The Town

  Chapter 5: The Worry

  “How the hell did you guys let a seventeen your old kid leave town?” yelled Mayor George. The officers looked backed scared, scared as a little kid getting yelled at. One officer replied back to the Mayor, “Why is it our fault, what could we have done?”

  The Mayor stared back at all the officers, and breathed a deep sigh. “You’re right boys it wasn’t your fault. No one has ever even fired a weapon, and now one of my best officers was run over and killed. The town will be in a panic if they find out about this, so we can’t let them know an officer was killed or about that boy Max escaping. I’ll set up a meeting for me and Max’s family.” The mayor walked out of the room and headed right over to Max’s house.

  “Ring, ring, ring,” went the doorbell at Max’s residence.

  Max’s mother Betty opened the front door, “Oh hello Mayor George, come in I just finished up dinner.”

  “Thank you Betty, but I need to have a little chat with your family if that’s alright.”

  “Of course that’s alright. I’ll get adult Max and child Betty downstairs right away, unfortunately child Max hasn’t come home yet.”

  Betty ran up the stairs to call everyone downstairs. When they came into the room, Mayor George told them to sit down.

  “Now I’d like to ask you all a few questions if that’s okay.” They all nodded and Mayor George proceeded, “Have any of you heard anything about Max wanting to run away?” They all shook their heads. “No I don’t believe so,” said adult Max.

  “Well I’m afraid I have some horrible news for you. I’m sorry but your son Max has left the town. He was driving your Milk van, Max, and even ran over and killed one of my best officers to get away.” The family sat in disbelief. “That’s impossible!” yelled Adult Betty, "Max would never do anything like that!" The mayor saw child Betty staring down at the floor. “Betty do you know anything about this?”

  Betty looked up and with a faint voice replied, “He threatened to kill me.” She was crying now and was barely able to talk through her sobs, “Max told me if I said just one word about him leaving he was going to cut off my head!” She ran out of the room tears running down her face. Her parents were sitting in absolute horror.

  “I am so sorry this happened to you guys, I assure you it was not your fault. You must remember that,” Mayor George told them. Both parents still did not say a word. “I’m going to have to bring your daughter Betty back to the office and ask her a couple of questions.” The mayor told them she would be safe, and Mayor George and Betty left the house. After a couple minutes of driving, they arrived at the Mayor’s office and walked into the building in complete silence. When they entered the room, Betty sat on the couch as still as a scarecrow.

  “Now Betty I just want to ask you a couple questions. I’d appreciate if you answered everything truthfully so we can do this as quickly as possible.” She nodded back at the Mayor still not saying a word. “Good, then let’s get started. Why did your brother threaten to kill you Betty?”

  Betty looked down at the floor trying to keep back her tears. “I saw his plans for escaping and he found out. He told me if I told anyone he would kill me, and I knew he wasn’t joking.” Mayor George patted her shoulder, “It’s all right Betty. You’re safe now, and remember none of this was your fault.”

  Betty looked up and in a whimpering tone was able to say, “He used to ask me why he couldn’t make his own choices. Why he had to become a Milkman, and have everything chosen for him. I told a young boy it was his purpose Mayor, I told a little boy it was his purpose!” she burst out crying.

  “I think we’re done for now Betty, thank you so much for your time. I’ll get an officer to take you home.” He escorted her out of his office and told an officer to take her home. The mayor went back to his office shaking his head, “I knew someone would do this, people just can’t have everything chosen for them. It can drive someone insane.”