by A. R. Braun
Stacey smoothed Therese’s hair. “Yes, honey.”
“Thank god.”
Stacey looked around, catching a couple of long-haired, young men getting an eyeful of her oldest child.
“What are you looking at?” she yelled.
They turned their heads and walked away.
Devon grinned. “Super-girl, baddie ass, that’s my fuckin mom.”
Everyone laughed.
“The mama bear has to protect her cubs.” Stacey turned to Chris and shook with her. “Thank you so much for all you’re doing.”
Chris smiled. “It’s my job, but I consider you a friend.”
“I think that’s perfectly fine.”
“Good.” Chris looked over the children as well as Stacey. “Bye.”
“Bye,” they said.
Stacey put her arms around Therese and Devon, and Sam urged the triplets forward, ushering them toward the elevator. They pushed the button; the golden doors swung open, Muzak pouring from the speakers. The elevator jerked upward. The children pressed against the glass wall, oohing and ahing at the sights. They waved at the people below.
Stacey hurt with love for Kevin.
The best pain there is.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Stacey walked into the hotel with her kids after church on Sunday. They went straight to the elevator to avoid the gawkers. A few black-haired girls that looked like they were in their late teens strutted by the elevator, probably en route to the trendy gift shop, because they dressed like the women on Keeping Up With the Kardashians—smut personified—two of them thin and one a curvy brunette. Also like the girls on the reality show, they probably made it hard for anyone to figure out what their talents were.
“Hey, look!” one of the brunettes said, pointing Stacey’s family out. “It’s the incest kids from the news.” The trio giggled and shook their hips toward the gift shop.
Stacey, filled with unwarranted shame, looked away, then glanced at the girls. Sam stared at the carpet. Soon, Stacey did, also.
“Fuck you, you skanky whores,” Therese cried.
“You’re no better, sluts!” Devon agreed.
The triumvirate stopped, turned around, and laughed. “Mowquakwa,” they mocked, then giggled and entered the gift shop. Obviously, these loose women were tourists.
The elevator binged and the family trudged on.
This time, the children just stood in front of the glass wall, looking at the city without saying a word. Outside, rain fell in sheets. The girls turned from the window.
The elevator stopped and the doors pulled apart. They got off and walked along the bland hallway. Stacey noticed cleaning ladies pushing carts. Antiseptic scents wafted over to her. The fluorescent lights lit up nothing in particular.
Stacey unlocked the room and went to use the lav. New soaps and plastic cups dominated the bathroom. She finished using the facility, then traipsed back to the living room, where the sad-eyed girls sat on the bed.
“Everything come out all right?” Devon asked with a half-smile, probably to break the mood, though it was in vain.
Stacey forced a chuckle. She sat down at the desk, writing a new love letter to Kevin.
Devon walked over to her and handed her a sheet of paper that had been torn from the church bulletin.
Stacey held it up. “Did you write poetry during the sermon?”
Devon waved her off as she went back to the bed. “I can walk and chew gum at the same time, Mom.”
Stacey perused it.
Once we were prisoners, living in hell-on-earth
Then were prisoners again, within a hospital’s girth
Now we think we’re free, yet we’re still enslaved
Laughingstocks of the populace, freedom still craved
I hope one day we can be happy and leave it all behind
God’s light warms our hearts, in our minds it’ll shine
But that’s a long, long road, a trip too far to surmise
All we can do is hang on and fight for the prize
Stacey nodded and wiped a tear. “Another trophy winner.”
Devon nodded back, then lay down to a nap.
It was a quiet day, indeed.
<^^>
Monday afternoon, Chris showed them the ranch house, and they moved in posthaste. When Chris left, the girls ran around the endless space they now owned, green grass and lush trees with bright-colored leaves falling off. They ran and ran. Stacey hesitated, then sprinted with them, inhaling the fresh air. Rapt with the cool breeze fighting the sun’s harsh glare, she giggled.
Stacey and her three older girls lay in the grass, while the triplets ran and played. Everyone had to shield their eyes except the youngest. Stacey and her three oldest wore sunglasses and sunblock. She listened to her children’s cries of excitement, and it was the sweetest music she’d ever heard.
Devon rolled over, locking eyes with her mother. “Goodbye, Best Inn. Worst, actually.”
Stacey chuckled.
Sam got up and sat Indian-style. “Isn’t this heaven?”
Stacey rolled over to face Sam. “You bet.” Then she rested on her back.
Therese put her arm around Devon from behind. “We can so sunbathe here in the summer. There’s nobody for miles.”
“Deer! Deer!” Bobbi said.
“Oh, my god.” Therese turned to look.
They all followed suit.
Two fawn stared at them sheepishly, only a couple steps out of the forest, just outside the white ranch fence.
“C’mere!” Kyra chased after them, not understanding they wouldn’t stay. This wasn’t a Disney cartoon.
The deer spun around and retreated like the heathen armies in the Old Testament.
“Wow,” Therese whispered. “Baby deer.”
Now on her side, facing Devon and Therese, Stacey smiled. “Life is good.”
<^^>
A few months later, the family celebrated Therese’s fifteenth birthday. She’d grown good-sized breasts and had a curvy waist. Devon and Sam said they envied that ass.
The family showed off deep tans now, thanks to the tanning beds Stacey had purchased. At first, they’d spent fifteen minutes a day in the beds because their eyes couldn’t take much more after being locked in that dungeon for fifteen years, then a half hour the next week, and an hour the week after that, till they’d finally gotten used to it. The cheap, tanning bed sunglasses didn’t help much. Therese and Devon had failed at sunbathing before winter, since their damaged eyes couldn’t take it. To ease the sunburns, Stacey had bought a hot tub, and the family used it religiously.
Stacey had finally bought horses, which the children loved more than pizza.
They sat around the long, polished table in Queen Ann chairs, the triplets and Sam wearing party hats, rap music playing from the stereo. They’d just grooved on the oak dance floor with strobe lights. Therese held a big present in her hands, for Stacey spared no expense with her darlings. She’d decorated the whole house in a Victorian motif. They didn’t want for anything. She tore it open and found a 3D plasma TV for her room. She squealed with excitement.
Therese and Stacey were at the two ends of the table that sat ten, the triplets and Sam filling up one side of the long space, Devon and two of Therese’s school friend, Kara and Bethany, almost filling up the other. Kara was a bone-thin, lovely brunette—very quiet—and Bethany wore glasses and was short, with light collar-length hair, a sweet and shy girl. Central air blew warm, mechanical heat throughout the house. They’d just celebrated New Year’s Day not long ago.
“Blow out the candles!” Everyone but Therese said.
She inhaled as powerfully as she could, then exhaled, blowing furiously until all the candles went out. Everyone clapped. They’d already sung happy birthday.
Stacey had finally broke down and sent Marie a letter, saying she could be a part of the children’s life. She done it only so they could have a Grandma and a normal life. Stacey had done it begrudgingly, still not
trusting her.
The doorbell that played “You’re Sixteen (You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine)” rang out loudly.
Stacey got up, fighting not to frown. “That’ll be Grandma.”
The kids looked at her with wide eyes.
Stacey yanked the door open, and there was Pizza the Hut standing there in all her bulky glory, holding a few presents. Stacey frowned just to show her not to mess with her, then held the door open so she could enter.
Marie frowned and wobbled in. “Not even a hello for your mother?” she barked.
Stacey crossed her arms. She looked to the left of the foyer to make sure the kids hadn’t followed. They hadn’t. “Let’s get something straight. I’m all grown up now, and I’m not going to take your shit. You’re not my real mother. You’re only going to see your ‘grandkids’ so they’ll have a normal life. But if you let them get hurt, I’ll kill you, I swear.”
Marie gasped. “Well, I’m sorry for what happened to you.” She handed her the gifts, which Stacey placed on a bench in the foyer. “But there’s no reason to get snippy with me.”
“No reason to get snippy? You knew what he was doing to me and didn’t do anything about it!”
Marie shook with rage. She pierced Stacey with her eyes. “You deserved it for being a rebellious little shit.”
Stacey lost it and punched her in her piggy face. She’d been taking karate and boxing classes with her money. Marie crashed through the screen door and fell on the porch with a sickening thump.
“Go to hell!” Stacey shoved Marie’s hog feet out of the way and slammed the door, locking it. She gathered up the presents and walked into the dining room. The girls gawked, still sitting at the redwood table; Stacey cleared her throat. “Grandma couldn’t stay, but she got you some presents.” She set them before her oldest.
Therese pointed toward the foyer. “But, I heard—”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Just open them and eat your cake and ice cream.”
“Is Mamaw okay?” Bobbi asked in a munchkin voice.
“Didn’t I just tell you she couldn’t stay?”
Devon slapped her hands on the table. “Come on, Mom! Grandma can’t even stay for Therese’s birthday?”
Therese giggled. “Mom’s thuggin.”
Stacey took a deep breath and counted to ten in her mind. She sat at her chair, gathering herself. “Happy sprinkles, happy sprinkles, happy sprinkles, HAPPY FRIGGIN SPRINKLES!”
“Mom?” Sam asked. “Won’t you make sure she’s okay? I don’t want you to go to jail like Daddy.”
“Yeah, the ‘down girl’,” Therese said, giggling. “Better go check.”
Devon laughed, also. Therese’s friends had horrified eyes, sneaking glances at each other.
Stacey slapped the table and stomped into the foyer, peeking out the window. Nobody lurked on the porch and her car had gone.
I guess wide load lived.
Stacey stomped into the dining room. She sat down hard in her chair. “The Burger Queen is fucking fine. Now let’s enjoy Therese’s goddamn birthday party and have a son of a bitchin time! Fuck!”
With downcast eyes, Stacey ate cake, but sure as hell not humble pie.
<^^>
A few months later, Stacey got a surprise. Marie called her and apologized, saying Dick was a horrible man and she should have stopped him. Surprisingly, the lady was in tears.
Yeah, sure, she just wants to have Grandkids like a normal old lady. I’m buying one of those mini tape recorders. If she confesses she knew Dick raped and imprisoned me again, I’m bringing the tape to the police.
Nevertheless, she said Marie could come over and take the kids to the carnival. Marie hurried over and had a look of fear in her eyes now, knowing not to fuck with Stacey. That was good, because Stacey had the tape recorder running in her white pantsuit pocket. A blast of early spring heat rushed in, which was a nice change from the blaring central air. The blinding sun rushed in at her like a serial killer.
Stacey nodded. “Mother.”
Shaking, Marie nodded. “Stacey.”
The triplets ran into the foyer and up to the door as she came in. “Mamaw!” they cried in that elfin voice. They hugged her.
“Oh.” Marie’s piglet face smiled now, and those cold eyes became warm with joy. “My little darlings. I haven’t seen you in ages.”
Stacey shook her head.
“Why’d you tell us you weren’t Mommy?” Louisa blurted.
Yeah, answer that one, Two-Ton Tessie.
Marie was nonplussed, apparently.
Therese, Devon, and Sam walked in, shooting Stacey knowing glances.
“Go on,” Stacey said, gesturing toward Marie. “Have a nice time.”
Therese shook her head, Sam sighed, and Devon took a deep breath. They inched Marie’s way.
“Well,” Marie said in that oh my god, it’s the help voice, “look how much these three have grown.”
Sam walked up to her and waved. “Hi, Grandma.”
Marie smiled. “Hi hon. Ready to have a good time at the carnival?”
“Yes, a whole bunch of good.”
That’s my angel. God bless her. She’s trying.
Marie looked Therese and Devon over. “Will you look at these two. Why, they’re practically women.”
“Soon to be ballin,” Therese said and headed out the door, putting on her sunglasses.
Devon followed, briefly stopping to look Marie over. “What’s up, Mamaw?” She followed Therese out the door.
Marie turned toward Stacey, the old lady probably trying hard to smile. “Well, aren’t they cute.” Her voice was low, condescending, and afraid all at the same time.
Stacey crossed her arms. “Remember what I said. Make sure nothing happens to them.”
Marie cocked her head and held out her arms. “No hug and kiss for your mother?”
“Don’t push it.”
Marie frowned. “I’ll have them home before midnight.” Her voice had taken on a bass pitch.
Stacey nodded, and Megaton wobbled out the door. Stacey slammed it on her.
Blessed quiet. Good god, I think I might even be able to take a nap.
The crickets rubbed their legs together like gangbusters outside. That’s how quiet it was, they were almost deafening. She walked over to the black leather chaise lounge and dropped onto it. In a few minutes, she fell asleep.
<^^>
Stacey stirred on the lounge, looking to her right because of the rustling noises, and saw Dick crawling into the window. Grinning like a beast, he stayed one foot in. “I may be dead,” he said, “but I’ll put my spirit in a young boy, and you can kiss Therese’s perfect features goodbye. Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh.”
Remember, dream control, dream control, dream control.
Stacey bounded off the lounge, shaking with anger. “I’ll kill you, you son of a bitch! You lay one hand on her, and I’ll murder you again and again. I’ll dig you up twice so you can die thrice!”
He slid out of the window and ran off.
Stacey sprinted to the window to follow, but saw nobody, just the beautiful green grass and the trees plus the driveway leading out to the white picket fence.
Until she looked harder.
A car raced into the parking lot, screeching its wheels as it pulled onto the lawn right by the window. It was Marie. Stacey’s kids weren’t in the car.
The obese woman rolled down the window and leaned out. “And I’m going to let him beat her ‘cause you’re being a mean bitch to me, even after I apologized.”
“I’ll kill you, you stupid cow!” Stacey replied.
“Not in this life, you won’t!”
Stacey fumed. “Where are the kids? Why aren’t they in the fucking car?”
Marie cackled like a witch. “Because I left them at the carnival to fend for themselves.”
“You horse-sized BITCH!”
But before Stacey could crawl out of the window to chase her, Marie tore out, leaving ugly
tire tracks on Stacey’s lawn. She righted the car onto the road and kicked up dust as the vehicle sped off.
<^^>
Stacey’s eyes opened wide. She sat up.
Oh, my god.
She rubbed her eyes.
It’s just a nightmare. The kids will be fine. At least they’d better be.
Stacey decided to get up and clean. She needed to keep busy so her mind wouldn’t snap.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
When the house was spotless, Stacey baked cookies. At five till midnight, Marie’s car pulled up to the house, kicking up gravel. The powerful engine shut off.
Stacey wiped her hands on her apron and headed to the front door.
Someone was keening. It sounded like Therese.
Oh god no don’t let it happen like in my dream no!
Stacey yanked the door open. Therese limped toward her, each arm draped over Devon and Sam. Marie got out and struggled to keep up while apologizing. She bawled like she’d lost a second husband.
Therese had two black eyes and bruises on her arms and legs. She wept.
It was surreal; it couldn’t be happening; Stacey trembled.
Oh my god oh my god no not again please god not this nightmare all over again! Please don’t let my nightmare come true!
Therese sobbed as she got through the door. A cold chill added to Stacey’s trembling.
Hot tears leaked down Stacey’s cheeks. “Oh god, my baby, what happened?”
Frowning, Devon and Sam let Therese go so she could hug her mother and soak her shoulder with tears. “Oh, my god… Mom… he… beat me up because I wouldn’t fuck him!”
Stacey’s tears flowed then. “Who? Who did that, baby?” She stroked her hair.
“A… a… boy!” Therese bawled now, as did Stacey. “He… beat the crap out of me-ee-ee!”
Horror took Stacey’s mind, and she felt her nerves sever like frayed wires. Her legacy had begun. Anxiety threatened to bring a panic attack. Stacey moved Therese toward the lounge, noticing dirt caking the back of the child’s shorts. “Let’s… get you… in… goddamn it! Devon and Sam, help her into the bathtub. I’ve got to deal with this fat bitch!”
Devon and Sam took her off Stacey’s hands.
“It’s gonna be okay,” Sam told Therese.