“I was reaching for the ticket!” Armpit tried to explain, then felt Ginny tremble at his sudden outburst.
“He made a threatening movement, but I was able to quickly gain control of the situation.”
“There’s no question he was resisting arrest,” said the other officer.
“His friend was having a seizure!” the mayor pointed out. “He only wanted to help her!”
“Please, Mayor. It would be better for everyone if you returned to your seat.”
“I’m not going to let you justify your actions by blaming the victim,” the mayor said firmly. “Let me ask you something,” she said, directing her attention to the officer. “Would the gesture have been so threatening if he was white?”
Armpit had to hand it to Cherry Lane. She was one tough lady.
“Instead of persecuting the victim,” the mayor went on, “you should be back out there, getting the names and phone numbers of everyone seated in that area. Somebody else may have bought tickets from the same scalper.”
Two more people entered the room: a gum-chewing African American teenage girl wearing a lavender sweat suit, followed by a thirty-year-old well-dressed white guy.
“Who the hell are you?” demanded the head of security.
Ginny knew who she was. Her sobs instantly ceased.
“I heard there was a problem with some tickets,” the girl said. She sat on the cot next to Armpit and asked Ginny her name.
“Ginny.”
“Hi, Ginny.”
“Hi, Kaira,” said Ginny.
When Armpit realized who she was, he couldn’t believe she was sitting right next to him, her leg almost touching his.
“Are you feeling better?” Kaira asked.
“Yes.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Kaira asked Armpit.
“She’s fine!” Armpit said, sounding a little too enthusiastic. He couldn’t believe he was talking to her. “It’s happened before. She just needs a little time and space.”
“I hear that,” Kaira said to Ginny. “It’s a madhouse out there. All these people crowded around, and then they tell you your tickets are no good.”
“My body w-went to red alert,” said Ginny.
That made Kaira smile. “You seem okay now,” she said. “Would you like to come backstage and watch the concert from there?”
“Yes.”
16
Armpit wasn’t certain if Kaira’s invitation included him as well, but he wasn’t about to be left behind. Kaira led them out of the security area and down a dark hallway.
“Sorry I walk so slow,” said Ginny.
“There’s no hurry,” said Kaira, as out in the arena the audience was stomping and clapping.
“So are you like her nurse or something?” she asked Armpit.
“We’re just friends, that’s all,” he told her.