Anybody's Child by Michelle Kidd (polar express read aloud .TXT) 📕

Dad drove down Front Street and pulled out onto Route 29 in the direction of Charlottesville. Beth stared out the window at the drab landscape rushing past her. Dead. Nothing but winter-bare trees, scrubby pines, rolling brown hills, old barns, and ugly yellow grass that reminded her of the bristles on a used-up toothbrush. It was hard to believe in a few months this would all be green and beautiful again, but Mom would never see it.

Dread weighed in her limbs as the car ate up the miles toward home. Maybe this would be a good time to voice her objections about returning to the house. Once they picked up Mindy from Mrs. Buchanan’s, they could go to a hotel or somewhere—anywhere but there.

Her father drove in silence, his fist wrapped in a death grip around the steering wheel. She wished she could read his mind. Was he upset with her? Did he blame her for what happened?

“Dad?” His gaze met hers for a second then returned to the road. “Can we please find another place to sleep tonight? I could go to Jeni’s. I can’t stay there, not where Mom . . .”

He looked hot and rumpled in his uniform. His face was scruffy, eyes bloodshot, and he seemed distracted. “Honey, you can’t postpone the inevitable. The sooner you face your mother is gone, the quicker we’ll be able to pick up the pieces and move on.”

Move on! “Dad, someone broke into our house and murdered Mom! It just happened! What do you mean move on? What if they come back tonight—I’m never going to feel safe there again! That guy is still out there.”

“They’ll find him, Beth. I’ll be there. I have my gun. Nothing will happen to you or your sister.” He ran a hand through his graying hair as if he didn’t want to discuss it. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. What I’m trying to say is the more we stick to a routine, the easier it will be. I won’t let anyone harm you—I promise.”

Where were you last night? The words resounded inside her head. She wanted to scream at the unfairness of it all. “I don’t see why I can’t sleep over at Jeni’s this one time.”

“It’s your sister’s birthday. Given all that’s happened, I’d think you’d want to stay together.” His voice took on a sharpness he didn’t normally use. After a moment, he softened his tone and reached out to touch her. “I’m sorry. You have no idea the pressure I’m under right now. We’ll talk about it later, okay?”

 Beth tightened her jaw and folded her arms. Didn’t he care? She wanted to argue, but they were already at Mrs. Buchanan’s. This was far from over.

Dad slid the car into park. “I’ll be right back. Will you be all right alone for a minute?” He seemed unfazed by her defiant posture. “Beth, I’d rather not say anything to Mindy tonight. Let her have her birthday, okay? Tomorrow is soon enough for her to learn the truth. Please be a grown-up about this. I’m going to need your help.” He got out and left her to think.

Was he crazy? How did he expect her to pretend nothing had happened? In an instant her life had changed and nothing would ever be the same. Suddenly her temper lost its steam. The argument with her mother had been so stupid—she hadn’t even tried to see things from her perspective. Learn from your mistakes, Beth. Difficult as it was, she would try harder to see things from his point of view. After all, she wasn’t the only one to lose Mom.

In the distance, pieces of yellow crime tape fluttered in the breeze. Someone had done their best to remove it. Gawking neighbors no longer lined the street, although no doubt Widow Jenson still lurked behind her dark green curtains ready to spy and report the activity at the Shannons. Well, let her watch! Without question, she’d been the one to tell the police Beth and her mother had been fighting.

After a few minutes, she noticed her father and sister walking down the front sidewalk. Mrs. Buchanan waved to them. Mindy skipped beside her dad, hand in his, swinging it back and forth. Her face was animated, oblivious to the grieved and troubled expression their father wore. From this distance, she couldn’t make out what her sister was saying, but Beth felt sure it had something to do with her birthday.

Her heart caught. How would Dad explain Mom’s absence? Mindy would throw a fit when she realized Mom wouldn’t be walking through the door tonight to help her celebrate.

Anger of a different sort seized her. It hurt to think of all the memories Mindy would miss. All the mother-daughter moments she’d be denied. It wasn’t fair! In a few years, Mom would be a grainy memory to her sister. The pain of it stole her breath.

Her dad opened the back door, and Mindy crawled into her car seat. “Hi, Beth!” Her legs dangled over the edge, and she kicked them with all the restless energy of a preschooler.

Beth choked down the lump in her throat and offered her sister a watery smile. “Happy birthday.”

“What’s wrong with your voice?”

“I swallowed a frog.” Beth gave a halfhearted impression of a toad. “Ribbit.”

Mindy giggled.

“What have you got there?” Beth noticed something furry and purple sticking out from beneath her sister’s arm.

“This is Emily.” She extracted a small stuffed elephant and held it out to Beth.

Dad finished strapping Mindy in, shut the door, and made his way around to the driver’s side.

Beth took hold of the nose and shook it like a hand. “Nice to meet you, Emily.”

“Mommy gave her to me and said she was special.”

“I don’t remember seeing her.”

Mindy’s chin jutted out. “That’s because you and Mommy were fighting. I tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.”

The admission stung. She was glad Dad hadn’t overheard. “I’m sorry, Mindy.” Beth bit her lip and turned to stare out the window.

The driver’s side door jerked open. Her dad slid into the seat, started the car, and backed out the driveway. From the backseat, Mindy chatted about Mrs. Buchanan’s cat and its kittens. Moments later they arrived at their two-story split foyer. It would never be home again.

A surreal image of the nightly news raced through her mind. How many times had she seen houses flashed across the screen where some crime had been committed? Except this wasn’t the news. It was her house. She didn’t want to be one of those families that other people shook their heads over around the dinner table.

Dad cut the engine but didn’t make a move to exit the car. Perspiration covered his face, his hands trembled. Maybe he was taking this harder than she realized. She should cut him some slack.

“Ready?” he asked after a minute.

“Dad, I’m sorry I’ve been so difficult . . . it’s just—”

“I know, Bethy. This isn’t easy for either of us. But we have to try.” He cast a brief glance at Mindy. His eyes pleaded with her to be brave for her sister’s sake.

He threaded his hand through hers. “We’re going to be okay.”

Beth held onto that thought as they exited the car and walked to the back door. The house was cool and quiet when they entered. It was eerie as if nothing had changed. She half expected her mother to call out to them.

“Mom, I’m home,” she mouthed, hoping her choked words reached heaven. Was she watching them from above? Beth would never hear her mother’s voice again. The truth hit hard. She drew in a breath so sharp it caused her to hiccup. Don’t fall apart again, Beth!

“You two stay in the kitchen. I’ll be back in a minute.” He gave Beth a weighted look.

Without being told, she knew he was making sure the house was safe. A flashback of finding Mom caused her to shiver.

“Beth, I’m hungry. Make me a snack.” There was a tug on her shirt. Mindy’s voice forced her to the present.

Bone weary, she trudged to the fridge and grabbed an apple and a juice box. She settled Mindy at the table.

Beth needed aspirin and a hot shower. It had been dark when they’d left this morning. Now the afternoon sun slanted through the windows filtering in to catch small dust particles.

 She ran her hand along the gleaming granite countertops. Her mother had been so proud when the workmen came to install them. She’d kept them immaculate.

“No peel, Beth. Mommy cuts them for me.”

“What?” Her thoughts had once again wandered.

Mindy held up the apple. “Cut it like smiles.”

Beth took a deep breath, exhaled, and rummaged through the drawer for the apple wedger. She ran the gadget through the fruit, placed the pieces on a paper towel, and handed them to her sister.

“Mommy let me pick out my cake yesterday.” Mindy took two apple slices and danced them around the table before taking a bite from one and offering the other to Emily.

“Yeah?”

“It’s a white princess cake with pink frosting. Mommy’s bringing it when she comes home from work.”

Beth stiffened. “Uh-huh.” Even the slight acknowledgment seemed wrong. The idea of lying to her little sister made her sick. Aspirin, she needed aspirin. Finding the bottle, she popped off the top with her thumbs, filled a glass of water from the faucet, and gulped it down. She drank deeply before placing the tumbler back in the sink; the water didn’t sit well on her empty stomach and made her dash to the bathroom. “Stay put,” she yelled over her shoulder.

Three times she threw up.

With a trembling hand, she reached above her, grabbed a towel, and wiped her mouth. Her body shook. When her wobbly legs were strong enough, she pushed up and leaned on the vanity for support.

Her odd-colored eyes looked way too big for her pale complexion as she peered in the mirror. She hated the unusual shade. They made her look like an owl with their tawny hue and dark flecks. Kids had often picked on her when she was smaller. No one else had such weird eyes. She shoved her straight brown hair behind her ears, having no energy.

“You okay in there?” Dad’s voice floated through the door.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Beth walked out the bathroom and noted the concern on her father’s face.

“Hey, I’ll keep an eye on Mindy. Why don’t you lie down for a while? You look like you’re about to drop.”

Her chin bobbed in agreement.

“I was wrong earlier. Why don’t I call Jeni’s mom later and ask if you and Mindy can stay over tonight? I haven’t been thinking straight. You girls shouldn’t be here. I’ll drive you over myself. On the way, we’ll pick up Mindy’s birthday cake and pizza for everyone. We’ll tell her Mommy had to work late. Maybe she’ll fall asleep before she realizes . . .” His voice trailed.

Relief flooded her, despite the obvious lie. They were doing it to spare Mindy, right? It was hard to justify what she’d been taught her entire life. At this point, she’d do about anything to avoid staying here tonight. She wrapped her arms around him. “Thanks, Dad. Will you be okay?”

“Yeah. Sure. I’ve got things . . . you know . . . adult stuff to take care of. I’ll be fine.”

Beth gave him another squeeze before climbing the steps. She headed to her room, careful to avoid looking in the direction where her parents slept. Exhaustion overtook her as she flopped across the unmade bed. An hour later she woke up with her head still pounding.

Beth pushed herself up and headed for the shower. As she turned the water on and stepped inside, she wished it was possible to scrub away everything that had happened