Injustice Read Online Free Page B

Exterminators probably see writhing populations of vermin where others see homes and parks and schools. Maybe prosecutors (and cops) are the same: We see the disease and the rot.
    In reality, Rokeby is much more than a breeding site of social pestilence. The park is home to tai chi at noon, to joggers, to Rollerbladers, bird-watchers, picnickers, love-addled couples strolling hand in hand, kindergarten field trips, stargazers, botanizers, dog walkers, Frisbee golfers, and philosophers.
    Tina and Barnaby and I spread our blanket on the grass of the amphitheater amid scores of other families. ZZ was on his leash and ecstatically trying to entangle himself with every other dog we saw. The orchestra was tuning up, creating that lovely mishmash of orphaned notes weaving themselves into ephemeral compositions. Firecrackers and cherry bombs went off in the woods, pop, pop, pop, and poor ZZ started trembling.
    â€œI don’t know if he’ll make it through the fireworks,” Tina said.
    I pulled ZZ onto my lap and cradled him. Barnaby hugged him. “It’s okay, ZZ,” he said, “I’m here.”
    Pop. Pop.
    We were expecting a big group, but so far it was just the three of us. Henry had called to say he was still working on the memo and he’d meet us after the concert began. I didn’t know where Lydia was.
    Pop.
    ZZ trembled.
    Flora called me on my cell. “We’re just parking,” she said. “We’ll be along soon. Tell me how we can find you guys.”
    â€œGreen plaid blanket,” I said, “right near the statue. Is Lizzy with you?”
    â€œLizzy? No, isn’t she there yet? She drove with Ethan. They should be there by now.”
    I hung up with Flora and called Lizzy.
    â€œConcert’s about to begin,” I said when she answered.
    â€œOkay. We’re actually here already. But it’s so crowded in the amphitheater. We’re out walking in the woods. We’ll head back now, okay?”
    We hung up.
    Pop. Pop pop.
    Now ZZ was panting terribly. The trembling was getting worse, and he had a wild look in his eyes.
    â€œI don’t think this is going to work,” Tina said.
    â€œI love you, ZZ,” Barnaby said.
    â€œI’m going to take him home,” Tina said.
    â€œI can do it if you’d rather.”
    â€œNo. You stay and wait for the others. I’ll go.”
    â€œBut you’ll come right back?” I asked.
    â€œOf course, sweetie,” Tina said. “I’ll just get him settled. It’ll be quick.”
    â€œI’m going with Mommy,” Barnaby said.
    â€œNo, you stay here with me, Barn. Mommy will be back soon.”
    â€œI’m going with ZZ. I’m going with Mommy,” he said.
    â€œBarnaby,” I said sternly. But he was gone, running after Tina, grabbing her hand, taking ZZ’s leash from her. The three of them—Tina, Barnaby, and the dog—disappeared through the crowd.
    I sat by myself on the blanket. It felt odd being alone, a little surreal, as the strands of music played through the low static of all the voices chattering around me, and the screams of children playing at the edge of the woods, and a quick deafening blast of resonance when someone brought the mike too close to a speaker.
    My cell rang. It was Lizzy, but when I picked it up, she wasn’t there. I tried calling Tina to remind her to leave a light on in the house for ZZ so the poor pup wouldn’t be left terrified and alone in the dark, but Tina didn’t answer.
    Pop pop pop .
    I waited, expecting any second to see Lizzy and Ethan approach through the crowd and plunk down on the blanket with me; to see Flora and Chip; to see Lydia.
    I mentally did the math of how long it should take Tina and Barn to weave through the crowd to the parking area, drive home, get ZZ settled, and then make it back here to be with me on the blanket . . .
    Pop.
    Pop.
    Pop.

C HAPTER 5
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