Page 44 of Sin Wagon
She moves to sit down next to me, taking my hands in hers. “It’s going to be okay, son. This isn’t the end of your story. It’s the dramatic middle where you think it won’t work out, but it does.”
“Mom,” I groan, rolling my eyes. “This isn’t one of your rom-coms or cheesy love stories. This is my life. I know it doesn’t make sense, but I really thought this was it for me. That she was it for me. Instead, I’m once again pining over someone I can’t find.”
“But you can find her, Wells. We have her number, and I’m sure her address is just an internet click away.”
“I don’t know,” I sigh.
“You’re in love, Wells. Don’t lose it over stubbornness. That girl has a lot going on right now. She just needs a firm hand and someone who won’t give up on her.”
A sudden knock on the door startles both of us.
“This is the Florida State Police. Open up!”
We look at each other, confusion written all over our faces. What the hell?
My dad steps out of the bedroom with Jonas on his heels. He opens the door and the police step inside.
“We’re looking for Jonas Covington,” one officer says.
“That’s me,” Jonas replies, his confusion mirroring ours. “What’s this about?”
They waste no time cuffing him. “You’re under arrest.”
“Now, you can’t do that,” my dad protests, stepping forward. “What is this about? My son has done nothing wrong.”
“Sir, please step back,” another officer says, holding out his hand to keep my dad from intervening. “Jonas Covington, you’re under arrest for the battery of Claudia Salahan.”
“What? That’s ridiculous!” Jonas exclaims, struggling against the cuffs. “I did nothing of the sort!”
My mom gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. I feel as if someone has ripped the ground out from under me. First Delilah, and now this. How much more can we take?
“Please, there must be some mistake,” my dad pleads, desperation in his voice.
“We have a warrant for his arrest,” the officer says, pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to my dad. “We will take him to the station for questioning.”
As they lead Jonas away, I feel a sense of helplessness wash over me. Everything is deteriorating rapidly, and I don’t know how to stop it. My mom’s grip tightens on my hand, her eyes brimming with tears.
We hurry out of the room behind the police, our footsteps echoing down the hallway as we watch them put Jonas in the back of the squad car. My brother, his face pale and confused, being driven away with flashing lights, is a sight that makes my stomach churn.
In the car, my dad’s hands tremble as he frantically dials our attorney. The tension hangs heavy in the air, a potent blend ofanger, fear, and disbelief, the speakerphone ringtone ominous in the air.
“This is ridiculous,” my dad mutters under his breath. “Jonas didn’t do anything. How could this be happening?”
“I know, Dad,” I reply, my own voice shaky. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
On the second ring, the attorney picks up the phone. “Roy, what’s going on?”
My dad takes a deep breath, struggling to keep his composure. “Jonas was just arrested. They’re saying he’s being charged with battery. It’s Claudia’s doing. We need you.”
“Let me see what I can find out,” he says, hanging up.
Upon arriving at the station, my dad confronts the front desk officer, hoping for answers, only to be met with silence. It’s infuriating how they operate with such cold, impersonal efficiency. Finally, the attorney calls back, and my dad and I step outside to take the call. He puts it on speakerphone.
“Roy, from what I’ve gathered over the phone, Jonas is being charged with battery. Claudia Salahan claims that she and Jonas had a physical altercation last night due to the cancellation of their upcoming wedding. She is currently at the station, providing her statement and also has some pictures.”
“That’s bullshit. He was with us last night,” I say, my anger flaring up.
“All night?” the attorney asks.
