Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives) Read Online Free PDF

and showed no signs of having had six children.
    Janice wished she had a large family like Betsy. But with what had happened to her husbands, she realised that having more children was unlikely.
    “Why were the cops here?” Betsy asked.
    Caitlin stamped a foot. “Meanies-meanies w-w-want Tama.”
    Betsy’s eyes widened. “Why? What did he do?”
    Janice slumped further into the couch and covered her face.
    Betsy sat down next to her, and hooked an arm over her shoulder. “Tell me what happened.”
    “They said he stabbed Maia Daniels.”
    Betsy gasped. “Nike’s sister?”
    Janice nodded and wiped her nose on the back of her arm. “The Daniels always cause trouble for Tama. He ran. Poor kid’s probably scared half out of his wits.”
    Betsy hugged Janice. “You should be with someone, Jan. Come over. I’ll make up a bed for you and Caitlin.”
    Janice shook her head. “No, I need to stay here. Take Caitlin. I don’t want the cops coming back for her.”
    “Why would they take her?”
    Caitlin started screaming, “No, No! Pigs b-bad-bad.”
    Janice stared at her daughter in surprise, wondering who had taught Caitlin that name. Janice never called the police pigs .
    Caitlin took off outside. Betsy jumped up and rushed after her. Caitlin was fast. Even though her daughter was only five, Janice still found it hard to catch her. With Betsy’s small legs, she knew her neighbour would find it difficult too.
    Janice’s hands began to shake again. Betsy could take care of Caitlin; Janice desperately needed a drink—even the pills would do—anything to calm her nerves. She stood up and shuffled over the worn-out carpet and into the kitchen. On her tiptoes, she opened the cupboard above the bread bin and sifted through the packets of pills. A few dropped onto the bench in front of the knife block.
    Janice’s eyes locked onto the knives. Tama liked knives. He whittled wood and carved. She’d bought him a carving kit for his seventeenth birthday, and had given him money for his eighteenth for a new knife. She pulled out her necklace and looked at the koru he’d made for mother’s day. He’d said that the curled fern symbolised new life and peace, as well as representing his love for her.
    Her daughter started screaming again. She moved the curtains and peered through the window. Betsy had Caitlin in a tight embrace. She always thought Betsy was a good mother. Her friend was a confident lady, always able to stand up against anyone that upset her children. It didn’t matter that she was tiny; Betsy would barge into any neighbour’s house and demand an apology if someone had upset one of her darlings. Betsy had no fear. Janice had nothing but fear.
    She continued to watch as Betsy calmed Caitlin down. Caitlin would be better off with Betsy. She would protect her. If Tama had been Betsy’s child she would have protected him too.
    Janice focused on the knives again. Like Tama, they fascinated her. Although they hurt, bliss always followed after she passed out. No more thought, no more pain. She ran a shaky finger across the thick scars on her left arm, starting from her wrist and running up a few inches. She’d slashed them twice, but each time Tama had been there for her. He’d wrapped her wrists with his shirt and called an ambulance. She wished he was here now.
    She pulled out a knife from the block and ran a finger across the metal.
    Bliss.
     

 
     
     
    5
     
    Tama
     
     
    Shit, Jayden’s weed was great. It gave him the giggles, like a fucking little girl. Tama knew he should’ve kept it to sell, but couldn’t hold off toking the smoke. Or was that smoking the toke? Fuck knows! He just knew he felt awesome.
    He continued giggling as he staggered down the road. He’d given up hiding. No one was looking for him at this time of morning anyway. Plus, Nike could wait a few hours. Why hurry? He most certainly didn’t want to rush his plans for Nike’s fucking gorgeous wifey. Ooh ... he liked Jess—a lot.