I watched them load Ricky into the squad vehicle from the porch. He wouldn’t look at me no matter how many times I yelled his name since his wrists were tied and his head was down.
The child is good. Good yet stubborn like his father. He made mistakes—what fifteen-year-old doesn’t? I knew he wasn’t a criminal instinctively.
The tall, late-30s cop with weary eyes hardly looked at me as he closed the door. “He’ll be booked downtown, ma’am,” he added. “You’ll see him soon.”
Suddenly, they drove away.
After then, the home was too quiet. I waited in the window chair for a call, knock, or anything. Hours passed with nothing.
A knock at the door came late that night.
The officer. Alone.
My body tightened. Where’s Ricky?
Jaw constricted. “He’s processed.” He breathed out after a pause. “Ms. Halloway… Something you should know.”
I frowned. “What are you discussing?”
He paused. I scarcely recognized his voice as he replied, “I arrested the wrong kid.”
My heart stopped.
Before I could absorb, he said, “And I think I know who set him up.”
Grabbing the doorframe stabilized myself. “What are you saying?”
The cop, whose name tag read “R. Daniels,” entered and closed the door. We found planted evidence in Ricky’s bag. It wasn’t obvious, but it seemed wrong. Security cameras around the area showed someone sliding something into his bag.”
“Who?” My voice whispered.
Daniels sharply exhaled. A boy called Troy Baxter.”
Closed my eyes. The name was familiar. While Troy was Ricky’s best friend for years, their relationship had worsened. Ricky informed me Troy was running with violent people and getting into problems. When Ricky refused, they fought. I never thought it would end this way.
He did that—why? I requested.
Shaking his head, Daniels We don’t know, but I think he was protecting himself or someone else. Took him in for questioning. Nervous, he tripped over his words.” He paused. “I wanted to come here before I did something I should have done earlier.”
And what’s that?
“Get Ricky out.”
Tears obscured eyesight. “Please return my grandson.”
The phone rang after midnight. Picked up before the first ring. “Ms. Halloway? It’s Daniel. Ricky is coming home.”
Relief nearly made me kneel. “Thank you,” I muttered.
Twenty minutes later, a squad vehicle entered the driveway. Ricky exited through the rear door. Despite looking fatigued, his face collapsed as he saw me. I hugged him tightly.
“I didn’t do anything, Grandma,” he sobbed. “I swear.”
“I know, sweetheart,” I whispered. “I know.”
Daniels saw us from nearby. He said, “Troy confessed. He said bigger kids made him do it. They threatened him for not framing Ricky. Now we’re looking for them.”
I retreated to see my grandchild. “See now, Ricky? I constantly warn you to be careful who you trust.”
Red-eyed, he nodded. “Yeah. Now I see.”
Ricky returned to school a week later, but things were different. He fought to overcome the stigma of being detained while youngsters spoke about him. He also became more cautious and attentive. He studied more at home and helped me around the house. He didn’t want to invite further uncertainty.
Daniels came one night. Not in uniform this time.
“Mind if I sit?” he inquired, gesturing to the porch swing.
I grinned. “Sure.”
He sighed and sat. “The kids who made Troy do it? Caught them. They used minors for months to perform their dirty work. You grandson’s situation helped us solve something bigger.”
Shaking my head. “Too much trouble for nothing.”
“Not nothing,” he said. Richard has a clean record. He’ll be fine.”
I looked toward the house, where Ricky was doing homework at the kitchen table. “Yes,” I answered. “I think he is.”
Daniels paused before saying, “I wanted to apologize again. Before cuffing him, I should have looked closer. My responsibility.”
I looked at him before nodding. We all make errors, Officer Daniels. What happens after matters.”
He grinned slightly. I appreciate that, Ms. Halloway.”
I listened to the night’s peaceful hum in my chair after he gone. This was a dreadful experience, but I knew Ricky and perhaps Daniels had learnt something.
Life teaches us things in the harshest ways. However, if we listen and learn, we may emerge stronger.
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