Running Home (15 page)

She winced at the last remark immediately after I said it I wanted to take it back.

“I’m sorry
, Carmen; that comment was uncalled for,” I apologized when I caught up to her. She just nodded her head, and continued across the street. There were so many secrets she needed to share with me to make this work between us; I needed my best friend back.

We walked in silence the rest of the way to the building
, and I held the door open as she scooted inside. An older lady sat behind the counter once we entered the building. It was a dark and plain room; a little too dreary for my taste, but it’s what the state of California can afford.

“I’m here to see Mike Stephens,
” Carmen spoke softly.

“One second,” s
he replied, as she picked up the phone to let him know she was here. Carmen and I took a seat next to the door leading to the offices; this was almost as nerve-wracking as picking her up from prison. I was pretty sure it couldn’t get much worse.

“Well
, long time since we spoke last, Miss. Westin; please follow me.” Mike said in a condescending tone. I silently sent Carmen a look that I would be accompanying her back to the office, as I reached out and grabbed her hand; I wasn’t about to let her deal with this shit alone.

“Please
, Carmen, have a seat……….. and you are?” Mike questioned as he stared directly at me.

“Officer Mason, but please call me Walker.”

Carmen looked like she about peed her pants when I mentioned officer. I didn’t know why it shocked her so much. Everyone knew I wanted to be a cop since I was old enough to talk.

“Pleasure Walker, but I’m curious how you two know each other?”

She sat there dumbfounded, still in apparent shock at my career choice revelation. However Carmen managed to close her gaping mouth, and tried to speak. “Little………we have known each other since we were little,” she managed to mumble out.

“I grew up with Carmen back in South Dakota. Unfortunately
, we lost touch for several years, but when I heard she needed help I came right over. I’ve been with the local sheriff’s department for the last five, or so, years. I’m hoping that can work in Carmen’s favor when we talk about her case,” I said in a professional voice, while folding my hands neatly in my lap and glancing over at Carmen with a smile. My heart instantly melted when she gave me a quick grin back; I seriously missed that girl.

“Well
, I don’t know if you know the complete back story, but Miss. Westin here has served a little over 23 months for felony prostitution charges, and disorderly conduct while serving time. This unfortunately, was not her first charge in the state of California. And it looks like we get to spend the next nine months checking in with each other all over again, Miss Westin,” Mike stated, as he flipped through the paperwork in her file.

“So
, what are we looking at, Mr. Stephens for check ins? Are you talking daily, weekly, or monthly visits?” I asked, and leaned forward toward the desk.

“Well
, since parole went so well last time, I’m thinking we need to check in, physically once a week, and verbally twice. Hopefully you can manage that this time, Miss. Westin?”

I could tell she was forcing
back the tears that were starting to form in her eyes. This wasn’t an easy task for her to talk about; to even let me hear must have been sheer torture for her.

“Sir, given my profession
, is there any chance you are willing to work with me on letting Carmen finish her probation back at home? I can take full responsibility on making sure she stays out of trouble, and can even have another officer verify when needed. I just think the best thing for her is to go home; to a place where people love and support her.”

Mike sat back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head in thought. I knew this would help him in the end with his case load, but it was a risk he had to calculate
. She wasn’t a great candidate for relocation, in his eyes; she had been here before and it was a failure. A couple minutes of silence passed as I kept my eyes firmly locked on Mr. Stephens, and Carmen sat there, silently praying it would work.

“Do you understand what you are taking on
, Officer Mason? This is a lot of responsibility that you are asking to move forward with. Do you understand the charges that she carries?” Mike said with skepticism in his voice.

“Yes
, I understand the undertaking of keeping Carmen on track, sir. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t think it would serve in her best interest. I am fully committed to reporting back to you as often as you would like,” I said with confidence, as I looked over and offered her a smile.

Mike mulled the offer over in his head
, before he gave me a little smile and silently nodded at me.
Wait, is this going to work?

“I need weekly reports on how she is doing. Carmen
, I expect you to find a job once you get home, and stick to a curfew that Officer Mason sets up for you. Please don’t let me regret this decision,” he directed at me, narrowing his eyes as I sat up a little straighter in the old metal chair.

“Not a problem
, sir. I promise I won’t let you down again,” Carmen said with as much confidence as she could muster.

“Carmen
, I don’t care about letting me down; its yourself that gets the shaft in the end.”

“Thank you
sir, and I will be contacting you when we get back home to schedule reviews and such,” I mentioned, as I stood and extended my hand to him. Mr. Stephens took it quickly and gave it a shake, solidifying the deal the two of us made.

Carmen
immediately leapt to her feet and scooted closer to me. I nodded to her as we turned to leave the office; now all we had to do was make it work.

Stepping back out into the sunshine
, I let out a huge sigh of relief; I can’t believe that worked in our favor.

“Well
, I guess we should get going; we have a long drive ahead of us,” I mentioned as we crossed the street to the Bronco. I glanced over at Carmen, who was smiling like a damn wack job; I bet she had never been that excited to head home to South Dakota.

“But first we are stopping somewhere and
getting you some new clothes; something that actually fits you.” I laughed and unlocked her door. She couldn’t argue with that; she was starting to look a little homely.

“Holding Out For A Hero” Elle Mae Bowen

Carmen

It was the best feeling in the entire world; sitting in the old Bronco with Walker, watching as the world passed me by. The world is a cruel place if you let it be, and I always had other plans for it. The last couple
of years, I was controlled by my surroundings; doing whatever I thought I needed to survive. I didn’t try and make my life better, I settled for the same issues day in and day out. For most of my childhood, I fought what the world was offering me; it was never enough to satisfy my incurable appetite for more. And when I moved out to LA, I basically bent over and let my life become the world’s bitch. I no longer wanted more well, I was desperate for something that came in a small pill form, but that was it. The sparkle in my eye had dulled over the last couple years, as I lost myself. The vivacious Carmen was in the past, and a pathetic drug attack had emerged in her place. How did I possibly get so far gone into a world that I grew up hating? One slip up and my world crashed around me. My only saving grace was the man sitting next to me. One that is willing to help pick up the pieces of my broken life, and help put me back together again………. I don’t deserve him.

“Walker, do you want me to drive?” I asked several hours into our long drive home. I knew he was getting
tired; his body seemed drained for the previous day’s escapades. What I asked of him wasn’t an easy task. I just needed a friend when I got out yesterday; someone in my corner to help me stare down the world. I don’t know what I thought I was going to do when I got out. I never planned on anything, but I made the decision to call him. But what he did for me reminded me that I would always have him, no matter what. A promise means forever, and too often do people forget that and break them.

“I’m fine Carmen. B
esides, when did you start driving?” Walker questioned, while he quickly glanced over at me in the passenger seat.

“Well
, I don’t know if my license is still current, but I started driving a couple years ago. I actually had a Jeep too.”

“You drove? And owned a vehicle? Maybe the big city wasn’t so bad for you
after all,” he joked.

“Yeah
, well, you can see how good it was too me,” I muttered softly.

“Carmen
, you screwed up, and yeah, you did it rather big. But hey, everything is fixable; you know that. I’m just glad you called me; I don’t want to even begin to think of what would have happened had I not been there yesterday. I’m here when you are ready to talk, and I have a lot of questions for you too, but when you’re ready, I’ll be ready to listen.”

“Well
, you have a copy of my file in the back seat just read that. I’m sure it has plenty of good little tidbits of the last couple years.” I tossed my head back on the headrest and propped my feet up on the dash. I had no right to be angry that I had a record; I did it all myself. I think I was more angry at myself for being that stupid; there was no erasing the past now.

“Carmen
, I want to hear it from you. Yeah, I can read the file, and I’m eventually going to have to do just that. But I want to know why you did those things; I want to try and understand. What is written on a piece of paper is only one view of the picture, and I’m sure there is much more of the story to be painted.”

“When in
the hell did you become so sappy? One too many hits on the football field?” I giggled, as Walker shook his head at me. “Come on, there is no reason to get all sentimental and shit. I know I need to share with you, and eventually, I’ll take my head out of my ass and do just that. However, the only thing I can think of right now is coffee. I want it strong, bold, and black.”

“That sounds wrong
, Carmen, horribly wrong.” Walker snorted.

“Whatever
, Walker, you know exactly how I like it.”

“That I do
, Carmen,” he admitted, as a sly grin spread across his face.

I don’t think I’ve ever blushed
before; no one has ever made a comment that shocked me. But for Walker to admit he knew how ‘I liked it’ was a little dirtier than I could handle. I tried to turn my face to the window before he noticed the fantastic shade of red it had turned. Walker Mason was getting the better of me. My, how the times had changed.

After several stops for food
, and a handful of rest stop visits, we had finally made it to the outskirts of the little town I tried so hard to run away from. Nothing had changed from a distance, yet I knew the people milling about had. I was nervous to think what everyone would say when I came strolling back in. I know how quick people were to judge, and I didn’t leave anyone with a great impression before I left. And the thought of me seeing my grandparents again made me want to ralph all over myself. They did so much for me growing up, and I peaced out like a pansy running from her own shadow. The fact that I did not try to contact them the entire time I was gone makes me feel like the lowest of scum in the entire world. I’m talking the feeling below kitten and puppy killers, and how anyone could hurt those fluffy little things was beyond my wildest imagination.

“Feel good to be home?” Walker asked
, as he turned on the old dirt road to his family’s farm house.

“Something like that,” I muttered.

The old farm house came up in the distance, and I let out a sigh. There were many times Walker and I spent playing on the farm when we were little. It was simple and easy, no frustrations or things we had to do. Life was good back then, and I wanted desperately, to get back to that point.

He
stopped the Bronco in front of the old red barn, which was in the process of being painted. The old ragged wood gave the barn character; made you wonder about all the stories that could be attached to something that old and still standing.  I slowly climbed out and walked over to the structure, running my hands over the worn boards; feeling the bumps and knots over the years. If something that old could withstand the test of time, I had every opportunity to do the same.

“Are you coming?” Walker asked
, as he went to unlock the back door. I nodded my head in confusion did
he live here now
?

I stepped into the kitchen
, and the soul of the house immediately hit me. I remember playing monopoly for hours on that kitchen table as his grandmother baked cookies. I was drawn into the small living room, where we use to have sleepovers by the fire in the cold winter months; Walker’s grandfather would make sure the wood burned all night, so we were toasty warm in the morning. The only thing that had changed with this place was some of the furniture and the fact that we lost his grandparents during our senior year, in an accident. But this house was alive. Everywhere I turned there were touches of Walker, and somewhere deep down inside me this felt like home.

“Are you living here now?” I asked as I touched a knitted afghan on the back of a black leather couch.

“Yeah, I’ve been out here for two years…….. I think,” he replied while leaning on the door jam in the kitchen.

Looking into his eyes I
bite the bottom of my lip and ran into his arms. I couldn’t believe I ever left his place.

“I’m going to get in the shower
, and then there are some things we need to talk about,” Walker stated, as he broke the grasp we had around each other.

“Okay,” I gulped. I had managed the entire drive home without elaborating too much on the last couple years, and shit
, well I didn’t want to bring it all back up yet.

Walker sauntered over to the coffee table
, and picked up a remote. He held it out for me. “I have satellite now,” he said with a smirk.

“Walker Gene Mason! I can’t believe
it; you watch TV?” I shrieked with laughter; that wasn’t the Walker I remembered. That boy hated to sit still, and television was a waste of time in his eyes.

“Things change Carmen; you
of all people should know that,” he replied, while walking to the bathroom.

I did
know what he was talking about. I was now the poster child for hopeful second chances. Or was it thirds?

I sat there and flipped th
rough the hundreds of channels, but nothing held my attention. Finally clicking the power button off, I tossed the remote back on the table. My stomach started to growl as I wandered into the kitchen to see what this boy kept his cupboards filled with. I was halfway crawled into his fridge when Walker’s voice scared the piss right out of me.

“So
, I feed you for a day and now you are unexpectedly eating all the time? It’s not even dinner time yet,” he pointed out, as I was caught with my hand in the pickle jar.

“Well
, you told me yesterday that I needed to gain some weight,” I snapped back, while placing the jar back in the fridge, after I scored a tasty morsel dripping with pickle juice goodness.

“Calm down there tiger, I was only kidding.”

I rolled my eyes, as I went searching for a paper towel to wipe up the mess I was making with this delectable treat. Walker reached under the sink and tore a sheet off the roll, handing it to me and then taking a seat at the table. I realized he wanted me to join him, and for a split second, contemplated running again. But look at how well running worked out for me last time epic failure.

I sat down slowly in the chair across from him
, as he crossed his arms across his firm chest. The muscles in his arms bulged as he sat there staring at me. I haven’t been with a man in forever, and the one across from me looked like the perfect one to start with. I swiftly shook my head to clear the thoughts of getting down and dirty with Walker; like he would ever touch me again once he heard about my past.

“Alright
, let’s set up some guidelines for your parole. First, you need a job, and I’m betting Mom would let you work with her in the café again. But you have to take this seriously, Carmen; I am putting my profession on the line for you, so no screwing it up, like back in high school.”

“Walker
, I won’t; I promise. Do you think your mom would let me come back?” I asked nervously.

“Carmen
, she loved you too. She was angry and hurt when you left, but that didn’t change her feelings. I’m sure she would love the help; she has been swamped for quite some time now and never has found the right person to fit in there.”

I started to chew on my lip from the thought of seeing his mom again. She was always so supportive of my wild ways; letting me work in the café when I needed to get away from the farm, offering a place to stay when I was too drunk to go home, and letting me be best friends with her only son. I owed that woman a lot while growing up
, and I just hoped she didn’t hate me for running away.

“Walker
, where am I going to stay? I can’t go back to my grandparent’s place. Besides I don’t think they would let me come home, anyway.” I burst out; I wasn’t ready to see them just yet.

“Well you are in luck
, my best friend. I still haven’t done anything with the spare bedroom in the back. You are welcome to stay here, if you help out and promise me you won’t run again when things get tough. I know you Carmen, and the first thing you do when something gets a little uncomfortable or rough is run. You have to promise me that you will stay and work it out; I don’t want to go through all that again,” Walker said as he leaned forward on the table. I could see the muscles in his jaw tense, and his eyes had a soft sparkle to the baby blues that stared straight into your soul. I knew I hurt him when I left, but I never knew the extent of the damage I caused……… till now.

“Walker
, I promise I won’t run. I realize it’s not going to be easy, and I’m going to face a lot of challenges for quite some time, but I’ve grown up and I want to be here. There is nowhere else in the entire world I would rather be then here, with you, back home,” I whispered, as the tears started to gradually fall down my face. This was home and no matter how many times I tried to get away, I would always come back to this place. My life started now, here in this small one stop light kind of town.

Walker
reached out and grabbed my hand; a spark was sent from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. The connection with him never went away, even during our years apart; it was something I’ve never experienced with anyone other than him. My heart started to pound, and I had to remind myself to breath so I wouldn’t pass out on the table.

“Carmen
, this is only the beginning. You are on the right track, and I’m going to be there every step of the way.” He spoke in a soft and reassuring voice.

I wanted to crawl across this table right now, plant myself in his lap, and taste those astounding lips o
n his beautiful face. But I knew it wasn’t like that with us; he was merely a friend, and in this cruel world I needed to remember that. I had a friend in my corner again; not a sex toy. I yanked my hand away from his, and silently told my womanly parts to douse the fire. Hell, for all I knew his wife would come walking in the door at any moment now. I scanned the kitchen, and what I could see of the living room, for pictures, flowers, anything that resembled a woman’s touch. Nothing, nada, zilch was in this immediate area. A small grin spread across my lips when I realized the possibilities of him still being single were obvious. I already looked for the ring in the first ten minutes of him sitting outside the jail yesterday. I know it sounds horribly selfish that I want him all to myself, but I can’t help it. After a lifetime of shit, I just wanted one thing that was all mine and made me happy; Walker Mason was that one thing.