Run Away

A talk with OMJ

Blake heard a knock on the door. He opened it and stared at Lucy and John.

“Got anything?” he asked.

“No, but we have a feeling why she left…” Lucy said.

“My family and I already covered that. She left because she was depressed…”

“Do you know why Jacob left?”

“Nope…we can ask OMJ, Dessie use to tell him everything.”

“OMJ?”

“Old Man Jenkins. He’ll want you to call him Lawrence, but call him Mr. Jenkins until he tells you.” Blake smiled, “Now will you excuse me?”

Lucy and John made space for him and Blake walked away as he closed the door.

He went to OMJ’s door and knocked. Then he opened it. OMJ was on the couch, drinking some tea.

Slouching, he looked up at Blake and gave him a crooked smile. His delicate skin wrinkled on his face and his hands. He grabbed his cane and slowly got up, breathing hard.

“Hi, OMJ…” Blake smiled wryly as he gave him a hug, “These police officers would like to talk to you about Dessie’s best friend, Jacob…”

OMJ pondered for second and nodded. “Tea?” he offered to the three empty cups, excluding the filled one.

“No, thank you…” Lucy smiled.

“No, thank you…” John repeated.

“Nah…” Blake said, “You gave me too much…”

OMJ smiled and gestured to the couch. “If I’m going to talk, you might as well sit down; this is going to be a long one…”

Blake and two officers sat on the couch, OMJ sat on a comfy chair.

“Well,” Lucy said, “My name is –”

“Young Lucy…” OMJ smiled, “I remember you…” He looked at John, “And John…I remember both of you…”

Lucy stared at him.

“Well,” OMJ started, “Dessie has told me everything that she knew about Jacob. She said that he is nice to her a lot and he drives her around when she needs a ride; she loves him…she also told me that he was abused by his mother.”

Lucy nodded.

“She said that each abuse was different, some would be by hands, a wire, belt, pan, even burn marks…”

Lucy gave him a card, “Here’s my card, if you have anything more to say, call. I need to go back to my office…” she smiled.

“Sure thing, tell Juliet I said hi. Tell her that Romeo will change his mind, because there is someone who will help him…” OMJ grinned.

Lucy nodded and went outside. She pondered on what he said. What did he mean? She thought.