Chapter 5 - Boundaries

“I shall tell you a great secret, my friend. Do not wait for the last judgment. It takes place every day.”

Albert Camus

Jack couldn’t believe it. Len might have been tired but he should have made it home without problems. On what grounds could they arrest him last night? This type of incident had been happening far too frequently these last years. It was a major point of discussion between he and Len. Nothing to do about it but get down to the station and pick up Len. Jack got into his Hummer and drove down to the station. The roads were still slick and snow laden. Jack took Diamond Drive past the cemetery. He could see the development nestled in amongst the trees behind the firehouse. When he was a kid they had started many Boy Scout hikes from the cemetery up Redondo canyon. Back then it was a quiet, undeveloped place. To his left was the front nine of the Los Alamos golf course. It was laden with three feet of snow. The trees’ boughs hung heavily. Jack rolled down his window and let the 20 degree air blast him in the face with winter freshness. Jack didn’t pass one car on the way to the station. People were still in bed from New Year’s Eve. His last thought as he parked in the police station parking lot was how the world had changed since childhood with Len.

“Hi, I’m here to meet Len Mahoney. He’s supposed to be released soon.”

A large heavy set sergeant told Jack, “He’s just now going through processing. He should be out here in a minute. You can wait over there on that bench.”

Len came out looking wild and frustrated.

“We have to hurry Jack. I’ve got to get home.”

“It’s O.K. Len. Maria knows all about it. Why didn’t you call her?”

“They wouldn’t let me use the phone. Come on, where’s your car?”

Jack ran after Len into the parking lot. Len had found his car and was getting into the passenger seat. Jack hurried into the driver seat and started the Hummer.

“Jesus, Len, what’s your hurry. You’ve been locked up all night. Another five minutes can’t make that much of a difference.”

“Get this damn car out of here and to my car as fast as you can drive!”

“All right! Lots of thanks! I saw the Rover on the way here parked before the golf course hill. You can get out there and be rid of me.”

Jack backed out and drove 55 mph until they reached Len’s Land Rover.