by Earl Sewell
“How did the car get damaged?” she asked.
“I got into an accident with it but no one was hurt,” I answered her.
“Good,” she said.
“Grandma, can you call Jordan and try to smooth this over with him for me? He’ll listen to you.” I’d just asked her for the biggest favor in my life.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said. “Mike, is there someone there that I can talk to, like the arresting officer?”
“Yeah. Detective O’Malley is standing next to me,” I said.
“Let me speak with him.” I gave the phone to Detective O’Malley and tried to piece together the conversation he was having with Grandmother Katie but his answers were too short and direct for me to decipher anything relevant. Once he was done he said good-bye and hung up.
“Come with me,” he said, and I followed him through another series of doors and into an interrogation room. Detective O’Malley told me to have a seat at the table. He then placed a folder he’d been carrying on the table and asked me if I wanted a cup of water.
“No,” I said to him. Detective O’Malley sat directly across from me and opened the folder. I noticed that his hands, arms and even his cheeks had brown freckles on them. He looked about Jordan’s age but had deep-set brown eyes that looked as if they’d seen a fair amount of tragedy. His eyes were stern and unyielding, and I could tell that Detective O’Malley didn’t play around and wasn’t the type of man who put up with foolishness. As I took in the room I noticed the two-way mirror and wondered who was on the other side watching. I also noticed a video camera set up on a tripod in the other corner.
“Mike, you have us all puzzled here,” said Detective O’Malley. “When I say all I’m also referring to my colleagues who are watching this videotaped interrogation from behind the mirror.
“We’ve run a background check on you and have come up with nothing. You don’t have a prior record and you haven’t been in trouble before. So I’m going to give you a one-time opportunity right now to come clean and explain how you ended up in the middle of a police raid.” It was at that point I opened up and started talking. I laid it all out. I told Detective O’Malley about how I met Toya and the great lengths I went through to deceive my parents just so that I could get a chance to be intimate with her. I told him how my sister, Keysha, had warned me about her and insisted that I not get involved with her.
“Okay, but being stupid doesn’t explain to me how you ended up over at the stockyard.”
“Toya called me up and asked me to come visit her. I told her that it would take a while before I got there but she convinced me to just drive my dad’s Trans Am. At the time it sounded like a great plan. I could drive down, see her and be back home before anyone noticed the car was even gone.”
“So you took your father’s car without his permission,” asked Detective O’Malley. He glared at me and I could tell he was passing judgment on me.
“Yes,” I admitted and began sobbing again.
“That’s called car theft, son,” he said as he scribbled down a message on a sheet of paper. He then held it up for the folks behind the mirror to see. A moment later another officer entered the room and placed a tissue box on the table before me. He then left the room.
“I know, I wasn’t thinking,” I said as I took a tissue and blew my nose.
“You don’t even have a driver’s license or permit yet,” said Detective O’Malley.
“I know. I thought that since I was such a good driver, as long as I did the speed limit and obeyed the rules of the road everything would so smoothly,” I explained.
“But anything could’ve happened. Someone could’ve hit you. You could’ve been forced to inadvertently slam into another car. You could’ve hurt someone. Not to mention you don’t have any automobile insurance.”
“I know. I didn’t think about any of that when I took the car,” I said.
“So, how did the car end up by the stockyard in the middle of a police raid?”
“When I got to Toya’s house she wanted to see the car, so I showed it to her. Then she tricked me. She took me back inside the apartment, got me undressed and then took the car keys. When I realized that she’d set me up I ran out of the house to stop her but I was too late. She and some other guy took off in the car.”
“So she turned around and stole the car that you’d stolen from your father?” Detective O’Malley was making sure that he had everything straight.
“Yes,” I answered him.
“So how did you know where to find the car?” he asked.
“Keysha, my sister. Since she used to live in that neighborhood she’d heard rumors about the old stockyards being a place where thieves took cars that had been stolen.” Detective O’Malley paused for a moment as he took down a few notes.
“How do you know that Keysha wasn’t in on this?” he asked.
“Keysha isn’t like that. She would never get involved in anything criminal.” I defended my sister.
“Keysha is in another room being questioned right now. We’ve pulled her record and discovered that she was recently involved in a drug scandal.”
“She was, but she was set up. That’s all been cleared up and has nothing to do with this.” I wanted to make sure Detective O’Malley understood that Keysha was innocent.
“So how did you and Keysha get over to the old stockyards?”
“We took a cab. We really didn’t know what we were doing. I just wanted to see if the car was there,” I said.
“And when you saw that the car was actually there, why didn’t you call the police?” asked Detective O’Malley.
“Keysha wanted to call but I told her not to,” I said.
“Why?” asked Detective O’Malley.
“Because. I thought I could get the car back, drive home and pretend like none of it ever happened.”
“So you didn’t want your parents to know what you’d been up to,” said Detective O’Malley.
“That’s right.” I paused. “My Dad is going to kill me. I just know he is.” I began tearing up once again. Detective O’Malley took a few more notes and then exited the room. I sat in there along for a very long time, trying to figure out what was going to happen to me. I thought about what my Mom and Dad would say once they were made aware of everything. The more I thought about how badly I’d messed up, the harder it became for me to contain my emotions. I crossed my arms and placed them atop of the table. I then closed my eyes and lowered my head down and rested on top of my folded arms. If I could’ve buried my head in the ground I would have. More time passed, and being locked up in that room was starting to drive me crazy.
“Mike, your father is here.” Detective O’Malley held the door open as Jordan walked in. Jordan looked as if he couldn’t believe I was actually in that room. I’d never seen an expression on his face like the one at that moment. It was filled with disappointment and grief.
“Asia, our attorney, is on her way. We’re going to get this mess straightened out and then I’m going to deal with you.” Jordan spoke to me in a very direct and clear tone. I knew that after this episode my life wasn’t going to be the same. Jordan then walked over to me, stood behind me and rested his hands on my shoulders. I thought he was about to choke me to death but instead he massaged my shoulders, which were in knots.
“Detective O’Malley, can you tell me what the charges against my son are?” Jordan asked. Detective O’Malley asked one of his colleagues to cut off the video camera. He then entered the room and shut the door.
“Look. Mike seems like a really good kid who made a very bad judgment call and ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time. Mr. Kendall, if you don’t file a police report saying that your car was stolen, we’ll issue a citation for the lesser charge of joyriding. However, the car is going to remain in police custody as evidence since it was subsequently stolen from your son.” Jordan inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly. Detective O’Malley continued, “I know you want your car back, but i
t’s going to be a while before we can turn it back over to you.”
“Will this incident go on his record?” Jordan asked.
“You can speak to your attorney about that. It’s a misdemeanor charge that can probably be lifted over time. But again, speak with your lawyer about it,” said Detective O’Malley. At that moment our attorney, Asia, entered the room.
“I’ll let you guys talk things over. When you’re ready, just come into the room next door,” Detective O’Malley said as he exited.
I once again explained to Asia and my dad. Once Asia had heard all of the facts she agreed that the best option was to take the charge of joyriding and then have it removed later.
Jordan was very upset and frustrated with me but said, “I’m glad you’re okay. I’m thankful that you weren’t shot, wounded or killed. The car isn’t worth you losing your life. I can always get another car, but I can’t get another you. And I don’t care what kind of trouble you’re in. You call me. Not your grandmother. Understood?”
“Yeah,” I answered. Jordan hugged me and then we all got up to go to the next room to fill out the paperwork.
“What about Keysha?” I asked.
“Your mother is trying to find out about her now,” Jordan said.
“She’s still being questioned,” Asia said. “I’ll find out what room they have her in and let you know. The police are just going to have you fill out paperwork releasing Mike into your custody. It’s pretty simple.”
“Go find out about Keysha. I’ll handle things on this end and then join you in a moment,” Jordan said as Asia rushed off down the corridor.
nineteen
KEYSHA
Saturday, March 1st
After I was taken to the police station, I was allowed to make a phone call. Since I couldn’t reach Jordan earlier I called Barbara. I explained as best I could what had happened and told her where Mike and I were. Without hesitation or biting remarks, Barbara said that she’d have Jordan contact our attorney and that they’d be there right away.
Once I ended my conversation with Barbara, the investigators placed me inside a small interrogation room and began grilling me for about two hours about Mike, Jordan’s car and the paper-wrapped money from the Currency Exchange that was found inside my purse. I told them at least one hundred times what had happened but they seemed to have a difficult time believing my story. Then they asked me if I’d be willing to be placed in a police lineup. I agreed to it because I knew that no witnesses would be able to say that I was there. The police had me and about five other girls place a bandana on the lower half of our faces. We looked like we were about to go rob a train or something. After going through the humiliation of being placed in a police lineup, I was marched back to the interrogation room, where I just sat and waited.
Finally a female detective entered the interrogation room. She was a rather tall woman with gingerbread skin, a short Afro, a caring smile and warm eyes. She didn’t appear to be the typical hardnosed officer.
“Hello, Keysha,” she said as she shut the door behind her.
“Hey,” I said, and I sat nervously. My skin was once again itching like wildfire because I was so stressed out. I tried hard not to scratch but I couldn’t control myself.
“My name is Officer Davis,” she said as she sat down across the table.
“I’ve already told the other officer that I didn’t do it. Why are you guys still holding me?” I asked.
“I’m one of the investigators looking into the Currency Exchange robbery,” she explained. “I just want to make sure that I’ve got a few things straight, okay?”
“There is nothing more to tell. I’ve told you everything that I know. I want to go home,” I said with a shaky voice.
“I know this seems repetitive, Keysha, but can you tell me once again how you got this money?” Officer Davis asked.
“Oh God,” I said as I raised the palms of my hands and buried my face in them. I took a few deep breaths and started crying. When I was done, I pulled myself together and launched into my story. After asking me a series of probing questions, Officer Davis seemed satisfied with my statement.
“Okay.” Officer Davis exhaled as she stood up and moved towards the door.
“What now? Please don’t send another person in here and make me tell that entire story again,” I said.
“Just sit tight. I need to verify your version of what happened,” she said and then left the room.
Another hour passed before the door opened up. When I looked up I saw Jordan, Barbara, Mike and Asia enter the room.
“It’s about time!” I said with tearful joy. “Can I go now?”
“Yes. You’re free to go now,” said Asia. I stood up and went over to give Barbara and Jordan big hugs.
“I’m not giving you a hug because you’re crazy,” I said to Mike.
“I’m so sorry, Keysha. I messed up big time. I’m sorry for everything. These past few weeks I’ve treated you badly and I had no reason to.”
“You’re doggone right you’ve been treating me badly.” I wasn’t willing to let him off the hook just yet.
“When we get back home we’re going to discuss all of this. I’m sure that we’ll find the lesson to be learned when we’re done,” said Barbara, who began rubbing my back in an effort to comfort me.
“Can you forgive me, Keysha?’ Mike asked.
“Yeah, but it’s going to cost you. No more making fun of my skin. No more yelling at me about the bathroom. And you have to do my chores for at least two months.”
“Agreed,” Mike said and then stepped over and hugged me tight. “Thank you for helping me stop myself before things got any worse,” he whispered in my ear.
“Okay,” I said as I welcomed his embrace. “Now, let me go, you’re making me cry.” I said.
“I’m glad all of this is over,” said Jordan.
“So what happened? Did they finally believe me?” I asked.
“I got them to drop the charges against you,” said Asia.
“They were going to actually charge me?” I was blown away when she said that.
“The police caught Simon, who cooperated with police in order to get leniency. Simon said that he and Justine would have gotten away had you not delayed them. He also admitted that you knew nothing of what he and Justine planned to do and confirmed that you tried to talk her out of going with him.”
“So where’s my Mom at?” I asked.
“The police are still searching for her and your baby brother. Simon says that they got into an argument and went their separate ways. He says that he dropped her off at a bus station. Since your mother is now a fugitive, I’m certain the court will terminate her visitation rights,” said Asia. I didn’t know how I felt about that. It was sad not knowing when or where I’d see my mother and baby brother again, but then again I was glad that all the drama with Justine was over and done with for now.
“Do you know what’s going to happen with Toya?” I asked.
“Who cares,” Mike spat. “Don’t even mention that girl’s name around me.”
‘She’s probably going to be charged with auto theft and sent to juvie until her court hearing,” said Asia.
“I hope they throw the book at her,” Mike said as we exited the room. We all went into a small room where Jordan filled out some paperwork and all of my belongings, which had been taken when I arrived, were returned to me. When I got my cell phone back I noticed that Wesley had called me several times. I stepped away from my family for a little privacy and called Wesley.
“Hello,” the voice of an elderly woman answered Wesley’s phone.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I must have the wrong number,” I said and was about to hang up.
“Is this Keysha?” the elderly woman asked.
“Yes. Who is this?” I asked.
“This is Wesley’s grandmother.” She paused for a moment as she coughed. She cleared her throat and said, “Sugar, I’m afraid that I’ve got some bad news.” Her voice
was shaky and uncertain.
“Bad news?” I asked, not really certain if I heard her correctly.
‘Yes. Wesley has been shot.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why do you think Mike was willing to risk everything to be with Toya?
Discuss how and why Toya was able to connect with Mike and manipulate him so well.
Mike took Jordan’s car without his permission and subsequently had it stolen from him. If you were Mike, how would you have handled a crisis like the one he had to deal with?
Sabrina really likes Mike a lot and wants to make him happy. However, Mike is putting pressure on her to have sex with him. Having sex before marriage makes Sabrina uncomfortable and puts a strain on her relationship with Mike. Discuss how you’d handle a situation where someone wanted you to do something you’re not comfortable with. Would you break your rules or go against your values to make them happy? Why or why not?
Keysha learns that she must return to her old neighborhood and visit with her mother. Do you think the judge should have allowed Justine visitation rights? Why or why not?
Discuss Justine’s motivation for reentering Keysha’s life.
If you were Keysha and were faced with the option of returning stolen money or helping Mike deal with his crisis, what would you have done and why?
What are the lessons that both Keysha and Mike learned?
Do you have any friends or know of someone who has had to deal with the issue of peer pressure and sex?
Do you have any friends or know of someone who has suddenly become rebellious or defiant and is heading towards trouble?
What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
LESSON LEARNED
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2951-2
© 2009 by Earl Sewell
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