by Bradon Nave
“Jessie!”
“Are you really here right now?”
“Yes. I’m here.”
As he attempted to prop himself up, I grabbed my friend and hugged him…squeezed him.
“I’m getting you out of here.”
Lifting him from the bed, I was disgusted by how light he was. Nearly incapable of supporting his head, he appeared to be fading in and out.
“You’re here. You’re really here…”
Nearly down the shitty hall, I heard the back door open behind me.
“Hey! I’ll blow your head off!”
Turning slowly, I looked upon a drenched lunk-looking dude who could literally break me in half. As his eyes met mine, his hand slapped across his face.
“Please. He needs a doctor—”
“It can’t be! How is this possible?” the man stumbled toward me, his face quivering as he extended his hand out.
“Huh?”
“Brock? You…you done came back to me? Am I dreaming? Is it my meds? Are you really here?”
“I need to take my friend to the hospital. Can I please take him to—”
“My boy…he works in mysterious ways but this is nothing short of a miracle.”
Gently resting Jessie on the couch, I stood solid as this psychotic looking man stepped closer to me.
“Come here, boy. My sweet boy.”
With all I had, my fist met the man’s face, sending him sailing backward, flat on his ass. With no noticeable movement, I grabbed Jess up off the couch and scurried from the trailer. Not even wasting time to settle him in, I jumped in the front, basically tossing Jess in the back seat with Kacey. Within seconds we were tearing down the muddy backroad.
My friends looked more like refugees, but my heart was happy. And then Kacey was screaming.
“Stop!”
“What the—why?” Slowing rapidly, I turned in my seat to assess the situation.
“Clementine! There she is. We have to take her; he’ll kill her.”
“Kacey, what the hell are you talking about?” I then noticed the mud-covered dog looking desperate from the ditch. “Okay…okay.”
Opening the door and whistling in the howling rain, the dog came running toward us. Jumping on my seat, she instinctively hopped in the back, cowering in the floorboard.
“Okay. Let’s get the hell out of here, okay?”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It wasn’t necessarily all okay—but it was now out of my control. I’d turned it over and I was thankful to no longer be the one responsible. Focusing on the amount of trouble I was in was so overwhelming that I literally smiled when I thought about it.
The hospital was small and the smell of bleach was thick in the halls. Lily by my side in the waiting room, we waited for word from the physician. Neither of us spoke. There was nothing to say at this point. I had no idea what had been keeping our friends away, but never in a million years would I have guessed this. I’d said it was all too much before…but this truly was too much. Bouncing back from this wasn’t a few months or even years—nah, this situation as a whole was too bizarre to wrap my head around. Even if Jess and Kacey had been chilling out in a Motel Six the entire time, the remaining details would have still been insane. But no, they’d been in the clutches of some lunatic.
The small halls of the hospital were busy with officers, several keeping an eagle eye on me and Lily. The hours after leaving the scene of the chaos were filled with frantic phone calls to our parents and chatter of the madman being taken into custody—Kacey said he’d burned his wife alive in a house fire.
Through the mixture of strangers, I saw a familiar face coming toward us…Andrea. Her frantic yet grateful expression had me smiling back and ready for my own mother and Larry to arrive with Joe.
“Kids!” The woman rushed to us as we stood from our seats. Hugging us, she shed a few tears. “What room is she in?”
“Thirty-eight.” Lily’s voice was scratchy as she choked out her response.
“Why aren’t you there with her? Why are you out here?”
Clearing my throat, I offered the explanation. “They won’t let us…we’re in trouble, Andrea. There’s been officers in there with her for hours. And uh…we’re in pretty big trouble. They’re letting us stay here until we get further word about Jess, and then we’re going to the station.”
“You’ve done nothing wrong…you kids have done nothing wrong, you hear me? I’m going to Kacey’s room. I’m here if you need.”
Andrea left as the tall physician approached with a troubled smile—an officer by his side.
“With Mr. Kasper’s permission, I will speak with you both now.”
Looking toward the doctor, I swallowed hard—uneasy with what he might say.
“Mr. Kasper came to us dehydrated and malnourished. His white blood cell count is elevated…his initial toxicology general was clear but from what I witnessed and what was described I suspected something else and was correct. Mr. Kasper had ketamine in his system.”
“What’s that?” The words flew from my mouth.
“It’s a drug, a sedative. It’s used some recreationally but some farmers use it on livestock as well.”
“So, he’ll be okay? Is he going to be okay?”
“I can’t say, young man. He’ll need to remain in intensive care, but for now he’s stable.”
Stepping forward, the officer eyed me directly. “About ready?”
“Can I see him? Can we tell him bye?”
Looking to the physician, the officer was given a small nod. “You got two minutes.”
He wasn’t as pale, but pale just the same. His cheeks sharp and his eyes were dark and sunken. He looked like Cory when Cory was sick.
“Jess. How are you?” My whisper was barely audible—standing over my friend.
“Duke…I have so many questions…is she okay? Is Kacey really okay?”
“Yeah, bud. She’s okay. She’s with Andrea.”
“Her Aunt Andy?” His pale-white lips curled into a smile.
“Yep.”
“Duke. Thank you. You’re the best person I know. I mean that—”
“Listen to me, Jess…okay? They’re about to take us away. We’re going to have to go…but you’re going to be okay. Your dad is going to be here anytime now, okay.”
“Take you away?” Jessie’s tired eyes glanced over me for answers.
“It’s going to be okay…Jess…you’re gonna be okay.”
“Okay, D…if you say so.”
Glancing down at my friend…my childhood partner in crime, my brother, I felt the hours catching up to me. Prior to this, I basically forced reality to the base of my mind and left it there. There was no time to second guess or question where my actions might land me. Getting Jess back was the primary objective—everything else was just noise. The noise was now flooding my ears. It didn’t matter. They could lock me up and throw the key in a crocodile’s mouth. Jessie was alive…Kacey was alive. The new reality: had Lily, Sarah and I not done what we did…they very well might not be alive. No one could argue that. I did it. I kept my promise.
“Rest, Jess.”
“’K.” Walking from the intensive care unit with the officer and Lily, I couldn’t help but smile. I knew where they were. Many mysteries were yet to be uncovered, but for now the primary question had been answered. We knew where they were…and they were safe.
“It was totally worth it…and I’d do it again.” Lily’s words had me reaching for her hand. She’d kept her promise, too. She was here, by my side, as we walked into uncertainty.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The light from the sun was welcome…warming my face as my sweaty palms clasped together nervously. This was it. A few words would determine so much. Our futures tied to the decisions being made on the other side of the door.
“Duke Austin?”
“Yes.”
“The District Attorney will see your party now.”
“It’s…it’s just us.
” Standing from our seats, we accepted the invitation into the unknown, my heart racing as Lily and I entered the office.
Expecting to be greeted with perhaps a cold handshake at best, I was surprised when we were met with a smirk and a shaking gray head.
“Duke Austin, Lily Thompson?”
“Yes.”
“Please…be seated.”
The chairs were cold leather, the office made up of books and dark wood. The man across the desk was yet to appear intimidating, but clearly, he had the ability to be so.
“So, quite the adventure…please, why didn’t you contact the authorities when you learned of Mr. Kapser and Ms. Monroe’s whereabouts?”
My mind racing, attempting to recollect the canned answer I’d prepared, I swallowed hard and attempted to communicate.
“We…we thought…we made a mistake and we’re sorry for our actions. We’re ready to put this past us—”
“Breathe, son. I asked why you didn’t go to the police, not what you feel you’ve learned from this debacle.”
Looking to Lily, whose face was pale and horrified looking, I went with what came natural…honesty.
“Sir…no one believed me. Everyone thought my friend was crazy. His own dad thought he’d gone off the deep end. When…when Jess called, I envisioned police officers swarming in and, I don’t know. I guess I pictured the worst-case scenario. He’s been my best friend for years. He asked me for help and I made a choice. I’m sorry…and I’m ready to face the consequences for that choice.”
“Me too, sir.” Lily’s hand rested upon mine, her voice cracking.
Looking to us with a questioning scowl—his arms crossed as he leaned back in his chair, he finally leaned forward.
“Officers of the law are there to protect. They serve a purpose. Without the judicial system, we’d live in a chaotic mess of a world…but I don’t have to tell you that. You know that.”
Opening the thick brown folder before him, he began thumbing through random pieces of paper. Closing it, he looked to us once more.
“You both have impressive academic achievements. It appears as though you’ve made sound and solid decisions with your young lives. I’m saddened by this decision. I feel it reflects poorly on your decision-making skills as well as your judgement as a whole.”
His words had my heart racing. The thought of my hard work being for nothing—and coming down to one decision was unbearable.
“That said…I fail to see malice, or a history of such decisions here. I’m certain blemishing two bright and promising student’s records would be less than productive to society. I’m willing to make a deal.”
Head down as I rocked lightly in my chair, I’m sure he couldn’t have punched the smile from my face.
“Are either of you planning on taking summer college hours?”
Shaking our heads no, simultaneously, we were presented with a brochure.
“Every summer I help with a camp. This summer you’ll be helping, too. We need coordinators.”
His words had Lily hugging me from her chair as we both smiled.
“Yes—we’ll do whatever you want, sir.”
“Good. I don’t anticipate seeing either of you on the other side of this desk under these circumstances again.”
“Thank you…you have no idea…thank you.” My voice gave out on me.
“Kids, this situation was a gross miscarriage of justice. Our community prides itself on the safe and family-friendly environment we’ve maintained. I’m truly sorry these circumstances occurred and the devastation they’ve inflicted on you and your loved ones and classmates. I’m also deeply saddened by the lack of confidence in our local police department. Please don’t allow this one event, this one piece of your life, to define or even redirect your future. Your young lives are paint and canvass. There’s so much opportunity just waiting to be taken advantage of.” Incredibly thankful for the second shot at young adulthood, I couldn’t help but feel for Jessie and Kacey, knowing their fates were still to be determined.
“Thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means. This entire thing…ordeal, it just got so big so fast and we handled it wrong.”
Smiling, the attorney nodded his head. “We’ve all made mistakes.”
“I know. But this was too much. I would have never imagined myself in a situation like this.
It’s just not fair…Jess and Kacey had a lot to offer society too.”
“Had? Had a lot to offer? I’m assuming you haven’t spoken with either of your young friends this morning.”
Looking to him, completely confused, I simply shook my head.
“This office will not be seeking indictments on either Jessie or Kacey as the evidence presented clearly shows, in the opinion of the People, that both individuals acted in self-defense. However, the blatant psychological dysfunction left the court no choice but to intervene, but I think the outcome is something all parties involved will overwhelmingly agree upon.”
“Huh?” I heard him, but was having difficulty processing. I’d basically convinced myself that Jessie’s life was all but over.
“Those kids are key witnesses to two ongoing investigations involving multiple agencies. Their cooperation has been instrumental in every sense of the word. Also, Jessie Kasper has agreed to an extensive in-house therapeutic intervention. Kacey has agreed to outpatient treatment. Once completed, they’ll walk away with clean records.” Staring in disbelief, my jaw must have appeared unhinged.
“You’re…you’re serious?”
“Yes. Of course. It is the intention of the court to seek and find justice. Prosecuting vindicated victims is certainly not the court’s idea of justice.”
“I could hug you right now.”
“I’d rather you do something outstanding with this opportunity. I’d rather you do something productive for our society.”
“I will…I promise I will. We all will.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“What are you going to say to him?”
“I’m not even sure, Lil. I honestly don’t know. But it’s all good. In all the years we’ve been buds, I’ve never once felt like I needed to rehearse anything before I spoke to him.”
Sitting in the same spot where we’d previously fed the ducks, I felt more than a simple sense of relief. There’s no specific way to describe the feeling associated with a complete life pardon. Only eight hours prior, Lily and I were certain we were looking at revoked scholarships, tarnished records, and probation at best. To walk away from that and be given the opportunity to help out at that camp—something we’d both enjoy regardless—was amazing. Then there was the fact that Jess was not only okay in the physical sense, but there was a good chance he might actually get the help he needs now—all in all it could have definitely gone a different route entirely.
“It’s a little cold out here.”
“Awe…you chilly, Lily?”
Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her back to the blanket we’d spread out. Flat on our back, we looked to the darkening sky.
“I’m okay.”
Pulling her closer, I kissed her forehead as she rested her head on my chest. “You mean so much to me. You’re like, the only solid thing in my life right now.”
“I both like and dislike hearing you say that. I’m the only solid thing? What do you mean by that?”
“Just that I’ve had a lot of diarrhea lately.”
Chuckling, Lily raised her head from me. “Seriously, D. What do you mean?”
“It’s just like…everything got really bad really fast…and then it kinda plateaued. And now…I know it could be so much worse, but no matter what, nothing is ever going to be the same. It’s like, every life change has to be this catastrophic event. Literally, nothing is ever going to go back to the way it was.”
Watching me curiously, as if she were absorbing each word, she smirked and kissed my cheek. “Duke…dontcha think that maybe that’s a good thing? What we had going wasn’t sustainabl
e, boy. I mean, look at what it took to finally get Jessie the treatment he needs. And poor Kacey…she’s been holding on to such a horrible secret for so long, and to be abused by the one person who was supposed to help her…there’s no way she could keep on existing like that. What they had going was not only not working…it drove them away after they beat the shit out of their psychiatric physician and landed them in the lap of yet another psychopath. Clearly, if what we had was so great, stuff like that wouldn’t have happened. It’s good…it’s good that nothing is going to go back to the way it was.”
Looking to her, I found myself without rebuttal…she was completely correct. “I guess I just mean our senior year…I had high expectations, ya know? It was supposed to be awesome and instead it’s been this.”
Running her fingers along my side, Lily returned her head to my chest. “D, Jess has been suffering for a while. It goes beyond senior year. Do you really think that boy could go back into that school after everything that’s happened? No. It’s best that he finishes his studies in the treatment facility. We have next year to focus on college…screw all this nonsense. Screw senior year.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. The only people I really care about are going to be in my life regardless…the rest is just noise. It’s all noise, D.”
“You’re right…I guess I’ll just be missing the dumb shit. Driving to the gym and having him here to talk to whenever I want.”
“And I get that…but think about what we’re getting in return. You’ve got the rest of your life to hang out at the gym with Jessie. Let him get the help he needs first.”
“You’re so smart, Lilith. I’m just glad I’m not out here missing you too.”
“You know what I miss?” Her low tone and hot breath on my neck assured me of her intentions.
“Um…no clue. What do you miss?”
Softly, her moist lips kissed my neck—changing the mood completely. We’d been so focused on everything else that we hadn’t had time for intimacy in a while…it was more than welcome.