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My father stands on the sidewalk in front of the café. He’s perched on the edge of the curb, facing away. He looks up at the tall buildings, then holds his arms out like he’s directing traffic as he wades into the busy street. Vehicles honk and slam on their brakes and nearly collide.
Not everyone has obeyed Uncle Josh. The door to the café is being propped wide open by people who can’t help but watch the spectacle unfolding right outside.
Though I know it’s a bad idea, I can’t stop myself from joining them. Whatever is going to happen, I need to see it.
Josh Ballerini crouches on the sidewalk with his gun warily trained on his brother. “Stuart, come with me. This ends now.”
Stuart Ballerini whirls around in the middle of the street. “Don’t you ever forget that I fucking made you, little brother.” He’s still holding the steak knife and uses it as a pointer. “Both of you.I fucking made you.”
Three police cars pull up and multiple officers exit, guns already out.
“THIS IS MY CITY!” Stuart Ballerini spreads his arms wide and takes a step backwards.
Right onto the metal tracks that run straight down the middle of the road.
He never sees the commuter train before it slams into his body.
Chapter36
Micah
Josh Ballerini took care of the messy details. He saw to the cremation so Tess wouldn’t have to do a thing. He gets my gratitude for that.
The official story is that a week ago today, Mayor Stuart Ballerini had a mental health incident in a downtown café, threatened a bunch of people with a steak knife and was instantly killed when he stepped in front of a train.
The rest of it was kept out of the news. I know Josh is to thank for that as well. The bad guy is dead. Adding to the tabloid fodder won’t do anyone any good, especially Tess.
Still…
That fucking vile bastard.
I’m not a real firm believer in the afterlife but I hope Stuart Ballerini’s skin is being flayed off one centimeter at a time in the pits of hell right now.
These are the thoughts I’m entertaining myself with as I roll through the gates of my old neighborhood in West Emerald.
Dani has asked me to go visit Matilda. I probably should have come before this. My mother isn’t doing well. She hardly leaves her bedroom. It’s getting ridiculous. She really needs to get her shit together for Charlotte. I’m not sure how seeing me will do any good but if I can help then I will.
My foot presses the brake, slowing down as I pass Tess’s old house. Josh has the key and told Tess she ought to come by at her leisure and take whatever she wants. The ivy covering the stately walls looks brown and crisp and completely dead now.
Seems like there’s symbolism in that fact.
Henley opens the door to my old house. He beckons with a tired smile. “Micah, come in.”
His eyes automatically stray to my vanished hand, then flash away just as quickly. It’s just something I’ll have to get used to from everyone.
Total issues a belated bark and comes galloping into the room.
“Hey there, watch dog.” I bend down to give him a pat on his excited little head.
Henley shuts the door to stop the dog from escaping. “Charlotte’s at a friend’s house. It’s good for her to get out of here for a while.”
I get to my feet while Total pulls at the hem of my jeans. “I’m actually here to see my mother.”
He’s shocked. But he recovers enough to be gracious. “Of course. She’s in the bedroom. I’ll go see if she-”
“Thanks, I know the way.” I’m already walking down the hall before he can interfere. No offense to Henley, but it’s high time my mother and I had a one on one talk.
I rap my knuckles on the door and my mother’s voice, less animated than usual, answers with a sigh.
