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“What happens next?” asked Whitney, looking tired.
I sat back, crossing my leg so that my ankle met my knee. “Right now, she’s at the station waiting to make bail.”
Whitney sucked in a breath.
“Don’t worry, she won’t be calling you for the money, I made sure of that.” Whitney’s shoulders relaxed infinitesimally.
“So, she makes bail and then what?” Whitney placed an elbow on the table in front of her, leaning into the palm of her hand.
“And then she waits for her trial,” I told her. “It’s not going to be pretty. This is her third DUI, which means that her license should and likely will be revoked by the state of Ohio. At best, the judge demands she enter rehab, but there’s no guarantee that will happen.”
Whitney steeled herself. “Why are youhere, Jack? I thought I made it perfectly clear that I wanted nothing to do with you.” Her frosty tone cut through me. “You know what? Never mind.”
Whitney wiped her hands down her face then stood abruptly.
“Thanks for letting me know about my mother. I’ll walk you out.” She headed straight for the door, unlocking it, and holding it open. I didn’t get out of my seat, but I did turn to her.
“You are going to have to talk to me, eventually.”
“We just talked. Our conversation is over. There’s nothing more to discuss.” Her voice was haughty as she pointed outside. “You can go now.”
This wasn’t the last time I’d see her, so I stood, knowing I overstayed my welcome.
“I’m glad you are okay. But rest assured, we will talk about why you left Haver’s Creek. You can bet your life that conversation will be happening very soon.” I tipped my hat at her and headed through the doorway. I smiled as I remembered another thing I needed to mention. “By the way, we’re expecting you to come down to the station today or tomorrow to give your official statement about the accident.”
Whitney’s eyes bulged.
I shrugged. “Protocol.” I watched her face turn red before she slammed the door. “Didn’t think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?” I whispered to myself as I hopped into my car.
Chapter 6
Jack – Third Grade
I satdown at the lunch table and ripped open my brown paper bag, excited to see what treats my mom put in there for me to eat.
Fridays were the best. Every Friday my mom packed a little note that went with a special dessert she made just for me. I read the note while it was still in the bag, hiding it from my friends.
Ian had seen one of these notes when we were in the first grade. He had grabbed the piece of paper out of my hands and read it aloud to all our friends. They called me a baby for a week.
So now I read my notes to myself, making sure to slip the paper in my pocket before anyone could see.
Rice crispy treat.Score!
I ate dessert first as my friends sat down around me talking about our baseball game on Saturday. It was then she caught my eye. In the doorway, the sun shining from behind her, stood Whitney. Her hands were empty, and she seemed lost, like she didn’t know where to sit. Normally, she sat with some of the other girls in our grade. But as she walked past them, I could hear Katie and Veronica raising their voices at her.
I set down my rice crispy treat as I stood up to see exactly what was happening.
“Poor Whitney doesn’t have lunch again!” Veronica cackled. “Doesn’t your mother love you?”
“Keep moving, Whitney, we don’t want you anywhere near our table,” Katie piled on. The girls laughed hysterically as Whitney’s face grew red.
“You both are idiots,” Whitney said to them as she stomped off.
I caught up to her, waving to get her attention. I could feel Veronica and Katie watching us, but I didn’t care.
I spoke up. “Come sit with us. There’s plenty of room and I can split my sandwich with you.”
Whitney put her hands on her hips. “I don’t need your food.”
