Successions of Somethings ~ Chapter Three

“… weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning”
Psalms 30:5

“I remember when I was very young, and I volunteered to help my sister-in-law with her new baby. I cooked for the little family, helped with the housework, and anything else she needed assistance doing. The biggest part of that job and most exciting was of course the care for the new baby, my first niece. I was twelve years old and was already an aunt. I was elated.
For about two weeks my mom dropped me off at my brother and sister-in-law’s house after school and let me stay until she finished at the office. During those two weeks, I noticed that my sister-in-law was really quiet. Gwenn would just sit there, never saying a word, and let me do anything I wanted. She didn’t get up. She didn’t even feed the baby unless I said something. She didn’t attempt to do anything. Being so young, I didn’t realize that there was anything wrong, well, not at first anyway. I thought maybe that was how women acted after they gave birth.
It wasn’t until my last day helping that I realized she was not acting right. My brother came home early and took her into the bedroom. He asked, well ordered me to stay in the living room and care for my niece. He looked angry, so I consented. I recognized that look and dared not speak a word in disagreement. I stood in the living room; baby pressed against my small chest, paced back and forth across the floor, and sung, “His Eye is On the Sparrow.”
With every step I took in trepidation, I heard the wincing and whimpering of the woman who seemed so somnambulant. I watched the clock, knowing that time was nearing for my mother to pick me up, but the hands did not moved. All time stopped, but the noise of the clock still ticked. It was so loud, but the sounds from the next room became more and more vivid. He was hurting her. Her voice was weak and tired, and all I could hear was the ticking of that clock and the begging from beyond the bedroom door, “Please, please, I can’t. Please.” I had no idea what all was happening, but I couldn’t seem to stop listening at that point, not even listening really…that was all I heard. It played over and over again in my head and got louder with each repetition. Then I heard him tell her to shut her whore mouth and then he hit her. I heard the slap, then the sound of something crashing against furniture, and then a thud.
I stood in fear and wished my mother would hurry. I knew if she did not pull up, I would be next and then, oh he just couldn’t…the baby, but if I could get her to come in and visit her new grandchild, he would be forced to calm down before the baby was left for him to care for on his own.
A knock at the door proved my theory. Mom came in and took her firstborn grandchild. She held her and asked how the day had gone. I said fine, but she paused. “You seem a little upset. Are you feeling okay?” she asked.
“I am okay mom, just a little tired I guess. This baby stuff can wear on a person.”
“I am glad you have been helping. I am sure Sonny and Gwenn appreciate it too. Where are they?”
“Sonny came home a minute ago, and he helped Gwenn into the bedroom. She still seems really out of it.”
“Well, having a baby is not easy, and she had a really tough time of it.”
Sonny appeared from the hallway and greeted mother. He looked straight at me and asked how the baby was and if Gwenn had been okay this afternoon. I told him that I was worried about her, and he just looked at me as if to warn me not to say another word. I sunk slowly into thought but tried to hurry my mother along. I told my brother that supper was on the stove, and all he had to do was heat it; then added that I would do the dishes when I came the next day. He dismissed it and said he wouldn’t need me to help anymore and that he thought he could handle things now.
In the car on the way home my mother asked me why I was so quiet. I shrugged and told her I was not feeling well. I didn’t go to school for two days. When I returned, I couldn’t stop thinking about that baby and my sister-in-law. I felt as though I had abandoned them. What on earth happened when I left? I thought about it every day for the first few weeks, and then finally the thought came less frequently and less severe.
Shortly before my niece’s first birthday, Gwenn took her and left the state. I didn’t hear anything from them or about them for years. She ripped part of my soul out that day. I blamed him though. She took the first chance she saw and ran to her family. She told the court everything he had done, and then added some lies to secure her daughter’s safety. She made up lies about the rest of our family to ensure her never having to leave her precious baby girl with him. I didn’t blame her; in fact, I almost applauded her for the way she protected her daughter. No, I didn’t like the fact that she kept her from the rest of us, but what could she do? What would you do?”
Detectives Walters and Conner sat attentively as Pearl spoke. She paused and asked if they were okay with their coffee and muffins. They assured her they were fine and told her that they still didn’t see what that story had to do with the night before. She smiled and said she was getting to that. Then Pearl walked over to the sink and began filling the percolator with more water. She added the coffee and then placed the pot back on the cook-top then returned to her seat next to Detective Conner.
“Pearl, we really need more information.”
“Well, of course you do. How silly of me. You both must think I am a lunatic. Let me tell you, I know lunatic, and I do not qualify. I promise; I am safe.”
“Ms. Mackinac, you have to admit, so far, we have no idea where you are taking us with all of this talk,” said Walters, “Please, let us tell you why we are here, before you tell us any more information that could be harmful to your future.”
“Listen, I understand why you are here, and I understand that in telling you all of this, I could possibly incriminate myself. I know you have not told me just exactly what brought you to my door today, but I feel that I have something to say, and I sense that you will listen to my story.”
“You are right Mam-- this is rather odd, but please continue.”