Mad About You

banished when he announced he needed to make a few phone calls to friends back home. She'd agreed, retreating to the kitchen. She was going a little stir crazy herself because of her abrupt hiatus from work, so she resorted to cleaning windows. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop—in fact, she'd been pretty certain he'd purposely talked loud enough for her to overhear his comments.
    "Yeah, he's real cool, but I have to live with her… Expects me to sleep in some sissy pink room, yuck…Drives a fancy car, but lives in a cracker box with no yard…I feel like I'm in prison."
    Ironic word choice, she thought, considering he was now courting detention time.
    Frightening visions popped into her head: Chad shoplifting, then stealing cars, then armed robbery... an exaggeration perhaps, but she knew criminal behavior could usually be linked back to petty crimes at a young age. She had the feeling Chad's behavior, at least in the immediate future, would depend on the way they handled this infraction.
    One thing was certain—she did not intend to raise a thief.
    "Bailey," Chad whined, crocodile tears spilling down his cheeks, "help me! I was going to pay for the stuff—honest! I was coming to get some money from you."
    She watched her son carefully. He was lying. She'd bet he'd shoplifted before, and if given the chance, he'd do it again.
    She saw Bailey waver.
    Obviously attempting to wear him down, Chad said, "I was trying to get your attention, but you weren't watching like you said."
    Virginia pursed her mouth. The little hustler.
    Bailey looked at the two men still holding Chad. "Can't we settle this before the police get here?" He removed his wallet. "I'd be happy to pay for the merchandise."
    "No," she said.
    Everyone turned to look at her. Bailey frowned. "What did you say, Ginny?"
    She set her chin. "I said no, let the police handle it."
    Bailey took a step in her direction. "But, Ginny, he said — "
    "Can't you see he's working you? I won’t have a hoodlum living in my home."
    Chad's eyes narrowed in contempt. "I don't want to live with you anyway."
    She arched an eyebrow. "So you’re trying to get yourself thrown in jail?"
    "Jail would be better than living with you," he yelled. "I hate you!"
    She ignored the sharp pain that shot through her chest. "I'm sorry to hear that, because I happen to love you."
    Chad's mouth tightened and he turned his head.
    Bailey touched her arm and spoke for her ears only. "Ginny, getting the police involved might be too much for him."
    She shook her head. "He’s testing us. He needs to know now what he can’t get away with."
    He studied her face for a moment, then gave a short nod of concession. "You're his mother," he said quietly, then turned back to the men. "We'll wait for the police," he affirmed.
    "But I didn't mean it!" Chad yelled.
    She watched to see if he was getting to his father, but Bailey simply looked at him. "Like I said before, you need to learn when to be quiet."
    The police arrived within fifteen minutes, and Ginny gave thanks the two officers were both brawny and intimidating-looking. By the terrified look in Chad's eyes, she concluded he'd never been caught before. She and Bailey listened patiently while the store personnel explained the situation and presented the merchandise they'd removed from Chad's clothing. A closer search also revealed a keychain and a pack of temporary tattoos.
    The older officer filled out a report while he shook his head. He looked up. "You the parents?"
    "Yes, officer," Ginny volunteered, stepping up. Bailey did the same.
    "Ma'am, I'm afraid we're going to have to file a juvenile complaint."
    "What does that mean?" Bailey asked.
    "It binds the case over to juvenile court. It'll take a few minutes, then we'll release him into your custody until the court date."
    Virginia nodded gravely.
    Chad had mustered a little bravado. "Are you taking me to jail?" His voice held only a tiny tremor.
    "Nope." The cop ripped off a copy of the form. "Not this time anyway. We're releasing you to your folks."
    Chad looked relieved.
    "But you’re not off the hook," the officer warned him. "You'll have to deal with Judge Brice in a few weeks, and that's a scary prospect even for an adult. You'd better clean up your act, kid." He handed a copy of the report to Bailey and said good night.
    Bailey and Virginia apologized to the two men at the store for their trouble, and at Bailey's urging, Chad finally mumbled he was sorry. They shuffled back to their