Jordan's Alibi Version 1

 

F108 Creativity in a Box: Jordan’s Alibi 1000 words.

 

Rules: Only dialogue and no tags,

All objects’  names must start with same letter.

Show a discovery that leads to a conflict between the two characters

1000 words exactly. The rules must be posted above the story but are not counted in the total word count.

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Concordia, Kansas County Jail

November 17, 2025,  10:30 p.m.

“What have you done, Jordan? The police called that you were in jail.  I missed an entire afternoon of work because of this, and I don’t even know what ‘this’ is! You’d better start talking son!”

Melissa eyed the only chair with disgust, wiped the seat off with a gloved hand and sat, glaring at her son.  Her uniform scrubs were a pristine white, and her brunette hair was in a bun.

Jordan sighed and waved his hands. “Me and the gang were just hanging out, and it was getting late, so I was driving them home, since I’m the only one with a running car.” He was wearing faded blue jeans and a t shirt with MAGA emblazoned across his chest. His brown hair was clean and disheveled.

“And?” Melissa encouraged Jordan to go on.

“Well, suddenly, this old man literally jumped out in front of my car! There was no way I could miss him, Mom! I tried to swerve, but  I was too late.  I heard a loud thump and stopped  . The fog was so thick, Mom! I couldn’t see anything except churning  white mist everywhere.”

“Who is this guy you hit?”

“I have no idea. I’ve never seen him before. I called 911 and they sent a patrolman.”

“What did the police say?”

“They said  they were holding us until they ‘completed their investigation.’  How long do you think it will be before I can go home?”

“I don’t know son. You only have a learner’s permit to drive, so that’s another charge. Had you been drinking or using any drugs?”

“No.”

“Well, I’m checking with the detective and see what they say. In the meantime, you need to think about everything that happened.”

Melissa stood up and paced the small drab cell.  Only a few items were visible: The cot had a thin mattress and cover, the chair, and a commode against the far wall,  a Styrofoam coffee cup with some stale cookie crumbs, and a clock high on the wall.  The floor was dirty concrete.

Melissa shuddered. This is not what she had planned for her son. She saw her son becoming a doctor or lawyer, or a business owner, not a criminal.  Sighing, she glanced at her son, sitting on the cot with his head in his hands, shaking his head in despair.  She  reclaimed her seat on the dirty chair.

“Jordan? Is there anything else I need to know before I leave to talk to the investigator? Any other charges they will make?”

“Of course not, Mom. Like I said, we were just driving home in the fog and the old guy literally jumped out in front of the car. It was like he wanted to get hit. I don’t know, maybe he was suicidal or something, you know?”

“Was he killed on impact, or was he awake for a bit before he died?”

“I didn’t hear him say anything or move. He just laid there.”

“OK. I’m going to talk to the detectives now. I’ll be back later. Get some rest.  OFFICER!”

An officer came, opened the door and allowed her to leave.

 

11:45 p.m.

“Jordan? Are you awake?”

“Yeah. I am now,” Jordan sat up, wiping his eyes.  “what’s new?”

“Our lawyer will be here in the morning to visit you. The investigators had some more charges.”

“What? What charges ?”

“Possession of stolen property.  There were stolen laptops, tablets, chargers, cell phones, and other electronic devices in your car trunk.  What were you thinking, Jordan?”

Melissa paced the small cell, one hand on her brow, another planted firmly on her hip. Her face was contorted with anxiety, concern, and anger.

Jordan stared at her in confusion and shock.

“What? I don’t know anything about any stolen property!  I didn’t steal anything, and I don’t believe my friends would---”

Jordan stopped midsentence.  Surely, they wouldn’t have done this and not tell me! How did they get access to the trunk? Why is this happening?

“What, Jordan? What are you thinking?”

“Remember yesterday, when I had to study for that big exam? Jimmy asked to borrow my car for a few minutes, and I gave him my keys.  I didn’t think anything about it. They’d borrowed it before and nothing came of it. But surely, they wouldn’t have---Oh God, surely, they didn’t rob a store and leave their loot in my car!  Some friends!”

“Oh Jordan! What a mess! I don’t know how we’re going to prove that you weren’t in on that robbery, if that is what happened. Did anyone see you in the library while you were studying? Do you have an alibi?”

“I’m not sure---wait! The librarian talked to me briefly while I was there. We were talking about a book that I needed for my term paper. Mom! Can you go talk to her about me? Her name is Sally Goodman.  I was by her desk the entire time I was there.”

“I certainly will, but you will be answering for the manslaughter charges anyway. And more punishment  at home, “if” you get out of jail.”

“Yes, mom.”

One week later, after bail was posted and Jordan was home under curfew, the lawyer called and told the family that after investigation, Jordan’s alibi had checked out, so he was cleared of the theft charges, his friends had been arrested for the crime, and the family of the old man had reported he had been suicidal for months and had tried this method several times. They were ruling his death as suicide.

The only charge that remained was driving without a full license. His permanent license would not be issued until he was 20 years old as a result of this incident.  His partying was over.

Jordan was doing chores and odd jobs in the community to atone for his “crime” and he was attending church every Sunday with his Mom.