Page 73 of Wrecking Boundaries

All the silverware drops onto plates with a series of sharp clinks. Jake and his mother, Julian, share matching expressions.

Streaks of red and green break Josie’s blond hair. It’s hair chalk rather than anything more permanent, like she wants to rebel but lacks the courage to go further. I tried dying my hair once as a teen, but the dark shade washed everything out.

“I told you not to,” Julia says with a certain weariness. “It isn’t safe there.”

“It’s where Jake got his start,” Josie shoots back with all the vinegar a teen girl can muster.

“She’s right,” Jake says. He leans forward in his chair and gains a few inches in height. Even sitting, it’s like he’s towering over his little sister. “It isn’t safe there. You need to be concentrating on school, not on dreams.”

“You did it.”

“That’s different,” Jake says. “It’s dangerous, and I don’t need you adding to Mom’s worries.”

The mother in question frowns. “When you’re older, after you finish school, we can talk then if it’s something you want to pursue. Maybe Jake can arrange an internship or something.”

“No.” Jake picks up his fork to use as a speaking aid. He points the tines at his sister. “You’re going to college. I didn’t get that chance, but you can. Go to school and give yourself options.”

“I don’t want to,” Josie snaps back. “You can’t make me.”

“You think so?” Jake leans forward, and his expression turns outright threatening. “I can go down to that track tomorrow and make sure your hope is permanently destroyed.I can do that at every track within a hundred miles of here.”

The other sister, Jessica, shrinks further into her chair. She’s shy and has hardly spoken a word since we arrived. I tried talking with her but gave up after realizing it only made her uncomfortable. She reminds me a little of Lily Webb, Pete’s daughter and our new intern.

Julia looks at something on the wall. I follow her gaze and realize it’s a large photo behind an empty chair. It’s the Knowles family before Jake’s father died. It’s not a professional picture, probably taken by a family friend. It’s off-center, and none of them are posed. Jake stands between his parents, with his sisters in front. The youngest is missing, likely not even born yet.

Unfortunately for Jake, I’m not easily cowed, and I know one location that won’t respond to his threats. “My family sponsors a camp every summer for teens interested in motorsports. It’s not just racing but construction and strategy. You have to be a student in good standing, and we ask for a teacher recommendation, too.” That last part isn’t true, but it helps our cause. I can solve problems, but sometimes, that requires some fudging. “It’s two weeks, and you would have a chance to meet several people in the industry. There’s also no charge.” That isn’t true either, but I can make Jake pay the fee later.

Josie’s eyes bulge with excitement. “Are you for real right now?”

“Quite real,” I say.

“I think we’ve found a solution,” Julia says, changing the subject. “Did I mention signing up for a painting class at the adult community education center? It’s one evening a week and seemed like fun.”

I pick up her hint and say, “That sounds exciting. Tell us about it.”

∞∞∞

I change into a matching pajama top and shorts in his childhood bedroom. Jake, wearing only a pair of gym shorts, leans against the dresser with his arms crossed, watching me.

He’s been pleasant since dinner, but my interruption bothers him.

“Your childhood room is still your childhood room,” I say. “The trains are unexpected.”

“Trains are cool. Who doesn’t like trains?”

One cream wall has train posters. The others are classic motorsports, with cars and drivers from several decades ago. His room also has a kid-sized dresser to match his narrow bed and little else.

“I figured you would update it at some point.”

“Why? This room was where I slept and nothing else. I built and raced my equipment, leaving no time for hanging out in a bedroom. Why waste time on interior decorating?”

The image of teenager Jake measuring for curtains and putting paint samples on the walls is hilarious.

Jake signed his first big contract at sixteen. Although he may have been a high school student, he was already a full-time worker.

“Where are we going to sleep?”

Jake slaps his chest. “Body pillow right here.”

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