The Lost Boy

Mark and a group of adults shiver as they stand together outside. As the police car slowly rumbles away, Mark raises his hand, forms a peace sign, then waves good-bye. One by one, the others smile as they join him.
    My throat tightens. I can taste the salt as tears run down my face. Somehow I know I’ll miss Mark. I stare down at my shoes and wiggle my toes. One of them pops through a hole.
    “
So, ” the officer says, “first time in a police car?”
    “Yes, sir, ” I reply. “Am
I…
uhm … I mean, am I in trouble, sir?”
    The officer smiles. “No. We’re just concerned. It’s kinda late, and you’re a little young to be out here alone. What’s your name?”
    I glance down at my dirty shoe.
    “
Come on, now. There’s no harm in telling me your name.”
    I clear my throat. I don’t want to talk to the officer. I don’t want to talk to anybody. I know every time I open my mouth, I’m one step closer to Mother’s evil clutches.
But,
I tell myself,
what can I do?
I know whatever chances I had of escaping to the river are now gone. I don’t care. As long as I don’t have to return to her. After a few seconds I answer the officer, “Da … Da … David, sir, ” I stutter. “My name is David.”
    The officer chuckles. I smile back. He tells me I’m a good-looking boy. “How old are you?”
    “Nine, sir.”
    “Nine? Kinda small, aren’t you?”
    We begin to talk back and forth. I can’t believe how much the officer is interested in me. I feel he actually likes me. He parks the car in front of the police station and leads me downstairs to an empty room with a pool table in the middle. We sit beside the pool table, and the officer says, “Hey, David, let’s say we get to that pizza before it gets cold.”
    My head bounces up and down. I rip open the box. I bend down and suck in the aroma. “So, David, ” the officer asks, “where did you say you live?”
    I freeze. The toppings from my piece of pizza slide off. I turn away. I was hoping he would somehow forget why he picked me up.
    “
Come on now, David. I’m really concerned about you.” His eyes lock onto mine. I can’t turn away. I gently replace my piece of pizza in the box. The officer reaches out to touch my hand. By reflex, I flinch. Before the officer tries again, I stare him down. Inside my head I scream,
Don’t you understand? Mother doesn’t want me, doesn’t love me, doesn’t give a damn about me! All right? So … if you can just leave me alone, I can be on my way. Okay?!
    The officer backs his chair away from the table before he begins in a soft voice. “David, I’m here to help you. You have to know that, and I’m going to stay here with you as long as it takes.” He leans over and lifts my chin with his finger. Tears roll down my eyes. My nose is runny. I know now there is no escape for me. I don’t have the guts to look the policeman in the eyes.
    “
Crestline Avenue, sir, ” I say in a low voice.
    “
Crestline Avenue?” the officer asks.
    “
Yes, sir
... 40
Crestline Avenue.”
    “David, you did the right thing. Whatever the problem is, I’m sure we can work it out.”
    I tell him the phone number and the officer disappears for a few moments. After he returns, he again attacks the pizza.
    I pick up the same piece of pizza. It’s cold and soggy. I so badly want to eat, but my mind is a million miles away. The policeman reassures me with a smile. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
    Right!
I tell myself.
The only time I ever felt secure, safe and wanted was when I was a tiny child.
I was five that day when The Family waited for me as I raced up the small hill on the last day of kindergarten. I can still see Mommy’s face glowing with love as she shouted, “Come on, sweetheart. Come on now, David!” She opened the door for me after giving me a tight hug. Then she shut the door before Father sped away. Destination: the river. That summer Mommy taught me how to float on my back. I was scared, but Mommy stayed with me until I learned to float all by myself. I was so proud as I showed off to her, proving to Mommy I was a big boy, worthy of her attention and praise. That summer was the best time of my life. But now, as I sit in front of the policeman, I know nothing will ever be like it was back then. My good times are now only memories.
    The officer looks up. I turn my shoulders to find my father in one of his red cotton shirts standing behind me. Another police officer nods at the policeman sitting