Free Alibi Junior High by Greg Logsted Page A

the mirror, and I stand on the edge of the bathtub behind him. I reach around his wide shoulders, look in themirror and start to tie his tie. It’s definitely easier this way.
    I search for something to say. I can feel the silence thickening around us. I blurt out, “Um, Annie’s real nice. Did you guys used to date or something?”
    He seems aggravated by the question. “No. What gave you that idea?”
    “I guess the way she hugged you.”
    “She’s been seeing Johnny for as long as I can remember. Johnny and I joined the service together. He used to be my best friend.”
    “Used to be?”
    “Still is, I guess. I just haven’t seen him in a while.”
    “Why?”
    “We were stationed hundreds of miles apart, that’s all.”
    “I thought best friends keep in touch.”
    “Yeah, well, sometimes they don’t. Okay?”
    I finish with his tie. “How’s that look?”
    He eyes it for a second. “Perfect.”
    I step down off the tub and nearly fall when a loose, round rug slips out from under me. I steady myself on Andy’s shoulder and then follow him outside.
    I squint as we walk into the glare of the afternoon sun. Somehow it seems brighter than just a few minutes ago.
    A deep voice barks, “You guys call a cab?”
    I’m startled by the voice and I flinch.
    There’s a taxi waiting in the driveway. The driver’s leaning against the roof. I can’t believe I didn’t hear the car pull up to the house. Why did it take me so long to notice it? I’m slipping, getting soft, not paying attention; I’m being conquered from within. Time to get my head back in the game before something happens.
    Andy looks at me and shakes his head. “Sometimes I know exactly what you’re thinking. I’m not sure what I find more disturbing—that I know what you’re thinking, or that I’m thinking the same thoughts.” He waves at the driver. “Yeah, I called. Sorry, I didn’t hear you pull up.”
    The driver snorts. “No problem. I just got here.” But judging from the look on his face I’m guessing it is a problem. This guy looks like he would have a problem waiting an extra ten seconds for his passenger to shut the door.
    Andy pats me on the back. “Thanks for the hand. Wish me luck.”
    “Good luck.”
     
     
    W hen I open the door to the cottage, Jenny is standing a few feet away, waiting for me, clutching her cell phone. She seems very anxious. I quickly glance around the room expecting the worst.
    “What’s the matter?”
    “Where have you been?”
    “Um, school. You know, that place I go to five days a week.”
    “Don’t be a smart-aleck. You should have been home at least a half hour ago.”
    I smile. Is this what it’s like to have a mother worrying about me? “Andy asked me to help him with something. What’s the big deal?”
    Her cell phone goes off, she glances at it. There’s a change to her expression: it’s all business now.
    She quickly hands me the phone and starts talking as fast as she can. “Okay, it’s your father. He called earlier. You can talk for one minute, not one second more. He said you’d understand.”
    I do. I fumble with the phone before I manage to open it. I nervously place it against my ear.
    “Hello?”
    “Cody, is that you?” The connection is poor and I can hear heavy equipment in the background. It sounds like a large steel wheel grinding boulders into pebbles.
    “Dad?”
    “Yes, it’s me. How are you, son?”
    “I’m okay. Where are you? It sounds like you’re inside a coffee grinder.”
    “I can’t say. Do you understand why?”
    “Yes, I understand.” I press the phone closer to my ear in an effort to hear better. I can feel my heart starting to pound.
    “Cody, I love you. I want you to know that.”
    “I love you too. Is everything okay?”
    “Yes. I’m just busy taking care of our little problem. Hopefully I’ll have it settled soon and we can be together again.”
    “How long will it take?”
    “I have no way of knowing that, son. You’re just