Chapter 22 McPhearson VS Barringer

Jail House Friday

"Is Shelby your girlfriend?" Scott doesn't say a word. "Shelby is her name right, because I know her as Grace. Does it bother you that she's had so many? Does it bother you that every time you kiss her yours are not the only lips that she ever touched there? You should ask her what she did when she ran away? Someone like that will never leave that life."

Scott bangs the bars causing the Senator to jump.

"You better hope I never see you out on the street."

"Is that a threat?"

"No." Scott says scowling at the Senator. "It's a promise." Scott smiles as sly smile.

"Maybe I shouldn't drop the charges. Maybe I should let them take you to Juvenile Hall."

"Do what you want."

Martin Barringer enters finding Scott and Alexander glaring each other down.

"Scott." He says approaching the bars.

"Dad?" Scott sits up on the bed. Once again Scott comes face to face with his father's disapproving look. It had been a year since Scott has seen that disappointing look. It occurred so often. First Scott got kicked off the football team for drugs. Then Scott told what Elaine was doing to him and the letters were found. It was a look that he was hoping to never see again.

"What were you thinking?" Martin asked in a tired, defeated voice. "Now your facing going to Juvenile Hall instead of Horizon. This is what I was trying to prevent."

"I'm sorry dad. I wasn't thinking."

"Damn right you weren't." Martin's anger is getting the best of him. He steps back trying to get control of it.

Senator turns his attention to Martin Barringer.

"You must be Mr. Barringer."

"Senator McPhearson."

The two exchange handshakes. Scott tries to remain calm watching his father suck up to the 'good' Senator.

"Is there anything that we can work out?" Martin asks hope in his voice.

"I think your son has learned his lesson. I'm dropping all charges." Alexander looks at Scott with a pleased look.

"Thank you so much sir." Martin looks at Scott relieved. "What do you say Scott."

"Thank you SIR." Scott sarcastically says.

"I'm going to take you back to Horizon."

Two police officers come to release Scott. Alexander stands back and watches as Scott emerges from the cell. Scott looks up at Alexander with fire in his eyes. Martin takes his sons arm and pulls him away from Alexander.

"Scott please do say hi to Shelby for me."

"You arrogant son of a bitch!!" Scott goes to go after Alexander again, but Martin holds him back.

"Scott Stop."

"You better keep a hold of your son Mr. Barringer. He may not meet someone as willing to forgive as I am."

"I will Senator, Thank you."

Martin pulls Scott out of the jail. He pushes Scott up against the wall.

"What in the hell are you thinking? You get a get out of jail card free and you just about screw it up." Martin let's go and stands back. "You are making it impossible for me not to give up on you again Scott. Let's get you back to Horizon."

Martin leaves, Scott follows trying to keep his cool. The get into Martin's car and Martin begins to drive away from the station. Neither say a word to each other the whole way back to the school.

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