Free Wishing Pearl by Nicole O'Dell

Olivia’s stomach convulsed. She swallowed and lifted her face to gulp fresh air as the door opened for Bailey to step out of the cruiser.
    Olivia watched Bailey shuffle up the sidewalk with her hands in her pockets and her head hung low. It reminded Olivia of the look on a prisoner’s face when he walked from his death-row cell to his final destination. Would Bailey even get a last meal? She couldn’t watch any longer and slid even farther down in her seat, avoiding the scene on the porch.
    After a few minutes, the policeman returned to the car and pulled out of the driveway without a word to Olivia. He turned in the direction of her house.
    My turn
.

    “If no one answers the door, I’ll have to bring you with me to the police station.” Officer Stapleton rang the doorbell again. He turned his mouth toward the radio on his shoulder and pressed the button.
    Olivia shook her head in horror. “But … but I have the security code. I can just let myself in the house.” Maybe Mom and Charles wouldn’t have to know after all.
    “I have to turn you over to your parents. I can’t just drop you here and leave.” He pressed the buzzer one more time. “Looks like you’ll have to come with me.” He stepped off the porch and motioned for Olivia to follow as he spoke into his radio.
    Oh no. Please!
At that moment headlights shone on them like the spotlights that illuminated Olivia at the concert just hours before. If only she still sat in her seat with her oboe in hand, then none of this would be real. Olivia wanted to look away as the sleek BMW pulled up beside the squad car with its flashing police lights. She didn’t want to witness the expression on her mom’s face as she put the pieces together or the anger that would surely darken Charles’s face. But, like watching a train wreck, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t tear her eyes from the scene.
    Peering out the car window, Mom’s eyes roved up and down the length of Olivia’s body, checking for injury, no doubt. She glanced at the closed garage doors.
    Don’t worry, Mom, your precious car is safe and sound
.
    She turned back to Olivia, her face a picture of defeat.
    Or was that fear?
    Charles’s red pockmarked face looked subhuman in his rage. Of course, he instantly assumed she’d done something wrong. In this case, he happened to be right. He was about to have the perfect opportunity to play self-righteous, indignant father. Or whatever role he chose.
    They climbed from the car. Mom hesitantly approached the officer, still gripping the carryout container holding the remains of her dinner.
    Standing with his feet apart and his hands on his hips, Charles thundered, “I demand to know what is going on here!”
    Officer Stapleton’s head jerked back in surprise at the outburst. He glared at Charles. “Sir, you need to calm down.”
    Charles glared back at the police officer and pointed one white-knuckled bony finger at his face. “I want some answers. Now.”
    I’m going to throw up
. Olivia’s hands grew clammy, and her stomach burned and gurgled. Feeling woozy, she dropped down to the porch step so she wouldn’t vomit all over the policeman’s feet.
    With the back of her hand pressed against Olivia’s forehead, Mom sat beside her on the porch. “Was there an accident? Are you hurt?”
    “What are you thinking sitting down like that?” Charles stormed across the driveway to tower over Olivia. “Show some respect and stand up. What have you done?” Without waiting for a reply, he turned to the officer again. “I demand some answers. And Ginny—get away from that little twit until we get them.” He glared up at the dark sky, shaking his head in disgust. “Is she hurt, you ask. Stupid woman. She’s obviously drunk.”
    Stepping between Charles and Olivia, Officer Stapleton put his hand on his belt near the Taser. “Sir, you’re going to need to calm down immediately, or we’ll have to move this discussion to the station.”
    Charles