"Nice to meet you." Jodi said.
"You, too." Rand smiled. "Gosh, you and your sister couldn’t be any more different if you tried," she marveled.
"Oh, and we do, believe me." Jodi laughed, as did my friend. The girl turned to me. "So, what are you guys doing out tonight? Just bumming?"
"Well, this one here got a hankering for ice cream." I explained, putting my arm around Rand’s waist. "I swear, this stuff will be the death of me." I groaned.
"Big fan?"
"The biggest." Rand answered. "Screw the carrot in front of the horse, just stick a bucket of 31 Flavors, and you’ve got her."
"Good to know," Jodi said, nodding. I smiled, but looked down to hide it. You poor thing. Though, I had to admit, it was flattering. To my knowledge, I’d never had a woman have a rush on me before. I mean, I could certainly do worse; Jodi was attractive, intelligent, sweet, my boss’ daughter.
Shaking my head to clear it, I looked up when I was asked what I wanted from the kid behind the counter.
"Double scoop of the mint chocolate chip, please," I ordered with a huge grin across my face, just like the little kid I was at heart.
"Join us?" Rand asked Jodi after we all had our treats.
"Certainly. Thank you."
I was surprised, Rand usually not liking anyone entering our little circle, and definitely since Jodi shared blood with Cody. I figured that would be an unforgivable mark against her right there. But, Rand surprised me by chatting it up with the girl. They got into an especially heated, yet good-natured debate on politics. I, of course stayed out of that one. Rand could kick my ass with political knowledge every time. But then, she actually cared.
"So what would you be doing in D.C.?" Jodi asked, my mind finally rejoining the conversation as I ate the rest of my cone.
"I’d be working for Senator Alice Dickson." Rand explained. "I’m a great admirer of hers, so it would really be quite an opportunity for me."
"How exciting." Jodi smiled.
* * *
I had laid in bed for about an hour after Rand had left, my brain processing what that could mean if she were to get that job. I knew it was premature to give it this much energy, but she was really all I had left.
With a heavy heart, I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
I jumped, my eyes opening wide in shock and horror, the silent scream tearing from my throat, my body finally starting to take action as I began to run.
"Nooooooooo!" I heard the sirens stop, then start again, ringing in my head...
Ring, ring, ring.
"No!" I sat up, my breathing heavy, chest heaving. I closed my eyes, putting my hand to my face.
Ring, ring, ring.
Startled, I turned and realized my phone was ringing.
"Hello?"
"Um, is this Cody’s friend, Brooklyn?" Any remnants of sleep I had were gone with this strange voice of a man I didn’t recognize at all.
"Yes," I said, my voice wary.
"Um, this is her friend, Jimmy. Um, she kind of needs you down at the police station."
"What?" I jumped out of the bed. "What for?"
"I’m not real sure what’s going on. She just called me to go get her, but I don’t have any money, and well, she’s got my car."
I sighed, holding my head in my hand.
"Okay. Thanks, Jimmy."
Anger was building inside with every second as I threw some clothes on, muttering to myself, feeling completely disappointed, as if any sort of headway I’d made with that damn kid had just gone in one ear and out the other.
"Damn it, Cody." I grabbed my keys and hurried out the door into the cold night.
Once again, I pulled into the parking lot of the police station, and hurried inside. The same officer was at the desk.
"Cody Thomlin," I said, hands in my pockets to keep them from fidgeting, and strangling the girl. The door opened, and a very sheepish Cody walked into the lobby. I turned to face her, chewing on the inside of my cheek to still my words. Finally she looked up at me. As soon as she saw my face, the sheepishness disappeared behind attitude. "So what happened?" I asked, my voice quiet.
"They said at first it was a DUI, but then after the breathalyzer, they lowered it to a DWAI." She looked down again, and I felt my stomach fall.
"What is a DWAI?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper, eyes closing as my fingers went to the bridge of my nose.
"Driving while ability impaired," she said, her voice quiet, full of shame.
"Did you do this, Cody?" I couldn’t look at her.
"I had a beer and a half at Jimmy’s. I had gone out in his car to get us some snacks." She finally looked at me again.
"Miss, if you’d sign here, please?" The officer said from behind the front desk. I looked at her and shook my head.
"No, I won’t." I turned back to Cody. "I told you that you had only one get out of jail free card." I pointed my finger at her. "You used it up, Cody. Now you can sit here over night and think about what the hell you’re doing with your life."
I was so angry I was beginning to shake and knew I had to get away from her.
"What?" the girl asked, her face incredulous.
"That’s right. You can sit in that cell tonight and think about it, Cody." I could feel my eyes begin to well up. "I need to go. I’m starting to feel sick." I turned toward the officer who waited for my instructions. "Take her away."
"Let’s go." The officer put his hand on her arm, and she glared at me, the shock giving way to anger.
Without another look back, I hurried out of the station, and got in my car, turning the key, the car roaring to life. I took several deep breaths, then grabbed the key and turned it in the ignition. When the car groaned at me as I tried to start it again, I ran a hand through my hair, and backed out of the space. Destination in mind, I turned onto the main street, and roared away.
I banged on the door, waiting, my eyes stinging as the tears wanted to come, but I was doing my best to try and keep them at bay. The door opened, and a very tired and surprised Keith looked at me. At the sight of him, a sob ripped from me, and I fell into his arms.
"Whoa. Baby, what’s wrong?" He put his hand to the back of my head, holding my head to his chest. "Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you inside. It’s cold out here."
He led me to the couch, and pulled me to him.
"What happened?"
"Cody was arrested again," I cried, holding onto him, digging my fingers into the soft material of his robe.
"What for?" he asked, his voice quiet.
"Driving while drinking." I heard him sigh, resting his chin on top of my head as he held me tighter.
"Oh, baby," he said, caressing my back.
"Why would she do that, Keith?" I asked, my eyes closed as I tried to snuggle even closer to him.
"I don’t know, babe. She’s young and stupid."
"Young and stupid?" I asked, pulling away from him. "Keith, you know damn well what could have happened! What she could have done!"
"I know, I know." He pulled me back into him. Finally I got myself together, and Keith led me upstairs where I was finally able to sleep.
* * *
I awoke, finding myself in the bed alone. It was Saturday morning, and Keith had to go into the gallery. Glancing over at the clock, I saw that it was nearly nine in the morning. With a sigh, as the night before came back to me, I pulled myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom for a shower. My eyes burned from crying and lack of sleep, and my heart was heavy.
I took my time getting ready, the hot water helping to soothe my aching body. I had no time table, and didn’t feel the need to get Cody out of there any sooner than necessary. I hoped that she had actually used the time wisely last night, and had thought about what could happen. God, never in my life had I felt so, so, what was it? Disappointment? Anger? Irritation? in a single person. I really thought she had more respect for herself than that.
Pulling on the clothes I’d had on last night, I ran Keith’s brush through my hair, and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were red-rimmed, and slightly puffy. I looked as bad as I felt.
Grabbing my keys, and leaving Keith a thank you note, I headed out.
It was nearly ten by time I got the station. A different officer was at the front desk now, and I smiled at him.
"Can I help you, miss?"
"Yes, I’m here to pick up Cody Thomlin."
"Okay. Will you be paying the full amount today?" he asked, looking up at me.
"Ten percent."
"Alright," He typed some figures into his computer, and smiled up at me. "That will be three hundred dollars."
I pulled out my checkbook, and begin to write it out. The man picked up the phone and called for her to be brought out. Within a few minutes, the door opened, and one angry teen appeared. She refused to look at me as she headed for the door. I signed the form, and hurried after her. She stood on the sidewalk, looking out toward the street.
"Get in," I said, unlocking my car. She didn’t even acknowledge I had said anything. "Get in, Cody." She turned at me, her eyes on fire.
"Fuck you."
"Get in," I said one more time, my voice rising as my anger did.
"I don’t need your fucking ride." She crossed her arms over her chest, looking as if she could pounce on me at any second. I turned, feeling my tears trying to come to the surface again. My back to her, I covered my face with my hands and took several deep breaths, trying to slow my heart rate, and shove my emotions down further and further. Okay, I can do this. I turned back around, looking at the defiant teen. "Cody, please get in." My voice was low, pleading, yet authoritative. She stared at me for another minute, then without a word, got in.
I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose, then also got in. I started the car, and neither of us said anything. I turned out of the parking lot, and took a left. I could see Cody looking around, confused, then turned to me.
"Where the hell are you going? My house is that way."
"Just sit tight," I grumbled.
As we drove, my mind headed out before me, watching over our destination. I hadn’t been there for a while, and figured now was as good a time as any to visit.
I pulled the car to the curb and pulled the break. Cody looked around, then looked at me.
"Brooklyn, we’re at a cemetery." Her eyes landed on me.
"Let’s go." I pulled my coat on, and headed through the open gate, our footsteps crunching on the grass, not quite green yet. Row after row of stones stretched out before us. I turned left on the path that came up, and headed off into a row. Cody followed, still looking around as though she were creeped out.
I found what I was looking for, and stopped, putting my hand on Cody’s arm to stop her, too.
"You know, your mom and dad have taken me under their wing over the past couple of years, and they’ve been good to me. I figured it was time you finally met my family. Cody, this is my father, John, mother, Anna, and my three year old brother, Caleb."
Cody looked down at the three graves at our feet, her eyes huge. She looked at me.
"What happened to them?" Her voice was so quiet, almost pensive.
"They were killed by a 22 year old drunk driver." I glanced over at the girl. "Right in front of me. When I was 16, they had sent me to a horse riding camp for my birthday. They drove me there, a beautiful ranch in the middle of the country side. We hugged and said our goodbyes, the entire bunch. As they drove off of the property, about to turn onto the highway, he came roaring down the street at 88 miles per hour, and slammed into them." I saw it all happen again.
"I love you guys!" I yelled out to the retreating car. Turning, I walked toward the camp, my bag over my shoulder, grinning like an idiot as I thought of the possibilities for the next few weeks. Then, suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.
I dropped my bag and turn, running as I saw the truck coming, my father certainly not even seeing it as he began to pull out. Time slowed down, and my cries were long, mutated moans to my ears as I reached my hand out, as if I could stop the inevitable.
I heard my mother scream seconds before the impact, the screeching of tires, moaning of metal being torn and pushed in a way that it was never meant to go.
Suddenly time speeded up, and I began to sprint toward the wreckage.
"No!" someone cried as I felt strong arms around me, stopping me.
"I have to get to them!" I screamed, pulling at the arms with claw-like hands, desperate to try and save them.
"No, honey! You can’t. You can’t do anything for them now."
My screams echoed in my head as my eyes opened, and I found Cody staring at me. I turned away, quiet as I stared down at the stones, a little angel carved into my brother’s stone.
"I, I don’t know what to say," Cody said, running a nervous hand through her hair. She was quiet for a moment, looking down at her feet. "I’m sorry, Brooklyn."
"I wake up often from nightmares, seeing it happen all over again. I can still remember seeing my brother waving at me from the back window of the Blazer." I lowered myself to the grass, sitting in front of my family. Cody sat next to me. I took a deep breath as the tears, once again, were pushing to get out, a lump forming in my throat.
"What happened to the guy?" she asked.
"He was convicted of DUI, DUI per se, three counts of vehicular manslaughter, and possessing an open container. He walked away from the accident, Cody." I looked at her. "He had a broken arm. Three people died, and he only served six
years in prison, getting out still a very young man."
Cody swallowed several times, trying to keep her emotions under wraps, but I knew different. I could see her struggling.
"What happened to you?"
"I went to live with my great-uncle, Bruce. I stayed there until I was 18, then left for college. He’s all I have left." I finished, my voice barely a whisper.
"God," Cody said, hand reaching out to run through the grass. "I truly can’t imagine what you’ve gone through." She turned to look at me. "I’m really sorry, Brooklyn." I turned and looked at her, my eyes beginning to well.
"I know, Cody. I know."
I turned away, feeling the first of the fresh tears make its lazy way down my cheek. I felt an arm go around my shoulder, and I leaned my head against her shoulder. We sat there in the early afternoon and cried together.
Part 6
I tapped my fingers in time with the turn signal as I waited for the Ford pickup across from me to turn so I could turn onto the Thomlin's street.
"Finally," I muttered, the ninety-year-old guy driving the truck taking his sweet time, thinking that no one else had anywhere else to be. "You shouldn't have a license, you old fart."
I pulled into Rhonda's driveway, not entirely thrilled to be there. Today was my twenty-sixth birthday, and I hated birthdays. Since the accident, I had usually ignored them, feeling the loss and guilt rearing it's ugly head once again. But, Rhonda had insisted, and who was I to turn down a free dinner and birthday cake?
Locking my car, I readjusted the bottle of wine and bouquet of flowers I'd brought for Rhonda in my arms, and headed up the walk. As if magic, the door opened, and a grinning twin stood waiting for me.
"For me?" Jodi asked, eyeing the flowers.
"Uh, well,"
"I'm just kidding. Come in. And, happy birthday." She gave me a small peck on the cheek, and I smiled in thanks as I headed toward the kitchen. I went to push the swinging door open when I was stopped with a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Cody standing there, shaking her head.
"Can't allow you to go in there," she said, her voice matter-of-fact.
"What? Why?"
"Mom's orders. You never fuck with mom's orders"
I chuckled, heading toward the table to sit down instead.
It had been three weeks since her arrest, and in some ways, it seemed as though there was a totally different girl before me. She still had her attitude well in place, but Rhonda would come in to work, gushing about how the girl would clean her room without her mother having to say a word, or she would give Jake a bath at night. I wanted to think that it was in part because of our little trip to the cemetery, but I wasn't about to take any credit for any of Cody's good deeds.
I just sat back quietly as she talked about her youngest twin, a soft smile on my face.
"You know, I didn't get to thank the secret deliverer for lunch today," I said now, setting my gifts on the table as I looked over at the skater. She was leaning against the wall next to the swinging door, arms crossed over her chest. She looked at me through hooded, seemingly bored, blue eyes.
"Oh?" I nodded.
"Oh."
The girl shrugged, glanced over at the bar where balloons had been tied, and bounced lightly against the ceiling. I just smiled, not wanting to push the issue as she was obviously not real comfortable with it.
The kitchen door swung open, and Jodi came into the dining room with the large, glass dish in her hands, biceps bulging under the immense weight of the heavy dish, and the weight of the homemade lasagna in it.
"Get ready to eat, you two," she said as she set it down in the center of the table.
"Oh, I'm ready," I was nearly salivating as I looked at the steaming food, my tongue literally slipping out to lick my lips.
Cody sat across from my, and Jodi disappeared into the kitchen again.
"Cody, grab Jake!" Rhonda called from the kitchen. The girl stood, and hurried up the stairs, bounding up two steps at a time. Left alone, I looked around at the decorations that had been bung in my honor, a long banner strung across the archway that led from the dining room to the living room, shiny blue letters that read "Happy Birthday," and it looked like some little three year old had scrawled "Brocln" on a piece of paper.
Chuckling, my attention was drawn back to the swinging door as Jodi came in again, arms laden with goodies; fresh rolls, butter, glasses about to spill their ice.
"Oh, let me help you." I hurried over to her and lighten her load.
"I tried." She grinned, setting the rest of the stuff on the table.
"No worries. You did well." I smile at her, and she smiles shyly back at me. I can't help but chuckle inside. Poor girl. She looks so awkward around me when I see her, especially when it's just her and I alone. She can hide behind others normally. Now, the normally boisterous girl is left quiet and unsure.
"Bookwyn!" My head turns to see a little bundle of energy running toward me.
"Hey, little guy!" I kneel down and take the boy in my arms, my eyes automatically closing as I take him in a huge hug. When my eyes open, I glance up to see Cody looking at us, a sad look on her face. As soon as she saw that I had seen her, she turned away, and took her seat.
I'd have to ask her about that later.
I picked up the excited boy, and put him in his booster seat, then sat in my own chair.
* * *
"Oh, thank you, Rhonda." I nearly moaned in ecstasy as I pulled the bike seat out of the box. I looked at it from every angle. "Perfect. Now my fat butt has somewhere nice to perch." I grin.
"Oh, hardly. If I looked half as good as you do when I was your age, I'd have more kids."
"Ew, Rhonda!" I threw my balled up napkin at her. "Thank you. I love it."
"You're welcome, sweetie. Happy birthday."
"Mine next." Jodi smiled, handing me a small, wrapped box. I took it from her, wondering what on earth this girl, who didn't even really know me, could give me.
"Thanks, Jodi." I ripped the paper off, opened the simple white box, and reached in. "Oh, Jodi," I breathed, taking out the beautiful, extremely delicately worked beaded coin purse. This had taken an immense amount of work, and I was certainly impressed.
"I wasn't real sure what you'd need or want, so I figured, well, you know, something homemade."
"It's incredible." I looked up at the smiling girl. "Thank you so much, Jodi." She shrugged, but her smile belied her nonchalance. I grabbed the zipper, opening the small bag, and seeing that the intricate beadwork was gone, replaced by a satin lining. "Truly beautiful, Jodi. Thank you."
"Happy birthday," she said, her voice quiet, shy.
"Mine, mine!" Jake exclaimed, startling us all.
"Jake, don't yell." Rhonda scolded. The boy, so much like my little brother had been, handed me what looked like was probably a card. I took it, and carefully opened it, not wanting to tear the paper. I slid the card within out, and narrowed my brows, trying to figure out what the heck I was looking at.
"It's a doggy." He explained. Doggy? I turned it around, thinking perhaps I was holding it wrong. No, still no doggy.
"Thanks, Jakey. It looks just like my Uncle Bruce's puppy dog." I smiled at him, reaching across to squeeze his hand. He grinned big, deep dimples winking at me on either side of his mouth.
"Cody, come on, honey." My gaze turned to the twin, seeing her glaring at her mother.
"Oh, Rhonda, she didn't have to get me anything, really. None of you did."
Ignoring me, she reached behind her, grabbing something that had been leaning against the wall. She heaved it up, and placed it on the table before me. I looked at it, then looked at her. Blue eyes were looking at me, almost as if challenging me to look at it and like it.
I glanced down at the flat, rectangle object before me. Chewing on my lower lip, I began to tear into the paper, knowing that Cody's eyes were on me the entire time. As I ripped a shard away, I saw a familiar looking house. When finally the entire picture was exposed, I saw that it was a drawing done by Cody, framed ant matted. The house was mine.
I looked up at her, my mouth open before I looked back down at it. I was stunned, seeing incredible detail of my place, which she had only seen a couple times. She even had the mailbox that was placed against the wall near my door, my last name carefully penciled on it.
"Oh, Cody," I breathed, absolutely awed by her talent, and attention to detail, and the thoughtfulness of the gift. "This is amazing. I can't believe you, you even drew the sprinkler that's in the front yard." I smiled up at her, completely charmed.
"Well, it seemed appropriate," she said, looking down at her hands shyly. "Um, happy birthday."
"Thank you." I was truly touched. Perhaps this birthday won't be so bad after all.
"Well, um," Cody stammered, standing. "I'm going to put Jake to bed." We all glanced over at the poor boy who had zonked out in his booster seat.
"I'll help you," I said, also standing. She looked at me, then shrugged as she walked over to her brother.
"Come on, big guy," she said, picking him up, the child groaning sleepily, resting his head against her shoulder. I followed her up the stairs, and toward Jake's room, which was painted with clouds and castles all over the walls. I looked at the art work.
"Are these yours?" I whispered, nodding toward the huge stone castles. She nodded as she laid the boy in his bed, untying and pulling his shoes off, followed by his socks.
"Grab his pajamas," she instructed, pointing toward the top drawer of his dresser that was also covered in castles and flying dragons. Finding a pair of Batman P.J.s, I handed them to Cody. She quickly, but gently, undressed the boy, and finally got him to cooperate as she slipped the clothing on him. "Goodnight, little man," she whispered, kissing his forehead. He immediately turned onto his side, thumb in his mouth, and was fast asleep.
Cody quietly closed the door behind us.
"Where's your room?" I asked, as she turned toward the stairs. She looked at me with a raised brow, then shook her head. I followed as she led me further down the hall, away from the staircase, and opened a door that had DO NOT ENTER on the door. "Cute." I grinned.
Once inside, she flipped on the light switch, which didn't do a whole lot of good since she had a blue bulb in the fixture, and the walls were either painted black or navy.
"I'm guessing you like dark colors?" I snickered.
"Yeah, something like that." She walked into the room, and flopped down on her unmade twin bed, hands behind her head as she watched me. I walked around the fairly large room, looking at the eclectic group of things she'd collected, from one of the Mad Troll dolls, to a lava lamp, to a pair of handcuffs hanging on the back of the door. I looked at her in question.
"Don't ask." She grinned.
Posters were hanging everywhere at just about every angle you can think of. Even upside down. It seemed to match her personality quite well- no real rhyme or reason to any of it.
I looked at some of the posters, modern bands, bands of yesteryear, a huge yellow smiley face with a bullet hole in the forehead with blood trickling between the eyes.
"Charming," I muttered.
I glanced over the wooden closet door, which stood half open, a myriad of clothing piled behind them, a pair of Vans and a pair of combat boots lined against the wall beside it.
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