Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

82

"Pope? Kie?" The door shut as I huffed rolling over on the couch. Annoyed that someone was yelling.

"Hello?" Oh shit.

I sat up. The blanket falling to the couch as I heard him sniffle. Pushing myself to stand, I followed the noise.

"B?" I called out softly.

"Xena?" I saw him in front of the office door. His lip quivering as I saw the tears covering his eyes.

I said nothing, my arms out as he charge forward. I sucked in a breath as he brushed my stitches roughly.

My arms wounding around his back, letting him lean his weight on me as he cried into my shirt. He tried to speak but I shushed him.

"Don't try to talk. Not until you're ready." He nodded pulling himself into me as I hummed.

It was a gentle reverb as I stayed quiet. His sobs eventually receding as I stroked his hair and rubbed his back. I never once let go. Waiting for him to step back first. I'd comfort him for as long as he needed.

"Thank you." He sniffed, slowly letting go as he stepped backwards.

"I told you, B. I'm here for you." I squeeze his shoulder as he nodded turning around and disappearing into the office.

He came back a moment later with a picture. One of his dad.

"Can, can you come with me?" I nodded following him outside as he grabbed a few things from the kitchen.

I grabbed a quilt and followed him outside to the dock. We sat down shoulder to shoulder as John B set up his father's picture inside a wicker basket like a boat.

I stayed quiet as I let him work in peace. The sun long gone as John B lit the candle behind the photo and raised the wicker basket.

The flames flickered behind his father's photo. The light catching in the wind as it danced back and forth.

And I realized this was it.

I leaned against him showing he had support from me as he studied the picture one last time.

"Goodbye, Dad."

And there it was.

"Goodbye, Big John." I mumbled softly watching as John B moved to set the wooden boat-like structure into the waters.

Letting his dad go in a place that would bring him back home.

His final goodbye.

After all this time. But why? What transpired in the course of twenty four hours?

"On the boat today, Ward told me he knew about the gold." John B started. We stared out into the water leading to the marsh. "I denied it but he knew. Tried to strike a deal."

I kept my expressions unfazed but I was starting to worry that maybe Ward's half-truth was a little more accurate than I'd hope.

"He killed my father."

"What?" My voice cracked as I tried to digest the sudden thrust of information. "Ward Cameron?"

"Lana Grubbs even confirmed it. I went to her after I fled the boat. She told me Ward had come to Scooter to start looking for the Gold because he'd killed my dad."

You'd have to have some extremely good evidence to make such a claim

"Okay, okay. B. Start from the beginning, on the boat. Walk me through everything."

"Why? Ward killed my father, that's it."

"B, you and Ward were the only two on that boat. And I know he's accused you of flipping out and shooting him with a fishing speargun. Go through the story, don't leave any details out. If Lana Grubbs really did confirm that Ward killed your dad and will attest, we can bag this son of a bitch!" I shouted, way too excited as I push up off the deck. Groaning slightly as I got light headed.

"Xena, what the hell did you take?"

"I have not, and will not, EVER, do drugs." I pointed at John B as he stood up. "I just think it's about time for a Pogue victory."

But at what cost?

"Why'd your face drop?" I ran a hand through my hair. My face lit up in the moonlight as I realized we both had a choice to make.

"If we do this. If we bust Ward. You'll lose Sarah."

"I'm pretty sure I've already lost her." I smiled sadly setting a hand on my waist. I was pretty much in the same boat-- except I never had him to begin with.

_______•*•*•*•_______

I ran over the story, writing important details down. Similarities between the story's but mainly the differences.

I'd stayed over at the Château, not wanting to leave John B alone as I sat beside a lamp. Continuing to plot out details. John B had fallen asleep, the day's exhaustion getting to him as I stayed powered on pure drive.

And my protein bar I packed for tomorrow during the internship.

The sun came up all to fast. My alarm shaking me awake as I jolted up. A groan leaving my lips as I fumbled around successfully shutting the tone off.

"What, it's too early." I wiped the sleep from my eyes as I slid my feet around to touch the wood floor.

"Go back to sleep, B. I've got to get going." I whispered, fumbling around in the soft light of the rising sun.

"Bye." He murmured muffled by the pillow in his face.

I grabbed my bag and glided to the bathroom. Thankfully the plumbing was still on as I freshened up. Glad I had a few travel sizes items I kept around.

I slid on a pair of black slacks and a dark grey long sleeve shirt. I tucked the shirt into the slacks and grinned glad the dry fit material didn't look ridiculous. I made quick work of pulling my hair back into a pony tail. Securing it tightly to keep it where I wanted it.

I'd wanted to look a little more professional walking into the county police department, and even though I'd be wearing a pair of running shoes, I think I pulled it off.

I said goodbye as I passed John B, not surprised that he'd already managed to fall back asleep.

My path taking me to my bike as I slipped my leather jacket and gloves on. My backpack moving between hands until I could throw it on.

I went to pull my helmet on before remembering an important thing. My hands pulling my phone out and typing. Struggling as the gloves impeded me.

But I got the message sent. My mood lifting only to fall as I realized the predicament my hair was in.

"Well shit."

Pope-ronni

Unbelievably proud of you! You're going to rock this interview! Just do you- the Merit Board will love you!
Xena-Bobina