Naughty Boys

Luke came home first and was excited after learning we were having fried chicken for dinner. He took a shower while I laid out plates and silverware on the table. Nate and Jamie came home at the same time. They were disheveled and bruised, with torn clothes. Nate had a black eye, and Jamie had a split lip.

“What happened?” I couldn’t believe what I saw. “Were you two fist-fighting?”

“It’s not a big of deal,” said Nate, acting as if nothing had happened.

“We just had a heart-to-heart, brotherly talk. That’s all,” said Nate. “I smell something delicious. What’s for dinner?”

Apparently, I was the only one in the house who was shocked to find that Nate and Jamie had a brawl. Luke only raised an eyebrow as if that was the norm with his brothers. We had dinner as usual. Only, I’d lost my appetite.

I wanted to talk with Nate and Jamie and straighten things out, but the opportunity never presented itself. Halfway through dessert, someone pounded loudly on the front door.

Nate checked his phone. Everything wired and programmed so he could see it on his phone. He was baffled when saw who our rude guest was.

“It’s your aunt,” Nate told me.

“Aunt Rebecca?” I was completely bewildered. What did she want? I got up and went to answer the door.

The old woman in front of me was obviously running in pissy mode. I almost didn’t recognize her. Her hair had become all white and was arranged in a tight bun. Plus, she was dressed like someone who belonged in the Victorian era; someone should have put her in a glass display case.

Aunt Rebecca was two years younger than my mother, which should put her in her late sixties, but the years hadn’t been kind to her and she looked about a year older than ninety.

“Aunt Rebecca, what a surprise. What brings you—”

“Well, do you plan to see me at all?”

“Eh? I’m sorry. Would you like to come in?”

“Don’t bother. I only have a little to say to you, so I’ll be brief.”

“Okay. If that’s what you want.”

“Leave this town. Don’t ruin the memory of your mother with this shameless thing you’re doing here. Your mother was a good woman. A God-fearing woman, bless her heart. Your father too. If they knew what you were doing here, they’d be rolling on their graves.”

“What do you think I’m doing here? I work here.”

Aunt Rebecca laughed sinisterly. “I wasn’t born yesterday. You don’t think the whole town isn’t talking about it? They talk!”

My blood froze in my veins. Is it that obvious?

“Heed my words, lassie. Whether I like it or not, you’re still my niece. I wish you hadn’t elope with that Marsh boy, your mother would probably still be around if you hadn’t. You broke her heart. Sent her to an early grave. Now you come and do this…” she made fluttery gesture with her wrinkled hand. “You’ve tainted her memory.”

I felt numb. My feet were cold. My fingers were cold. Only with sheer determination was I able to hold back my tears.

Aunt Rebecca rummaged in her crocodile handbag and pulled out a fat envelope. She thrust it into my hands.

“What is this?” I asked.

“Ten thousand dollars. Cash. That was your mother’s. She saved money for your wedding, but since you eloped with that Marsh boy, this has been sitting in her bank account all these years. Take this and leave. I know that Marsh boy divorced you and left you penniless. Well, what do you expect? Your mother saw this when you started dating him. She tried to tell you so many times, but have you ever listened? No. So, take the money and go.”

“Excuse me.” Luke suddenly appeared beside me. “Can I help you, Ms. Everett?”

Aunt Rebecca sniffed at Luke with contempt. “Evening, Sherriff. Don’t mind this old lady, I’m just about to leave.” She glared at me one more time and turned around on her heels, tottering away along the sidewalk without a backward glance.

I couldn’t hold my tears any longer. At that very moment, I felt so small and insignificant. The world around me crumbled. My past sins had come to haunt me. The sin of defying my mother. The sin of loving Sam.