In search for the origins

Part 17

Sue

-May, calm down please...I can't understand you... What?? no, this can't be happening. God, I just can't believe it...How was he? Yeah, don't worry, we'll be there in no time. 

I hung up the phone in a real shock...that was the worst of nightmares, and I just didn't know what to do. Andy had told me how his foster father used to behave, but that...

-Dad...I need your help. May has just phoned, she said Andy has been arrested, it seems he...-I started crying uncontrollably, and my ma hugged me tight.

-Arrested? But...ok, let's find out what happens. We'll bring May here, ok?  And then we'll go to the precinct. 

A while after, we were in Allen's house. It was all dark, and for a moment I thought May could be gone to another friend's house. I rang the bell twice before she opened. She was really pale, and her voice was shaky.

-Sue! Oh, thanks for coming so fast! I...

-It's ok, May. Listen, we're taking you home, and then we'll go to see what happens...

-I'm going with you.

-No, honey, you'd better stay with Becky and Joanne  They will take care of you.

We finally managed to convince May of not coming with us to the precinct, and after leaving her at home, my father drove there. It was in the outskirts of town, but not too far from my house.

-Good night, officer. We would like to see Andrew Stevens. 

-Are you his family, or something?

-Not exactly, but...

-Then I'm sorry but you can't. Only relatives. Besides, visiting hours are through.

-But he's just been brought here...let us see him, please!

-Only relatives, I've told you.

-I'm his fiancee, we are getting married...please!

-No. Try tomorrow, if you want to. But...most likely the answer will be the same.

I hadn't had told my folks about Andy's proposal, in Billings, and I knew I would have to do it that very night.

One hour before

-Police. Open up!!

I looked at May, she was just as scared as me. So, it seemed our foster father had finally done what he had threatened about...and yet, I couldn't but open the door. Two cops were there, and they didn't look quite friendly...

-Andrew Stevens?

-Yes, that's me. What...?

-You're under arrest for assault to Mr Richard Stevens. 

-No...wait, this must be a mistake. I...

-Yesh, you did it, we know. And now, move, and don't make me lose my temper!

One of the cops cuffed me, while a frightened, weepy May tried to convince them all that was a damned mistake.

-No, what are you doing? He didn't do such a thing...you can't arrest him!! Andy! Don't take him away, please!

-May, listen, call Sue and tell her about this, and to come pick you. I'll be fine, don't you worry ok? And call Charles as well, ask him to come to San Francisco.

I had to do my best for holding my fear and my tears in front of May, but deep inside I was shaking as a leaf falling from a tree. Yeah, probably Charles could arrange all that mess, whenever  he knew it, but I knew I would have to be locked at least for that night. I was taken to the patrol car, and those cops drove away. "Well, at least Allen and Jess will be there". I was trying by all means not to give up, even if my situation wasn't exactly a good one. When we got to the precinct, I was taken to have some photographs made, for the police record. I think it was then when I finally broke down. 

Once the photographs had been made, I was locked in a cell. I hadn't seen Allen or Jess there, so I thought maybe they had left, or they could be in another area of the building. But I was quite wrong...

-Andy! What the hell are you...? It was Richard, right? Son of a...

-Yeah, he  denounced me, after all-I felt awfully relieved by having Allen also locked, as strange as it could be- Two cops came home to arrest me. And...and Jess, is she...?

-I don't know, but I'm afraid she's also here, maybe in another wing. You know, with this stupid thing about us abducting May...

-Damn hell! This time, things have gone too far...I just hope Charles can get us out of here. He's the only one who can do it, in fact. 

That one was a long, worrying night. I kept thinking I could be sent to a reformatory, and that idea really scared me. And Allen and Jess...it was even worse. They could end being jailed.  And I didn't know what could happen to May then, most likely she'd go to Billings. The other possibility, that she would have to go back with the Stevens, was something unthinkable.

We stayed in that cell for a long time, even if we didn't know exactly which hour or which day it was. Finally, an officer came to tell us we could go.

-Stevens, Breech, this one seems to be your lucky day. You must have very good friends, huh?

Charles. So, he had come help us, as he had promised. We went out of that dark, narrow cell and walked to the hall of the building. I felt terribly dirty and longed for a shower and a big rest. 

There, in the hall, were Charles, Elsie, my mother, and Thomas, along with Jess  and Sue and her father. When she sea me, Sue ran to my arms and she held me crying. I didn't want to let her go, and neither did she....

-Thank God you're free. I was so scared!

-Well, we'd should be going. Besides, I bet you all need a warm, conforting shower. And there's something you have to know.

We were walking to the parking lot. Then, right infront of us, we saw the Stevens. My mother went suddenly pale when she saw them, and it seemed she was about to faint.

-Nice to see you again, Elsie. I've thought so much of you, all these years...

-Richard? What...?