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She tried to walk away but he stopped her by grabbing her arm.
“Tia, I fucked up. I was twenty years old and had nothing to my name. I left a year after you did. I got involved with some people who helped straighten me out.”
“Really? Then how the hell did you wind up in an a
rmed robbery in Missouri?”
He looked away and then back at her as he placed his hands in his jean pockets.
“I was there. Guilty by association. The crazy fuckers said they were going in for beer. Next thing I know, they’re drawing guns, the storeowner is drawing his gun, and it’s all a blaze of glory shit. I ducked and got the hell out of there.”
“Then why did you run from the police? Why not turn yourself in and tell them your side of the story?”
“And they would believe some kid living on the streets.”
She stared at him, and it made him feel lower than dirt.
“You’re not a kid anymore, Sean. You’re twenty-six years old. You need to start thinking about a future. Getting your ass straightened out.”
“I fucked up, okay? I know I did. We didn’t exactly come from a great home, Tia. How the fuck am I supposed to get anywhere if no one will hire me for a job?”
“I did. I went to school, I got my degree, and I worked three jobs. Two during the week, and one on the weekends. I got out and I survived.”
“You think you’re so much better? Then why the hell are you still sending them money? They talk about you like you were trash, and what about the fat jokes, the nastiness. If they were here right now, they’d hit you. Fuck, Dad would beat you until you were dead.”
She stepped back, and he saw the tears in her eyes begin to fall down her cheeks.
He ran his hands through his hair.
“Fuck, Tia. I’m sorry. I’m desperate. Please. Just help me out. All I need is some money.”
“You need to turn yourself in.”
“And then what? Spend time in jail for a crime I didn’t commit?”
“No, plead your case.”
“With an appointed lawyer fresh out of law school? No, thank you. I like being free.”
“I don’t know what to tell you. Hey, did you call my cell phone and threaten me today?”
“What? No. What phone call? Someone threatened you?”
“Forget it. I need to go.”
He grabbed her arm.
“Please, Tia. I need help.”
She looked at him and he wished things had been different. He wished he could change the way their lives were, and how he hadn’t stuck up for her when they were at home in Missouri.
She reached into her purse.
“Here’s a hundred. It’s all I have on me. I want you to think about turning yourself in. Hell, I’ll go with you if you decide to do it.”
He was shocked.
“What?”
