Chapter 6
Cindy moved in, but Mom didn’t move out, for she was broke. Lucia had taken all her money, so she was stuck here.
Dad told Mom to look after Cindy, who was pregnant, and made her leave the master bedroom.
Mom ended up living in the attic.
Lucia didn’t care at all. She told Dad as long as she got her share of everything, she was fine with it.
Mom started calling my name late into the night and tried to call my cell phone, but the other side thought she was nuts.
Two years and five months after died, Mom found out Lucia had been sleeping with Hanson and started pounding on her door, demanding she come out.
She called Lucia a bitch and Hanson a jerk.
Hanson came out and pinned Mom to the ground, beating her badly, while Lucia leaned against the door, threatening Mom that if she told anyone, she’d make her pay.
Mom’s eye was hit so hard that it bled.
But no one cared for her.
She went up to the attic again and opened my notebook.
“I hate everyone in this damned family, including Mom, Dad, and
Diapher
200 WoucherS
Lucia.”
“Lucia is vile. She said my boyfriend was great and she liked him too. I told her she had no shame, and she said she would get Antonio. Antonio promised he would love only me forever; I don’t believe he would be taken by Lucia.”
Mom muttered, “I hate them too.”
Two years and eight months after I died, Lucia got pregnant, and she and Antonio patched things up because of the baby, but Antonio had no idea the baby wasn’t his.
Mom kept her mouth shut about it, and Lucia moved out again.
Two years and ten months after died, Lucia lost her baby. The doctors said the kidney in her body was rejecting it and she needed meds to control it.
She ended up back in the hospital.
Lucia needed money for her medical bills, but Mom was broke, and Dad refused to cough up any cash.
So she had some people come over and trash the place.
She and Dad started blaming each other and yelling.
Mom just hid in the corner and laughed.
Three years after I died, Cindy was about to give birth.
Mom was up in the attic calling my phone, saying my name over and over.
She told me she missed me.
Chapter &
She said she was sorry and wanted me to forgive her.
This time, she flipped to the very last page of my notebook.
I had scribbled the word “hate” lots of times.
I wrote, “I wish they were all dead
Mom stared at that line for ages.
On the seventh day of the third year after my death, Cindy had a baby girl.
Lucia was beaming with joy, and so was Mom.
The day Cindy left the hospital, Mom cooked a bunch of dishes at home and called Lucia and Antonio to come over.
That night, everyone was there.
Mom made chicken soup and served everyone a bowl. She put a lot of effort into it, and it was really good.
After she finished, Cindy asked Mom to get her another plate.
Mom said, “It’s enough. I have something to say.”
Dad frowned and said, “Just do what you’re told and stop complaining.”
Lucia backed Mom up. “Let Mom speak. Go ahead, Mom.”
She looked at Mom expectantly.
Mom had tricked her into coming home by saying she was going to sign the house over to her.
Chapte
Mom sat down and brought me up, “Grace has been gone for three years now.”
As soon as she said that, both Dad and Lucia scowled.
Dad grumbled, “Why did you bring her up? We’ll all be jinxed.”
Lucia cut in, “Can we stick to the point? No need to bring up some irrelevant people.”
Mom ignored them and turned to Antonio, “Antonio, anything you want to say about Grace?”
Antonio looked annoyed. “Enough is enough.”
Mom gave a bitter smile. “Grace is gone, and none of you seems to care or feel bad…”
“Are you asking for a beating?” Dad shook his fist.
Mom looked at him, tears streaming down her face. “You used to threaten Grace like this all the time.”
Lucia snapped, “What’s your problem? Did you forget why you got me here today?”
Mom turned to her. “Steven and I have always loved you and cared for you, but you’re selfish. All you care about is money, and you’re nothing like Grace.”
Antonio dropped his fork on the table with a thud. “I think we’re done with dinner for tonight.”
Mom had a wry smile. “You forget how you told Grace you’d love her forever?”
Antonio shot up from his seat, but then he covered his stomach.
and slumped back into his chair.
Mom looked at him worriedly. “What’s wrong, got a stomachache?
“Grace must have been in so much pain the day she left.
“Poor girl.”
She covered her face, wailing, “I’m sorry, Grace. Please forgive me.”
But then, she stopped crying.
“It’s okay, my girl. I’ll be with you soon, and I’ll bring them all with me to make amends,” she muttered.
“Why is my stomach hurting too? Did you spike the food?” Lucia freaked out.
Mom gave her a sharp look. “Don’t be ridiculous. It must be because your abortion wasn’t fully done.
“Oh, right.”
Mom turned to Antonio. “You didn’t know, did you? The baby Lucia carried wasn’t yours. It was…”
She pointed at Hanson. “His. She slept with her before.”
Hanson’s face dropped. Before he could say anything, Mom cut in, “Enough arguing. I’ve got a job to go to, so I’m out of here.”
“You bitch!” Antonio yelled, realizing Mom was telling the truth.
He grabbed Lucia by the hair and yanked her to the floor. She screamed and fought back, but then, all of a sudden, she spat up blood.
Everyone froze.
The dinner table turned into a mess of cries and pain.
“My stomach…”
Mom sat there clapping and laughing like crazy. “Great! We’re all going down together.
“I’ll finally get to see Grace.”
But I didn’t want to see her, not ever.
Side Story
God said I died unfairly, so he let me watch what happened to those people.
Now that I’d seen it all, I was ready to move on. Word was, in my next life, I’d be the only daughter of the world’s richest man.
My parents were suffering from infertility, praying to every deity out there, hoping for a miracle.
I was all set to be born again into my mom’s belly.
Just then, God stopped me, asking me to make a decision.
“Shall I send them to hell or Sheol? It’s your call.”
“Hell, definitely!” I replied, my tone indifferent.
“You sure?”
Chapter 6
“Absolutely.”
God wiggled his finger. “I’ll do it your way.”
He held my hand, adding, “I’ve got to tell you, you’ll be with me in heaven, and I think I should set up some stuff to keep you from getting bored up there.”
Chocler?
