Page 62 of Poisoned Promise
“Because I said so.”
“But why?”
“Because it just isn’t.”
“But why?”
“Alex!” I spin to face him, brandishing the spatula while bacon sizzles in the pan next to me. “It’s just not, okay?”
“That’s such bullshit.”
“Language!”
“But it is! Look at you, Mom! You’re covered in injuries! People died! You attacked Reese. We’re staying in a place that’s absolutely ridiculous, I mean heated floors? You don’t even have to let the shower run before the hot water comes. This place is bullshit. We used to make fun of people who lived like this and now we’re doing it because of your friend. And on top of that, you’re telling me we can’t leave? What about Mike’s funeral, huh?”
“I’m working on it, honey.”
“That’s not good enough! I want to go out. I want to breathe real air. I want you to tell me why we haven’t called the police about what happened to Mary?”
“Alex!” Frustration swells like a balloon in my chest as I flip the bacon. “Just trust me, okay?”
“No. Fuck that.”
“Alex, language!”
“No, Mom.Fuckthat and fuck you!”
“Alex!” I face him instantly. “What has gotten into you!?”
“Mary died!” he yells at me, suddenly picking up his plate and sending it crashing against the wall near the door. “Those men died and Mary died, and you were covered in blood and we can’t leave! You’re lying to me and you’re keeping secrets and I hate it!”
“Alex, it’s not like that.”
“Stop lying to me! Stop it!
“I’m not lying!”
“Then why did Mary die?!”
“It was a terrible, terrible accident?—.”
“No, it wasn’t! Men like that aren’t accidents. The cop in the hospital, the visit from your friend, Mary, all of it… It’s my fault, isn’t it?”
My heart squeezes tightly, and I abandon the bacon, approaching him slowly. “No, honey. This is not your fault.”
“I don’t believe you!” Louder and louder he yells and tears sparkle in his eyes. “You’re lying to me again!”
“Alex, honey, please. I’m not lying. I’m trying very hard to keep it together right now but I’m not lying.”
“You are! You’re always lying to me! You lied about my father not wanting me. I heard you tell your friend that he was dead! You lied about gymnastics because Hannah at school does gymnastics, and she can’t do what you did to Reese. Now you’re lying about this! I hate it! I hate you! I hope you die too and then I’ll die and it’ll all be over!”
“Alex James!” Warmth stings behind my eyes and I grab his shoulders, shaking him to try and get him out of his spiral. “Don’t you fucking dare talk like that.”
“Then tell me the truth!” Tears escape down his cheeks and he pushes me away as he wipes them with the back of his sleeve. “Why can’t we leave? How did you get hurt? What happened?”
Fuck.
Every excuse that creeps up in my mind isn’t good enough and Alex will likely see right through them.
