Free Alibi Junior High by Greg Logsted Page B

going to have to be patient.”
    “Okay.”
    “How’s school? Was everything okay with the transcripts?”
    I start to laugh. “Everything was fine, but why did you add that ‘problem with authority’ thing? It’s really giving me problems with authority.”
    I can hear him chuckling. “I wanted them to keep you on your toes and press you to work harder. I guess it’s working.”
    “Well, they definitely have me on my toes.”
    There’s a moment of awkward silence. We can both sense that the minute is about to expire. There’s no meaning in the silence, it’s just a complete lack of sound.
    He starts talking faster. “Our time’s almost up. Take care of yourself. Remember: Always stay diligent. Don’t forget, your eyes are your most important weapon. Always expect the unexpected. Listen to Jenny; don’t give her a hard time. Study hard. I love you, Cody.”
    “I love you too. Oh, and Dad…,” The phone goes dead in my hand. I stand there listening to the silence for a while, unable to accept that the conversation’s over. I can feel the heavy fogof emptiness settling around me. I inhale it deeply. I can’t help myself.
    One minute. That’s all I got, just one lousy minute. One minute isn’t long enough for a conversation; it’s barely long enough to ask for directions. I could hold my breath longer than a minute. I think this whole “international man of mystery” routine stinks. It really does. Why couldn’t my dad have been an accountant?
    Jenny places her hand on my shoulder. “Is everything okay?”
    I look into her eyes. There’s so much concern there; she really does care for me. Part of me feels like falling into her arms and crying against her shoulder and the other part is completely repulsed by the weakness of the idea.
    I’m not sure what to do with these feelings. It’s like they’re in a washing machine, spinning around, mixing together like socks, shirts, and underwear. I can’t just reach in and take only what I need.
    I mumble, “Yeah, I guess.”
    “How’s your dad?”
    “Fine, I guess, but who knows? I’m sick of all this. I’m going to my room.”
    “Sure, okay. Hey, do you want me to make you some hot chocolate? It’s really good.”
    “No, thanks.”
    I walk down the hall and into my room, then close the doorand fall upon my bed. I feel as empty as my walls. I bury my head in the pillow; my eyes start to water. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
    Knock.
    Knock.
    Knock.
    Jenny’s voice is soft and low, filled with concern. “Cody, it’s me…can we talk?”
    I sit up in my bed. “Just a sec.” I wipe my eyes with my sleeve and slowly walk across the room. I’m at the door but I just can’t bring myself to open it. I lean against it instead.
    “What do you want?”
    Her voice is like a feather. “I just want to talk, that’s all. Open the door.”
    I’m tempted, but I can’t. “Not now. Later, okay?”
    “Cody, I want to help you. Talk to me, maybe I’ll understand.”
    “I can’t. I just want to be left alone.”
    There’s a long moment of silence. Then she says, “You don’t have to open the door. Just talk to me.”
    I slide down to the floor and sit with my elbows on my knees, hands on the sides of my face. I stare off across the room, focusing on nothing.
    A little while later I hear a noise in the hall and realize it’s Jenny sliding down to the floor. I picture her sitting outthere, her back just inches behind mine on the other side of the door.
    Time slips away. The world moves forward while I just sit here. The emptiness is like a weight pressing down on top of me. I doubt I could stand even if I tried.
    I hear a car pull into the driveway, then the sound of a door opening. A minute later, I hear Andy saying good-bye. I realize it must be his taxi. Andy went to the job interview already? He’s back? How long have I been sitting here? The room’s a lot darker than it was before.
    “You still there, Jen?”
    “Yeah, hon, still