Out of the Black Read Online Free PDF Page A

off the line. When he came back, his voice shook. “I’m going to put Dorothy on.”
    “Goddamn it, Jerry, don’t—”
    But it was too late. Before I could get it out, Dorothy was on the line, her voice bright, cheery, and completely insincere. “Hello, Matt.”
    “I want to talk to Jerry about this.”
    “I’m afraid you have me instead,” she said. “Jerry isn’t feeling well today, and this is a stressful situation for everyone involved.”
    “Am I supposed to feel sorry for him?”
    “A little understanding would be nice,” she said. “Perhaps if you took a step back and looked at our side of things, you might see why we’re doing this. Maybe you’d even see it our way.”
    “Your way?”
    “One second, Matt.” Dorothy lowered the receiver. I heard movement and a door closing. Then she was back. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want Jerry hearing any of this. He really is in knots over the entire thing.”
    “He should be,” I said. “And so should you. What you’re doing is unforgivable. At least Jerry knows it.”
    “We’re doing what we think is best for Anna, and make no mistake about it, Jerry feels the same way I do. It might be hard to face, but for the time being, she will be better off here with us.”
    “Bullshit.”
    “Is it, Matt? Is it bullshit?”
    “This family has been torn apart enough.”, staring up at the ceilings out of
    “Yes, it has, but that doesn’t change the situation you’re in right now.”
    “My situation is temporary,” I said. “Money is tight, but that’s no reason to—”
    “This isn’t just about the money.”
    “Of course it is,” I said. “It’s the only thing you have to hold over my head. It’s your only weapon.”
    “Matt—”
    “If it’s not the money, then what is it?”
    Dorothy paused. “Are you still having the nightmares?”
    I opened my mouth, but all that came out was a short, choked sound. I felt a rush of anger sweep through me, and I closed my eyes and waited for it to pass.
    It took a while.
    “Yes, I know about the nightmares,” Dorothy said. “And the mood swings, the violent behavior, all of it.”
    “It’s not like that anymore.” My voice sounded unsure, even to me, but I kept going. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “I know Beth was scared of you. I know she would call me in tears almost every night those first few months after you came home. She told me what you—” Dorothy stopped. “She told me what happened over there, so I know more than you think.”
    I thought back to that time, and as much as I hated to admit it, Dorothy was right. I’d put Beth through more than I ever wanted to in those days, and I wasn’t surprised to hear she’d turned to her mother when things got really bad.
    Still, it hurt to hear.
    “It’s different now,” I said. “Those dreams have stopped. Things are better.”
    “I’m glad,” Dorothy said. “But that’s only part of the larger issue. What about Anna? She’s still recovering from the accident. She needs special attention.”
    “I know what she needs.”
    “But does she get it? From what I hear, she spends most of her time at home with one of your lady-friend neighbors.”
    “Her name is Carrie,” I said. “She’s a nurse, and Anna loves her.”
    “That’s all well and good, Matt, but Anna needs tutors and counseling outside of school. She needs professional help.”
    “She’s improving,” I said. “Every day she’s better.”
    Dorothy exhaled, slow. “You’re a good man, Matt, and we love you. We know you’ll do whatever you have to do for Anna, but you have to see that she needs a stable environment. And since you won’t let us lend you the money you need—”
    “You don’t have the money I need.”
    “We could always make something work, but that’s your business, and I won’t argue with you about it anymore. But I also will not back down about Anna. She needs someone now, and we can be there for her.”
    “I’m