Memory Lane

Chapter 29. What Children See Pt.2

Tara

It wasn't supposed to happen like this, it was never supposed to get this far. I admit that Gemma's threat to me earlier had sent me on edge. I knew that I had just a few moments of peace with Desiree still in Charming before Gemma went on a tirade. Gemma Teller was a woman of her word, and her word was a threat to me and my family. So, I planned to kill her. I didn't have that much time and I knew that I would have to escape with my boys immediately after.

I planned to inject her with blood thinners. The dose I planned to give her would either cause a stroke or she'd bleed out in her brain. I honestly wasn't worried about how she went out, as long as she was gone. I had awakened Thomas from his nap just enough to get him crying. I knew that she would be the one to come running for him like the superhero she believed herself to be. I jumped her with a needle from behind while she was about to take him out of the crib. I muzzled her mouth shut with my hand to keep her from making any noise that would alert the boys.

I snuck out just in time for no one to notice me stepping out of the room. When Desiree came into view, I went to hide out in the bathroom down the hall. I made sure to take my time before I heard Jax calling out to me. I did my best to act surprised and put on a performance of CPR, but I knew in my heart that it was only a matter of time before she died. The ambulance, no matter how fast, wasn't going to be able to save her. The only thing I was truly worried about was calling Margaret so that I'd be able to make a deal with the medical examiner so that this whole thing didn't blow back on me.

However, to my horror and something I truly didn't prepare for was one of my boys' seeing me. Especially my young and traumatized son, Abel. It didn't even occur to me that he was awake, he was so quiet! It broke my heart to see him shaking with fear as Desiree held him. There were so many thoughts running inside my head, was I compromised? Would my own son rat me out? How much therapy would he need to forget all of this? I was in so much shock that I thought that I would pass out.

Time seemed to stand still; I was completely terrified. I couldn't even react when the ambulance confirmed Gemma's death. I didn't even feel a shrill of happiness, only feelings of panic coursed through my veins. I don't know how I managed to convince Jax to let me handle the business with his mother's body. But my husband, my poor husband, had broken out into such a painful sob. His screams could be heard for miles, and I couldn't deny the guilt I felt from knowing that I was the one who caused him so much pain.

I wish I could say that I felt remorse for killing her, but the only thing I regret was not having a better plan. I mean, had I just worked out the ins and outs of this whole ordeal, none of this would have happened. If anything I would be on the first departing flight to wherever with my boys. I did this for them! I did this for their future! I am a mother protecting her children from the greatest threat they will ever know.

Gemma was no saint; she was manipulative and controlling. She didn't care about my kids graduating or going to college. She'd probably just let them drop out like Jax and join the club. Running drugs and guns while constantly looking over their shoulder for their enemies. That is not a life to live for anyone, they deserve the best! And if Gemma Teller was the one standing in the way of that, then my actions were justified.

Looking at her now, it feels so surreal. She used to be this biker queen who incited fear from those beneath her. But now she was nothing more than a corpse that smelled of weed and alcohol. I guess it's a good thing that she always wore black, at least now she fits the occasion.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, this must be so hard for you Dr. Knowles." I looked up to see one of the EMTs speaking to me. She was a younger woman with a twinkle in her eyes that had died in me long ago. "Thank you," was all could muster to say to her.

"Your mother-in-law was a good woman. She helped me and my family out when my dad was inside. Would make meals for me and my siblings while my mom was working. I never got to thank her, sad that she had to go out so cruel."

I began to feel slightly uncomfortable as this stranger poured out her love for a woman she barely knew. It seems like everyone in this town has a story with Gemma and her angel halo except for me. But now wasn't the time to show my bitterness, so I mustered up the kindest smile I could manage.

"Yes, my mother-in-law was truly one of a kind. It's going to be different raising my boys without her. She had her own personal touch."

The girl placed her hands over her heart in admiration, "she sounds like she was the absolute best grandma in the world."

"The best," I smiled sweetly at the girl before she finally drew her attention away from me. She must have gotten the hint because she finally went to go join the driver in the front to leave me alone with Gemma.

I stared down at the covered body and let out a sigh. I never did get to tell her goodbye, so now seems as good a time as any. So, I leaned forward and lowered my voice enough so that the others wouldn't hear.

"My boys will never know this life, and they will forget about you. That is my revenge. I win, you lose."