Tracking Time

'Well, you remember your surgery, don't you?' Brandy had another French fry and offered one to David. He looked worried so she gave him a little squeeze under the table.

Cheryl shut up for a moment. 'Look, Brandy, that is a little secret between you and me. You don't have to tell the entire world about my personal business.'

'Fine, I won't mention it. But I was home with you. I can't help it if you were taking painkillers and didn't know what's going on.'

'Brandy, I'm only going to ask you this once because I need to feel we have an open and honest relationship. Did you do something that requires the attention of the New York City Police Department? Tell me the truth, because your dad is going to-'

'Uh-uh, no way.'

'Fine. Good. That's all I have to hear. I will believe that.' Pause. 'Then how come this Lieutenant Sanchez had your name and telephone number and is coming over to talk to you?'

'I'm going to get my name in the newspaper. I may get a medal.'

'You, Brandy Fabman, are going to get a medal? Excuse me, but I must have missed something.'

'I told you yesterday this guy was missing in the park. And I-'

'What were you doing in the park? I thought you were with your father.'

'That was Tuesday.'

'What was yesterday?'

'Yesterday was Wednesday. I walked home through the park.'

'The way home from school does not go through the park. And I told you-'

'Jesus. It was daylight. The park is fine in the daytime. Don't you want to hear my story?'

'Okay, tell me the story.'

'I was walking through the park and there was this dog. It was a tracking dog, but not as great a dog as Peachy. Remember Peachy?'

Big sigh. 'Yes, Brandy. I remember Peachy found you covered with cow manure in Montauk.'

'Yes, yes.' Brandy bounced in her chair. 'In a nursery greenhouse. Anyway, it was so cool. These cops were asking everybody questions, you know, looking for this guy. And because of the tracking dog there, I told them all about John. I told them John's dog was much smarter than their dog. And you know what? You won't believe this, Mom. This Chinese cop, she knew John. She actually knew him. So, like, we have this great conversation, and I go, 'Call John and have him look for the guy.'

'And you know what? She did call John. Today Peachy was out there and he found the guy. Isn't that just amazing? I solved the case. I'm a celebrity. Maybe I should be a cop, Mom. She had this big gun. She told me I could shoot it and everything.'

Another big sigh. 'Brandy, why didn't you tell me all this yesterday?'

'I didn't know they'd find him.'

'About the dog and the cops and all that. You didn't mention any of it. In fact, I don't remember seeing you last night. We didn't have dinner together, did we?'

'You're not going crazy like Dad said, are you, Mom?' Brandy took another French fry, dipped it in catsup, stuck out her tongue at David, showing off her tongue pierce that just drove him nuts.

'I'm not crazy,' Cheryl screamed. 'He just says that to get back at me.'

'For what, Mom?'

'Don't change the subject. Where the hell were you last night? That's the question.'

'Don't you remember? You were in this horrible mood because Aston didn't call you after your surgery. Do you think Aston won't marry you when he sees your fat lip?'

'Brandy, I don't want you talking about that.'

'Okay, Mom. But you were in a stinking mood. You didn't want to order in or anything.'

'Brandy, I've had a hard week. I hope you're not lying to me about this.'

'How could I be lying?'

'I don't know, sweetheart.' A third big sigh. 'I'm just trying to heal, you know, from a truly abusive relationship. And I can't imagine your getting mixed up with police or awful people in the park. You know what I mean? People get killed in there, and I don't want you to get killed. I want you to be a healthy girl.'

'I am a healthy girl. I'm going to gym, aren't I?'

'Look, this cop is coming at quarter to three on the dot. He was going to pick you up at school, but I talked him out of it. I swear to God if I didn't feel so fucking terrible I'd come and get you right now.'

'Thanks Mom, I love you.'

'And don't call your father about this. It's none of his business.'

Brandy hung up, laughing. 'She is such a flake. I swear to God.'

David finished the waffle fries and ordered a brownie hot fudge sundae. 'I don't feel so hot.'

'Did you take your Ritalin? You know how that tears your stomach up.'

'I feel funny.'

'You always feel funny.'

'Maybe I should call my mother.'

'Yeah, go ahead.'

David reached for his phone but it rang before he could dial her number.

'Mom!'

'David, I've just been pulled out of the third meeting today because of you. Why didn't you go to school this morning? Why humiliate me like this?'

'I'm really sorry. I just felt so sick. I couldn't hold my head up.'

Her tone changed immediately. 'What's the matter?'

'My stomach hurts. I don't know. My head hurts. I just can't concentrate when it hurts this much. I didn't want to bother you with it.'

'The school called.'

'I'm really sorry. I didn't want to bother you.'

'You're supposed to go to the nurse when you feel bad. That's what the nurse is for.'

'I know. I didn't want to make a big deal of it.'

'Well, David. I hope you learned your lesson. I don't want a repeat of last year. You have to stay in communication. I thought we had an understanding about that.'

'We do.'

'Well, I called you about a dozen times and you didn't pick up.'

'I was sleeping.'

'And that wasn't the only call I got.'

'I bet I can guess. Was it a cop?'

'Yes! How did you know?'

'I talked to a cop yesterday. They were taking everybody's name and number. It's no big deal.'

'He's coming over to the house. I'll be there in a half an hour. I'm leaving early. I'm going to call your father, too. If the police get there before I do, I don't want you to say anything until I get there.'

'What did he tell you?'

'He wanted to know where you were last night.'

David licked his lips. 'I was at home.'

'I know, sweetheart. I'll see you in a few minutes.'

David raised his hand for the bill. 'I gotta go. He's coming to my house first.'

Fifty-one

Mike stood waiting outside the red-painted door of the Owens' Park Avenue apartment for