I held my breath, trembling all over. A few people had gathered beside me to watch.
Tyler squirmed out from under Bobby, then kicked him square in the chest. Bobby flew backward, sliding across the rocks. Tyler dove on top of him and punched him in the face, then again, and again, and again. Blood burst from Bobby’s nose and he swung at Tyler’s ribs. Tyler absorbed the blow, pulled back his fist, then stopped mid-swing. Bobby moaned. Tyler lowered his arm and hopped to his feet.
I exhaled. It’s over.
Tyler pulled his right leg back.
I gasped. No!
Like he was punting a football, he kicked Bobby square in the gut. He reared his leg back again, then he stopped, set down his foot and stood tall.
“Motherfucker. Don’t you ever touch her again!” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and spit on Bobby’s chest.
Mark ran across the courtyard, skidding to a stop in the gravel.
“Elsie! What the hell are you doing here?”
I rushed to Tyler’s side. “Are you okay?”
Fist still clenched, lip busted and bloody, his eyes went cold when he looked at Mark.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He held out his hand. “Let’s go.”
“What are you two doing here?” Mark shouted.
“Ruby sent us to find you,” I yelled back.
Tyler’s started to lead me away. “Real nice, man—”
Out of nowhere, he lurched forward, his hand ripped from mine as Bobby tackled him from behind. Mark pulled me aside. I stumbled, bouncing off his chest. He grabbed my shoulders and held me steady.
Tyler and Bobby wrestled across the gravel, throwing punches. Tyler grabbed Bobby’s shoulders and smashed him into the rocks, pinning his knee to Bobby’s chest.
Then something shifted in Tyler, like he’d transformed into a boxer gone rogue in the ring. He reared back his right arm, and started hammering down on Bobby’s face with a relentless fury.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Please stop. Oh God, make them stop!
“Tyler!” Mark yelled. “You’re gonna kill him!”
I opened my eyes. Mark had Tyler under the arms, yanking him to his feet.
“Fuck you!” Tyler jerked free, spun, and threw his right fist.
Mark ducked. Tyler’s arm shot through the air, but his left hand was already moving. Mark’s head snapped back. He grabbed Tyler’s shirt. Tyler clutched Mark’s arms, and they both slammed to the ground.
Red lights flashed across the privacy fence. Blood rushed to my head, pressing on my ears like I was under water. A faint siren. My heart fell to my knees. Surreal as the evening sky, the whole scene slowed. Mark throwing a punch at Tyler’s ribs. A cop running past. Muffled chatter. People scurrying. Bobby squirming in the gravel with his blood-soaked hands covering his face.
The cop pulled Tyler to his feet. Tyler spun, ready to swing again. Immediately, he deflated, lowered his fist and mouthed, “Fuck”.
Another cop ran past and grabbed Mark. He rolled him on his belly and slapped cuffs on his wrists within seconds. The other officer grabbed Tyler’s arms and pushed him against the fence. His hands were cuffed before my next breath. Both cops started reciting Miranda Rights.
I pressed my hands to my face, pushing back tears. The cop showed Mark to the parking lot, hands gripped on the cuffs. Tyler wrenched around, as the other officer moved him forward.
“Elsie, get out of here,” he shouted. “Take my car.”
Heart racing, I followed them out. The officer guided Tyler into the back of the patrol car and shut the door. The other officer did the same with Mark in a separate car.
Tyler’s intense, dark eyes rose to mine. I took a sharp breath. His look said everything. We were screwed. I turned to run.
“Excuse me, Miss.” A third officer in a blue uniform stepped beside me. “I’m going to have to get a statement from you. Can you tell me what just happened here?”
A swarm of butterflies filled my stomach.
“Um, yes. I can.”
Chapter 26
I’d been dying to drive Tyler’s car, but not under these circumstances. I couldn’t stop trembling as I glanced down at the neon-blue console.
Ninety-five? Oh crap.
I let my foot off the gas. Then a flash of Tyler bashing Bobby’s face stole my breath. The way he kicked him in the gut. Bobby lying on the ground with his face covered in blood. Why did it escalate so far? How did they know each other? I hated Bobby, but Tyler’s rage was terrifying. He had calmed down at one point, and he had walked away...
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I grabbed it. Ruby. I sighed, tossing it on the passenger’s seat. I needed to collect my thoughts before I talked to anyone. The ringing stopped, then it started again. I glanced over. No... “Mom” lit up on the LED screen.
Bracing myself for the blow, I answered, “Hello?”
“Elsie, what the hell is going on?” she said in her low whisper-yell. “Where are you?”
“I’m on my way to Savannah.”
“What happened? Ruby called and said she saw the police leave the pool hall.”
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t mention Tyler. His name had to be off limits.
“Mark got in a fight. I’m on my way to Savannah.”
“Savannah?” She gasped. “Is he going to jail?”
“Yes, but I have enough to bail him out,” I said as fast as I could. “We don’t need you.”
“For crying out loud! How do you have enough money for bail?”
“I’ll explain that later.”
“You’ll explain now!”
“Mrs. Baltic’s sister gave me a hundred dollars for sitting at the hospital,” I said. “It’s okay. Seriously, Mom, I’ve got this. We’ll come straight home.”
“Who did he get in a fight with?”
“Um... him and Bobby. They were drinking and a fight broke out.”
“I don’t even know what to say.” She paused. “Get home!”
She slammed the phone in my ear.
We’d humiliated the poor woman while her husband, our Dad, was in his deathbed. Mark and I were terrible. She’d never forgive us. What if Ruby told her I was with Tyler? I shook my head. No. Mom would’ve mentioned it. Please, don’t come to the police station... Stay home, Mom, please.
Ten minutes later, I rushed through the doors at the Hardin County Jail, determined that nothing would slow me down. A guard stepped forward and pointed at the metal detector. I let out a sigh and walked through the machine. Buzz. The plump guard gestured for me to turn around. I backtracked, took off my belt and tennis shoes, and stepped through the tunnel again. No jarring sound. The officer nodded. I gathered my stuff in my arms and hurried to the counter.
I over-dramatically, yet unintentionally, slammed my shoes on the counter, as I gasped for a breath and said, “Tyler Vaughn.”
A middle-aged woman with puffy, brown hair looked over the edge of her glasses.
“Vaughn.” She tapped the keyboard. “They’re processing him. It’s going to be a while. You can have a seat.” She pointed behind me.
“Are they processing Mark Richardson, too?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
I scanned the room and walked to the furthest seat against the wall.
Two hours later, I went back to the window. The woman gave me a blank look.
“Tyler Vaughn?”
She tapped on the keyboard. “He’s posted bond. Still in holding.”
“Can I post bond for Mark Richardson?”
“I’ll need a valid ID. You’re eighteen, correct?”
Damn it!
“No. Seventeen.”
“Well then, he’ll need an adult to bail him out.”
“Great.”
I turned around and went back to my seat. How long could it take? Maybe if they let Tyler out first, he could help me get Mark out. I closed my eyes, inhaling slow, deep breaths.
Minutes later, the boom of a me
tal door slamming resonated through the room.
I opened my eyes. “Oh, shit.”
Greg.
Standing by the door, he scanned the room and spotted me, but he didn’t look happy.
I held my breath. Not another pissed-off man. Three was enough for one day.
He stepped in front of me. “Where’s Tyler?”
“They haven’t let him out yet.” Then I blurted without thinking, “How did you find out?”
“That doesn’t matter,” he stated. “What the hell happened?”
“He was in a fight.”
“I know that,” Greg snapped back.
I flinched. He rubbed his forehead.
“Elsie, this isn’t good. I’ve been on your side, and I’ve tried to help both of you, but this. You two just blew it.”
His words were worse than Mr. Smith’s backhand. Tears filled my eyes. Greg looked at me for a second like he might’ve felt bad for what he said, then he turned and went to the counter.
I slumped in the chair. How could this be happening? All we wanted was our last few days together.
The metal door boomed again.
Mom.
Another boom from the opposite side of the room.
Tyler.
Fear pierced every nerve in my body.
Mom saw Tyler first. Her eyes widened, then she whipped her head my way and glared. Clutching her purse strap, she moved across the room like she was ready to whip my ass.
I gripped the seat. I’m shot. Busted. Finished.
“Elizabeth, what the hell is Tyler doing here?” she barked.
“Mom.” I put my hands up. “You have to hear me out.”
“I don’t have to hear anything!” No whisper, no restraint. She’s had enough.
Greg turned around.
Tyler stopped. He and I made eye contact, then he looked at Greg, crossed his arms and stood his ground. I knew his stance was a dissent against his parents and grandmother. Greg took several long strides. Nose to nose with his son, he said something I couldn’t hear.
“Elsie, I’m waiting.” Mom stared me down. “Why is he here?”
“He was part of the fight, too.”
“What?” She flinched. “Where’s Mark?”
“They’re still holding him.” I pulled the hundred out of my pocket and held it up. “I’m not old enough to post bond.”
“I know. He called me.”
She stared at the cash. I looked over her shoulder. Greg had his arm around Tyler, as they walked toward the lobby. Mom stole my attention when she snatched the bill out of my fingers before proceeding to the clerk’s window.
I flopped back in the seat, numb to all the lies and consequences. She had every right to be pissed. How could I blame her when she had one kid in jail and another who’d been lying to her for weeks, as she was about to lose the love of her life?
I cupped my head in my hands and stared at the floor. Nothing I could say or do would change what had happened. Tyler and I had definitely made our own circumstances. Our private world had just collided with reality.
A few moments later, a pair of dusty Nikes stepped in my small perspective. I raised my head. Tyler stared down at me, holding out his left hand. I accepted his warm touch and stood to my feet. He pulled me into his arms.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered against my ear.
I shook all over with tension, with fear, with love. “Me, too.”
We held each other for a minute, and then he stepped back. His lip was swollen, and he had a small cut under his eye. I reached up and touched his cheek. He gave me a tired smile, leaned down, and kissed me.
“Come with me.”
He took my hand and led me toward the lobby. Mom was leaning on the counter, squaring up the bill with the county.
When we stepped in the hallway, Greg was waiting for us with his arms crossed.
“I really wanted this for you two... ”
“Dad, nothing’s changed,” Tyler said, tightening his hand around mine. “Just drop it.”
“Tyler, I suggest you keep your mouth shut right now.”
“Why?” Tyler snapped back. “I didn’t go in there looking for a fight, and you know it. The Dales fucking hate us because of you.”
Mom walked in and stepped beside Greg.
“I am so sorry,” she said to him. “I had no idea.”
Greg gave Tyler a questioning glance, and then he turned to Mom, placing his hand on her shoulder. He guided her toward the other side of the room.
“I think they need some space,” Greg said.
Tyler sighed. “Elsie, I’m sorry I tore into Mark. I don’t always play well with others.”
He wrapped his left arm around me. I began to relax and squeezed him tight. He flinched.
I quickly let go. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
I saw the pain in his eyes. Gently lifting his right arm, I saw that his knuckles were bloody and swollen. I tried to extend his fingers, but stopped when he cringed.
“You need to see a doctor,” I said.
“I’ll deal with it tomorrow.” He looked over at our parents, then tilted his head with a shrug. “Claire knows now.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Was this it? Would I get to see him again? He wrapped his arms around me, covering me like a shield. If only for a few seconds, I felt safe.
“Elizabeth, it’s time to go. Now,” Mom said.
I turned to her. Tyler kept his arm around my shoulder. I started to step away, but he tightened his grip. I stopped. Greg pursed his lips, clearly annoyed.
“Elsie, did you hear me?” She eyed me like she didn’t recognize me. Her hands flew in the air, and she took a step backward. “This is ridiculous. How long have you two been seeing each other?”
“Claire, I apologize,” Tyler said. “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”
Mark walked in the lobby, cheek busted and bruised. Mom’s cold stare shifted to him. She pointed at the door. “Get in the car.”
“Real fucking nice, man,” Mark said to Tyler. “Thanks.”
“Where were you when Bobby had his hands all over your sister?” Tyler shot back. “Why do you hang out with that piece of shit anyway?”
“Fuck off, Tyler,” Mark said.
“Enough! Get in the car, Mark. Elsie, let’s go.” Mom turned to Greg. “I sincerely apologize for all of this.”
Greg nodded, and then she headed to the door.
I watched her walk away. We’d crushed her. I’d crushed her. She’d struggled with being broke, working her butt off, trying to raise two kids who insisted on finding trouble, caring for her husband... and what do we do? We were going to push her over the edge if she had to deal with one more thing by herself.
Tyler bent down and whispered in my ear.
“Meet me at the old house you told me about. After midnight.”
He brushed his cheek against mine, then he slid his hand across my face, holding me with a loving gaze. I pressed deeper into his touch, wishing I could read his mind.
“I’ve got you, okay?” he said. “I won’t let anything hurt us.”
Just trust him... just trust him. I buried my face in his chest, tightening around him for a brief second, then I pushed away and ran out the door.
The car ride home amounted to a cold interrogation of the past few weeks. I confessed that Tyler was Jenna, and that I did know a Jenna, but we weren’t really friends. I admitted that for almost six weeks, I’d spent every morning with him and sometimes more. Mark lay across the back seat, moaning every so often. I fiddled with my fingers, waiting for her eruption.
She didn’t explode. Instead she stared forward, hands on ten and two. Her resounding silence was excruciating.
“Mom, I’m sorry. I never meant to lie about it. I just didn’t want you to tell me no.”
“I bet. That’s usually why a person lies,” she said. “I warned you about this, Elsie. I told you not to get involved w
ith Tyler. What were you thinking?”
Mark sat up, and said, “You know him?”
“Yes, he’s Mrs. Vaughn’s grandson.”
“You’re shittin’ me? Elsie, you dumbass.”
“Mark, I’m not through with you,” Mom said. “Shut your mouth.”
“What do you mean you warned me about him?” I asked. “All you said was, well, basically... I’m not good enough.”
“I did not say that.” She looked at me wide-eyed. “I never said you weren’t good enough. I said he was off limits because I don’t want to get fired. It has nothing to do with your self-worth.”
“I’m sorry, I lied. But he leaves in three days to go back to school. Please, just let me have three more days.”
“I don’t think you get it. Greg wants him home. You’d better brace yourself because this summer fling is over.”
Tears stung my eyes. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“What in the hell were you doing at the pool hall, anyway?”
“Ask your son.”
She sighed and looked in the rearview mirror. “Why were you and Tyler fighting?”
“He was beating the crap out of Bobby, Mom. I mean bad. Someone had to pull him off, or he was gonna kill the guy.”
She turned onto Coffee Landing Road, heading east through Morris Chapel, and looked at me. “Why did Tyler go at Bobby?” Under the glint of the streetlight, she pushed back a smile. At least Tyler scored points in that aspect. Mom hated Bobby.
For the rest of the drive home, I told her the whole truth about the evening. When she pulled into the driveway, she shut off the ignition and turned in her seat.
“You two. I’m trying so hard to trust you, but I’m beyond disappointed. Mark, you’re twenty years old. Grow up. If you want to run around with the likes of Bobby, then find your own place to live. You’re not doing it under my roof.” She looked at me. “Elizabeth, I don’t even know what to say to you. I don’t understand why you had to lie to me. I thought we were closer than that.” Mom’s eyes filled with tears.
“Mom, you were pretty busy.” I looked down. “I’m sorry, but I won’t give up on Tyler. He hasn’t been hiding this, I have. He’s been trying to get me to tell you for weeks.”
Life Happens on the Stairs Page 22