Mary's Bones

THIRTY-EIGHT

My head was spinning. Thanks to the scenarios clouding my mind, I was on the edge of a crisis. No, I was living in a crisis. A crisis that the undeniably sweet, young girl from my class was possibly a murderer. It was possible she didn't even remember murdering them. And I refused to accept she did it until I saw for myself.

"Mr., or Mrs. Gomez!" I banged on Evelyn's grandparent's door again. This was probably the fourth time I knocked. My knuckles had bruised from banging so hard.

"Who in the world is knocking on the door like that!?" I could hear Evelyn's grandmother scoff from inside. Her feet thumped along the floor in my direction.

I paced the same spot in front of their door, arms crossed, shivering. The wind felt painful against my skin. But I forced myself to bear with it. When the adrenaline was gone, I was sure I'd feel the pain ten times worse.

The door swung open, and I was met with a furious woman. "Angie?" Evelyn's grandmother stopped fuming when she saw me. She squinted and tightened her shawl over her shoulders. "What in the—"

"Evelyn was arrested!" I hunched over, struggling to catch my breath.

"What? What do you mean!?" She blinked, clearly caught off guard.

"They put cuffs around her. And they told her she could have an attorney. And they put her in a car. A-and—!"

"Angie, Angie! Honey, slow down. Come here." Evelyn's grandmother grabbed my hand, pulling me inside. I took a deep breath, struggling to find my words. My shallow breaths were rising. I couldn't help but feel backed into a corner.

"Now start from the beginning," her grandmother said slowly.

"The cops came to the center and took Evelyn in for questioning about the missing children who were recently found. They think she has something to do with it," I blurted.

"Oh my God. What? No. You can't be serious. There must be some kind of mistake! Michael and I know our granddaughter. She wouldn't do anything violent." She frowned. There was a gentle edge in her tone as if she couldn't believe it herself.

"I don't know anymore. I'm waiting for my husband to get back to me. Everything is just a mess right now."

"Oh God," she said again, "I can't believe this is actually happening. That's i-impossible. Evelyn didn't have anything to do with that! She couldn't have!" As if realizing the horror of the situation, she covered her mouth, gaping.

My inner conscience urged me to bring up the car. But I was alone at my own defense. That didn't seem like such a good idea.

"Did they say anything else when they arrested her? Actually, hold on a second. I need to call Michael and tell him what's going on." She folded her hands, pacing back and forth. "Please, stay right here. I'll just be a minute," she begged.

As she disappeared into the living room, my thoughts went haywire.

There were several cons to bringing up her car. I'd have risked her snapping at me. She could know more than she was letting on. John wouldn't have gotten here in time to protect me, if she decided to attack and went for my stomach. Everything would shatter right before me.

After a few more minutes, Evelyn's grandmother charged back into the room.

"Angie, did they say anything else prior to her arrest?" She held the phone away from her ear.

"No. Nothing." I shook my head.

"Did you hear that, Michael? Nothing!" she exclaimed into the phone. They spoke for a bit more, ignoring my presence. When she hung up, her eyes found mine again.