Jeriziah Holt

 

A "Crowd Hoot" story

 

By Thelma Mary Caroline

 

 

(Author's note, the real T M C:  I don't really know what to say, except don't take this at face value.  Although the idea came from something that really happened, this is, largely, made up.  Thanks.)

 

(A second not, for myself mostly.  I tried really hard to keep the characters ambiguous in this.  As though people aren't going to realize the truth, as they've hopefully read the previous stories.   But if, god forbid, this is the first "crowd hoot" story you've read, I hope that you believe the characters are -- for a lack of good word here  -- what I've portrayed them to be.  I won't say in terms of what, because that would give it away.)

 

 

 

"Jeri?" L J asked, peeking around the corner.

 

Jeriziah's office was neat and tidy, as always.  Not a paper clip out of place.  The exact opposite of L J's. 

 

"You don't have an appointment," the woman said, not bothering to look up from her paperwork.

 

"This isn't about work," the Captain answered.  "I want to talk to you like family."

 

Jeriziah looked up quickly, and unreadable look on her face.

 

L J sat down on the chair across from her, a hard, wooden one.  "I seen you and your beau out."

 

"My beau?"

 

"Well, I don't know his name."

 

Jeriziah rolled her eyes.  "Louis Peroché.  L J, we've been together for eight years now.  It would be okay if you learned his name."

 

"Right.  So I saw you and Mr. Peroché in the hall way yesterday."

 

"I'm sure a lot of people saw us together in the hall way yesterday."

 

"No, Jeri.  I saw you guys yesterday.  I saw what happened."

 

"And what happened, L J?"  There was daring in the woman's voice.

 

"I may believe in a lot of things.  But I don't believe that it's okay to slam someone against the wall and punch them in the face."

 

"Oh really?" Jeri replied, her eyebrows.

 

"That was an accident!" L J exploded.  "I'm not trying to make excuses, but I had a lot on my mind.  Charley had no right to get in my way."

 

"Charley had every right.  You were out of control."

 

L J brought her hand down hard on the table.  "I took responcibility for my actions.  Charley would never tell anyone otherwise.  Can you say the same about Louis Peroché?"

 

"This is really none of your buisness."

 

"Maybe not.  But it doesn't change the fact that I saw it, and it doesn't change how it affects me."

 

Neither spoke for a long time.  They sat in silence, each with their own thoughts.

 

"How did we end up so different?" L J sat after awhile.  "No one would ever guess we were raised by the same tribe of elves."

 

"We were raised in different eras."

 

"But we were raised by the same elves!"

 

"So much changed, L J.  They were so closed minded when I was a child.  But they changed -- now they accept everything without a second thought.  But humans really aren't like that.  They don't change their minds so easily.  And maybe I was raised by elves.  But I'm still human.  The things I learned in my child hood aren't so easily forgotten."

 

Another moment passed in silence.

 

"Jeri?" L J asked.  "Are you really happy?""

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I mean ... if you like being beaten, If you'd rather feel pain outside than on the inside ... I'll leave you alone."

 

"No, it's not like that.  I've thought about leaving.  But, I can't.  I just can't.  I keep hopeing that he'll change."

"But you just said it yourself.  It's hard to change.  And he really won't."  She paused for a long time, fiddeling with a paper clip.  "I've heard him say things about you.  Not very nice things."

 

Jeri said nothing.

 

"I don't think people should do that.  It makes me so mad.  I don't care if that's really what you think, don't tell everyone else.  It's none of their business."

 

"I can't break up with him.  I really can't."

 

"I know you don't believe in people doing that, but it won't bring about the end of the world.  I know some people you could hang out with."

 

"Let me guess.  Kyle."

 

L J smiled a little.  "Kyle is ... I mean, you're not really Kyle's type."

 

"I'm not Kyle's type?  What is that supposed to mean?"

 

"Kyle's dating Otto."

 

Jeriziah's mouth hung open.  "When did that happen?"

 

"I thought you kept up on this kind of stuff."

 

"What am I, the grape vine?"

 

L J didn't smile at the joke.  "It nothing else, Jeri, just let me say this.  If you want out, you need to get out.  Don't wait too long."