Page 34 of Beyond Perfect

“Then it’s about time to do it. Go on, live a little.”

“With you in here?”

“Yeah, we wanna watch.”

Buck went to the bed and yanked out the gag. He turned back. “Go on, Jacko.”

Jackson didn’t take off his pants. Or shoes. He unzipped and tried to push into her. “Give yourself some love, first. Activate your pecker.”

Jackson rubbed his penis until it was hard.

“Now open her up and plunge in.”

Her screams echoed in the room, and the boys laughed…

Oh, God, oh God, oh God. He couldn’t stand this. He’d spent a lifetime trying to repress these memories. Still, they kept coming…

Jackson was fifteen now, and old enough to drive, though not in the eyes of the law. “Pull up to the jewelry store. We be in and out.”

“Sure thing, Buck.” He parked the car. The guys got out. He wished he had a joint or a hit of heroine to calm his nerves. Finally, they came running out.

A shrieking from the store. The alarm. They scrambled into the car, laughing. “Get goin’, Jacko.”

The tires screeched as Jackson tore out.

“Faster.”

He upped the speed.

“More.”

The car was nearly uncontrollable. His hands fisted on the wheel. A few blocks away a woman raced across the road. The car hit her and she flew to the side of the road. No, no. He swerved to pull over.

Buck grabbed the wheel. “Whatcha doin’ You knocked off a lady, Jacko. Good goin’.”

Bile rose in Jackson’s stomach. He swallowed it back…and kept driving…

The next day, he searched the police database—he had mad-cool computer skills--and found a call that came in right after the jewelry theft.

Woman hit by a car on Main Street. DOA.

DOA. DOA. DOA.

Now, Jackson bolted off the bed, no longer tired. Crossing to the living room shelving, he removed a bottle of whiskey that he indulged in once and a while.

He took a swig

More. And even more.

* * *

Maisy smiled over at Freddie. Dressed in Batman pajamas, he’d fallen asleep next to Caleb on the couch.Cyberchase, something her brother found on the Internet recommended for six-year-olds, played on the television. Caleb had his arm around the boy.

For the hundredth time, she wondered what the hell she’d gotten them into? No one had come from DFS but she’d probably hear from them tomorrow. Well, she was suspended from work, so she’d be home all day with him.

“What are you thinking?” Caleb asked.

There hadn’t been much private time to talk at any length.

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