Chapter24 The Hammer

While in the kitchen, Beth hears thuds coming from out back on the porch. She calls out… "Anna?" "Yes, mommy?" Anna answers…from the living room. Beth's hands start shaking. She stares at the back screen door. More thuds. "Mommy, did you want me?" "No. That's okay, Sweetie; never mind." Beth slowly walks towards the door, stopping every time she hears another thud. When she reaches the back screen door; she stops, takes a deep breath, and opens it very slowly…leaving enough space for her to stick her head out. Beth cautiously pokes her head out the door. At the end of the porch, Tommy's jumping up and down with his arms stretched out over his head…like he's trying to get something out of his reach. She steps out and slowly moves towards him; stopping a few feet away. Tommy doesn't notice her standing there. Beth calls to him in a soft, soothing tone… "Tommy; Honey?" Tommy turns, looks at Beth, and gives her a big smile. Beth gets down on one knee… lowering herself to his height…and, smiles back. He goes over and gives her a hug. Beth remains motionless, with her arms down at her sides; while his arms remain draped over her shoulders. Her eyes tear, as the corners of her mouth quiver. She finally wraps her arms around him, returning his hug; and, cries. Tommy whispers in her ear, "Don't cry…hug." Beth holds on a little longer; then, releases him. She leans back…wiping her eyes dry with her shirt sleeve while sniffling…and, tells him, "Tommy, Honey, Chelsea's been looking for you. She's worried about you." Tommy frowns; then, shakes his head vigorously from side to side yelling, "No!" Beth gently places her hands on each side of his head to stop him from shaking it. "Tommy, Honey, what's wrong; don't you want to be with your sister?" Still frowning. "No." "Why not, Honey?" "Chelsea's bad." "What do you mean she's bad, Tommy?" "Chelsea hurt me." "She hurt you? How?" He answers using his soft child voice, "With the hammer." Beth releases Tommy's head and stands up. She's stunned; and, takes a moment to regroup before asking… "Tommy, Honey;" Beth's shaking, fighting the lump forming in her throat; as tears once again form in her eyes, "how did she hurt you with the hammer?" "She hit me in the head with it. She hit it over and over. It hurt." Beth drops to her knees and takes Tommy in her arms; hugging him tightly. Tears run down her cheeks as she struggles to hold her sobs back. She tries to comfort him by gently stroking his head with her hand, and assures him… "It's okay, Honey; I won't let Chelsea hurt you again." Tommy whispers in her ear, "Don't tell Chelsea you saw me…please." "No, Tommy; I won't tell her." "Thank you." "You're welcome." Beth releases her hold, wipes her eyes, and asks, "Tommy, Honey, where do you stay?" Tommy hesitates before asking, "You swear you won't tell Chelsea?" "Yes, Tommy; I swear I won't tell her." Tommy becomes quiet again; then, turns and points. Beth looks and jumps up; then, looks back at Tommy. "Tommy; you stay in the barn?" "Yes; I stay there with Mary. I like Mary; she's nice to me." When they enter the diner, Beth sees Delilah waiting on a table in the back. As Delilah looks up in their direction, Beth waves to her; but, Delilah doesn't acknowledge her gesture. Beth's thinking maybe she didn't see her. Rose comes up in her usual gruff manner, "Table for two?" "That's okay; we'll wait for Delilah, if you don't mind." "Suit yourself." Rose walks behind the counter and starts wiping it off. As Delilah heads back to the kitchen, Rose waves her over and whispers in her ear. Beth notices them talking, and when she sees Delilah look her way, she waves again. Delilah doesn't return her wave this time either; she just whispers in Rose's ear and goes back into the kitchen. Rose lets out a huff, throws the rag she's been wiping the counter with down, and walks over to Beth. "Look; Delilah says she's busy with the customers she has, and doesn't want to take on any more now. So, do you want to sit at one of my tables and eat or not?" Beth really doesn't want to deal with Rose's nasty disposition, but she's baffled as to why Delilah's acting that way to her; so, she let's her curiosity take over and concedes. "Sure; why not. We're here already, so we might as well get something to eat; right, Sweetie?" "Right, Mommy." Rose grabs two menus and walks off. "Come on; this way." When they get to the table, Roses drops the menus on the table, pulls out her order pad and hastily asks, "Drinks?" Beth's finally had it with Rose's attitude. "Excuse me, Rose; what's your problem?" "Problem?" "Yes; problem. Do you have a problem?" Rose gets defensive. "I don't have a problem…you have the problem." Beth's taken aback by Rose's response. "I have a problem? Excuse me, Rose; but, what problem do I have?" Rose crosses her arms, letting out an exaggerated huff, and looks around before leaning in towards Beth and answering, "That house! That damn house you and your family are living in; that's your problem." Rose puts her order pad back in her apron pocket. "You know what; I don't want to serve you. I'll go get someone else." Rose turns and starts to walk away. Beth gets up and grabs Rose's arm to stop her. Rose tries to pull her arm away; but, Beth has too strong of a hold on it. "Let go of my arm!" "No! Not until you tell what you meant….What about the house? What do you know about it?" Lowering her voice, "I ain't telling you a damn thing. Now, let me go!" "Not until you tell me…" "I told you I ain't saying anything. What; do you think I'm crazy? Look what happened to Delilah after she told you about…" Rose realizes that she's said too much. "Look, I'm sorry if I've been rude to you; but please, just let me go. I don't want to get mixed up in this mess." Beth's confused. She watches Delilah pass by with new customers; and, realizes that for some reason Delilah's avoiding her. She looks to Rose and asks… "What happened to Delilah, Rose; what did they do to her? What's going on?" "All I'm saying is…God help me…" Rose whispers, "Go to the county records hall and look up birth certificates with the last name of Wedgeworth. Now, let me go!" Beth lets go and watches Rose scurry away…only stopping briefly to throw her apron on the counter…and, run out the front door.