The Tennessee Youngster

Chapter Eight

Repercussion

It was only a matter of time before the situation escalated. Sure, Tommy's mother and stepfather on occasion would argue and exchange words, but nothing drastic until now. Both boys knew their mother had just about had enough of Stephen's short fuse and it was about to come out. Debra turned around facing the boys and said, "I am about to do something you might not like," and climbed over to the driver side. Tommy didn't think she would go through with it, seeing how his stepfather's hand was still clenched between the window and door, but then it happened. The Cadillac fired over. Debra had turned the ignition and started the car. Tommy's eye lit up like a roman candle.

"Mom, you're not really going to drive off with dad's hand in the window are you?" Tommy replied with hesitation in his voice.

"Relax Tommy. Mom isn't that dumb. Besides, the police are right outside."

"Debra, don't you do it." Shouted out Stephen who was trying to pull his fingers free from the window entrapment.

Then it happened. Debra pushed down on the gas pedal several times lifting the front end of the car up slightly signaling she meant business. Tommy and Nick looked at one another in disbelief that their mother even had the guts to stand up to her man in such a manner. Even Nick had reservations she would actually go through with it.

"I am telling you, Debra, turn off the car and roll down the window. Let's be reasonable."

"You think she is going to do something crazy Sherriff?" replied Deputy Bar looking at the Sherriff.

"Naw, she is just messing with him, isn't she?" Spoke Sherriff Daughtry leaning to the side and spitting out his tobacco before wiping his mouth.

"I dunno, but I read once where a woman from up north had been abused verbally and waited to her husband fell asleep. Then she went on up and drove the family truck right through the bedroom wall killing him."

"Where on earth you hear such nonsense?"

"Inquiry."

"What the plum heck is Inquiry?"

"You know, the magazine."

"You mean the Enquirer?"

"Yep, that's the one. You know it's real stories if it's in there."

"You really are a piece of work, if you believe that garbage."

"I'm telling you Sherriff, that woman in the car is going to do something stupid."

"Debra, turn off the car." Shouted Stephen once again.

The cold look on Tommy's mother face spoke volumes as she looked at Stephen, then it happened. Debra placed her hand on the column shifter and moved it from Park to Drive. The wheels started to roll a few inches, as she gave it gas.

"What are you doing Debra? Stop messing around." Replied Stephen in a heightened voice.

Debra gave it more gas causing the car to roll forward a foot each time. This upset Stephen as he begged for her to stop before she did something she might regret. Tommy looked scared watching this unfold, while Nick pressed his face close to the window looking at his stepfather with a sarcastic grin. To Nick this was justification and edged his mom on.

"Yeah give it more gas."

"Nick stop it. He can get hurt." Cried out, Tommy.

"Shut up dork. This is fun. Besides you know she won't do it. Mom is just trying to scare him."