Jumping Trains (Short Story)

Ch. 4

*Recap*

“It’s complicated,” I said, not wanting to implicate my dad. “There are just a lot of things going on right now.”

“I’m sorry but we don’t have any spare rooms. Oliver sleeps in the guest room.”

Oliver was my Aunt Rue’s Maltese. She has a room for her dog. Is she kidding me right now? I raked my fingers through my hair in frustration. I never liked her anyway. Her house always smells like that stupid dog. And it always barks at me. Stupid Oliver. This clearly was not going to be as easy I thought.

*End Recap*

            The next morning after breakfast I retreated to the guest room to make another phone call to yet another family member who didn’t want me. I guess I can cross grandma off my list. Annoyed, I sighed and flopped down onto the bed. I hadn’t even done anything and everyone seemed to dislike me so much. I sort-of gave up on calling people and just went about my daily life as usual.

Early Friday morning, I was called in to the police department to give my testimony. I was pretty much the only witness so I had to tell them what happened.

"It's a crime to lie to the police," Benson reminded me.

"Yeah, I know," I mumbled bitterly.

               For some reason I was still stuck on defending my dad. I was so sure he wasn't a criminal and that he didn't mean to hurt Benson. It was just my fault that things got out of hand. I tried to explain that but it seemed to make things even worse. They asked what I saw not what my opinion was.

"I came home," I began. "I said goodbye to Benson and went inside." I paused there. This was where the real trouble started.

"Take your time," said the officer.

"Um...my dad was drunk. He was upset that I showed up late and he started yelling. Next thing I know, I'm on the floor."The officer waited patiently as I got my thoughts together. "I guess Benson heard the noise and he came rushing in."

When I didn't continue, the officer prompted, "What happened after that?"

"They got into a fight." I omitted some of the most important details but I was still telling the truth

"Benson got hurt."

"Do you think your dad meant to hurt Benson?"

Finally! My opinion! "Of course not. It wasn't supposed to go that far. He wouldn't hurt him on purpose."

"Did your father know you and Benson were dating?

"N-no.." I stuttered.

"Why is that?"

"I just wanted to keep it private."

"Is Benson a bad guy?"

"No way! He's an amazing boyfriend."

"Why didn't you tell your dad about him then?"

               Stars skittered across my line of vision. I was going to have a meltdown. I felt like this was all going back around to bite me in the ass. I tried to explain but ended up getting angry.

"What does my relationship have to do with the whereabouts of my father?" I inquired.

"I'm just trying to figure out what happened."

"Well then let's stick to the subject of my father."

"Ok. Do you know where he is?"

"Not a clue."