Part 5 (1/2)

John said, ”He's subtle... but yes. Anyone with an IQ over a hundred is going to get his brand of undermining sarcasm.”

”Well, that takes out a lot of people,” Jade said with a sly smile. I hooked an arm around her waist and she tucked in next to me.

John c.o.c.ked a brow. ”We rubbing off on you?”

She held her index finger and thumb almost together. ”A little,” grinning.

Jonesy did an exaggerated nod. ”Good, Jade's trainable.”

She frowned.

He threw up his hands. ”It's a compliment, don't get torqued about it!”

”Somehow, it never sounds like a compliment Jonesy,” Jade said in a level voice.

”Yeah, pal... work on it. You feel me?” I asked, some of my tension from the trial coming back to sink its fangs into me. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

”Alright... ya bunch of b.i.t.c.hes are so sensitive, PMS-mucho!”

John barked out a laugh. ”Yeah, we're so the offenders here.”

It broke the tension I'd been feeling and we laughed.

I loved these guys.

The court dude came out and called me back in.

As I walked toward the huge doors, the armed guards moved in, flanking me.

Like I was dangerous or something?

I jogged back and kissed Jade on her forehead and gave a nod to the Js.

I broke through the huge wood doors and came to stand at the little table I shared with my defense attorney.

Clyde was still seated at the witness stand.

Our eyes met and he gave me the second wink of the day.

I winked back.

now ”Penny for your thoughts?” Mom asked and I jerked my head away from the window. I'd been staring out into s.p.a.ce thinking about the courtroom again.

”Ah... nothing,” I said.

Dad raised a brow. ”You were really a million miles away. Are you still ruminating about the trial?”

Tough to hide c.r.a.p from the Parental Unit. Slowly, I nodded. ”Yeah.”

”Dreams?”

Nightmares more like. ”Yeah.” I met Dad's eyes and saw what was there.

”No Dad, I don't need a lame a.s.s shrink or something.”

Mom didn't correct language anymore when they wanted to have an Important Discussion.

I wasn't gonna have this one though. I stood, putting my breakfast plate in the sink.

”Caleb, it was a big trauma that you suffered. It doesn't matter that it has been almost a year, the dreams you're having...”

”I know Dad, they're a manifestation. A coping mechanism. So what?” I turned, looking at the parents. ”It's not like my grades are suffering, I'm keeping up on stuff around here, things are down with my girl... the Js. Everything's okay, you're worrying for nothing.” I gave them steady eyes. A doctor was just going to repeat the same c.r.a.p I already knew. When you go through something as effed up as I did you need time.

Well, s.h.i.+t... thanks for the enlightenment.

Dad threw up his hands. ”I'm just letting you know you have options, you don't have to shoulder everything on your own.”

”I know you're there for me, Dad.” I turned to Mom. ”Stop worrying Mom, you're gonna get a brain tumor or something.”

She opened her mouth to correct my grammar but changed her mind, giving me a fierce hug instead.

I wrapped my arms around Mom. Once in awhile it was okay.

We stood like that for a second then I let her go. I had to swallow past a lump in my throat.

Mostly my parents were okay.

I walked out the door, slipping Onyx a food morsel as I went.

Wag-thunk-wag.

Lake Tapps If Jonesy could shut his mouth for a minute he wouldn't have gotten the thing filled with water. He sprayed it out of his mouth, screaming, ”Hart!” He picked up the old wooden oar and with practiced ease whacked it with an expert slap that dipped and skimmed the lake's surface at the same time, the water arcing and hitting... Jade, right in the face.

She squealed as I sprung to my feet and dove into the icy water smoothly. I did the sidestroke, I was well-trained in it and reached the canoe as Jonesy dove overboard, effectively tipping Sophie into the lake.

The Weller duo poured into the water, swimming as they hauled the canoe behind them, there were only three and Jonesy's began to float away.

”Hey!” Gramps yelled, his cigarette clamped in his mouth. ”Somebody better own that or you'll be cleaning my commodes with a toothbrus.h.!.+”

John sighed, stripping his T-s.h.i.+rt off a body that had lean muscle where only skin and bone had been a year before. ”I'll get it Mac,” John said.

”Always cleaning up Jonesy's messes, pal?” The plumes of smoke spiraled around him like he was on fire.

”Yeah,” John said dejectedly.

John ran down the cement steps that led directly into the lake and dove in. He swam with as sure of a stroke as mine, having been in the same swim cla.s.s as soon as our diapers were off. He reached the faded orange canoe as Sophie came up for air, spluttering.

”Thanks Jonesy!” she yelled indignantly, her coiffed hair a wet helmet against her head. The mascara was now super-attractive and looking like racc.o.o.n eyes.