“Whatever.” He strides in front of my patrol car and over to the Oldsmobile. With his hand on the door handle, he glares at Mackenzie. “I told you to get back inside.”
She spins on her heel and eases inside the front door with her head down.
Moments later, the pickup tires spin, tossing up chunks of gravel as Chad backs out of the driveway and blasts past where I remain standing. He doesn’t look away from the road until he stops at the stop sign. That’s when he raises his cell phone to his ear and barks something into the receiver.
I should stop his ass for talking while driving. Prick. He tosses the phone into the passenger seat and spins rubber on the pavement. The backend of his pickup bounces into the air when he hits a pothole and the frame clunks back down as the shocks compress. I send up a quick prayer, hoping his tire blows out on the highway.
Laura’s front door snaps open as sirens come to life in the distance. “I called 911.”
“Thank you, Laura.” I salute her and walk back to my car.
“That kid is nothing but trouble.” She darts her gaze toward the house. “Nothing but trouble.”
“I believe you’re right. He needs off the streets before he hurts someone. If you see anything questionable, please contact me. I’d appreciate it.”
She glances in all directions. “I will.”
Before I can respond, she’s back inside, and I’m on the street waiting for backup to arrive.
Chapter Fifty
Emily
The assembly was fun as I shared safety tips for elementary school kids. I love watching their eyes light up as they answer questions correctly. Their desire to learn is infectious but now it’s time to check on my mom.
“Mom, where are you?” I snap the door shut behind me and listen for sounds in the house. The faint aroma of cleaners and bleach fill the space around me. There’s dishwater in the sink with plates and silverware drying on a dishtowel on the counter.
“Give me a second. Give me a second.” My mom’s voice sounds closer with each word, followed by her footsteps inching closer.
“Hey, baby.” My mom smiles as she comes into view. Her hair is styled, her makeup is done and gone are her dingy jogging pants and mismatched button-up shirts.
“Wow.” I grin at her. “You’re looking good.”
“Thank you. I feel great. Except for some stiffness. The swelling is still going down and tenderness around the incision areas. I feel like a new person.”
I cross my arms and smirk. “Until you get deeper into rehab, and they keep pushing your limits.”
Her smile turns into a frown. “Don’t remind me. Let me have one good day.”
“I’m teasing. You’re going to do great. In no time, you’ll be back to your old self. Or better yet, a younger version of you where you’re able to leap small buildings.”
“I’ve not had good range of motion in this shoulder since your lug of a brother was born at nine pounds and thirteen ounces. He was twenty pounds by the time he was four months old.”
“Speaking of Kaleb.” I cross my arms over my chest and glance around the room. “Has he been here today?”
“Earlier. He was here before his shift started.”
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t be here before now. After the assembly, I stopped at the library to help collect supplies for Frank and June.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She walks to the drying dishes and grabs a plate. “I was able to get around today, clean the dishes, and even wash a load of clothes. I’m not going to say I was as fast as usual with only one hand.” She frowns at the plate, sets it down, opens the cabinet, and retrieves the dish again. “But I’m managing.”
“You don’t have to do that.” I’m at her side in two steps. “I can get these.”
“Shoo.” She waves her hand toward me. “I’m a big girl. Go on home.” She tilted her head and rests her hip on the cabinet. “Or go over to Jake’s house and hang out. I don’t know what you kids call it these days.” She wrinkles her nose. “Did it change from Netflix and Chill to something else? That does mean sex, right?”
“Jesus, Mom.” I cringe as my heart skips a beat.
“What?” She has the audacity to look innocent. “I’m just trying to relate to the kids these days.”
