“Oh,” she says looking back at me. “Sorry, yeah. Do you remember that summer when we all went to Vacation Bible School even though none of us are religious?” she says rolling her eyes at me.
“Yes,” I grit out, my voice firm switching into father mode.
“Well, we snuck out one night,” she shrugs continuing to mix the batter. “Instead of singing Kumbaya around the campfire we belted out teardrops on my guitar,” she sings closing her eyes. “It’s an oldie but a goodie if there ever was one.”
“Oh my God,” I say shaking my head. “I don’t know if I’m prepared to hear all of the Charlie lying to her dad stories yet,” I tell her shaking my head, fully certain that there are many stories that Lucy could tell me but I never want to hear.
“Oh believe me,” she laughs, “there are certain things you don’t want to know but don’t worry I will keep those to myself. Besides Taylor Swift is so tame We were exposed to more controversial things at Vacation Bible School,” she says sliding the mixing bowl over to me so I can add the slices of banana.
Closing my eyes and telling myself I’m grateful for what little information I have, I continue singing Jack Johnson next to the tone-deaf love of my life. She’s not a bad cook I notice as she samples the batter and begins to flip the banana pancakes. I run my hand up and down her back.
“Hey, I am going to go upstairs and get dressed. There’s are a couple more things I have to do down at the office today. But I will try to get back early-ish tonight,” I say with a smile.
“Early-ish?” she asks laughing and raising her brows.
“Yes,” I nod. “I can’t make any promises, but I will do my best. Cop life.” I shrug before turning away from her and walking upstairs to change into the clothes that aren’t on her body.
Singing to herself she turns back to the pancake batter as I walk back to the bedroom. I know she doesn’t want me to go, and I don’t want to go either. I just wish all this was over so that I can be here with her more often. I know we will have such a happy life together. We just have to get to the point where I can be here more.
Rounding the corner and bending down to pick up my jeans I freeze.
What is that?
I see something black and oddly familiar under her bed. Reaching under the bed, I pull out a black hoodie. Suddenly I feel cold and my heart starts pounding in my ears.
Surely this can’t be what I think it is.
No. It’s impossible. My Lucy would never do such a thing. I look behind me and listen to the woman trying to sing along with Jack Johnson. No, it can’t be, I don’t want to believe it.
Holding the sweatshirt up to the light I inspect it closer. There are obvious sweat lines indicating that the individual who wore this ran quickly, hard, and fast. Closing my eyes, I recall last night. The woman did run fast, and honestly Lucy can run like a fucking cheetah. She led the school to all state champions four years in a row. If it wasn’t Lucy, I don’t know who else it could possibly be. The girl set fucking records.
Closing my eyes and falling hard I remind myself that this is simply circumstantial evidence. It’s possible she went for a run and simply tossed the jacket under the bed. Everyone knows that about Lucy. I see her running all the time in the mornings and she waves at me in my cruiser.
Walking over to the bed and laying down the sweatshirt I inspect it further. There’s dust and gravel, the same color as the gray dust that picks up in the warehouse. Of course, it’s something I could have the lab look at to run a comparison analysis, but to what end? Do I really want to arrest my girlfriend for drug trafficking or dealing?
I cringe as the thought in my heart sinks in. She’s just like her father. No. I don’t want to believe that. I can’t believe that. Swallowing hard I rise, slide on my jeans, pull my white T-shirt over my head and resolve myself. I need to remain objective. If I can’t remain objective, I will be forced to turn the keys over to someone else who will not be as lenient with her or with her low life of a father.
Yes, the best thing for all of us is for me to remain calm and to separate myself from the emotional situation. It will be harder than it sounds simply because we took such a huge step forward today. I love her. I’m hopelessly, desperately in love with a little brunette dynamo. How could she do this? Why would she do this? She knows how I feel about this. She knows the implications. She watched her father go to prison and knows that he only got off because of the mayor.
Closing my eyes and shaking my head, I try to steady my cell phone. The more emotional I am, the harder it will be. Maybe I should try to talk to her. There could be more to this right?
Lucy
* * *
I wonder where Kenton is. Reaching down and pulling out a fork and placing the banana pancakes and bacon carefully on the table. I’m so happy, I can’t believe that we have spent the night together for the first time and that he told me what every girl wants to hear.
I love you.
It isn’t something I ever expected to hear from him. Especially not so soon. Kenton is a man of few words. He has such a stern exterior, but you know what they say about still waters. They run deep. Meaning Kenton has a hard exterior when in reality he has so many thoughts and emotions going through him. I hope that I can be the person that he talks to and confides in.
When he came over last night, I was terrified. I was afraid that it meant that he knew it was me at that warehouse. I just knew he was going to tell me we were over, and I was likely going to prison along with my father. I didn’t know what to say or even how to speak. How does anyone find the courage to confess something so horrible?
I hope I never have to find out.
I just really want us to be happy forever and in love. I want us to be together forever, and as silly as it sounds, I need it with my whole heart. I don’t ever want to be without him. So What is taking him so long? I turn and look at him with a big smile when I hear him walking down the hall.
“Hey there handsome,” I call.