Clean Getaway: Chapters 9–15

Scoob’s apprehension continues through brunch, as G’ma calls it.

He sidles up beside her. “So what’d my dad say, G’ma?” he asks all nonchalant-like.

He sidles up beside her. “So what’d my dad say, G’ma?” he asks all nonchalant-like.

“I couldn’t handle it, G’ma,” he says. “All I could hear in my head was Dad’s voice rambling on about careless mistakes and how they would ruin my future.” He shakes his head. “I considered going to my teacher—”

The way Dad puts it, there will always be people who don’t want to see boys like Scoob do well (Dad’s never said it explicitly, but Scoob knows he means black boys), so it’s vital that Scoob never give anyone a reason to doubt his capabilities.

G’ma points to a necklace with a ruby pendant and a bracelet covered in diamonds shaped like...diamonds.

“I could see it coming. Atsbani started his score-marking stroll like usual, but when he got to Bryce’s computer, he stopped. When his beady eyes got all squinty and he turned to look back at the computers he’d already checked, I knew it was over.”

“Well, that sure sounds bleak.” G’ma takes the earrings off one by one and sets them down.

“Yeah. Atsbani wanted me ‘expelled with utmost celerity!’ but Dad and Principal Armand settled on a five-day suspension.”

In truth, Scoob’s been so indignant over the fact that he was the only person to get in trouble despite not actually cheating, he hasn’t given this part much thought.

She eases to a stop at a red light and rotates her cotton-topped head in Scoob’s direction. “Think you can indulge your old G’ma in a little nostalgia?”

She eases to a stop at a red light and rotates her cotton-topped head in Scoob’s direction. “Think you can indulge your old G’ma in a little nostalgia?”

At the look on her face, all “destitute,” as Shenice would say in her grown woman voice (he’s really starting to miss her), Scoob feels like cracks are forming all over him and he’s gonna break into a jillion and one pieces like a smashed Lego tower.

She rocks a couple times in the seat, then pushes up to her full stature. Much more adorable than imposing, Scoob notes.

Scoob feels like his heart is getting bigger with each beat and will eventually explode from his chest as he watches her gnarled index finger hold the button on the side of the phone to shut it all the way off.

There are even a few gaps between dilapidated buildings where Scoob can tell there used to be...well, more building.

They stop at the intersection of Fifth Street and Twenty-Fifth Avenue, and she stares across the street at a rusted corner marquee as she hands him the Green Book.

Scoob spends the next hour and a half doodling in the margins of his map while G’ma’s favorite band, Earth, Wind & Fire, croons them into the unknown (for Scoob at least).

“I don’t think we’ll get out once we get there cuz we need to mosey on,” G’ma continues, “but I know if we drove through Jackson without me finally seeing this place, I’d regret it forever.”

“Medgar was shot down dead right there in the driveway,” G’ma says, shoving Scoob out of his musings with so much force, his head swims.

“Me too, Scoob-a-doob. Those officers started asking questions, and I could tell they were suspicious. Jimmy wasn’t the only contraband I had on board.”

“Wow.” Scoob is riveted now. “What happened?”

Once she disappears into the bathroom, Scoob tries to sift through some of the new stuff he’s learned and get his bearings.

But then that word pops into his head again, with gusto this time: contraband.

Once he’s sequestered away, he closes his eyes and sends a silent apology in G’ma’s direction, then holds his breath as he lifts the lid.

When he arrived, he’s not sure—can’t say he remembers the return journey—but there are all his most familiar things: impeccably neat entryway, empty peach bowl on the table...

Despite Dad’s clearly chill demeanor in this moment, Scoob’s seen the switch flip before: cool, calm, and collected to furious in a matter of moments.

Dad’s never laid a hand on Scoob before—doesn’t believe in corporal punishment, as he calls it (“I taught him that,” G’ma once told Scoob)—but the ice that rolls off Dad when he’s angry...well, Scoob hates how small it makes him feel.

Instead of his personal treasure chest, which is full of his action figures, Lego sets, and collection of obsolete computer parts Dad has given him, there’s a fancy-looking high-backed chair and ottoman.

Instead of his personal treasure chest, which is full of his action figures, Lego sets, and collection of obsolete computer parts Dad has given him, there’s a fancy-looking high-backed chair and ottoman.