CHAPTER NINE
I FELT QUEASY AS MY MOTHER TOLD THE STORY. "AND so, you were with us, with a happy family."
"This is NOT a happy family!" I shrieked, tears rolling down my cheeks."Its a family torn apart by crime, lies and murder! I don't even know what I should do." I had an idea firmly lodged in my numb brain: press charges with the police. But they already thought I was senile, and in instant need of mental rehab therapy.
My mother told the story again. Melissa was dumbfounded, as dumbfounded as a box of rocks, her eyes wide and disbelieving and glassy. Mr. Beckly's jaw hung open, swinging from side to side. I reached up and wrenched it close. He stared at me like I was a ghost. I ignored his hard glare; I was more focused on the storyteller.
After the repeated tale had been told, I swung around to Mr. Beckly, hands on hips and a cold expression on my pale, set features. "Who is our real mother?" I said, gesturing to Melissa and I. "You never told us." I shifted in the sagging seat. A few puffs of white dust rose as I moved.
"Her name was Elizabeth. She was a wonderful wife and mother."
"Was?" Melissa and I croaked in unison. "She died?" I muttered in horror. "How did she die," came Melissa's next quiry, shaking her fists in Mr. Beckly's face, a grave look etched on her face. She looked furious enough to slaughter the English teacher on the spot."Did you kill her? "
"Kill her? No, I didn't kill her!" Mr. Beckly's exploded to his feet, and for the first time he seemed as angry as I was with my so-called parents. He leaned over us, a twisted leer on his face formed out of rage. Even Mr. Graplace, his burly shoulders hunched, cowarded in the wake of the furious man. "She died a few years after your eight year old brother was born! She was thirty-four, and you too where five! She was murdered by... Cruise."
