by Carrie Carr
Anna Leigh and Jacob were at home, taking care of Lorrie and Teddy. Lex parked the wheelchair beside the opposite pew, where Michael, Lois, Jeannie and Rodney sat. She started to go sit behind them, but Michael motioned to the space next to him, on the end nearest Amanda. Lex looked as if she'd disregard his gesture, until her partner took her hand. With the part she played in the current situation weighing heavily on her mind, she didn't feel comfortable taking a position with the family. But with Amanda's insistent tug, she pushed her reservations deep down and took the offered seat. The squeeze on her hand made her discomfort less stifling.
Michael leaned into her and spoke softly. "How are you holding up?"
A halfhearted shrug was her answer. Lex was saved from any other conversation when the minister stepped to the podium.
"Good morning. Thank you all for coming. We're here to celebrate the life of Elizabeth Kingston-Cauble." He droned on for thirty minutes, extolling the life of the woman most had come to loathe.
Michael turned his head and snuck a glance at Paula, who dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. He nudged Lex, who had also noticed Paula's apparent grief. "She's almost as good an actress as her sister was. Believe me, there was no love lost between the two of them."
His comment caught Lex off guard. She wasn't sure what to think, so she kept silent.
At the minister's request, Paula stood and made her way to the podium. She made a show of straightening her black dress before speaking. The heavy nylon material stretched tightly over her thick form. "Thank you, Reverend." After a deep breath, she removed a folded paper from her purse. "My sister," she paused and looked out over the small congregation, "my best friend, left us all too soon. She was cut down in the prime of her life." She glared at Michael, who had to clear his throat to cover his snort of derision. "She was a special woman, whose gifts of love and charity were spread among us all."
"Speaking of spreading, isn't she laying it on a little thick?" Michael's whispered comment elicited an elbow to the ribs from Lois.
Unable to help herself Lex chuckled, but quickly covered her actions with a fake cough. Her hand was squeezed harder and she pasted a solemn look on her face. She whispered her apologies to Amanda.
Paula was able to finish her eulogy without any more interruptions. Without further ado, she picked up the expensive Grecian bronze urn that held her sister's remains, and paraded to her seat.
The minister returned to the podium, flustered by her actions. He'd never seen anyone take the remains during a service. "Um, yes. I suppose we are finished. Unless anyone has something they'd like to say?" A heavy silence answered him. "Well, then. Thank you all for coming."
Everyone stood and some began to mill about. Michael, Lois, Jeannie and Rodney all stood around Amanda's chair. Jeannie touched her sister's shoulder. "How are you doing?"
"Better than Lex." Amanda watched as her lover spoke to Morris and Christina. "I tried to get her to skip the services, but she wouldn't."
"She's not still feeling guilty about Mother is she?"
Amanda shook her head. "She says she isn't, but I know better." She tugged on her sister's hand. "Could we go somewhere alone and talk?"
"Sure." Jeannie took command of the wheelchair and wheeled Amanda into the outer vestibule. "What's up?"
"We haven't had much time together since this happened." Amanda looked around to make sure they were alone. "Are you doing all right?"
Jeannie guided Amanda near a bench so she could sit also. "I'm okay. I was more worried about you."
"We're funny, huh?" Amanda played with the hem of her black sweater. "If I say something, will you promise not to get mad?"
The tone in her voice worried Jeannie, who covered Amanda's hands with her own. "Hey. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye on everything, but you never have to worry about that. You can tell me anything."
Amanda stared at their hands, unable to look her sister in the eye. "When I found out, you know, about mother." She took a shaky breath. "Oh God, this is so hard to say."
"You don't have to--"
"I was glad." Amanda's voice cracked. "When I heard our mother was dead, all I could think about was how she wouldn't be plotting against us anymore." She raised her head, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "I'm horrible, aren't I?"
"No!" Jeannie lowered her voice. "No, honey. Not at all. To tell you the truth, I wasn't too upset either. She's given our family a lot more trouble and heartache than anything else. And she's never been much of a mom to either of us. How does Lex feel about it?"
"Um, I don't know. We've kind of tiptoed around the subject. I know she feels guilty, so I didn't want to add to it."
Jeannie shook her head. "You're as stubborn as she is. What am I going to do with you two?"
The shuffling of feet silenced them both. Lex stepped into the antechamber, apparently looking for her wife. "Is everything all right?"
Jeannie squeezed Amanda's hands before standing. "Yes. I thought it would be better for Mandy to be out here, away from the crowd." She leaned over and whispered in her sister's ear. "Talk to her." She gave Lex a hug and kissed her cheek. "I'll see you two at the house."
Once Jeannie left Lex sat next to Amanda. "How are you holding up?"
"I've been better," Amanda admitted, brushing a stray tear from her cheek.
"Do you want to skip going to Jeannie's? I'm sure the family will understand if you're not there."
Amanda seriously considered asking Lex to take her home so she wouldn't have to face the Kingstons. She'd never gotten along with her mother's family, especially after Paula and her mother banished Morris. But as distasteful as it was, she felt she needed to at least make an appearance. "I doubt it, very seriously. My aunt isn't the understanding kind."
"Your dad doesn't have much use for her, I've noticed." Lex began to push Amanda's chair out of the church.
"That's putting it mildly."
They reached Martha's Explorer, which she had insisted they drive, instead of the Xterra. Martha decided Amanda's SUV was too rough-riding, and wouldn't take no for an answer. Lex unlocked the doors and helped Amanda get seated. She folded the wheelchair and placed it carefully in the back before coming around and getting in behind the wheel. She was about to start the vehicle when Amanda touched her arm.
"Can we sit here for a little while? I'm in no hurry."
"Sure."
Amanda turned slightly so she could see Lex's face. "This has been hell for you, I know."
Lex bit her lip and nodded, but didn't say anything.
"I can't even begin to think what you've gone through this past week." Amanda touched Lex's cheek. "When I found out that Mother had taken Lorrie, I completely lost it. But I knew you'd make everything okay."
"I'm so sorry about your mother. It--"
"Shh." Amanda covered Lex's mouth with her fingers. "Don't you dare apologize for something that wasn't your fault." She inhaled, then exhaled heavily. "As much as I hate to admit it, when I heard what had happened, I couldn't help but be glad."
"What?"
"Yeah. Imagine that." Amanda lowered her eyes. "God forgive me, but I was actually thankful my mother was dead."
Lex tipped her head back and closed her eyes. She reached for Amanda's hand and held it tight. "That's what has been bothering me, too."
"Yeah?"
"Yep. I kept wondering if I meant to do it. I know I tried to stop but what if, deep down, I didn't? Because I sure as hell wasn't upset she was gone. Only that I was the one who caused it." Lex raised their joined hands and kissed Amanda's knuckles. With her lover's admission, the pressure that had been building in her chest for days finally lessened.
PAULA KINGSTON STALKED through the small house, ignoring the condolences of those around her. She was a woman on a mission and nothing would keep her from finding a certain person. She peered into the kitchen and saw her quarry. A satisfied smirk crossed her pinched features. "There you are."
Standing between Michael
and Lois, Lex looked up. A look of dread raced across her face when she realized who had spoken. She placed her coffee cup on the table, before it fell from her nerveless fingers.
Michael nudged Lex aside. "Hello, Paula. Is there something I can do for you?"
"No, I believe you've done more than enough. But I would like to speak to your friend, here." The predatory smile she gave Lex was anything but friendly.
Before her father-in-law could intervene again, Lex straightened her shoulders and stepped by him. "Why don't we go out on the back porch, where we won't be disturbed?" She wasn't about to let Paula cause a scene which would get back to Amanda. Lex opened the back door. "After you." Once the door was closed behind them, she turned to the older woman. "What can I do for you, Ms. Kingston?"
The casual attitude from Lex incensed Paula. "Considering you murdered my sister, I think you've done more than enough, don't you agree?"
"Actually, it was an accident." With nonchalance she didn't feel, Lex leaned against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. "But I'm sure you've already read the police report."
"Of course I have. It's the only way I could learn the truth."
"The truth, Ms. Kingston, is that your sister kidnapped our daughter. If she hadn't been running away from the police, she'd still be alive today." Lex hadn't been prepared for the slap, which caused her head to slam against the wall.
"How dare you!"
The back door opened and Michael stood in front of Lex. "Paula! Have you lost your mind?"
Paula puffed up indignantly and pointed at Lex, who was rubbing her sore cheek. "This--this--woman, seems to be proud of what she's done."
"No, ma'am. As much as I didn't care for your sister, I would have never wanted to cause her harm." Lex only hoped she could get away with the white lie.
Michael put his arm around Lex. "Elizabeth was lucky it was Lex driving that truck and not me. I might have backed up and hit her again." He pointed a finger in Paula's face. "This is the last we'll hear of this, Paula. You're not going to bully us around like you do your own family." He started to lead Lex into the house, when she stopped.
"Ms. Kingston, believe me, I'm truly sorry for your loss." Lex lowered her voice. "But, if you so much as look at Amanda wrong and upset her, I won't be responsible for my actions." She followed Michael inside, leaving the eldest Kingston seething on the back porch.
Once inside, Lex brushed off Michael's concern as he offered to get her ice for her face. "Don't worry, I barely feel it." She almost rolled her eyes at the look on Lois' face.
"Lex, honestly. Come over here to the sink and at least let me put a cool cloth on you." Lois grabbed her arm and pulled her across the room. She ignored Lex's mutterings, and in moments had a damp towel against her reddened cheek. "Now hush."
"Yes, ma'am." Lex accepted the mothering in the spirit in which it was given. As she quietly allowed Lois' gentle ministration, she couldn't help but overhear a conversation Michael was having with another member of the family.
"You know, Michael, as much as Paula thrives on ceremony, I was surprised to find out she had Elizabeth cremated. I had been expecting an open casket, with a several-day viewing." The man who spoke was several years older than Michael and had been introduced earlier as a second-cousin.
"Well, Simon, it wasn't Paula's call. I was still listed as her next-of-kin, and decided it would be easier on the family this way." Michael lowered his voice, but could still be heard. "I thought she might as well get used to the heat."
Jeannie's voice from the doorway caught everyone's attention. "Lex, there you are. Amanda's been looking for you." She came into the room, giving Paula a nasty look when her aunt stormed through the room, muttering under her breath. "What bit her in the butt?"
Michael shook his head. "You don't want to know." He watched as Lex left the room in a hurry. "Is your sister okay?"
"Oh sure. I think she was tired of fending off the attentions of Great-Aunt Marnie. She keeps trying to touch Mandy's stomach, so she can tell her what sex the baby is."
Lois joined them. "Didn't anyone tell Marnie we already know?"
"Well, yeah. Several times as a matter of fact. But you have no idea how stubborn that woman is." Jeannie linked arms with the couple. "How old is she anyway? At least ninety, right?"
"She's got to be pushing a hundred by now. I think she was closing in on seventy when you were born." Michael nudged his daughter. "At least she hasn't asked Amanda to name the baby after your Great Uncle Bertram, has she?" At Jeannie's answering nod, he sighed. "We'd better go save Marnie."
Lex searched through several rooms, until she heard her partner's exasperated voice. She nudged her way into the crowded sitting room, where Amanda's wheelchair took up residence in one corner.
"Look, Aunt Marnie. We already know we're having a girl, remember? Jeannie told you earlier." Amanda held out her hands to keep the old woman's claw-like hands away from her.
Marnie's fingernails were close to an inch long and painted mulberry, and they clacked together when she reached toward her grand-niece. "Now honey, you know I've never been wrong. I can tell you--" Her hands were grasped in a firm, but gentle grasp.
Lex knelt next to the elderly woman. "Mrs. Dardenryple, that's kind of you to offer. I've heard from everyone in the family how on-target your predictions are." She tried not to grimace as the sharp digits poked into her palms. "But you told us earlier that Amanda is going to have a little girl, remember?"
The old woman frowned slightly. "Of course I did." Marnie pulled her hands free and patted Lex's cheek. "You're a cute one. But don't be trying to pull the wool over old Marnie's eyes. I can see that you're not with child."
"Um, right." Lex's eyes widened as she frantically thought of what to say next. To her relief, another family member came to the rescue.
Morris placed his arm around Marnie's frail shoulders and led her away. "There you are, sweetheart. I've been looking all over for you. Kevin has a cup of tea with your name on it." The crowd, which had been enjoying the show, followed the pair, leaving Lex and Amanda alone.
When Lex's head bumped against her, Amanda ran her fingers through her lover's hair. "Nice timing."
"Your Great-Aunt needs to be declawed before someone gets hurt." Lex turned to look into Amanda's eyes. "She's a character, that's for sure."
"Oh, yeah. When we were little, Dad used to threaten to send us to live with her if we didn't behave. He never followed through, though."
The thought of a small Amanda being chased by Marnie gave Lex the chills. "That'd be enough to scare me."
Michael's voice could be heard in the next room. "Paula, stop." Michael tried to keep the heavy woman from entering the sitting room but she bullied past him.
"Shut up, you little toad. I've had about all I can stand of you." Paula stood in the doorway glaring at Lex. "There you are."
Lex stood, positioning herself protectively in front of Amanda. "Yep. Here I am." She was tired of putting up with the likes of Elizabeth, and now her shrewish sister Paula. "What do you want now?"
The tone in Lex's voice should have warned Paula she was about to bite off more than she could chew but she ignored it. "I think you owe me, and this entire family, an apology."
"Excuse me?" Amanda started to rise from her chair, but Lex's hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Ms. Kingston," Lex put her hands on her hips, "Paula. I don't owe you a damned thing."
Paula's face reddened. "My sister--"
"Was not a nice woman," Lex finished for her. "She plotted and schemed until her husband lost everything. Once she was through with him, in some warped effort to control her daughter, she tried to poison me, almost killing Amanda instead." She held up her hand to stop Paula from interrupting. "She burned down my house, with Amanda inside, escaped from a mental institution, embezzled from us, and last but not least, kidnapped her own granddaughter." Lex stepped forward, causing Paula to move away. "So don't give me some sob story about poor Eliza
beth and expect me to cower and beg for your forgiveness. Because it's not going to happen."
"You hateful bitch." Paula looked around the room at the congregated family members. "Are you all going to stand here and let her get away with this?" She pointed at Lex. "She's the one who killed Elizabeth!"
An elderly man, who had stood silently by, shuffled forward. "Paula, that's quite enough." He took a surprisingly strong grip on her arm. "You've caused enough of a scene. It's time for you to take your Aunt Marnie and me home." He allowed her to leave the room on her own before turning to Lex and holding out his hand. "I'm Bertram, Marnie's husband. You take good care of our little Amanda there, you hear?"
"Yes, sir." Lex shook his hand. He was strong for his age, which had to be at least ninety. "If there's anything I can do for you, Mr. Dardenryple--"
"We're fine, young lady." He gave Amanda a wink and left the room as quietly as he had entered it.
Lex watched the rest of the family, ready to do battle if she had to. She was met with either warm smiles, or accepting nods, as they filed out of the room.
"That went, um, well, I guess." Amanda sat in the wheelchair and rubbed her stomach. "Your Momma was pretty cool, Junior. You should have seen her." She smiled at Lex when she turned around.
"Yeah?"
Amanda nodded. "Definitely." She held out her hand, which was quickly taken. "Ready to take me home, Slim? I think I've had about all of this I can stand."
Lex bent and kissed her. "You got it."
Chapter Thirty-Six
THE HEAVY OAK desk was cluttered with paper and Lex added to it by tossing another envelope onto one of the piles. "I hate paying bills." She picked up another, not recognizing the return address. One quick swipe with the letter opener gave her easy access to the contents. She unfolded the yellow sheet and scanned it. "What the hell?"
It was a notice from a mortgage company, warning her she would soon be in default--on a property inside the city limits of Somerville. The address was familiar and Lex realized with a sinking feeling it was Hubert's house. "Damn." She picked up the phone and dialed a number from memory, feeling her blood pressure rise as the recording announced the number was no longer in service. "I'm going to kill that son of a bitch." With everything that had been happening, she had forgotten the deal she had made with her brother.