All That Matters

Most Sunday afternoons in Brattleboro, Vermont were for enjoying the last bit of relaxation from the weekend. Usually, streets were lined with lawn chairs occupied by men and women who were greasy with suntan lotion, wearing floppy sun hats, and reading fashion magazines.

This Sunday afternoon was quite different. Although the sun was shining, the air was filled with a curious feel and the occasional pedestrian experienced an eerie sensation that urged them to walk a little faster and pull their cap down a little lower to block the chill. On this particular Sunday afternoon, 2 families in Brattleboro, Vermont were enjoying their final time together.

Jack: I concluded the cold was messing with my head as I pedaled up Highland Road. My brain was racing. Everyone locked up is there for a reason. No matter what I tried to convince myself, I just couldn’t picture my completely normal, baseball-loving, binge-watching, barbecue perfectionist dad in jail! What had he done?

As I reached the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, I parked my bike and thought about a question I was going to ask my mom. The question. As I entered the automatic sliding doors, a whiff of sterile air flooded my nose. I made my way down the white shining hallways to my mom’s workroom.

“Hey Sweetie!” she said when she saw me. “I was just wrapping up. I was thinking we could grab some food on the way home. Does Benji’s sound okay?”

“Sure,” I answered unenthusiastically.

“How was school? What’s wrong?” This was the perfect moment and I was done with hiding my question inside. I was like a volcano ready to burst!

“Well, I want to ask-” BRRING! BRRING! The loudspeaker came to life and announced that help was needed in room C23. Mom raced out of the room. Great! I thought. Just when I was ready, my words were swept up into the chaos as another patient needed my mother. My mother. No one needed her more than I did.

Nelman: The new jailbird was okay. I mean, he wasn’t an Al Capone but at least he wasn’t a total freak. When I first caught a glance of the new guy, he was collecting his ration of soap and toothpaste. Honestly, I thought he was a new guard or some worker because he was wearing a business suit. Had the shoes and even a tie.

Us locals looked up from our game of poker and Willie gave a low whistle. “We got ourselves a real high rider in town,” he said as we chuckled. That night as I sat in bed, I thought about the new guy. He looked almost too professional to be in the clink. Maybe he was just a clever dude who stole some high dollar clothes and robbed a bank. I’d heard about those kinds from the crooks who get transferred to the Brattleboro County Jail. The men who travel are always bringin’ new gossip like a rolling freight train.

Charlotte:  “Dinner is ready,” I announce as the screen door flies open. My mom enters, tired from her long day of work.

“Am I smelling spaghetti or lasagna tonight?”

“Actually homemade pizza. What time does dad get home?”

“Oh around 7, I suppose. Let’s eat though.”

As we eat dinner, mom and I talk about her job and how her coworker Jose has been trying to make a deal with her that involves stealing money from the IRS. When I hear this, I immediately tell mom to not do this deal because if she is to get caught, she could end up going to jail. As we talk more about the subject, she starts to convince me that this could be what’s best for our family and her company which is facing a fast downward fall.

“You see Charlotte, my company has been losing money at a rapid pace. If we pull this deal through, we could use the money to pay back our debt and get our business rolling again. Then, it will take only a few weeks to pay back the money we borrowed and we will be as good as new.”

“And how are you supposed to do this?”

“Through our blackbot’s computer system. It has recently found data relating to the IRS that could save both Jose’s and our family.” I am silent for a couple of minutes. Thoughts race through my head. I don’t want mom to go to jail but our family has been struggling for a while and the extra money would be nice. All night, images bounce around in my head. My mom wearing an orange jumpsuit, our family being able to go to Disneyland for spring break, and back to the images of my mom, sitting in a county jail cell.

Jack: Driving to Benji’s, I try to distract myself using the hard decision of picking french fries or onion rings, but the question just keeps flooding my brain. I don’t want to spoil the one night we aren’t having a frozen meal for dinner. Now without dad bringing home his share of income, we will probably be eating Ramen Noodles for all three meals. As we sit at the checkered booth, there is definitely an elephant in the room. We talk awkwardly about school and the patient mom is taking care of. We sit like this until our waitress offers dessert and I have to let it out. After she takes our orders, I just say it.

“What did he do?” Mom looks away for a second and back at me. Her lips tremble but finally, she speaks.

“Honey, it’s very complicated. I will be meeting with a lawyer tomorrow to discuss things further. I will let you know how it goes but please Jack. Do not worry because I am going to make sure that everything ends up okay.” I stare at the cracked tiles on the floor, noticing how they are old and broken but somehow, they still work. My heart is crushed like an old tile but somehow, I am getting through life just okay.

Charlotte: Last night felt like it went on forever. When dad finally got home and tucked me into bed, I was exhausted. I fell right asleep and dreamed of flying in an airplane. In my dream, my family was headed to Disneyland. When we reached the park, the gates were closed and there were sirens and people yelling. I woke up and remembered it was just a dream. I laid in bed for a while, my heart’s pace slowing down from the frightening dream. Just as I am drifting off again, I hear more sirens. I pinch myself to make sure it is real this time. Flashing lights stream in through the blinds and I rush to the window to see what is happening.

Two large men get out of a police car and walk up to our front door. I am too scared to go downstairs, I wait until I hear my dad open the front door. I can’t hear what they are saying but then my mom walks to the door. The police officer with a beard points at her and they talk for a few minutes. The noises rise and soon they are arguing. Dad steps out of the way as the beard man grabs my mother’s arms. He pulls out a pair of handcuffs and I scream. Is she being arrested? I run down the stairs, three steps at a time. “Mom!” I yell. As I reach the doorway, the car drives away and I am swept into my father’s arms and forcefully carried to bed.

Jack: Those few serious words my mother spoke at Benji’s made me feel better at the moment but it seemed impossible for me not to wonder. I wake up the next morning to find my window dripping with rain. I hurriedly get ready for school and pull my raincoat up to protect my backpack. Like normal, I sit alone on the bus. I rush to my first class at Brattleboro High School, trying to not slip on the puddles of water in the hallway, brought in by the crowds of children wet from the rain. A bell rings and Mr. Samuel begins. “Alright, class. We are going to begin by switching seats.”

Everyone in the class rolls their eyes with annoyance. I am moved next to Charlotte of all people. Her know-it-all attitude drives me up a wall. After the seating arrangements are mixed, we take notes on the Civil War and surprisingly, Charlotte is silent during class, which seems like a miracle.

Nelman: In the history of Brattleboro County Jail, there has never been a woman behind bars. This changed last night when a tall woman with blond hair was escorted to a cell by police. I didn’t see her until I woke up this morning. As we stood in line waiting for our breakfast in the cafeteria, the new lady kept eying the guy from the day before. They sat at a table together and ate their plate of ham and vegetables. I was feeling curious so I walked over to their meeting spot. I listened as they realized that their children went to the same high school. When I sat down, the conversation stopped and they looked at me awkwardly. “So what’s y’all’s story,” I said breaking the ice between us.

Jack: Although I was relieved at first to not hear Charlotte’s remarks, I could tell that she was not her normal self. I tried to confront her at lunch and she just shook her head. On the bus home, I walked through the aisle. I noticed Charlotte had an empty seat next to her so I decided to sit down. “Charlotte, is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” she replied without hesitation. “Don’t worry about it, I am fine.” We sat in silence for a little while until the bus driver flashed that we were near my street.

“Nice seeing you, Charlotte! If you need to talk, I’m here.” I called, swinging my bag over my shoulder.

“Yeah, see ya,” Charlotte looked away.

Charlotte: When I get home, I go directly to my bedroom, knowing dad won’t be home till later. I pull out my notebooks and begin to read my textbook by I simply cannot focus. My mind is racing with my day at school and Jack’s concern towards me. He obviously noticed something was wrong with me but how could I tell him my mom was in jail? I didn’t even want to think about it myself. After I hastily complete my math homework, I begin to think about how nice it would feel to have someone there for me. To have someone that I could trust and get support from right now. I remember Jacks comment about him being there if I needed to talk. Maybe Jack really was worried about me. He had winked at me on the bus and it made me feel that he really cared. Maybe I should let him know what happened.

4:41 pm Real Time Messaging

CHARLOTTE: can I trust u?

JACK: yes?

CHARLOTTE: no, this is serious. u can’t tell any1

JACK: i wont. what is it?

CHARLOTTE: my mom went to jail last night.

JACK: omg! 4 what

CHARLOTTE: I have no idea. she was talking about this irs thing last night but idk?!

JACK: can i trust u?

CHARLOTTE: yes. as long as you dont tell ANYONE about this

My heart is racing but telling someone feels so good. I wonder what Jack’s secret is but he isn’t responding. Finally, he messages me back.

4:46 pm Real Time Messaging

JACK: my dad is in jail 2.

CHARLOTTE: r u serious? this is weird. do u know why he is?

JACK: no. my mom met w a layer today so i will ask her. i have 2 go!

CHARLOTTE: k bye. we have 2 do something. c u later

JACK: lets talk tomorrow. bye.

Jack: I slowly set my phone down. My heart is beating and  I can’t believe I told Charlotte. I finish my homework in a snap and rush downstairs ready to take in the smell of my mother’s wonderful cooking. I run down the stairs only to find the kitchen empty. “Mom?” Where is she? It is already 5:15 and she was supposed to be off work at 5! I call her only to be greeted by her voicemail. My palms are sweaty and I feel dizzy.

Charlotte: The next day, I walk up the stairs of the bus, hoping to see Jack in the chaos. When I see him sitting alone, I hurry towards the back of the bus, with hope and excitement filling my body. “Thanks for last night. It felt nice to tell someone,” Jack started as I sit down.

“Yeah, it really did. Listen, we need to think about something we can do,” I reply.

“I understand what you are saying, Charlotte, but first we need to find out what they did.” Jack looks uneasy but I see where he is coming from. They could be in jail for something serious.

“Okay, why don’t each of us try to find out tonight and we can go from there.”

“Sounds good.” He winks at me.

The rest of the day is normal and the only thing to lift my heavy spirits are the cupcakes for Suzette’s birthday. As we ride home in silence, I think about what my mom is doing. Is she being fed? Does she have a cell? The thought of my mom in a cell with thick bars makes me shiver.

Nelman: When the two newbies told me that they both had kids, it broke my heart. Their kids didn’t even know where they were or why they were here. As I got to know Jim, I found out he really was a businessman and not a clever crook dressed like one. He was put in jail for an expired car registration, a very lame crime to go to jail for in my opinion. The funny thing is, most people think jail is unusually exciting and full of murderers and robbers. Really, most of our sentences are pretty boring things. The new woman, Lisa, was busted for stealing money from the IRS.

Charlotte: Usually after school, I do my homework, make myself dinner, and watch tv but tonight I am determined to talk to my dad, even if he gets home at 11pm. I start off by finishing my homework and I decide to text Jack before my phone dies.

5:06 Real Time Messaging

Charlotte: Hey, have you figured it out yet?

Jack: Yeah, it’s pretty lousy tho. Last night, my mom wasn’t home so I got really worried and fell asleep. When I woke up, she had left for work again but there was a note explaining the whole thing. She knew I was very curious.

Charlotte: C’mon. Tell me!

Jack: He was arrested for an expired car registration

Charlotte: That’s pretty lucky though, he’ll be out in no time

Jack: I wish, the trial is in December. 1 whole month! Unless we can find the money to bail him out.

Jack: Charlotte? Where’d you go?

Charlotte: When I see the headlights through the window, I leave Jack’s message and rush downstairs to meet dad at the door. “Hi, dad. We need to talk,” I start before he can protest.

“Okay honey, but what are you doing awake at this hour?”

Jack: I try to hide my beaming smile as I get onto the bus, I don’t want to make Charlotte feel bad. When I reach our seat, not only is Charlotte smiling but she launches herself into my arms. She whispers into my ear, “They are coming home!”

“Lisa too?” I ask cautiously, not wanting to upset Charlotte if it isn’t the truth. Her eyes sparkle with delight and she burst out laughing.

“No kidding! Did you not know? They both are!” At that moment, I think my head is going to explode with happiness! Both of them are free! They are going to be home! As we leave the bus, Charlotte winks.

Nelman: I discreetly wipe my eyes, hoping nobody notices I am emotional. Lisa and Jim give everyone a quick hug after packing their bags up. We wave as they get into the car and drive away. The rest of the evening, I think about their families reuniting. The colossal smile on the kids’ faces as they looked towards the front door. It is like a movie in my head playing over and over.

Charlotte: “Can you pass the salt mom?” Our families sit around the table long after the food is gone. We talk about the last week and how it has screwed up everyone’s life. When Jack and I get up to clear the plates, the doorbell rings, which is uncommon at 7pm. I open the door to find an older looking man in a professional outfit carrying a briefcase. “Can I help you?” I ask.

“I came here to speak with Lisa and Jim. Are they available?”

“Let me check,” I answer. On the way back to the kitchen, I nudge Jack. “There is this guy at the door who wants to talk to our parents.”

When Jim and mom enter the foyer, I am surprised to see their glowing faces. They shake hands with the man standing at the door.

“I came to let you and your families know that everything has been settled and it was my pleasure to work with you all,” he says. At this moment, I know everything is okay. The man is thanked and we sit back down.

I look around the table, my heart filled with warmth. I close my eyes and take a breath. I am with everyone I need right at this moment, and that is all that matters.