I see Toby's tiredness drop away as he becomes fuelled with anger.
He sprints after Dale with athletic speed. Dale, unaware of Toby's chase, is taken down by his swift tackle to the ground. "Wow, that was impressive Tobes," whispers Casey to herself.
My parents run toward them, yelling over each other; their chaotic words merge with Toby and Dale's grinding grunts, creating a riot of violent sound as the boys fight for supremacy.
Casey takes my arm, "Come Kirk, let's go inside; it's best to let your folks sort them out." I read a kind of helplessness in her tone.
Once inside we hear the noise lower and change to a kind of calm rationale.
I read a look of slight relief sweep across Casey's face when she notes the violent noise subside. She flops onto the couch and checks her phone, "I guess I've got away with my night away – Mom would've called if she'd noticed me missing." She lays her head back and closes her eyes, "I ain't going to school today," she says, with a weary drawl. Within moments I notice her slip into the depths of sleep.
Casey's face looks different in sleep. All her human worries disappear, leaving a look I read as pure peace and beauty.
As I watch her slumber, I'm reminded of how sleep is a source of solace and recovery for mortal beings. For a moment I feel the slightest hint of calm and contentment.
Of course, this feeling doesn't last long. No, the storm of reanimate existence slams into my parent's living space, causing Casey to wake with a jolt of lightening and scream of thunder.
It's Mom. She doesn't apologise for Casey's rude awakening. Instead, she barks an order, with a tone I read as urgent, "Casey, get down to the basement – tell Jess not to come up; the cops will be here in a half hour. It'll look suspicious if all three of you are here." She turns her attention to me, "Come Kirk, I need to get you looking human real fast." She says this with a sober authority. Mom's back from the brink.
......
The Officer listens to Dale's voice on Casey's phone three times. I read a confused/concerned look on his face. He thinks before he speaks, "OK folks, this certainly affects Dale's accusation of non-aggravated assault against Kirk. We need to reassess his complaint. I'll report this back to the station; in the mean time I'll have Dale cautioned." He looks at my two tired friends Toby and Casey, "I need to ask you guys to sort this feud out yourselves. We can't waste any further Police time on teenage fights – you understand that?" He asks. They nod a weary yes.
......
Mom stops the Officer on his way out, "Does this mean Kirk won't have to be visited by the Probation Officer or have his medical?" The Officer answers with authority, "I can cancel the Probation Officer. But he'll need the medical due to his drug ingestion; that's dealt with by another department. But I'll request his medical be held at home; that'll be best given Kirk's disability," he says, with a look I read as supportive.
......
"Tobes, you were total amazeballs," says Casey, embracing him hard. Mom joins the hug, "You were mega, macho and magnificent!" she says, with appreciation.
Dad interjects, "That was impressive Toby. Holding Dale down showed strength, but deleting Kirk's picture from his phone at the same time, well – that demonstrated real commitment!"
Toby smiles big, "Mega, macho and magnificent! I like that Mrs Russel – a lot."
......
Jess is mad she missed the action. But understands it would have looked suspicious if all three of my friends were here, especially as her case is still hot.
