Free The Ones Who Got Away by Amira MZ Page B

misunderstandings.” Elena’s father backfired.
     
    “Well, you said you wanted to discuss options. Why don’t we do that,” Megan tried again in a softer tone. You cannot fight fire with fire. When one side was blazing with anger, the other has to be soothing and give in to extinguish the flame.
     
    “My family has thought it over. We would like Jeremy to leave the school.” Mr. Michaelson said in a don’t-mess-with-me tone.
     
    “It would be the best for him. Another school where there are kids more like himself.” Elena’s mom finally spoke up.
     
    “I don’t have the money.”
     
    “Maybe a home or hospital, whatever you do with…” Michaelson motioned at Jeremy. During the whole conversation, Jeremy’s head hung low. He knew they were here because of him. He did something wrong and it was all his fault.
     
    “No, we do fine, Jeremy and me.” Megan said firmly.
     
    “Not if your boy can’t keep up…”
     
    “We do fine!” Megan said firmer this time. Gone was her tolerance and patience with this man.
     
    “Ms. Miller, pull Jeremy out of the school or we’ll go forward. Civil and criminal.”
     
    “Jeremy, honey, we’re leaving.” Megan said, pulling her son with her but he broke away from her and stood still, facing Elena.
     
    “I’m sorry.” Jeremy said, really meaning it. “You can have JJ if you want.” and he handed Elena his teddy. The one he could not live without. His heart. But he did not mind if Elena took it. His heart was already hers to keep.
     
    ***
     
    “He was gone by the next Monday. Never heard from him again.” Elena said sadly. I detected a tinge of regret.
     
    “Sounds like you weren’t a hundred percent behind your parents’ decision.”
     
    “No. Or the beat down.”
     
    “You don’t think Matt hitting Jeremy did any good?”
 
    “I know it made Matt feel good. I‘m not even sure Jeremy even knew what he was doing, really. But I know Matt did.”
     
    ***
     
    “He tried to rape my girlfriend. He needed a lesson. I figured a guy like that, getting physical was the only way he‘s gonna learn.” Matthew said with a huff. He was not on the brightest side of life either. Part-time plumber, full-time slugger. I could not believe he was once a rugby captain with all those fat poking out from his shirt.
     
    “This little school of yours, it only had one session?” I asked.
     
    “Are you asking about how he died, now?”
     
    “Yeah and if you killed him.” I said bluntly. A man like this, he would not understand if I wrapped up my words with a ribbon on top. I had to be straight forward.
     
    “Get real.”
     
    “You got a temper, he gave you a reason.” I reasoned.
     
    “What I gave him, he had it coming. But what came after, that was screwed up.” Matthew said, shaking his head.
     
    ***
     
    After the round of beating was over, Matthew was on the way to the field with his friends and laugh about Jeremy over some beer. But he had dropped his wallet along the way and was returning to the scene to retrieve it. That was when he witnessed something that he could not believe.
     
    “You stupid. Sissy. Retard” Joshua yelled with every kick to Jeremy who was already bent over. Blood dripping from Jeremy’s head where he had scraped the train tracks and surely horrendous blue-black bruises all over his body.
     
    “It’s ok Joshua. I made you tired. I made my mom tired. I’m gonna stay with my dad while she stays at the hospital to get some rest.” Words escaping Jeremy’s bleeding lips.
     
    “She’s not tired. She’s sick. She’s gonna die.” Joshua spat out every word with venom.
     
    “No!!” Jeremy shook his head. Not wanting to believe Joshua.
     
    “And your dad, he’s not gonna save you. I bet he hates you because you are too stupid to live. Maybe I’ll just put you out of your misery.” Joshua said and shoved Jeremy down. The beating went on. But by then, Matt had already fled. Trying to digest what just