Part 11 (1/2)

”So how does Jackson fit into all this?”

”Personally, I think Ann's tired of fighting the system. She's been trying to get tenure for a long time, and for some reason, they keep pa.s.sing her up. She told me a couple of times it's because someone high up found out about us. I think she's using Jackson to appear 'normal' and to get what she wants.”

”That seems like a pretty lame reason to mess up a relations.h.i.+p. Do you really think that's the reason?”

”I've known Ann for a long time. I know she loves women. I can't fathom any reason why she would be with Jackson other than to advance her career.”

”That's terrible. It doesn't say much for Ann's credibility.” Hayden looked at Abbey and saw the hurt in her eyes. Maybe she was being too harsh on Ann. After all, she didn't know her. ”I'm sorry that you're hurting,” Hayden said. She couldn't help thinking Ann was stupid for leaving Abbey for any reason. Didn't she know that Abbey was the best? That Abbey was smart and funny and obviously cared about Ann a lot?

Abbey reached down and grabbed another beer. ”Want another one?”

”No, thanks, you go ahead.” Hayden said, finally feeling a little more normal as the effects of the beer wore off. ”I'm good for now.”

Abbey popped the can open and white foam bubbled up through the opening in the top. She licked the foam from her fingers, then took a big gulp. She leaned back on her elbows as the summer breeze combed through her hair and let out a sigh. ”Life sucks sometimes, doesn't it?”

Before Hayden could answer her, there was a rustling of the tall gra.s.s next to the sand dune and a blinding light aimed right at them. Abbey and Hayden jumped to their feet. They held on to each other and s.h.i.+elded their eyes to see who was approaching.

”Police officer, I need to see some ID.”

Chapter Fourteen.

Hayden panicked. She thought for sure they were going to jail. During the whole ordeal, she prayed to G.o.d to get them out of this, and she swore if He did, she'd never touch alcohol again. She knew Abbey was scared, too. She had a lot to lose. Drinking alcohol in a deserted park with a former student late at night never sounded good no matter how you told the story.

Abbey appeared to sober up instantly. The frightening possibility of going to jail would do that to you.

”Is there a problem, Officer?” Abbey's voice shook with anxiety.

The police officer s.h.i.+ned his flashlight into Abbey's face. ”Abbey Spencer, is that you?”

Abbey raised her hand to s.h.i.+eld her eyes. She turned her head and squinted, trying to see who it was.

”Carl Hecker?”

”Yep. I haven't seen you since we graduated from high school. I thought you moved away.”

”I did. I got a teaching job in Youngstown, so I live there nine months out of the year,” Abbey said, still trembling. ”So how have you been? Are you still dating Arlene?” Abbey thought the more small talk she engaged in, the less likely Carl was to turn this little reunion into something criminal.

”No, we broke up a couple of months ago. Said she needed to find herself, whatever that means. She went back to college to get her teaching certificate. Last I heard, she wanted to be a gym teacher.”

”I'm sorry to hear that. I always thought the two of you made a nice couple.”

Carl s.h.i.+ned the light onto the blanket. The beam of light shone on the empty white beer cans. Hayden's heart caught in her throat.

”So, Abbey, it's kinda late to be out here. You know the park closes at sundown.”

”Oh, I'm sorry, Carl, I didn't realize. We were just sitting here talking. Hayden here is a...” Hayden looked up to meet Abbey's gaze. ”Hayden is a friend of mine from Youngstown.”

Carl flicked the beam of the flashlight over to Hayden. ”Can I see some ID, please, miss?”

Hayden reached into her back pocket and pulled out her driver's license. Her hand shook as she handed it to him.

Carl flashed the light on Hayden's license, then back on her face. He handed the license back to her.

”Abbey, can you step over here please?” Hayden watched as Carl pulled Abbey aside and s.h.i.+ned the light in her eyes. ”Have you been drinking?”

Abbey looked up at Carl, then down at her sand-covered sandals. ”Yes, Carl. I'm not going to lie to you.” Abbey started to cry.

”Has the other girl been drinking, too?”

”A little, I think. Maybe...I'm not sure.”

”What the h.e.l.l are you thinking? You're setting yourself up for a boatload of trouble here. You know better.”

”I do, Carl, I do. I just...I've had a rough couple of days.”

”Well, you're in no shape to be driving. I can't just let you go.”

”I know. I'm sorry.” Abbey's insides shook.

Carl looked over at her. ”I need to interview the girl. If I give her a field test and she pa.s.ses, I can let her drive you home with only a summons for public intox. But if she's been drinking and is intoxicated, too, I'll have to arrest you and her.”

Adrenaline shot through her body as she started to realize the consequences of her actions.

Carl stepped closer to Hayden. ”Have you had anything to drink tonight?”

”Yes, sir, a few sips of beer.” Hayden felt her face heat up.

Carl glanced over at Abbey and exhaled. He s.h.i.+ned the light into Hayden's eyes and made her extend her arms out to her sides and walk a straight line, not an easy feat in sand.

”Touch your index finger to your nose,” Carl commanded.

Hayden did as he asked.

”Can you recite the alphabet backward?”

”Z-Y-X-W-V...”.

”Okay...okay. Look, here's the story.” Carl held up his index finger. ”Number one: this isn't the safest place for two nice young women to be sitting and talking, especially being out here drinking. And number two: It's against the law to be in a state park and have alcohol.” Carl pulled a ticket book from his back pocket and began to write. ”Since Hayden here appears to be fine, I'm going to let you off the hook with only a summons for public intoxication. For your own safety, I'm going to ask Hayden to drive you home.”

”I'm really sorry about this, Carl,” Abbey said in a last-ditch effort for sympathy from the officer.

”I am, too.” Carl tore off the pink ticket from its binding and handed it to Abbey. ”Now, Hayden, please make sure Abbey gets home safely, will you?”

”Yes, sir,” Hayden said. Abbey handed her the keys.

Carl walked them over the sand dune to Abbey's car. Hayden got in the driver's seat and turned the key in the ignition.