The tragedy
Officer Winchester put out a call to look for James . James wasn't stupid he knew they would track him through his employer. He had to have a job to maintain his program. What was he thinking pushing his mother down the stairs out of anger. He was so tired of people saying he never took accountability for his actions.
Screw it if he was going to break parole than he wasn't going half measures. He thought I'll do as much damage as possible before they lock me up for that woman. Always her. Never him . Her! He thought angry now .
Bethany sat by Norma-Jean bed side reflecting on all the days she did the same for her own mother. She never understood why they couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. She kept getting sicker. Her organs failed and she was always in pain.
It had been three days and the steady beeping of the heart monitor was nerve racking. They had survived the worst of it. Now she had to play the waiting game. She wanted Norma-Jean to wake up. She didn't want to have to sign the do not resuscitate order. It wasn't her call to play god . To decide who lives and who dies. This thought tormented Bethany.
James watched the building where he had his weekly check ins and knew it was a setting trap. He knew he had to check in to stay on the program but was the risk worth it. If he didn't show another call would be made. Surely they already contacted them about his profile. James turned the corner and went to the hospital. He knew he did this to her but it was his mother.
He had all intentions on apologizing and getting her to drop the search. He can sort out missing the parole visit later. He was going to see his mother . He was going to get his forgiveness.
Norma-Jean eyes fluttered open . The first thing she saw was florescent lights on a ceiling. Then the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. Where am I she thought to herself. She looked down at her hospital gown. And realized she was in the hospital. She tried to move but her arm was up in a ceiling sling and her leg too. Her hip was in a cast and it hurt to breath .
" Help!" Rasped Norma -jean as Bethany asleep on the sofa hurled across the room to see her friend had woken up . She grabbed Norma -jean hand and she winced in pain .
" That hurts." She protested.
" I'm so sorry. " Bethany pleaded. As she felt bad she hurt her friend.
" Nurse. Nurse . She is awake." Said Bethany pressing the call button face full of tears .
" Why do I hurt so much?" Norma-Jean complained. Nurses rushed in and began checking vitals . Norma-Jean tried to pull away but she was stuck in a stationary position. Two officers came in and stood in the back of the corner.
When the nurses cleared the room they waited to be acknowledged.
" Am I under arrest or did someone hire me strippers ?" Norma-jean cracked a joke .
Officer Winchester cracked a smile. As he approached her ." Neither Mrs. Barry .I appreciate the compliment but we are here to ask you a few questions." He explained.
" Oh so this isn't a gift. My bachelorette party I had cop dancers from chip and dales. My gal friends told me it was my last wild night before the old ball and chain." Said Norma -jean to Bethany before she saw the other officers face became stern ." I was hoping for the latter and wanted to relive my youth with a stud officer as my dancer." Said Norma-jean not shy of how she made Winchester clear his throat at her perception of his physique.
" Mrs. Barry can you tell me what happened?" Jumped in the humorless officer. Now overwhelmed and annoyed at the fruitless flirting the old woman made towards his partner.
" Bethany went to her guy friends house and my son James came over to talk . I told him he had an order on him and he wasn't supposed to be there. We got into a fight and next thing I know I was here."she said as confused how she got here.
" James has an restraining order on him and he still came into the complex?" Asked officer Winchester.
" Yes. I was on the third floor checking on a young lady that just moved in. To see if she was settled. James came out of no where. As soon as Bethany left in fact." Said Norma -jean explained.
Both officers exchanged looked between each other . Know this meant he was watching. This is premeditated . It bothered Winchester that James waited for Bethany to leave to go see his mother .like he knew she was going to stop him from his plans.
"What was the fight about? " Asked officer Winchester.
" The complex. He wanted to come home and wanted the complex. He said he was owed it since he was my son . When I told him he wasn't going to inherit it because he was still needing more help he started saying it was Bethany's fault then I suppose I fell or was pushed . It happened so fast." She said. Bethany face twisted in anguish. James hurt her because of me she thought.
" Has there been history of violence between you two or three should I say?" Asked the other officer. Winchester raised his hand to stop the question.
" If they had a restraining order and he violated it. It's obvious there had to be a history of violence. Orders don't appear out of nowhere, officer wise." He said softly.
" Do you know where to find , James ?" Asked Winchester.
" He does weekly check ins at the center and he stays in a recovery center for housing and employment. His probation officer and his anger management therapist." Explained Norma-Jean.
" Thank you for your statement we will keep you informed. I would say don't leave town,but the condition your in that a moot point." Said Winchester.
The officers tipped their hats at Bethany and excused themselves to leave the room.
Bethany took her hand . Tears filled her eyes as she looked at her." I was so worried for you. " Sobbed Bethany.
" I still got some fight in me." Chuckled Norma-Jean.
" Sunny has been so worried as well. Perhaps I will bring her to see you tomorrow. She misses you so much. She ask for you all the time. I couldn't bare it her seeing you the condition you were in." Bethany confessed.
" Yes bring her tomorrow. I'm not going anywhere. " She replied. " Go home get some rest. When you are all rested I shall see the both of you. My daughter and my granddaughter." Assure Norma -jean.
Bethany nodded her head . Her heart filled with joy . Norma-Jean was going to be fine.
James leaned behind the vending machine with his hood up. The two officers had departed all he was waiting on was Bethany to depart. The routine next shift rotation was about to change and he knew that he only had a thirty minute window to slip in and speak some sense into his mother.
The nurses at the desk went down the opposite corridor to discuss shift changes information . James kept a watchful eye on his mother's room door. He wanted for the shift change vitals to be finished and he knew he have an hour before the next bed check was made.
The nurse came out . She put the chart in the box and went to the other rooms. James slipped in his mother's room and closed the door gently. When he entered the room Norma-jean tried to press the panic button . James yanked the line and held it in his hands.
" You will hear me out mother. I admit I lost my temper before. But I want to talk to you. If you scream I will hunt down the girl and you will attend her funeral before your own." He threatened.
" James look at me . You put me here. You have no remorse in harming your own mother. I find your threats a bit vicious. To hurt that little girl because you didn't get your way." She said staring at him with disappointment.
" I will. If you don't give me what is mine. She has no right to my inheritance. I will rip away that child from her grasp as a reminder to her not to mess with me. I am your son. She is nothing to us. She is just street trash. She came into our lives. She wasn't born into it. The complex is mine and as soon as I get rid of you I will use it for myself. They will be on the street where they came from ." James huffed now working himself up.
" So your goal is to make me miserable unless I give you the complex you'll sell as soon as you can to do what? To dope yourself up. To die on the streets . To make a mother worry herself to death. I want the best for you. But you are set to sabotage yourself in the process. I've already buried one child don't make me burry another." Said Norma -jean.
" She is not your child. Neither of them are. Mother you choose them over me. I bet you wish I wasn't your child. To be proud of them when I am right here." He said now rubbing his forehead.
" And she is staying in Dad's old office apartment. You give her everything . Since she arrived you have been grovelling at her feet. I am your own son. Yet you treat her better than me on my best day. What does she have that I don't have?" He said exhausted his mother wasn't listening like he planned .
" She has my trust. I have to hide pills ,my valuables, my money from you. "She said louder.
" And the complex." He quizzed.
" I also hid that from you too. You won't get a dime when I die." She spatted.
James paced . Then stopped in front of the machine. He unplugged it as he grabbed a pillow and placed it over his mother's face. Norma-Jean unable to move with all the broken bone for the fall jerked her head to evade James grip. Then it was too much. She saw nothing but darkness.
A nurse popped her head in the room to check on her patient . It was routine to do hourly bed checks and monitor recording. When she enter the room and didn't hear the beep noise . She froze as James held the pillow to the patients face. He was crying and even though the woman's frail body was lifeless he still held it in place.
The nurse ran to call security. The alarms buzzed as it was tripped. James snapped out of it. Realizing what he did and the sound alerting his presence. He slipped out of the door and ran down the hallway trying to escape the facility.
Two security officers came at James. James swung on one and tried to barrel one down and swing at the other. Soon other security officers from other wards came in now there were six officers. James swung and kicked and pushed before one blessed him from behind with a nightstick . James saw black . He fell down like a large tree as the men struggling to sit him up to restrain him.
The officers used zip ties to secure him and called the local precinct . James sat slumped over . He was put in a car and taken to the station for questioning . It took four officers to put James in the car as he was not a light man . They all bent over exhausted as they were glad to be rid of him. Maybe he would sleep it off and calm down hoped the officers.
Bethany woke up early the next morning. It was Saturday. So she made a plate of blueberry pancakes and wrapped them up. She smiled at Sunny .
" Come on Sunny we are going to say Grammy and bring her pancakes. It is Saturday after all. Can't break a ritual." She mused putting the girl in the car.
Bethany came in the hospital then went up to Norma jeans floor. She came in and waved at the staff. She had been there so many times they knew where she was heading . The staff ran to stop her and Bethany opened the door to Norma-Jean hospital room . The crime scene was being sent for.
As soon as Bethany saw Norma -jeans lifeless body she scooped Sunny up in her arms to cover her eyes from seeing the room.
" Grammy is resting we will come back another time. " She said going down the hallway to be greeted by office Winchester by the opening of elevator doors.
Bethany stood face to face with officer Winchester. She held her daughters eyes then slipped them over her ears as she shocked her head to warn him not to tell her. Officer Winchester smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. Understanding what he was supposed to do.
" Officer Wise. Can you take this delightful child to the cafeteria on the main floor and get her something to snack on. While I talk to her mother for a moment.?" Asked officer Winchester.
The humorless office look at the girl and gulped. He didn't particularly like kids. He was confused why he wasn't going to the investigation with Winchester. He stood there a bit to long as Winchester turned to him.
" Take the little girl downstairs . She does not need to see this. This is a kindness. And this is an order. I am a superior . Please do as I say." He said softly and placid a smile on his face for the child's sake. Officer Wise sighed and offered the child his hand and Bethany removed her hands from Sunny's ears.
Sunny wondered why her mother covered her ears. Her and Axel spent hours pretending they were spies as they would go out to their daughter dates . He thought her how to read lips. Sunny looked up at her mother and wondered what didn't her mother want to see. Axel taught her well during their spy adventures he called them.
" Can I have that cheesy sandwich they press between the machine to make it hot? " Mused Sunny.
" A penni sandwich?" He said puzzled looking at Winchester wondering if he had to pay for her food too. The hospital offered officers a discount at the cafeteria. Bethany dug in her bag. She pulled out some money and put it in officer Wise 's hand. He nodded like she read his mind. He motioned Sunny forward and stepped back in the elevator.
Officer Winchester waited for the doors to shut before he continued. He touched her back and motioned to come sit down. Bethany took a seat and tears poured out. Her rubbed her back in response.
" I'm sorry for your loss. We didn't have time to notify you since we only received the call a moment ago. The dispatch contacted another crew to come in to set up the investigation. I'm sorry you and your daughter had to see that." He consoled her.
" She didn't see it. I covered her eyes as soon as I saw it." Bethany confirmed.
" Quick thinking. I heard the suspect is held at the cells . He was caught by a nurse in the act. I was told it took six security officers to put him down. Just know he has been caught. We will find justice for your mother." Officer Winchester said patting Bethany's hand in a gentle there there way.
" What can I do to help." Snorted a teary eyed Bethany.
" Go home. Take that precious child off officer Wise hand before he has a breakdown . He is not a kid fan. When you do send him up. Prepare for her funeral. That's all you can do. Allow us to do our job and you prepare to say goodbye . Once again I'm sorry for your loss." He said now urging Bethany to stand up and walked her to the elevator as he pressed the call button.
The doors opened and he ushered Bethany through the doors. The doors closed and she was surrounded by the mirrors and the upbeat elevator music. Bethany stared at herself trying to straighten her face before the doors opened to the lobby floor .
Sunny sat at the table with officer Wise . She was eating the cheesy sandwich tearing off pieces and wrapping the oozy cheese around the piece and ate it happily. Officer Wise sat art the table with a coffee cup drinking it. He had his leg crossed over the top of his other leg. He didn't look happy being a babysitter.
" What's your name?" Sunny mused.
" Wise ." He snapped.
" Is that your first name?" She quizzed.
" No. " He stated it.
" What is your first name?" She said .
" Officer ." He said annoyed by the child.
" Your name is officer officer Wise. Wow you mom must have know you were going to be a cop " smiled Sunny.
The officer glared at her. He didn't like cheeky smart mouths. Just then Bethany came in and made her way to the table . She smiled her best smile and approached the table.
The officer stood up abruptly. " Officer Winchester said to send you upstairs. Thank you for watching my daughter. " She said as straight faced as she could.
Officer Wise didn't like to be sent away by Winchester and sent back by another. He felt it was a bit disrespectful to be told to babysit. He nodded and departed to the elevator.
" Hey let me order me one . We can eat then we need to go get somethings for the complex. Grammy is very tired. " She said trying to shelter Sunny's heart.
" What happened to Grammy? " Stated Sunny staring at her mother sternly now looking at her mother.
" I see Axel straight forward additude has rubbed off on you ." Remarked Bethany.
" He also taught me how to read lips too." She admitted.
Bethany had a face of horror as she realized she read what she was trying not to let her hear. This little girl was growing up to be more self aware than her age required.
" Let's finish eating and go home. I will explain it to you when the time is right." Bethany said gently.
" Grammy isn't coming home is she? Mommy I know something happened to Grammy ." She said blandly.
" No Sunny. She isn't coming home. Do you want to help me prepare to tell her goodbye." She said cautiously.
" How?" Sunny said sadly as tears rolled down her cheeks.
" Well we buy flowers and a nice bed . We get some music and food and invite her loved ones to say goodbye. Then we say our goodbyes." Explained Bethany looking at her sad daughter.
" I want to go to Axel's mommy I don't want to go back home without Grammy." Cried the little girl.
" We can do that. Let me call him to see if he has time." She smiled wiping her face.
Bethany pulled out her phone and called Axel. She heard the tone ring and when she was about to hang up Axel's voice came over the line.
" Hey my love. I was just thinking of you." He seemed brightly.
" Axel. Can Sunny come to see Caden and you. " She said softly.
" What happened is everything alright?" He said more concerned.
" Norma-jean she is gone. Sunny wants to be with you right now. She don't want to go back to the complex without her."
" Oh no. I'm so sorry. Sure whatever you two need. Come on over you can stay here until sunny feels okay to return home ." He said.
Avery eyebrows rose as she leaned against the ropes because lately her brother seemed to be glued to that cellular device. She wasn't on board with being distracted during training season . She understood that he was in a relationship, but it had always been him and her against the world. Now Bethany was taking his focus during warm ups.
Axel hung up the phone . He started to gather his things together. As Avery followed him.
" Axel." Avery yelled.
" Where are you going?" She said pulling him to face her." I'm getting tired of Bethany distracting you from the only income we have to survive." She blurted out how she felt.
" Avery . Stop. Bethany's landlady that was like a mother to her just died today. Sunshine is really sad and needs me. She asked me herself to take her mind off of things." He said now looking annoyed at the lack of empathy Avery showed.
" So that's it. She say jump you say how high. You haven't had the same drive since she's been in your life. It's our life or hers." Screamed Avery.
" Avery . You are my sister and that will never change. She is my future. The day I asked her to marry me she was interrupted to let us know her landlady had a bad fall. Now she is dead. Show some sympathy. For ancestors sake have a heart for the hurting. Bethany and Sunshine will be family one day. Alienating her at her time of need won't do us any good right now. " He explained a voice and octane higher than it needed to be.
" You asked her she didn't respond. She still hasn't responded. She doesn't want to get married. If she did she would have gave you an answer by now." She said tears threatening.
" It would be rather selfish of her to think of herself at a time someone got hurt that she loved very much. Now that person is dead. She isn't coming back. She can't change her mind and come home. Stop acting like mom and thinking you are the only one that matters in this world . That's the real reason mom was so unhappy. She was selfish. " Axel said cutting Avery like a invisible knife.
" Axel." Welled Avery now in angry tears." I'm not like mom." She cried.
" Well you are well on your way to it aren't you. " He said shoving his things in his bag and left the gym.
Avery sat on the floor defeated. Mad angry Axel compared her to her mother. She hated him right now. She hated he cared for other people that wasn't her. She felt like she was losing him. All their lives it was them two against the world. She didn't like sharing her brother.
She also hated he was right. Mom was very selfish . The mirror held in front
of her made her hate the person she saw in front of it.