The Lifeguards(62)
Charlie sits at the table for a minute. He takes a bite, then another. He cleans his plate, then starts on his father’s pancakes. He opens up TikTok.
MY DAD IS A JUNKIE, he says.
I DON’T EVEN NEED A SOUNDTRACK FOR THIS ONE.
I FOUND MY DAD, AND HE’S A JUNKIE.
THAT’S WHY MY MOM NEVER…
He stops recording, just posts. He finishes his father’s sausage and home fries. The waitress returns. “You all right, sweetheart?” she says.
Charlie nods. He is all right. He has his mom, and his friends, and his city, Austin, where he is beloved, where Zilker Park waits for him, day or night, where he can enter the greenbelt along secret trails and see his best friends. He feels sorry for the man named Patrick, and he feels sorry for himself, but he’s OK.
On his ride home, Charlie thinks about the “rager” happening that night in Barton Hills. He pulls into his driveway. What a waste the whole day has been. His Oak Glen house is small and falling apart. His mom is trying so hard. Charlie texts her: CAN WE GET FREEBIRDS BURRITOS FOR DINNER?
She responds in seconds. YES! EXTRA GUACAMOLE?
He smiles. RICE KRISPIE TREATS?
DON’T PUSH IT, she writes, though he knows she’ll splurge on the Saran-wrapped, buttery dessert squares they have by the Freebirds cash register.
He types quickly: I LOVE YOU.
She sends back exploding hearts: Mom is getting advanced.
His phone rings: Amir. “Baby. Hey.”
“Hey,” says Charlie.
“I saw your TikTok.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you OK?”
“Yeah.”
“Can I come get you after work?”
“Let’s just meet at the 7-Eleven, OK?”
There’s a brief pause, and Amir assents. “I want to tell you something,” he adds.
“What?” says Charlie.
“I’m sorry about your dad,” says Amir.
“That’s what you wanted to tell me?”
Amir laughs. “No,” he says. “I’m nervous to say it first.”
“What is it?” says Charlie, flirting, a smile lifting his lips. A sun grows inside Charlie’s stomach. He feels its heat and light spreading out to his fingers and toes, to his brain. Amir loves him, he thinks. And he loves Amir.
“I’ll tell you tonight,” says Amir.
-1-
KXAN Morning News
YOUR REAL NEWS—FIRST!
Good morning. I’m Denise Simon coming to you live from the Barton Hills neighborhood, where police have arrested a suspect in the murder of Lucy Masterson, a young woman whose lifeless body was found on a South Austin hiking trail just six days ago.
Denise, what can you tell us about the arrest?
Good morning, Scott. I’m standing in front of the home here on Down Cove where an underage suspect was arrested last night. It’s a very large home, as you can see. Zillow estimates the property value at four million one hundred thousand dollars. It has a pool.
Well, I would hope so! Wow. Four million dollars. In South Austin.
It is a lot. I was surprised myself. Zillow lists some of the features of the house…let me see…it has a million-gallon, whole-house water filtration system—whatever that is—a natural gas outdoor grill, high-end built-in appliances including wine fridge, a Luma video security system, outdoor speakers on upstairs and downstairs patios and in the atrium, and multiple outdoor living spaces including a ground-level, custom viewing deck overlooking the greenbelt.
I’d like to live in that house!
Wouldn’t we all? But anyway, the arrest was made right here at the four-thousand-square-foot home, apparently during a party.
A party?
As you can see, Scott, there are still remnants of a balloon sign. It appears to say, “Go USA.”
Go USA?
Yes, Scott, that’s what the balloon sign says.
OK…
Witnesses say the suspect was arrested and taken into custody inside his home.
That’s a big home, all right.
Yes. And as you can see, it’s surrounded by news crews. Police Chief José Ramirez is holding a press conference at nine a.m. and we will know more then about why this young man was arrested. I’m coming to you live.
Wow, what a story.
Yes, Scott, it’s hard to believe.
And they arrested him in the middle of a party, wow.
Yes.
Well, let’s get over to Stacey here, who’s going to tell us about the weather. Another summer scorcher, Stacey?
You’ve got that right, Scott! Get out your sunglasses and get yourself to Barton Springs, because we are headed over 100 degrees for the fifth day in a row. This is going to be a June to remember!
-2-
Barton Hills Mamas
TESLALUVR
A kid from the neighborhood was arrested last night! Apparently, a basketball star! Does anyone know more?
CARLA G
Oh my God—what?????
VICKI B
Yes. I live next door. His name is Robert Fontenot but they call him Bobcat. There are reporters everywhere. They had some huge party last night and I could NOT even get the kids to bed. They didn’t even invite us! I heard Aaron Franklin was there. Bobcat once sat down on my front lawn and played with my son. I thought it was cute at the time but now it seems very suspicious. The mom is quite the bombshell though half the time she looks like she just rolled out of bed. She works at Hola Amigos! Though obviously doesn’t need to.