The Grabber

Unlikely Situations

"Does it ever bother you when people talk bad about you?" Andrea asked as she and Al shared a lemon-lime soda on the bleachers. "About the Grabber, I mean?" Al shrugged as he tinkered with the half empty bottle in his hands.
"It depends," he started. "Most people don't talk so much about the Grabber than they do the missing kids. 'What a terrible thing'. 'I hope they find him soon'. They don't seem to say much about the Grabber himself." Andrea nodded as she looked away. Al took another drink from the green glass. "Does it bother you what they say? Since you know me?" Andrea thought as she stared at the dry ground. She lightly tapped her bottle, thinking of what to say.
"I guess it does a little," she finally spoke. "I mean... I don't condone what you do, but for some reason I just can't hate the situations like I used to. Maybe because I feel like if I put hate towards those incidents, it's like I'm putting hate towards you." She looked up to meet Al's gaze. She lightly shook her head. "I don't hate you. I can't hate you."
"Even though you know what I do?"
"It's not something you can control," she lightly sighed. "It's not entirely your fault, I guess." Al scoffed as he sat his bottle to the side.
"Yeah, if only others saw it that way. I'm just glad they don't know what I look like. If anyone recognized me, you and I both know where my ass would be."
"Yeah.." she trailed off. Her gaze faded away into the distance. Al noticed and looked over at her. He examined her emotionless expression. He gently gave her a nudge.
"You alright?" He asked. Andrea took a breath, unsure whether to nod or shake her head. She finally sighed, not deciding.
"I don't know," she finally said. Al could sense a hint of sadness in her tone. He gently placed an arm around her.
"Is there something wrong? You know you can talk to me." Andrea's gaze drifted towards the green bottle in her hands. "You know I'm always here."
"Not in Kentucky," she sighed.
"Kentucky?" He echoed with confusion. Andrea sat the bottle down as Al removed his arm.
"My family and I. We're.. moving. To Kentucky."
"Moving?" He echoed again. "What made them want to move so far away?" Andrea didn't know how to answer his question. She slowly looked to give him a gentle look that told him exactly why they wanted to leave. Al slowly nodded as he understood. "When are you moving there?" He asked. Andrea noted the sadness in his voice.
"I don't know. Not yet, anyways. They're going to leave to hunt for a home as soon as they can."
"You're going, too?" Andrea shook her head as she rested her head in her hand.
"They want me to stay here so I don't miss school. My mom said I could stay with James, since that's where they thought I was when the whole thing happened. I asked him, but he said I can't. I asked Rebecca, but she said I can't stay there either. So I don't know how that's gonna work out."
"You could always stay with me," Al suggested. Andrea perked up to look at him. She could see he was serious.
"You know how my dad feels about you.. what he did last time he saw me talking to you." Al saw the slight fear in her eyes as she remembered.
"Maybe he doesn't have to know."
"Lie to my dad about where I'm staying?"
"You've done it before and it worked. What's once more?" Andrea sighed at his argument. She knew he was right. They still believed that she was with James last time. Maybe they would believe it this time as well. She sighed as she knew he wouldn't let this down.
"It's gonna be more than just one night, you know."
"You can stay however long you need," he shrugged. "When are they leaving to scout the area?"
"I don't know yet. I'll probably find out when I get home. Michael told me what they said the other day. It probably won't be too long before they get ready to leave, I mean.. mom's already started packing."
"She sounds really eager to go," Al said as he looked down. "It's gonna be... very different without you here."
"It's gonna be different not having you around," Andrea nodded.
"Well," Al sighed after a moment as he stood. "I guess we should get you home. We'll just have to enjoy each other's company while we can. Just let me know when you find out about when they plan to leave... and when you're going to move." He offered his hand to help Andrea up. She took it as she and Al grabbed their bottles.
"I will. I'll probably meet you here after school like usual." Al placed his arm around her as they reached the bottom of the bleachers.
"I know moving isn't easy. It's hard leaving the ones you've come to care for. It's just as hard on the ones who have come to care for you." Andrea nodded as she listened to what Al had to say. She didn't want to move anymore than Al wanted her to. This wasn't going to be an easy thing, and Andrea knew it well.
"What are you gonna do when I'm gone?" Andrea asked, already having an idea of what his answer would be.
"Probably the same," he said slowly. "Except.. I'll be alone if I ever come out here. Or I won't be out as often. There won't be any good reason to be."
"I mean.." she gently pressed. "How do you think this will affect..." Al looked at Andrea for a moment, understanding what she meant now. He looked away as he tried to choose his words. Carefully.
"I don't know.." he finally sighed with worry tugging at his words. "I wish I didn't have to find out."