“It’s not technically a violation, sir,” Murphy said.
“But he’s nineteen years old. She’s only seventeen.”
I stared as these men stood over me,
talked about me as if I weren’t there. I was here. Yet I wasn’t. Half dreaming, half awake. Going insane because everything made perfect sense.
“The age of consent in Indiana is sixteen,” Murphy was saying. “But if you want us to bring him in to answer a few questions, we could do that. They’re still investigating what happened at the auto yard station, and it’s not the first time his name’s been on the radar.”
I couldn’t speak or breathe as a different scene unfolded. Isaac arrested for questioning. Brought to the station in handcuffs. Sexual assault added to a list of crimes he never committed. The final act in the tragedy of his life story. A story he never asked for.
“No,” I said getting to my feet. Or tried to. My knees buckled and I sank on the carpet by Dad’s feet. “You can’t do that. Please listen to me. I won’t…I won’t see him again. I promise. He’s leaving town. Casting agents are coming to see him in Hamlet. He’s leaving Harmony. Please, Dad. He needs this show. Don’t take that away. I promise I won’t see him again.”
The officers exchanged looks. “Sir?”
“Dad. I’m begging you.”
A silence descended. My father’s jaw worked side to side as he thought.
“Thank you, officers,” he finally said, his eyes heavy on me. “I think we have this under control. However, I reserve the right to change my mind and have him hauled in. If I find the story is worse than what my daughter is insisting. Regina?”
My mother broke out of her reverie and roused herself, tightening the silk belt on her robe as she stood. Like a hostess at the world’s worst party, she led the officers to the foyer. “Thank you so much for coming.”
I sat on the floor at my father’s feet, my hair falling all around me, tears drying on my cheeks.
“He’s leaving town?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“With his father in the hospital?”
“Because he’s in the hospital,” I said to the carpet. “Isaac needs to go make money to help his father. Now more than ever.”
“Make money acting?” My dad spat the word as if it were garbage in his mouth. “Him and ten million others? It’s just that easy?”
“You could help him,” I said, raising my head.
“Why would I do that?”
“For me.”
“After both you and he disrespected me and my authority for God knows how long? Give me one reason I should.”
I gave him the worst possible reason. The one thing I thought would soften my father’s heart and save Isaac and me. Instead, I ruined us in three words:
“I love him.”
My mother had returned from the foyer. She froze at my words, then gripped the back of the chair. Her eyes fell shut as her mouth closed with a click of her teeth.
The color drained from my father’s face as the realization unfolded. This wasn’t just sex anymore. Not a casual fling with the local bad boy. A reckless affair that would end with the season. This was love. This was the future. Isaac, a continued presence in my life and Dad having to tolerate someone he found unworthy of the Holloway name.
“No you do not,” he said, pronouncing every word. “The last nine months, I’ve watched you throw your life away. Throw away your chance at a decent college when you were on your way to the Ivy League. I will not stand by and watch you ruin the rest of your future with that lowlife.”
“Dad, stop,” I cried, my heart breaking in my chest.
“This nonsense ends tonight. You are not to see him again. Ever again.” He gave a rough exhale, running a hand through his thinning hair, satisfied. “I was disheartened earlier, Regina, but now I’m glad for the relocation. Given the circumstances, I think it’s just what we need.”
“What relocation?” I said.