The police arrive and are able to help the kids off the bus. Mike manages to distract Anisette without getting himself shot. The lady cop comes up to speak to him, she asks him if that’s the crazy chick who caused all the trouble.
“Yeah,” I said, right before I passed out.
I woke up awhile later with a paramedic kneeling beside me.
“He’s awake,” he called to someone I couldn’t see.
My lady cop friend squatted beside me. “Can’t handle the buzz, huh?”
“Buzz?”
“Bitch drugged you,” she said.
“Something on her lips,” the paramedic said.
“So, I’m not just a horny bastard?” I struggled to get up.
The guy helped me sit up while the lady cop laughed.
“No. I think any guy who got dosed like that would act the same way. Make you do all kinds of crazy shit while it lasted. Then makes you pass out.”
“Hot monkey sex,” I agreed with a groan. “What is it?”
“It’s a designer drug. We’re starting to see it from time to time at parties. Girls are getting payback for the date rape drugs, using their own form of revenge. Dose a guy, then cry rape.”
“Dirty bitches,” I groaned again, holding my head.
“Could she really be pregnant?”
I started to nod, then decided against it because it made me want to throw up. “We weren’t exactly careful when we got together.”
“When was that?” Lady cop asked.
“Halloween. My birthday.”
“We’ll have her checked at the hospital,” the paramedic said calmly. “You gonna be okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” I leaned against the side of the car, my head whirling, my brain still trying to catch up. “So, it wasn’t my fault?”
“The hot monkey sex?” Lady Cop shook he head. “No, home boy, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Oh, thank, God.”
“Thanks for the distraction. We were able to get the kids out safely.”
“Did they see? I didn’t want them to see. Not like that. . . .”
“No, Mr. Reuben. They didn’t see. And even if they did, they know you did it for them. That was a brave thing you did.”
“What am I gonna do? Let her shoot up my bus? I’m responsible for that.” I laughed weakly.
Lady Cop smirked, helping me stand. “Might want to do up the drawers,” she said. “There’s someone here to see you.”
Actually, there was a whole crowd. Parents and students walked toward us, all talking at once. I turned away, zipping and buckling, so I was presentable when they arrived moments later. I’ve never been clapped, pummeled, socked, had my hair ruffled or felt quite so much like puking in public as I did at that moment.
After the odd eternity, it was over and they were gone. I could stand on my own, but I couldn’t drive myself home. Cleo’s rental was towed and I was taken to the emergency room. The doctor proclaimed me fine shortly after my arrival and gave me something to help with the after effects of the drug.
Sarena, Chester and my mother sat in the waiting room. They stood anxiously when the door opened. Ma damn near knocked me over in her enthusiasm to see me. Chester pulled her off, letting Sarena help me sit down.
“They told us what that awful woman did,” Ma exclaimed.
“Not an awful woman, Ma. Just a poor girl who was tired of being ignored.”
“What she did to you was horrible! How can you defend her?”
“I keep wondering what I did or said to make her think. . . . How did I encourage her?”
“Maybe something as simple as a smile,” Sarena said, kissing my cheek. “Don’t blame yourself.”
“I just want to tell her I’m sorry.”
“She’s not in her right mind,” Chester explained. “Nothing you said would make any difference. The doctor has her sedated.”
“Is she pregnant?”
“I don’t know. They didn’t say.”
“I need to find out. If she is, well. . . . I have to know.”
© Dellani Oakes 2014
Dellani Oakes 