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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I watched them load Ricky into the squad vehicle from the porch. He wouldn\u2019t look at me no matter how many times I yelled his name since his wrists were tied and his head was down.<\/p>\n
The child is good. Good yet stubborn like his father. He made mistakes\u2014what fifteen-year-old doesn\u2019t? I knew he wasn\u2019t a criminal instinctively.<\/p>\n
The tall, late-30s cop with weary eyes hardly looked at me as he closed the door. \u201cHe\u2019ll be booked downtown, ma\u2019am,\u201d he added. \u201cYou\u2019ll see him soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, they drove away.<\/p>\n
After then, the home was too quiet. I waited in the window chair for a call, knock, or anything. Hours passed with nothing.<\/p>\n
A knock at the door came late that night.<\/p>\n
The officer. Alone.<\/p>\n
My body tightened. Where\u2019s Ricky?<\/p>\n
Jaw constricted. \u201cHe\u2019s processed.\u201d He breathed out after a pause. \u201cMs. Halloway\u2026 Something you should know.\u201d<\/p>\n
I frowned. \u201cWhat are you discussing?\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused. I scarcely recognized his voice as he replied, \u201cI arrested the wrong kid.\u201d<\/p>\n
My heart stopped.<\/p>\n
Before I could absorb, he said, \u201cAnd I think I know who set him up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grabbing the doorframe stabilized myself. \u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d<\/p>\n
The cop, whose name tag read \u201cR. Daniels,\u201d entered and closed the door. We found planted evidence in Ricky\u2019s bag. It wasn\u2019t obvious, but it seemed wrong. Security cameras around the area showed someone sliding something into his bag.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d My voice whispered.<\/p>\n
Daniels sharply exhaled. A boy called Troy Baxter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Closed my eyes. The name was familiar. While Troy was Ricky\u2019s best friend for years, their relationship had worsened. Ricky informed me Troy was running with violent people and getting into problems. When Ricky refused, they fought. I never thought it would end this way.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
He did that\u2014why? I requested.<\/p>\n
Shaking his head, Daniels We don\u2019t know, but I think he was protecting himself or someone else. Took him in for questioning. Nervous, he tripped over his words.\u201d He paused. \u201cI wanted to come here before I did something I should have done earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n
And what\u2019s that?<\/p>\n
\u201cGet Ricky out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tears obscured eyesight. \u201cPlease return my grandson.\u201d<\/p>\n
The phone rang after midnight. Picked up before the first ring. \u201cMs. Halloway? It\u2019s Daniel. Ricky is coming home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Relief nearly made me kneel. \u201cThank you,\u201d I muttered.<\/p>\n
Twenty minutes later, a squad vehicle entered the driveway. Ricky exited through the rear door. Despite looking fatigued, his face collapsed as he saw me. I hugged him tightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything, Grandma,\u201d he sobbed. \u201cI swear.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, sweetheart,\u201d I whispered. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniels saw us from nearby. He said, \u201cTroy confessed. He said bigger kids made him do it. They threatened him for not framing Ricky. Now we\u2019re looking for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
I retreated to see my grandchild. \u201cSee now, Ricky? I constantly warn you to be careful who you trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Red-eyed, he nodded. \u201cYeah. Now I see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ricky returned to school a week later, but things were different. He fought to overcome the stigma of being detained while youngsters spoke about him. He also became more cautious and attentive. He studied more at home and helped me around the house. He didn\u2019t want to invite further uncertainty.<\/p>\n
Daniels came one night. Not in uniform this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cMind if I sit?\u201d he inquired, gesturing to the porch swing.<\/p>\n
I grinned. \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n
He sighed and sat. \u201cThe kids who made Troy do it? Caught them. They used minors for months to perform their dirty work. You grandson\u2019s situation helped us solve something bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shaking my head. \u201cToo much trouble for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot nothing,\u201d he said. Richard has a clean record. He\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked toward the house, where Ricky was doing homework at the kitchen table. \u201cYes,\u201d I answered. \u201cI think he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniels paused before saying, \u201cI wanted to apologize again. Before cuffing him, I should have looked closer. My responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at him before nodding. We all make errors, Officer Daniels. What happens after matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
He grinned slightly. I appreciate that, Ms. Halloway.\u201d<\/p>\n
I listened to the night\u2019s peaceful hum in my chair after he gone. This was a dreadful experience, but I knew Ricky and perhaps Daniels had learnt something.<\/p>\n
Life teaches us things in the harshest ways. However, if we listen and learn, we may emerge stronger.<\/p>\n
Share this touching tale. You never know who needs to hear it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I watched them load Ricky into the squad vehicle from the porch. He wouldn\u2019t look at me no matter how many times I yelled his name since… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25170,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n