MAD MARY

💀 CHAPTER NINETEEN | CLOSE CALL.

“Wait up bro! Seriously! I know you’re trying to get back home as quickly as you can but if we wear ourselves out we’ll never get home! I didn’t have breakfast for crying out loud!” Todd complained while out of breath.

Richard moved as swiftly as he could, completely ignorant of his brother’s whining. Other things occupied his mind.

At that moment his eyes were windows opened to the path which lead him home.
His ears were deafened and his limbs only understood the word ‘forward’.

Thoughts had kept his lips mute and his intentions focused. Thoughts that troubled him greatly but brought him the pleasure of curiosity.

“I’ve got to get back home really quick! I don’t want George in my room! The kid has the eyes of someone who knows too much! I need a clean slate! It’s all I wanted. It’s all I’ve ever wanted! If he finds a single clue, it’s all over! If he makes that call and Henry comes over…Shit! Shit! Why did I have to be so hasty…that blonde piece of shit always ruins everything…everything!”

Richard’s thoughts echoed within his skull.
Todd stood still and tried to catch his breath.

He stared at his brother’s shoulders. They remained as broad as they were when Richard was a kid.

Todd had always looked up to his older brother.

After their father walked out on them and they were left with their mother, a sickly woman, Richard took up the responsibility of head of the family and father to Todd.

Richard's story was told to Todd, by their sivkly mother. Todd was too young to remember such past. He wasn't born during the difficult time, his mother spoke of.

Richard and Todd's father walked out of their lives shortly after Todd was born.

The Beckahams suffered in abject poverty until Richard turned eighteen and their lives changed.

According to their mother's tale, Richard never told Todd the origin of the money he brought back home. He always got home at dusk, tattered and sometimes injured.

Whenever their mother asked about a scar or pink eye on his brother’s face, Richard always replied with the simple words; “Just making a better life for the family.”

After those simple words, he would pass out on an old sofa in the living room, with a bottle of whiskey on his left hand and a bag of dollar notes on his right. He was much too young to drink, but according to their mother, Richard did not care and she did not have the strength to stop him.

While on the wheel chair, their mother would  take off his Richard’s shoes and placed a wool blanket over him. This continued for years until Richard came home one day with a new car, keys to a new house and an announcement of his admission into medical school.

Todd smiled at the brief thought of the past while his eyes remained fixed on his older brother’s back.

“I’ve always seen your back bro. I’ve never tried to get ahead of you and I’ve always been satisfied with it. You were the reason for every meal I ever had and you were my ticket to Law school. How could I think of doubting you? It’s hard! It’s fucking hard! But recently, it’s becoming fucking easy.” Todd said in a low tone.

“What the fuck are you reciting? Some dumb poetry?” Richard asked without turning his neck.

“Um…No…I just…I’m just…It’s nothing.” Todd answered. Sweat trickled down his legs.

“Good. Now stop whining like a bitch and let’s go. The sky’s darkening and grey clouds are gathering. It’s going to rain soon. I don’t want to get Alice worried.” Richard admonished his younger brother, his eyes kept their focus.