The Children's Story 17
Angel
I wipe the sweat off the tip of my nose, “actually, I don't know anything about Liz.”
Grace looked at me, “So about her taking someone else's stuff?”muttered late-goal, “to me, since Junior High he has often finished off his belongings..ehm, I mean sell it.”.
“What is he having financial difficulties?”
“What? His father was a real estate entrepreneur, you know!”
“Means less attention from people tau.”
“Maybe.” Grace shrugs her shoulders. “She's an only child. His mother died a long time ago. His father was too busy and authoritarian. However, it seems like Liz has never had financial difficulties. So I guess..he's mentally ill.”.
“You mean klepto? Shoplifter?”
Grace nodded.
I follow the nod, “Where can I meet him?”
“I don't know, Rick. He could be anywhere. On the street too. But I can give you her home address if you need one. Doves always come home to the cage, huh?”
“You're absolutely right, Grace.” Answer smiled. Then shake the girl's hand tightly. Grace just smiled back.
*
The journalistic report I had to submit today also left me half-deadly confused. Of course, because it is not finished. Therefore, I had to rush to finish it on the sidelines of my lunch hour. But all of a sudden, a loud buzz slid down my desk that almost made me jump out of the chair in shock. It turned out that the buzz came from a small tape recorder that was thrown at my desk by....
"Liz!.." I cried spontaneously.
"Suckers! You used me, Rick!" the girl's voice sounded like thunder splitting the sky. His eyes dodged large with a blazing green light staring at me.
"Liz, you..."
"I already know what your plan is, Rick! But enough to get here. Because I don't want to see your face anymore!" he shouted and immediately turned his body with a reddened face in anger.
I want to catch up with the girl. Wanted to question why he came in a state of anger. But the tape recorder on the table stopped my movement. Then when I saw the keychain made of white gold with some diamonds decorating it, it made me realize. I know what makes Liz so angry with me. I remember the conversation I had with Joe a few days ago.
"Actually what you're looking for is easy, Rick, it doesn't have to be around the world!" said the guy relaxed.
"It's hard." I'm upset, "I've been in and out of the store for two days, but still I didn't get a suitable item.
Joe smiled, "Difficult or stupid? You remember Jeff?I had always tipped my tape recorder on him to take courses I couldn't attend. Why don't you do the same?"
"Ck! How much does a tape recorder cost?"
Joe glared, "Not the tape, but the keychain. You have to put up an expensive keychain and get anyone who sees it interested. Including the thief you want to trap. Sure you!"
I feel like what Joe said makes sense. That's why I nodded happily.
"By the way, who's the girl you want to trap, Rick?" joe asked with a curious look.
I hurriedly shook my head, "That's not fair, Joe. I'm not doing this to play him. Just to help him. Okay. Thaanks over the contents of your pretty wretched head. I'll pull it off."
I really don't understand why I was so willing to sacrifice for a plan that didn't work.
And it actually didn't work. Not until 3 days, the girl had already appeared right in front of my nose knowing my entire plan. Even Liz also knows where I hang out to spend time.
"Rick.." Someone patted me on the shoulder.
I turned, “Lee?” I'm a little surprised. I don't know how long I've daydreamed until Lee's arrival I didn't realize. Meanwhile the waiter of the Chinese restaurant just smiled broadly at me.
“I see that sweet girl is mad at you. And you just shut up?” lee asked, shaking his head. I'm just a manyun scratching my head.
“Well...” I said hanging while scratching behind my non-itchy ears.
“Listen, Rick. My grandmother said, if a girl is mad at you, be a knight. Chase him. Bring a bunch of flowers and a million words of apology until he gets bored himself. Why don't you copy my grandmother's tips?”
“Have you ever done it?” ask me to ask back.
Lee grinned, “turns out theory is easier than practice.”
I chuckled, “does your grandmother also have any tips for finding where that grumpy girl used to be? This girl is hard to find. Satisfied I paced in front of his house that is always empty.”, I said to the friendly Asian guy.
Lee laughed until his narrowed eyes became a curved line, “where have you been all this time? Why don't you know the campus activist Elizabeth Grey?”
“You know him well?”
Lee shook his head, “gak too. I only know the development in following some campus activities that little interest. But if you ask where he spends his time, you'll be surprised. Every time I come home from work, I see him at Overbrouck.”
“Overbrouck? Why is he in Ngero's housing?” I just can't believe it.
Lee immediately looked at me seriously, “what difference would it make if I said he was often in China Town?” tanyanya left me.
I let out a breath. Understand why Lee suddenly became offended at my question. I do not mean to offend the majority or the minority. I'm even the most anti-talking about things that offend SARA. I was just really surprised and could hardly believe Lee's answer. I know exactly where Overbrouck is. The area is a rundown black residential complex, with messy, tight-knit, dirty houses. Five years ago it was the first time I was straying and knew I had to go through the narrow streets of the area. The atmosphere is chaotic and noisy. The children and the young men roamed around and behaved like thugs. They even fought and hurt each other. I feel threatened when I go through that place and stick to not going through it again for the rest of my life. But my big question is, what is it that white Elizabeth Grey is here for? Is it true that Grace said that Liz had a mental disorder? Then do I have to break my own promise and go back to that horrible place?
“Angel?” asked a newspaper salesman to me, when I asked him where Liz was.
“Not. But Elizabeth Grey. Young girl, slim, long blonde hair, and.”.
“Yes! She's Angel!” said the nigger who sold the newspaper with certainty. Then his jet-black eyes looked at me suspiciously, “you asked about Angel. Wh why? What's your business with him? Who are you?”
“Do not suspect first.” I said quickly before I got attacked by the nigger, but I didn't mean anything bad. ”My name is Ricko. His friend. His college friends. I just want to meet him.”
“So?” suddenly the old man's eyes turned anxious. That's really weird in my eyes, “What's wrong with Angel? He's okay, right?”
“Oh yes. She's doing just fine. I just want to..hm, give her a college assignment.” My words lied. I hope that reason makes sense to the old man.
“Oh, it's good that Angel is okay.” Said the man in relief, “If you mean well, you can meet him at the end of this road. There's an empty warehouse. Angel was always there with her kids. Don't forget, say hello to him. Mr. Jhonshon. Ok?”
“Alright sir. Thank you.” I said as I followed his advice to keep moving towards the end of the road.
*****
