All of the Stars Have Fallen Out of Line

Chapter 6: Going on a trip

"I don't know where to begin." I stared out the window watching the police car pull into our driveway, instead of looking at each of the girls, who eagerly awaited my next words. "I just— I'm so sorry." My voice wavered a bit; surely not from sadness... probably just dread for them.

Topaz put her hand on my knee, while looking up at me somberly. "Did daddy have a heart attack?? I heard Red say it before I left with Olive."

I swallowed back the truth and nodded. I knew I'd have to tell them what actually happened someday, but it wouldn't be today. I know Red would prefer them to assume that this was his cause of death as well. Now I guess I'd have to shield them from the news, since in a small town like this a suicide is huge... especially when you're the biggest lab director in town.

"Daddy's heart wasn't strong enough, but he's with the Big Man now." I smiled weakly at them after pointing at the sky. Olive was 12, and not dumb. She could easily tell I was lying. Mauve seemed worked up, and waterworks began to flow from Topaz. I did my best to act as if I was sad as well, but I'm glad he's dead. Just not happy he's dead and we're left with little to no answers.

Olive kept eyeing me suspiciously, so I did my best to not meet her eyes. "I've got to go tell Emma and Charlie." I excused myself from the girls, although I knew Topaz wanted a hug, this was far more important.

I went upstairs to find Emma, and I heard her soft cries coming from Dad's room.

"Emma?" I called out to her before I came in. "Are you okay?"

She had a crumpled up wad of paper peeking from underneath her balled fist.
"Not a single fucking dollar in my name in this damn will! He didn't love me! He only wanted companionship... didn't even have the NERVE to give me any property or a single penny!"

All of my empathy for Emma evaporated as soon as she said those words. She never loved him, she just wanted the money and possibly a free vaccine.

"Oh fuck you Emma. Yeah He was a bad, bad man... but you're messed up too. You don't have to stick around. You'd be better off going to find another rich husband and waiting for his death." I crossed my arms over my chest. I almost decently liked Emma a day ago. I thought she cared about us... I thought our dad cared about us enough to at least give us answers; or stick around.

But I was wrong. I was wrong about both of them. At this point, I wondered if there was a single soul that loved me other than my sisters and our cat Picasso. Sure Robert's great but the thought that only he, my sisters, Charlie, and the cat would be attending my funeral made me sick.

Regardless, I'm glad I'm left with no guardians rather than two corrupt ones. And "parents" was definitely not the right term for Emma and Dad, since they both let everything go to shit.

Emma eagerly nodded. "You're right Blue. I'm still young, I've still got it." She frantically started fluffing her hair in the large, round mirror mom used to love. "I mean, if I find a guy old and ugly enough he'd sure be so thankful I'm giving him attention he drops a couple hundreds." She turned to me " Are you going to be okay here? With Charlie and all?"

"Charlie?!" This woman never failed to shock me. "There's no fucking way you're leaving your baby."

She shook her head "Oh sweety that's what you'd think. Once you've had a couple of the little rugrats, you come to realize you can always make more." She leaned in real close, pinched my check and smiled. "You'll be fine. Also, thanks for being such a mom to the kiddos... you carry this family on your back hun. Don't be afraid to take a break and get off your feet." She winked and sped walked out of the room... probably to go pack her thongs or something.