JACKSON ISN'T TO BE TRUSTED

HAZEL

I quietly kick my feet back and forth as I sit in the porch swing. My head is buzzing from the amount of liquor I've put into my body, but I don't mind.

Ramon digs into his pocket and pulls out a blue box of cigarettes. Taking one, he brings the stick to his teeth and flicks the lighter. I focus on the orange flame and pull my lip between my teeth.

"So, why do you think that Jackson is involved?" I ask, breaking the silence.

Ramon turns to me and sucks in deeply before exhaling the smoke from his lungs. He makes sure not to get it anywhere near me.

"I've been around for too many years, and I've come to understand to pay attention to body language. I'm not accusing him of anything." Ramon shrugs his shoulders and brings the cigarette to his lips again.

"His body language?" I knot my eyebrows. "Like, I don't get it. If he was against you, would he have jumped from a building trying to get me out of it and back to you?" I scratch the side of my head.

"I don't know, Hazel. You may a