South River Incident Read Online Free PDF Page A

well, Cole warned me
about you, too.” 
    Mom jumped up from the sofa
and headed toward the kitchen.
    “Stop it! What is it with
you two? Every time I turn around, you’re fighting. If I didn’t know any
better, I’d think you were married.” She grunted and walked into the kitchen.
“I’m going to fix a pot of coffee. There’s leftover chicken in the refrigerator
if anybody’s hungry.”
    The room fell silent. Why
was Mom angry? She had heard us argue many times. What was different about this
time? I guess having a dead body in your backyard does something to a person. I
cursed at Billy under my breath and walked to the kitchen.
    “I’m sorry, Mom. I know
this thing is hard on you, but you know how we are. It wouldn’t be normal if
Billy and I didn’t fight.” I looked at Billy with a smug grin on my face.
“Besides, he knows he’s always wrong. It just takes him a little while to admit
it.”
    Billy got up from the
hearth and slowly walked over to where we were standing. “She’s absolutely
right.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “I guess I’m just getting senile
in my silly old age.”
    Mom brushed off his arms
and gave him a dirty look. “Don’t mess with me, Billy Blackhawk. I know what
you’re trying to do. You’re trying to make me forget what has happened here.
But I know what’s going on. Y’all know something and you’re not telling me.
They’re going to put me in jail, aren’t they?”
    “No, they are not! That’s
not it at all,” I said. “Besides, why would they put you in jail? You didn’t do
anything. Just because you own the property doesn’t mean you had anything to do
with the crime.” I reached out to hug her. “Tell her everything is going to be
fine, Billy.” 
    “Everything is going to be
fine. Don’t you worry yourself one bit,” he said, as he led her to the kitchen
table. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll bring you a cup of coffee. Then we can
talk about that dead body in your back yard.”
    “Billy!” I screamed.
    Mom burst into laughter and
then said, “Billy, you’re such a bad boy!”
    We sat at the table for a
long time, discussing the day’s events. Mom was glad to hear that the police
didn’t suspect any of us, but was appalled at the idea of an actual dead body
on her property. Claire was her usual quiet, classy, above all, timid self,
until we heard a cry from upstairs.  She bounced out of her chair like an angel
with wings and ran to comfort her children. A pang of jealousy gripped my
heart. One day I will have children that will require my immediate attention
just like her. But for now all I had were two dogs. And, actually, they didn’t
need me... they had Mom to take care of them.
    As if to read my mind, Thor
ambled over and licked my hand. He had grown into a fine pet within the last
three months. He no longer was a little brown ball of hair with scarred-up
legs, but had developed into a hefty, muscular barking machine. His hair had
become curly, and his face was so adorable. Yet, his big, amber eyes conveyed a
tale of past abuse. For a while he had cowered down every time someone got near
him. But now he was getting acclimated to his new family, and he liked being
here with us. One day he would become the terror of Dogwood Valley . He
would be the master of this land. I could see it coming.
    “Thor has turned out to be
a good little dog, hasn’t he?”  Mom beamed. “See, I told you. All he needed was
a good home and someone to love him. Somebody sure has treated him badly. But
now he has a good home.” She reached over and rubbed his back.
    Mom had said that animals
were like people; all they need is love. Thor was a testament to that fact.
What was once an insecure, wimp of a dog was now the king of the hill. He had
his ego and his pride back. He no longer feared man. He could conquer the
world! Nobody would ever push him around or beat him anymore!
    My thoughts went back to
Cole. He says he loves me, but there’s