Edna watched the home she was raised in, where her daughter and grandchild were born, sizzle to the ground. It was once a place full of happy memories, her safe haven before Ricky polluted it. But at that moment, it rose to its former glory, taking all their nightmares away and rescuing them from future miseries. Edna had one more reason to love her home.
***
Maria paced around in Jane’s living room. It had been a week since the fire, and that devil’s death. Maria had a reason to smile, seeing her son so happy and relaxed as if all the shackles of fear and sadness that had held him down had disappeared with Ricky’s death. There was no reason for him to sneak into Maria’s room, to make sure she was safe and alive or try to protect her if she was not, nor did he have to tip toe around the house so that Ricky wouldn’t hear him. He got full night’s sleep. Yes she was glad, seeing her mother smile and busy herself with the children and the household. Edna didn’t have to accompany her daughter to every room just in case Ricky cornered her alone and beat her. She sat in the sun and played with the children like a normal grandmother was supposed to.
Yes, she had a number of reasons to smile, but she still worried. The Sheriff was back the third time that week, asking the same questions over and over again. Maria thought they were trying to link her to Ricky’s death. She had watched enough crime shows to know that suspect number one was always the spouse. They thought she killed him, the whole town thought she killed him, and she didn’t blame them for suspecting her, everyone knew Ricky beat her black and blue as a hobby.
“How many times do I have to say this, he tripped me, the candles fell, then the house caught fire, then he fell, and I ran.” She stopped by the low table in the middle of the living room and faced the sheriff on the couch. She felt like she would shrink under his suspicious gaze.
“You didn’t stop to make sure he was alright?” The sheriff asked with a serious tone.
Maria paced again, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze. His grey hair and numerous worry lines on his head, caused by the stress of being on the job for over twenty years made him look even scarier to Maria. She felt like he could see right through her lie…..
No, she wasn’t lying she was omitting, and what he didn’t know couldn’t possibly warrant further suspicion…
Yes it could, and by the way he stared at her, it did.
“The man was trying to kill her, why would she stop running?” Edna defended Maria. She stopped Maria’s pacing and stood next to her, “look at her face, what makes you think she would stop? Maria, turn around lets show him your back.” Edna forcefully turned Maria around and lifted her shirt.
Maria pulled down her shirt and stared back at the sheriff after she gave her mother a scolding look. But the exhibit seemed to have worked. The sheriff’s stern look was replaced by pity, then disgust and finally anger. Maria stared at him keenly, not sure what to make of the sudden change. She hadn’t shown him her bruises before, he’d only seen those on her face—a busted lip, a black eye and a bruised chin, which weren’t as bad as those on her back and belly.
“So, you ran out the back door to the front of the house where your son and mother were and the three of you ran away together without looking back?” The sheriff repeated Maria’s story, his voice gentler.
Maria sat down in the seat next to him. The images of that night flashed in her head. “Yes, that’s right.” She lied. She wasn’t stupid enough to tell him the truth. She wasn’t going to spend time in jail, away from her son because of that animal. He’d ruined her life enough.
He gave Maria a gentle smile before he stood up, “Thank you for your cooperation. And off the record, I’m glad you tried to get away from him, there is no doubt in my mind he would have come after you, fate was on your side that night.”
Maria stood up and dug her hands in her back pockets. She smiled and didn’t say a word. She knew fate had nothing to do with Ricky roasting that day. She wondered if the sheriff would share the same sentiments if he knew she let him roast and watched just to make sure he did. As cold and heartless as it may sound, she wished he was wide awake and not passed out drunk when it happened.
Jane stepping away from the kitchen doorway, “Sheriff, did you find the body yet?”
“No. We think he was toasted completely. The booze all over the house facilitated the fire, and I don’t doubt he was soaked in vodka.”
“Good riddance to bad rubbish.” Edna muttered. Maria looked at her stunned, wondering if her mother was provoking to fill the second spot on the suspects list, which Maria knew only contained her name currently. “Is this the last we are seeing of you sheriff?”
“Yes. The case is closed. We are ruling it as an accident.” He tipped his hat and walked out the door.
Maria collapsed on the seat, relieved. The nightmare was finally over. She could go on with her life, without fear or looking over her shoulder.
Jane sat next to her, watching her intently for a minute before she spoke, “Now that the sheriff is gone how about you tell me the truth? We found you watching the house burn down.”
Maria wanted to ignore her, but she went on.
“When Tom and I arrived to get you, the house was ablaze, and everyone was out except for Ricky. You and Edna insisted on watching the house completely burn and only agreed to leave when the sheriffs arrived. I had hoped you would confide in me about that night. But I’ve waited for days and can’t wait any longer. So, I’m asking you to tell me what happened.”
“We had to make sure that SOB died.” Edina answered casually.
“Mama!” Maria looked at her mother, surprised by how candid she was. She was telling the truth, but it was something Maria hadn’t worked up the courage to say out loud.
“Maria did you…” Jane left her question hanging.
“No. Of course not!” Maria yelled anxiously. She stood up agitated, “He caused the fire, he knocked himself out, I just didn’t bother to help him!” she tugged at her hair, the frustration of how serious the situation was, taking a toll on her.
Jane stood up and went to hug her, “Calm down. I’m not accusing you of anything I just wanted to know.” She pulled away and looked at Maria, “He killed himself, that’s nothing you should feel guilty about.”
Maria looked at her. Jane seemed to understand her actions. Edna did, so her conscience shouldn’t be weighing heavily on her.
“Relax, and get Ricky out of your mind, if you don’t you’ll never feel at ease. Enjoy your life and your son, you are free.”
Maria nodded. Jane was right, she was finally free, and she wasn’t going to give Ricky another thought. He had taken enough time away from her. She walked to the window and looked out at her son. He was walking around the field with Denise, Jane’s daughter, pointing out things on the ground. She should be worried about what he would say since it was his father she didn’t rescue from the fire. But he hadn’t asked about Ricky once since Edna told him he was dead. Seeing him with Denise was the first time she saw real joy on his face since he was old enough to understand what Ricky was doing. He looked happy not a care in the world, so why should she be worried?