As the crowd shifted, Jack wrapped a protective arm around Kelly.
The front door of the Martins’ house opened. The cameraman swung the lens around as the crowd pushed forward. Two policemen emerged, each carrying a large, clear plastic evidence bag. Inside one was a white jacket with red stripes. The other held white, high-top basketball shoes. Detective Vargas exited next, followed by J-Dog in handcuffs.
“It’s J-Dog they’re arresting?” Jack blurted out. “I thought he’d gone straight.”
Shawna made a snapping sound with her lower lip. “I didn’t see that coming.”
J-Dog’s mother appeared in the doorway, crying. Jack couldn’t hear what was being said, but he could tell she was begging.
Detective Vargas shook his head and walked down the steps.
As he was led to the car, J-Dog’s eyes searched the crowd. Jack saw despair hidden beneath the tough guy mask on his face. He looked like a man going to the gallows. His shoulders slumped as he got in the car.
“He’s screwed,” Shawna said. “It’s never good when the suits show up.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Jack said. He led Kelly through the crowd back toward the car. But before they reached it, Michelle popped out of the house and rushed over to them.
“What happened?” she asked.
“They arrested J-Dog. Where’s Chandler?”
“He’s getting an earful about how irresponsible you are.” Michelle snickered. “I’d beat feet unless you want a big talking-to, too.”
Jack held up his hands. “You’d better get inside the house, Half-Pint. Tell him to call me.”
She nodded, gave a little wave, and ran around to the back door.
Jack and Kelly hopped in the Impala just as the police cars drove by. J-Dog was in the back, his head slumped forward.
“Are you friends with the guy who got arrested?” Kelly asked.
“Friends? With J-Dog? No. Never. I can’t stand him.”
“Didn’t you grow up with him?”
“Yeah.” Jack watched as the cruiser drove away. “We didn’t like each other then, either. He always rubbed me the wrong way. We’re like oil and water.”
Kelly nodded.
“I heard after I got adopted and moved, he got worse. Jay turned into J-Dog. He deserved the nickname: he’s as mean and crazy as a junkyard dog.” Jack rolled down his window. “His mother’s real nice, though. Seeing her crying like that…”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
“Where do you want to go now?” Kelly asked.
Jack glanced at the clock. 10:44 p.m. “What time can you stay out until?”
“One.”
Crud. Thanks, Dad.
Jack racked his brain for someplace else to go. The list of places in Fairfield where a seventeen year old could go at eleven o’clock at night consisted of the convenience store, the laundromat, and the Waffle House. Or…
“There’s a little park that overlooks the bay on the way to your house,” Jack said. “It has a great view.”
Kelly’s face lit up. “That sounds awesome.”
Jack pulled out and drove fast.
Bay View Park was popular with runners because it sat on a wide plateau of land. It was also popular with kids who wanted privacy because the parking lot was shielded by trees, and the police visited infrequently.
Tonight the parking lot was empty.
Jack eased the Impala into a spot away from the streetlights and turned off the car.
Kelly’s hand shot out and clicked her seat belt release. She turned to Jack but suddenly frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Her eyes shifted down to the seat, where her finger traced an invisible outline on the fabric. “Did you really mean all that?”
Jack’s mind raced as he tried to figure out what “all that” could be. He reached his hand along the back of the seat and lowered his voice. “All that?” he repeated, hoping for clarification.
Her cheeks flushed. “All that you said about not being able to keep your eyes off me because…” Her pearl-white teeth bit her bottom lip.
“Because you looked so beautiful?”
She slowly nodded.
Jack stroked the back of her hand. “Yeah. I meant all that.”
Her big blue eyes peered out over her long, delicate lashes. A stray strand of hair fell across her cheek. Jack reached over and tucked it behind her ear.
She leaned closer.
So did Jack.
Slowly, he slid his hand behind her head. Kelly’s lips pressed together. Jack leaned down, pulled her close, and then kissed her. A tender, gentle kiss.
When he pulled back, Kelly did too. “Wow. I didn’t expect that.”