CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
(part three)
Max returned from speaking with the police.
“You’ll call Jill for Sandy? Take care of my kids?” Aden asked Max.
“Jill’s on her way,” Max said.
Aden nodded.
A police officer cuffed Aden’s hands behind his back. With a uniformed Denver Police officers at each side, Seth put his hand on Aden’s arm. They walked out of the house.
A cheer rose from the people surrounding the police barricade. The Lipson employees cheered and hooted for Aden. Aden nodded to the crowd. Lipson employees jumped the barrier. Within moments, Aden, the police officers and Seth were surrounded by hundreds of construction workers. The police pushed at the Lipson employees but they stood firm.
“You arrest him, you have to arrest all of us,” Bambi said.
“WAIT!” Aden yelled. “Everyone stop!
The Lipson employees turned to look at Aden.
“I appreciate what you’re doing,” Aden said. “It means a lot to me that you’re here. But I need to do this myself. I made a choice. I broke the law. I can deal with the consequences.”
“But Aden, we love those kids too,” Bambi said.
“We have kids, Aden,” Jerry said. “What you did you did for all us parents!”
“Every kid is our kid!” A voice yelled the Marlowe School’s slogan from the back of the crowd.
“Jerry. Bambi,” Aden said. “I need you to take my place. Be leaders here. This is not the time for misguided heroics.”
Bambi sniffed back a tear then nodded. Jerry’s face darkened to a scowl. Bambi kissed Aden’s cheek. Turning away from him, she moved into the crowd.
“Let’s get down to police headquarters!” Bambi yelled.
“Round it up!” Jerry yelled.
Aden, Seth and their police guard watched the Lipson employees move away.
“That was well done,” Seth said.
“Thank you, sir,” Aden said. “Did you hear we’re going to have a baby?”
“I thought you were in a cooling off phase,” Seth laughed.
Aden laughed. The policemen nudged Aden forward and they began walking across the grass. The police officers helped Aden and Seth into the back of the car.
“I just hope she’s all right,” Aden said.
Seth nodded.
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….