A Friday Farewell

That morning she hurriedly drove from home to the court house. In actuality, she has long since driven away from home. The place was just where she kept her things. It is just a place for her kids to call home. To her, it remains four walls and a roof.

The drive to the courthouse is straight down Lincoln Avenue. He is expecting her there on time. He was always expecting of her, but she never gave him reasons not to otherwise. Her complacency is fuel for her furnace.

He chose their house on Twenty-Second street. It was ideal for his legal business. Her husband, now mainly in title, works for hire from various law firms and practices. Falling under the legal services heading, what he really does falls into a more shady line if work. He investigates information which wishes to remain hidden or lost. He forged a name for himself using the leftover money her father had endowed to him. Dropping out of college, where the majority of that money went, this man, her husband, went on using that cunning and charm to win over veteran attorneys and law firms alike. He chummed up with police officers, court clerks, reporters, and anyone who could supply him with information. It was that same cunning and charm that won over her father. It was his smile, his pecs, and yes that same cunning and charm that won her over. From the beginning, he made decisions for the both of them. On her father's deathbed, he vowed he would. So now, she is again expected to follow his lead. Expected to follow, without question, without objection, without choice.

Being a legal investigator is dangerous work, especially when you work the shady under-dealings and the dark underbelly of the filthy rich and the filthy poor. It's the same thing he always says. Secrets are secrets. The rich just have a loquacious way of deceiving people into thinking they are better than everyone else. He was and is so bright. It's blinding after so many years of exposure. She could hardly see for herself; she sees the world filtered through his speckled hazel eyes. She's lost in the shadow of his ego.

Their house was vandalized once. Some hoodlums spray painted "Careful what you look for, you might get it!" Of course, a local crime boss was behind it. At least, her husband did foil their conspiracy. There were worst plots against them, including the planned kidnapping of their then five year old daughter. How they survived was a miracle, but did they really survive? He lived, and she lived, and their daughter Annabelle lived, but she has since drifted. Ani, poor Ani. She admires him. They all do. Only she knows that you can only look in the dark so long before it consumes you.

Now he expects her to deliver the contents of his safe. He's testifying today. Only he would have several safety deposit boxes to his name, and some under hers. Paranoid. When did his paranoia start? It could have always been there, but the day he found a watch-bomb attached under his driver seat might have made him more cautious. Security tripled. She now has to switch cars twice a week and change outfits twice a day and call to check in twice every hour. He expects and she follows.

It's 8:24 AM, she steps on the pedal running a red light. No one follows. Of course not, who would? She looks in the rearview, and Ani smiles back at her. She's growing up too fast - almost a woman now, anytime. Of course she carried extra clothing in her bag, just in case. Just like her father. Ani has the inclination towards the reckless. Poor Ani. Will Ani ever forgive her? Will Ani understand?

She pulls up to the courthouse with time to spare.
"Remember, find your Dad and Uncle Chief Murdock, they'll be inside just right after the metal detectors."

"Gotcha mom, I remember."

"Good. And Ani... I love you. Take real good care of yourself." Poor poor Ani, she thought as she watched her daughter walk towards the court house.

In a safety deposit box under Annabelle James-Murdock, there is a letter. In it is an apology and a secret confession. It reads an acknowledgement of guilt and of inadequacy. When Ani reaches of age, she will be able to access this box. Will Ani be fit to handle such a enormous secret and responsibility? Will Ani forgive her leaving?

It's Friday morning. At the intersection, the lights turn green. She doesn't look back. She only whispers a feign farewell.


-- Post From My iPhone