The Witness
Chapter 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cole found himself driving around the City. He had no idea where he'd go. He knew he needed a drink and maybe something else. He fought the urges as hard has he could, but continued to drive. If he stopped, he knew he'd be in trouble. He also knew it was only a matter of time before he'd be found. After all, a shiny blue, mint mustang was hardly low-profile. He was sure that Bosco would have advised the police department to be on the look-out for it.
Before he realized it, he found himself in his old stomping grounds. He drove around the familiar streets, taking in the familiar sites of young kids standing around on the corners waiting for their next drug customer. "God," he thought to himself. "I could really use something." He felt the front pocket of his jeans and realized that he'd left his money at home. Home. There's a funny thought. Not home anymore. Cole knew there was no way that he'd be able to go back there. He'd screwed up too bad. No way Bosco would want him back there. The urge grew stronger. He pulled the car over to the curb and opened the glove box and rummaged around under the seats, looking for money that maybe Bosco left there. He looked in the back seat and saw Bosco's jacket there. He grabbed it and felt through the pockets, finding a ten dollar bill. Bingo! He got out of the car and walked up to the first kid he saw, looking around to make sure that none of Raven's boys saw him.
He made his purchase and quickly got back to Bosco's car as a few of the neighborhood car thieves were looking it over. "Hey, man! Where'd you get this nice car. This car is too nice for you," came the tauntings of one of the men.
"It's not mine. It's a friend of mine's and if I don't bring it back... Man, you don't want that kind of pain," Cole said, jumping in and starting the engine, thinking of what Bosco would do to anyone that hurt his car. He quickly threw it into drive just as the three men started to surround the car. Driving off, he looked in his rearview mirror to see the gestures being thrown in his direction.
He drove around some more, feeling soothed by the drugs that he held in his hand. He didn't want to take it, but he knew it wouldn't be long before the urge was too strong. Who was he trying to kid? He was an addict. It was too late for him.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Bosco had just hung up the phone from talking to Faith. He'd come upstairs when he found his car gone and called Katy and Faith right away. Katy was on her way over and Faith was going to tell Emily what was going on in case he went to school. She would call Faith from her cell phone if he showed up.
There was a knock on the door and Bosco opened it to find Katy standing there. She came in and gave him a hug. "What happened?" she asked him, seeing how upset he was.
"I screwed up. That's what happened," he said with disgust.
"I'm sure that's not true. Just tell me what happened," Katy said, putting her arm around his back as they walked over to sit down. He poured her a cup of coffee and looked at the broken bottle that was sitting next to the coffee pot.
He nodded toward the bottle. "That happened. I found it in Cole's garbage as I was taking it down to the curb last night. I never would have known if I didn't drop the can and the bottle broke," he said. "He's been lying to me all along. How could I not see it? I thought everything was gonna be okay," he said, looking at Katy.
"Bosco. You would have seen it. One of us would have. He has too many people there for him to have been doing this without anyone noticing it. Have you called his counselor at the center?" she asked him, walking over to him.
"No," he said looking at his watch. "I should probably do that, but I was hoping he'd come back on his own."
"We'll figure it out. Between all of us, we'll figure it out," she assured him as he picked up the phone to call the center.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Cole found himself parked at the curb near the school. He watched the kids going in. He was startled when he heard a voice alongside of him.
"Cole? Are you okay?" Emily asked him, bending down to the open window.
"Emily. Yeah, I'm fine," he said, lying to her.
"Are you coming in? I'll walk with you," she said, hoping that she could talk him into coming into the school. At least that way she'd know where he was. Then, she could call her mother and Bosco could come and get him.
"Um. I don't think I'm coming today. I don't feel that great," he said to her.
"Oh. Sorry to hear that. So, when did you get your license? And, more importantly, how did you get Uncle Bosco to let you use his car? My brother Charlie says he can't wait until he's old enough to drive this car," she said, smiling to try to put him at ease.
"Oh. It's a guy thing. He just told me I could use it for the day. You want to go for a ride?" he asked her. She knew she shouldn't go with him - knew that he didn't really have his license, but she didn't want to let him get away either.
She looked back at the school and then back at Cole. "Are you a good driver?" she asked him.
"Taught by the best," he said teasingly. She opened the door and got in.
"Okay. Where are we going?" she said to him.
"I don't know. How about over to the park? It's a nice day. It's gonna warm up. We could just hang out and talk," he said to her, starting the car.
She shrugged, "Sounds good to me."
Cole pulled away from the curb and drove in the direction they discussed. "I guess Bosco did teach you how to drive," she said to him, noticing how well he did. After about ten minutes they were at the park and Cole pulled to the curb and turned off the car.
"What's the matter?" Emily asked him as he sat staring out the windshield.
"Nothing. Everything," he said, tears starting to form in his eyes.
"Cole?" Emily said, reaching over to touch his hand. She felt that he was holding something in his hand and peeled his fingers open.
"What're you gonna do with this?" she asked him quietly. She knew she was out of her league now. She had no idea what to say to him. "Maybe I should call my Mom," she thought to herself, but she didn't want to scare him away.
"I screwed up," he said finally, still not looking at her as a tear escaped down the side of his face.
"I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. Did you talk to Bosco about it? I'm sure he could help," she said. He looked over at her and let an anguished laugh escape.
"He's not gonna want anything to do with me anymore," he started only to be interrupted by Emily.
"That's not true. Bosco's a great listener. He never gives up on anything. Tell me what happened. I'll bet it's not as bad as you say," she said. "C'mon, let's go sit on the picnic table," she said opening her car door. She knew he wouldn't just leave her here by herself. He didn't follow right away, so she walked over to the table to sit. As she walked she reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. She dialed her number and heard her mother answer the phone.
"Emily?" Faith asked. "Where are you? School called."
"I'm with Cole, Mom. He was sitting outside of school and he was pretty upset. We're at the park talking. I think I can talk him into coming back, but I just wanted to let you know where I was," Emily told her as she heard the car door closing. "I've gotta go. I'll call you soon," she said before hanging up.
Cole came over and sat down next to her on the table, holding his face up to the sun to let the warmth hit him.
"I drank last night," he said sadly.
"Okay. Why?" she asked him.
"I don't know. I bought that bottle about a week ago when I went to the store for Rose. I had it in my dresser all that time. I'd take it out and look at it, but I'd always be able to put it back without taking it, but last night was too much," he said.
"Is that when you bought the drugs too?" she asked him.
"No. First I drank the bottle last night and Bosco found it. I saw the look of disappointment on his face. I couldn't stand it," he said, tears welling up again. "I bought the drugs this morning - with money I found in Bosco's coat in the car."
"Why? What was so bad about last night? And why did you have to buy those drugs?"
He shrugged as he thought about her questions. He looked around, thinking of his answer.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Bosco's phone rang and he picked it up after the first ring. "Cole?" he said quickly.
"No, it's Faith. Emily just called me. She's with Cole. They're talking. She found him outside of school this morning and said he looked pretty upset," she said.
"Is he okay?" Bosco asked her, concerned that he had been drinking or worse. He knew he'd never do anything to hurt Emily on purpose, but if he was altered from the drugs... He didn't want to think that.
"I think so. She would have told me otherwise. They went to the park. She thinks she can talk him into coming back home. She'll call me if she needs help," she assured her partner.
"Thanks, Faith. I'll stay here until I hear from you or Emily," he said, as Katy took his hand.
Bosco hung up the phone and told Katy what was happening.
"She's a good kid. Faith did a good job with her," she said. Bosco nodded, thinking that he'd like a chance to do a good job with Cole. As if reading his mind, Katy said, "You will too, Bosco."
He smiled and got up to walk over to the window, wondering if he could see the park from his window. He couldn't.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Cole had told her the whole story about running into Chenise at the hospital and about her involvement in warning him about Raven at the center Upstate. He told her about the upcoming trial. He told her about the mistake about his age and not being old enough to drive. He also told her about some of the stuff that was going on at school - stuff he'd never talked about before, like the kids that had found out about his past and were taunting him about it and giving him dirty looks and talking about him behind his back. How he was trying to stay away from the tough kids at school, but felt himself being pulled in that direction again.
"I'm sorry, Cole," Emily said. "I didn't know that you were going through all that. You should have told me. You can talk to me anytime, okay?" she told him.
He nodded. "Thanks, Em. You're okay, for a square," he teased, wiping the tears away.
"Thanks. But, I don't think I'm so square. I'm skipping school and driving around with an unlicensed driver in a car that's not his," she kidded back. "What d'you say we go home and talk to Bosco. I'll go with you if you want. I know he's worried. He called my Mom this morning after you left all upset. He really is a great guy, despite what he went through as a kid," she said.
He looked at her and she realized that he didn't know anything about that so she relayed what little bits and pieces she had picked up through conversations between her mother and father.
"Wow," he said when she'd finished. "I guess he's been through a lot himself. I didn't know that."
"So, I guess if he can turn out as good as he did, there's still plenty of hope for you. With the help of your family and friends. You do have a family now, Cole. And we'll always be here for you," she told him, taking his hand again. She opened his hand again and took the packet of drugs from it. "Let's go home, okay?" she said, standing up.
He looked up at the sun again and stood up next to her. "Thanks, Emily," Cole said, giving her a hug and they started to walk toward the car.
"Wait," Emily said, pulling out her cell phone. "We better have Bosco come and get the car. Trust me. You don't want to scratch his 'baby.'" She handed Cole the phone to call Bosco.
He took the phone and dialed the number, afraid of what Bosco would say when he answered.
"Hello?" Bosco said into the phone, and Cole heard the worry in his voice.
"It's me. I'm at the park with Emily and your car. Could you come and pick us up? I don't have my license yet," he said.
"I'll be right there, Buddy. I'll be right there," he said and Cole could hear the relief in his voice. He knew right then that everything was going to be okay if they could just get through this trial that was coming up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC...
Chapter 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cole found himself driving around the City. He had no idea where he'd go. He knew he needed a drink and maybe something else. He fought the urges as hard has he could, but continued to drive. If he stopped, he knew he'd be in trouble. He also knew it was only a matter of time before he'd be found. After all, a shiny blue, mint mustang was hardly low-profile. He was sure that Bosco would have advised the police department to be on the look-out for it.
Before he realized it, he found himself in his old stomping grounds. He drove around the familiar streets, taking in the familiar sites of young kids standing around on the corners waiting for their next drug customer. "God," he thought to himself. "I could really use something." He felt the front pocket of his jeans and realized that he'd left his money at home. Home. There's a funny thought. Not home anymore. Cole knew there was no way that he'd be able to go back there. He'd screwed up too bad. No way Bosco would want him back there. The urge grew stronger. He pulled the car over to the curb and opened the glove box and rummaged around under the seats, looking for money that maybe Bosco left there. He looked in the back seat and saw Bosco's jacket there. He grabbed it and felt through the pockets, finding a ten dollar bill. Bingo! He got out of the car and walked up to the first kid he saw, looking around to make sure that none of Raven's boys saw him.
He made his purchase and quickly got back to Bosco's car as a few of the neighborhood car thieves were looking it over. "Hey, man! Where'd you get this nice car. This car is too nice for you," came the tauntings of one of the men.
"It's not mine. It's a friend of mine's and if I don't bring it back... Man, you don't want that kind of pain," Cole said, jumping in and starting the engine, thinking of what Bosco would do to anyone that hurt his car. He quickly threw it into drive just as the three men started to surround the car. Driving off, he looked in his rearview mirror to see the gestures being thrown in his direction.
He drove around some more, feeling soothed by the drugs that he held in his hand. He didn't want to take it, but he knew it wouldn't be long before the urge was too strong. Who was he trying to kid? He was an addict. It was too late for him.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Bosco had just hung up the phone from talking to Faith. He'd come upstairs when he found his car gone and called Katy and Faith right away. Katy was on her way over and Faith was going to tell Emily what was going on in case he went to school. She would call Faith from her cell phone if he showed up.
There was a knock on the door and Bosco opened it to find Katy standing there. She came in and gave him a hug. "What happened?" she asked him, seeing how upset he was.
"I screwed up. That's what happened," he said with disgust.
"I'm sure that's not true. Just tell me what happened," Katy said, putting her arm around his back as they walked over to sit down. He poured her a cup of coffee and looked at the broken bottle that was sitting next to the coffee pot.
He nodded toward the bottle. "That happened. I found it in Cole's garbage as I was taking it down to the curb last night. I never would have known if I didn't drop the can and the bottle broke," he said. "He's been lying to me all along. How could I not see it? I thought everything was gonna be okay," he said, looking at Katy.
"Bosco. You would have seen it. One of us would have. He has too many people there for him to have been doing this without anyone noticing it. Have you called his counselor at the center?" she asked him, walking over to him.
"No," he said looking at his watch. "I should probably do that, but I was hoping he'd come back on his own."
"We'll figure it out. Between all of us, we'll figure it out," she assured him as he picked up the phone to call the center.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Cole found himself parked at the curb near the school. He watched the kids going in. He was startled when he heard a voice alongside of him.
"Cole? Are you okay?" Emily asked him, bending down to the open window.
"Emily. Yeah, I'm fine," he said, lying to her.
"Are you coming in? I'll walk with you," she said, hoping that she could talk him into coming into the school. At least that way she'd know where he was. Then, she could call her mother and Bosco could come and get him.
"Um. I don't think I'm coming today. I don't feel that great," he said to her.
"Oh. Sorry to hear that. So, when did you get your license? And, more importantly, how did you get Uncle Bosco to let you use his car? My brother Charlie says he can't wait until he's old enough to drive this car," she said, smiling to try to put him at ease.
"Oh. It's a guy thing. He just told me I could use it for the day. You want to go for a ride?" he asked her. She knew she shouldn't go with him - knew that he didn't really have his license, but she didn't want to let him get away either.
She looked back at the school and then back at Cole. "Are you a good driver?" she asked him.
"Taught by the best," he said teasingly. She opened the door and got in.
"Okay. Where are we going?" she said to him.
"I don't know. How about over to the park? It's a nice day. It's gonna warm up. We could just hang out and talk," he said to her, starting the car.
She shrugged, "Sounds good to me."
Cole pulled away from the curb and drove in the direction they discussed. "I guess Bosco did teach you how to drive," she said to him, noticing how well he did. After about ten minutes they were at the park and Cole pulled to the curb and turned off the car.
"What's the matter?" Emily asked him as he sat staring out the windshield.
"Nothing. Everything," he said, tears starting to form in his eyes.
"Cole?" Emily said, reaching over to touch his hand. She felt that he was holding something in his hand and peeled his fingers open.
"What're you gonna do with this?" she asked him quietly. She knew she was out of her league now. She had no idea what to say to him. "Maybe I should call my Mom," she thought to herself, but she didn't want to scare him away.
"I screwed up," he said finally, still not looking at her as a tear escaped down the side of his face.
"I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. Did you talk to Bosco about it? I'm sure he could help," she said. He looked over at her and let an anguished laugh escape.
"He's not gonna want anything to do with me anymore," he started only to be interrupted by Emily.
"That's not true. Bosco's a great listener. He never gives up on anything. Tell me what happened. I'll bet it's not as bad as you say," she said. "C'mon, let's go sit on the picnic table," she said opening her car door. She knew he wouldn't just leave her here by herself. He didn't follow right away, so she walked over to the table to sit. As she walked she reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. She dialed her number and heard her mother answer the phone.
"Emily?" Faith asked. "Where are you? School called."
"I'm with Cole, Mom. He was sitting outside of school and he was pretty upset. We're at the park talking. I think I can talk him into coming back, but I just wanted to let you know where I was," Emily told her as she heard the car door closing. "I've gotta go. I'll call you soon," she said before hanging up.
Cole came over and sat down next to her on the table, holding his face up to the sun to let the warmth hit him.
"I drank last night," he said sadly.
"Okay. Why?" she asked him.
"I don't know. I bought that bottle about a week ago when I went to the store for Rose. I had it in my dresser all that time. I'd take it out and look at it, but I'd always be able to put it back without taking it, but last night was too much," he said.
"Is that when you bought the drugs too?" she asked him.
"No. First I drank the bottle last night and Bosco found it. I saw the look of disappointment on his face. I couldn't stand it," he said, tears welling up again. "I bought the drugs this morning - with money I found in Bosco's coat in the car."
"Why? What was so bad about last night? And why did you have to buy those drugs?"
He shrugged as he thought about her questions. He looked around, thinking of his answer.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Bosco's phone rang and he picked it up after the first ring. "Cole?" he said quickly.
"No, it's Faith. Emily just called me. She's with Cole. They're talking. She found him outside of school this morning and said he looked pretty upset," she said.
"Is he okay?" Bosco asked her, concerned that he had been drinking or worse. He knew he'd never do anything to hurt Emily on purpose, but if he was altered from the drugs... He didn't want to think that.
"I think so. She would have told me otherwise. They went to the park. She thinks she can talk him into coming back home. She'll call me if she needs help," she assured her partner.
"Thanks, Faith. I'll stay here until I hear from you or Emily," he said, as Katy took his hand.
Bosco hung up the phone and told Katy what was happening.
"She's a good kid. Faith did a good job with her," she said. Bosco nodded, thinking that he'd like a chance to do a good job with Cole. As if reading his mind, Katy said, "You will too, Bosco."
He smiled and got up to walk over to the window, wondering if he could see the park from his window. He couldn't.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Cole had told her the whole story about running into Chenise at the hospital and about her involvement in warning him about Raven at the center Upstate. He told her about the upcoming trial. He told her about the mistake about his age and not being old enough to drive. He also told her about some of the stuff that was going on at school - stuff he'd never talked about before, like the kids that had found out about his past and were taunting him about it and giving him dirty looks and talking about him behind his back. How he was trying to stay away from the tough kids at school, but felt himself being pulled in that direction again.
"I'm sorry, Cole," Emily said. "I didn't know that you were going through all that. You should have told me. You can talk to me anytime, okay?" she told him.
He nodded. "Thanks, Em. You're okay, for a square," he teased, wiping the tears away.
"Thanks. But, I don't think I'm so square. I'm skipping school and driving around with an unlicensed driver in a car that's not his," she kidded back. "What d'you say we go home and talk to Bosco. I'll go with you if you want. I know he's worried. He called my Mom this morning after you left all upset. He really is a great guy, despite what he went through as a kid," she said.
He looked at her and she realized that he didn't know anything about that so she relayed what little bits and pieces she had picked up through conversations between her mother and father.
"Wow," he said when she'd finished. "I guess he's been through a lot himself. I didn't know that."
"So, I guess if he can turn out as good as he did, there's still plenty of hope for you. With the help of your family and friends. You do have a family now, Cole. And we'll always be here for you," she told him, taking his hand again. She opened his hand again and took the packet of drugs from it. "Let's go home, okay?" she said, standing up.
He looked up at the sun again and stood up next to her. "Thanks, Emily," Cole said, giving her a hug and they started to walk toward the car.
"Wait," Emily said, pulling out her cell phone. "We better have Bosco come and get the car. Trust me. You don't want to scratch his 'baby.'" She handed Cole the phone to call Bosco.
He took the phone and dialed the number, afraid of what Bosco would say when he answered.
"Hello?" Bosco said into the phone, and Cole heard the worry in his voice.
"It's me. I'm at the park with Emily and your car. Could you come and pick us up? I don't have my license yet," he said.
"I'll be right there, Buddy. I'll be right there," he said and Cole could hear the relief in his voice. He knew right then that everything was going to be okay if they could just get through this trial that was coming up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC...