The half-mile boardwalk is just as busy as the rest of town. There are other joggers, kids on skateboards, and couples holding hands. Everyone seems to be enjoying the early autumn weather, which is still in the seventies. I have to say, I love being this close to the ocean. The salty air and crashing waves are like a balm to my soul, something that the city of Los Angeles doesn’t provide.
And everything is slower paced down here. It’s refreshing.
Up ahead, I notice Kyle sitting on the sea wall and slow down to a walk, ready to chew the kid out once more just to put the fear of God into him.
When I get closer, I notice a frail looking woman on the other side of him. I slow to a turtle's pace and eventually stop so I can hear what they’re saying.
I fiddle with my laces and pretend to stretch as I catch the middle of their conversation.
“I’m fine, mom. It wasn’t that big of a deal.”
“You’ve been in two fights this week, Kyle. Of course, it’s a big deal. I don’t want you working with Jordan anymore. The coffee shop is fine, but this seems dangerous. Not to mention unnecessary. I’m supposed to be the one taking care of you.”
What the hell are they talking about? Dangerous? Fights? He works with Jordan somewhere else?
“Well, you and Jordan are on the same page because she apologized and then fired me. She didn’t think it was safe. We uh… we came to a compromise though… I’m going to be her social media manager instead, so she doesn’t have to do those weird internet listings. But mom, you know you can lean on me, right? You don’t need to be strong all the time.”
What has Jordan gotten herself into?
The woman, his mom, sighs and nods with a contemplative look on her face. “I feel like this is all too much. You have school, the coffee shop, and now this? I want you to be a kid before you have to grow up. Not be worried about making money for us.”
He wraps an arm around her shoulders. “I know mom, but we need all the extra money we can get. It’s not like I’m not on social media anyways, so this will be easy.”
“I know, honey. But it’s supposed to be me taking care of you, not the other way around. I don’t want you to have to get a job let alone multiple jobs before you graduate.”
“I understand what you're saying but let’s just see how it goes, okay? I do have one more question though. Jordan has another shoot tomorrow, here in town, and I was wondering if I could go with her, just this last time, to make sure these people are legit?”
I decide to step in because curiosity is getting the best of me.
Kyle still hasn’t spotted me yet and since he’s with his mom, I don’t want to startle them. I clear my throat to get his attention.
His head whips around and his eyes bulge in shock. “Hey man I–”
“Nice to see you again, Kyle,” I interrupt with a friendly smile on my face and an outstretched hand.
He looks at it like it’s going to strangle him.
But I incline my head enough for him to know that I’m calling a truce right now. It takes him an extra second, but he reluctantly shakes my hand, and then I hold out my hand for his mother. “Ma’am.” I smile at her.
Her cheeks tinge pink as she looks from Kyle to me, but she takes my hand in hers for a quick shake. “Oh please, it’s Mary. I’m too young to be a ma’am,” she says, “and you are…”
“My name is Lucas. Your son and I know each other from Beach Brew. I’m one of the early morning regulars.”
I catch Kyle’s Adam's apple moving under a heavy swallow, telling me he’s nervous about this interaction.
But I need answers and I climb over the sea wall and stand on the sand in front of them, giving them my full attention.
“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you,” she says sincerely. “Were you there on Monday when that guy got mouthy with Jordan, and Kyle stepped in?” she questions.
I turn my gaze to Kyle and his face pales. Clearly, he told his mom some made-up story, but I don’t break character.
“I walked in just as the encounter was ending. Escorted the guy out myself. Told him to never come back because nobody talks to a lady like that. I only wish I would have gotten there sooner so Kyle didn’t have to handle it himself,” I say, hopefully getting the story right. Kyle is avoiding eye contact at all costs.
Little shit.
“Mom we should g–”
I interrupt before he can say anything else. “Anyways, I couldn’t help but overhear you say something about Jordan doing something dangerous. Is she okay?”
