Chapter Six
I eventually spoke with Benjamin later on in the week. He said he would be glad to help with Jacob's case. I explained to him that my brother was a suspect in the murder of one of his best friends.
After listening to the whole story, Benjamin said, "I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I am sure it is hard for both of you to deal with." Those were his exact words. It felt so good to have someone understand what we were going through and to know we would have him on our side.
The whole city of Fargo seemed to be staring at Jacob and I whenever we went anywhere in town. It always makes Jacob uncomfortable when anyone stares at him. It is hard for me to come to grips with the fact they are looking at him as a killer, when I know he is not.
The Millers aren't speaking to me anymore. I feel as though my world has been tossed upside down. Even at work people seem to act differently towards me.
Sometimes going to places in town, whether it be a grocery store, public restaurant, mall, or wherever, people constantly talk behind our backs. I sighed, as I entered the library to pick up an important book I had to get for Jacob.
The librarian, as well as everyone else, kept staring at me. I just ignored them as I went searching for a book called "The Tale Of Two Cities". lt is one of Jacob's favorite books to read.
Jacob needed it for an English assignment. It felt hard to breathe as people kept staring at me. I felt like I was being watched from every corner of the library. I just wanted to crawl in a corner and hide.
When I arrived home, Mrs. Baker was in the house watching Jacob for the day. It is her job to come over every weekend and some evenings to help Jacob with his homework. I walked back inside the house.
It was cold outside and I was so glad to be back home. I took off my sweater and lounged around in my comfortable clothes.
I was wearing a pair of black sweatpants, a college t-shirt, and a pair of Adidas tennis shoes. It was so much more comfortable than the business suits I had to wear at work.
"Ryan, is that you?" Mrs. Baker asked, wondering.
Mrs. Baker was in the kitchen helping Jacob bake cookies as well as helping him with his homework.
"Yeah, I am here," I said, as I walked into the kitchen, and handed the book to Jacob.
Jacob quickly took it and thanked me. "You're welcome," I replied. Jacob smiled, and I asked Mrs. Baker if she and Jacob were having a good time baking cookies.
"Yeah, we're having a great time, and Jacob even put the cookies in the oven himself," Mrs. Baker said. I shook my head and smiled at her to signal I understood.
But I I had something else on my mind, something more important than school and baking cookies. Mrs. Baker looked at me mysteriously, as though she knew I had something else weighing on my mind.
"Are you okay?" Mrs. Baker asked.
"Yeah, I'm good," I said, as I walked my way into the kitchen.
Mrs. Baker stood up from her chair and followed me. I was leaning over the sink thinking. Mrs. Baker stood next to me as she laid a hand on my shoulder.
"What's going on? I know there is something you need to talk about," Mrs. Baker said.
I took a deep breath and sighed. I looked at Mrs. Baker and told her it was nothing to worry about. But she knew better. She was waiting for me to say something. I didn't know how to tell her that Jacob had been charged with Izza's murder.
"What is going on, Ryan?" Mrs. Baker insisted.
I kept trying to think how I was going to tell her. After all, she deserved to know. All of a sudden I just blurted out the whole story with all the gory details.
"Oh, honey, I am so sorry," Mrs. Baker said, with fury and disbelief in her voice.
I sighed, stroking my hair back. I had a habit of doing this whenever I was nervous. Is there anything I can do?" Mrs. Baker asked with tears in her voice.
"No, you have done so much for me and Jacob already. You don't need any more pressure."
"You know I will do anything for you and Jacob.
"Thanks. Just knowing we have your support is enough for me. I don't know how I am going to go on. I have to wait to see what my private investigator finds first.
"I'll be praying for you," Mrs. Baker said.
"Thanks. We need all the help we can get." I said.
Mrs. Baker has always been so supportive of Jacob and I. I couldn't ask for a better tutor or friend. She has been like a second mother to Jacob. It always puts a smile on my face to see Jacob and Mrs. Baker having a good time together.