Page 76 of Give Me a Sign
I answer everything as best I can, even though I’m distractedly staring at the back seat of the police car. “Please, we can run the credit card again. Just let him out of the car.”
The officer checks his notes and returns the notepad to his pocket. “All right. We’re going now.”
“But why do you have to take him? It was all a mistake.”
“Was————mistake that he assaulted————guard?”
“That guy grabbed Isaac from behind. He didn’t know what was happening,” I say. The officer walks away toward the driver’s seat of his car. I walk after him, insistent. “He needs an interpreter.”
“————drive along behind us.”
“Me? I— I’m not an interpreter.”
“You were signing with him, weren’t you?” The officer gets into the car. I squint through the flashing lights.
Isaac needs a certified interpreter who can explain any complexities of what’s said at a police station. While I’m better than nothing, I’m notthat. Plus, I’m pretty sure that legally he needs to be provided with a legitimate interpreter in a situation like this. I doubt whatever small station he’s being taken to will have one on call.
“I’ll get help,” I sign, hurrying after the car. I don’t even know if Isaac can see me through the window.
Shit, I’m supposed to be driving behind them. The cop pulls away and drives off without waiting for me. I scramble to grab my phone and take a picture of the vehicle, cursing myself for not recording anything earlier. I run to my car, but I’ve already lost sight of them.
Chapter Twenty-three
Gary answersthe phone sleepily, and I babble something incoherent about Super Mart, Isaac, and the police. He asks a question I don’t understand, so I say, “Text me. I can’t hear you,” and hang up the phone. I can’t stay at Super Mart. I’m too jumpy. There aren’t many places to go, so I drive a few minutes down the road to Mackie’s, park, and look at Gary’s text.
Gary:Stay where you are
Lilah:I’m in the mackie’s parking lot now
I couldn’t stay there
I text Isaac, though I know it’s unlikely he’ll see the message.
Lilah:I’m so sorry. It’s going to be okay, I promise. We’re gonna come get you. I’m so sorry.
The radio is off. I choose to sit in absolute silence. It’s late enough that the Mackie’s indoor seating is closed. There’s still a car or two going through the drive-through. I count eleven cars before Gary’s jeep pulls in next to me. I wipe away the tears in my eyes and try my best to stop sobbing.
Gary gets out, along with the nurse and Ethan. I should go to meet them, but I can’t summon the energy to move from the car. Gary walks up and knocks on my window. “Lilah.”
I nod, still stuck in my seat. I have to tell him what happened. I have to tell him it was my fault. I have to tell him that Isaac is beat up and alone and needs our help. He knocks again. I find the strength to hit the unlock button, letting Gary open the door.
He crouches so he’s at my eye level, like I’m a third grader about to be reprimanded by her teacher. “Hey, Lilah.” His voice is softer now but still urgent. I was expecting him to be angry. Somehow this is scarier. This means things are bad. “Where’s Isaac?”
Ethan and the nurse stand closely behind him. I clear my throat but find my breathing growing shallow. “The police officer took him.” I hyperventilate. “He’s hurt.”
“Okay, Lilah,” Gary says, speaking slow and clear. Ethan stands to the side, interpreting for me. “Why did the officer take him?”
“The security guard grabbed Isaac because he thought we didn’t pay,” I say. “But we did pay. But the machine didn’t work. But we didn’t know. And the guard was fighting with Isaac. He pushed him so hard. And Isaac fell and was all scratched up.”
Gary looks back at the nurse and Ethan. I’m worried that I’ve left out too many details.
I stare down at my hands as I describe the next part. “That’s when the police came. When Isaac was signing and asking for paper to write things down, the officer handcuffed him.”
Gary nods toward Ethan. “————report for Lilah to fill out?”
Ethan grabs a folder from his backpack and pulls out an accident report. I cringe at the sight of this form. Ethan hands me the empty sheet and a pen. This situation is so tense my instinct is to make a joke. “Seen my fair share of these,” I mumble.
Gary doesn’t crack a smile. “It’s important that you write exactly what happened.” Ethan nods solemnly as he signs “important” twice.
