June Winner: Police Cars and Childhood Dreams by Faith Perry
Cassandra Wanly tore down the street in her sparkly yellow bug narrowly missed the curb and came to a screeching halt in her driveway. Breathing hard, she fumbled in her purse and pulled out her cell phone. Hands trembling, she flipped it open and stared hard at the blurry picture displayed on the screen. Her face blanched white as the familiar face of her best friend stared out at her from the back off a police car. Cassia pulled out a piece of gum from the pack kept handy in her purse, and popped it into her mouth. The familiar spicy aroma of spearmint helped to calm her nerves and ease the adrenaline coursing through her veins. After clearing her mind, she asked herself the all-important question. What should she do? Go down to the police station and demand to see her friend? Even as she thought this, she knew it would never answer the purpose. What should she do then? The buzzing phone in her hand, presented the perfect solution to the problem. If Mel was still in custody tomorrow, or if it was actually Mel, a police officer would probably answer the phone and Cassia could get some answers. If Mel picked up the phone herself then all would be well.
The insistent ringing of the phone brought her mind sharply into focus.
“Hello?” she asked, attempting to control the tremor in her voice.
“Hi Honey!” The confident voice of her near-deaf father blasted into her ear. “I was just calling to check up on you. How would you like dinner at Urey’s Burger Joint tonight? My treat!”
Cassia was about to giver he standard refusal when she realized that it was the fourth time she had denied Papa’s request that week.
“Sure Pops that sounds great! What time do I need to meet you?”
“Six ‘o’ clock, sharp! I will come straight from work, and Mom will meet us there.”
“Okay, see you later then! Love you Pa, bye!” Cassia set the phone back in the cubby and backed her bug out of the driveway. It was 5:45 and it took fifteen minutes to drive to the Diner, which was across town. Once there she and her parents enjoyed their meals of burgers with sweet tea and fries. Cassia felt distracted by the disturbing image of her friend in the back of the police car. Her parents noticed this, but they did not mention it much to Cassia relief.
In the morning Cassia, hesitantly dialed Mel’s number wondering what the result of this conversation would be. The phone rang thrice before she heard her friend’s familiar breezy voice on the other end.
“Hello, Cassia! You sure are up bright and early this morning!”
Cassia ignored her friend’s breezy voice and comments and cut straight to business.
“Mel, were you in the back of a police car yesterday?” Cassia asked, feeling a bit awkward while she asked it.
Mel was silent for a few moments before responding. “Yes, I was.”
“What for?” Cassia asked now concerned about how her friend stood with the law.
“It has always been a childhood dream of mine to ride in the back of a police car. Yesterday a police officer helped me load my shopping bags into the car, I told him of my dream and promptly ushered me into the back of his car. He was such a gentleman.”
“How so?” asked Cassia with baited breath.
“Not only did he take me for a ride around town, he also escorted me and my car home. I hope you were not too worried over me. I saw you pass us on the road. Since I know that you are inclined to think the worst of situations I figured I might call when I got home but you didn’t answer.”
“You did worry me a lot for a little while there. I probably didn’t answer the phone because I was out eating with my parents.”
Well, I am sorry about that. Ok, Cassia I do not know about you but I am ravenous for some cheerios. See you at the park for lunch!”
Ok, Mel, see you then, Bye!” Cassia flipped her phone closed and smiled. All that worrying for nothing! She would take this lesson to heart and work hard at never repeating it.