Page 60 of Her Cadillac Cowboy
“Well, not that night he took you out. When he got home he punched a hole in the wall.”
“Did he hit you?”
“Naw, Josh wouldn’t do nuthin’ like that. But that night we ate in your office. When he came back to the center, he pounded nails for four hours before he remembered I had school the next day.”
“Does he do that often?”
“Naw, he don’t see you that much.” Will fell silent.
Sara waited a moment. “Is there something else?”
“I dunno.” The boy hung his head. “I mean, I wish you liked him more.”
She blinked. “You think I don’t like him?”
Will looked back up at her. “Don’t see how you can. He gets all hot and bothered about you even when you’re not around.”
“I’m not certain what you mean by hot and bothered.”
“Well, see, he’s taking a lot of cold showers, and he probably wouldn’t have to if you liked him more.”
Sara swallowed laughter. “Ah, you mean you think I should have sex with him?”
Will’s face turned red. “Jeez, why’d y’ have to go and say that? Now I’ll have the image of two geezers dippin’ the corn dog. Makes me wanna hurl.
She had to turn away for a moment to maintain a straight face. When she had herself under control, she shifted back to Will. “I apologize for that. But let me assure you that I like Josh just fine.”
“Then why won’t you…?”
“Because there’s more to liking someone than sex.”
“Like what?”
“It’s hard to explain, and honestly I think it might be better coming from another guy. You’d better talk to Josh about it.
“No effing way. He ain’t happy when someone crowds him.”
“That’s true for most of us, Will.” Sara saw an opportunity. “I hope you’ll realize that I’m not trying to crowd you when I ask if you’ll name the other boys who were with you the night we met.”
Will twisted in his chair. “I can’t rat them out, Ms. Carson. That’s not right.”
The boy had a point. “True. Loyalty is important among friends. But other things are important too. Sometimes we have to choose.”
Will wrinkled his forehead and curled his mouth into a thoughtful frown. “You mean that telling could help my friends?”
“Well, aren’t you happier now than you were?”
“Yeah, sorta.”
“Maybe those boys would be happier too?”
“I dunno. Can I think about it?”
“Sure, Will. I know you’ll figure out the right thing to do. You’re a very smart kid.”
At her words, the boy beamed. “Think so?”
“I know so.”
