Straight 'A' Student

Chapter 47

It had been almost two weeks since the party. Connor, Benjamin, and two more of his friends had left a day ago for a three day camping trip.

"Hi, mom" Summer said as she answered the phone.

"Hey, sweetheart. How are you?"

"Good. Just finished cleaning my closet. It's been super cluttered and I had to put away some stuff that I ordered. How are you?"

"Not bad. On my way home from the office, just very busy. Have you gotten a chance to talk to Avery?"

"No, mom. I love her, I do, but she knows she was wrong. When she's ready to talk, she'll have to reach out".

"Honey, I'm sure she's having a hard time".

"I'm sure too, that doesn't make me responsible and it doesn't excuse what she said".

"I know. I'm sorry you guys are in a weird place right now".

"Yea, me too".

"Have you been able to talk to Connor?"

"Yea, they're luckily still part of civilization" she giggled "but I'm trying not to bother him best I can".

"Very considerate. Your dad leaves tomorrow for New York, I think he said he might stop to see you on his way back".

"Okay, I'll call him. You're not going?"

"Not this time, I have court on Monday. Still a little behind".

"What's the case?"

"Kidnapping, a little complex. Parents are accusing the baby sitter who took the child from the home after not being able to reach the parents. But she had to get to the emergency room for her little brother. Parents showed up at home, saw the kid was gone, couldn't get ahold of the baby sitter for four hours".

"Oh gosh, terrible sequence of events. They aren't giving her any grace?"

"Nope. They say since she didn't leave a detailed message, she caused them distress. The girl is 22, this is all very unnecessary".

"Well how do you feel about her chances?"

"I feel good. Even if this was a real situation, there's reasonable doubt. A line of communication to trace. Evidence of the call from the emergency room and her calls to the parents. Witnesses to place her at the emergency room. It's just been a lot to gather to be absolutely sure. Her and her parents are very anxious, rightfully so, but I'm trying to do everything I can to put them at ease" Susanna explained.

"You're very empathetic, mom, it's part of why you're so good at your job".

"Thank you for saying that".

"Of course. Let me go so I can finish up, Kam's staying over tonight".

"Alright, honey. We'll talk later. I Love you".

"Love you too, mom" Summer said before hanging up. She turned on her music and continued cleaning.

///

Connor washed off his hands and grabbed his food. Through mostly Ben's leadership, they were able to catch two fish and cook it over the fire. Kamryn had given him a cooler full of other drinks, snacks, and potential sides like vegetables and bread that could be heated over the fire too.

"Oh, I forgot to show you. Here" Connor pulled out his phone to show him pictures of rings that Summer sent him.

"Pretty close to what I imagined. Thank you" Ben nodded as he looked at the pictures. A diamond studded band and a princess cut diamond.