Stay in your lane. And what lane is that, Rick? Hawk asked. The one where kids get beaten while you look the other way. The ambulance arrives.
Paramedics rush over with a stretcher. I don't need that, I say. I'm fine. The female paramedic kneels beside me. Let me check you out.
Okay. Standard procedure. She examines the cut on my lip, the bruise forming on my cheek. Her hands are gentle as she checks my ribs. Anything broken?
Hawk asks her. Doesn't seem like it, she says. But he should get X-rays to be sure. Deputy Hargrove steps between Hawk and me. The boy's mother has been called.
She can decide about the hospital and the Finch boys. Hawk asks, "They being detained? That's not your concern. " Deputy Hargrove says, "I see them in the distance standing by their father's car. Judge Finch is there, arm around Dylan's shoulders. They're not in handcuffs.
They're not in trouble. They're getting away with it. " I say again, Hawk's eyes find mine. "No," he says quietly. "They're not. " A small blue car screeches into the parking lot. My mom jumps out, running toward me.
"Eli," she cries, her voice is frantic. Oh my god, Eli. She pushes past the bikers, past Deputy Hargrove. She drops to her knees beside my chair. Are you okay?
What happened? Her hands flutter over me, checking for injury. I'm okay, Mom, I say. They just knocked me down. Who?
She demands. Who did this? I don't answer. I don't have to. Her eyes find the Finch boys and their father across the parking lot.
Her face hardens. Again, she says, "Those same boys again? " She stands up, turns to Deputy Hargrove. I want them arrested. This is the third time, Rick. The third time.
Deputy Hargrove shifts uncomfortably. Now, Sarah, boys will be boys. We don't want to ruin their futures over boys will be boys. Hawk interrupts. His voice is dangerous now.
That what you call this? My mom notices the bikers for the first time. Her eyes widen with recognition and fe. Who are you? She asks.
What do you want with my son? They helped me, Mom? I say quickly. They stopped Cory and Dylan. She looks from me to Hawk, confused.
You helped him? Hawk nods once. We saw what was happening. We stepped in. Ma'am, the paramedic interrupts.
We should take your son to the hospital for X-ray just to be safe. Mom hesitates. Hospital bills are expensive. We're already behind on rent. I'm fine, Mom.
I insist. Really? I just want to go home. She bites her lip, then nods. Okay, home first.
If anything hurts more later, we'll go. She reaches for my wheelchair, but Patch steps forward. The wheels damaged, he says. Let me fix it properly. I'm good with mechanics.
Mom stares at him. Patch is intimidating. 6'4, covered in tattoos with a long black beard, but his voice is soft when he talks to her. "No charge," he adds. "I've got tools at the clubhouse.