Page 10 of Dead Rattled
“I’ll get it,” Ronan bounced out of his seat and went to the front door.
“It’s Uncle Jude,” Everly said, grabbing her empty plate and putting it in the sink. “If Ezzie gets two trucks, can I get two books?”
“Definitely,” Ten agreed. As far as he was concerned Everly could never have too many books.
“Hey, big guy. You ready for another happy day at school?” Jude asked Ezra.
“Me two fucks!” Ezra announced proudly.
“Oookay!” Jude scooped the boy out of his high chair and brought him to the sink to wash his hands.
“That’s trucks,” Ronan said. “If Ezzie doesn’t roar in class, I said I would buy him two trucks.”
“Maybe next time think of a reward that won’t get him sent to the principal’s office for inappropriate language,again!” Jude rolled his eyes.
“The last timewasn’tmy fault. I never taught him those Nine Inch Nails’ lyrics. I have no clue where he heard that song.” The guilty look on Ronan’s face told Ten that his husband had indeed been the culprit.
“Okay, we’ve got to get to the cemetery. Everly, put on your shoes and grab your backpack.”
“I’m coming too,” Jude said. “I want to be there for Everly, just in case something goes wrong.”
“Thanks, man. I really appreciate that.” Ronan slapped a hand on Jude’s shoulder.
Ten was glad Jude was coming along too. He could cry thinking about visiting a part of the cemetery that was filled with dead children. There was no telling how Everly would react if the place was swarming with kid ghosts. Most likely, she’d jump in like a triage nurse and help every child she could.
Ten minutes later, they were on the road to Angel of Mercy Cemetery. Everly had gone around the neighborhood picking allthe dandelions she could find. Ten knew it was her plan to leave them on the graves.
Ronan crossed himself as he drove into the cemetery. Ten had told Ronan where the unconsecrated graves from the St. Agnes House were located the night before. It didn’t take him long to navigate to the lonely spot. A dilapidated sign read, “St. Agnes House 1955-1975.”
Everly gasped when she got a look at the small area loaded with row after row of small, stone markers. “These are all graves for babies?”
“They are, honey,” Ten said, reaching out for his daughter’s hand. “We can leave anytime you want. If you’re scared or if this is too hard.”
“I’m okay, Dad.” Everly unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car.
Ten followed behind her. He stopped at the first row of stone markers. They were made from unpolished granite with only a plot number carved into each stone. The last piece of granite was number 57. Fifty-seven dead babies. It was more than his heart could bear.
“According to what I read last night, the St. Agnes House closed in 1975 thanks toRoe v. Wade,” Jude said.
“Makes sense,” Ronan agreed. “A lot of girls who would have been forced to live at a home for unwed mothers to deliver their babies would have opted for a safe, legal…” Ronan trailed off.
Ten was thankful Ronan hadn’t said the word “abortion.” It was hard enough explaining homes for unwed mothers the night before, the last thing he wanted was to explain this particular medical procedure to Everly.
“Fifty-seven babies died during the twenty years that St. Agnes House was in operation?” Ronan asked. “What’s that, three babies per year?”
“Give or take,” Jude muttered.
“I found Amanda’s grave, Daddy!” Everly called out.
As Ten approached her, he saw Everly sink to her knees and leave a flower by the stone. She reached out for the stone marker. He could see she was tracing the numbers with a finger. After a moment or two, Everly frowned and got up. She went to the next marker down the line and repeated her movements, leaving a flower, kneeling, tracing, frowning, and getting back up. Eventually, she touched every marker in that part of the cemetery.
“What’s Everly doing?” Ronan whispered.
“I’m not sure,” Ten said. He reached out to read his daughter, but he wasn’t getting any information about why Everly was acting this way.
Several minutes later, she ran back to Ten and Ronan. “Amanda’s grave is empty, just like we thought it would be.”
Relief flooded through Ten’s body. At the very least he would be able to give this information to Natalie. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”
