Chapter 6 - MY MOTHER CAME BACK
My mother returned the following morning.
She didn't come alone.
Rachel drove.
My aunt Linda sat in the passenger seat.
Two cars followed them.
I recognized my cousin Mark and one of my mother's church friends.
Anna was upstairs resting when our doorbell rang repeatedly.
I looked at the security monitor.
Five people stood on my porch.
My mother stood in front.
She was wearing sunglasses even though the sky was cloudy.
I opened the door two inches.
The security chain remained attached.
"I'm here for my belongings."
"I told Rachel we would arrange a time."
"This is my time."
"No."
Aunt Linda stepped forward.
"Michael, don't embarrass your mother."
I laughed quietly.
"She assaulted my wife."
Linda lowered her voice.
"Families don't use words like that."
"What word would you prefer?"
"This has gone too far."
I looked at my mother.
"You're right."
Her mouth tightened.
"It went too far when she put her hands on Anna."
My mother removed her sunglasses.
Her eyes were red.
For a second, I almost felt the old instinct.
Comfort her.
Fix it.
Apologize.
Then I remembered Anna at the sink.
The instinct died.
"You are being manipulated," Mom said.
"No."
"You think that woman loves you?"
"Her name is Anna."
"She wants me gone."
"After what you did, so do I."
That silenced everyone.
My mother stared at me as if I had struck her.
"You don't mean that."
"I do."
Her voice trembled.
"I gave you everything."
"I didn't ask you to hurt my wife in return."
Behind me, the stairs creaked.
Anna had come halfway down.
My mother saw her.
Her face transformed.
"There she is."
Anna stopped.
My mother pointed.
"Look what you've done."
I moved in front of the doorway.
"Leave."
Anna surprised me.
"No."
I turned.
She continued down the stairs.
She looked tired, but not afraid.
At least not enough to hide.
My mother stared at her.
Anna stopped beside me.
"I didn't do this to you."
My mother laughed.
"You called the police."
"Michael called them."
"You turned him against me."
Anna took a breath.
"I spent eight months trying not to."
Nobody moved.
Anna's voice remained quiet.
"I protected your relationship with your son longer than I protected myself."
My mother scoffed.
"I welcomed you into this family."
"You tolerated me when he was watching."
Mom stepped toward the door.
The security chain tightened.
"Open this door."
"No," I said.
She grabbed the handle.
"Michael."
"Let go."
She pulled harder.
That's when a police cruiser turned onto our street.
Officer Harris had suggested requesting a civil standby when my mother collected her belongings.
I had already arranged it.
My mother saw the cruiser.
Her face went white.
Officer Harris approached.
"Everything okay here?"
My mother immediately released the handle.
"I am trying to collect my property."
Officer Harris looked at me.
"Is this the agreed pickup time?"
"No."
He turned to my mother.
"Then you'll need to leave."
"This is my son's house."
"Correct."
"He wants me here."
"I don't."
Everyone heard me.
Officer Harris looked back at her.
"Ma'am, you need to go."
My mother stood completely still.
Then she pointed at Anna.
"This isn't over."
Officer Harris' expression sharpened.
"I recommend you choose your words carefully."
She left.
But before Rachel drove away, she lowered her window.
"Michael."
I walked toward the curb.
Rachel looked shaken.
"There's something you should know."
"What?"
She glanced at Mom in the passenger seat.
Then back at me.
"She still has a key."
"Impossible."
"I don't mean the front door."
May you like
Rachel swallowed.
"She had a copy made for the back basement entrance months ago."
