Read Freeze Frame for Free Online Page B

me.”
    Jason cracked up. “Yeah, I drew you as a movie director.”
    I whistled. “And check out the actresses. Nice, Jase.”
    He grinned. “I thought you’d like that.”
    â€œYou know, you could draw those caricatures of people—like they do at Disneyland.”
    Jason shrugged. “Maybe.”
    â€œDefinitely. These are good.”
    â€œYou think?”
    â€œShit, Jase. You’re going to be the hottest new name on the comic-book market.” I already pictured his stuff in a series. Or maybe he’d even have drawings hanging up in some kind of cool New York art show with people milling around eating cheese and crackers off silver platters.
    â€œGrandma Peters signed me up for art classes after school this year, three nights a week. Dad’s pretty bummed I won’t be playing basketball or anything. His oldest son, an art pansy.”
    â€œDrawing superheroes is definitely not pansy. It’s cool, Jase. Really. When are your classes?”
    â€œMondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.”
    I felt a twinge of sadness. What would happen to our Friday Night Flicks club? “Then you really must like this.”
    â€œYeah, I guess so.”
    Before Jason closed up the book, he tore out the sketch of the movie director. “Here.” He handed it to me. “Only if you want it.” He scuffed his shoes against the wall, leaving a black smudge.
    â€œYeah, I want it. This will be worth a mint someday.” I still have it hanging up on my bulletin board. He never signed it, though.
    Â 
    The judge cleared her throat. “What do we have on the agenda today?”
    A lady tapped things on a black machine, and a mansat in a little box next to the judge. He handed her a file. She flipped it open.
    Mark stood up. “Juvenile Master Brown, at this time I don’t think we need to remand Kyle to West Hills Hospital because I don’t believe he is a suicide risk. I do, however, request that he be placed in the juvenile detention center until I can better assess the situation.”
    â€œWhere’s the jury?” I asked.
    Mr. Allison leaned in. “There is no jury. You’re in juvenile court. You will have a disposition before Juvenile Master Brown in the next two weeks. She’ll review your case and then determine your…” His voice faded. “Your sentence. Do you understand?”
    I nodded. Twenty to life without the possibility of parole. I tried to remember how the defendants acted in all those movies when they’re sent away. Most of them don’t even cry. They’re just stone-faced.
    How will I react?
    I looked at all the people crowded into the small courtroom.
    â€œDo you have any problem with that, Mr. Wiley?” the judge asked the other lawyer across the room.
    â€œNo, Juvenile Master Brown, I don’t. When should we meet again?” Mr. Wiley shuffled his papers and nodded at me. He wore a much nicer suit than Mr. Allison.
    â€œCan we meet Wednesday afternoon or Thursdaymorning?” Mark said, looking at his calendar.
    â€œSo soon?” Judge Brown raised her eyebrows.
    â€œThe Carolls, from what I’ve seen so far, are good people. My main concern is the psychological welfare of Kyle, and I don’t think that the juvenile detention center can offer him more support than his family. I do, however, want to take the time I need to visit the home and make sure there is no longer a risk factor.”
    â€œMr. Wiley?” Judge Brown looked over her glasses at the other lawyer.
    â€œThat’s fine. Thursday morning?”
    The man who sat next to the judge said, “We will meet here Thursday at ten-thirty A.M .”
    â€œGood. Next.” The judge didn’t even have a gavel to pound on her desk.
    Mr. Allison patted me on the back. “See, it’s going to be okay,” he whispered.
    I glared at him. How was it possible that things would ever be okay after what I