ake

 

 

 

 

This is the last fucking thing in the world I want to do. At Columbus High, I park and we get out of the car. How the hell is it that I’m walking into a meeting with the principal and a parent to talk about a student—a student who was just in my bathroom, legs spread, while I licked her until she came? Jesus fucking Christ.

I’m not going to think about how she tasted, how I thought I’d come too just from the sounds she made and how wet she got. I’m not going to think about whether I regret not unbuckling my belt, pushing down my jeans, and shoving inside her as hard as I could. No. I’m going to act like the respectable adult I supposedly am and pretend I’m not a fucking pervert who can’t keep my hands off Melanie Fucking Cannon.

We’re buzzed in before we even have a chance to ring, and Principal Evans smiles at me, then turns to Melanie with a concerned expression on her face.

“Melanie, we’ve been worried about you.”

“Sorry.” Melanie looks at her feet as she says it. “I didn’t mean to make anyone worried.”

“Thank you, Officer Beck, for bringing her here. Let’s all go into my office to talk.”

I follow them into the principal’s office, past the secretary who looks at us curiously. A woman, whom I assume is Melanie’s mother, sits in a chair waiting for us. The first thing that strikes me about her is that she looks uncomfortable. Her clothes don’t seem to fit her right, and her makeup is too noticeable, like she doesn’t know how to wear it or maybe usually doesn’t. She’s clutching a worn-out white purse on her lap like a lifesaver.

“Mrs. Cannon,” says Principal Evans, “this is Detective Jake Beck. He’s teaching the drug education class that Melanie’s in at the library.”

“Nice to meet you,” says Melanie’s mom, with a nervous smile. “Melanie, I was really frantic.” She looks at her daughter. I see a faint tremor in her hands as they clutch her bag. “Are you all right?”

“Let’s all have a seat.” Mrs. Evans has already arranged two other chairs in front of her desk, and Melanie ends up in the middle between me and her mother.

I clear my throat. “I found her out on Route 51, walking toward town.”

“I was at Stacey’s,” she whispers.

Principal Evans speaks. “It looks like we need a plan to make sure Melanie’s staying in school. And a plan for next year. For now, though, let’s worry about making sure she finishes senior year.”

“I’m going to finish. I wouldn’t not, OK?” Melanie taps her red Converse tennis shoe on the floor, then looks up at the principal. “I’m gonna do it. I’m sorry I caused you all to worry. I just needed a day to think things over. I apologize for doing it in an inconsiderate way.”

“OK, Melanie, but you skipped today, and if I understand correctly, you didn’t attend your class Monday night. Is that right, Detective Beck?” She looks at me.

“Uh, yes. Correct.”

“Is she out then?” Principal Evans’ eyes plead with me.

I take a deep breath. “Technically, I… Look. As long as she continues to show up from here on out, she can stay in the class.”

“Melanie, that’s a generous offer.” Principal Evans lets out a breath and stares at Melanie, folding her hands in front of her on the desk. “I hope you can see that he’s going above and beyond and making a huge exception to help you out.” Her voice is firm, almost angry. Disappointed.

“I know. Thank you.” She glances over at me, then looks quickly away again.

“How have you been getting to school in the mornings?” asks the principal, her voice softer.

Melanie sighs. “I walk. It’s only a mile? Today I just had a lot on my mind, and when Stacey—uh, never mind.”

Principal Evans turns to Melanie’s mother. “Can you give her a ride for the remainder of the year? Just to make sure she actually gets here?”

“No. It’s fine. I’m going to come to school, OK?” Melanie sits up straighter. “She doesn’t need to do that.” She puts a hand on her mother’s arm, as if to prevent her from talking, and it reminds me of a parent bracing a child at an abrupt traffic stop.

“Oh, I, uh…” Mrs. Cannon looks surprised, like she didn’t expect to be asked this question. “I don’t. Melanie? I mean?” She twists her purse strap, looking confused. “Do you think that’s necessary, though?”

My heart fills with pain for Melanie that her mom didn’t immediately say, “Yes. Of course.” That, instead, she struggled with a response.

“I can help.” I hear my voice saying it, but I curse myself inside. Fuck. Why the hell did I say that? The words were out before I even knew they were coming. “I can give her a ride. Help make sure she gets to school.”

“I do not need a police escort. Just give me a chance. I’m sorry.” Melanie sits forward in her chair. “Please. College means a lot to me.” She sounds fierce. “I will graduate. I won’t miss any more days. I promise.”

Principal Evans sighs. “Thank you, Detective Beck. It’s refreshing to know how much you care about the students. Melanie, let’s see how things go for the next week, all right? But I do want you to check in with me every morning when you arrive. If you’re late, I’ll send Detective Beck out to look for you.” She says the last part in a half humorous and half threatening way.

I stand. “I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks.” Melanie’s mom gets up too, dropping her purse as she does. Something rolls out and under the principal’s desk. Mrs. Cannon bends down, her face red and sweaty, as she swipes her hand out trying to reach it.

“Here.” Joan Evans retrieves the object—an airplane-sized bottle of vodka—and hands it back to Melanie’s mom.

“Thanks.” She thrusts it back into her purse, her cheeks flushed, and she looks at me before glancing away quickly. Her face is tired and older than I guess she is, and I try to feel sympathy for her.

But when I look at Melanie, head hanging and staring at her sneakers, all I feel is angry.

~~~~

“Where the hell were you?” My uncle’s sipping shitty coffee back at the station.

“Good to see you too.” I sit at my desk and smile at him.

“No. Where the hell were you?” He’s serious, and I’m fucked.

“Driving around looking for some kid. Then meeting with her mom and the principal at the high school.” Do I sound casual like I hope, or can he tell by my tone that I was up to no fucking good with an eighteen-year-old? That I had my face buried in her sweet pussy just a few hours ago?

“What’s going on, Jake?” He pulls his chair up to my desk so we can talk, which is exactly what I don’t want to do.

“Like I said.” I sit back in my chair and meet his eyes. “Some kid didn’t show up for school, and the principal has kind of taken her under her wing. She was worried and called me up.”

“Which kid?”

“The Cannon girl. Melanie.”

My uncle nods. “Her mom’s a drunk. Years back we used to be called to their house all the time because her husband was beating up on her. He’s in prison now. That poor kid, though. She’s been through a lot.”

“Exactly. I was just helping out. Brought her back to school. Sat in on a meeting with her mom and the principal.”

“You’ve always had a real kind heart. But look.” He scoots even closer to me, looking me directly in the eyes, his face filled with stern warning. “Don’t be fucking stupid. You understand?”

Shit. “Yeah. Of course.” I shake my head like what the fuck are you talking about. But I know exactly what he’s talking about.

“Jakey, you’ve always had a soft spot in your heart for strays. Your mom used to get so fed up with you always bringing cats and dogs home. You remember?”

I laugh at the thought. “They knew me by name at the shelter by the time I was ten years old!”

“And then you volunteered there in high school. And that’s great. It’s one of the best things about you. That you’re tough as fucking nails, but underneath it you’ve got a really good heart.”

“Thanks.”

My uncle frowns, his weather-worn face looking suddenly older than usual. “There are some strays you need to leave alone. You get what I’m saying?”

“Jesus, Mike, she’s not a fucking stray animal. She’s a person.”

“Yeah. A kid. Barely fucking legal.”

“Dude, you don’t need to worry about me, OK?”

“Dude?” He laughs, but then his face gets serious again. “Don’t give me reason to worry, Jake. You never have. Don’t start now.”

I nod. “It’s all good.”