when you met me

discipline

Discipline

Mara rubbed her hands together, getting increasingly annoyed with her handcuffs. She was in a small room, and wondered if she’d be interrogated like on Law and Order. She wondered where Dud was, what he was thinking.

Dud agreed with Sergeant Booth that he would go through with the felon what fines she could be facing. He felt bitter, calling Mara a felon. But he kept his composure and took the documents to a small room where, at the glass window in the door, he saw her slumped in her seat.

He took out his handcuff keys and took the cuffs off of her. Mara smiled and rubbed her red wrists. “Mara-” Dud started.

“Dud,” She interrupted, “I’m so sorry. I know I did something wrong. I know. I was just hungry.” She sniffled and rubbed her eyes. Dud looked at his friend, her nose stud, her bright hair, and her sad eyes. He could barely recognize her. Mara didn’t beg, and yet here they were.

“You don’t have any money.” He stated. “Okay, so how can you afford all of this?” Dud motioned at her from top to bottom. “I thought you were doing well with your band?” He talked quietly, hoping no one would hear him.

Mara’s eyes went to her shoes, the same army boots she’d worn to school that last day. The clothes were mostly borrowed. “Beth- my friend- she offered to do my piercings and my hair for free. She wants to work in one of those places.” Mara shrugged.

“So why didn’t your friends help you out? Why didn’t you come to me?” Dud was becoming annoyed now, frustrated that Mara could be so short sighted. “Because! I don’t know where Beth is and the boys took a break at their parents and to be honest I didn’t know where you were or if you’d help me.” She spewed, tears trailing her cheeks.

“Of course I would have helped you…” He fell back in his chair, rubbing his forehead. Dud sighed and took out his wallet. He placed his card in front of Mara, and then whatever cash he had. Which amounted to 50 pounds. “You don’t have to.” Mara croaked, drying her eyes.

Dud said nothing for a moment. “Take it. I’ll make sure you don’t get fined.” He decided, and stood up to put his wallet back. Mara stood up too and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you.” She said, squeezing her eyes shut and breathing him in. He smelled like a cologne she didn’t recognize.

“Just don’t do it again. Next time, I can’t- I won’t help you out.” He said with a measure of authority that he wasn’t used to using yet, especially with Mara. Mara nodded and put the money and card in her pocket. “Call me if you need me.” He said, and looked at her one last time before leading her out of the room and out to the main hallway.

Mara crossed her arms and walked away slowly, as if someone might take her to jail if she ran too fast. She glanced back at Dud and he watched until she was on the street, and turned a corner back towards her flat. There, she was met with a familiar face. Beth smiled at her as she walked across her flat and tied her short hair in a small bun. “Where have you been?” Mara asked, securing her bun.

Beth looked shocked at the question. “Got a job at a salon in town… Did I not tell you?” She cocked her head to the side. Mara shook her head as her stomach rumbled. “No, you didn’t.”

“Well, sorry babe, I was distracted I guess. Got a text from Dax though, said they’d be back today so I thought I’d come here and we could all reunite. Looks like his Dad isn’t pressuring him so much anymore.” Beth grinned and chewed loudly on gum.

“I’m going to the shops.” Mara said flatly, barely acknowledging what Beth had said. She brushed past her and climbed out the window in a haze.

“Jack and I are going out for a beer tonight, care to join?” Jim asked Dud after work. Dud picked up his bag and fake yawned. “Maybe next time.” He said, and started to walk away.

“Oh, come on.” Jim pleaded, “We’ll get pizza after. There’s movie I want to see and Jack never wants to see the same ones as me so we can outvote him.” Dud broke a smile and stretched. Jim knew a smile was as good as a ‘yes’ so he punched the air in victory.

The four of them ate a ready-made pizza as Dax recounted the experience with his Dad, and how heroic Cole had been in saving his life. Cole smiled slyly and took another sip of coke. Sleepy and full, Mara took another bite of pizza just to revel in it.

“Enough about that.” Cole finally cut in, and everyone perked up to hear what he had to say. “I booked us a brand new gig. Billy Wong, this producer guy, well my Dad knew him. I showed him one of our shows. He said he likes our look and sound. Wants us to play at his club. Three times a week. Six songs. Big bucks.” Cole cut up the last few sentences so that everyone knew how amazing they were.

“So, get your girl back yet?” Jack asked jokingly. The three of them had finished eating and were walking to the movies, and Jim had quietened in anticipation. “Not quite.” Dud said quietly.

“Someday,” Jack said slowly, “She’ll realize what she’s missing.” He snorted, and Dud smiled, even though he doubted it.