No.No!
I drop my phone, purse, and sweater so there’s no way any of them can think I’m hiding anything. Then I move closer.
“Ma’am!”
“Miss!”
I keep my arms raised as I walk toward Dominique, my steps measured. I don’t look at the officers. I don’t look at the guns. I keep my gaze locked on Dom and watch as he tracks my movements with his eyes but he doesn’t move. He’s still as a statue.
When I’m right beside him I finally look up and meet the gaze of the closest officer. Then I step in front of Dom, protecting him with my body.
My voice shakes as I say, “His name is Dominique Price. He’s seventeen years old. He goes to Sun Valley High.” My heart is pounding in my chest. I can barely hear myself, but I push more words past my lips, determined to make them understand. “He’s here to pick me up from work. He was giving me a ride.”
The officer closest to me, an older white man with dark brown hair shot through with streaks of silver, eyes me warily.
“He’s driving a brand-new Escalade. We have reason to believe the vehicle is stolen.”
“It’s not!” I shout the words. I don’t know why I’m not scared anymore. But I’m not, all I’m feeling is anger. Cold and visceral. They have no right to do this. To make Dom feel a certain way when he didn’t do anything wrong.
“Miss. I understand you know this man but—”
“He’s akid. A seventeen-year-old kid. The car is his. His family has money. Why are you doing this?” I can hear the hysteria in my voice but can do nothing to quash it.
“We have reason to believe—”
“How? Why? Because he’s black?”
His eyes narrow. “This has nothing to do with race. We received a call—”
I cut him off. “Do you know the chief of police?” I ask him. “Do any of you know Police Chief Valdez?” I shout.
One of the men nods so I push on. “His son, Roman, goes to Sun Valley High. He’s best friends with Dominique Price. This is Dominique Price. Chief Valdez has known Dominique forever. Please, just put the guns down and call the chief. He’ll clear this up. He’ll tell you—”
Another cruiser pulls in. Two more officers exit and add two more guns raised in our direction.
I can't catch my breath. Panic rises in my gut.
My voice is frantic now. “Call the chief. I’m not letting you shoot my friend. This is not happening.” The last part I say to myself.
It takes every shred of courage in me to turn my back on them but I do. I turn around and the crouch down behind Dominique. I take in his broad back and raised hands. I look at his hands. Always hands.This is Dom.I tell myself.He’s my friend.I can do this. I have to do this.Wrapping my arms around his waist I use my body as a human shield. Panic floods through me at the contact but I close my eyes and shove it away. It’s just Dominique. Dominique is safe. He would never hurt me. I’m touching him. He’s not touching me. I’m okay. I’m okay. I’m okay.
To him I say, “Don’t move. I’ve got you. I won’t let them shoot you for being black. I’ve got you.”
He trembles beneath me. Seconds stretch into minutes, but I don’t move. Neither of us do. I can hear the officers in the background arguing amongst themselves, but I block out their voices.
My legs begin to shake but I hold on tighter, refusing to move away and abandon my friend. Then a familiar voice calls out from the crowd.“Allie?”
I turn my head but still don’t release Dom.
“Roman?” My word is a whisper and I feel Dominique’s shoulders slump in relief.
Roman shoves through the cluster of officers, a severe-looking older man right behind him. A man I recognize.Oh shit!The man who found me that night. That’s Roman’s father? I can see the resemblance now.
“Drop your weapons and stand down. Now,” he orders the men.
A breath whooshes out of me as one by one the officers holster their weapons.
“Everyone but the first officer on the scene, get the hell out of here. Beat it.”
