Successions of Somethings ~ Chapter Seven

“Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me”

Psalms 25:2b

Before dialing her parents, Pearl dialed a local number; that of her niece Maddi. She dialed Maddi’s cell phone; three rings, and the voice mail. Pearl left a message and begged Maddi to return her call as soon as possible.

She quickly dialed her mother: “Mom?”

“Oh, hello Peal. Are you coming over? Have you heard the news yet? Why aren’t you here? Your father said that you said there were detectives at your house. Did they tell you what happened?”

“Yes, mom they told me about Sonny. I am sorry I didn’t call back sooner or come by yet. I will come just as soon as I can get away. Have you seen Jen yet? Is she at the house or is she at the hospital? Mom where is Maddi? Are you sure they want to be at your house? I think they might rather stay in Little Rock where it’s closer to Sonny. I don’t know what to do. I am going to call Jen, and I will call you later.”

She hung up and dialed Jen’s number. The phone rang twice and then was answered by Maddi. “Maddi! Thank goodness it’s you. Honey what’s going on?”

“Oh, Aunt Pearl, it’s awful. I mean it’s awful. There are all of these police here taking pictures and asking mom questions, and then they asked me questions about you. All Mom can say is ‘Ask Pearl, ask Pearl.’ Why is she saying that? Why should they ask you?”

“Wait now, Maddi, calm down… I know it’s weird right now and there is a lot of commotion, but tell me what you want me to do. Do you want Grandma to come and get you and your mom? Do you want me to come and get you two and bring you back here to my house or your apartment? There are detectives here too asking questions. They said they suspect foul play, but I am really not quite sure yet why it involves me. Let me know what you want me to do. Have you called grandma yet to let her know that you are with your mom? Sweetie we’ll figure this out. Stay calm and try to calm your mom.”

“But, I don’t understand why all she is saying is to ask you.”

“Well, I will explain that later. After the shock of all of this has worn a little and after the detectives have the answers they want, I will tell you everything they said and why your mom is a little hysterical right now. Just hold her sweetie. Remember this is a pretty shocking thing for all of us, but she has not really lived without your dad for twenty-seven years, and now there is that very real fear in her mind and heart. She doesn’t know what to do or think or feel right now. Hold her sweetie, be there and let me know what you want me to do. Call grandma.”

“Okay, Aunt Pearl. I love you, and thank you. I want you here as soon as you can get here. I will call Grandma. I want her here too and Grandpa and everyone. No, don’t bring the younger kids. All of the police are scary, and they don’t need to see this. I just want you guys here soon. I am so scared and mommy is really freaking me out.”

“All right Maddi. I will be there as soon as I can. Call Grandma and tell her you want her there. I think she is half expecting you to come to her house, but you just tell her honey. She and Grandpa will be there soon.”

“Bye, aunt Pearl. I love you.”

“I know dear, I love you too. I will there soon.”

As she hung up the phone, she gasped for breath, and then sat on the side of the bed and sobbed. A million thoughts ran through her head, and she tried to pull herself together in order to return to the living room and her detective guests, but the more she tried to get it together, the stronger her flow of tears ran. Her head began spinning and suddenly she felt as if she were going to be sick. Pearl made her way to the master bathroom and grabbed a washcloth. She ran cool water over the rag, and then gently twisted the rag releasing the excess water. She dabbed her face to try to calm down and relieve her nausea. After a few minutes, she felt less queasy, freshened her make-up a bit, folded the cloth and lay it to the side of the sink, then returned to the living room where she found both detectives standing and talking.

They didn’t notice her enter the room and were immersed in conversation about their own lives. She quietly asked if there was anything else she could get for them. They both sat at that point, and Conner asked if he could resume questioning. Pearl looked puzzled and said, “I understand that you have some questions right now. But, if I am not being charged with anything, and there is no evidence as to my suspicion of guilt here, would it be all right if you two come back another day? I just got off of the phone with my niece and mother. My niece is at her parents’ home in Little Rock and wishes for me to be with her. I believe she needs me right now more than the two of you need me. Whatever it is that you need to ask me will not change by tomorrow. If you wish to resume your interrogation, please come back tomorrow afternoon.”

Walters stood, took Conner by the arm, and thanked Pearl for her hospitality. Pearl showed them to the door and told them to return the next day after lunch. The detectives walked down the curved hosta-lily edged walkway shaking their heads and asking each other questions for which neither of them had any answers.

Pearl closed the door slowly and then turned around as if she were not quite sure of her whereabouts. She made her way back to the small cozy kitchen and put the cups in the dishwasher. She wiped off the table and put the muffins away then returned the basket to the selves above the pantry. She again took the phone in hand and this time dialed her ex-husband.

“Donald, this is Pearl.”

“Yeah, Pearl. You want to talk to one of the kids?”

“No. I need to talk to you for a minute. Is this a good time?”

“I guess it’s as good as any. The kids are out in the pool, so it’s fine.”

“Donald look, there has been an accident.”

“Oh? Is everything all right?”

“No, everything is far from all right. Sonny was seriously injured last night, and the detectives believe there is some question about how this accident happened. I am on my way to Little Rock right now, and two detectives will be stopping by my house tomorrow after lunch to question me.”

“Question you? What’s going on Pearl?”

“Donald, you know me better than that. They just have to check all of their leads, and since I went to Little Rock last night, I guess that makes me a suspect. It’s odd really; a suspect in his tragedy. Anyway, I need you to keep the kids until the police have gone. Is that a problem? I will tell them about Sonny when they get home, but I don’t want the police asking questions in front of the kids.”

“Gosh pearl. You know it’s fine. We will keep them as long as you need us to keep them. I am really sorry about your brother. Let us know if there is anything else you need from us okay.”

“Thank you. I will call you tomorrow as soon as my company leaves. Bye.”

“Bye and hey, don’t worry about the kids. They are fine.”

She hung up the and hurriedly made her way to the back door where she reached for her keys, her purse, and slipped on her shoes. She turned and peered around the kitchen door to make sure the front door was locked. She saw the knob turned to the right and the dead bolt fastened, so she proceeded to open the back door, step through gingerly, turn to fasten the dead bolt and then walked down the steps, into the garage, and then into her vehicle. She sat in her mini-van with the keys in the ignition and pushed the garage door opener. She sat; still, quiet, motionless. Memories flooded her mind and left her paralyzed to her existence.