Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Okay. I can do that.” Her voice trembled as she added, “I’ll go get Dylan.”
She got up, and a few moments later, she returned with Dylan at her side. The difference between the boy outside and the one sitting next to his mother was impossible to miss. Outside, I’d seen glimpses of fear or frustration, but now, there was nothing.
He would barely even look at me when I said, “Hi, Dylan. It’s good to see you again.”
Melissa gave me a pained expression when he didn’t respond. I didn’t make a big deal of it and just moved forward. “How’s school going?”
“Fine.”
“How about that math test you were telling me about? How’d you do?”
“Don’t know yet.”
“I’m sure you did great.”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Any problems with any of your other classes?”
“No.”
His answers were short and to the point, and he never once looked directly at me. Instead, he kept his eyes trained on the floor. He wasn’t like this last week. He was still distant, but I managed to get him to open up a little. I hoped I could get there again, so I kept trying. “What about things here?”
“They’re okay.”
“What about your folks?” I glanced up at Melissa as I asked, “Are you guys getting along?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
I heard Officer Eubanks shift behind me, but I didn’t let it distract me. I kept asking questions, keeping things light and easy, and then I changed direction. “What about Jimmy?”
His eyes flickered up to mine, then quickly returned to the floor. He didn’t say anything, so I pushed a little harder. “The boy you were talking to outside… Are you friends?”
“I guess.”
“What do you do together?”
“I don’t know… We just play games and stuff.”
“And you like him?”
“I guess.”
“How old is he?”
“I don’t know.”
I found that hard to believe. Most kids knew exactly how old their friends were, especially when they were older. But I let it go and moved on to the next. “Do you spend much time at his house?”
“Not really.”
“What about here? Does he come hang out with you?”
“No.” He sighed, then turned to his mother. “Can I go now?”
Melissa looked to me, and I nodded. I knew we weren’t getting anywhere today, so there was no sense in keeping him. Melissa smiled with reassurance as she told him, “Yeah. You can go, but don’t go too far. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Okay.”
When he stood to leave, I gave him a friendly wave and said, “It was good to see you, Dylan. I hope we can talk again soon.”
His eyes flickered back to mine, and I saw it again. Beneath the irritation and the boredom that he was trying so hard to project, there was a flash of fear. I didn’t know what he was so afraid of, but there was a good chance that Jimmy was behind it.
I talked with Melissa for a few more minutes, making sure she was okay, and after I’d made sure she had the counselor’s information, I said my goodbyes and led Officer Eubanks back outside. “Thank you for coming today.”
“Glad to do it.” He paused for a moment, then added, “You’re good with them… They’re lucky to have you.”
“Thank you. I try.”
“And it shows. If you need me again, just let me know.” He pulled out his card and said, “You can reach out to me directly if that would be easier.”
“I appreciate that.”
He lingered for a moment, making me wonder if he was hitting on me, but before I could give it much thought, he turned and started toward his patrol car. “I think you’re onto something with this Jimmy kid. Let me know if you need any help looking into him or his folks.”
“I will. Thanks.”
I smiled, then made my way across the street. By the time I got in my car, Eubanks was gone, giving me a clear view of the Mercer house. I looked up and found Melissa watching me from the living room window. I found it a little strange, but then again, everything about today felt off.
I gave her a quick wave before starting the car and heading back to the office. I filled my supervisor in on what had taken place during the home visit. I told Gloria, too. They both validated my concerns about Jimmy. They gave me some advice on how to move forward, but before I could do anything, I had to complete a mountain of paperwork.
By the time I was done, it was after five, and everyone was leaving for the day. There just weren’t enough hours in the day. Feeling frustrated, I packed up my things and headed home. My head was pounding, and exhaustion was starting to catch up with me.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to make any stops. Ryan messaged and volunteered to swing by to pick up Anslee on his way home from work, which I was thankful for. Now, I just had to muster the energy to make dinner and finish this week’s laundry.