In the parking lot, Officer Handsome took our names and said he was going to hand them over to the school’s administrators. It would be up to them to dole out a punishment, if any. He said he figured we’d at least have to suffer some sort of consequence back home once he showed up at the door with us in tow. But, because I was going over to Tessa’s for the night, he said he would make sure someone at the school contacted my mother to fill her in on what had happened. Little did he know how easily my mother would find out. I panicked at the thought of it, but didn’t let on as he escorted us toward Tessa’s front door.
Tessa opened the unlocked door and we followed her inside.
“Jaques!” she screamed. Her voice echoed in the big, empty foyer.
As we walked toward the back of the house, Officer Cutie seemed to scrutinize every nook and cranny. When we reached the family room, Jaques appeared from the direction of the mysterious hallway. I looked around and realized that the family room was completely cleaned up. No popcorn bowls or empty soda cans were in sight.
Jaques held out his hand. “Jaques Anderson.”
Officer Cutie grabbed and shook. “Officer Collins.”
The officer flashed a quick, cute smile, but then got down to business. “How are you related to the suspect?”
Suspect? I thought to myself. I wanted to chuckle, but didn’t dare.
Jaques got serious, too, and, thankfully, didn’t seem one bit high. “I’m her older brother, Officer Collins.” How the heck did Jaques sober up so fast, I wondered.
“Where are your parents?”
“They’re staying in Portland tonight, but will be joining us tomorrow.”
“Are you willing to take responsibility for your sister and her friend, here?”
“Absolutely. I will make sure that Tessa and Holly don’t leave again tonight.”
The officer was confused. “Holly?”
Tessa quickly butted in. “He means Willow. He always confuses my two best friends Holly and Willow ’cause they look so much alike.” Tessa tilted her head and flashed her pearly whites.
I smiled calmly when Officer Collins looked over at me, even though I was horrified on the inside.
He seemed satisfied. “Fine. And girls. I suggest you not try anything like that again. Next time you might face criminal charges.”
Jaques stuck out his hand. “I’ll see to it that they won’t, Officer, and will make sure to tell my parents first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Jaques!” Tessa huffed.
“Sorry, sis.”
Officer Cutie shook Jaques’s hand. “Thank you.”
After Jaques was done charming the policeman, he ushered him toward the foyer. As soon as they left the room, I looked at Tessa.
“Are you parents gonna be pissed when Jaques tells them what happened?”
“No,” she stated without hesitation as she walked away toward the kitchen.
“Really?” I said as I followed her. “Not at all?”
“Jaques isn’t gonna tell them anything,” she said with the utmost confidence.
I was confused. “But he just said—“
Tessa stopped and turned toward me. “He was just saying that, Willow, to kiss up to Officer Collins. He’d never rat me out to our parents. Never.”
“Lucky you,” I said as I leaned against the cold, granite countertop while coming to terms with my reality. “I, on the other hand, am gonna be screwed!”
• • •
“Willow Ann Flynn! What were you thinking?” my mother scolded me, as her dark green eyes grew even darker with anger. “Your father would be so disappointed in you!”
I got angry and shot back, “Don’t bring Daddy into this! He’s not here anymore to say how he’d feel and you’ve had no problem replacing him, have you, you whore!”
My mom, who had been sitting at the kitchen table, jumped up and lunged at me. She grabbed me around my throat and started squeezing. I couldn’t believe the power she held within her slender, little fingers. I couldn’t breathe as she continued to strangle me. I tried to fight her off, but all the muscles in my body were frozen. I couldn’t move and could feel myself going unconscious. With one last burst of energy I screamed, “Stopppppp!”
I woke up and found myself lying next to Tessa. She moved.
“What are you saying?” she asked groggily.
I shook my head. “Nothing. I was just having a bad dream.”
I turned on my side and faced the wall. The sun was starting to stream in through her bedroom window. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was nine. I got up and closed the blinds remembering that we hadn’t gone to bed until 4:00 A.M. I definitely needed more sleep.
I forced my eyes closed as I thought back to the dream. It seemed so real. I called my mother a whore and she tried to kill me. Why had I dreamt it? Did I really think of my mother as a whore? Did I feel that she was, in a way, killing me, or the part of me that was of my father, by marrying Brian?
I pulled the covers over my head and tried to go back to sleep so I could forget the events of the night before and the horrible dream that, somehow, crept inside and invaded me.
• • •
Tessa finally dropped me off at my house around noon. Luckily my mom and James weren’t home and I was thankful to be alone in the house.
As soon as I walked in the front door, Princess came up to me and brushed her spine against my leg. I felt so badly for my cat. I had been neglecting her lately. I was so busy with my own life, I forgot to pay attention to my furry friend.
I knelt down and petted her. “Hi, there, Princess.” She purred as I stroked her.
I leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I love you,” I said and meant it. Even though I hadn’t spent much time with my cat, I realized I really did love her and would miss her terribly if anything ever happened to her. I couldn’t think that way and removed any such thought from my head.
I also realized that I had neglected more than my cat lately. It was already Sunday afternoon and I hadn’t done a stitch of homework.
I grabbed a bowl of cereal and headed upstairs just as my mom and James came home. James headed for the television, while my mother carried groceries into the kitchen.
“Did you have fun last night, Willow?” she called over her shoulder.
“You could say that,” I said as I spooned some Chocolate O’s into my mouth. “I have a ton of homework, Mom. I’ll be in my room doing it.” I walked out of the kitchen.
“You should have been working on it over the weekend instead of waiting until today, Willow, since—” she called after me as I headed up the stairs. Her voice trailed off as I walked down the hallway and farther away from her.
I knew my mom was right, of course, but I also knew that saving my homework until the last minute was definitely worth it. I’d never forget the previous night and would most likely never have another one like it for the rest of my life.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-THREE
In the Middle of Nowhere (Willow's Journey #1) Page 32
