40 Something - Safety Read Online Free Page B

a
place to raise a kid. It’s not family friendly. As soon as things
get settled here I’ll talk to Sophie and we’ll get her settled in
to our place. Where it’s safer. We shouldn’t have listened to
Charlene last night.
    As usual, she
took over, told everyone what to do. Then left early this morning
before anyone woke up. Leaving me to do the work, making things
harder for me, first, by taking mom and dad away from me and now
Sophie. That’s my big sister for you, always telling everyone what
to do and never helping out. Well enough. Sophie is my friend and I
can help her without Charlene.
    “I don’t
understand. Why we are doing this.” My mom says. “You shouldn’t get
involved in other peoples problems, it only causes you drama and
trouble.”
    “Mom, Sophie
needs help and she’s a friend.”
    “Someone you’ve
known for what? A couple of months? You have no idea what kind of
woman she is. I’m just thankful that Lindsay woman took her. I
can’t believe you’d even entertained the idea of putting her and
her kids up. Nothing but trouble if you ask me.”
    “I didn’t ask
you mom. It’s the Christian thing to do.”
    “I am sure God
would have been just as happy if you’d help her find a shelter and
she could have hired someone to do this.”
    “She has no
money.”
    “Well. The
church has people to do this. Trained people. For a donation they’d
have moved her. You didn’t need to take it upon yourself.”
    “No one made
you come mom. If you want I’m sure Justine could drive you and dad
back to the house.”
    “Your father
better not be helping those boys with that couch. His heart.”
    “My heart is
just fine. Stop worrying. You’re always worrying.”
    “Of course I
worry, what would I do with your body if you keeled over?”
    “I’m sure you
will think of something.” He gives mom a little squeeze. “So how’s
it going in here girls?”
    “Good daddy. We
almost have the bedrooms emptied, then all that’s left is the
bathroom and the kitchen.”
    “Sounds like
you have it all under control. The boys and I are going to go
unload the truck.”
    “Howard. Your
heart.” My mom says.
    “Stop your
worrying. I’m the foreman. I just stand around and give orders.” He
winks at me.
    We get the
bathroom packed up in record time. It’s 2:00 when we finally finish
packing up the kitchen. She really doesn’t have that much
stuff.
    “I have to run
and get the kids from school. Will you be OK ‘til I get back Rose?”
Justine ask me.
    “Of course.
Thank you so much for all your help.”
    Good dependable
Justine. She should have been my sister for real instead of
Charlene and Grace. I’m just thankful that Gary married her and
they live so close. I don’t know what I’d do without her.
    “Justine dear
can you give me a ride back to Rose’s place?”
    “You’re
abandoning me too mom?”
    “You’re pretty
much done here.”
    “What the
Fuck?” A male voice comes from the door. “Where is my wife?” It’s
Craig.
    “Your wife?” I
ask.
    He looks at me
and Justine silently assessing us, as if he’s trying to remember
where he knows us from.
    “Your wife is
–“ My mom starts and I pull at her to stop her from saying
anything.
    “I remember you
two. You were at the pub and the police station last night.”
    “Yes we were.”
I stand tall.
    “You were the
one who told the cops to arrest me. Where do you get off you fat
bitch?”
    I’m caught off
guard by the remark. How dare he call me that? Now I’m angry.
    “Listen here,
you had no right to pull Sophie out like that, embarrassing her and
bruising her arm.”
    He moves
towards us. Anger is dripping off him. His fists are balled up and
his eyes are full of raw rage. I step back. He steps forward.
    “She’s my wife.
I have every right. You stupid fat bitch whore. Where the fuck is
Sophie. My wife. Where is she?”
    He’s vibrating
he’s so angry. I stand up straighter. Taller. Call me names? How
dare he? Where