by Debbie Civil
It isn’t proper to pace, but I can’t help it. I’m at the police station, stuck in an interrogation room. This is the most secure way to do something like this. On the table is a plastic bag containing blue sweats and a white t-shirt. I hope that the clothing fits. The only reason that I had chosen sweats was because they weren’t too hard to pick out. I chew gum, to occupy myself. What has taken so long? It has been fifteen minutes. The door knob twists and the door opens to reveal Chelsea, standing in the doorway. She’s beautiful. She’s wearing a blue sundress and matching sandals. She’s holding an umbrella.
“What are you doing here?” I ask her, trying to act frustrated. She laughs.
“I’m here because I’m curious.” Her answer causes me to smile. She eyes the bag and arches her brow.
“Sweat pants and a t-shirt.” She nods in understanding. Alex had offered to come to the station with me. But I had flatly refused. Sometimes people have to fight their own battles. That’s why Jake went to visit Adriana all by his lonesome. He and I both know that we couldn’t be at two places at once. Besides, I can’t be his emotional crutch forever. He needs to work on being able to communicate with others. He told me that he promised that he would get some help. That warms my heart because I want to see Jake happy. Chelsea sighs, fully enters the room and presses her back against the wall. My guess is that she’s tired of sitting.
“It’s cold in here,” she whines, before rubbing her arms.
“Where’s Peter?” I ask, knowing that he isn’t far behind. Ever since Chelsea had turned in her mother, the couple has been inseparable.
“In the car. Have you been following the news?”
“No.” I’ve been back home for three days now and have avoided the T.V. like it was an angry beast.
“Apparently, after I dropped my mother off to the police station, she went in and told them that she wanted to talk to Officer Green. That’s when she tried convincing him that her husband confessed to killing Amy. I guess she’s a terrible liar because he did some research. That’s why she was arrested at the diner,” Chelsea explains. “I’m sorry.”
“About what?” I ask, though I have a pretty good idea what she’s sorry for.
“For trying to help her leave the country after what she did to your Dad. Carmen, you had to know that I was afraid. Mom was the only parent that I had left. I couldn’t lose her,” Chelsea confesses, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I was so tired of everything changing. I was so tired of everyone going to jail. First, Uncle Eric, then Adam, then my Mom? I couldn’t handle it, so I snapped. It’s not a good excuse, but that’s all I have to offer,” she says.
“I forgive you, Chelsea. To be honest with you, I forgot all about that. I would have done the same if I were you,” I lie.
“No, you wouldn’t have. You would have caught your mother in the act and forced her to turn herself in. You’re good like that,” Chelsea tells me. I stand and stretch.
“Chelsea, I’m glad you’re here,” I admit. As much as I insisted upon doing this alone, it’s still nice to have Chelsea’s company. She smirks.
“Jake told us that you would be happy to have us. He’s taking you needing space horribly. He’s been moping around,” Chelsea tells me, which makes me feel horrible.
“Chelsea, he needs to understand that before he comes back, I need to figure out a few things.”
“How is that going?” she asks.
“I’m volunteering at a domestic violence shelter. I…”
‘That’s not what I meant. I want to know what it’s like trying to figure out things without him,” Chelsea clarifies. I pause and consider her question. It’s a valid one.
“Not fun. But I need to be my own person,” I plead with her.
“You are your own person, Carmen. Just because you don’t know what career you’re trying to pursue, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t a whole person. I for one have no idea what I’m doing. In the spring, I’m in rolling in some online courses. I’m thinking of changing my major to English. Maybe I want to be an editor. I don’t know. But with Peter by my side, I will figure it out,” she tells me, her hazel eyes filled with the confidence that wasn’t there when she was with Adam.
“Maybe, you’re right. With Jake in Gately, I still have no idea what to pursue,” I tell her. I pull my phone out of my purse and send Jake a quick text. “I can’t wait until you come home. I love you.” After I hit send, I put the phone back into my purse. He’ll get it soon enough. A knock on the door almost makes my heart stop. Officer Brandy walks in followed by a young woman with short black hair and tired features. She’s dressed in an orange jumpsuit. She looks around, her eyes filling with hope. When she sees me, a tear rolls down her cheek.
“Amber, do you remember me? It’s Carmen!” I don’t get to say anything else. She rushes past the officer and wraps her arms around me. I hug her back. When she releases me, she faces Chelsea.
“I’m your cousin Chelsea. I’m Ian’s daughter.” Amber nods and pulls Chelsea into a hug. She seems ecstatic to be out of prison. Hopefully, that will be enough to keep her on the straight and narrow.
“Carmen, whenever you’re ready, we will escort you to the parking lot,” Officer Brandy tells me. I nod.
“Where’s my sister?” Amber asks us.
“Back in Gately. She…”
“Doesn’t want to come,” Amber says, interrupting me. Chelsea and I simply nod, knowing that lying at this point would be pointless. We all know how Tia is.
“Here,” I say, handing Amber the plastic bag. She looks extremely grateful, and I’m glad that she will be changing out of her clothing.
After Amber changes into the sweat pants, which fit her just right, we leave through the back. I’m relieved to see Peter’s car parked right beside an Audi. That must be a lawyer’s car or something. It’s chilly, and rain is beginning to fall. We all run to the car, and I nearly slip. But I make it in time. Amber and I pile into the back as Chelsea takes the passenger side.
“Who’s he?” Amber demands, confused.
“Chelsea’s husband,” I answer, giving my cousin a reassuring pat. She seems kind of skittish.
“Husband? Are you pregnant, Chelsea?” Amber asks.
“Nope. But your sister had a baby,” Chelsea announces. Amber frowns.
“Tia’s married?” Amber asks, confused.
“No. She made some mistakes,” I sum up. Amber sighs.
“I have as well. It just shocks me that Tia got pregnant without being married. She was always the good one,” Amber tells us.
“No offense, but I highly doubt that,” Chelsea comments. Amber chuckles.
“So Tia’s bratty side has come out to play?”
“Too many times,” I tell amber. “Are you hungry?”
“Yes. What are we having?” she asks.
“We could either order food or go out to eat,” I tell her.
“Let’s order food. I’m in the mood for a hot shower.