“His mom is alive and well. Always has been. A mighty rich lady too. So was Ray. Turns out that’s where he got all his money. Still has it. He’s worth millions. He never actually worked a day in his life.”
She jerked her head harder and faster. “No, no, no. You’re lying. That’s not true. Why would you lie? I don’t understand. This must be a test. What kind of a test is this?” She raked her fingers up and down her forearms. “I’ll figure it out. I will. I’ll pass this one. I pass all of them.”
“His name isn’t even Ray.” I let the final bomb drop. “It’s Harold Allen Fitzgerald.”
She jumped up from her chair and leaped across the table at me. “Liar!” she screamed.
Dad shoved the table into her, and she flew back. The officer in the doorway rushed into the room and grabbed her from behind. Mom flailed against him.
“This visit is over,” the officer said, twisting Mom’s arms behind her back and cuffing her again.
“Stop lying! Why are you lying? How dare you fill me with such lies?” She shook her head like a mad dog. “You’re evil.”
Dad stood. “Don’t you ever come near her again. If you—”
I grabbed his arm. “It’s okay, Dad. I’m done.” I stood next to him and pushed in my chair. I reached up and undid the locket around my neck—the one with her picture that I’d been wearing since I was five. I set it on the table in front of her.
“Goodbye, Mom.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2017
Dr. Lucinda Berry is a trauma psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. She uses her clinical experience to create disturbing psychological thrillers, blurring the line between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on journeys through the dark recesses of the human psyche.
If Berry isn’t chasing after her ten-year-old son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon. To hear about her upcoming releases, visit her on Facebook or sign up for her newsletter at https://about.me/lucindaberry.
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