She Bought the Cash and I Did the Time

Maureen O’Leary

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One Factor About Blue by Maureen O’Leary

One factor about Blue, she all the time had a scheme. The summer time after highschool I drove a van she received from her cousin who we simply known as Cousin. Blue received Cousin to take out seats and reduce a gap within the ground so I may drive over the steel circle factor at gasoline stations. I drove and Cousin unscrewed the bolts to siphon diesel. We received the job completed six instances and Blue knew a man who drove his personal long-haul truck to promote gasoline to, so there was cash to be made. That’s one thing Blue appreciated to say.

I used to be afraid of Cousin as a result of he was huge and grumpy, however he didn’t discuss a lot. I wasn’t alleged to drive however Blue mentioned I used to be smarter than individuals thought and taught me how, so I grew to become our driver. No one suspected me bumping over the steel factor in the course of the evening aside from the sleepy-looking man who labored on the 7-Eleven on Broadway in Tahoe Park. He known as the police.

Me and Cousin served the time. Blue made the cash. I went to County for eighteen months and that’s the place I received caught in the course of a nasty combat one time and ended up with a ruined face.

Mr. Cox who was my trainer visited proper earlier than I received out. I appeared tousled in comparison with earlier than and his eyes wobbled when he first noticed me. He had on a pleasant shirt and I wager his sneakers have been shined. Mr. Cox all the time dressed like he was headed someplace higher than room 32, which was the place the special-ed youngsters realized. I felt sorry for him sitting there with a telephone to his ear and his crimson face and his ironed shirt. He appreciated displaying PowerPoints of his holidays. There was an image of him and his spouse on the Grand Canyon and he informed us that yearly anyone received too near the sting and fell off as a result of the canyon may hypnotize you if you happen to weren’t cautious. He additionally mentioned he received to go to enjoyable locations as a result of he labored onerous. He mentioned, I work onerous and so do you have to.

He held the telephone factor away like he was afraid his lips may contact the plastic. He requested me how I used to be.

My shirt was not ironed. My shirt was orange and white stripes and I might by no means take pleasure in a Creamsicle once more within the summertime, I’ll let you know. The colour orange made my enamel harm endlessly after two years of that’s all I received to put on.

I mentioned I used to be going residence to my mother in Oak Park and he mentioned he gave my title for a job cleansing lecture rooms on the constitution highschool there.

You possibly can’t be haunted by the previous, Georgia, he mentioned, and wouldn’t look me too lengthy within the face. He mentioned a very powerful factor was onerous work.

Chopping the circle gap within the backside of the van was onerous work. Sparks flew all over the place. Driving so the opening within the van matched the circle within the floor was onerous work. However he didn’t must know all that.

Mr. Cox informed me to recollect I had a disordered mind. Every time I believed I discovered a shortcut, I needed to bear in mind it was going to be a disordered shortcut. Interval.

Mr. Cox was a pleasant man. Not a creeper. Good dresser. Labored onerous. At all times visited his former college students once they have been about to get out of jail.

My first evening on the charter-school job, I didn’t acknowledge Blue. I went in to the workplace and there was a girl standing on the copier, the machine’s gentle going backwards and forwards.

She collected the papers and smiled like she knew one thing about me. Her hair was blond and in a twist. She additionally smelled like an entire different particular person than final time I noticed her at Cousin’s home in West Sac. Again then her fragrance was diesel and french fry grease and her hair was black. Again then she wore Dickies and males’s undershirts and a ball cap from Mobil gasoline. This girl appeared just like the waitress within the steak restaurant my mother took me to after I received out to have fun. However this was nonetheless Blue. Similar face. I might know her it doesn’t matter what.

I mentioned, I didn’t know you labored right here, and she or he smiled with out displaying any enamel and didn’t say something about my face. She didn’t like her enamel due to the hole within the center, although after we have been youngsters I made her snigger so she couldn’t assist displaying the hole. I beloved her enamel.

What I imply to say is I can solely inform what occurred the most effective I can, however don’t suppose I’ll say a phrase in opposition to Blue.

I used to be alleged to empty trash and dry-mop the flooring within the lecture rooms, but Blue mentioned no. She informed Mr. Cox that there was a gap for a janitor so he wouldn’t ask questions, however there was extra to the job. There was cash to be made.

My neck received scorching as a result of I hated combating with Blue. I wasn’t mad about my time inside. I made the selection to drive the van. She didn’t pressure me. I by no means wished her to endure similar as me. However I didn’t need to do her schemes anymore both. I didn’t need to get in bother ever once more.

Then she proved herself by displaying me the empty rooms with no desks, no rubbish cans to dump out, nothing however shiny flooring. Within the workplace we ordered garments for me off Amazon utilizing the college’s account. Pencil skirts and high-heel sneakers. Button shirts like a steakhouse waitress. Blue gave me an envelope of money and informed me I ought to deposit the cash in a financial institution. She mentioned I wanted to be sensible and put my pay in a checking account I may take a look at on-line.

Then we went to her house in Midtown and she or he reduce off my cut up ends and dyed my hair blond similar as her. After she rinsed out the bleach, she held my head and made me take a look at us within the mirror aspect by aspect, her jaw sq. and entire, the aspect of my face trying like I fell right into a wall. After I tried to look down, she held me tighter and compelled me to look.

You’re stunning, she mentioned. You’re sensible.

Her lengthy nails scraped the again of my head frivolously when she used the blow dryer and her contact made me shiver and need to cry.

She mentioned we needed to change our names on the job. She was Bea Andersen. I used to be Jo Little. We used to name one another Bee and Geo, quick for Blue and Georgia, after we have been youngsters, so there could be no slipping.

We’re completely different individuals now, she mentioned. So we should change our names at work.

Blue dropped me at residence at midnight and my mother was ready with the sunshine on in her room. She labored at Costco and went to conferences 4 instances every week so she received drained so much. She known as for me, mendacity on her aspect all tucked in.

She mentioned I smelled humorous. She requested who did that to my hair and I mentioned Blue.

She sat up in mattress. Please, Georgia, anyone however Blue. And he or she was crying. I patted her cheeks with my fingertips and I used to be sorry to make her cry. However Blue was a canyon I fell into simply by standing close to the sting. Explaining this may not be a consolation, so I mentioned, I like you, Mother. I mentioned, I promise I’ll keep free.

I went in a couple of extra nights to dust-mop the already clear flooring. I emptied the rubbish within the workplace. The college was huge and the school rooms have been empty besides one hallway had a couple of rooms with desks in rows, white boards, and indicators on the partitions saying Work Laborious and No Excuses. The rubbish cans by no means had trash. The boards by no means had writing.

On Friday, Blue gave me a bottle of Dior fragrance and the garments. She mentioned she had an thought for us. Like she mentioned, there was cash. I might receives a commission far more however I couldn’t inform anyone what we have been doing. My ears received scorching. I thought of my mother crying in mattress. I wished to go residence.

The look in your face, Blue mentioned. Lady. She put her arms round me and I used to be a child chicken made of sunshine bones and thin feathers. She was meaty. She smelled like particles and cash. Her face was moist urgent in opposition to mine and the salt from her tears burned my pores and skin.

Georgia, I owe you, Blue mentioned. I’ll by no means harm you once more. Belief me.

I belief you, I mentioned. However I didn’t.

I went to work at 5 o’clock the subsequent day. I used to be Blue’s assistant and she or he didn’t need me to speak to anyone on the assembly. Me being her assistant made her look like a boss and that was the vital factor.

The foyer was huge as a parking storage and there have been three tables arrange in a U round a display. Blue was making the projector work with a clicker. You look good, she mentioned. She sniffed me. Good fragrance, she mentioned. Not an excessive amount of. Sufficient. You odor wealthy.

Her high was silky. Her nails have been shiny as vanilla ice cream. She mentioned to fake to take notes. There was a person coming to the assembly. That’s, there have been many males coming to the assembly, however just one was vital.

How would I do know which one was vital?

Blue mentioned I might know.

The boys have been coming in. A wash of them in fits, ties, dress-up sneakers that made noise on the concrete. That is the superintendent, Blue mentioned. Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Lewis’s eyes have been above me watching the door. This was not the vital man. The vital man was coming into with a girl with quick blond hair and a purple costume. Her heels clicked on the ground like Blue’s. Mr. Lewis greeted the vital man who was tall and skinny and wore a tie. He was dad age. Grandpa age. He moved like a dancer on tv. He wasn’t dancing however he moved sleek. When the tall sleek man entered, the opposite males talked sooner, their voices a hum of bees. I grew to become dizzy.

Blue moved me to a seat by the short-hair girl. The vital man shook palms with all people. When he got here to Blue, he leaned down to speak in her ear. I questioned what he mentioned. His hand was on her again. She introduced him to me.

I’m Jim Bell, he mentioned. I shook his hand agency like my mother taught me. You have to be Jo. Ms. Andersen speaks so extremely of you.

That’s good, I mentioned.

The assembly began. Mr. Lewis was speaking. The blond-hair girl whispered to me, Jim has a Purple Coronary heart from Vietnam. He doesn’t like to speak concerning the battle however I feel individuals right here ought to know. Jim is a hero.

Blue confirmed a video of children in black polo shirts and tan pants strolling into the college. Within the foyer there have been footage of children in black shirts sitting in entrance of computer systems and holding basketballs. I by no means noticed these youngsters. These youngsters who made no mess, left no rubbish, whose academics by no means wrote on the whiteboards.

Mr. Lewis was saying the constitution highschool had the most effective commencement document for minority youngsters within the metropolis. The children within the video walked in gradual movement throughout the foyer. I by no means noticed their footprints after I swept at evening.

We ship extra minority college students to four-year schools than some other faculty in Northern California. This was Blue now speaking. The film was over and there was a graph with a jagged line stuffed with spikes and valleys. Mountains. Canyons.

The girl whispered subsequent to my face, her breath minty contemporary. She mentioned, Jim is the kindest man I’ve ever identified.

Blue mentioned to return within the subsequent day at 4 p.m. She mentioned to sit down at her desk and she or he could be again quickly. I opened her laptop computer and researched Purple Coronary heart. A medal for bravery. When Jim Bell informed the assembly that he deliberate a considerable donation, the short-hair girl whispered to me, I informed you so.

I researched Jim Bell. There was a Jim Bell who was a soccer participant in England. The vital Jim Bell was in control of Bell Companions Growing.

A person got here in trying imply, and when Mr. Lewis stepped out of his workplace the person requested the place have been the scholars and Mr. Lewis mentioned to recollect we have been a year-round schedule and this was our fall break. They closed the door and there was stern speaking. My head tingled like when individuals have been combating in jail. One thing dangerous was taking place and I used to be going to get caught within the center. I used to be going to get hit.

I used to be about to expire when Mr. Lewis banged the door open. He rushed me yelling questions.

What did you do with that allow? You mentioned you filed the allow.

The person behind him shook his head like he couldn’t imagine somebody was as dumb as me. They have been mad at me. My face bones harm. I appeared down at my palms.

Goddamnit, Ms. Andersen trusted you. I trusted you. That is unacceptable. There are authorized repercussions to your mistake, Jo. We will solely hope nothing comes of this. We will solely pray to God that the town council decides to provide us one other likelihood. Are you aware what you’ve completed? Are you aware?

I clutched my skirt to maintain from shaking. I squeezed my eyes closed. The mad man left and no person mentioned goodbye. Mr. Lewis saved yelling at me. I noticed purple hearts bursting.

Immediately Mr. Lewis stopped yelling and I heard him step into the corridor. I heard him go into his workplace once more and shut the door.

Blue got here in carrying her purse and jacket. I’m fired now, I mentioned. Possibly they’ll arrest me.

Blue mentioned no and to get my stuff. We have been going someplace enjoyable.

Usually I beloved driving round within the entrance seat when Blue was driving. In highschool she took me all over the place and we sang alongside to the radio. We drove over the Yolo Causeway generally as a result of Blue appreciated to have a look at the owls that hid within the bushes by a mud street there. On the best way again into Sacramento towards the tall buildings arising out of the flat land, she appreciated to say that we have been headed to the Emerald Metropolis, and each time I used to be with Blue I may imagine that we have been.

Within the automobile was the place she defined issues to me, corresponding to who at college was good and who was solely pretending. Academics to belief and academics to keep away from. However that evening within the passenger seat of Blue’s automobile, the solar was setting and the sky was on pink hearth and my abdomen harm from getting in bother. My head harm too and I mentioned I felt like I used to be dying.

Oh child chicken, she mentioned, I want you didn’t really feel that means.

She took me to Dutch Brothers for a blue drink, which made me really feel higher. Don’t spill, she mentioned. After we drive, we’re going to dinner with Jim.

We took a flip via the Delta by the river that was a damaged mirror for the sky that held storm clouds purple as hearts.

That is haunted nation, Blue mentioned.

I shivered in the best way solely she may make me.

She defined issues after we received again to city. We’re not alleged to have these sorts of conferences on public property, she mentioned. Not with out a permission slip.

I didn’t know, I mentioned. I attempted to recollect a permission slip. My mother signed a permission slip for camp at Sly Park after I was in seventh grade. That was all I may consider.

There wasn’t one, Blue mentioned. If we filed with the district, we’d have needed to say what the assembly was for and we are able to’t try this.

I didn’t know what she was speaking about. The ice cubes rattled in my cup over a bump within the street. They seemed like cracked glass.

We pulled right into a parking zone and went right into a restaurant. White tablecloths. Candles. Blue mentioned to the woman we have been friends of Jim and she or he introduced us to a desk the place Jim was. He shook my hand and kissed my cheek. I felt that kiss in my physique, and although he was as previous as a grandpa, I questioned if he may like me.

Mr. Lewis sends his regrets, Blue mentioned. You simply have us tonight.

He informed us he was delighted and that we should always get what we wished, and I checked out Blue, who laughed together with her enamel out and mentioned we’d have steak and shrimp however first we wanted crimson wine.

This can be a good evening, Jim mentioned. The work you might be doing with the constitution is admittedly one thing. You’re altering the world. Provides me religion.

Blue touched his arm, her fingernails white beetles on his sleeve. She requested him if he knew how she met me. She mentioned, I met Jo on the Sacramento Youngsters’s Dwelling. We have been there collectively. Roommates. She laughed once more.

I wiped my mouth. Ran my tongue over my enamel in case there was lettuce there from the salad. In our entrance room my mother saved a photograph of me sleeping on a hospital mattress, my bald head lined in a beanie and wires, tubes all over the place. To remind her to by no means drink once more, she mentioned. The crimson wine burned in my abdomen, which was already having a tough day. Jim checked out me. I questioned, Why inform this to the vital man? My mother received despatched to jail after my mind was injured in her DUI. I didn’t like individuals understanding about me like that. I can conceal higher if individuals don’t know. I used to be questioning if possibly Jim may like me, however how may he like me now?

Blue touched my hand below the desk the place Jim couldn’t see. I studied onerous and received into Berkeley, she mentioned. I labored to pay my means via and I simply need to pay that ahead, you realize? Give youngsters like me an opportunity.

My grandson simply graduated from Berkeley, Jim mentioned. I don’t suppose you’ll know him. It’s an enormous faculty. Franklin Bell?

Blue tapped her finger on her chin. She was considering. Wait, she mentioned. Alpha Delta Phi?

Jim smiled like he was the happiest man on the earth.

Oh, he was means too cool for me, however I knew of him. Everybody knew of him. Nice man, Blue mentioned. Actually nice man.

He could be fortunate to know you, Jim mentioned. I don’t know what occurred together with your mother and father, however if you happen to have been my daughter, I might be very proud.

When Jim excused himself to the toilet, I mentioned to Blue, I didn’t know you went to Berkeley.

Oh Georgia, she mentioned.

When he got here again to the desk, Jim wasn’t taking a look at me or caring something about me. He was falling off the cliff of Blue. The air was filling his jacket. He was dropping via the sky.

When the invoice got here, Blue grabbed the leather-based folder factor. That is on me, she mentioned. Your present to the constitution means the whole world to these youngsters. She blinked again tears, constructing diamonds on her mascara. I remembered Blue in a ball cap and undershirt in Cousin’s yard off Jefferson Boulevard. We lined our ears as he reduce a gap within the van large enough to siphon gasoline via. She taught me when there was cash to be made.

She set her purse on the desk and took out a pink pockets. My pockets. I appeared down and there was my orange purse we purchased on Amazon, open.

Jim tried to insist. Blue didn’t care. She signed my title on the invoice. The cash was every little thing within the account and extra. I didn’t communicate. I felt wind in opposition to my face. Jim’s blue eyes crinkled on the edges when he smiled at me. We have been each misplaced. And but me, the one with the injured mind, I used to be the one one who knew it.

After I received residence, my mother known as me from her bed room however I finished for a minute to have a look at the photographs on the shelf. The college pictures of after I was little with no entrance enamel after which as much as junior excessive. In seventh grade I had an enormous smile as a result of I didn’t know what was going to occur.

There’s one image of me and Mother in our yard and we’re pleased. That was proper after she received out of jail and earlier than I received arrested. There have been no footage of me since being in County however I knew what I appeared like. I used to be damaged to items in a jail-yard combat and glued again collectively by a jail infirmary physician. I had a crescent-moon scar below my eye, and my proper cheekbone was sunk up to now in my face was crooked.

Typically I appeared on the lady within the seventh-grade image who wasn’t within the automobile wreck but. She didn’t have an injured mind but. She by no means took a disordered shortcut. What occurred to you, lady in seventh grade? She was off at Berkeley, working her means via.

Mother was taking a look at a present on her iPad with earbuds. She took one out for me so I may watch too. Her physique smelled like cinnamon. I rested my head within the delicate a part of her shoulder and watched that present she was into about bikers with a tricky mother who’s in control of all people.

I fear about you, my mother mentioned into my hair. I remembered that my checking account was empty and my abdomen harm. My mother could be so pissed if she knew. I didn’t know why Blue wished me to pay, however I couldn’t be mad. She didn’t pressure me.

Blue didn’t inform Jim Bell every little thing. She didn’t inform about how after Sacramento Youngsters’s we landed in the identical group residence on 59th Avenue with home windows that had locks however no bars. She didn’t inform concerning the nights we ran via the park, enjoying on the swings and singing our favourite songs to the moon.

I’m happy with you getting a job, however Blue is rotten, Mother mentioned. I don’t belief her.

I used to be so drained. My head was stuffed with static. There have been gunshots in my proper ear from the present and gunshots in my left ear from down the road.

Blue is mine, I mentioned. You possibly can’t take her away.

There’s another half to the story. Blue wished me in at two the subsequent afternoon. I took a very long time preparing. I might be like the woman in my mother’s present who was so robust that nobody could be imply to her. I might inform Blue to pay me again. Nobody would yell at me that day. Nobody would blame something on me.

After I noticed Jim Bell was within the workplace, I didn’t really feel so robust anymore. He shook my hand and kissed me on the cheek. He requested me what was improper. I touched my face and felt the hole place the place the docs couldn’t repair the tiny fractures in my cheekbone. The wetness on my pores and skin.

You have to be cautious, I mentioned.

He tilted his head. Blue got here into the workplace then with Mr. Lewis and a boy in a black shirt and tan pants. My head felt glowing. One thing was unusual. The boy appeared like somebody I knew, however on the similar time I didn’t know him.

That is Nathan, Blue mentioned. He’s our scholar physique president.

Jim shook his hand however didn’t kiss him on the cheek.

We’re on a year-round schedule, Mr. Lewis mentioned to Jim Bell. Which suggests we’re on break proper now. However I wished you to get an opportunity to speak to a scholar. Get a tour from a teen you might be permitting to get a university preparatory training.

The way in which Mr. Lewis talked made me consider choking. He made me consider ingesting sand.

Nathan led Jim Bell on a tour. Mr. Lewis walked alongside together with his palms clasped behind his again like he was out for a stroll.

We have been going to the rooms with desks.

That is the place I take AP calculus, Nathan mentioned.

With sufficient group help, we may serve each underprivileged scholar within the metropolis, Mr. Lewis mentioned.

Nathan was making use of to MIT. He wished to review chemical engineering.

Jim checked out his watch and mentioned, I’m happy with you, son. He patted Nathan’s shoulder. I used to be jealous of Nathan. What would make Jim say he was happy with me?

When Jim left, Mr. Lewis walked off and Nathan, Blue, and I have been alone.

Hey, Georgia, Nathan mentioned. He had a sideways smile I swear I knew earlier than.

Hey, I mentioned. Pretending like I knew what was happening. I knew the right way to fake.

I may fake all day.

It’s Nate, Blue mentioned. Don’t you bear in mind him?

Consider me quick, he mentioned. Consider me following you guys round and begging you to play with me.

He was Nate from the house. Ten years later. Heat honey flowed via my chest each time I remembered issues I wished to recollect. It was a candy feeling. A coming-home feeling.

You go right here now? I requested.

Blue and he laughed. I’m right here now, he mentioned.

Blue wished to point out us one thing. We went exterior to one of many older buildings, one which was spherical and stuffed with home windows. There was a large stage and red-velvet seats and a balcony. I attempted to image the entire room full of college students and that simply made the empty house really feel lonely. Behind the curtains Blue flipped a swap for the lights.

We climbed stairs to a room of dusty couches and a window overlooking the stage. There have been instruments left behind. A screwdriver. A hammer.

Nate mentioned, This place is haunted. I might not come right here at evening.

Would you for a thousand {dollars}? Blue requested. She sounded distant. She put her fingers on the window.

No means, mentioned Nate.

Would you for one million? Blue tapped on the glass.

Nate pulled his shirt out of his waistband and mentioned for one million he would. He cracked his knuckles. Blue took the hammer off the bottom and smashed the glass. We watched the items fall to the stage under and catch the lights like stars.

Within the workplace, Blue wished my financial institution password and username.

I didn’t say something.

Then she mentioned, So I pays you again. You didn’t suppose I used to be going to pay you again?

Blue taught me the right way to drive a stick shift. She taught me the right way to rig a locked window so I may escape at evening and climb again in after I wished. She taught me that the Yum Yum Donuts on Franklin Boulevard put out free donuts by their dumpsters at evening. She taught me to not take tablets at events and to guard my drinks and she or he taught me that anyone cared about me.

Blue hugged me tight. After I received residence, I appeared into my checking account and there was nonetheless minus seventeen {dollars} and twenty-four cents.

After I went to work the subsequent day, the door was locked. I texted Blue and received a crimson Not Delivered message. Possibly we have been having a break day and no person informed me. My coronary heart was beating quick after I walked residence. I had a nasty feeling.

That evening, Blue tapped on my window. She crawled via and landed on my mattress. Her ponytail was black via the again of her ball cap.

She informed me I wanted to pay attention. You’re stunning, she mentioned. You’re the most stunning one who ever lived. Please don’t neglect that. Please don’t neglect me.

I by no means may, I mentioned. Don’t you realize that? You’re my greatest buddy.

I used to be going to only go away and never let you know, she mentioned. I believed that is perhaps higher for you. However I couldn’t assist myself. I needed to see you.

She wouldn’t inform me the place she was going. She warned me to by no means return to the constitution highschool. She informed me by no means to attempt to discover her. She informed me by no means to speak to Jim. If I noticed him on the street or no matter, I wanted to fake I didn’t see him. I wanted to fake I didn’t know him.

Dye your hair again to brown, she mentioned.

She hugged me so shut she harm my ribs. My mother known as via the wall.

I’m sorry you went to jail, Blue mentioned. It was my fault what occurred to you. She put her hand on my face. She patted my messed-up cheek with delicate fingers.

I like you, Georgia, she mentioned. Don’t neglect me, she mentioned, and she or he was gone.

Mr. Lewis is superintendent someplace else now. The constitution faculty has anyone else in cost. Typically I see youngsters round my neighborhood in black shirts and tan pants and I’m wondering if they’re the youngsters I by no means noticed within the faculty. I dreamed I noticed Jim Bell. I’m happy with you, he mentioned in my dream. He shook my hand and kissed me on the cheek. I do know this may by no means occur. I don’t go the identical locations Jim Bell goes.

A person got here to our home as a result of Jim Bell employed him to search out me, which he did via the financial institution card Blue used to pay for dinner. The person knew about me. Knew about my mother and my mind damage and that I used to be harm in County. He wasn’t a imply man. He wasn’t mad at me. He simply had questions.

Are you aware the place the opposite girl is? Jim says she glided by Bea Andersen. I’m not regulation enforcement. I simply need to discuss to her. Jim Bell desires to get some solutions. He deserves that, I feel. Don’t you suppose he deserves that? The person received a Purple Coronary heart. He thought he was giving cash so youngsters may study, and as an alternative this girl embezzled the funds. Meaning she took the cash for herself. You’re not in bother. You’re as a lot a sufferer as he’s—that’s what Jim says, and I agree.

I mentioned, Please inform Jim I’m sorry. I actually don’t know.

He left a card. Sergio Castillo. Non-public Investigator. I used to be glad my mother wasn’t residence. He by no means came visiting once more.

Yet one more factor occurred.

A yr afterward a full moon, Cousin who received arrested similar as me got here to the fitness center the place I work. I give out towels on the desk and maintain issues good. My palms odor like cleaner so much however I just like the job. I’m going by my very own title. Coach Carl who owns the fitness center is good to me. Nobody ever yells at me.

Blue’s cousin waited by my automobile after I closed up as a result of he mentioned he wished to point out me one thing. I went into his van and I noticed there was a circle reduce out of the ground. Our van from earlier than had been confiscated by the police. This was one other van.

I nearly mentioned, No thanks, however he informed me to not fear. We drove down Freeway 99 previous Elk Grove after which took an exit previous Lodi and went till we hit the river and took that snaky street for over an hour.

I requested if we have been going to see Blue. I missed my buddy. I wished her to know that I wasn’t mad about her utilizing my financial institution card to pay for the flowery dinner. I made that 5 hundred {dollars} again and extra. I labored so much. My mother wished me to save lots of up for varsity however I didn’t need to go.

Cousin didn’t reply me. We went on a mud street.

My shoulders received chilly. Cousin was by no means actually imply to me, however this wasn’t proper. I checked out my telephone. No sign.

I thought of leaping out whereas we have been transferring, however what if I broke my legs? Then Cousin slowed down. Stopped. Checked out his telephone. Backed up some. Killed the engine and the lights.

The moon was vibrant sufficient to see by. We parked on the fringe of a discipline below an enormous oak with branches like knuckles. That is it, Cousin mentioned. I ducked as a result of I believed I used to be going to get hit. He ignored me and went to the again like within the previous days. However as an alternative of a bolt device, he had a posthole digger. He placed on a headlamp and pushed the digger into the delicate floor, pulling up soil and grass. After a pair clods thrown out the again door, he clanged on steel. He received on his abdomen and pulled a field out of the opening.

One factor about Blue, Cousin mentioned. She all the time tries to make issues proper.

He put the muddy steel field on my lap. It was a protected with a mix lock.

She known as me final evening telling the place to search out it, he mentioned. Half for you, half for me.

I wished to understand how a lot.

He wouldn’t reply however he mentioned that Blue mentioned that I used to be sensible sufficient to watch out with this sum of money. I couldn’t purchase a Lamborghini. Nothing flashy that police would discover.

I mentioned okay.

You possibly can’t deposit this quantity in an everyday checking account, he mentioned. The IRS will need to know the place the cash got here from. The police will need to know. Do you hear what I’m saying?

I mentioned I did.

He turned on the radio. Hummed alongside. Extra relaxed now. Pleased. She informed me you’re sensible, he mentioned. I assume we each are.

We hit the street that snaked alongside the river, taking the Delta means again to Sac. The moon performed round on the floor of the water and I believed, This place is haunted.

I believed, This place is free.