The Family Man

Chapter 03

Martha Cummings was an older retired woman, and I overused her sympathy. She somehow latched onto me, bonding over Jake's abuse. There was nothing she wouldn't do to make sure that Maria was safe and shielded from what was happening, babysitting at a moment's notice and being Maria's safe house when I needed one. Strange, I found her everything I didn't want to become, yet she was the neighbor I desperately needed.

Martha's steel gray hair was done up in a perm that screamed ancient. She was slightly rotund, and always wore an apron that made me think she was constantly cleaning or cooking. I preferred my auburn hair to hang more naturally and spent time straightening the curls out of it. The idea of looking like a grandmother wasn't appealing in the slightest, though Martha strived for just that. Maybe, she thought of us as the family she never had.

"Thank you so much, Martha," I said, "you're a lifesaver." Maria had spent the evening at her house while I shopped for ways to kill her father.

"Think nothing of it, dear. Us single gals have to stick together," Martha said. I wasn't sure I wanted to lumped into her single gal club, but she was all I had at the moment. "Besides, Maria and I get along wonderfully. We baked some cookies and even got a little homework done." Maria came to the door with her book bag and a clear plastic container with what looked like chocolate chip cookies inside. When she smiled, I could see remnants of dead cookies in her teeth.

"Thank you, Mrs. Cummings," Maria said. I was glad I didn't need to remind her to be polite.

"Anytime, dear," Martha responded, caressing the back of Maria's head. We were both 'dears' in her eyes.

A patrol car pulled up in front of our house as we were walking toward it. I was surprised to see Officer Sampson step out and move smartly toward me. I pulled Maria close.

"Evening, Officer," I said brightly for Maria's sake, "on guard again?" I added, hoping it was true.

"No, ma'am," Richard said with a smile that was out of place. He glanced down at Maria, then back to me, "Might I have a word with you?"

"Ah, sure. Let's get Maria inside."

"You want some cookies?" Maria asked with her crumb laden smile.

"Maybe one. I'm on duty after all," Richard replied and added a chuckle. While he enjoyed his cookie in the front room, I got Maria started on her math homework in the kitchen. I had to stash the cookies out of reach so she'd actually eat some dinner.

"Good cookie," Richard said when I returned. He was licking his fingers.

"She makes them with my neighbor, Mrs. Cummings. Don't know what I'd do without her babysitting."

"Well, I'm here to give you some good news. You Ex turned himself in this morning."

"Turned himself in?" I said surprised. He was smiling at my astonishment.

"He and a friend came into the station, and he confirmed what you told me. He waved his right to a quick bond hearing. Never heard of that before."

"A friend. I thought all his friends were drunks."

"Guess he needed the support. I wasn't there so I can't give you a name, but Mr. Livingston will be in jail for a few days until the hearing. The desk sergeant told me he was remorseful and thought some time in jail would let him get his head together. Believed he needed time away from the booze."

"That doesn't sound like Jake," I said, not trusting what I heard, "maybe it's some kind of ploy."

"Could be, but I don't understand why he'd want to spend a few days in jail," Richard said. "I think you should enjoy the short reprieve, relax and get a few good nights of sleep."