What We Saw(23)

Dad gets all the way through the Nightly News with Brian Williams and half of the local news at six before the timer goes off on the oven. Mom is setting the no-guilt enchiladas on the table and telling Dad to turn off the TV and come eat when I hear the words “several arrests at Coral Sands High School,” and now all four of us are staring at the screen.

A blond woman with a microphone is standing in front of the school—our school—giving the studio anchors in Des Moines a preview of the story she’ll do on the ten o’clock news. Her name floats beneath her chin: Sloane Keating. Her hair falls in golden waves that frame her face. Her makeup is perfect, and her navy jacket clings in all the right places, but she doesn’t look so much older than I am.

The county sheriff’s department has confirmed that four young men were taken into custody, though no names have been released as of yet. Apparently, two of the high school students are minors, and two are eighteen. The charges stem from a party that was held Saturday night at the home of a star Coral Sands basketball player, and include sexual assault, rape, and distribution of child pornography. I’ll have a full report at ten . . .

Dad clicks off the television, and we all stare at the dark screen in silence for a moment before Mom quietly says, “Let’s eat.”

The enchiladas are delicious, but there is guilt in the air, and I can hardly swallow. Why do I feel like I did something wrong? Dad is silent as Mom peppers me with questions.

Is that the party you were at?

John Doone’s party?

Ben was there with you?

Did you see anything?

Did you hear anything?

Were his parents home?

Will keeps piping up with rumors his friend Tyler has heard. “Everybody knows Stacey filed the charges.”

“Stacey?” Mom turns to me. “Do you know her?”

I nod, miserable. “You do, too.”

“You don’t mean . . .” Mom puts her fork down. “Stacey Stallard?”

“Isn’t it crazy?” Will is close to whiplash from all of the rubbernecking. “Nothing like this ever happens around here. I mean, we’re on the news and—”

“That’s enough.” Dad wipes his mouth and tosses his napkin onto his plate. I jump at the sharp sound of his voice. “This is nothing to gawk at, Will.”

“I’m not gawk—” He falls silent as Dad fixes him with the what-did-I-just-say? look. Our father can communicate a great deal without speaking, so when he raises his voice it usually means we should pay attention.

Dad turns his gaze to me. “Were people drinking at this party?”

“Yes, sir.” I can feel my cheeks go hot.

“Were you drinking at this party?”

My heart pounds, but I know better than to lie. I’m bad at it. I nod. His stare bores right through me.

“Ben drove me home. Early.” I blurt it out. “He wouldn’t let me drive my truck.”

Dad nods slowly. “That was a wise choice, young lady. If I ever catch wind that you got behind the wheel after drinking, you’ll be walking to college and paying for it yourself.”

I stare at my plate for what feels like an eternity.

“Kate?” Finally, Dad says my name and I look up at him. There is no anger behind his eyes. “You keep your head down, understand? You do not want to get caught up in this mess. People’s lives will be ruined whether there’s an ounce of truth to this or not. Steer clear. As far as this family is concerned, you don’t even know where that Doone boy lives.”

After another moment of silence, Mom asks who wants ice cream for dessert.

Tonight, for the first time in the history of the Westons, there are no takers.





UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE


HarperCollins Publishers

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thirteen


FOUR ARRESTED IN CORAL SANDS RAPE INVESTIGATION

By Sloane Keating

Published: March 18

CORAL SANDS, Iowa—Four arrests rocked the south-central Iowa town of Coral Sands yesterday. Charges filed with the county sheriff’s office allege that a 17-year-old high school junior was raped during a party held at the home of Coral Sands Buccaneers star John Doone, 18.

Doone and teammate Deacon Mills, also 18, have been formally charged with one count each of sexual assault, and one count rape. Doone is also charged with one count of distributing child pornography. Pictures and videos taken before and during the alleged incident, as well as during the arrest of the players, were widely circulated among partygoers and other students via social media. Under Iowa statute, any distribution of images featuring a minor in a state of undress or participating in sexual activity is considered child pornography, regardless of the age of those distributing.

Two other students taken into custody are also members of the top-ranked high school basketball team, but their names have not yet been released as both are minors.

Coral Sands principal Wendall Hargrove said late Tuesday night that he and the school’s administration take the allegations very seriously. However, in a statement released this morning, Hargrove urged the community to exercise caution in their rush to judgment:

“These young men are innocent until proven guilty. It is important to understand that we are dealing with allegations against four students who have been examples of fine sportsmanship; young men who have rallied our community, despite a difficult economy, as members of our most winning basketball team in recent history. We owe them the respect and privacy they deserve as we get to the truth behind these charges.”