Dancing in the Oaks

The Cops

When we walked outside I made sure to slam the door as hard as I could. I was never going back to that place, ever. At least until my family went somewhere else. I just froze in fear as cop cars pulled up to the house. Part of me felt relieved. One of the officers walked over to Nick and I. Tears just poured down my face. I just buried my face in Nick's jacket. "What's going on?" The officer asked kindly, but strictly.

"I don't wanna talk." I said.

"She's not feeling well. She got hit in the face by her brother. Do you have a unit out at the Dales place?" Nick said as he hugged me. "It's fine Norah. I'll talk. Officer Jackson, it was both Dales and Jeans. This is Norah and she is a Jean. She did nothing wrong and neither did I. We just want this town to be safe."

"Okay. Thanks for your cooperation. Are you Nicholas Reed?"

"Yes"

"Okay. We are actually holding your father at another facility to keep him safe. He is free to go because he was proven not at fault. It appears that multiple people could be charged with murder, arson, etc." the officer said. "Let me see your face."

I unburied my face. "It hurts. He hit me pretty hard." I moved my hair out of my face. My jaw was sore.

"Yeah it's evident. Okay I'll take note and that will be taken care of." He said.

"Do we need to stay?" Nick asked.

"Yes." The officer shuffled his foot against the dirt below.

Nick began to say, "Okay she just is cold, so can we..."

"You may sit in your vehicle. That's fine. Just we might need y'all here for paperwork and documentation. Do you have blankets?" He asked.

"Yes. Thank you." Nick replied.

The wind chill was cold. Nick helped me into the truck. He turned it on to get the warm air coming. "Ugh." I groaned, nearly half crying.

"Is your face alright?" He asked.

"Nicholas, if I have to be honest with you... my heart hurts, my face hurts, my back hurts, my stomach hurts, and I just feel awful. That thing is a part of it, but I guess I'm sick and stressed." I cried.

"It's okay. I'll take care of everything. You can sleep, it's okay. Hey, we will figure this out. You're safe now. You shouldn't have to worry. None of this was your fault." He said.

"I'm glad we finally don't have to worry about this anymore. Hopefully this is it." I couldn't help but let out a little smile.

"Exactly, hopefully." He chuckled a little.

There was silence for a few minutes. Nick reached back and got more blankets off the small back bench seat. "Here it's your favorite: black and red plaid. I got that just for you, but I couldn't give it to you because I liked it too much."

I laughed. "Oh Nick... you're so... funny? How'd you know that plaid is my favorite, especially black and red?"

"When we first met I wore a red and black plaid shirt. It's my favorite too. I read your diary." Nick gave a smile.

I was completely in shock. "Are you serious? That should not be fine! You read my diary! Oh goodness, I know exactly what you read. Ugh. I'm so sorry you had to read that weirdness."

"Don't be sorry. I enjoyed it. To be fair, you left it on the counter. It wasn't weird, it sure was cute! You're cute Norah"

"Oh no." Once again, there was silence. "Nah, you're cute Nick and I really really really like you. I love you!"