The Secrets of the Aorta Ruins

Chapter Six

"It wasn't me dad," Becca tried to explain again.

"Becca, I don't want to...yes I'm still on the line," he said returning to his phone call. He was trying to deal with insurance he had on the house still. Becca made her way back to Derek's room which was being shared as hers for the time being. His mother had been kind enough to allow them all to stay until they were able to figure things out. They were even going to be able to take the same bus for school. Her mom was down at their school talking to their principal. Zack was outside, hanging out with Derek so it was just her alone for now. Once her mom came home, her parents talked alone in the kitchen for a long time before her mom came and found Becca.

"Hey sweetie, how was your day?" Becca noticed her words were still kind but the tone she used to address her had changed since the fire. She could tell she didn't want to be in the same room with her.

"It was fine. Dad still won't talk to me at all. What's up?" She asked, knowing her mom was there for a reason.

"Well, I have an idea. Let's go shopping and then we'll talk when we get back. Ok?" she suggested. Everyone had lost all their clothes and belongings in the fire.

"Yeah, sounds good to me mom," Becca said pulling on her hoodie and following her mom out to the car. They both fastened their seatbelts and headed to the mall. They walked around for hours, looking at things and trying them on.

"Mom look at this. Zack would love it," she said holding up a shirt.

"Honey, remember I said we need to talk when we get home? You don't have to worry about Zack any more ok?"

"Why not?" she asked, confused.

"Later... Lets get you some more pants."

"Don't I have enough to last until laundry day picked out already?"

"Yeah, but let's get a few more anyway," her mom said with forced cheerfulness. By time they headed back to the car and buckled themselves back in, Becca wondered if she had enough clothes to last her a month before having to laundry, and since she had been allowed to pick them all out this time she would actually wear them all before needing to wash her clothes too. They made their way back home, and Becca's dad was already waiting at the kitchen table for them to return. Derek and Zack were no longer in the back yard and Derek's mom was no where to be seen either.

"I guess I'll just go put these away?" Becca asked.

"Why don't you have a seat first," her dad said, her mother already taking a seat at the table. At first no one spoke, not knowing how to begin this conversation. Finally, it was Becca that spoke first.

"I already told you, I didn't do it," she said clarifying.

"Yes, we heard that part Rebecca," her father said, finally acknowledging the statement at least. It was the first time since the fire had happened, but it still didn't seem like he believed her about it, "The problem is... The thing is... Rebecca... your hand was still on fire and. I don't think we can help you and there is this-"

"What are you saying? You still think I did it, don't you?"

"What else are we supposed to think Rebecca? The fire marshals can't find another cause of the fire and we were going to try to tell you gently but if you're going to be stubborn about it I'm just going to say it. We're sending you away to a school in Shadefall."