by D. K Lake
She gives me a quick hug. I don't know what to say to make this any better, so I just mumble a quick, "Be careful."
Boston opens the door and lets us all out and Nessie and JT slip into the Jeep that has been reversed onto the drive, and JT quickly pulls out. Nessie turns to look at me as they drive away and I wave. I don't know why I wave though. I think I'm in shock.
"Kelse, you ok? We need to go." Mitchel says.
"Yeah, let's go." I climb into the Mustang and look at the stick shift that I now have to learn how to drive on the way to the hospital. I was used to an automatic. Crap.
"It's ok. I'll tell you what to do." Mitchel tells me as I buckle myself in.
I start the engine and the stereo comes on and blasts heavy drum and bass into the car and Mitchel is quick to turn it off.
I manage to get the car out of the drive and onto the street but the car just sounds like it's growling at me the whole time.
"You need to change gear."
"I know that." I snap, changing gear and shaking us around.
"What's wrong?" Mitchel asks.
"What's wrong? Did you really just ask me that?"
We don't speak for a while and I focus on driving. The streets are quiet which I'm pleased about.
"Kelse...Kelsey?!"
"What?" I shout.
"You missed the turning."
"Oh." I had been so distracted thinking about what JT and Nessie are doing right now that I hadn't been paying attention to the street signs. I turn the wheel without thinking and do a 360 in the middle of the street, and it's a good job there is no one behind us.
"We need to go over our story." Mitchel leans forward and fiddles with the heater because it is freezing in here.
"Our story?"
"Yes, we need to make sure we say the same thing, it has to be flawless otherwise they will get suspicious."
"Who will?"
"The police."
"What police? I thought I was taking you to the hospital?"
"You are but with a gunshot wound they are bound to call the police and while I'm getting patched up they will probably grill you."
"Great." I mutter, gritting my teeth.
How had it come to this, covering up a murder and lying to the police?
"Do you remember what the person looked like?" he asks.
"Huh?"
"The person that shot me? Kelsey, come on, we've gotta get this right."
"Sorry, right, um...it was dark and he had his hood up." I stop at the street lights even though there are no other cars around.
"Good. But how do you know it was a guy?"
"I don't know. Was it not a guy?"
"No, that's what they are going to ask you."
"I dunno, the person's build looked male."
"Good, what else?"
"He was a little shorter than you and his voice was scratchy."
"Scratchy?"
"Do you want to just answer these yourself and give me the answers?"
We bicker all the way to the hospital and try to get out stories to match.
"How can you be so calm?" I ask as I pull into the hospital parking lot.
"Calm? When that guy had a knife to your throat I wanted to kill him. I still do. But I had to stop myself otherwise things would have gotten messy."
"Messy? I think we're way passed messy. Nessie just killed someone and all I can think about is that it's my fault."
"How is any of this your fault?"
"If I had never got involved with you then we wouldn't have been at yours when that crazy psycho Vincent turned up and Nessie wouldn't have shot him." I blurt, parking the car and hitting the brakes a little too hard.
"You blame me?"
"No, I blame me!"
"But you're really blaming me, 'cause you wish you'd never got involved with me, no I get it. So this is really all my fault because I should have never kissed you that first night." he says and kicks the door open and gets out and slams it and my bones rattle.
I quickly climb out and follow him into the hospital. He walks faster than me and I have to jog to keep up with him which is hard in heels.
I get in front of him and quickly explain what has happened to the receptionist and within seconds Mitchel is taken away and I'm left standing in the middle of the waiting room, still shaking, in shock, tears prickling my eyes.
"Hun, if you take a seat the police will be here to take your statement soon." a nurse says and follows Mitchel down the corridor.
He doesn't even look back once.
62
A cup of tea magically appears next to me and soon enough the police are here. One female police officer called Shelia and one male officer called Jonathon. Jonathon takes my statement and I reel off everything Mitchel has told me to say. I know I sound like a robot but Shelia keeps rubbing my back and telling me it's ok and they must think I'm in shock or something. But the truth is I am in shock and lying to the police isn't helping me to calm down. Every five minutes I'm out of my seat asking if Mitchel is ok and when can I see him and they just keep telling me to sit down and wait.
But I don't want to sit down. I can't sit still. The police disappear and I pace the waiting room, I take a guess that they are talking to Mitchel, which annoys the hell out of me because I had been asking to see him for the last few hours. I suddenly realize I am bursting for the toilet and go in search of the bathroom. I pass a cleaner on the way in and she gives me this sorry smile like she knows I'm having the worst night ever.
This weekend officially sucks.
I can't even phone Nessie because when I turn on my cell the battery dies almost instantly, and I don't have any change on me so I can't even use the payphone. I use the toilet and when I open the stall door I see myself in the mirror for the first time since Nessie helped me to get dressed. OMG.
I hurry over to the mirror and grab some paper towels and try and fix my face. I have smeared mascara down my cheeks and smoky eyeshadow all over my eyes. I forgot I had fallen asleep crying. I look terrible. I sort myself out and try and fix my hair that has turned into a frizzy beehive and Carlos grabbing onto it didn't help the situation. I leave the bathroom and wander back to the waiting room and hear a familiar voice.
"Yes, Mitchel Torres. He was brought in with a gunshot wound." Willa explains, leaning over the receptionist's desk and there is a man with her.
She's wearing a parka coat and what looks like her pajama bottoms on underneath with furry boots. Her hair is a mess and she looks like she's just got out of bed. The guy she's with is tall with a beard and he's wearing jeans and a suede beige jacket and he keeps putting his hand on her back to try and calm her down as she yells at the receptionist but the receptionist just tells her to take a seat which makes it worse and Willa starts yelling even more.
I assume the guy she is with is Jim, and he's not the kind of guy I would have pictured Willa with, but I know it's not all about looks and he seems like a sweet guy and he did accompany her to the hospital in the middle of the night.
"I don't want to sit down!" Willa yells and Jim pulls her away from the desk.
"Willa..." I say softly.
"Oh, my...Kelsey!" She strides over to me and throws her arms around me and I bury my face in her parka, she smells so good, like homemade chocolate brownies and it makes my tummy rumble.
I try my best not to cry again.
"What happened? Have you seen him? They won't let me see him." she frets.
"No, they won't let me see him either, they just keep telling me to wait. He got hit in the shoulder, but I don't think it's too serious."
This helps to calm Willa down. JT must have sent her a message or something and just told her Mitchel had been shot and she was probably panicking it was a fatal gunshot wound.
"What happened?" she asks again.
I don't know what to say. Am I allowed to tell her the truth? In the end, I decide against telling her the truth because Jim is standing so close by.
"I, uh..."
I try to think of something to say but Jonathon and Shelia walk over to us and interrupt us.
"Mrs. Torres?"
"Yes, I'm Mrs. Torres." Willa walks off with the police officers and they give her a rundown of what has happened. She keeps looking in my direction and by the way she's looking at me I can tell she knows it's all a lie. I mean, seriously, why would we be at the 24/7 in the middle of the night when there is food in the cupboards at home? She knows something is up and my fidgeting is probably making her even more suspicious.
I don't think this night can get any worse and then out of nowhere my mom turns up and marches toward me, eyes blazing with anger. She's fully dressed and has even put on makeup to come to the hospital, including blusher. She's dressed in a knee-length skirt and blouse with a long wool coat, and she looks like she's off to dinner then to the hospital. She's even pinned her hair back into a perfect bun.
I don't even have time to run away.
"Kelsey." she says angrily but I can tell she's worried about me.
Who called her? I avoid her gaze and stare at the floor and stuff my hands in my pockets. I just want to get Mitchel and get out of here.
Shelia comes over and stops whatever meltdown Mom's about to have in the middle of the waiting room.
"Are you Mrs. Moon?"
"I am. Thank you for calling me."
Shelia, you traitor!
"We were worried about Kelsey, she's been through quite an ordeal tonight."
"Yes, so it would seem." Mom's eyes glare at me with a hidden warning, the kind of warning that lets me know I'm in so much trouble when I get home.
But I don't want to go home, not after this. I want to stay with Mitchel for another night and fix everything and I need to speak to Nessie to see how she is. The idea that she is in the middle of the woods right now with JT digging a grave is crazy. I couldn't believe this was happening.
Shelia and Mom chat for a few minutes and Shelia keeps looking over at me like I'm some puppy that needs a forever home, but when Mom explains that I ran away for the weekend with my boyfriend her tune changes and I get a completely different look and she even shakes her head.
I'm eighteen for crying out loud!
I turn around and notice Willa and Jim are gone from the waiting room. The doctor must have come and got them.
I'm about to go and find them when my mom blocks my path.
"Kelsey, I think it's time you came home with me." Mom says, clutching her purse and giving me this look that says don't push me.
"But I haven't seen Mitchel yet. I need to see him."
"The doctor says he needs to rest. I'm sure he'll call you soon." the male police officer says and Mom glares at him.
"But-"
"No, buts Kelsey. Home. Now!"
"Do as your mom says, sweetie. You need to get some rest as well." Shelia says and pats my back.
If only she knew what it is really like at home with Mom. She'd probably adopt me. I don't want to leave with Mom, but what choice do I have when there are two police officers standing by watching my every move? I can't exactly bolt down the corridor.
I nod, feeling numb, and shuffle behind her and into the elevator.
I'll pretend to go home with her just for the sake of some peace but I'd planned to make a run for it at the lights, childish, I know, but I needed more time with Mitchel, we couldn't leave things like this. This can't be how we say goodbye. The way we left things is heartbreaking, he thinks I hate him and that I regret ever meeting him.
Me and my stupid big mouth.
I stand at the back of the elevator and lean against the wall, waiting for the doors to close. Mom sighs and presses the button and stares at the other side of the elevator completely ignoring me.
I stare at the ceiling and close my eyes and hear Mitchel.
"Where is she? Kelsey?!" Mitchel yells.
"Mitchel!" Willa calls.
I look through the gap in the elevator doors and see Mitchel searching for me. He's shirtless and is only wearing his jeans and Vans and there is dried blood all over his chest and a fresh dressing on his shoulder. The doors start to close and I take a step closer.
My heart pinches and I want to run to him but knowing my luck I'll probably get crushed by the elevator doors. He turns and spots me and my breath whooshes out of my body.
Screw the elevator doors.
I make a last minute dash for the doors, trying to reach them to stop them from closing but my mom clamps her arms around me and holds me back.
What the hell?
I struggle with her but she's stronger than she looks.
"Mom!" I scream when the doors close and we start to descend.
"It's for your own good, Kelsey."
She lets go of me and I move away and stand by the wall.
"You're insane. He'll just take the stairs." I fold my arms and lean against the wall and watch the numbers count down.
When the doors ping open I'm the first one out the elevator, searching everywhere for the stairs. I don't see them and soon Mom has linked her arm with mine and is walking me toward the nearest exit at pace.
"You can't keep treating me like this. I'm old enough to do what I want and date who I want. Do you know how old I am, can you even count?"
"I know perfectly well how old you are, I gave birth to you."
She leads me out through the doors and the cold air hits me.
I shudder and grip at the top of my hoodie, trying to hold it together.
Mom walks me along the side of the building and across the parking lot.
I contemplate making a run for it now, but I don't need the drama. I know it will be easier just to go home with her and then slip away when her back is turned. As the car comes into view I can see that it's already crammed full with boxes and clothes for the move and I do a double take when I see Paige sitting in the front, resting her head on her pillow and listening to her iPod.
"What's Paige doing here?" I ask but she doesn't answer me and unlocks the car doors and motions for me to get in the car.
I open the door and have to shovel clothes out of the way before I can even fit in. I fall into the seat and Mom shuts my door and then climbs in the front.
She starts the car and quickly reverses out and drives around the parking lot, heading for the exit. She slows down near the exit and that's when I catch sight of Mitchel running out of the main doors, still shirtless and Willa is right behind him with Jim.
Mom stops at the exit and I reach for the door handle.
I can't leave like this. I need to see him. Now.
But I hear the door locks click and when I wriggle the door handle the door doesn't budge.
"Are you for real right now?!" I cry, practically breaking the door handle I jiggle it so much, but she's locked me in like I'm a three-year-old playing with the handles.
I look out the window and keep my eyes on Mitchel as Mom pulls out of the parking lot and speeds away like she's leaving a crime scene. He stops running when he sees the car pull out and he watches as we drive away with this distraught look on his face and Willa puts her arms around him and tries to comfort him.
And then he's gone.
And then I start yelling.
"Seriously, Mom! What the actual hell? You locked me in!"
"Yes, well I didn't want you getting any ideas."
"I just wanted to see him, just five minutes. I wanted to make sure he's alright."
"Well, he doesn't look like he's dying, running after you like that with a gunshot wound. I'm sure he'll live."
Paige completely ignores us, turns up her music, puts her hood up and turns away to stare out the window.
"I am trying to help you, Kelsey."
"Help me? Help me how, by ruining my life?"
"He's just a boy, you'll soon get over him."
I groan and chuck a coat hanger across the car.
"Stop that!" Mom warns.
"I love him! You don't know anything." I say angrily.
Mom laughs and I have to stop myself from chucking a shoe at her head.
"You're too young for love, silly girl."
"What would you know about love? You couldn't even keep Dad happy." I blurt and instantly regret it.
She doesn't respond and turns the radio on, searching for the country station she loves.
"Boys like that will only dump you, break your heart, or leave you pregnant. I am trying to protect you." she eventually says.
I shake my head. I want to tell her she's wrong about us, that Mitchel and I are different, but then I remember we just helped to cover up a murder. It's probably not the sort of trouble she was thinking he would get me into but it's still trouble.
"Why did you bring her?" I wave my hand in Paige's direction.
Mom ignores me and we whiz past the turning to where we live.
"Hey!" I yell but she pretends not to hear me and I suddenly realize why she didn't take the turning and why she's dragged Paige out of bed.
It's because we're not going home.
We're leaving.
Right now.
"Mom! Where are we going?"
"I asked your father to deal with the removal people, he's going to make sure they load everything onto the truck."
"That wasn't what I asked you."
"I knew if I took you home you'd just have that troublemaker come and pick you up in an hour, so we're not going back home. We're on route to our new home, a fresh start for the family. We can put all this behind us and start over."
"Our new home, are you kidding me? We will never be a family, don't you get it, nothing will ever be the same, not without Dad, 'cause you're a miserable bitch without him."
"Kelsey Annmarie Moon!"
I roll my eyes and fall back into my seat, and fold my arms and stare out the window, watching the houses go by.
"I don't know how you dare speak to me like that after everything I've done for you."
"All you've done is ruin my senior year and Paige hates me even more because we're moving. Life won't be better in Prairie. If anything it will be worse. As soon as I finish school that's it, I'm done with you. I'm leaving, moving back to Radley."
"Ok, Kelsey, but we both know that's not true, you can't pay for rent with an attitude alone."
