Easy

by Mercedes Siler

  “After Abby turned him down we found him with her at a party, no sex, just drug abuse. Since then he’s been clean and sober, going to work and coming home. Apparently Israel called Jake a couple days ago saying she needed his help. Jake was leaving to go help her and Abby told him if he went to do that then it would be over. They were fighting when I got home and his sister showed up with all the kids to stay while their dad was home, so he stayed. He was in the room right next to mine the whole night. We can all verify he was there.”

  “I’m going to need more info on the boyfriend. Why isn’t he the primary suspect? What happened after she called Jake?”

  “I don’t know why he’s not the prime suspect. But I can come up with a list of people who can testify to the boyfriend being prone to jealousy and rage. Unfortunately, not reliable.”

  “He might be important to someone else. If they can pin this to Jake they don’t have to worry about him.”

  “They’d do that?”

  “This is why I have a job. Don’t worry. They’ll let him off. If he didn’t do it, they have nothing on him. I’ll do my best on the warrant. How many does he have?”

  “I have no idea. I’ll bond him again if necessary. All they have is a phone call.”

  He nods. “I’m going to let him answer as many questions as they have. I’ll have you go in with me. You’ll take notes, everything of interest in the interview, both sides. Are you up for a long evening?”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, I appreciate it.” Jake’s probably so terrified and confused and sad. Isri was his link to everything bad that could have been worse and she’s dead.

  He flashes his ID and we park in the attorney parking and I get out with him, tagging along. I have such a terrible, sick feeling. I don’t know why I ever get happy or hopeful.

  I stay close to Mr. Jones as he moves through the station. I try to look like I belong, like a professional and it’s exciting. It’s surreal, working with Caleb Jones, getting by because of it, being on the other side of the law.

  We enter the room where Jake is sitting looking miserable and mad. He looks up at me and he looks like he might lose it and I nod, professional even though I want to hug him and break out of here with him and keep running.

  Mr. Jones sits next to him and I sit next to Mr. Jones, pulling out my notepad and pen, ready to go. Mr. Jones tells the investigators that his client will cooperate with the investigation, but when it’s time to pull the plug he will. I take notes through this haze of surrealism that makes me feel lightheaded.

  Someone poured gasoline on her parents and set them on fire while they were sleeping.

  I can’t even think about it. At least they were sleeping.

  Jake’s eyebrows go up and he starts shaking his leg. “Good. They deserve to rot in hell.” He nods and sits back in his chair, at peace.

  Mr. Jones squeezes his shoulder to tell him to shut up. “My client has a verifiable alibi. We’re willing to help with the investigation, but I will not let you harass this young man.”

  “This young man that you call a client tried and failed to kill his own father. Why would he bat an eye at killing someone else’s?”

  Jake frowns and leans forward. “I’ve wanted to kill him, my father. I’ve gone to sleep at night, in so much pain I wanted to throw up. I’ve woken up hearing my sister’s screams as he raped her. When my brother tried to kill him, I prayed that he would. But I’m not dying or spending my life in prison for that sack of shit. He’s not worth it. And neither were Isri’s parents. It’s not my job. That’s your job.” He points at the cop and sits back again.

  “Did she tell you she was pregnant? Is that why you killed her?”

  He flinches. “No.” He shakes his head slowly.

  “So you didn’t know she was about four months pregnant with your baby boy?”

  He flinches again and there’s a knot in my stomach.

  “She didn’t tell you? Would you have done things differently if she had?”

  He smiles. “I haven’t had sex with Isri for at least six months. And I had no reason to hurt her. I loved her. I wanted her to be happy.” He looks at Mr. Jones, exhausted.

  “I think we’re about done here, officer. I’m sure you can clear him with DNA evidence. There’s no need to draw this out.”

  “Well, there’s still the mess with the outstanding warrants.”

  “I’m sure you’ll agree that this young man is not a flight risk. I’m sure you can set up his bond.” He starts packing up his stuff.

  I’m leaving them to go to a payphone to call home to Cece, but before I go Mr. Jones pulls me aside. “You did good work today, Ezra.”

  I look him over, his cold watery eyes and his presence like he’s the most important person in the room. I stand up taller. “Thank you, sir. I care about my family.”

  He nods and I can see he’s not more of a presence than I am. “I enjoyed working with you. Have you found another firm to work for? I’d hate to have you on anyone else’s team in the clinch. If you worked for me, you’d be an associate and there’d be no reason you couldn’t see Micah and Hannah on a regular basis. I know that’s important to you. Part of caring about your family.”

  I frown deeply. My stomach tightens.

  “You can start Monday with an advance,” he throws out there, figuring I’m hard up for money already. He knows I haven’t been able to find a firm that will hire me.

  I shake my head slowly. “No.” I didn’t even know I was going to say that but now that I have, I know that it’s true. No.

  He takes a step back. “I’m sorry, were you able to find another firm already?”

  “Yes.” I had an interview at Nancy’s old firm and they sounded pretty positive. It’s corporate law so it’s different but there’s money.

  “You know I can pay you more. And you’ll be working for me. You’ll get a good hands-on education. You’ll be sitting in on everything I do.”

  “Thank you for the offer, but no.” I shake my head, energized from my fingertips to my heart. I know what this is about. I can see it all as clear as day. “I’m not going to work for you. You don’t need me. You’re going to be fine.” He’s scared shitless he’s never going to see his baby girl again or know how she’s doing. He’s scared of raising two babies without their mama to love them. But he’ll figure it out. He’ll be okay. “It’ll be hard at first, but you’ll get over it. You’ll worry about me and Abby. You’ll wonder about her baby. But it’s okay. You’ll be a better man in the end and Micah and Hannah will be different for you. Micah will be okay. He’s a smart kid. And you’ll think about me. But I’ll be okay. I’m happy. I have everything I need. Thank you for your help with Jake. He’s a good guy and now you know everything about him.” I pat his shoulder and I want to hug him but I can’t bring myself to so I walk away, out to the payphone in front of the station.

  I need Mayyim. I need to hear her voice.

  Most of what Cece says is in fast Spanish. Abby finally gets on and I give her the rundown. She tells me that Mayyim made Darry take her to the station so they should be there somewhere.

  I frown and look up and around and I see her walking toward me with a bag of food in her hand. I look at her soft, pinkish blonde hair and beautiful worried eyes.

  “Ezra?” Abby asks, far away in my ear.

  “I gotta go. Mayyim’s here.” I hang up and bridge the space between us, picking her up and hugging her tightly. I’m so happy to see her.

  She kisses me as I kiss her back. “I knew you had to be starving and I couldn’t be without you knowing you might be sad,” she tells me.

  I nod. I can’t even talk. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  She nods and hugs me again, her arms wrapped around my neck.

  I wave to Darry as he takes off and we walk to the attorney parking to sit on the hood of my dad’s expensive Mercedes Benz to eat burritos. We probably shouldn’t, but what’s he going to do, disown me? Ha.

  *****

&
nbsp; We’re in the backseat of the Benz, waiting.

  I’m so nervous I don’t know what else to do but ask her silly questions and kiss her toes.

  I look at her belly. In a few months it will be round and full and we’ll be able to feel it move. I can’t wait. I kiss her, feeling the warmth of the intimacy. I close my eyes, resting my lips on her as she combs through my curls with her gentle fingers.

  “What do you think about before you go to bed?” I ask her.

  “You. Usually you pet me before you fall asleep. It feels good.”

  “I do?”

  “Yeah. It always gives me warm, full feelings. I fall asleep feeling warm and safe.” She frowns at me softly. “Are you worried about things? Obviously Jake, but I mean, you and me and having a baby?”

  Am I? Hmm. “I have anxiety that my happiness is going to be taken away from me at any moment.” Am I worried about being happy? No. Am I worried about being a father? “I’m worried about being a good dad. And a good husband. I’m worried about school. It’s daunting. I have a lot of years left. Years that school won’t be able to be my primary focus because it’ll be you and a baby. I’m worried about making sure Abby’s education is taken care of, and yours if you want it. I’m not worried about you, and me, and the baby and happiness. Just everything else. What about you?”

  “No. You’re very reassuring.” She sits up and I come up with her. She looks into my eyes. “I dare you to let me go down on you in your dad’s Mercedes Benz, in a police station parking lot.”

  “I am tame, but I am not broken.” I tell her, undoing my pants.

  *****

  It’s sunset. We got an update from Caleb. They found her boyfriend in a hospital in Palmdale with third degree burns on his legs. And when he woke up he confessed. He found out she hadn’t gotten an abortion and he got mad. He robbed her parents for drug money and tried to burn the house down but he got gasoline on his pants and caught on fire on the way out.

  So they’re wrapping things up with Jake’s warrants.

  I had to bond him out and they reset his court date.

  More money.

  I’m at the payphone with Mayyim, holding her in my arms while talking to Cece and Abby. They’re relieved, crying, and I can’t get them to stop. I finally hang up and look at Mayyim. “I thought I’d lost him for good.” I was worried. I didn’t know how worried I was until now.

  She holds her arms out, tears in her eyes for me.

  I let her hold me and I’m crying in her arms, stupid, jagged blubbering. The floodgates opened last night and I can’t stop it.

  She rubs my arms and back. “Everyone’s going to be okay.” She holds my head and I open my hands on her soft body.

  “Easy!” Jake burst through the front doors of the station with his arms out. He strides to me looking like a million bucks.

  I wrap my arms around him, crying on his neck. “Never do that to me again. I don’t want to lose you.”

  He holds me tight. “Never. We have things to live for. We have things to be good for. I’m never going in that place again unless it’s to get someone else out.” He grabs my face and kisses my cheeks. “I love you, man.”

  “I love you, too, Love. I want you to be fat and happy. I want to see you build sandcastles with that baby. I never want you to go out again unless it’s to go to work, or to buy groceries, or to go with us. Do you hear me?”

  “Yes. I promise. I’m never leaving the house again unless it’s to build sandcastles or buy groceries. You guys are everything I need. I have nothing else.”

  “I’m so sorry about Isri.”

  “People were saying the baby was mine, I guess. But it wasn’t. The dates were all wrong. It couldn’t have been because I never cheated on Abby like that.”

  I hug him harder.

  “At least she didn’t die alone. She had her baby with her. And she didn’t have pain anymore. She was always hurting.” He blinks back tears. “She had nothing to live for. She was ruined beyond repair. I’m not like that. I thought I was, but I’m not. I want to live the good life. And I can’t wait to see her the way she’s supposed to be in the next life.”

  I nod and hold him. “As soon as you and Abby are on your feet we’re going to Alabama to meet my great grandfather.” This is good. I feel good.

  “Promise you’ll be back for the baby?”

  “Promise. I wouldn’t miss it.”

  He gives me one last squeeze and he opens us up to pull Mayyim in. “C’mon, cuchorra. There’s room for you, you big crybaby.”

  She’s crying openly and we’re hugging her between us.

  I glance up at Mr. Jones as he watches us.

  I turn back to them. I’m hugging them both.

  I don’t want to ever stop.

  About The Author

  Mercedes Siler is the Author of the New Adult romance Chasing Stars. She lives in Southern California with her husband, three kids, and guinea pig.

  Chasing Stars

  A Story of My Life: The Girl in the Front of the Room

  A Story of My Life: Swallowed

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  Acknowlegements

  Always first, I need to acknowledge my husband and kids. California living is no joke. It’s expensive, it’s hot and dusty, and sometimes there’s no rain when we need it. This year has had so many ups and downs. We are still in the middle of ups and downs. Adam, thank you for being you and being my biggest fan and the best idea bouncer money can’t buy. And my babies, thank you for being beautiful souls and being so forgiving for the things I haven’t been able to give you, and thank you so much for your patience and understanding. Whenever you say, “It’s not a lot, but it is something,” it makes my heart break into a million pieces and then come right back together feeling like it’s going to burst with love and pride. You are my world. All four of you. And Sandy too.

  And I would not have been able to accomplish half the things I’ve accomplished this year without Lia Peele, Chiquita Dennie, and Kinney Scott. I am so glad we found each other and that we meshed so well. I love our friendship. Thank you so much for being there for me, and not getting offended by any of my dumb text jokes. You guys are amazing and talented and I couldn’t ask for better friends to go through this journey with.

  And Ann, thank you for being such a great partner. I love our little group and I would never have started it without you saying, “Let’s do it.” I feel like in this world, holding our hands out to help others along is so important and you do it so well. I can’t wait to hold my hands out to boost you too. I am here for you.

  Thank you, Dionne Abouelela for being an amazing mentor. You deserve all the good things to happen to you and I know they will. That’s one of the things I’m trying to manifest, good things coming to you. And thank you for my beautiful cover. And Happy Writing. And my favorite Twitter chat. I love you to pieces and can’t wait to have that coffee and explore bookshops with you in person.

  And Bonnie, thank you for being the person I see reading my book when I write. I’m manifesting things for you too.

  And Kim, I know you probably won’t read this, and I won’t ask you to, but know that I love my sister. You are beautiful and strong. So much stronger than you think.

  And, last but so far from the least, my readers. Thank you to every single person who reads and loves this story. You are why I publish.

 

 

 
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