And Then She Was Gone(28)

“I don’t get how being a ‘replacement’ makes her feel like she fits in,” Jack said.

“You would if you would let me finish,” Aunt Haddie said sternly. “Chandler said to her, ‘I’m going in the Army, and I need someone to fill my shoes. You’ll have to watch over my Aunt Haddie and keep an eye on Michelle until I get back. But while you’re doing that, everyone’s going to treat you how they treat me. You’ll be my replacement. Do you know what that means? No one will pick on you because you’re my replacement. It means all the kisses and hugs Aunt Haddie gives me, she’ll give you. It means all the cool stuff my sister Michelle does with me, she’ll do with you, because you’re my replacement.’” Aunt Haddie’s voice was filled with pride. “After that, she’d only respond to her new nickname. That poor little angel. She’s been through hell, so don’t you go teasing her. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

They got out of the car and approached the Martins’ house. It had seen better days. The paint was peeling and the lawn needed to be mowed. Jack could just picture what Mr. Martin’s reaction to that would have been if he were still alive. Mr. Martin had been the opposite of Jay. He wasn’t the type to start yelling; he’d just go grab a paint can and get the job done. He was the kind of man who was always working on his house. The paint was always fresh and the lawn was groomed. He’d put on a light show at Christmas and flags for the Fourth. Things had been hard on Mrs. Martin since his passing.

Mrs. Martin came out of the front door as Jack and Aunt Haddie walked up. A petite woman with graying hair, she stood on the top step, clutching a small pocketbook.

“Morning, Mrs. Martin,” Jack said.

“Good morning, Jackie.” Her voice was soft. “Thank you for doing this. It’s very nice of you.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Jackie’s glad to help.” Aunt Haddie let go of Jack and took Mrs. Martin’s arm.

“Thank you so much, Haddie. I’m just worried sick. Do you think Jay’s okay?”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” she said reassuringly as they came back down the walk.

Jack opened the back door and Mrs. Martin got in. Aunt Haddie got in the back seat next to her friend.

Mrs. Martin’s smile was thin. “I hope he’s been getting some sleep.” Her voice was just above a whisper and her bottom lip trembled. “He’s always been such a light sleeper. When he was small, I had to get his father a different alarm clock because the ticking would wake my little boy up.”

Aunt Haddie rubbed Mrs. Martin’s back. “He’ll be okay.”

“You go sit in the front, Haddie. Jackie will be uncomfortable chauffeuring us around like this.”

“Nonsense, Charlotte.” She patted the woman’s hand. “You don’t mind, do you, Jackie?”

Jack shook his head. “It’s like Driving Miss Daisy in reverse.” He tipped his head as he slid into the driver’s seat and slipped into his best Morgan Freeman impression. “We’ll get going right away, ma’am. You two just sit back and try to relax.”



The ride to the holding facility at Long Bay Prison was painfully slow for Jack. In the back seat, Aunt Haddie tried to comfort Mrs. Martin, and Jack could hear a muffled sob now and then.

Aunt Haddie held on to Mrs. Martin’s hand and prayed. “The Lord will work it out, Charlotte.”

“I know, I know,” Mrs. Martin said.

“How’s Tommy taking this?” Aunt Haddie asked.

“Badly. He didn’t come home last night. I called over to Nina’s and his friends’, but no one has seen him. I’m so worried about him. It’s strange—before their father’s death, Tommy was so well behaved. Jay was the one who was always getting into trouble. But after Aaron passed… well, Jay’s gotten his life together. He got a job. He worked hard and got a promotion. He’s a delivery driver now. But Tommy, it’s been just the opposite. His father’s death just… just knocked him off the tracks, you know? Like flipping a switch. He won’t listen to anyone. And now this.”

“I’m sure Tommy will come home soon,” Aunt Haddie said.

Mrs. Martin sniffled. “But what about Jay? They’re going to charge him.”

“What’s he getting charged with?” Jack pulled down the rearview mirror so he could see Mrs. Martin.

“Fraudulent use of an ATM card, larceny, and identity theft.”

Jack turned ninety degrees in his seat. “Seriously?”