The detective walked Rodney through the station and took him into a small room with a table and three chairs. "Please have a seat. Are you thirsty?"
"No. Thank you," Rodney answered as he sat down.
The detective sat down across from him, got out a yellow legal pad and a pen and cleared his throat. "What were you doing last night between the hours of nine and ten?" the detective asked.
"Last night? I was doing a research paper with a classmate--Cassandra Jurgens. She came over about six and left just before eleven," Rodney answered.
"So you were with someone last night?" the detective seemed surprised. "And Miss Jurgens can back up your answer?"
"She should be able to. I even got a phone call from my girlfriend, Cat, last night around eight," Rodney said. "It's on my cell phone, if you want to see."
"Sure," the detective said. Rodney pulled out his cell phone and opened the call records. He slid the phone over and the detective looked at it. He gave the phone back. "The reason I'm asking is that a woman said she was raped and she said it was you."
Rodney's heart fell into his stomach and he became slightly pale. "I...I have never done anything like that..." Rodney stammered.
"We're still investigating but we're thinking she is mistaken. We will get a hold of Miss Jurgens and your girlfriend to verify your whereabouts but you are still a suspect so don't go far," the detective said.
Rodney got back into the commons area of the police station where Mitch and Holly were waiting. "Rodney, son, are you okay? What's going on?"
"Nothing. A girl just accused me of rape."
"Accusations"
"Quite a weekend, huh?" asked Cassandra, catching up with Rodney in the hallways at school.
"I've had better," Rodney shrugged. "The charges were dropped. They didn't elaborate but I am no longer a suspect."
"That's good. I am so glad I could help," Cassandra took hold of Rodney's hand but pulled away as soon as she realized what she was doing. "Sorry," she giggled nervously.
"That's okay," Rodney looked down at Cassandra. "I liked it," and he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. He kissed her longer than he did over the weekend.
At that time, Cat came around the corner and saw Rodney and Cassandra kissing. "What the hell?" she yelled.
Rodney and Cassandra looked at Cat. Rodney looked back at Cassandra. "I'll see you in class," he said.
"All right, see you later."
Rodney walked up to Cat. "I'm sorry, Cat."
"Is that all you have to stay?"
"Kind of. I don't know what else to say. We obviously are not going to work out and the only thing we've been doing since that double date is fight. I've really liked being your boyfriend but we're just too different," Rodney explained.
Cat had teared up but held back her tears. "I guess you're right. I just wish you would've told me this before you started sucking face with her," Cat said.
"Yeah, that I didn't plan," Rodney hesitated. "I hope we can still be friends."
"Maybe," she said. "I'll see you later."
"Becky! What the hell?" Holly screamed as she walked up to Becky. "You accused my brother of rape?"
Becky immediately got defensive. "Whoa! I did no such thing. And even if I did, how could you find out?"
"It's my brother and it's a small town, Becky. Word gets around. Also, Ali told me that her father wanted her to accuse Rodney of rape but she said 'no'," Holly revealed.
"You don't have any proof that I accused Rodney or made a deal with Principal Kenstroke," Becky said.
"Everyone knows it was you. It's a small town and the grapevine is very short," Holly said. "Take back what you said and turn in Principal Kenstroke. You can't let him get away with this. If this all blows up then you are the one who gets in trouble unless you tell the police that you are lying and that Principal Kenstroke put you up to it."
Becky was silent for a couple of seconds. "I will think about it. I'm not promising anything."
Holly eyed Beck and exhaled sharply then walked past her, knocking her out of the way with her shoulder. Becky went off to class.
After school, Becky went to the police station. "I want to take back what I said," she began. "Rodney Barton didn't rape me. No one did."
"What?" the detective asked.
"I lied. Someone put me up to it and I regret my decision. I know I've wasted precious resources and time and I'm willing to be punished for it."
"Someone put you up to it? Who? They need to held accountable," the detective said.
Becky closed her eyes and inhaled deep. "Principal Alan Kenstroke."
"The high school principal?"
"Yes," Becky nodded.
"Thanks for walking home with me," Laurie said.
"No problem. I'm in no rush to get home," Ralph said as they stood on her porch.
Laurie unlocked the front door and turned to Ralph. "Do you want to come in for a bit?"
Ralph shrugged. "Sure, I guess," he followed Laurie in and looked around the house. "It's been awhile since I've been in here."
"It has. I don't have very many visitors. We all usually hang out at Cat's or the Replay," Laurie said. "Come on upstairs," Laurie smiled big and took a hold of Ralph's arm.
Ralph relented and followed her upstairs and into her bedroom. "Looks about the same."
Ralph sat down on her bed while Laurie messed with some things on her dresser. "I never properly thanked you for dragging me away from that party."
"No thanks necessary. Any friend would've done it," Ralph said.
"That's the thing. Lately, you've been more than just a friend to me and I think I want to take this relationship to the next level."
"What are you talking about?"
"This," Laurie walked to Ralph and removed her shirt. She bent down and kissed Ralph ultimately pushing him down on the bed. She sat on his lap and began undoing his jeans.
"Laurie!" Ralph was slightly panicked. "What about your dad?"
"He's a lawyer for the state so he's up in Dover and may not be back until tomorrow," she said, pulling up his shirt.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ralph said. "You don't have to thank me this way."
"But I want to. You have been so amazing the past couple of months. I want to be in a relationship with you," Laurie said. "Don't you want to do this?"
"I would love to be in a relationship with you but I don't know if we should rush into sleeping together," Ralph said.
"I know I'm ready and I I want my first time to be with you," Laurie looked down at Ralph. "But if you really don't want to, we won't."
Ralph looked up at Laurie and reached up and tenderly touched her cheek and smiled. An hour later, they cuddled next to each other in her bed wrapped in each other's arms. They smiled when they looked at each other and were so happy to be with one another.
"I should probably get home," Ralph said.
"Yeah," Laurie agreed reluctantly.
"But the relationship offer is still on the table right?" Ralph asked.
"Of course."
"Then I'll take it," Ralph said and kissed Laurie, who rolled on to her back and pulled Ralph on top of her.
Delaware Affections returns in May with the last three issues of the season.
