by Joy Jenkins
For a brief moment her father didn’t reply, then he nodded, letting the subject drop.
“Alright, but if you lose again don’t get mad at me.”
“Ha,” she said. “I’m not going to lose. You’re getting arthritis in your advanced years, old man.”
Her father ruffled her hair. In retaliation, Carter grabbed his wrist and twisted. Her father punched a nerve cluster on Carter’s bicep, deadening her arm.
“Ow!” Carter said, cupping her arm with her non-numb hand. “I always forget that move!”
Her father smirked at her as he grabbed a water bottle and drank.
“I’ll teach it to you after dinner. You hungry?” he asked.
“If I could feel anything, I might be.”
“It’s only your arm, you’re fine.”
As he opened the refrigerator door, Carter grabbed a pencil and threw it at his bent form. Her father raised his head. She shrugged.
“I was annoyed,” she said.
He rested his arm on the refrigerator door. “I hope that’s not what you do when you’re annoyed with your teachers?”
“Please. I stick to correcting them in front of the whole class and selling their test answers.” When her father scowled, Carter gave him a toothy grin. She wasn’t sure there was anything more entertaining than making her father annoyed. “Just kidding, like I would promote idiots getting ahead in the class just because they have money.”
Sighing, her father shook his head and grabbed the sandwiches.
“How’s the arm?” he asked.
“Still numb,” she said. “If I can’t do my homework because of this, then my bad grades are on you. I hope you’re happy for single-handedly destroying my future.”
“Did you really have that bright of a future?”
She glared and her father grinned, finding his own entertainment in her annoyance. Like father like daughter, she guessed.
As they fell to eating, Carter’s thoughts about Link’s true identity resurfaced. She darted her gaze to and away from her father. He took these glances in stride. When Carter’s curiosity couldn’t be held back any longer, she spoke. “So, did you know that President Douglas has an illegitimate son?”
Carter’s father hesitated for a fraction of a second before he went on eating. She dropped her sandwich, feigning shock. “I hope you have a better poker face than that when you’re with the President. Because that was just embarrassing. Might as well have screamed that you knew.”
Lowering his sandwich, her father held her gaze, serious. “Carter, what do you know?”
She pointed to him with an accusatory finger. “Better yet, what do you know, Captain? And how come you didn’t tell me this juicy gossip?”
Her father pushed aside his sandwich and leaned on the table. “Carter, I’m serious. How did you come by this information?” he said, his voice taking on an authoritative tone she hardly ever heard.
“Calm down, Captain,” she said, raising her hands in a placating gesture, unaware that her arm had stopped feeling numb. “He goes to school with me. Well, just started going to school with me. He originally attended Jefferson Private High school. The water main burst and he was in the group of transfer students. I’ve been hanging out with him for the last week. I made the discovery today. He wears glasses to obscure his face and his hair is dyed brown. But he has the same freckles in his eyes and his features are too similar. His name is Link Evans.”
Her father nodded as Carter finished and leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the table. “Alright.”
“So you knew?”
His fingers stilled. “Of course, I’m on the President’s detail. I need to know everything about him, which includes things in his past that could compromise him. Who else at the school knows?”
“As far as I’m aware, I’m the only one,” she said.
Her father stood, eyes distant, already running through precautions in his mind. “Okay, I need to make some calls.”
Carter twisted in her chair as he walked away. “He won’t have to go somewhere else, will he?”
Her father stopped. “Why?”
Carter shifted uncomfortably.
“He’s one of the only two friends I currently have. And if he goes, Donovan goes,” she said.
“We’ll see,” he said.
As he left, Carter sank back into her chair, her appetite gone.
Chapter 13
As Carter hopped out of the SUV, her father spoke.
“Sarge,” he said. “It goes without saying that this information is a matter of national security.”
Planting her hand on one hip, Carter popped it out. “But I wanted to tweet about it!”
When her father chuckled, she dropped her hand. “He’s staying at Hamilton then?”
“As far as I know, yes.”
Letting out an inaudible sigh, Carter felt the tangled knot in her stomach relaxed.
“Keep an eye out for him,” her father said.
As Carter clicked her heels together, she saluted. “Roger that, Captain.”
Her father nodded curtly in reply then winked. “I’ll see you at home, Sarge.”
“Unless I’m forced to take a bullet for a certain someone.”
“Being his friend, or making sure he gets to a secure location while you wait for backup to arrive, is more along the lines of what I meant.”
“Then the same goes for you. I love you, Captain.”
“Love you too, Sarge.”
Forcing herself not to watch her father vanish into traffic, Carter jogged up the front steps, needing to get out of the cold morning air. Inside the scent of Italian espresso warmed the halls as did the mass of moving students.
As Carter approached her first period, someone jostled her and she bumped into another student as a result. Link stumbled but Donovan righted him before any damage could be done. Seeing Carter, Link tensed while Donovan scrutinized her. Both reactions confirmed what Carter had discovered.
“Sorry about that,” Carter said, trying to break their worry.
“You seem to have a knack for running into me,” Link said, relaxing.
"It seems I do. I'll have to watch out for that. I wouldn't want you getting the wrong idea and thinking I liked you.”
When Link laughed, Carter could sense his self-assurance: he still believed she didn’t know. For the moment, she decided to not bring up the subject. The middle of a packed hallway wasn’t the place to discuss the topic of his parentage.
“Did you finish that essay for history yet?” Link asked as they headed to class.
“Last night, why?”
Link frowned and scratched the back of his head. “I’m having trouble finding a good reference book.”
“I’ll help you find one in free period.”
“Thanks.”
Carter nudged his shoulder with hers. “What are highly intelligent friends for?”
At their seats in chemistry, Carter dropped her notebook onto the table then looked to Mr. Rojas. She raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“Well, well, well,” she said.
“What?” Link asked.
“Mr. Rojas,” Carter said, feeling a laugh tickle her throat, “went on a date.”
Link studied their teacher who leaned back in his chair, smiling at nothing. When Link burst out laughing, Mr. Rojas frowned at him and Link hunched over, trying to hide.
“Okay, that one I could see,” he said. “Do you know who?”
“The librarian, Diana.”
“Good for him.”
When the bell rang, the door opened again admitting Mason, closely followed by Smith. Though Link worked to appear unaffected, Carter could still see the tension in his shoulders. Another confirmation. By the time Link looked to Carter, she acted as if she hadn’t noticed his reaction and Link let out a breath.
◆◆◆
As the trio cut their way to history, Carter grew more and more aware of Donovan watching her. She knew it couldn�
�t be for her stunning good looks. That only left his worry that despite her never mentioning it, he still suspected she knew the truth. Meeting his gaze head-on, she raised an eyebrow.
“Keep looking at me like that, Donovan, and I might think you are flirting with me,” she said.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Carter wondered if he ever got tired of not acting like a normal human being.
“Is there a reason for your increased curiosity with my facial profile?”
Donovan was saved from replying when they nearly ran into Amy. Link faltered in his steps, avoiding a collision by Carter taking hold of the back of his blazer, yanking him back.
“Hi, Amy,” Carter said, cheerily.
“Hi,” Amy said, though she only saw Link.
On his end, Link looked like he’d swallowed his tongue and might be on the verge of throwing it back up. Carter elbowed him in the ribs.
“Hi,” Link blurted out, much too loud for the close quarters.
Amy only smiled. “Hi.”
When the pair remained unmoving and uncommunicative, Carter stepped in. “Link, she’s a perfect option!”
Link widened his eyes at Carter in panic, not knowing her train of thought but clearly afraid of whatever it might be.
“I’m sorry?” Amy said, baffled.
"Link, you were just saying how you wanted to sit by someone in History that was smart. Let's switch places and you can sit beside Amy. I'm sure she wouldn't mind.”
“I wouldn’t mind at all,” Amy said, gazing up at Link.
“Yeah?” Link choked out.
Carter blamed Donovan for this version of Link, too many years of never interacting with girls had created this babbling idiot. Luckily for Link, Amy seemed to be attracted to babbling idiots.
“Yeah,” she said.
◆◆◆
The library held a silence crowded with busy minds and covert conversations. Carter, Link, and Donovan all sat at a table, absorbed in their studies. The peace broke when a group of four girls pushed through the doors. Carter noted that three of them were the same girls who had circled Donovan at the museum. The girls sent Donovan smiles as they found their own table.
"I'm really impressed they still manage to get oxygen to their brains when they dispel so much of it panting over Donovan," Carter said.
Link snorted.
"Does it bother you that I attract so much attention?" Donovan asked.
He asked the question in an emotionless tone but Carter noticed the hint of a smirk in the corner of his mouth.
"Not at all," she said. "Where else would I find my amusement if I didn’t get to watch girls who have never heard the word ‘no’ get rejected by you?"
Shaking his head, Donovan stood.
"I need a book on Samuel Adams," he said. “Where would I find it?”
“What makes you think I know that?” Carter asked.
“Because you’re a smug outcast. I have no doubt this library has been your second home.”
Carter couldn't be annoyed with facts. "Second story, 8th row, top-shelf."
When he left, one of the girls smoothly detached herself from the group and followed him. Carter swiveled towards Link. With the girl distracting Donovan, Carter had time.
"Link," she said.
He lifted his head, acknowledging her.
"Why did you lie to me?" she said.
Though he fought to remain neutral, Carter saw him tense.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, strained.
Carter leaned in close, dropping her voice as she held his gaze. "Yesterday. Bathroom. President. Ring a bell?"
Link lost his composure and glanced about the library, flashes of panic, fear, and anger darting through his expression.
"Link, I'm not stupid. You should know this by now. Just admit I was right."
Jerking upward, he grabbed Carter's wrist, tugging her towards the library doors. Outside, he led them to the closest bathroom and stepped inside. He released his hold and Carter leaned against the door, crossing her ankles and sticking her hands in her pockets. Dragging his hand through his hair, Link did a quick sweep of the stalls before spinning on Carter, his face hard.
"What do you want, Carter?" he asked, every muscle taut.
She lifted a shoulder. “I want you to admit my conclusion of who your father is was correct."
“That’s all you want?" he said, his voice edged with anger. "You want me to admit it? Fine." He glared at her. "I'm the President's bastard son. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
Link balled his hands into tight fists. Carter straightened, shame creeping up her neck.
"Link, I just-"
“Isn’t that what you wanted me to say, Carter?”
Carter swallowed, guilt coiling in her chest. ”Link-“
“What?” He took a step forward, eyes blazing. “Do you want me to tell you what it's like going to the same school as your half brother and having the reality that he gets to live the life you could be living shoved in your face every day?”
The pain in his voice was a punch to Carter’s stomach. “No-"
"No! You just wanted to be the person who figured it out. Who was smarter than everyone else."
“Link-"
“What are you going to do now, huh?” He stared at her, looking a little wild around the eyes, as if every terrible outcome of this conversation played in his mind. “I’ve admitted it, are you going to plaster it everywhere?” Carter opened her mouth but he went on. “Do it. Show the world how smart Carter Owens is for seeing what nobody else could. Do it! Make it so that I have to move. So I have to rip up my entire life because you had to be the brilliant one. Do it, ruin my life!”
The accusations knifed Carter, making her rigid. “I would never-“
“No? Really?” He jabbed the air in front of her. “Donovan said it, you’re an outcast. You're telling me that you wouldn’t use this information to make your life a little easier?”
“I wouldn’t!” she shouted.
“Liar!” Link shook his head, hurt in every line of his face. "You wouldn’t blink at using me. You’re just like everyone else.”
“I am not like everyone else!” Carter yelled, furious.
“Yeah, you are!” Link yelled. “Why should I think that you wouldn’t use this?!”
Angry, Carter slammed his chest. “Because if you actually believe that then you really are a bastard!”
Chapter 14
Link dropped his shoulders, the fight leaving him in a breath. “You’re right, Carter. That’s exactly what I am. I don’t matter, I never have.”
Carter grabbed his arm. “How can you say that? Of course you do!”
“No, I don’t.” He yanked his arm out of her hold. “Not to anyone, not to you.
Shouldering passed her, Link left the bathroom, rushing back to the library. Carter closed her eyes, hating herself, hating her tongue, her anger. Cursing under her breath, she flung the door open and sprinted after Link as the bell rang overhead. By the time she reached the library, Link already had his backpack on, Donovan at his side.
“Link, wait,” she said.
Using Donovan as a barrier, Link escaped into the torment of students, leaving Carter to watch them disappear.
◆◆◆
Carter leaned over the coffee table in her living room, all the pieces of a 9mm Glock 17 handgun spread out on the top. Footsteps rang out on the metal staircase and a second later the door opened. Carter continued to concentrate on assembling the gun, the now warm metal pieces familiar in her hands. Her father kicked the door shut, staring at her but Carter didn’t acknowledge him.
"That bad of a day, huh?" he asked.
Ignoring the comment, Carter kept working at sliding the pieces together, feeling as they clicked perfectly into place. Her father tossed his coat onto a chair and took the spot beside her on the couch.
"Sarge, you can talk to me," he said.
"Who said I have anything to talk about?" she said, sliding
in the tightly coiled spring.
"The fact that you are assembling a gun without a stopwatch."
Carter shrugged. "So I don't have a stopwatch."
Her father placed a large hand over Carter's, stilling her process. After a breath, she looked up at him.
"You fight the punching bag when you're frustrated and you assemble a gun when you're trying to distract yourself from something you don't want to think about. Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
Carter dropped her gaze and her father removed his hand. Setting down the gun pieces, she fingered a flaw in the coffee table wood. "Captain, what do you do when you've made a mistake?"
Her father crossed his arms, studying her hunched shoulders and downcast eyes.
"Are we talking ‘blew up my car’ mistake? ‘Got caught smoking in the school's security tunnels’ mistake? Or got a ‘belly button ring’ mistake?"
Carter curled her fingers, watching the knuckles stick out. “'Ran my mouth and hurt someone’ mistake.”
Her father nodded thoughtfully. "The best you can do is apologize and work to pick up the pieces. Which, coincidentally, happens to work for the first mistake as well," he said.
When Carter didn’t even crack a smile, her father laid a hand on her shoulder. “What’s going on, Sarge?”
Letting out a breath, Carter leaned back on the couch, curling her legs up. Instead of meeting her father's eyes, she focused on her knotted hands but didn’t see them. What she saw was the way Link looked after she had thrown that word back in his face. She knew punching him would have hurt less.
How did she admit she not only failed Link but her father too? He asked her to be Link’s friend, to protect him. But she hadn’t been able to protect Link from herself.
“I screwed up,” she said. “I crossed a line and now I think I lost my only friends.” She closed her eyes, seeing Link’s hurt over and over again. “All because I wanted to be right.”
Her father hummed in response and Carter sank deeper into the cushions.
“What line?” he asked.
Ashamed, Carter tugged at the fraying end of the cushion, unable to meet her father’s penetrating gaze. “One that I knew not to cross.”
