I could hear him shuffling around as he stopped his bike. I pictured him putting it aside, leaning it on a tree or pole and sitting on a log or a bench left on the trail for that purpose.
I swallowed. There was never fooling Marcus. “Can’t fool you, can I?”
“Nope. Now spill. What’s going on?”
“Well, two things. First, I got to talk to Jackson a couple days ago. I don’t know if he’s told you about that.”
“No, I haven’t talked to Jack in a couple days. How’d that happen? Tell me, I’m really curious.”
I grinned, thinking about how pleasant the encounter had been for me. “I went to get Alana at the daycare, they were having a firefighter exhibition or something like that. Showing the truck and stuff to the kids.
We had a pretty good talk. Apparently, my daughter absolutely loves him. He said she recognized him and went running up and jumped into his arms.
Her teacher told me about it, too, and said she was so surprised. She thought maybe I was dating him and I said, no, he just lives next door and she said I should be dating him.”
I started laughing but Marcus didn’t. I wondered about that until he spoke. I could tell he was amused by the story by the tone and pitch of his voice.
“That’s hilarious,” he said. “I was talking to him before and told him he should talk to you and make friends with you. I worry about you two in that house all by yourselves. He would watch after you, just so you know. He thinks of you like his little sister, not just mine.”
I wondered if that’s really how I wanted Jackson Murphy to think of me. I giggled at my naughtiness.
“What’s that?”
I sobered myself, skewing my mouth so I wasn’t smiling so big anymore.
“Nothing,” I said bluntly. “Listen, that actually brings me to the real reason I called you. It’s not something awesome like talking to my neighbor for the first time at a place that’s not even our front yards.” I heard him chuckle at the irony I’d pointed out.
I hesitated, then launched into it. “They let Roger out.”
The silence that followed was tangible, buzzing with restrained anger. “When?”
“This morning. The detective just called me to tell me about it and he said he fought against it but…” My voice wavered.
“Why?” Marcus asked, gruffly.
“Due to Overcrowding.”
I could practically feel my brother’s frustration and anger through the phone.
“That’s not all either,” I continued. I was nervous to tell this to Marcus because he was already very protective of me. How would he feel when he heard this?
“What is it?”
I chewed on my upper lip. “The detective said his crime was of a violent nature and he put someone in a wheelchair for the restof their lives. And he said that Roger was talking about getting his revenge or something to that nature. When he was signing papers to be let out.”
“So he called to warn you,” Marcus stated.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Marcus’s exhale was harsh. “I’m coming over tonight, and I’m calling Jackson to let him know what’s going on.”
“No,no Marcus. I’m calling Mya to stay with me. It’s Friday night, so she might be able to. I don’t want to drag you out, and don’t tell Jackson either.” I wanted him to tell Jackson and knew that me telling him not to wasn’t going to stop him and I was fine with that but I thought protesting just a bit was necessary.
“I’m calling him. Text me when you get home and let me know if Mya is coming, or I’m coming by.”
I bit back a protest. It wasn’t worth arguing. “Okay. Thank you. I love you.”
“Love you too, sis.”
