Page 8 of Mama & Pops

The aide placed us in a room with a steel table and two chairs. I moved to the far corner and did my best to become part of the wall. As much as I was itching to take charge of the situation, this was Jo’s deal. I was there for moral support and backup. Jo sat quietly in one of the chairs provided, lacing her fingers together and placing her hands on the table. She was perfectly still. Like she was lying in wait for the enemy when I knew she didn’t see Alex that way. Likely, she was getting ready to lay into some dipshit dumbass for abusing the boy, ‘cause that was Jo. A mother hen. Or, rather, a mama tiger.

A few minutes later, two guards escorted Alex to the holding cell in handcuffs with which they fastened him to the table. Poor kid looked terrified as hell. Also looked like he’d taken several blows to the face.

“What happened?” Jo asked without preamble.

Alex shrugged. “Same thing always happens. My face got in the way of some guy’s fist.” He didn’t seem like he was upset, just stating a fact. “It’s better here, though. That was the folks in the city jail.”

Jo took a breath and let the silence linger for a moment before she reached out and covered Alex’s bound hands with one of her own. “Have you called your pa?”

Alex shook his head. “They said I could later, but ain’t never let me yet.”

“What’s the number? I’ll get in touch with him so he knows where you are and what’s happening.”

Alex gave her the number, but Jo didn’t write it down. The kid noticed and gave her a disappointed look. “You ain’t gonna call my daddy,” he muttered.

“What makes you say that?” Jo didn’t move and her facial expression didn’t change.

“You didn’t write it down. You ain’t gonna call him.”

“Oh?” Then she repeated the number back to Alex. “I have a photographic memory. I remember everything I read and most of what I hear. I won’t forget, Alex. Now. Is there anyone else you want me to get a hold of?”

He studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “My girl. Her name’s Gracie. Last time I talked to her, she got throwed out the house ‘cause she was my girl. Her pap’s pissed.”

“Tell me where I can find her. An address. A phone number.”

He gave her an address and phone number. Again, Jo didn’t write anything down. Fortunately, my memory was as good as she said hers was, so I was pretty sure between the two of us we’d remember.

“You promise you’ll let her know what happened?”

“I will, Alex. Assuming you get a military trial, I don’t know that she can be there, but I’ll make sure she gets to see you at some point if she wants to.” Jo squeezed his hand. “She love you, Alex?”

He shrugged. “Said she did. She didn’t back down when her daddy said he’d throw her out. I give her my pay so she can have a place to live. I don’t know what she’ll do now.” The big kid sniffled once, his lower lip trembling. “I wanted to be a good man to her. I know I could be. She’s got a little one on the way too.” He met Jo’s eyes, and I knew I was fucked. “How’m I gonna take care of her and my kid from prison?”

Jo shook her head once like she was arguing with herself. I had to grin, though I put my hand up to hide it. If she saw me smile right now, she’d castrate me on the spot.

“I’ll figure something out, Alex. Whatever happens, I’ll make sure to get word to you. Might take a while. In the meantime, the colonel is trying to get you a good lawyer to help you out. Someone I know. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“Why you helpin’ me?” Alex looked equal parts hopeful and wary.

“Someone needs to, kid. Just so happens that someone’s gonna be me.” She stood just as the guard opened the door.

“Time’s up,” the guard said. “The colonel’s aide will escort you out.”

“Hang in there, Alex. I can’t tell you everything will be all right, but I can promise to look after your girl and to get a message to your pa.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Ain’t worried ‘bout me. It’s Gracie who’s gonna suffer the most.”

“You have my word I’ll do everything I can for the girl.”

With a nod, Alex let the guard lead him out of the holding cell and down the corridor.

I kept silent, watching Jo like a hawk. I didn’t want to miss even one facial expression. It was easy to see how determined she was. I just wasn’t sure what she’d do next. God knew I was looking forward to finding out.

Chapter Four

Mama Jo

Mike and I spent the better part of the day traveling to the Eastern part of the state. Not the most common place for a black man to live in Kentucky, but not unheard of either. Also, it couldn’t have been easy. Alex’s father owned a garage with an impeccable reputation. The person we talked to when trying to find the place had told us, “Don’t hold it against the garage for having a colored owner. He does top-notch work.”