Page 275 of Something Rad
He tries to pick up where he left off, but he never fully recovers, shaking and stumbling through the next few steps. It’s less than convincing, and it sends my stomach sinking straight to my toes.
“I’ve seen enough,” Office Strothers says.
Robbie swallows, straightening out his jacket, and, even from here, as best as he’s trying to hide it, I can see he’s shaken. And it has a lump settling in my throat so tight that it’s painful.
“So, can we go?” Robbie asks.
Office Strothers is quiet for a moment. “Hold out your arms to the side, son.”
I’m confused by the instruction, and clearly so is Robbie by the look on his face, but he does as he’s told. As soon as Robbie’s arms are up at his side, the officer moves to stand behind him, and, when he reaches out, patting at Robbie’s sides with both of his hands, I feel my knees start to give out. I stand there, helpless, only able to watch Robbie’s face as he realizes what’s happening. What’s about to happen.
Office Strothers continues to move down, patting Robbie in search until he reaches his lower waist, his hand coming straight over top of the rectangular shape in Robbie’s jacket pocket. I feel the breath slowly leave my lungs as he pulls back Robbie’s jacket, reaching inside the pocket and pulling out the flask.
“And what’s this?” he asks Robbie, not even attempting to conceal the look of triumph on his face.
Robbie clears his throat, glancing over at me before looking back to the officer in front of him. “Gatorade,” he says, shrugging. “You know, gotta keep the electrolytes up.”
Office Strothers uncaps the flask, taking a sniff of it. “Doesn’t smell like there’s many electrolytes in here to me, kid.”
“You’d be surprised,” Robbie mutters.
“Hmm,” the officer hums, recapping the flask. “Right, well, I think we’re gonna have to examine this a little more closely. Down at the station.”
I can’t stop them. Tears stream down my face. I start to move towards him, but Robbie shoots me a look that stops me in my tracks.
“Is that really necessary?” Robbie asks, his cool demeanor finally wavering.
“Afraid so,” Office Strothers says. “Turn around, son.”
Robbie’s jaw flexes as he gives him his back. Office Strothers doesn’t take any time, pulling both of his arms together and snapping handcuffs onto Robbie.
“And, now, if you don’t mind. I’m just gonna need to take a look inside your car,” Officer Strothers says, patting Robbie’s shoulder. “Just to make sure we got all theGatorade.”
Finally able to speak, I stand my ground. “You can’t just do that,” I cry.
“Actually, Miss, I can,” the officer says, giving me a patronizing look as he opens Robbie’s driver’s side door. He sits down in Robbie’s seat, and the sight alone sends me into a blinding rage, making me step back from the car. It feels like he’s invading Robbie’s space.Ourspace.
“But you–”
“Cooper, it’s fine,” Robbie insists. “Just let him have his fun.” Officer Strothers seems to be ignoring us, looking under Robbie’s seats with his flashlight and digging around in the back floorboards. “There’s nothing in there to find anyways.”
I drop my face into my hands, shaking my head, trying to retrace the steps of our night to understand how we could have possibly gotten here. I hear the click of a glove box opening as I run a hand down my face, surely smearing my already half wrecked makeup.
“Huh. Nothing to find, you say?” Officer Strothers asks.
“That’s what I said,” Robbie confirms, all niceties gone from his voice.
“Well, kid, then what’s this?”
It feels like all the blood in my veins freezes as I pull my hands from my face, slowly bending down to look inside of Robbie’s car. To where Office Strothers is leaned over into the passenger seat, one hand in Robbie’s open glove box, and the other raised, holding up the same joint he’s had in there for months.
“Oh my God,” I breathe, barely audible.
This isn’t happening.
Office Strothers whistles, stepping back out of the car. “Yep, we are definitely gonna have to take a trip to the station.”
I can’t breathe.
