"And it might also bring out more sickos," had been Samuel's response.
"Five more minutes and we're getting in the vehicle and going home. I have some calls to make."
"And I have a Christmas tree to finish decorating."
"Christ! I thought we had enough bulbs on that thing! Careful you don't burn the place down."
Leaning over, she kissed his disgruntled mouth. Flashbulbs went off instantly, capturing the moment.
"What was that for?"
"Because I love you and to give that bitch something to stew about. I'm freezing. I believe Lyka-Mae was making hot chocolate when we left."
Wrapping his arm around her, he kissed her lips lingeringly. "I love you back and that was completely for me."
*****
The vivid photos had the desired effect.
As soon as Maxy saw them, she went on a wild rage that had her sweeping the cups and plates she had just washed onto the spotless floor. Beating her hands on the scarred counter, she screamed, her body vibrating, chest heaving. Picking up the magazine she had crushed in her helpless rage, she stared at the photos again.
"Those uncircumcised Philistines. Flaunting themselves in front of the cameras with those precious babies. You sinners!" she screamed, spittle flying from her mouth. "The Lord has judged you and found you wanting. Burn in hell, you filth!" She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "All right, Maxy. The Lord has heard your prayers. It's time to act. It's time to get those babies away from those monsters."
Taking another deep, fortifying breath, she stepped back and almost sliced her foot open on the jagged piece of crockery.
"Now look what you almost made me do!" She looked up at the slight sound inside the doorway to see her husband cowering there.
"Ah, here you are, Frank. Clean this up, will you?" She spun around and launched herself into his arms. "I have great news!"
He had been about to slip away again when she saw him. Over the past months, the woman he had married had gone off the deep end and he had no idea who she was. He was also terrified of her.
"What news?" he asked cautiously. He was also sober and vigilant.
"We're getting ourselves some babies. Isn't the Lord wonderful?"
He blinked at her owlishly. "What are you talking about?"
"This!" She held up the tabloid in front of him. "These precious babies will be ours." She clucked her tongue and stepped away, a frown touching her face. "We need a bigger house. Where arethey going to sleep? I know!" She clapped her hands in glee. "We will transform the living room into one big nursery."
"Maxy." He approached her cautiously. "Surely you're not talking about those celebrity babies? Are you mad?"
She rounded on him and had him stumbling back. "You bastard. You want to stop me from doing God's work. I knew you were not a Christian, all that drinking and whoring." She sucked in a breath. "But it's fine. I forgive you. There were so many times I wondered if the Lord wanted me to kill you." She smiled at the terrified expression on his face and shook her head. "But he wants me to keep you alive so that you can help me with those kids. Are you going to help me?" She approached him, her expression threatening.
"Of course I will," he responded hastily, swallowing the nasty lump of fear in his throat. "Anything for you."
"Good!" She clapped her hands. "Now clean this up. I have so much work to do. I need to buy some cots. There's a thrift store at the end of the road and I saw some excellent baby things there. They might not be the kind those children are used to, but the Lord wants me to bring them up in a humble manner."
Frank watched her leave, singing at the top of her voice. The strong tenor only added to his fear instead of soothing him. Withshaking hands, he went to fetch the broom and started sweeping away the mess. Maxy had gone off the deep end. He had seen the gun in the bedside drawer. She had never been a violent woman, but something had twisted her up inside.
He loved her. He acknowledged painfully that he had been a lousy husband, making her carry all the load. But over the years, life had dealt them one blow after another. The biggest was the lack of children. He had seen the way she wilted and looked defeated after the miscarriages.
But he had thought she had accepted it. He had taken out his own disappointments in the bottle; she had taken out hers by going to church. But something had happened and now she was lost. His Maxy was lost and he had no idea what to do about it.
*****
Deciding to put aside the troubles facing them, Eliza was determined not to allow anything to spoil the children's first Christmas. She had invited her in-laws over as well as Blair, who was in town for the holidays. Sally had accepted the invitation eagerly. Eliza knew the woman had no family of her own and was likely to spend the day at her apartment eating takeout.
Maeve and Mary-Ann had been given the time off, but Lyka-Mae, who also had no family of her own, had stayed. Eliza hadagreed to her staying under one condition: that the entire meal would be catered.
