A Simple Life: Chapter 147 (Patreon)

Despite the heavy West coast rain that I’d had to ride through on my to work I am feeling upbeat and energized as I go through my day. I was still aglow from Winona’s ILY, Grandpa and I had had a really nice breakfast together, I was excited for the shopping trip, and despite everything I was feeling at peace by what I had done last night in reporting my brother. He’d been allowed to be a terror for far too long and it was way past time for somebody to seriously stand up to him. I did a good thing and I was proud of myself for doing it.

Last night’s actions however becomes todays reality. Just after 11 I see a pair of police officers at the tills asking for me and I knew what it was about. I didn’t think they’d come and bother me at work. I didn’t really want this situation known by my coworkers but the police had a job to do and I was heartened to see them following up. After that desk officer last night I had begun to worry that my issue was going to be swept under the rug.

With a lot of curious looks from my coworkers I meet with the officers in the quiet nook beside the deli counter. My mouth was dry, my palms moist, and my heart beating fast as I answer the two tall and imposing policeman’s questions. After a brief introduction they begin.

“We’re following up on your report from last night.” The one asks as the other writes things down in his notepad. “We’ve talked to your brother and sister-in-law this morning to get their side of things.”

They talked to Jack but didn’t arrest him? Weren’t they supposed to arrest him? “Ok-kay.”

“Mmm, yeah. So your sister-in-law, Lauren. I am afraid that she did not corroborate your story.” He says. “She explained how she received the bruise that you saw. She said that you jumped to conclusions without even letting her explain.”

“Sh-She’s s-scared of h-him. Sh-She w-wouldn’t s-say anything in f-f-front of him.”

“Are you okay, Mr. Beckett?” The other looks up from his writing to give me a hard look.

“I have a s-s-stutter. S-S-Sorry.”

“No matter.” The first one says. “We spoke with her alone. Your brother wasn’t there to intimidate her. She seemed quite concerned about you actually.”

“M-M-Me?”

“We understand there’s some recent health issue with your grandfather. And that you’ve been quite upset by it.”

“Um…”

“Your mother tells us you broke down the other day and ran out into traffic?” He says. “We have a witness that tells us they saw you crying and running down the street.”

“M-M-Mom s-said that?”

“Yes. She did.” He says grimly. “Is this true?”

“Um, y-yeah. B-B-But she was…sh-she m-made me upset.”

“Do you often get upset, Mr. Beckett?

“Um…”

“We’re told you have a history of…emotional outbursts.”

“Mmmm.” At my sides I nervously start to rub my palms with my fingers. I wanted to get away. I wanted this to stop. I didn’t like the way they were looking at me. Why weren’t they getting Jack? He’s the bad guy. I didn’t do anything wrong!

“Are you sure you’re okay, Mr. Beckett?”

“Mmm.” I nod. “S-S-Sorry.”

“Your brother Jack is worried about you as well.”

“J-J-Jack?”

“He said that you’ve been unbalanced since meeting some new girl. He says there was an incident here last week between you two. He claims that you tried to strike him. He says he was able to subdue you without hurting you. Is this true, Mr. Beckett?”

“Um…Um…I-I-I…”

“Is this true, Mr. Beckett?” He says more sternly. “We will be looking at the security tapes.”

“Y-Yes. Th-That h-h-happened but…um…I d-don’t know wh-what to say.”

“It’s okay, Avie.” He says. “Remain calm. We are just here to get to the truth. So you don’t deny attempting to strike your brother here last week?”

“No.” I bow my head. “I d-don’t d-d-deny it.”

“Very good. Stick with the truth and this will work out for everyone.” He says. “Your brother tells us that he went to speak to you about the incident later. He and his wife came to you and told you their news about having a child then Lauren went down to the vehicle to wait while you and your brother spoke.”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Jack tells us that you attacked him again.”

“N-No! Th-That’s n-n-not what happened.”

“Please. Remain calm.” He says flatly. “He says that he was able to subdue you again but this time he did strike you, but it was in self defense.”

“No.”

“Mr. Beckett. Your witness, Brandon?”

“B-Brayden.”

“Yes. Jack tells us that you cover his bills sometimes?”

What did that have anything to do with anything!? “Um, y-yeah.”

“So you might say that he’s indebted to you?”

“N-N-No. No!” I say, my breath quickening.

“Do you buy his drugs for him?”

“Wh-What? No. No. It’s n-n-not like that. You’re t-t-twisting…everything.”

“We’re just trying to establish the facts.”

“Sir, p-p-please. He’s h-hurting his w-w-wife. D-Don’t l-let him hurt her!”

“We only have your word to go on, Mr. Beckett.” He says. “Do you have any other witnesses or evidence that might back up your claims? If so we would very much appreciate that you bring it forward now.”

“Um…no?”

The cops look at each other. The one writing closes his notepad. “Listen, Mr. Beckett. We will continue looking into this but it might be best for all parties involved to let this go.”

“L-Let it g-go?”

“Give things time to breath. Smooth out."

“But…”

“Your brother says he has no interest in filing an attempted assault charge. He’s simply worried about you. He’s hoping that you get the help that you need.”

The other one speaks up. “Your mother is worried about you, Avie. Your family all care for you very much, that much is clear. You’re lucky to have them.”

My eyes are locked on the pattern of the floor tiles. I couldn’t bear to look at them anymore. I needed them to go away. I needed to get away! I NEEDED TO GET AWAY! No! No, not now Avery. Be strong. Just do what they want and this would end. I just had to say what they wanted me to say and they would go away and leave me alone.

“We understand that you were seeing a therapist? And that you stopped going recently?”

“Mmm.” I nod.

“You might want to rethink that decision. Therapy can help people like you, Avie.”

“Y-Yes, S-Sir.”

“And lean on your family. They say you’ve been cutting them out of your life recently.” He says. “Don’t become isolated. Talk to them, be with them, let them help you. Nobody loves you like your family.”

“And nobody’s got your back like Mom.” Says the other. “Whenever I was having trouble she’d help me through it.”

“Y-Y-Yes, Sir. I’ll d-d-do that, S-Sir.” I swallow hard, trying so, so, so hard not to freak out and run away. “I’m…s-s-sorry…I…c-c-caused so m-much trouble.”

A hand lays over my shoulder and I force myself not to shrink from the unwelcome touch violating my private bubble. “Everything is going to be fine, Mr. Beckett.” The hand is soon withdrawn thank goodness. “Now. Would you be able to lead us to your manager’s office? We do need to see those security tapes.”

“Y-Yes, Sir.”

My head is down but I can feel the eyes of the customers and the other employees follow me as I lead the policemen to Brenda’s office. She’d been watching my interaction with them from afar and so joins us along the way. I didn’t look at her but I could tell that she was not pleased. Who could blame her?

When we get to the door of her office I mumble. “Am I f-f-free to g-go?”

“Yes, Mr. Beckett. That’s all the questions we have for you today.”

“Th-Thank you, S-Sirs.” I turn to Brenda, eyes still on the floor. “M-M-May I t-t-take my b-b-break now?”

“Yes.” She says. “I think that would be a good idea, Avery.”

“Th-Thank y-you.”

Not wishing to be seen running away I instead hurry for the washroom. I’d messed everything up. I let Lauren down. I let everyone down. Everybody would be mad at me now. I tried do something good but only made everything bad. I screwed it all up like I always did. I’m so stupid! I’m so stupid! Why am I always so stupid!? Locked in one of the stalls I huddle down beside the toilet, cover my face, and cry.

Chapter 148