Maria had just finished giving her children their after-school snack when her phone rang. Rissy was hysterical on the other end.
"Sue, Sue, Sue!"
It was all Maria could hear her saying.
"Please Rissy, calm down and tell me what is going on."
"That woman, that Sue woman! That friend of yours! She was at my house."
Maria paused. Why on earth would Sue go and visit Rissy?
"She broke in and stole the kid's pocket-money. She took my jewellery! She stole from us!"
"How do you know it was Sue?" Maria said quietly.
"She left just before we got home from school, but she cut her arm on the window. She cut her arm and there is blood all over my daughter's bed. My child's bed Maria for God's sake!"
Maria began trying to calm her down as she sobbed on the phone. The police were at Rissy's home and had told her that the DNA evidence would be enough to convict Sue of the break and enter. Although Maria tried to reassure her, Rissy was not in the mood. She was furious and wanted Maria to take her side.
"People like that are scum," she cried angrily. "Useless junkies. I can't believe we ever trusted her."
Maria tried to take the high road. "She is going through some stuff, Rissy. She lost her son. It is a hard blow for a mom to take. Ollie was her everything."
"Am I supposed to feel sorry for her?" Rissy hissed.
"No, of course it's understandable that you are upset, but she's a person too. She is going through a difficult time. Her whole future has been turned upside down."
Rissy took a breath. She was so angry.
"Her only future will involve prison or death," Rissy stated. "That is where she is going. She did this to herself and I will not be made to feel guilty about her issues!"
Rissy hung up. Maria stared at the phone in her hand for a minute. This was awful. How could Sue be stealing from her friends? She had no idea what to say or do. It was a terrible situation. She couldn't believe that Sue had sunk to this point in her life.
Maria hated the feeling of being responsible for another adult who was struggling so hard but a part of her always wanted to help Sue and gain her friendship again. It was just that Maria wanted the better Sue. The good version.
YOU ARE READING
The Men's Camp
Mystery / ThrillerIn a dystopian world, a teenager named Shula comes of age and enters her time of child bearing to save humanity. In the present day, Maria just wants to have a family of her own. She helps a police investigation which makes her wonder how to save th...
