Period 8 - By Chris Crutcher Page 0,43

me.”

“I don’t, but I have cable. He treats her like property, man. Look, you’ve been teaching forty-plus years, so you probably see all this from the moon, right? I mean, I get that you’d have to say to me or anyone else that you don’t think something, but your experience has to make you consider a lot of things.”

“Let me just say this. I have no idea what goes on in the Wells household. What I do know is if you’re going to accuse someone like Victor Wells of jaywalking, you’re already at a disadvantage. A guy with a house like his has at least three lawyers with houses just as big. So, if you want to hang out with Mary Wells, you do it like a recent graduate of etiquette school. You don’t honk when you pick her up, you act the perfect gentleman and you keep her out of trouble with him. If something happens that makes you suspicious, I’ll be here.”

“Thanks,” Paulie says. “You want to be real careful around her dad. At least I do. And I am not getting physical.”

Logs rolls his eyes. “I don’t know why you don’t stay far away, my friend. You’re going to do what you do, but just know, control freaks always make me nervous. I don’t think he’s dangerous, but as long as he has a grip on her, he can sure make her life miserable, and yours by association.” Logs walks to the end of the dock, then turns around. “You know, Paulie, every time you see somebody wounded or in some kind of trouble, you think you have to do something about it. I’ve always admired that about you. But sometimes there’s nothing you can do, and sometimes you can make it worse. Just a thought.” He pulls his goggles down. “Now let’s get wet.”

Paulie stands on the porch of the Wells mansion, hair still wet, once again face-to-face with Victor Wells. “Is Mary home?”

Wells takes a deep breath. “Is she expecting you?”

“I would guess not,” Paulie says.

“More of your project?” His tone tells Paulie he didn’t buy the story last time, or he’s discovered some hole in it. Or he has Mary chained down in the basement after burning the truth out of her with lighted cigarettes.

“No, sir,” Paulie says. “This is more . . . social.”

Wells stiffens. “That’s not something we’re doing these days.”

Paulie smiles. “I wasn’t thinking of going anywhere with you. Mary.”

Wells stares.

“That was a joke.”

“Son, you seem like an okay kid, as kids go. But you are barking up the wrong tree if you’re thinking about starting something with my daughter. She’s had some problems, as I’m sure you’re aware, and we’re focusing on straightening things out and getting on with life, which means college and preparation for college. That’s a full plate right now.”

Paulie takes a deep breath; he’s rehearsed this. “Look, sir, with all due respect, I’m not trying to start something. I was thinking of, like, ice cream or coffee.”

“I don’t think you understand.”

“Mr. Wells, do you know you’re famous?”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re famous.”

“Probably I am,” Wells says with a grimace. “I certainly made a splash the past couple of weeks in the media, jumping the gun on Mary’s ‘disappearance.’” He looks to the side.

“That’s not why you’re famous.”

Wells’ irritation is evident. “Okay, then why am I famous?”

“You’re like a legend,” Paulie says, “and not in a good way. I mean, you wanna know how kids talk about somebody who’s always in control? You’re, like, a teenager’s idea of a monster.”

Paulie notices the muscle at the top of Wells’s jaw turn into a small marble.

“Did you come here just to flatter me?” Wells says.

“I came with an offer,” Paulie says. “Look, I’m an almost-eighteen-year-old kid who doesn’t drink or smoke or take drugs. I have a B average, give or take a minus or two, and I am headed to the U next year. My grade average indicates I’m something of an underachiever, but I test well. I just got dumped by a girl I was on my a— I was over the top for and I’m not about to get into more mess. I have a father who plays around and that hacks me off, and a mother who allows it, which hacks me off even more. I take care of my body and I tell the truth whenever I can. I’m totally aware that if I spend any time with your daughter, you’ll check all that out and if