The Last Summer

Chapter 18

Jason's eyes are full of concern. I don't know what to say, so I put my hand to my face, my other arm hanging at my side.

He wraps an arm around me, pulling me to him. "You don't have to tell me. It's okay."

I pull my hand away just as an officer signals for me to hurry up. I look up at Jason and he pulls me into a hug.

"It's okay," he assures. "Good luck."

I pull away and give him a small smile before I walk to one of the cars. I can't say anything because I'm trying to keep my sobs inside.

They drive me away with Jason behind not even knowing what happened. I look down and play with the hair tie around my wrist. It's a bad habit I've come to have.

When we get to the station, they lead me into a room with no windows and a metal table. I would see rooms like this on TV, but I didn't know this is actually where they question people. Plus, I'm not some insane criminal, so why and I in this room?

I lose my train of thought when another cop comes in. "Hello Macy. I'm Randal and I'll be questioning you today."

I give a slight nod and he sits down across from me.

"Listen, I don't think this is necessary. Can't we just put her in rehab and be done with this?" I ask nervously.

"We could do that, but she committed child abuse and this country doesn't tolerate that," Randal says.

I look down again and play with the hair tie. I'm about to protest when I remember I'm still not eighteen yet. "So, what's the first question? I just want to get this over with."

"Alright," he says. "So, the relationship you have with this woman is she's your mother, correct?"

"Yes," I answer. I really don't like this.

He clears his throat. "So, what exactly happened today?"

I tell him the whole story while he jots down the important details. "Has this happened before?" he asks me after I'm finished.

I hesitate before answering. "Um, yeah, sometimes." I'm still looking down at my hands, not having the courage to look at this man in the eye while telling him everything that's going on.

"What else has she done to you?"

"Um," I look away at a wall. "She's thrown dishes and yelled and hit me and she doesn't really approve of some things I want and choose to do even though it's good for me."

"Mm-hm," he mumbles. He writes down more information. "Is there anything else you would like to tell me about your mother?"

"Um, I have a question, but it's not about my mom," I say. "What's going to happen to me if she's not home?"

"Well, you would either have to be in the custody of a family member, but that would be determined by her punishment," he tells me. "Unless your dad is home."

I look back down as a tear slides down my cheek. I hesitantly shake my head.

"Well, then, I think we're done here." He stands up and holds out his hand. I politely shake and follow him out.

"Um, what do I do now? Like in the meantime?" I ask the man.

He turns around. "Well, you could stay with family or a reliable friend."

I nod. "Thanks."

I go to the front of the station. There are a lot of others waiting. I pull out my phone and call Jason because I don't have a ride home.

"Macy? Are you okay?" he asks once he picks up.

"Uh, yeah, just... can you come pick me up? I don't have my car."

"Yeah. I'll be there in a few."

"Thank you."

I look around for an open chair. I sit down between a mom with a crying baby and a man that's sleeping. It starts to rain outside.

A few minutes later, Jason's car pulls up. He comes in wet from the rain pouring down. I stand up and walk over to him.

"You okay?" he asks.

"Yeah, I think," I say.

"You think?"

I look down. "No."

"Well, we should probably get out of here," he suggests.

I nod. He puts his arm around my shoulders, striking pain through my arm. I tense up and wince. Jason seems to notice and looks down at me. "What's wrong?" He sees my swollen arm. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Macy."

"It's okay," I assure him.

"No, that's not good. We need you to see a doctor to know what to do," he insists.

I loom at him with a look that says 'please no' but he fires back with a 'we have to' look. I sigh and follow him to the car.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The doctor bandaged up my arm and gave me a prescription for medicine to help it heal. Jason got a call saying he needed to babysit his siblings, so we're heading there now.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this," I apologize after a moment of silence.

"Don't apologize," he says. "I would do anything to help you."

I smile. "So, you're sure it's okay I'm coming while you babysit?"

"Yeah. It's just my siblings. Plus, you're practically family."

We pull into his driveway and go inside. Katie and Mike are at the kitchen table playing a board game.

"Are mom and dad already gone?" Jason asks them.

Mike nods and Katie yells, "YES! A GET OUT OF JAIL CARD! FINALLY! MIKE, YOU'RE GOING DOWN!"

I laugh at the kids. They're so adorable.

"What are you playing?" I ask.

"Monopoly!" Katie exclaims.

"Oh, that's what it's called!" Mike yells. "You never told me!"

Jason walks over to the table. "Well, I guess the giant word 'monopoly' across the middle wasn't enough?"

I laugh along with Katie. "So that's what it says!" Mike says. Katie and I laugh harder. Jason joins in while Mike looks embarrassed from his lack to read. Jason says he's actually pretty smart for his age.

"I want to play a different game," Mike pouts.

"Ooh! Ooh!" Katie jumps up. "Lets play hide and seek!"

"Yes! We should play that!" Mike agrees. "You and Jason can play with us!"

"Uh...." I look at Jason.

"It's your call, Mace," he says.

I smile at the nickname. It brings back memories of my dad. That was his nickname for me. I was never going to let anyone else use it, but with Jason saying that, it just feels right. "Uh.... ok."

Katie and Mike jump up and down in excitement. It's amusing how they still love hide and seek.

"And Jason can count first!" Katie exclaims.

"Why me?" Jason asks.

"Because I already have a genius spot that you will not find. Ever."

He laughs. "Well okay, little sis. It's on."

He closes his eyes and starts to count. The games have begun.