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As I driveinto the parking lot, I glance around quickly, taking in my surroundings the best I can while still paying attention to my driving. The shipping port seems busier than when I was here a few days ago. There are vehicles sparsely parked.
An eighteen-wheeler is backed up to one of the three bay doors, and I see three men loading it. Another pulled in behind me but turned off toward the loading docks moments ago. I can see the tail end of a shipping boat on the backside of his buildings.
The import of Italian wine makes up the larger quantity of the items that come in through the warehouse, I’ve learned.
Once parked, hidden but in plain sight, I dig my cell phone out of my purse. It should be late enough in the afternoon that she’ll be where she can answer my call. Carrie has cheer practice between two and four. Her cheer coach is a laid-back middle-aged woman, who allows the squad use of their electronic devices when they are on break so long as they do what is expected of them.
She picks up on the fourth ring.
“Hey, Aunt Bri! What’s up?” Her voice is cheerful, which is usual for Carrie. She’s always been the happy kid. The kid that goes out of her way to make others laugh and be as happy as she is.
“Happy birthday, sweetie,” I sing to her.
“Ah, thanks.”
“So why is it we aren’t celebrating in the normal fashion we always do?” I can’t help but ask her. I am a bit disappointed that I’m not going to be a part of the celebration—even a small one.
“Friday night is an away game, so really there is no time, plus Mom and Dad have to work this weekend. It’s no biggie though.”
Away game. Jackson and Alana have to work. Who in the hell is going with them?
Carrie is a varsity cheerleader and her brother, Caleb, plays football for the varsity team. They are both great kids, but they are still just that—kids. My brother and sister-in-law put too much faith in them both looking out for each other.
“Who’s taking you both to the game?”
“Duh, Aunt Bri. The whole team, including the cheer squad and band, all ride on two buses. There will be chaperones. Stop acting like a cop and be my cool aunt, will ya?”
I let this go, but not thinking like a cop is something I doubt I’ll ever be able to do again. I’m all too familiar with the evil in this world. Since I became a cop, I’ve seen too much bad shit. This job has jaded me in a sense.
“Okay, fine, but if either of you need anything at all, I’m just a phone call away.”
I shake my head. Teenagers left to their own devices—no matter how great the kid is—don’t always make the best choices. At least I can count on the two of them sticking together. I still don’t like the idea that at least one of their parents won’t be going along.
My phone beeps with another incoming call. I pull it away from my ear to look at the screen. Speaking of...
“Hey, sweets, I gotta run. Your dad is calling me. I hope you have a happy birthday and don’t forget what I said. Anything at all... you call me. I’ll be there.”
“Yeah, yeah, Aunt Bri. Talk to you later. Love ya.”
I switch to the other line.
“Want to tell me why your two oldest kids are going out of town without you or Alana, on Friday?” I demand to know.
“Hello to you too, little sister.” He sounds irritated.
Tough shit.
I wait. He huffs.
“Caleb is perfectly capable of taking care of his sister. The boy can bench press two-hundred-fifty pounds, and he’s still in high school.”
“Yeah, who’s going to take care of him?”
“Did you not hear me?”
“I heard what you said. He’s still a kid, Jack. Maybe you trust them a little too much?” Before he can reply I continue. “It’s not even about that. I know they are both great kids. You and Alana are very lucky in the children department. It’s the rest of the world, brother. It’s not safe for them out there alone.”
“I don’t need parenting advice from someone that doesn’t have any kids, Brianna. They won’t be alone. And do you honestly think I don’t know where my kids are at any given moment of any day?”
