Reliving a Lost Past

27. Danny Rogers

Lunch was over and I realized the one good thing about being in jail: naps whenever you wanted. I closed my eyes and just as I got my pillow situated right, “Danny Rodgers.” I opened one eye and the guard said, “You have a visitor.” I groaned and stood up as he opened the cell door and put the cuffs back on me. I was taken to a room that was similar to the questioning room and another guy in a suit was sitting, his back facing me.

Who’s this clown? I thought that to myself this time because I couldn’t risk ruining my “good behavior” streak. The guy left and shut the door and the person in the suit turned around. I recognized his emerald eyes and dark, streaked hair. He was an older, more sophisticated and mature version of me. In fact, he was my older brother. “Hello Danny.” I nodded and he pushed out a chair. “So, what was it this time?”

The first eight words I had heard from him in three years were sarcastic and cruel. “I’m not going to do this, Carson. I had a feeling you were here to just tell me how I could have done so much better, and I could have a better life than this, mom and dad wouldn’t be proud, I should live better like you, but the thing is, I don’t want your life because I like mine. Sure it didn’t start off too great, but that’s changing. I have buddies that are like family to me and I lov- I met a girl who is just like me. So, if that’s what you were going to say, then it’s said. See you in a few years.”

I stood up and started for the door, but he called me back and I sat down, staring at my thumbs. “Danny, I know we haven’t exactly been uh-close to each other,” he was a cop and I was a punk in Detroit. Of course we weren’t ‘uh-close to each other'. “but it doesn’t mean we aren’t brothers. I’ve realized you are perfectly fine with how you live and I’m not going to spend more time brooding about that like Dad did. I just wanted to see you again, but it just happened to be when you are in jail... again.”

“Okay, you saw me. Now what?” It was like trying to start a conversation with a complete stranger. He sighed and chuckled awkwardly and said, “Well, I thought I would help you out again.” He meant bail me out and give me money to stay out of trouble. “Look, Carson, I don’t need your money.”

“Okay, then what do you want?” I thought about it and said, “I have a friend in here.” He gave me a weird look, “She happens to be friends with the girl I know and Wesley’s lost sister. If you could bail her for me, well I’d be thankful.”

He stood up and said, “Done.” I stood up and he walked to me and hugged me. I felt no sort of love towards him and he was my own brother. It might be sad to others and even him, but I was perfectly okay with it. We live separate lives: his the good life, and mine the outsider.

Jackie and I watched as Carson drove off in his 2012 Corolla. It shimmered in the sun and didn’t make a sound when he accelerated. We were stuck walking back to the hospital, which took about twenty-five minutes, to get my bike and we rode back to the house. She did not squeeze me to death like Kolbey always did, but the more I thought about that, the more I wished Kolbey was behind me freaking out that way when I stopped, I could pull her in for a hug and hold her tight, but instead, Jackie hopped off the bike, brushed her jeans off, and headed for the door.

She stopped and turned around looking nervous, “What do I say to him? I can’t just say ‘I’m your sister! How’s it been?’”

“Just talk to him, and when you two have connected, tell him and he should understand, but just know, he may not seem like it, but he is the sensitive one of the bunch. He’s been through a lot with us, being the smallest and the most shy.” I reassured her.

She grinned and said, “That’s how I always remembered him when we were younger. I was the tough older sister that beat up the mean kids and he stood behind me to watch.” I rubbed her shoulder and we walked in.

The guys were lounging until they saw us and they immediately jumped up and tackled me. Rome hugged me and picked me up off the ground before I was set back down and attacked by Axel and Wesley. Mitch stood nearby and when they calmed down, he came over and messed my hair up and said, “The little punks back!” They greeted Jackie too, but in a more civilized way.

“How’d you get out kid, surely not good behavior?” Mitch teased and I said, “Carson. He showed up and bailed us...” I was happy but not thrilled, and I knew they could tell because they dropped that and changed the topic.

I headed for the kitchen to get a drink. I walked in and someone was turned around. When he turned around, my knees shook and I grabbed the counter. “I can explain, Danny.” Ryan said, holding his hands up.

“Don’t need to.” I said and threw the first punch. I had him down in four seconds flat, but he didn’t seem like he was trying.

“Listen to me, Danny; don’t be stupid.”

“Don’t you tell me to not be stupid; you ruined everything and think you can come back to do it again.” I held his arm behind his back and twisted it until he yelped. Not a second later was the guys pulling me off him.

“Calm down, Danny, he can explain!” Rome said, grabbing the back of my collar as Mitch held my arms. It was a good thing they did, because Ryan would have lost an arm if they didn’t.

I couldn’t figure out why I was dizzy, but then I remembered to breathe and they let go of my arms. Axel and Wes helped Ryan up, and he said, “Thanks.” He sounded relieved. I have to admit though, I would have paid anything to make him yelp like that again, after all the messed up things he had done.

We went back and I sat in my chair and listened to his explanation. Then what they told me hit the hardest, “Kolbey is not...exactly at the foster house. And we have a pretty good idea where she is.” I could feel the blood drain from my face because there was no way I would ever get dizzy sitting down!

          “Take it easy, kid, I have a couple plans.” Ryan said, and it didn’t kill to listen, especially since Ryan was not the one that hasn’t seen him in over four years. It sounded like Ryan knew what he was talking about, but let’s just say, his life really depended on what he would tell me. I pushed my sarcasm and anger aside and listened. After all, what he said might make the difference between whether we get Kolbey back or not. 

//But just as Ryan started to speak, a pigeon flew in through the open window and smacked him in the face and he died...//