REBEL

Chapter Twenty Four

                   ( Texts)

Dom : Marco, I need your mad crazy voodoo cyber skills.

Marco Gaines: For you, big bro, anything. This the Mockingbird thing?

Dom : Yeah. I need to find out who Jed is in connection to Rebel.

Marco: Jed ? What else you know?

Dom : That's where you come in because that's all I got now. He's apparently the boogie man to Rebel.

Marco: Think he's connected to the letters?

Dom : I don't know. Maybe.

Marco: Well, Ma will pitch a fit about my overtime but it'll get me out the house more. Marie is pregnant. Did you know?

Dom : Nope. Didn't have a clue. Congrats! Here's hoping you all have your own Triple Threat. Maybe it'll be six this time.

Marco: Screw that. One will be enough. Tony said they have knives. Big knives. We need to send them to Siberia. Marie is already puking in many shades of green. And blames me. Of course.

Dom : TMI.

Rebel: A boycott, sissy ? Really?

Emily: It's God ordained, brother.

Rebel: It's bullshit. Boosts your ratings and reviews and follows on your stupid podcast.

Emily: Is there a purpose to these texts?

Rebel: I had another nightmare. Last night.

Emily: It's the past. You need to move beyond it. Find a good church. Turn to the Lord.

Rebel: About him. How can you look at him every day? How can you tolerate him , know the truth?

Emily: He repented to me when I finished divinity school. He is a changed man. He believes now. He has moved on. You need to move on. Why don't you make a gospel record? Elvis did.

Rebel: Move on? I can barely sleep without..... And it's been years. Have you moved on?

Emily: Yes.

Rebel: Well fuck you, sissy.

Emily: I'll pray for you, brother.

Rebel: Fuck your prayers too. It was supposed to be you.

         Years ago
          Geary , Arkansas

" Ricky Joe? ,"he heard his sister Emily say from the side of his bed where he was huddled under the covers reading a Superman comic book. " She got another one here. They're making too much noise. This one is drunk. He scares me. Can I sleep with you? "

Without hesitation eight year old Ricky Joe tossed back his Spiderman blanket and scooted over so that his sister could join him in the single bed. They hugged each other close as they both looked at the comic in the dimness of his night light. " I'm scared, Ricky Joe," Emily said as she chewed on one of her already badly nibbled fingernails.

" Don't be, sissy. I'll always protect you. Always. Pinky swear. "

" I love you, Ricky Joe. "

" I love you,  Emily. "