Just close your eyes
And create yourself a better life
Let the wind blow through your hair
Let the music take you there
And make a better life, a better life

I sat on the steps of the grange with Tony as Frank paced back and forth, kicking at the rocks and dirt. We were bathed in the lights of two police cars and an ambulance. The strobing was annoying but in a way it was therapeutic and allowed me to clear my mind of the events that occurred over the past thirty minutes. At least I wished it would have. I had to stand back and watch April scream and shout about how the three of us, without any reason, had attacked her and her boyfriend.
The “boyfriend” line was what sent Frank into trying to dig a hole to the oceans around Madagascar. He never said anything as April railed on us.

“I can’t believe this,” I muttered with my head and my hands.
“It happens. The truth gets obscured by emotion.”
I looked at Tony for a moment and felt the gallows of guilt build up.
“But, emotions can also save us, you know?”
“Are they ever going to talk to us?”
“I’ve always felt it best to let your adversary talk. They eventually dig themselves into a hole. I’ve been in a car accident or two.”
“I’d rather be in one of those than this,” I replied as the ambulance rolled out of the parking lot. “I guess John’s going to the hospital.”
“Looks like it. I should have just thrown him to the ground.”
Two police officers came over to our direction. One stopped in front of Frank and the other walked over to the steps.

“Mr. Russo, can you tell me what happened?”
“That crazy bitch stole my truck. Brought some guy I’ve never seen and they start some shit. Well, she’s been starting shit ever since I met her. The girl’s a psycho!”
The other officer, like us, watched Frank as he tried not to explode.
“She had the guts to write a threatening note to my friend,” he pointed back at me, “and tried to blame it on someone else!”

Mr. Cain stepped up between all of us, bridging the gap between the stages.

“I didn’t mean to hold onto him so hard, but he was going to hurt someday, like one of us,” Tony volunteered.
The officer nodded as he wrote something in his notebook. “Do you know Mr. Lucas?”
“I assume that’s John?”
“Yes,” the office replied.
“She locked the door and peeled out. I mean, look at these tires!”
We once again looked back at Frank.
“The tires are not why I’m so pissed!”
I got up from the steps and ran over Frank. He turned to me with a tear-streaked face.
“I loved her, Jo. I thought she felt the same.”
“It’s okay, Frank,” I tried to console him, but he refused to look at me. “Look at me.”
“I feel so stupid. I’m going to the big joke on campus on Monday.”
“You were in a fight man. Instant social credit!” Tony yelled.
Tony was right. Considering the earlier spectate we performed, everyone would be asking him about what happened, if anyone of us needed to be bailed out, or if we knew the name of a good lawyer.
Mr. Cain rolled his eyes and buried his head in his hands.
The officers walked away from us and into the darkness.
Frank walked back with me to the steps.
“My dad’s still going to kill me. I might as well tell him it’s totaled.”
“You could tell him about how you fought against a formidable opponent.”
“A girl?” Frank replied.
“Yeah, one who fought dirty,” I said. “Speaking of dying. What time is it?”
Tony looked at his watch and then to me. “We have five minutes to get home. How good is your dad’s aim?”
I looked to the police officers and wished they hadn’t whisked April and John away so fast. I wanted to know the reason she hated me so much. What had I done to her? It wasn’t that I was a friend to Frank. No, there had to be some deep-seated hatred that she focused on. I knew it wasn’t my fault but the frustration of not knowing gnawed at my soul and also made me want to get two more pink and blue keychain for my backpack.
The officers walked back to us.
“Considering the situation with Miss Sullivan stealing a vehicle and Mr. Lucas being over eighteen, we’re going to let you leave to get home.”
“We’ll talk about this on Monday, Mr. Russo, Mr. Reich and Miss Peterson.”
We all replied to Mr. Cain and the officers with most respect we could give as walked over to the truck.
“Can you bring me by here tomorrow?” Tony asked Frank. “I’ll have to get a few things to fix my tires.”
“If I’m alive tomorrow.”
“Just tell your dad what happened, and they’ll want to go to the area hospitals to, you know ‘talk’ to John.”
“Don’t give him any ideas,” I replied.
“Already thinking about. You gave it to my earlier.”
“I’m sorry for mentioning that.”
Frank walked to the driver’s side; Tony and I walked around to the back.
“Anthony.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for holding that guy back.”
Tony nodded as the two of them looked at me.
“One more thing,” Frank shouted as he pointed a finger at me.
“Treat her right, or I’ll have to try and kick your ass.”
“I believe it,” Tony replied with a smile towards me.