Free Hazardous Duty by Christy Barritt

Down, and gave the two
kindergartners twirls around the yard. The wrinkles of worry finally
disappeared from Keisha’s forehead, and both of the children giggled with each
new game.
    After a couple of hours, I took a break
and perched on the steps. My heart thudded with sadness as I realized what
these children might face in the coming months. I closed my eyes and tried to
erase the mental picture.
    Someone plopped down beside me. I opened
my eyes and spotted Riley leaning back on his palms, sweat trickling down his
face. My gaze traveled to Keisha and Donovan as they chased each other around
the yard, the sound of the laughter filling the air in a beautiful music.
    “Praying?” Riley asked, his gaze
catching mine.
    A laugh caught in my throat. “No, I
don’t waste my time with that anymore.”
    “I’m sorry you think it’s a waste of
time.”
    “You don’t?”
    “I know it’s not.”
    I wondered why he was so sure. He seemed
smart, not like the type to fall for the hocus pocus of religion. I couldn’t
see Riley passing around a snake or giving all his money to some kook who
promised to heal the sick on national TV. Before I could ask any questions, a
familiar beat up Oldsmobile pulled into the driveway. I held my breath. Keisha
and Donovan paused as if sensing something was wrong. When I spotted two heads
in the car, my shoulders relaxed.
    They’d allowed Harold to come home.
    Keisha and Donovan ran to the car and
jumped into their grandparents’ arms while Riley and I stood at a distance. I
wanted to throw my arms around Harold, too, but didn’t want the kids to get
suspicious with the unusual display of affection.
    Harold’s eyes met mine as he approached
on the cracked sidewalk. They were full of emotions that Harold usually
concealed so well. My throat burned.
    I patted his arm and whispered, “Good to
see you.”
    “Let’s sit on the porch, Gabby.
Mildred’s going to go inside with the kids so we can chat.”
    His tortured gaze shifted behind me, and
I realized I hadn’t introduced Riley yet. “Oh, Harold this is my neighbor
Riley. Riley, Harold.”
    The two men shook hands. After the front
door slammed, quiet fell over the outside. Harold plopped into a wooden rocker,
and I took the other one. Riley leaned against a post.
    “What did they say?” I swallowed,
bracing myself for whatever the news.
    “I guess they didn’t have enough to hold
me, but I’m not off the hook yet. They’re searching for anything they can find
to frame me for this.” His wide, watery eyes met mine. “I don’t want to go back
to jail, Gabby.” He reached for his temples and lowered his head in despair. “I
don’t want to go back to jail.”

 
     
     
    Chapter Nine
    I cleared my throat, trying to
hold myself together. I grabbed Harold’s sweaty, thick hand. “Harold, why
didn’t you tell me that you had a criminal record?”
    He raised his head, but that same pained
expression still remained. “I didn’t think it was important. I was with the
wrong people at the wrong time. I figured it would only work against me to tell
you, especially since I didn’t do anything, except have a lapse in judgment.”
    Riley crossed his arms, his forehead
wrinkled. “What did the police say?”
    Harold’s shoulders stooped. “They said
for me not to leave the city, that they may need to talk to me again.”
    “They say anything about motive? About
why they would think you’d do something like this?” Riley continued.
    Riley’s stance was casual, but his voice
said otherwise. He seemed interested in Harold’s fate, for some reason unknown
to me.
    “They claim maybe I stole things from
the house and burned it to conceal the evidence.” He shook his head. “You know
I don’t want a lot in life, just a happy family and some place to keep warm. I
didn’t steal nothing, Gabby.”
    “They’re not going to be able to frame
you, Harold. You have witnesses who saw you at Donovan’s T-ball game. That will
prove