She came out in the living room and gave me a hug. Then she said, “This is bullshit. They’re just trying to clear a case quickly. Murder? No way. Not my Natty.”

“But you had no problem believing the narcotics charges over the years.”

“That was just business. I’d be a fool to think Natty wasn’t a dope dealer.”

“Drug dealer.”

“What?”

“Nothing,” I mumbled, realizing this wasn’t the time to debate semantics.

My mom said, “I know exactly what Natty is. He sells drugs for a living. Christ, he even tried to steal some OxyContin once when he visited me at the hospital.”

I cringed, imagining what my mother had done to him. When she didn’t offer any details, I had to say, “What did you do?”

“I tore that stupid earring he used to wear right out of his lobe.”

The image was unsettling, but at least it solved a mystery. I had wondered why he had abruptly stopped wearing the earring. He also stayed down in Newburgh for a while after that. I guess so he had time for his ear to heal and he wouldn’t have to answer a lot of questions.

My mom said, “No, my Natty would never kill anyone. He’s basically a good boy.”

That made me think about what Sergeant Jeffries had said about a parent’s pride. I also thought about all the favors he’d done for Natty the last few hours, from getting him a private cell to allowing me to see him at the station. I blurted out, “Are you dating Bill Jeffries?”

Mom didn’t hesitate. “Yes. Yes, I am.”

I was a little shocked by her honesty. She had always kept her love life hidden from Natty and me. I just stood there, speechless.

She said, “Are you shocked I can attract a man?”

“No, not at all. It’s just that I don’t think about you and men. I mean, you are my mother.”

“Are you too old to start calling someone Dad?”

“Yes. And besides, you were always both to me. A better mom and dad than any man could ever be.”

My mom started to cry in front of me. Something I’d never seen. Then she gave me a hug. You’re never too old to appreciate a hug from your mother.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

THE NEXT DAY, as soon as I finished my paper route, I headed to Tina’s Plentiful for some breakfast and a place to think. Thank God my official booth was open, so I plopped down, already considering what I could do to help my brother.