My moon and stars

The call

I woke up to a phone call from Lou, I was still half asleep and surprised he called me. "Hello" I said in a groggily voice. "Girl Joseph is dead" he said. "What, how" I asked a million questions running through my mind. "They say suicide at first but they're investigating he had two gun shots" he said. "I know things were not good but I never would have thought he would take his own life" I said. Joseph was a prideful man, he used to talk and look down on people with mental issues. He would say how they were losers and wimps who need to suck it up and work harder. "Then again they're going off Haley's words, so who knows what true" he said. "I'm so sorry Lou, I know y'all had your differences but I know you still loved them". "Girl, I know I'm going to sound like a devil but truthfully I'm not that sad about it. I mean he was pretty shitty to everyone even as kids. Just because he was family doesn't mean he treated us well. His whole family are terrible, and Haley made it worse. Outside of his parents and sister no one really mourning him", he said. "Well I don't how to feel, truthfully I had an argument with him yesterday", she admitted. "Girl, what happened" he asked? Kay told him everything, from him breaking in and Kyle breaking his arm. "Girl, what the fu**" he said. "I wonder was it us that pushed him over the edge. I know his family is looking for someone to blame" I said. "Don't worry they're after Haley, the son was tested but DNA proved  his son was not his" he admitted. "He mentioned that to me, but I didn't know if it was true or he just said that to win back" I said shocked. "He found out the kid wasn't his, I think that was his breaking point" he said. "I'm sorry for them, even though I didn't get along with them. I know there are devastated about him" I said. "I will call if anything updates" he said before we said our goodbyes. Kyle was at work, he always leaves so early. Just like clockwork his sister texted me. "Please meet me at the coffee shop. It's important, I promise it will be just us. I won't do anything to upset you please". I could sense her desperation through text, Selene is also prideful so her saying please is a big deal. I messaged her to give me 30 minutes. I got ready and drove there. I walked in and saw Selene in a hat, messy ponytail and jogging suit crying and head down. Her face bare, pale, puffy, eyes swollen and red. No fancy clothes or jewelry or hair. She had a cup of tea that she cried in. I thought I would never see the day Selene would be dressed down. She always took pride in her beauty and presentation. I ordered a sweet latte and sat with her. "I'm sorry about Joseph" I said immediately, little comfort I know. "It's not your fault, it is hers. She killed I know it. I don't believe her story, or that he killed himself" she said, sniffling and tears rolling down her eyes. "I'm still sorry, I heard this morning about it" I said. "Haley said he attacked her and he killed him self, but he had two bullet wounds. It doesn't add up to me, Joseph may have been harsh with words but rarely was he violent. He also found out his son wasn't his. She did it, I think she shot the gun" she said frantically. I didn't know what to say I can't say if she wrong or right. Maybe she speaking from grief and can't accept that he killed him self. "Please help me prove her guilty" she said grabbing my hands. "How can I help, I don't know what to say. I haven't spoken to Haley in over a year". "She been already trying to get his money. She barely crying, she hasn't visited us or checked on us" she said. "I know he wasn't good to you or any of us but he did love you and he regretted losing you every day. If you help me I will forever be in your debt" she said. "I have to think about it" I said. "I understand I know he went to your house and I am sorry he did that", he can't apologize now so I will. We all our sorry" she said. "I will see how to help. I'll call you if I know anything. Take care of yourself" I said. She shook her head and gave me a rare hug. I hugged her back and saw her leave. I sat there processing it all, I didn't know how to help. I didn't know if she was right, I mean he did attack me and Kyle. Also he could have attacked Haley, finding out someone lied about his kid would turn a monk violent. I went home and waited for Kyle to get off. I called Lou and told him everything. "Girl, they're in denial. Look no one wants to accept their family member killed him self but he was in a bad state, he found out about the kid, he attacked you and probably did attack the she devil" he said. "I didn't know what to say but she mentioned Haley hadn't checked in with them and trying to get his insurance money" I replied. "Not surprised, she is evil. I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating, but she is evil" he said. "Trust me I experienced and know first hand about her", I said. "Honestly you don't owe them anything, it's shitty but he is dead" he said. "I know I wouldn't know how to help anyone" I admit. Kyle came in and I tell Lou I'll call later. "Hey honey how was work" I asked while taking his coat off. "Tiresome the new recruits get worse every year" he said. I rubbed his shoulders while he took his clothes and boots off. I felt bad to spring this on him, I grabbed him a beer from the fridge while he got himself settled. I couldn't contain it anymore and blurted it out "Joseph is dead", I said quickly. "What" he took a double take as if he couldn't believe me. I told him everything from Lou call to Selene plea for help. "Well we don't have to worry about him anymore" he said shrugging. "Oh I understand", I said thinking he would show more emotion. "Look it sucks but I'm not going to pretend to be sad. He was a piece of sh!t who hurt you, I can't forgive him for that ever", he said. "I know, from what Lou said. The family not mourning either just his parents and sister, he was awful to everyone", I told him. "You don't owe him anything or his family. He probably couldn't deal with the guilt and shame and did it" he said. I thought about his words, he was right he was in a bad mental state before he died. Even still I couldn't shake the feeling Selene may have been right.