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

“But it’s harder holding Emily.”

“Then put Emily down.”

“Please.” Mindy scrunched her face in a way that made it difficult to resist. “You have to do what I say, it’s my birthday.”

Any other time, Beth would have laughed, but the insistence grated on her already raw nerves. “Sometimes you can be such a baby,” she snapped.

Mindy blinked but appeared undaunted by Beth’s outburst. When she peered up at Beth with those huge eyes, it was impossible to say no. Mindy’s cheeks were flushed. It was too warm outside for a thick jacket, Beth thought as she plucked at her own sweatshirt. She felt her resolve crumble. Mindy had a sweetness that was hard to resist—the worst part, she knew it.

“Emily will give you a kiss if you do.” Mindy thrust Emily at Beth making kissy noises.

Lips twitching, Beth resolved not to laugh at the stupid purple elephant. She had to admit, taking care of Mindy gave her a brief reprieve from the heavy thoughts weighing her down. “Fine. But only until Dad comes back. We’re going over to Jeni’s tonight for cake and pizza. Won’t that be fun?” Beth tried to keep her voice light. “Mom can’t make it for the party, but . . . maybe you’ll see her . . . later.” Much later . . . like in eternity.

Mindy, who had been leading Beth to the swing, came to a sudden halt. “Oh, she’ll be there all right. She told me.”

“What do you mean she told you—like when you picked out the cake?”

“No, silly. Last night when I was sleeping. She woke me up and said she’d always be with me. Right before all those red lights and people.”

It wasn’t possible. Mindy must have dreamed it. Still, the certainty in her eyes caused a chill to run down Beth’s spine.

Beth pushed Mindy for what seemed forever before her father returned. He looked more exhausted than she’d ever seen him. He ambled to the swing set, took the empty swing beside them, and stared at the sparse clumps of grass in silence.

“Everything okay, Dad?” Beth stopped, waiting with butterflies in her stomach for her father’s reply.

“We’ll talk later. Why don’t you get Mindy ready, and I’ll call Lynne to make sure you girls can stay tonight?”

Beth couldn’t read his expression. She sent a silent message with her eyes, but he seemed not to notice. Rather, he pulled his cell from his pocket and punched in the number. With Dad on the phone, she had no choice but to gather up Mindy and do as her father asked.

“C’mon.” She stopped the swing and held out her hand. “Let’s get ready. You can sleep over at Jeni’s with me.”

Mindy’s eyes brightened at the prospect. “Can I bring my Hello Kitty sleeping bag?”

“Of course, but we have to hurry. I need to pack a few things too.”

“Will Mommy stay with us?”

“Probably not, stinkbug. Just us girls, ’kay?”

“Mommy’s a girl.” Mindy’s legs worked double time to keep up with Beth.

Pretending not to hear, Beth continued to herd her little sister into the house, up the steps, and into the bathroom for a bubble bath.

Thirty minutes later, Beth had shampooed Mindy’s hair, packed overnight bags for them both, and now sat listening to Mindy introduce Emily to all the other colorful characters that made up the population of her room. Dad opened the door and motioned to her.

“Be back in a minute.” She made sure Mindy was engaged in conversation with her collection of playmates before slipping into the hallway. Beth wrapped her arms around her middle and braced herself.

“Honey, I don’t know how to tell you this, but the knife tested positive for your mother’s blood.”

She nodded absently. That wasn’t a surprise—they’d pretty much known that. “And . . .” There had to be more to her father’s grim expression.

“And . . . when they dusted for fingerprints, they matched yours.”

The air rushed from her lungs. She struggled to catch her breath. “What—how!”

“Beth, they want to see you first thing tomorrow. They were coming to take you back to the station for questioning this evening. I convinced Detective Arnold to wait ’til morning.”

“This is not happening.” She slapped her hands over her face. “I’m going to be sick.”

“Beth, Beth! Listen to me.” Her father took hold of her arms and pulled them away so he could lock eyes with her. “There has to be an explanation. You’ve got to pull yourself together. Do you hear me? They’ll get to the bottom of this. It’s a few more questions. Do you have any idea . . . any idea at all how that knife got your fingerprints on it?”

How could she? She shook her head, dry-eyed with fear. “Wh-what time do I have to be there?”

“I’ll pick you up at Jeni’s. Your meeting is with Arnold at nine a.m.”

This was surreal. Her heart beat a sickening tempo in her gut. She nodded. God give her strength.

1993 - New Orleans, Louisiana

The rain pecks at Charleigh’s window.

Curious, she slides a bench to the sill, climbs up, and presses her nose to the cool glass. She is careful. Her cheek is still sore from Mr. Gerganous’s big ring. The spot is yellow now and almost gone. Poor Mommy isn’t so lucky.

Fat drops of water smack kisses at her through the pane as if they want to come inside and play with her. Maybe they are lonely too.

She reaches high, stretching until her sides ache. It is hard to wiggle the lock, but she is excited when it gives. The window sticks too, but she doesn’t give up. She giggles when the first gust of fresh air whooshes into the apartment hugging her hot skin. The moist droplets tickle her arms and legs.

She dances in a circle, her hands above her head. She is a tree twirling in the wind. The old, wooly carpet soaks up the rain and squishes between her toes like pink, soft grass.

“Charleigh Renee’ Cartier! What on earth are you doing? You’re soaking the rug!”

Charleigh stops dead. Mommy’s tone freezes her to the spot. Her mouth goes dry. She swallows. Why can’t she think?

“I asked what you’re doing.” Mommy stomps to the window, slams it shut, and grabs Charleigh by the arm shaking her. “Answer me!”

“I-I sorry, Mommy.”

“Sorry? Sorry isn’t good enough, missy. Do you know what I have to do to pay for this mess?”

Charleigh looks at the rug and shakes her head. Her tummy feels sick, and she wishes she can make Mommy’s face pretty again. “Will Mr. Gerganous be mad?”

“Oh, no, Charleigh,” Mommy says as her mouth pinches and turns white. “He’ll be thrilled you’ve flooded the floor—of course, he’s going to be mad. How could you be so stupid? I ought to put you to work to pay for it.”

Charleigh shrinks in fear. She doesn’t like Mommy’s job. She doesn’t understand what Mr. Gerganous makes Mommy do, but whatever it is, it makes her cry. Charleigh must hide in her room when someone comes to the door. Mommy tells her she must go and be very quiet or the men will get her too.

“What have you got to say for yourself?”

 Mommy’s voice makes her jump. “We can clean it. I’ll help you.” Charleigh pulls free and rushes to the bathroom to gather towels. She throws them on the damp carpet and tries to soak up the water. “See, it’s not so bad.” She looks to Mommy hopefully.

But Mommy doesn’t say anything. She has that look like she’s gone far away. “Mommy? Mommy?” She remembers to keep her voice soft and calm. Charleigh never knows what mood she will be in when she comes from her daze, but she stirs as if she has come from a dream.

“No, no, Charleigh, not like that. Let me show you.” And just like that, Mommy is back. She drops to her hands and knees beside Charleigh, and together they soak up the water. Afterward, they hang the towels to dry in the bathroom and return to the living room.

Charleigh is hungry—Charleigh is always hungry. “Mommy, if you don’t have to work tonight, can we go to Cutezee’s for French fries and burgers?”

Mommy looks around, folding and unfolding her arms. She rubs them in a comforting gesture as if unsure what she should do. The sudden knock on the door nearly sends her to the ceiling.

“Quick, Charleigh, run to the closet.”

Mommy doesn’t have to tell her twice. Fast as Bugs being chased by Elmer Fudd, Charleigh hippity-hops to her spot and hides behind coats and smelly boots. The sound is muffled, but she can hear Mommy opening the door and Mr. Gerganous’s gravel voice.

He yells angry words like Julien used to and tells Mommy she looks like something the cat threw up.

 She strains to hear Mommy talking, but she can’t make out anything except “going” and “burgers.”

“Not now you ain’t. You’re going to get yourself together, cleaned up, and earn your keep. I ain’t running no homeless shelter, here.”

“Please, not tonight. I promised Charleigh I’d take her out. She hasn’t been out of the apartment in days.”

“If you think I’m turning down money so you two can traipse off somewhere, you’re crazier than I thought. I should toss you out the door, right now, and be done with you.”

“No! Wait—let me think.”

“Think about what, sweetheart? There ain’t nothing to think about. I keep you and your kid off the street, and this is the thanks I get? I got girls working it while living in cardboard boxes. Here you are all fine and mighty inside where it’s dry. But I don’t mind, so long as you understand you do what I say.” He steps closer and runs his grimy thumb over her pale cheek. “And here I brought you a little present to make things easier.”

Charleigh’s ears perk up at the mention of a gift. She wonders if it has a pink bow. If she is a good girl, Mommy might let her keep the ribbon. She eases the door open, so the light falls in a tiny sliver across her toes, but he isn’t holding any package. Mr. Gerganous has Mommy by the wrist and pulls her toward the couch.

Her eyes focus on something in his hand. “I don’t like needles,” Mommy whispers.

“Oh, you’ll like this one. Promise.”

He forces her to sit, and that’s when Charleigh sees what he is holding. It’s a plastic thing, like the doctor uses when he gives her a shot. Mr. Gerganous holds Mommy and pushes it into her arm. “There you go. This will make everything better.”

Mommy’s face looks surprised, and she clenches her fist. After a few minutes, she melts into the couch. Her eyes roll back in her head. “Wha-what did you give me?” Her voice sounds funny like she is sleepy.

“Just a little something that’s going to make this easier. Consider it a freebie. Now let’s get you ready for business.”

Mr. Gerganous pulls Mommy to her feet and tosses her over his shoulder. Away to the bathroom they go. Charleigh hears water running and frowns.

When they come out, Mommy is dressed in her fancy pajamas and Charleigh smiles. She is surprised Mr. Gerganous is being nice. He carries her to the