South River Incident Read Online Free PDF Page B

big
influence on Mom and is probably responsible for some of her attitude changes.
He was the one who talked her into going to work for him so soon after Dad
died. He told Mom she had to face reality, and start a new life without Mack.
She deserved a little happiness. Mack would want it that way. It was those
words that helped bring her out of her blue funk. She settled into her new role
as office manager nicely: answering the phone, arranging appointments with
clients, and refereeing the arguments between the two of us. She did a good job
running Billy’s office, and he did his best to convince her to stay, but when
Claire came along with her marital problems, Mom left us to resume her role as
homemaker and caregiver. Claire and her two kids, Benny and Carrie, moved in with
Mom shortly thereafter.
    A few minutes later, Claire
returned downstairs with a cigarette in her mouth and a nasty attitude. “Y’all
need to keep it down a little. I’m trying to get the kids to sleep.”
    “I’m sorry, honey,” Mom got
up from the table and went to her.
    “They had just about fallen
asleep when Jesse raised her voice and startled them. Maybe she can keep the
noise down for a few minutes...”
    I had just about had it
with Claire’s crybaby ways. I know she’s going through a divorce, but she
doesn’t have to act so hateful. Life goes on.
    “I guess the noise won’t be
a problem once you move into Billy’s house,” I uttered under my breath. “You’ll
have all the peace and quiet you want. You won’t hear anything for miles...
maybe just the sound of wolves, or a bear going through your trash.” I knew I
was being mean, but I couldn’t help myself. She’d been so hateful lately, she
deserved a little ribbing. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt for her to know what she
was going to be up against. If she was unhappy with a little bit of noise, wait
until she moved out in the country. The silence would drive her crazy. Without
Mom around to keep her company, she would be lost.
    She sat down at the table
and said, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you and Billy about that. I think there
might be a problem.”
    “Why talk to me? I don’t
have any say in the matter. That’s between you and Billy.” I got up to get
another cup of coffee, which I knew was the last thing I needed. My stomach was
still queasy from a lack of a decent meal and the presence of a dead body. Yet,
I had to do something. I didn’t want to have to look at Claire’s face while she
talked about her moving plans. I had made up my mind I would keep my feelings
to myself and stay out of it. I filled my coffee cup and stood at the counter,
stalling.
    “Come sit down, Jesse,”
Billy demanded. “From the look on Claire’s face, I think this might well
involve you.”
    I picked up my cup, walked
back to the table and sat down. I couldn’t possibly imagine what her move had
to do with me unless she wanted me to help carry the boxes. If that was the
case, she could write off that idea. I wasn’t about to help her. The only way
she was going to get anything out of me was by sending a big apology my way.
Lately, she had hurt my feelings one time too many.
    Claire snubbed out her
cigarette and lit another one. She was obviously nervous about something. She
had been chain smoking for a while.
    “I know, I know,” she said
as she glanced up at us, going from one to the other. “I smoke too much, and
I’ve been a real witch. I’m sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. This mess
with Carl has been real hard on the kids. They don’t understand.  All they know
is that they miss their father. As much as I hate to admit it, I still have
feelings for him. I’m working on that.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I’ve been on
edge for a while and I’ve taken it out on you.” She looked over at me. “Can you
forgive me, Jesse? You seem to have everything you want and I guess I’m a
little jealous.”
    You could have knocked me
out of my chair. I couldn’t