Violet’s face told me that she never thought about the aftereffects of a violent crime on home furnishings.
“And her phone is out until Wednesday,” Joe added.
Violet wasn’t about to let her anger go so easily. “See? All the more reason not to stay here! You have no phone if you get into trouble or if somethin’ happens!”
Defiance riled up and I put a hand on my hip. “I got a cell phone this mornin’. I can use it if I need to.”
“You what?”
“It’s the twenty-first century. Everybody has a cell phone.”
“Rose, honey, why do you need a cell phone? Honestly, who are you gonna call?”
I bit my lip to keep the tears from falling and looking even more like a fool in front of Joe. “I’m not leavin’ with you. Violet. I’m stayin’ here.”
We glared at each other, both of us sure we were right and the other was wrong. I knew I’d thrown her for a loop. Right there in my half-painted living room, I realized the truth of it. I had always done what I was told, whether Momma, who did it out of spitefulness, or Violet, who loved me dearly and thought she knew what was best. No matter the reason, I’d always done what I was told. Standing up to Violet threw her world off its axis.
“Goodbye, Violet,” I said in an icy tone. I loved the stuffing out of her, but I was so angry I could spit.
“Rose…” Realizing that her bulldozing had backfired, she softened her outrage.
“Goodbye, Violet.” If I backed down on this, I’d never be able to stand up to her again.
Violet looked torn as she turned to the door.
Joe took a step toward her.“I’m right next door if Rose needs me.”
She let her anger loose on him. “You were right next door when our Momma was killed, too. A lot of good that did her.” And with that she whipped around and walked out the door.
My mouth dropped open in shock. I’d never seen Violet be so rude.
Joe shut the door behind her and paused.
“Joe, I apologize for my sister’s behavior.”
He turned around to face me. “She’s right, you know.”
“What?”
“I was next door when your mother was killed and I didn't hear a thing. You’d be safer if you went with Violet.”
It took me a moment to recover from my shock. “Go home, Joe.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
“Go. Home.” I enunciated each word slowly so there was no misinterpreting my meaning.
“Rose, wait a minute.”
I walked toward him and opened the door. “I appreciate everythin’ you’ve done to help me, but I’m done bein’ told what to do. Thanks for all your help paintin’ and thanks for installin’ the locks. Let me know how much I owe you.”
Joe stood in the doorway. “Rose, I’m sorry. I wasn’t tryin’ to boss you around.”
“I know, but you weren’t even supposed to help me paint anyway, remember? You were just goin’ to give me some pointers. You did, now you can go home.”
Joe went outside, looking over his shoulder as he climbed down the steps.
Ah, crap. I felt a vision coming. Go away, Joe. Go away. “The dog’s goin’ to get out the hole in your back fence.” That one confused me. Joe didn’t have dog.
“What?”
“See you around,” I said, shutting the door and locking it.
I started to paint again, feeling lonely. Part of me was sorry I sent him away, but I knew I’d done the right thing. Besides, he would have figured out soon enough that I was a freak.
Several hours later, I finished the last coat. The sun had set, making it difficult to see the true color. Still, I could see it was bright and cheerful, yet not overly yellow. It should have made me happy but the fight with Violet ate at me, stealing my joy. Violet and I never argued and it made me question everything.
Was I being selfish? Was I stupid staying in the house? I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to kill me. I decided Violet had been right the night of the murder; Momma’s murder was just a random crime and it would have been me if I hadn’t fought with her earlier that day.
Nevertheless, I was still uneasy going to sleep that night.
The next morning I called Betty at the DMV and told her I wouldn't be into work until Thursday. She insisted I take off the entire week, and I could only imagine Suzanne’s reaction to that. I wouldn't be surprised if she thought I killed Momma just to get out of a four-day work week. Seriously, I’m smarter than that. If I was going to go to that much trouble, surely I would have picked a five-day week instead.