Criminal Record

Old Friend

It was on a week end, at the morning, when Clay Thompson entered the grocery with his family, his wife Kelly, and his only child who was only three years old, Kay Thompson. The status wasn’t stable with the family, but that didn’t change the permanent smile off Kay's face, because simply he didn’t know a thing. Clay tried to act normally, but Kelly couldn’t hide her whimper anymore, but she was trying her best for the kid's sake.

The family’s money started to run out, because Clay's simple job couldn’t afford to suffice the house, but he was comfortable, which totally showed on his face, and the complete opposite on his wife. Kelly was somehow close to Clay's appearance, which gave Kay more chance to look like both of them. Clay was dark-skinned, but Kelly was even darker. He had short hair which was completely congruent with his rounded face, also he was as short as Kelly, but Kay has potentials to be taller. Kelly’s lips were thicker, and always had that look of dissatisfaction or repulsion.

They opened the door, which made a slight announcement ring for the customers' arrival. The ring produced some irritation to Kelly as always, but her sensations were ignored by Clay at the part, which isn’t his normal trend. Clay realized Kelly’s revulsion, so he wanted to estrange the kid. “Hey buddy, want to help mammy and daddy?” Clay asked his son. Their strong relationship appeared in their conversations. Kay nodded. “Ok buddy, go and get the milk.” Clay directed Kay. Just before Kay left, Clay called him, “Hey, good luck buddy.” He said while resting his hand on Kay's arm, and winked. The kid ran freely away from his father to fulfil his target, he went on searching for the milk in the whole market. Clay smiled at Kelly after the kid went, but her scowl forced him to look away.

Kay went searching for the milk in all lanes, he didn’t leave a spot in the grocery that he didn’t step on, meanwhile his father was trying to soften Kelly, in addition to putting few stuff in the cart. Kay found the milk on a high shelf in one of the lanes, he tried several, illogical jumps to reach the last shelf, but he didn’t even reach the shelf beneath it. A good looking tall man from the grocery's staff recognised Kay. He was slightly enormous, with squared, light yellow hair, while the rest of his head was shaved. He smiled immediately when he looked at Kay, and walked forward to help him.

The man started speaking to Kay, “Do you want me to help you my friend?” he asked him, like a grown up would ask a child. Kay nodded. “Ok, but first you have to tell me your name.” The man was enjoying speaking with the kid. “My name is Kay.” He replied innocently. “And how old are you, Kay?” he asked. “I am three years old.” Kay replied while shaking back and forth. The tall man reached out and got a bottle of milk and handed it to Kay. On the other hand, Kelly was grumbling, “Where is Kay? He is so late, he can’t be taking this long to get the milk.” She said anxiously and started trotting to search for Kay. Clay followed her, while exhaling loudly out of his malaise.

Kay and the man kept on a conversation for a while, and then Kay gestured for the man to kneel down towards him, the man did, and Kay placed his hand on his arm, “Good luck buddy.” Kay said, and winked at him, exactly like his father did. The man stood up in slow motion, he seemed to be in shock, his jaw dropped and he was disbanded for moments, “This can’t be real.” He said to himself in an inaudible voice. Suddenly Kelly broke into the lane where Kay and the man where standing, she went over to her son, and looked at the man, he smiled. Soon Clay appeared behind her with the cart, he looked at the man and smiled, “Thanks sir.” He said.

Clay didn’t recognise the man, but the man recognised him, “Clay!” The man called out when Clay was already turning and walking away. Clay looked backwards to the man. “Clay. Oh my god. Man this can’t be real.” The man seemed to be more excited than expected. Clay left the cart and contemplated at the man, signs of delight and a smile started to be drawn on his face gradually as he got closer. “Oh shit, Zack!” Clay called out, and jumped to hug the man tightly, they remained hugging for few seconds, which was an awkward view for the passing by.

Clay unclutched the man, reading the badge on the man’s left chest, saying, ‘Zack Wright’. “You know him?” Kelly asked keenly. “What are doing here? Why are you working at the grocery?” Clay ignored Kelly’s question, and asked Zack, yearning for all the news. Zack ignored Clay’s spoony question with a smile, and followed up quickly with another question. “I didn’t know you had a child?” He said. “Yup, Kay, and Kelly, my family.” Clay introduced them gratefully. “Hello Mrs. Thompson.” Zack greeted, and reached out his clean hands to shake her hand. She faked a smile and shook his hands back.

Both of the men were silent for moments, then Clay prepared himself to speak, he got his old car's keys out of his pocket. “Hey, take Kay to the house, I am staying a little bit with Zack.” Clay spoke to Kelly with a low, gentle tone, and handed her the keys. A frown was drawn on Zack's face, as if his omen was achieved. Kelly took the keys angrily off Clay’s hand and walked off with her hands on Kay’s shoulder. “Let’s head back to mine.” Zack stated. “Don’t you have work now? I can wait.” Clay said. “No.” Zack claimed. “Jerry, I quit.” He called out fearlessly, and easily, as he took off his apron and threw it on the floor.