'Maybe not… but that's what the sheriff's deputy told me! He's in the security ward at County General…'
'I–Is he h-hurt… bad…?'
'They took a.45 slug out of his leg… we'll know how bad it is when we see him.'
She lapsed into silence, hiding her worry and grief from him with a hand to her face, only half listening to his tirade on the younger generation… its long hair, weird clothing, mobility, drugs and lack of morals. In a way, she was glad that his attention was not focused on her, for a change.
At the hospital, they were told, they could see Don for only a few minutes, one at a time. Gabe went in first. He was inside for a very few minutes. When he came out, Charity knew that he was seething with anger.
'I can't get anything out of him!' he growled. 'Anyway, he says he wants to see you!'
Shyly, Charity went in to see him, not knowing what to say. He was sitting up in the hospital bed, a forced grin on his face.
'Hi, Char… like come on in… and see the prize exhibit!'
Gabe Scott, waiting outside, lit a cigarette and reflected — not on his wounded son and the charge of armed robbery that was being lodged against him, but on Charity — on the startling thing he had been told, just before picking her up at school.
He had parked his car, walked across the parking lot toward the school administrative offices, when a musical female voice called out his name: 'Gabe… wait up a second…!'
Turning, he saw Marcy Lunceford. His first impulse was to continue walking, but she came up beside him, smiled and asked, 'What brings you to school?'
'Damn it, Marcy… I told you never to…'
'Yeah… I know what you said… but I've got something to say… and I'm going to say it!' she said, defiantly.
'You got nothing to say to me… in public, Marcy!'
'Listen good, Dad, I've got a debt to pay back to that no-good son of yours!' She was venomous.
'Don…? He's in the…' he began.
'Yeah, Don!' she went on, not listening. 'That bastard pulled one too many dumb stunts with me! Last night, he practically raped me… then, h-he said I wasn't w-worth the twenty he threw at m-me…!'
'Don…? Y-You…?' He was taken by surprise.
'Yeah… but that's not the juicy part… listen to this!' she said, gloatingly. 'He's been b-banging Charity…!'
Gabe looked at her in consternation. Her eyes were pure venom as he gazed at her. He knew it was the truth; her only motive was revenge.
'You m-mean…?'
'I mean he's been…' She looked around; there were no students within earshot. '… Fucking her… is that plain enough?!'
'Christ!'
'You want to hear more… Dad…?'
'N-No!'
'Listen anyway!'
'That's enough, Marcy!' He turned away.
She persisted, following him, 'Yesterday, Don and… another boy both had her… at the same time!'
Gabe had had all he could stand. 'You're sure as hell not one to be telling tales…' he glowered. 'How do you know all this?'
'The other boy told me… and last night… Don threatened both of us. He h-had a gun… too!'
'Yeah… so I hear!' he said dryly; then, 'who was the other one?'
Marcy hesitated, not knowing whether to mention Ray's name or not.
'Well…?' he prodded. 'What's his name?'
'Ray…'
'Ray… who?'
'D-Donahue…'
She turned and walked away from him, rapidly, as the buzzer sounded for the beginning of the third period. He watched her go, her lithe walk reminding him of the supple strength in her beautiful, curving torso… and he felt the throb in his loins, as he remembered her, the last time… wanton, passionate, exploding under him in ecstatic orgasm.
Damn her! She's a mean one… when she gets crossed!.. And, Don's had her, too? Her story about Don and Charity is damned hard to believe… but she must have been telling the truth… for only one reason… to get even with Don!
Thoughtfully, he walked toward the school office to ask for Charity's release from school. He knew the emergency warranted it… and after seeing Don in the hospital, there would be the rest of the day. He knew exactly how they would spend it. There was one thing that galled him: Don had had her first… But, hell… maybe I can use that little tale of Marcy's… That's it! Christ… its perfect!
Then, he was in the administrative unit asking to see Mr. Graves. Yes! This was going to be a very interesting day… after he had taken Charity with him to see Don.
'Wh-What happened… D-Don…?' Marcy asked, not wanting to break down.
'I flubbed it… trying to hit a liquor store… the guy shot me in the leg… but that's not important, Char… I was doing it, so I could get you away from here…'
'R-Robbery…? W-With a g-gun…'
'Yeah… it seemed like the only way to get some money, fast…'
'OOOoooh… D-Don…' she wailed. 'I–I never w-wanted…'
'Like… come on, Sis… turn off the waterworks!' he choked. 'The main thing is… it didn't work… so you'll have to split on your own…'
'I–I couldn't…'
'Damn it, Char you'll have to unless you want to stay and…' He offered, not finishing.
'Uuuugh! N-No…'
'Then split, now! Run like hell… hitchhike… try to make it to the communes in New Mexico! San Francisco's no place to go… stay away from there!' he went on, rapidly.
'Y-You mean r-right… n-now…?'
'Hell yes! Go out that door… and run… otherwise…'
'A-And leave y-you… here…?'
'Yes! Now, get going!' he snapped.
The determination on his face and the steeliness in his voice pushed her over the brink of decision. She knew she would have to do it. The alternatives, if she stayed, or hesitated were too much to contemplate. Suddenly, impulsively she leaned over and kissed him. 'A-All right, D-Donnie… I'll g-go!'
'Split!'
His voice was like a starter's gun that galvanized her into action. She pushed through the door, and without a backward glance, walked rapidly down the corridor toward the main exit. Passing Gabe where he sat smoking, she increased her pace, knowing only that she had to gain the exit, the first door to her escape.
'Charity!' Gabe called. 'Where're you going?'
Desperately, she broke into a run. Gabe jumped to his feet and pursued, catching her as she pushed through the big, plate glass door.
'Let m-me go!' she screamed, struggling to escape his grasp on her.
'You're not going anywhere!' he grated.
'OOOoooh!' Her wail was like that of a trapped animal.
The commotion brought several nurses to the scene.
'What seems to be wrong, Sir?' he was asked. Genuine concern was expressed.
'She's my daughter…' he panted. 'Just been in to see… my son… all shot up in there! She just seemed to go
