Time To Face Things Head On

Chapter 29

Gerty's pov

Instead of my alarm clock to wake me up I was greeted with a pounding on the door echoed through the house. I glanced at my alarm clock and it was barely six. I grabbed my house coat and sleepily put it on to answer the door. I almost walked out the door when I heard my mom answer the door and Aunt Priscilla didn't waste a second to start berating my mother.

"I should have stepped in when Roger passed away it is obvious you were not fit to raise those daughters of yours into proper ladies" her voice boomed. 

I cracked my bedroom door open and listened quietly hoping they would stay by the door. I could hear Judy and Lydia step to their doors as well 

"I beg your pardon" mom growled 

"Winona's mother told me all about how she heard that fellow Lydia had been seeing, calling her by his last name. Along with the rumor she could be pregnant. Then there's Gerty, kissing strangers at train stations and what is this rumor I hear that she's engaged to a Jewish man! And then there's Judy! Calling one of the men who is buying the paper out an egotistical Oh! you know what I mean I'm sure she told you all about it." She raged 

My cheeks grew hot listening to her rant and steam blew from my ears.

"Tell me why it's any of your business Priscilla" mom hissed

"ITS MY BUSINESS WHEN YOU BREED HEATHENS" she screeched "YOU'VE TARNISHED OUR FAMILY" 

"No, if I remember right I had already done that when Roger and I decided to leave the life of high society and raise our children with love and zero status" mom retorted 

I never knew they were looked down on for not using family money. I knew grandma Swills was always supportive. I never thought of my mother's side of the family.

"You act like it was nothing but misery. Our parents gave us everything we ever needed or wanted Rogers too." She lectured 

"I will always be grateful for everything our parents provided us with, but after everything they did to Anna Lee-"

"She was a disgrace and you're letting your own daughters behave like her God would even turn from her" Priscilla interrupted 

"SHE WAS OUR SISTER" moms voice boomed through the house and I could hear the shuffle of Lydia's feet upstairs.
"She was our sister, and there was nothing wrong with her! She made bad decisions sure but after seeing our parents treat her like she was nothing more than a prop to give some vision of unachievable perfection I knew I would never treat any of MY children like that." Mom exclaimed

My eyes widened  and my heart skipped a beat as I tried to crack the door open wider, I never knew of any family member named AnnaLee.

"And look at them now! Running around with the filth of Chicago, you even let that drunk live at your home" Piscilla spat "and I hear she and that low life you let Lydia date died in the club a few days ago"

"Paul was a fine man who had the war still holding him in its clutches; he sacrificed more than you ever had. And that so called drunk? Her name was Miriam McLaren, we loved her as our own and she had accomplished more in her life than you EVER had!" Mom growled

"She was a drop out at the finishing school and a drunk" Priscilla bit "she belonged in sodom and Gomorrah"

"She was a nurse for the United States Army! All you've ever done was point your nose down at people and beat them with your bible. Now If you want to bad mouth any of my daughters then I suggest you leave because obviously I've chosen to teach them God's loving and understanding side not taking his wrath upon my own duties." Moms voice carried through the house, goosebumps filled my body.