Page 17 of Property of Raider
An evil smile spreads across her lips.“Something you need to remember, dear big sister of mine, he ismychild.If I want to have him pack his shit and come with me, then that’s exactly what is about to fucking happen.”
My thoughts are spinning like a top.“I will only say this one more time.Rusher is not going with you.He is happy and healthy, and I am the only mother he has ever known.So, no, he is staying right here with me and Auntie Lynn.”
Shea leans close to my face.“Remember this conversation when everything blows up.I told you to stay here and take care of Auntie Lynn and Rusher.To stay away from the past and everyone else.You didn’t do that.Now everything that happens is all on you.”
I want to say I wasn’t scared of her threats, that I know without any doubt she wouldn’t truly do anything.Staring her down with a coldness in her eyes like I’ve never seen before, it causes fear to rake its cold nails down my back.Shea’s eyes dart from me to Auntie Lynn and back several times before letting out an exaggerated sigh.
“I tried to warn you, Tasia.You’ve pushed my hand, meaning anything I do is completely on you both.”Shea snatches her purse off the counter, turning for the door.
I turn, looking back at Auntie Lynn.“You don’t really believe she’ll do anything drastic, do you?”
“Honestly, I just don’t know anymore,” Auntie Lynn whispers, refusing to look at me.
“I’m going to take a shower and then I’ll come start dinner,” I manage, working to sound unbothered by the situation.
Trudging up the stairs with the world feeling heavy on my shoulders, I allow the tears to fall unchecked.As I make it to my room, I run my hands along the wall as memories of better days play through my mind.Days when Shea and I would run through the house playing and laughing, pretending that our parents weren’t once again spinning out of control.How did we get here?Where did things go so wrong for Shea?So wrong that being mean, evil, and manipulative is the way she is.
I don’t make it halfway up the stairs when there is banging on the front door.Huffing in pure frustration, I turn and make my way back down the stairs to answer it.As I make it there, another set of hard knocks cause me to jump.Pulling the door open, I find two officers standing there with equal scowls on their faces.
My heart shrivels up and dies as fear washes over me, and I ask in gasping breaths, “Is Rusher okay?What’s happened?”
The officers look at each before looking back at me.
“We’re here looking for Shea Austin,” the taller of the two officers says, looking concerned.
My knees go weak, and I have to reach out and catch myself on the door frame to keep from falling to the floor.
“Ma’am, are you okay?”The officer with slight graying at his temples asks with concern.
Taking a deep breath, I compose myself so I can speak.“Sorry, my nephew is still out at practice, and I thought something might have happened to him.”
“Oh shit,” the taller cop holds his hands up in surrender.“I apologize for the misunderstanding.We’re here to speak with Ms.Austin about an incident that happened two nights ago.”
“I’m unsure where she could be as you just missed her,” I sigh, leaning on the door frame with my arms crossed.
“Can you let her know that we’re looking for her the next time you see or speak with her?”the older officer offers me his card.
Taking it, I slide it into the pocket of my pants.“I absolutely will let her know next time I touch base with her.”
“Thank you, Ma’am.We will be on our way,” the younger tall one drawls, grinning at me before turning to leave.
I stand there with Auntie Lynn at my back watching as they climb into a police cruiser.My mind races with what this could all mean when you add it up.The thought of packing Rusher, Auntie Lynn, and myself up and running far, far away is real and nearly all-consuming.
“Don’t let her scare you.She’s been pulling stunts like this for a long time,” Auntie Lynn whispers, laying a hand on my shoulder.“I cannot tell you how many times over the years the police have shown up looking for her, or she’s blown in spewing demands.Hell, I wouldn’t have put it past her that my declining health wasn’t in part due to something she was doin’.”
My heart breaks for Auntie Lynn because she has only ever done what she could for us.Turning, I pull her into a hug, using it to hold us both together.
I pull back so I can look Auntie Lynn in the face.“No matter how scared I might be, I will not be leaving again just to make her happy.We will figure it all out and be okay in the end.”
She gives me a big smile before patting my cheek.“There is the feistygirl I knew still lived in there.It’s good to have you back.”
Her words strike me in a way that I didn’t know I needed.It’s the realization that she’s right.For the last fifteen years, I’ve lived in fear and heartbreak.Just going through the motions of life and not really living it.That stops today.I am done letting everyone else dictate my life and what I’m going to do with it.
“Let’s get dinner ready.What would you like since it’s only the two of us eating tonight?”I ask her.
“Do you not have to go pick Rusher up today?”Auntie Lynn asks as I trail behind her.
“He asked to go to a friend’s house and said their mom would bring him home this evening,” I answer, smiling to myself because he is making friends.
