more to add?”

Jack did not answer and the line went dead.

***

Jack slammed down the phone and called for Wanda. “Where’s that boy of yours?”

“He’s probably working with Smudge, as he’s supposed to be”

“Not any longer he’s not. He’s fired as of this moment”

“Why, what has he done?”

“His mother is holding Francesco against his will and has the gall to threaten me with the police”

“But that note was written by Francesco, so it seems he left of his own choice”

“What do you know about this?”

“Sorry, but I read the note”

“Probably written by that kid who hangs around the animal tent. Alex’s brother isn’t he and a queer to boot.”

“I doubt that anyone other than Francesco wrote the note. He’s always been bad at spelling, take another look at the note”

“I can barely read it, but what does that prove?”

“Don’t forget both Francesco and I were home schooled together, of course I know his bad handwriting and spelling”

“Regardless he has to be back by show time tomorrow”

“Well that’s between you and Francesco and the family he’s with. BUT you can’t punish Alex for this. He has nothing to do with it and didn’t even know until I read the note and told him. If you fire Alex, I’ll never speak to you again and might even follow Francesco”

“Does this towner mean that much to you?”

“Of course I like him a lot, but it’s really about fairness and how you treat people when you don’t get our own way”

“How dare you speak to me like that. I’ll hire and fire people as I please”

“See that’s exactly what I mean”

“Are you telling me I can’t fire anyone in this circus?”

“Not without a good reason and Alex has not given you any reason to dismiss him. He’s only been with us for one day and as far as I can see, has done exactly as he was told. Check with Smudge, if you don’t believe me”

“OK, Alex can stay, for now, but we have to get Francesco back or we’ll be in breach of our advertising. He’s all over our posters and in the local newspaper ads, ‘Bendy Boy, the most flexible human in Australia’.”

“Dad, are you calm enough to listen to a suggestion from me, without yelling or jumping to conclusion?”

“Yes, what are you getting at?”

“If there was some way of getting Francesco back, for a short time only, until you can find a replacement act, would you agree not to punish Alex or Francesco, in any way, but let Francesco go as soon as he can be replaced?”

“But he can’t be replaced, he’s the best”

“I agree he’s very good and probably the best contortionist in Australia, but future audiences aren’t going to notice the difference once you work your showman magic with the advertising and whipping the audience into anticipation with your ringmaster hype”

“My girl, you’ve definitely inherited the circus gene. I’m proud of you. Get your mother in here and we’ll see what we can do about getting a replacement”

***

“No one was very hungry in the Haynes/Wilson household, due to the day’s upset, so Hannah made sandwiches and called everyone to the table for a talk, as much as to eat.

She opened a bottle of wine and when prompted by James allowed he and Francesco to have a half glass each. Francesco didn’t like the taste, so James volunteered to drink that as well.

When Julia’s phone rang, she looked at the caller ID and said to everyone, “It’s the number Jack called me from earlier, so I saved it under his name”

As Julia said “Hello, this is Julia Haynes” Hannah commented “I hope he’s not going to make more threats”

Julia listened to Jack, then replied “Yes Jack, so how can I help?”

*****