Justified killings, p.7
Justified Killings, page 7
“Major? You and Tim are free to go. I am confident that Tim did not vandalize anything and was in fact just walking home. I will work to find out who assaulted you Tim and hold them accountable.” White scribbled some notes on a paper and signed it, then handed it to Edward. “Tim, on behalf of this police station, I apologize to you for our behavior and arresting you on a false premise. Major.”
Tazz walked past Edward into the hallway. Edward followed him.
Chapter 11
Tazz sat at his desk with his headphones on, while reading the Contemporary Poets book. Katherine softly knocked on the door. Tazz didn’t hear it. She knocked again as she entered his room, carrying the baby. “Tazz? You up?” She could see him with his back to her. She tapped him on the shoulder, startling him. He pulled off his headphones. “Sorry. I saw your light on and thought you might be up.”
“I am. Obviously. Studying for a final tomorrow. Why are you awake?”
“I have to feed Grace. Can I sit in here with you for a few minutes?”
“Sure. Do you want this chair?”
“No. I can just sit on your bed, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Tazz turned and faced Katherine.
“Oh my God, what happened to your face? Were you in an accident?”
Tazz stood up and looked into his mirror. “No. Just mugged by a couple bullies from school.” He moved his face from side to side. “It’s actually looking better. The black eyes are moving to a shade of blue. People will think I wear eyeshadow makeup or something.”
“Are you okay?”
“I will be.”
“I am sorry that happened to you. Maryanne says you are doing well in school.” Katherine sat on the side of the bed and laid the baby next to her.
“Do you need me to get a bottle or something?”
Katherine laughed. “No. I carry Grace’s bottles wherever I go.” Tazz looked around for a baby bag or case. “What is your exam in?” Katherine unbuttoned her nightgown and pulled out her breast. She caught Tazz staring at her. “Sorry. You okay with this? It’s just a boob. I could leave.”
“Uh, yeah, I mean no, I mean it’s good, I’m good.”
Katherine laughed again. “Sorry. I forget sometimes how young you are. I hope this isn’t your first tit. Your friends will never believe this!” She threw a baby blanket over her shoulder. She pulled the baby up to her chest, scooched back to the headboard, and covered herself up. “Better? I don’t want to be the one distracting you from your studies!” Katherine chuckled. “I guess it takes some getting used to. Larry about shit the first time I fed Grace in front of him. He had all sorts of questions, like how it felt, and did it hurt. Made me laugh.”
“You really like being a mom, don’t you?”
“It’s the best thing in the world for a woman. It is almost unimaginable. You can’t explain how it feels, unless you actually experience it. So, your exam?”
“Twentieth Century Poetry.”
“Okay. T. S. Eliot, Ranier Maria Rilke, Robert Frost, E. E. Cummings.”
“Wow. I’m impressed.”
“I am not completely without knowledge. I like poetry, especially when it is used in the lyrics of a song.”
“Who do you listen to?”
“Jackson Brown, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Dylan, James Taylor, Carol King, and Joni Mitchel to name a few.”
“Good tunes. Good artists. Speaking of which, your baby. Grace. How did you come up with that name? It’s not so common anymore.”
“You’re silly. Grace isn’t that uncommon. It was my mom’s middle name.”
“Her first name was Nancy, right?”
“No. Nancy was Edward’s second wife. His first wife, my mom, was Pamela. Pamela Grace.”
“How could I not have known that, Kat? What happened to her? Sorry if it is too personal.” Tazz turned his chair around from his desk and faced Katherine.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Katherine pulled Grace off her breast.
“That was fast.”
“I forgot I fed her from that boob just a short time ago. Here. Burp her for me.”
“What? Me? I haven’t ever, uh, what do I do?”
Katherine held out Grace. “Just put her on your shoulder and pat her back. Simple.” Tazz stood up and did exactly what Katherine wanted. “Perfect. Just like that. You’re a natural.”
Grace let out a belch. “Nice one, baby. Better out than in, I always say.”
“That’s cute.”
“Not my words. I think it is from Shrek.”
Katherine put her breast back under her nightgown and pulled out her other breast under the blanket. “I’m ready. Hand her back to me. Hold her under her head and neck and her butt.”
Tazz handed Grace to Katherine. “She is beautiful.”
“She’s my little princess. So, where were we?”
“Your mom.”
Katherine paused. “My mom died in a fire. It was the July 4th weekend. I was twelve.”
“In a fire? That’s horrible!”
“It was. Flames reached into the night sky as smoke bellowed out into the humid air. Sparks were dancing like swarms of lightening bugs. Fireworks were exploding in the garage. It sounded like a war zone. I don’t remember how many firetrucks were there. Four? Maybe five? There were red flashing lights in every direction. The heat was so intense. Patrick must have told you about it.”
“You know we didn’t talk much.”
“You’re right. Sorry. I forgot.”
“It’s alright. So what happened?” Tazz moved to sit at the foot of the bed.
“Patrick was nine when mom died. He was crushed. I am not sure he ever got over it. I used to have one picture of her. I lost it about six months after the fire.”
“No picture of your mom? No wedding pictures? Vacations? Anything?”
“We lost everything.”
“Did you have anything in the cloud?”
“Ha! Now I feel inept. I never backed up anything. Nothing I know of was put into the cloud.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“So, anyway, they were not able to put the fire out. The house burnt to the ground. The next morning, they found mom.”
“I am so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Thanks. In one night, my whole life changed.”
“Where was your dad?”
“He was on some military drill, or hunting, or something like that. Patrick and I were with Grandma Beth. Mom was supposed to join us later, but, well…”
“What a horrible experience for a twelve-year-old.” Tazz shook his head in disbelief.
“Well that wasn’t all that happened that year. About six months after the fire, my grandma Beth suddenly died. It was a tough time for me. Grandma and I were very close. I went to her house all the time. Anyway, dad married Nancy a few months later, then separated right after their one-year anniversary. I think dad had the marriage annulled so he could stay with the Catholic Church.”
“Why did they divorce so quickly?”
“I’m not sure. The rumor was she may have met someone else and didn’t want to move with us. I don’t think that was it. But it didn’t matter because we were restationed from Miami to Virginia. She was from Florida, so it made more sense she would stay there. Dad never spoke of her after we moved. A year later, dad met Maryanne.”
“I was five.”
“Yes. I remember.”
“So do I.”
“How could you?”
“It’s a curse.”
“I was sixteen. Patrick was twelve or thirteen. You were so cute.”
“I was cute.” Tazz smiled.
“Did you and Patty ever play together when you were younger?”
“No. Not really. We had different interests. We were never in the same school at the same time. Plus, he was into football. I never cared much for that sport. He liked to go out with his friends. Girls. He liked the girls. He wasn’t home much.”
“Patty did like the girls. He was handsome. More like a jock though.”
“Sometimes, we would play video games together.”
“Who was better?” Katherine looked under the blanket. “You done baby?” She took Grace off her breast and put her on her shoulder and patted her back.
“I was. I don’t think he ever beat me at any video game after I was six.”
“What happened to your dad?” Katherine set the sleeping baby on the bed and tucked her breast under her nightgown. She swaddled Grace into a small blanket.
“Mom says he left right after I was born. He thought she was on birth control. I have tried to track him down, but no luck. We have never talked.” Tazz stood up and took a picture out of his wallet. “It’s the only picture I have.”
Katherine took the picture. “Now I know where you get your good looks. He’s a handsome man.”
“I guess.”
“He looks kind of familiar.”
“How so?”
“Like I’ve seen that picture before, but… I couldn’t have, right? I never met him. Why do you keep the picture if you don’t know him?”
He stared at the photograph. “I think it is to remind me that Edward is not my father.”
Katherine shook her head. “I know it was rough for you. I don’t think he hates you. But he certainly didn’t treat you like a son. For that, I am sorry.”
“It’s okay. I won’t be living here much longer. Once I leave for school, I doubt I will return.”
“What about your mom?”
“She can come visit me.”
“Well. I suppose. I hope you keep in touch with me.”
“I will.”
“I need to take this little one to bed.” Katherine stood up leaned over and kissed Tazz on his forehead. “I have distracted you from your studies.”
“It’s fine. I was ready for this exam a month ago.”
Katherine cradled Grace in her arms. “Good night, Tazz.”
“Thanks for sharing with me, Kat. See you tomorrow.”
Chapter 12
Tazz was the first one finished on his English poetry final, but he didn’t get up from his desk. He looked around the room at the other students displaying either test anxiety, time pressure, or despair. Tazz didn’t know what that felt like in a classroom. Learning came easy. He had been tested multiple times by his teachers, and the results were all the same. The root of his knowledge was his eidetic imagery. Tazz had an almost pure photographic memory. When he was focused, he could read in the neighborhood of seventy-thousand words a minute and retain 99.99 percent.
Most studies suggest a person is either right or left brained. Tazz possessed the uncanny ability to use both hemispheres, which meant he was logical, mathematical and methodical and on the other side of his brain was spatial, creative and musical. He was born with a golden brain.
Being so intelligent has its drawbacks and challenges. Socially, Tazz was a fish out of water. He was going to be the youngest person ever to graduate from his high school. In fact, if he had chosen to focus strictly on high school classes, he would have graduated high school at the age of nine. But Darryl, who Tazz had met when he was a young boy, was like a life coach. Darryl was also a genius. Semi-retired. Rich. He related to Tazz on many levels. Darryl suggested Tazz go slower through his high school required classes and combine his education with parallel college courses. From a social standpoint, it was an excellent strategy that worked for Tazz.
But even that strategy didn’t prevent Tazz from trying to fit in somewhere; somehow. The freshmen were too immature for him even though they were the same age. He had nothing in common with any of the seniors, except two who were in his chess club. So he kept to himself. He kept to his routine. As much as he wanted to leave high school, he was nervous about attending college. Sometimes, Tazz wished he was just a normal fourteen-year-old.
The blaring school bell interrupted Tazz’s thoughts. Darryl stood and walked from around his desk. “Okay class, times up. Let’s go.” Darryl walked between the chairs picking up some of the exams from students. He paused at Clair’s desk. “Time’s up, Clair.”
“I didn’t do well on the final, Dr. Johnson.” Clair was visibly upset.
“I’m sure you did fine, Clair.” Darryl walked back to his desk. “Bring your exams to me.” The remaining students snaked their way around the desks and dropped their exams on the leather desk blotter. Tazz finally stood up after all the other students had left the room. “So I guess this is the last class you and I will have together, Tim,” Darryl said smiling.
“Yes. It is.”
“Do you have any other finals today?”
“No. This was my last.”
Darryl took Tazz’s exam from his hand and glanced at it. He removed his red pen from his shirt pocket and put a big “A” on it and circled it.
“You already graded it?”
“You doubt yourself? For the past two years, I have never found so much as a grammatical error on any paper you wrote or any wrong answer on any test question.” Darryl put Tazz’s test on the stack of other tests. “You have a gift, Tim. You have talent. Since we met almost eight years ago, I have never known anyone like you.” Tazz shrugged his shoulders. “You should be proud of what you have accomplished. I am proud of you.”
“Thank you. You have been like a father to me. I am not sure I would even be alive if it wasn’t for you.”
“I want to ask you, before you leave, about the other day. You were being bullied. I know what I saw.”
Tazz took a deep breath. He knew where this conversation was going. “He’s the high school quarterback.”
“I know. Bryan is a mean bully.” Tazz didn’t move. “It is difficult to know what to do in those circumstances. I get it. I was also bullied in school. You could easily have out run him.”
“And then what? I am out of here after today. I doubt I will ever see him again for the rest of my life. I figure he is living his fifteen minutes of fame in high school.”
“Do you think he is a good quarterback?”
“I’d say poor at best. Certainly statistically. I doubt he will be the quarterback of any college, if that is what he intends to do. I really don’t care.”
Darryl shook his head. What was he thinking? Here is a kid in front of him who he thinks should talk about being bullied right after his brother died. “Never mind. What I really wanted to ask you is… I wanted to offer my condolences. I had your stepbrother Patrick in three classes. He was a good student.”
“Are you kidding? He was a terrible student!” Tazz blurted.
Darryl’s smile turned into laughter. “You’re right. He wasn’t that good of a student. But he was a good quarterback. Better than Bryan.”
“No question.” Tazz smiled. He was proud of Patrick’s sports achievements.
Darryl picked up the tests and tapped them on the desk to organize them in a neat stack. “I was impressed how he took us to the football State Championship, all four years, and brought home the victory as a Sophomore, Junior and Senior.” He clipped the papers and put them in his open briefcase.
“And in baseball. And track. He likes… liked sports.” Tazz paused. “Damn.” He took a step toward the door.
Darryl held out his arms. “Tim. It has been my honor and joy to be one of your teachers. My wife and I wish you all the best in college next year. If you need anything, and I mean that, you know you can always call me.”
Tazz gave Darryl a short hug. “I appreciate that. You’re an outstanding teacher.”
Darryl patted Tazz on his back. “I’ll see you at graduation.”
Tazz left the classroom toward the exit doors in the front of the school, pausing by the glass trophy case. He nodded at the seven academic trophy’s with his name engraved on the front plate. He pointed to the three other chess trophy’s he won. “Checkmate,” he murmured to himself. He tapped on the glass four times while looking at the four debate state championship trophies, two with only his name and two others listing his teammates. Finally, he moved his finger down the plates on the valedictorian plaque to his name.
Tazz exited the school as Jess pulled around in her Truck. “There he is. Mr. Invisible,” Jess scoffed. “He ditches me at the party. Leaves me wondering where the hell he is. He doesn’t call me. He doesn’t return my text messages.”
Tazz walked up to Jess. “Hey. Sorry. You know it’s not personal. I’ve been a little busy.”
“Blah, blah, blah. You’re full of excuses. Are you going to get in?” Tazz threw his bag in the backseat of the truck and jumped in.
A couple freshmen girls stroll past the truck. “Hi Tazz,” one of them commented.
“Later bitches!” Jess shouted squealing the truck tires as she skidded around the parking lot.
“Jess!”
“I know! Right! They have no idea what hell they will be in for the next four years,” Jess said laughing.
“You are ruthless toward the freshmen.”
“They love the attention. Turn around.” Tazz turned around as one of the girls walked backward waving at him. “Told you. They think you’re hot.”
Tazz faced back forward. “Whatever. Can you drop me off at home?”
“You don’t want to come over to my house?”
“I have some things to do.”
“Schools over, at least for you. Which I am still pissed about. You get to finish high school in two years? That’s not fair. I don’t care how smart you think you are. College will eat you alive. I need to get your ass trained up.”
“Thanks for the confidence boost. Can you just take me home, please?”
“What do you have to do? Do you need help with something? Or do you want me to wait in the truck?”
“Thanks. But no. I just have to get some things done. Alone.”
“Fine. Will you call me later?” Jess threw Tazz an upward hand gesture like she was Italian.
“Yeah. Sure. I’ll calls ya,” Tazz responded in a strong Italian accent.
Jess pulled onto Tazz’s driveway. “Go do what you need to.” Tazz stepped out of the truck and grabbed his backpack off the back seat. “Call me. Don’t forget.”
