Chicks, Man

Clara’s home is on the far end of town. A small little ranch in desperate need of repairs. I pull into the gravel driveway, my tires crackling over the gritted rocks. A dim light glows from the front room window. Clara’s phone was disconnected, so I couldn’t call and warn her of my visit. Even though I knew she would have told me not to come. Putting my car in park, I climb out. Walking up the narrow walkway, I peek into the window and see a tiny woman sitting on the sofa watching television. When I ring the bell, she twists to peer out the window. It takes a few moments for her to open the door a smidge, a metal chain stopping it.

“Can I help you?” she asks through the slit in the door.

“Clara Hill?”

“Yes? You are?”

I reach my hand out to shake hers, realizing how silly that is since she can’t even fit hers through the small crack in the door. “Um…hi, my name is Hannah Matthews. I’m from Matthew and Assoc—”

“I have nothing to say to you.” She slams the door in my face. What the…? I take my fist and pound on the door.

“Mrs. Hill, please hear me out. Someone’s gotten to you. I read your testimony. There’s no way you decided to stop fighting for justice. For your husband and your son—”

The door flies open, and I stumble back a step. “Don’t you tell me I’m not fighting for my family. I’m doing what I need to do to keep the family I have left alive. Now, get off my property or—”

“No!” I yell, slapping my hand on the door so she can’t shut me out. “I refuse to sit back and allow a monster to win. To threaten people and continue to hold power over this town. He’s guilty. He took your loved ones away from you. He knew what he was doing. You know that. Your husband knew that. Whatever he’s threatened you with, we can protect you. Don’t turn your back on this—on the other people depending on you.”

Clara’s eyes blaze with emotion, tears welling and spilling over. “You don’t understand.” She swipes at her face. “He’s—”

“Mrs. Hill, invite me inside. Let me understand. Let me convince you no matter how much Benjamin Miller thinks he owns this town, he’s not above the law.”

There’s so much pain etched into her features. Her eyes are red, indicating she probably hasn’t stopped crying since this nightmare began, let alone slept. She wants to fight me, but she’s tired. She nods, unhooks the lock, opens the door fully, and allows me to enter her home.

It’s small, quaint. The walls are littered with family photos—memories of a life she’ll never have again. She waves for me to take a seat, and I accept, making myself comfortable on the loveseat. I look at the tv, and my heart cracks when I realize she’s watching a homemade family video.

“Would you like some coffee? Tea?”

“Water would be great, thank you.”

She disappears into the kitchen while I bring my attention back to the television. Two kids laughing as they run around the backyard being chased by their dad. I recognize Clara’s laughter as she records her husband and sons.

“Joey, better run. Daddy’s gonna get you!”

Joey, who appears to be about five, runs in circles around his dad, squealing, waving a stuffed animal in the air. “Catch me, Daddy! Catch me!”

Paul Hill laughs and shoots up, growling like a lion. He snatches his son into his arms, taking him to the ground and tickling him. Their other son, Gregory, jumps on his dad’s back. Clara’s laughter rings out behind the lens.

Just as Paul faces the camera, mouthing “I love you” to his wife, Clara walks back into the room, holding a glass of water.

“Joey was four there. He would have been twenty-one next week.” She hands me the glass and takes a seat across from me.

“I’m truly sorry for your loss, Mrs. Hill—”

“Please, call me Clara.”

I nod. “I’m not married, but I do have a brother. I can’t imagine losing him or anyone I love.”

She shakes her head, tears flowing down her pale, lean face. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I shouldn’t have let you in. They said…my son...I can’t lose anyone else.” She covers her face with her shaking hands as a sob breaks free. I’m up and taking the open spot next to her, doing my best to comfort her.

“Clara, they won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“They will. They’ve already tried. Gregory…he had a scare at the rehab center. They said it was a glitch, but he said it was a threat—retract or I’d pay the ultimate price.”

Jesus. What kind of monsters are the Millers? “Clara, you’re scared, but giving them what they want won’t keep you safe. It won’t give you the closure you deserve or the compensation you need. Without the compensation of this lawsuit, how will you pay for Gregory’s rehabilitation bills? How will you support the two of you once he’s finally ready to come home?”