Bored.
That is what Asher is feeling at the moment. He sits uninterested as the officer and the store owner talk. When is Mrs. Katz going to show up? Asher thinks she is quite idiotic to go and plead his case with the caretaker. The witch would never take Asher back and never in his right mind will he return to her hellhole. He found the whole scene she pulled quite hilarious. The caretaker is always the one for drama. She acts like she's in some Spanish telenovela.
To his rescue comes in Mrs. Katz. Her eyes are puffy and red. She looks tired, as if she never slept in years. She takes a seat next to him. It isn't gracefully. She throws herself onto the chair as if she never sat down all day. She probably hasn't. Mrs. Katz is always on her feet and always on the go. She's a bullet train that goes 200mph and maybe even faster. Her hair is in a messy bun. Usually, it's in an immaculate ponytail or styled beautifully down. Asher enjoys her prepared look. Her suits and heels, her light makeup that brings out her best features, her briefcase full of papers, and her phone always by her ear. It makes him feel like he can trust her. Asher looks at her now and feels guilty. He is afraid to say he broke Mrs. Katz.
"I'm sorry for taking my time. I was attempting to see if the caretaker would have Asher back. I'm Mrs. Katz, Asher's social caseworker." Notice the word, attempt. "I'll have to find another foster home for Asher. That's if he doesn't go to juvenile hall." She places her brief on the desk. She avoids eye contact with Asher; that hurts him more than he cares to admit. He lost his one true supporter.
The men introduce themselves as 'Mr. Mosby, but call me John' and 'Officer Barker'. Asher begins sniggering.
"You have something to say, kid?" Officer Yapper interrogates. He shakes his head while trying to compose himself. He doesn't know why he finds Officer Woofer's last name so funny. Maybe he is insane. Breaking news: Officer's last name causes a boy to lose his mental stability. All the adults wait for him to finish his laughing fit. Mr. Mosby has a patient look, Mrs. Katz has an exasperated look, and Officer Barker has an impatient look.
"I'm ready. Which jail am I heading to? If I get a say, I prefer one far away from here. What about in Antarctica? I don't mind the cold." Asher quickly gets to the point. There's no point in avoiding the inevitable. He crossed a line he shouldn't have dared passed. He's ready for any punishment. It's a benefit for him anyways. He doesn't have to return to the system.
"Criminals don't get a say in where the law places them." Officer Barker says in a distant voice. He's staring at Asher thoughtfully He seems to discovering something about Asher that he himself fails to notice.
"If you want a picture, you can ask. I know I am good looking."
Officer Barker has a beard and wavy brown curls that is beginning to go gray. Asher can tell he is athletic as his muscles are visible from under his shirt. Nevertheless, wrinkles are forming. Behind a pair of wire glasses are his common brown eyes. A feeling of familiarity settles on Asher.
"We'll take one together as you seem to want a picture of me too."
"Right now isn't the time to joke." Mrs. Katz glares at the both of them.
"Don't be so harsh, Ma'am." Mr. Mosby says calmly. "I'm not pressing charges." Mrs. Katz loses her air of professionalism and breaks down in tears, Officer Barker is in shock, and Asher has an eyebrow raise. Something is definitely wrong here. See, Asher does not simply get out of trouble. It isn't an occurrence in his daily life. No matter what, trouble always has its way. Mr. Mosby has to be messing around. Maybe it is the old age. He doesn't know what he is saying.
"Do you have dementia?" Asher asks.
"Asher!"
"You can't honestly believe I'm getting out of this, Mrs. Katz? I'm only making sure he is competent to make decisions." Asher shrugs.
"I've been to my doctor the other day, and he didn't say anything." Mr. Mosby chuckles. "Although, I'm not as young as I used to be. I need help at the store. I'm pressing no charges as long as he works for me."
"Do I get pay?"
"Asher! Don't mind him; he's just being troublesome as always. He's taking the deal."
"No, I am not. I robbed his store, and I should get my punishment."
"Well, we can't force the boy." Mr. Mosby softly says. Mrs. Katz moves her head from side t side in disbelief. Robert is angry. This boy is willing to throw away a second chance. He's willing to throw away his future. Robert won't have it.
Robert looks at the kid.
"I don't know what is your reasoning for being so naive. You're being offered a deal that anyone smart enough will take." Robert turns to the other adults, "Obviously we shouldn't be surprised. This boy is stupid to rob an old man, and he is stupid for passing up this offer. We'll have a cell ready for him."
"The name is Asher." He corrects Robert. "And I'm not stupid. I have my reasons that I don't need to explain to you, Officer Barker." He puts emphasis on his last name. Robert rolls his eyes. The kid is also immature.
"Is it some pride issue? Do you have to prove something to us? Are you a big shot? A 'bad boy'?" Robert prods Asher to explain himself. Asher tightens his mouth and crosses his arms."Are you not going to answer me? I can arrest you for not cooperating with the police." Asher lifts his hands as a gesture to cuff him.
"You don't get a choice." Robert frustration gets the better of him. "You're taking Mr. Mosby offer, and you'll be staying with me until Mrs. Katz finds you another place to stay."
"You don't have to do that. There's a lot into being a foster parent." Mrs. Katz protests.
"Don't argue with me. I'm helping this boy even if he doesn't want it. It's only until you find another place. Make it quick for my sake and his."
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Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter. I'm taking an internship at a law firm this summer. (I know; I'm so fancy.) I was shredding papers (an important job), and I jammed the shredder with a CD. I did it because it said I could. I didn't take it out of the envelope. Anyways, I was left with a jammed shredder and a whole lot of anxiety. I for sure thought I broke this guy's shredder. I went through a procedure with scissors to pull the stupid thing out. I never felt so relieved in my life. I feel like that is something Asher would do. Anyways, that's my horror story. What's yours? I'd like to know. Stay awesome.
Liz
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Homebound
Teen FictionAsher wants to escape the loneliness he feels and find refuge in a family of his own. Living with the Barkers wasn't his idea of blood bonds. He grows fond of them, but a secret threatens to ruin everything he's dreamed of. What he doesn't know is t...
