Hopes Of Anna

Chapter Forty-three: Horrible!

Why did the officers detain my brother? He did nothing wrong and he was still underage.
Marie's aunty just created a fuzz and that fuzz unfortunately has escalated. Andre was confused and I could tell he was scared. Already his arrest had gotten to social media and he was trending faster that he was when he got angry at Lucie. Seeing my brother behind bars was soul crushing. I could not cry, I did not have time to cry but I had to think of how to get my brother out of here.
'Aunty, Andre was not trying to do anything to me, I promise.' Marie tried explaining.
'Don't lie for him. I know he told you to come here. Why else would you leave your house to go to his?' The woman yelled.
'A sleepover with Anna, his sister. Aunty tell them to release him he___'
'You innocent girl...' Marie's aunty held her face and kissed it before giving her another hug. I could see what she was doing. It was all an act. I knew she was telling Marie something. She did not want Marie to tell the officers she left because Jake was going to hurt her.
***********
Mom came to the station soon and immediately started looking for a way to get Andre out of jail. Andre was accused for molestation and pimping. It made no sense but Marie's aunty made it seem reasonable. Molly was on the bed so it appeared like Andre was going to use her for sex and then do it to Marie next.
When Mom came, Andre became weak as he watched her go around the station looking for help to get him out of jail. She even had an argument with Marie's aunty who just kept pointing fingers at my mother and accusing her of being a partaker of the crime.
Mother did not give her audience. All she wanted was to clear Andre's name but it was all in vain as Marie's Aunty's theory stood out.
Fortunately, Andre was granted bail but he had to spend an entire day in a cell and Marie's aunty had filed a case against him.
********
We had all been silent in the car and it was affecting all of us
My mom was angry and Andre and I knew she was going to go hard on us at home. On getting home, mom was still quiet. Andre and I too did not speak to each other. It was dark but none of us were ready to go to bed. As Mom went around doing things in the house she did it all in anger; banging everything she wanted to drop and groaning when doing the slightest thing.
'Mom, I swear everything was a___' Andre tried talking.
'Shut up!' Mom screamed throwing a shoe at him. 'Shut up.' She threw the other at me.
'We're sorry.' I said sobbing.
'How many times Andre? How many times do I tell you to always tell me who's coming over. Tell me everything!' Mom sunk into a dining chair crying.
'Why was Marie even here with you Andre?' Mom asked.
'It was a sleepover with Anna.' Andre said.
'When did you start having sleepovers Anna. And at our house!'
'Mom, Marie wasn't safe at her house.'
'Shut up! You teenagers and your nonsense about hurtful parents.' Mom said walking out on Andre and I.
*******
'Yesterday was horrible.' Andre said looking through his phone. 'There's rumor I was involved with Marie.' Andre said showing me a meme of two people obviously having sex but they put Andre and Marie's faces on the faces of the people in the act. I closed my eyes and put my head in between my knees. It was all my fault for not properly handling Marie.
'You said Marie wasn't safe in her house.' Andre said.
'What?' I asked raising my head.
'Why isn't Marie safe in her house?' Andre asked. I did not know if I could tell him. Whenever we are having these kind of discussions, things become weird. But it was his problem, why would I not tell him?
'Marie's being abused.' I finally said looking down.
'Anna. What abuse?'
'Her uncle fucks her.' I said. Andre moved closer to me anxiously.
'How does that concern__'
'I asked her to report him and...he threatened...I thought it wasn't safe and...' I stammered almost crying.
'That's why you let her stay over?' Andre asked me. I couldn't tell if he was angry about it or not.
'Andre I'm sorry. I should have seen the possibility of things going this far.' I burst into tears.
'Anna.' Andre hugged me as I cried.
'It's all my fault.' I said.
'No. You're so fucking nice Anna. Like incredibly. I can't believe you did that for your friend.' Andre said. I could tell he meant it with all his heart. He thought I was a good person even though it may land him in prison.
I had the best brother in the whole world no matter his condition or his place with my father. He was the best.
********
Why? Why were they looking at me? Why were they smiling? Where are my friends? Why? What's happening?
Caldwell was the first person to approach me. My heart raced as I looked for what may have caused these stares at the nerdiest girl in the school.
'You sweet child.' Caldwell said smiling.
'Uhn?' I couldn't say anything. Just the last week, I was known as the sister of a possible pimp and child molester. What makes me a sweet child now?
'What you did for Marie was dope. You are an angel Anna.' Caldwell said then hugged me this time. Tightly. I wondered how he knew about Marie. I was scared to ask so not to reveal what may have not been actually known.
'Sorry, what did I know Caldwell?' I asked, nervously smiling.
'You haven't seen it?' Caldwell brought out his phone; Of course I haven't seen it.