Force Out by Tim Green Page B

Joey’s father regularly commented on courtroom proceedings that made the news. Through the years, Joey had heard his father remark many times about criminal defendants who simply said too much.
    â€œShould have had a lawyer,” his father would say, twisting his mouth up in disgust. “Half the people go to jail just because they’re too foolish to be able to keep their mouths shut.”
    Joey’s mom would inevitably reply, “A guilty conscience will do that to some people. Most of the criminals I know, deep down, want to be in jail.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous,” Joey’s father would say, and the two of them would be off to the races.
    It was his father’s words that rang in his head like a bell right now, and Joey said only one word before clamping his mouth shut with the determination not to be foolish. “No.”
    â€œJoo-eey?” His mom drew out his name long and slow.
    He only shook his head.
    â€œWhat are you getting at, Marsha?” Joey’s dad asked.
    â€œYou know how crazy Kurt is about all this baseball stuff, his stint with the Mariners and all that.”
    â€œSeriously?” Joey’s dad raised his eyebrows. “You’re saying you think Kurt James snuck out to Mr. Kratz’s cabin in the middle of the night, drugged his dog, then put a clamp on his fuel line so he’d run out of gas, miss the field trip, and his son could play in the Little League championship game?”
    â€œDid you see the grin on Kurt’s face when he saw Mr. Kratz? And when he was telling me the story? Kurt looked like he was about to bust out laughing.”
    â€œWell, it’s kind of funny.”
    Disgust warped his mom’s face. “That’s funny? Maybe to a criminal defense lawyer who’s used to working with murderers, thieves, and miscreants it’s funny.”
    â€œMurderers!” Martin screamed with delight, kicking his feet against the back of their father’s seat.
    â€œHoney,” Joey’s dad said calmly, “I know you like the guy’s blackberry jam, but he’s a tyrant.”
    â€œHe’s passionate about what he does, Jim.” Joey’s mom scowled. “That makes him a tyrant to kids these days because no one thinks you have to work hard to get anything anymore. I see it every day. Look how much Joey’s learned in that class. Cell biology? Mitochondria, for God’s sake? Did you know what mitochondria were when you were twelve?”
    â€œA mandatory field trip on the day of the championship game?” Joey’s dad glanced at him in the mirror for support, but given the situation, Joey wasn’t about to stick his neck out. “And I don’t know what mite-oh-can-drake-ee-ah is even now, and it hasn’t hurt me.”
    â€œMite-oh- con - dria . Sports are supposed to be secondary,” his mom said, “and I’m sure he set that trip up long before he knew about a baseball game. And it wasn’t mandatory. Joey wasn’t going. It was for extra credit, but my understanding is that Zach needed that credit just to pass.”
    â€œIt’s a Saturday in June. It’s a weekend in summertime.”
    â€œI’m done discussing it.” His mom held up her hand, stopping all traffic like the pro she was. “But I’ll tell you this, I’m going to try doggone hard to find out who did that to Mr. Kratz, and—trust me—they’re going to regret it.”
    Joey looked over at Martin, who grinned wildly at him, then blew a snot bubble before popping it with his finger. “Boogers!”
    Joey put a hand over his own face, muffling a groan.

22
    Zach didn’t give up. He texted Joey three more times, trying to get him to change his mind and even letting him know that Leah asked if he’d be there. Joey stayed strong, texted no, and shut down his phone. Still, he just couldn’t shake the image of everyone hanging out on the