Chapter 9
“Rhea can’t be dead! That’s impossible–I was just home a few days ago, and she was sleeping in the bedroom,” Bill said, his voice rising in panic. “And Luca–I even took him out to eat at a hotel! How could they be dead?”
He lunged at the officer, trying to stop him from pulling back the white sheet.
“Mommy, aren’t we right here? Why does Daddy act like he can’t see us?” Luca asked, his little hand clutching mine tightly. He seemed confused by Bill’s grief.
“Sweetheart, we’re not part of this world anymore.” I stroked his soft hair. “That’s why Daddy can’t see us.”
The police led Bill away to an office for questioning, while the medical examiner focused on us. His face was grim as he worked, carefully preparing our bodies.
Bill’s protests echoed down
he worked to provide for us
the hallway, alternating between sobs and claims of how hard how much he loved Luca.
“Spare me the act!” the medical examiner finally snapped. “Your wife died on June 22. You went home on June 23 and didn’t even notice.
“And your son? He starved to death. You left a three–year–old alone to fend for himself. Don’t you dare call yourself a father.”
Bill froze, his face ashen, as the examiner handed him the death report. His eyes scanned the text, halting at the final line:
[Rhea Ray, female, age 31–cardiac arrest.]
[Luca Clayton, male, age 3–starvation.]
The examiner didn’t stop. “Three years old. Starved to death in his own home. What were you doing while your son died? Shacking up with your secretary?”
The officers in the room exchanged uneasy glances. Their investigation had already revealed what everyone suspected: Bill had been living with Ima for weeks.
“I… I…” Bill stammered, his voice cracking.
Finally, he broke, burying his face in his hands. At first, the sobs were quiet, but soon they exploded into uncontrollable wails.
The room was crowded, but not a single person stepped forward to comfort him.
Eventually, the paperwork was signed. Bill claimed our bodies, and arrangements were made for the crematorium to collect us the next day.
Luca and I trailed Bill back to his new home.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 9
“What now? Did Rhea pull another stunt and hurt the kid for attention?” Ima sneered, wrapping herself around him.
I covered Luca’s eyes. He didn’t need to see this. Whatever illusion he had of his dad didn’t deserve to shatter just yet.
Usually, Bill melted into her orbit the moment he got home, fussing over Ima and her pregnancy. But not today.
“Rhea and Luca are dead,” he said.
Ima’s eyes
lit up. to her stomach.
“So what? I’m carrying your baby!” she said, grabbing his hand to press it
Bill pushed her away, harder this time. She fell into the shoe rack, collapsing as blood pooled beneath her.
“My baby! My baby!” Ima screamed, clutching her stomach as sweat beaded on her forehead.
Bill froze, then grabbed her and rushed to the garage. Luca and I followed closely as they sped to the hospital.
At the hospital, the doctors saved Ima, but the baby didn’t make it.
“Mommy, was that my little brother?” Luca asked, gripping my hand as he stared at the small lifeless form.
I stroked his hair gently. “Yes, and no,” I whispered.
