Free MC: Callahan by L. Ann Marie Page A

backpack down I grabbed it and took it to my next class to give to little Ben. When I handed it to him a security guard brought us both here and opened it, finding a bag of rolled joints.” He’s waiting for me not to believe him.
    “Where’s your backpack?”
    He smiles. “Mr. Mello has it with little Ben’s and the one I took.”
    I look at little Ben. “I don’t understand why I’m here, explain.”
    “The backpack has the kid’s books and other stuff with his name on it. He says we put the baggie in it. Mr. Mello knows we are all about keeping drugs out of the town, but he caught us with them. I wanted to call Digs to get the video, but Mr. Mello doesn’t believe we’ll have it. I asked him to call you, as SAA for the club and Ricky’s father you can clear it up and have more authority.” He’s calm and confident in what he’s saying. I throw him chin.
    Looking at Mello, I ask for his email and hand little Ben my phone. “Call Digs, have him pull the video and email the sections following Ricky’s movements from the courtyard to you.”
    Mello coughs. “We don’t have cameras in the halls.” Condescending ass is smiling like we’re five.
    “ We do,” I tell him, wiping the smile off his face.
    “You can’t just video anyone! That’s invasion of privacy!” He’s getting a head of steam going.
    “Public building, hallways and cafeteria isn’t invading anyone’s privacy. Keeping drugs and gangs out of the school is more important than whatever your argument is for privacy in a f—freakin’ hallway, courtyard, and cafeteria,” Ricky tells him, pissed and making me proud. The boy is smart and protective of the town, not just his family.
    “He’s right.” I look at little Ben. “Call Peter at PD, explain what’s going on and tell him to send someone over.”
    He scrolls through my phone then looks at Mello. “Can I have my phone back to call Peter? His phone doesn’t have his private number.”
    The fuckin’ guy makes me laugh, rolling his eyes at him. “You just happen to have an officer’s number in your phone?”
    Little Ben looks at him square. “Yeah, can I have my phone? Otherwise we’ll be waiting on hold forever and Peter isn’t just an Officer, he’s the number two to Paul.” When Mello doesn’t get it he explains, “The chief.” Mello gets him his phone. Little Ben looks at Ricky and rolls his eyes; it must be tough having to explain shit to adults all the time. I’m so glad he’s not prospecting. He’s too fuckin’ smart to have to bow down to Brothers.
    I look at Ricky while we wait. “What are you missing being here?”
    “English, next I have PE then study.” He looks bored.
    “If this goes quick I’ll take you up to the garage, we’ll ride. Got a fuckin’ headache to clear away.”
    He smiles. “F—freakin’ nice. Thanks, Tiny.” He looks down; he didn’t think I’d believe him.
    “Ricky.” I wait until he looks at me. “You’ve given me no reason to doubt you. Until then I have your back, you did good and I see it.” He throws me chin.
    “He stole a backpack!” Mello says, looking for something to argue about.
    “Better than letting drugs be passed around the school,” I tell him. I take my phone from little Ben and call VP.
    When I tell him where I am and what’s happening he says he’ll be right over. I look at Mello. “You’ll need the kid and his parents when they get here.”
    “He’s in class, you can’t just demand his parents, we don’t have proof the drugs weren’t put in his bag like he says. The boy is a good kid.”
    Fuckin’ guy. “Check your email, you’ve got the video. The PD will have his parents here and the fuckin’ Little Brothers did the community a service today. If you think this will play out putting them in a bad way you’re fuckin’ nuts, the news will be all over it. You can jump off that high horse you put yourself on and help keep the fuckin’ drugs out or you can fall off that horse when