***All characters in this story are 18 years of age or older***
Previously:
Suddenly the house phone rang and Cynthia rushed to get it. We heard her say, "Hello. Yes this is the St. James household. Oh no. Oh no. We'll be right there. Mom, there's been a terrible car crash. Dad has been taken to the Roger Williams Medical Center."
Part 05:
With that, my Mom seemed to take control of the situation. She said, "I'll turn off the oven and stove. Everyone get in my car. I don't think any of you should drive. Everyone take your keys and phones. Ann you sit in the front with me. The three of you get in the back. Mary, make sure the house is locked."
I waited for Mary to lock the door and I followed her into the back seat. Cynthia was on the other side behind her mom and I was behind mine. Ann, Cynthia and Mary were all trying to figure out what happened and what was wrong with Bill. Mom put an end to the guesswork and commotion by saying, "We're not going to know anything until we get to the hospital so just try to stay calm. We'll be there in a few minutes." Mary was holding my hand so tightly it almost hurt.
We got to the hospital and everyone jumped out of the car. Mom told me to park the car and meet us inside the Emergency Room entrance. Fortunately, there was plenty of free parking. I walked in a few minutes after them and saw them all standing near a couple of uniformed police officers. As I got closer, I saw Ann Cynthia and Mary hugging each other and crying while Mom listened to one of the officers. She saw me and shook her head left to right. Bill St. John was dead.
I walked up next to Mary. She saw me, grabbed me, hugged me and starting crying on my shoulder. I held her tightly and wished I could take her pain away from her. I realized I was crying too. When you love someone, you feel their pain.
The officers left and mom moved closer to Ann and Cynthia. Ann said she wanted to see Bill. Mom told her, "Ann, I spoke to the Police and you do not want to see him in the condition he is in. This is not how you want to remember Bill. We should leave."
Ann said, "Don't I have to do something?"
Mom answered, "They're going to do tests for the presence of alcohol and hold onto his body for evidence. Apparently, a passenger in another car that was not involved in the accident gave them a video of Bill's erratic driving. I'm sorry Ann but Bill hit five other cars and so far there are seven other deaths with others still in critical condition."
All of that was too much for Mary and she collapsed. I picked her up in my arms and headed for the car. Everyone else followed. We got to the car and took our previous seats. Mary faced me and hugged me tight. I held on to her. Cynthia started to cry and I held out my right hand to her. She snuggled up to Mary and I put my arm around them both.
Ann looked at Mom and said, "I'm so grateful that you and Michael are here." Mom reached out and held Ann's hand and they both shed tears. What a day.
Mom drove us back to the St. James' house. We all managed to get out of the car but Mary held tight to me. I didn't mind. We made it into the house without me having to carry her.
Mom said, "I'll finish cooking dinner in case anyone gets hungry."
Ann added, "Let me help you Jenn. I need to keep busy."
Mom hugged her, kissed her cheek and said, "Don't worry. We will get through this. I promise." Ann hugged Mom and I wasn't sure she was going to let go, but she did and they went into the kitchen.
Cynthia looked at us and said, "I guess I'll leave you two alone."
I stopped her immediately and replied, "Sorry but you're staying here with us."
Cynthia snapped back with, "What if I have to pee?"
I answered, "Then Mary is going in with you and I'm waiting outside the door."
Cynthia looked at Mary and said, "Looks like this one's a keeper. Besides, where else are you going to find a ten inch cock?"
Mary looked at her with a devil-like grin and said, "If you're nice to me maybe I'll let you try him out."
I said, "Hey, I'm standing right here. Don't I get a say in any of this?" Both girls answered, "No."
Back in the kitchen, Mom asked Ann if she knew what kind of insurance they have. Ann wasn't sure. Mom asked her if they had an Umbrella Policy, which provides coverage over the primary insurance policy. Ann didn't know that either. Mom asked if Ann had an attorney. Again, Ann had no idea. Mom told Ann that she would call our family attorney and set up an appointment for her.
Ann asked, "Why do I need an attorney?"
Mom answered, "Ann, your husband was a drunk driver who killed at least seven people. His estate, that's houses, cars, valuables, and savings, will be up for grabs by the victims' attorneys."
Ann said, "Oh my God. What am I going to do Jenn?"
Mom said, "Don't worry. We'll figure it out."
Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Mom yelled out, "Don't answer it. I'll see who it is." She looked out the window and said, "There are several TV news trucks outside. From this moment on, no one says anything to anyone outside of the people in this house. Ann is going to talk to our attorney tomorrow and she will speak for the family."
Cynthia asked, "Your attorney is a she?"
Mom said, "Actually it's three women who are partners. I think that maybe this is not a good place for the family now. The problem is wherever we go, those news trucks will follow. We need to leave in the middle of the night. Hopefully, they will be gone. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, pack a weeks' worth of clothing and anything else you need. Ann, you need all your financial documents and important papers. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hungry. Let's eat."
So, we all sat down to eat. No one was going to disagree with Mom. It would be like disagreeing with General Patton. The two moms set out all the food and we ate. It was actually very good. We had the cake Mom brought for dessert. Also good. Still, sadness hung over the table at Bill's empty chair.
Mom helped Ann with the important papers and I got suitcases from the garage to pack their clothes in. Cynthia and Mary chatted while they each packed. It was nice seeing the two sisters acting like sisters. It made me feel a little sad having been an only child. It was 10 pm when all the packing was done. The news trucks were still outside. Mom suggested anyone who could, should take a nap and she would wake us if the trucks leave. None of us was tired so we put on a movie and planted ourselves on the couch. Mary sat on the left and Cynthia on the right. That left me in the middle. I sat down, Mary cuddled up, and put her head on my left shoulder and then Cynthia claimed the right one. I put an arm around each of them and settled in for the movie.
Ann looked at Mom and asked, "Is Michael an only child?" I wasn't sure if she was asking for Cynthia or for herself or what.
Mom said, "My father-in-law Abe hoped for more grandchildren and I wanted them too, but Abe passed away when Michael was less than a year old and my ex reverted to being an asshole."
Mom stopped to think and added, "You know, we should turn off all the lights inside the house as if everyone was going to sleep. Maybe that will make the news people leave." So she and Ann turned off all the lights. All we had was the light from the TV. The movie was over before midnight and there was one news truck left. We started watching the next movie on cable and I was getting sleepy.
Mom woke us at 2 am and said, "The trucks are gone. Michael, you load up the car trunk. Mary, get your house key ready. When Michael closes the trunk, we leave". I fit everything into the trunk and the four women rushed out. Mary locked the door and headed to her spot in the back seat and we were off.
Mom drove carefully but the streets were completely empty. We arrived at our house and Mom pulled into the garage and shut the automatic door behind us.
Mom said, "Well ladies, I'll show you to your rooms and give you the tour. Michael, you"
I piped in, "I know, I'll unload the trunk."
Mom added, "Leave Ann's papers in the trunk. We'll need them tomorrow for the attorney."
Mom showed everyone the living, dining, kitchen and back yard. She walked them up to the bedrooms and I had the suitcases ready. Mom said, "We have three empty bedrooms so there's one for each of you."
Mary said, "I'm sleeping with Michael." Silence.
Mom said, "Hold that thought. Ann and I need to talk." They walked into Mom's bedroom
Ann said, "I'm pretty sure they have already had sex. If it's OK with you, it's OK with me."
They walked back out to us and Mom said, "Mary, your room will be next to Michael's. Which room you sleep in is up to the two of you." I carried Mary's suitcase into my room.
Mom added, "Cynthia, you're room is next to Mary's and Ann gets the next one after that. Ann's bedroom has its own bathroom. All the rooms are very large. Cynthia I think that tonight at least you should sleep in your mom's bed with her."
Cynthia asked, "How come you and mom get the bedrooms with the bathrooms."