Page 32 of Kayden: The Past
“Great idea,” she said with noodles hanging out of her mouth.
We walked the neighborhood and grabbed a cup of coffee down the street to keep us warm. I held her hand and never let go during our walk. I felt complete with her by my side.
Danielle found a job at a small bar down the street. The tips weren’t as great as the place in Cleveland, but it filled her days and made her happy. I made great money, more than I did as an assistant manager at the cell phone store. I would drink when I was home alone at night. It was the worst part of her job, working evenings. Our time together began to be minimal over the following weeks. I’d feel her crawl into bed and wrap her arms around me. Sometimes I’d hear her sniff me, trying to smell the alcohol that was undoubtedly on my breath.
Danielle didn’t drink anymore, but she still smoked pot. We’d smoked it together since coming to St. Louis. I only smoked it with her, preferring to turn to my drink of choice instead. I was happy that Danielle was with me, but the invisible distance between us didn’t disappear. She wasn’t entirely whole; she had lost more than a child that day.
I walked into the cable warehouse to grab my supplies and tried to think of ways to get it back: our love, the groove, the thing that drove me to her to begin with.
“Kayden,” my boss yelled across the warehouse.
“Yo.” I turned and headed in the direction of the voice.
“Get your ass over here, now.” He usually wasn’t so demanding and rarely yelled.
“What’s up, boss?” I walked up to his office door and saw a police officer inside waiting in a chair. “What happened?” I’d never seen a cop here before.
“You, kid. Do you remember getting a ticket a while back?” he stared at me.
My mouth instantly went dry. “I do now, but shit, I forgot all about it.”
“Well, the cops haven’t. You missed your court date, and a warrant was issued for your arrest, Kayden.” He shook his head in total disbelief.
“Fuck, I totally forgot about it. Can’t I just pay the fine or some shit?”
“I don’t know, you’d have to ask him.” He motioned to the man waiting in his office.
“Damn it! This is the last fucking thing I need right now.”
My boss knocked on the window, and the cop stood up and walked out of the tiny room. “Mr. Michaels?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“There’s a warrant for your arrest. I need to take you in, son.” I wanted to ask if this was the best use of law enforcement time, but I kept that tidbit to myself.
“Can’t I pay the fine or something? I have a big day of work ahead of me. This will put me behind.” The thought of having to spend countless hours at the police station made my stomach twist.
“Sorry, you’ll have to come with me. I can read you your rights outside to avoid any further embarrassment.”
Well, thank God for small miracles. Who needs embarrassment? Everyone already overheard our conversation and knew what was happening. He didn’t spare me anything with his generous offer.
He followed me outside, read me my rights, and placed me in the back of the police cruiser. Danielle would be livid with me, and I dreaded having to make that phone call. This wasn’t an easy in and out. Arrest meant I’d have to go in front of the judge. I knew the routine all too well.
It took hours to have my fingerprints completed, go through booking, and get a fresh set of itchy jail clothing to wear. I’d see the judge at nine a.m. tomorrow morning, and I’d find out if I could pay a fine and be released. This was ridiculous for a simple traffic ticket. Missing court wasn’t intentional on my part. I simply forgot about the entire incident. I had to call Danielle and break the news to her.
“Danielle, baby?”
“What’s up, Kayden? I was just leaving for work.” She sounded like she was rushing around as I heard glasses clinking together.
“I have a tiny problem.” I wanted to puke having to tell her this. How could I say it without her getting mad at me? I couldn’t think of anything, totally blank.
“What now?” The now was drawn-out and snarky.
“Um, well, I forgot to pay a ticket that I got when I first moved here. The cops were at my work this morning, and I’m in jail waiting to see the judge.”
“What the fuck? Are you serious?”
“Baby, I wouldn’t kid about something like this. I swear to God.”
