Twenty-one Year Rule

by Alaina Stanford

  Jake sat up and put Kilo in a headlock, “I’ll give you someone to wrestle.” He growled as Kilo squirmed out of his grasp and batted at him with his right paw like a drunken boxer. Jake laughed and added, “Oh yeah, you’re a tough guy.” He rolled onto the floor taking the 80-pound dog with him.

  “Don’t break any bones.” Amy said walking over with Emma in her arms to sit in the recliner at the far end of the room. She sat quietly watching Jake and Kilo wrestle for a few minutes until Randy walked slowly down the stairs. When he reached the landing, Amy announced, “Jake, I breast feed and Emma is hungry.”

  Jake pushed Kilo off him and glanced at Amy. Noting the serious expression on her face, he rose and dodged Kilo’s lunge. Jake ducked around the sofa and headed for the front door. “Is the lawn mower in the garage?”

  Randy hesitated a moment then headed after him, picking up his slow pace a bit. He said, “Yes, I’ll help you get it started, the choke sticks.”

  Jake opened the door and turned back toward him. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah,” Randy grinned at him, “I’m feeling like an old man. I need some fresh air and sunshine.”`

  Amy watched as Randy squared his shoulders and stood up straight. His refusal to give in to the pain showed in the determined expression on his face. Their eyes met for a brief moment. She pursed her lips in an invisible kiss, and he smiled.

  Randy worked with the edger along the sidewalk as Jake mowed the lawn. Between the two of them, they had the lawn done in less than an hour. Amy brought them both a large glass of lemonade as Randy handed Jake a broom to sweep the sidewalk.

  Randy accepted the drink and gave Amy a quick kiss. “You read my mind,” He said taking a sip, “It’s going to be a hot day.”

  Jake took the glass from Amy and guzzled down the lemonade as he headed toward the house to sweep the sidewalk. The sound of a truck roaring up the gravel drive drew his attention, and he waved as Josh’s truck came into view.

  Josh pulled up in front of the garage and climbed out of the truck as Jake hastily swept the sidewalk. Josh gave Amy a quick kiss on the cheek and shot Randy a look of surprise. He said, “Looks like you’re feeling better.”

  Randy nodded and sighed, “I was, but I’m ready for a break and a pain pill now.”

  Amy moved to his side and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Let’s get you inside.”

  Josh stepped forward, “You need a hand?”

  Randy grinned and shook his head, “It’s just a little pain. I’ll be fine. Jake did a great job on the lawn. I owe him twenty bucks.”

  Josh chuckled and turned back to find Jake heading toward them. Josh added, “I’ll spot you this time. Jake and I need to get going.”

  Josh and Jake closed up the garage as Amy and Randy headed inside. Josh checked the horse’s water supply and looked around the back of the garage for bear tracks. Finding no trace of the bear, Josh checked the lock on the gate then headed toward his truck. Jake climbed into the passenger’s seat, and they headed back toward the road.

  Josh glanced at Jake, who was staring intently into the woods. “You won’t see the bear son. It’s hiding in a hollow where it’s cool trying to dodge this heat. It won’t come out until after dark.”

  Jake frowned and wrinkled his nose. “We should go bear hunting sometime dad. That would be awesome.”

  “Hunting bear isn’t like tracking deer.” Josh said turning his attention back to the road. “You do track them. Then you set out some bait along their usual trail and climb up a tree and wait.”

  Jake shot him an impressed look, “So the bear comes to you? That’s very interesting.”

  Josh chuckled then said, “Son, do you realize this fall will be your first year of high school.”

  “Yeah,” Jake said, “So?”

  Josh turned the truck onto the main road and headed for the highway. “You’re going to get pretty busy with football and studying. I hope you’ll still want to go hunting with me this fall.”

  Jake turned and stared at Josh. He said, “I’ll always want to go hunting with you, dad.”

  Josh glanced at his son. He knew this boy. Jake wasn’t a wild kid. Drinking whiskey just wasn’t something Josh expected from him, not at this age. He hadn’t even asked Josh for a sip of his beer yet. They drove for a while in silence. When Josh merged onto the four-lane highway to head to the lake, he glanced back at Jake and said, “When I was your age all Randy and I did was play baseball, bug our dads to teach us to shoot and try to figure out how to talk to girls.”

  “Girls?” Jake’s face screwed up into a disgusted knot.

  Josh chuckled and added, “Another year or so and you’ll know what I’m talking about.”

  Jake laughed, “I know what you’re talking about now, but girls are too much trouble.”

  “Keep thinking that way, son.” Josh added, “It will save you a lot of time and effort.”

  “So what are you plans for this summer, Jake?” Josh asked, “How are you going to keep busy?”

  “Yeah,” Jake answered in a bored tone as he stared out the window.

  The highway divided the valley in half. The mountains banked the stretch of road on both sides, disappearing in the distance. The summer air was clean and clear. It looked as if the mountains were a long walk away instead of a couple of miles in the distance.

  “Do you and Dillon have any plans?” Josh pushed a bit harder trying to get Jake to talk.

  “Dillon’s family is going to Disneyland next week. He’s excited about the trip. They are going to take the camper and stop in Las Vegas on the way.”

  Josh smiled, “That’ll be fun. What will you do while he’s gone? The two of you have been connected at the hip lately.”

  Jake frowned at him, “I thought I’d spend some extra time at moms since it’s going to be boring around here without him.”

  A look of surprise crossed Josh’s face. He shot Jake a sideways look and asked, “Just you? Without Molly?”

  “Yeah,” Jake answered quietly. “Mom’s alone all the time. Maybe she’d like some company. I could help her set up that garden on her deck and fix the broken leg on her dresser. Stuff like that.”

  Josh gazed back at the road. “So you and your mom are getting along?”

  “Yeah,” Jake answered glancing out the window, “She lets us do pretty much whatever we want.”

  “Whatever you want?” Josh asked with disbelief.

  “Sure,” Jake answered quietly.

  “So you can do whatever you want, and she’s fine with it?” Josh clarified.

  “Yeah, she trusts me.” Jake turned to look at his dad.

  “I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t trust you with a bottle of whiskey.” Josh’s tone was harsher than he intended.

  Jake’s face lost all color as Josh turned and locked eyes with him. Josh turned back to the road and added softly, “Jake, I tossed your backpack on the floor next to your bed and heard glass break. When I opened your pack to see what it was, I found a bottle of whiskey.”

  “She didn’t know I had it.” Jake blurted out almost too quickly.

  Josh kept his eyes on the road and asked calmly, “Where did you get it?”

  “I don’t know,” Jake began and then sighed in frustration. “Some kid in the unit down the way had it. He offered it to me. I had to take it. I would have looked stupid if I said no. I never even got the chance to drink it, I swear.”

  Josh wasn’t convinced Jake was telling him the whole story, but at least he was talking. Josh began the lecture, “Jake, your mom is an alcoholic. You’re old enough to understand what that means. She can’t drink alcohol at all, not even one sip. When you brought that whiskey into her house, you were taking a huge risk. A risk your mom can’t afford to be exposed to. That’s a risk that could change both your lives.”

  “I know mom’s not supposed to drink.” Jake looked down at the floor and added softly, “I’m sorry.”

  Josh reached over and took hold of Jake’s shou
lder. “Son, it’s natural to be curious about alcohol. I remember what it was like when I was young. However, you’re only fourteen, and you’re going to have to resist the temptation. When someone offers you something you know is wrong, look them square in the eye and say “no” with confidence. Most of the time they will let it go. The ones that don’t aren’t your friends. If they have no respect for you, then you shouldn’t worry about what they think. There’s always going to be a kid that’s cooler, stronger, or more popular than you are. There might even be a better shot out there somewhere. That’s just life.”

  Jake kept his eyes on the floor, “I’m sorry dad.”

  “It’s okay Jake.” Josh added, “I love you.”

  “I love you too, dad.” Jake looked up at him.

  “Are you sure you’re telling me everything?” Josh urged gently, “I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”

  “I’m sure,” Jake replied glancing back out the window.

  Chapter Eight

  The pins and needles feeling in his foot startled Bash awake. He opened his eyes and smiled at Grace’s sleeping form. She lay on top of him stretched out on the couch. They must have fallen asleep watching the movie. This was not how he intended to spend his first night with Grace; fully clothed with one foot resting on the coffee table.

  Bash sat up slowly cradling Grace in his arms. She opened her eyes and stared up at him in confusion. When she realized what happened, she blushed and bolted upright. “What time is it?” She blurted out and glanced at the clock over the TV. “Oh, my gosh, I’m late for work!”

  Grace jumped up and rushed into the rear of the apartment. Bash enjoyed the view. Grace raced into her bedroom and snatched a bathing suit, shorts and a shirt from her dresser drawer, then ran to the bathroom.

  “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen.” She called to Bash as she closed the bathroom door. “I’m going to take a quick shower, and then we’ve got to get going.”

  Bash resisted the urge to offer to wash her back and headed into the kitchen. He helped himself to a bottle of water and pulled a bag of bagels out of the fridge. Dropping two into the four slots in the toaster, he found some cream cheese in the fridge. He pulled a second bottle of water out and placed it on the counter as he waited for the bagels.

  He finished his bagel just as Grace appeared from the bathroom followed with a cloud of steam. Her long wet hair hung loosely around her clean face. Bash was startled at how beautiful she was dripping wet, fresh out of the shower with no make-up.

  The words, “Hey sexy,” came out before he could stop himself.

  Grace blushed and smiled at him.

  Bash stepped toward her, “I made you a bagel.” Offering her the bagel smeared with cream cheese wrapped in a paper towel and the bottled water he added, “I’ll drive while you eat.”

  “You can keep the bike as long as you pick me up after work.” Grace agreed, she took a bite of the bagel and headed for the door.

  “That shouldn’t be a problem.” Bash smiled at the thought of the day spent on a bike and another evening with Grace. “Tonight is my treat. You choose the activity and then its dinner and dancing at Sadie’s.”

  **********

  Randy glanced at his watch. Bash didn’t come home last night, and Amy was worried. Yet she hadn’t tried to call him on his cell phone. Something was up. Amy spent the entire day cleaning out the closets. That was a clear sign she was upset. Randy rose from the recliner and stretched gingerly. The soreness was gone, replaced by a dull ache in his side. The fatigue was gone as well. The doctor wanted him on leave for at least another week. That wasn’t going to work for him, but first things first.

  Emma was asleep in her bed for her mid-morning nap. Amy was cleaning out the pantry near the back of the kitchen. Randy came up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. Amy’s determined frown vanished, replaced by a smile. She spun to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck as their lips met.

  Randy’s hands slid slowly down her back to cup her firm buttocks. He gazed into her eyes as they parted and said, “I’m sorry about the scare. I was careless. It never should have happened.”

  Amy leaned against him, “You couldn’t have known.”

  “That’s just it Amy, I should have known. It’s my job. I blew it and now a young man is dead.” Randy sighed and added, “But it’s over and we have other issues going on right now. What’s the deal with Bash?”

  Amy was dreading this moment. She knew she had to tell him. If Bash were into something bad, Randy was the only one who could help him. “I was cleaning the guest room yesterday and I found a large amount of cash in Bash’s backpack.”

  “What?” Randy stared down at her. This was not what he expected to hear. Bash was probably on his way to meet with Chet at that very moment. “You confronted him about it?”

  “Not exactly,” Amy admitted, “He discovered it was missing before I could talk to him, and he was so upset there was no reasoning with him.”

  “That’s why he stormed out?” Randy released her and took hold of her hand pulling her with him as he moved to sit at the kitchen island. “Did he say where he got the money?”

  “No, he was too upset.” Amy answered, “Do you think he’s okay?”

  Randy gazed into Amy’s big blue eyes and his heart ached for her. She was in for a rough road with Bash. No kid can grow up in detention and turn out sweet and innocent. Bash was no exception.

  “Amy, I’ve got something to tell you and it’s not going to be easy for you to hear.” Randy began taking her hands in his. “I looked into Bash when we first started dating. Your story about your dad and Bash churned in my gut so hard I had to find out what happened to him.”

  Amy’s squeezed his hand, her face grew pale. “You’re going to tell me something I don’t want to hear.”

  Randy pulled her close. “Baby, he’s had a rough time, you don’t need to know the details, but I think you should know the reason why you didn’t hear from him after he was released. He was arrested for stealing a car less than a month later.”

  “He went back to detention?” Amy whispered as her eyes filled with tears.

  “He went to prison for 6 months.” Randy explained softly. “I’m sorry Amy. He was probably desperate for money. It’s hard to get a job when you’re eighteen years old and have no experience. The detention center gave him a high school diploma. That should have helped. But baby, he’s not an innocent kid fresh out of boarding school. He’s a grown man. You’re going to have to accept that he’s traveled down a hard road. He’s the only person that can make the turn onto a new path. You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved.”

  “I don’t believe that.” Amy snapped, pulling her hands back to wipe away her tears. “He’s been alone for so long, I’m not giving up on him. I don’t care what he’s done. You have to help him.”

  Randy reached for her, and she stepped back, “Amy, you know I’ll help him in any way I can. But, he’s got to come clean and face up to whatever is going on, or there’s nothing I can do.”

  **********

  Bash hated the smell of jail. It was a musty kind of piss odor that penetrated your skin. He sat down in at the small table in the visitor’s area and glanced around. Several women and an old man each sat at a similar small wooden table in the stark white room lined with wire mesh windows waiting to see their particular jailbird. The urge to turn around was overwhelming. He could just walk away and disappear. Maybe he would do just that once he got the information Pete wanted. He could find the meth and sell it, then take Grace and head to the Caribbean.

  Only Bash wasn’t a drug dealer. He didn’t have the slightest clue how to deal drugs. Grace wouldn’t leave her family and her career to run off with a drug dealer. She was a virgin for crying out loud. How did a girl as beautiful and intelligent as Grace manage to reach her twenties without losing her virginity? That was so messed up.

  The door at the far end of the room o
pened and a handful of prisoners began to file through searching for their table. Chet appeared in the door and headed straight for Bash. Bash cringed at the sight of the fresh bruises on his face. He wasn’t doing well in lock-up. Chet pulled out the table and sat awkwardly down in the chair favoring his left side. He said, “Bash, man I am so glad to see you. What’s going on? Is Pete going to help me get out of here?”

  “I don’t know Chet,” Bash said quietly, “He’s pretty upset. He thinks you were trying to cheat him.”

  “Oh no, that wasn’t on me.” Chet leaned forward, placing his trembling hands on the table. “That was Joel; he said it wasn’t smart to keep it all together.” Chet glanced around the room at the two guards standing by each door. “Just ask Dave.”

  “Tell me what happened.” Bash locked eyes with him. “Tell me the truth.”

  Chet glanced at the guards again and began in a low voice, “After we did as Joel suggested, we cut across to I-84. We barely hit the highway when that Sheriff pulled us over. I was drunk Bash, dead drunk. I was scared shitless about the meth. Joel wasn’t scared though; he was pissed. He was always pissed. His eyes were dead. He’d look at you, and there was no life inside him. I was so sure Pete told him to kill us once we got him to Cleveland. I don’t know why, I just had that feeling. Dave had it too. He was in the back seat. I guess he just followed Joel’s lead. The Sheriff had me spread eagled on the trunk when they got out of the car. Joel didn’t say a word when the cop told him to back off. He just kept coming. You should have seen the look on his face. It was pure evil. He knew that cop had to die, and he was eager to do it.”

  Chet clenched his fists and lowered his head. “I was so scared, Bash. I didn’t know what to do. Dave was walking up fast behind Joel. He looked at me, his face was white, he was scared shitless, but he knew too. He knew what was going to happen. Joel attacked fast; the cop shoved me down on the ground hard when Joel attacked. Dave stepped in a couple of times, but his heart wasn’t in it. He wasn’t doing any real damage. Then the cop managed to pull his gun and shot Joel. Dave screamed like a woman and ran around the car. He was going to run and leave us both.”