Narrow Paths

Chapter Three

I woke up and had a hard time remembering all the details from last night. As I showered and cleaned up the bathroom, I carefully went over my conversations with Darcy from start to finish. There were missing bits and pieces in every conversation.

I headed into the kitchen, a little relieved that my parents didn't look suspicious. I'd never went out before last night, so I was unsure how they would react if they'd caught me.

"You need to start going to sleep at a decent time," my mother said as she got out the milk.

"Why? Do I look like a zombie? That's the look I'm going for."

"Stop being a smart ass," Dad snapped.

I rolled my eyes and sat down, pouring myself a bowl of cereal. The TV was already on and claiming my mom's attention. Dad was leafing through a hunting magazine, spilling orange juice on his toast.

"So, Dad, I've decided to play detective."

"Hmm?"

"Who all was hit by the Mailbox Bomber?"

He looked up from the magazine, his interest completely real now. I shoved a spoonful of cereal down my throat so I couldn't put my foot down it and ruin the whole thing. He eyed me warily for a moment before he sighed.

"Figuring out who did that is my job, Carter."

"I know, I know. I'm just curious. Maybe one of my friends knows who it is?"

"All right, if you swing by the station later today I'll give you a copy of the police reports."

I blinked a few times in surprise. I hadn't expected him to hand me everything he knew about the case, even if I was his son.

"You don't seem too worried about it."

"It's just a damn kid playing pranks. Probably one of those kids going off to college in the fall. We won't ever catch them."

"You never know," Mom said to make it appear like she was paying attention to us.

Dad sighed and shoved himself out of his seat. "We'll see."

"Bye!" Mom and I yelled as he headed out for work.

I grabbed the keys of my truck off the counter. "I'm heading to a friends."

"Who?"

"Darcy's."

She turned away from the TV, her interest finally real for once. "How long have you been friends with her?"

"Err, I don't know, a few weeks?"

"Is her father going to be there?" She asked suspiciously.

"Of course, of course."

"Carter -"

"Mom, we're just friends. I'm not in love with her or anything stupid like that." I sighed and held out my hands. "You know, she kinda has a hard time making friends and I thought that it would be good for us to get to know each other, you know? We're neighbors, after all."

"We're not actual neighbors, dear."

"Close enough."

She smiled and waved me toward the door. "Go have fun. Don't forget to stop by the station later!"

"I won't!" I called as I headed outside.

I hopped into my truck and revved the engine. I was ready to ask Darcy for some answers, even if she wasn't ready to give them. I'd get them out of her, one way or another. I was excited, almost as much as I was on the first day of kindergarten.