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“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I assure her.
As Officer Jones heads to the door, she pauses and takes a look at me. “How old were you when you had her? Like twelve?”
I shrug. “It happens.” I dodge the question, because I don’t want to lie to the police.
She shakes her head and leaves the room.
I immediately turn my attention to Summer. “We have talked about shoplifting, and about stealing from other people, a million times. It is wrong. You would not like it if it was done to you, and therefore, it violates the Golden Rule. It’s one thing to joke around and show me your skills, but actually taking something that does not belong to you is never, never okay. Why did you do it?”
Her gaze drops down to the floor. “I didn’t even take anything big. You’ve done so much for me, I just wanted to get you a birthday present.”
Ugh. The guilt.
“Your birthday is coming up?” Paxton says to me with interest.
“I do not celebrate my birthday. Seriously. Bad memories,” I say to him sharply.
Why would he want to get me anything for my birthday when I’ve just dumped him? I mean, I think I’ve dumped him. Of course, it doesn’t really seem to have taken, because he’s still here. I’m sure he’ll get sick of me soon enough, though.
I return my attention to Summer. “Listen. I really, really appreciate the thought, but I would not feel right accepting a present that you stole.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to tell you it was stolen.” She sees the look on my face. “You’re right. Sorry. I know if you found out it was something that I stole, you wouldn’t have kept it.”
“I’m also genuinely worried about you, Summer. You’ve gotten caught in the past. You’re getting quite the record here.”
She makes a scornful noise. “That was two years ago. I’ve upped my game. I’m really good now. I never get caught at Hudson’s. Well, today was the first time.”
Great. So she’s done this before.
Paxton and I exchange glances.
“Anyway, I’m not going to get in any trouble. I’m just a kid.” She shrugs. “And I won’t do it again. Okay?”
“No, it’s not okay, and you may get in trouble. I just read an article in the paper the other day that Blake Hudson, the man who owns Hudson’s, is cracking down on shoplifters big time. He may want to press charges against you.”
The door opens and Officer Jones walks back in.
“He can’t press charges against me.” Summer looks alarmed as Officer Jones sits down behind her desk. “I’m just a kid!” Summer repeats plaintively.
Officer Jones shoots her an annoyed look. “If you are talking about Blake Hudson, I have heard from his chief of security, and yes, they do want to press charges.”
“What?” Summer gasps in dismay.
“We’ll pay for a lawyer,” Paxton tells her. “But this isn’t over, and I can’t make any guarantees what the outcome will be.”
“Does Summer get to go home today?” I ask the officer.
“I’m not sure yet,” she says. “Also, you’re the mom, right? I need to see your ID”
“About that...” I say. Summer shakes her head at me frantically.
“Don’t!” she mouths at me.
I give her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, Summer,” I say. “I can’t lie to the police.”
“Lie about what?” Officer Jones looks at me suspiciously.
“I am not her mother. I am her Buddy Match, from the Buddy Match program.” I wince. Summer is glaring at me, balling up her fists. “While I was on my way here, I texted Dominique so she could get in touch with your mother,” I tell Summer. “I had no choice.”
