Callahan actually cracked a smile, which was surprising considering his kid was in a car accident and had brain damage. “I’ll be down after the shop closes to make my statement.”
“Good,” Mav nodded. “The sooner we can get this processed, the better. That kid needs to do some time in juvie, not that it’ll help that much.”
“Already too far gone?” Callahan asked.
Mav sighed, nodding his head from side to side thoughtfully. “Probably not. In all honesty, the kid will have it too easy in there. All the TV he could want. Good meals—a helluva lot better than what he was getting at home. You know how they are now. They’ll give him the soft touch and put him in therapy. Tell him to talk about his feelings,” Mav snorted.
“Are you serious?” Callahan snapped. “That kid stole from me, and he’s just gonna live in the lap of luxury?”
“Well…it’s not all good,” Mav noted thoughtfully. “I mean, I’m sure they’ll still make him do schoolwork. Get him to take his GED.”
“Bullshit!” Callahan spat. “That boy needs to learn about hard work and paying for your crimes.”
“Exactly, which is why he’s going to juvie,” I cut in.
For the first time, Callahan turned and looked directly at me, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Not if I don’t press charges.”
“You have to. The kid shoplifted from you.”
“He never left the store. Besides, I have something else in mind.”
“But—”
“Now, Michael, let’s hear him out. After all, the kid tried to steal his things. It’s only right he has a say in what happens.”
I clenched my jaw hard, pretending to be pissed, which wasn’t too hard because I was furious that Wesley had put me in this position.
“It’s clear that boy has no direction. What he needs is a firm hand to set him straight.”
“I completely agree,” Mav said. “What did you have in mind?”
“He’ll work here?—”
“Now, wait a minute,” I cut in. “I hardly think that’s a good idea?—”
“He’ll work here for a year. No pay,” Callahan said, face going hard, telling me this was my only option. I was all for Wesley working off his crimes, but working at the store with this old man? Mav was right. Callahan hated our family, and this would most likely end badly.
“A year is a little harsh for a few candy bars.”
“And a Coke,” he added. “And if you don’t want that kid to go to juvie, which I know is exactly why you came here, then you’ll agree to my terms. Take it or leave it. There’s no other option.”
Glancing at Mav, I knew we were fucked. If I backed out now, he would make things even worse for Wesley.
“Fine. You have a deal.”
“I expect him here every day after school and all day Saturday.”
“He has to do his homework,” I argued.
“Then I guess you’d better get used to staying up late with him. Store closes at seven.”
“Fine.”
“We’ll see you two tomorrow.”
He gave us his back and got back to work. Mav clapped me on the shoulder as I walked out of the store.
“Well, look on the bright side. It could be a helluva lot worse.”
