The Girl with the Blue Hair Ribbon

By G.W. Wallace

The summer of 1978 began Rose's teenage years. While on holiday Rose meets a boy of sixteen in a small New England town along the coast and at the docks; his name was Samuel Bennett. As they talked to one another Rose had forgotten to tell the boy her name, but she knew his. Her heart fluttered for the first time and after spending some time talking to the boy her heart was in love. The boy felt the same and although most would say that first loves don't last, theirs did. He kept her gift to him and never parted from it with the hopes she would return year after year.

Returning home from that vacation her life transformed for the worst. After living through hell for almost nineteen years Rose's life changes when her husband dies. She has the chance of a lifetime to begin again. Finally the dreams and hopes she once lost are in front of her. She makes a big decision to leave her home town and have her own business somewhere away from the hatred and sadness that had surrounded her for so long.

She buys a business in Williams Port where she spent her last vacation at thirteen. This lovely little town that reminded her family of home in Ireland and where she met Samuel Bennett for the first time. Throughout the years she secretly kept Sam in her heart and new everything about him. All the while Sam Bennett kept her in his heart as well, but life changed for both of them. Rose felt with both their lives changed over the years she would never see him again.

Things were looking up for Rose and it's was a new start. As she found new friends she formed a special relationship with older residents of Williams Port that no one cared for, but she found a way into their hearts. With her upbringing and desire to help others she reached out and made sure she humbly helped those in need.

Enjoying the freedom to live, her world was about to go out of control. Sam returned to her life, but he didn't know her. Rose keeps her distance from him because as she knew over the years he wasn't just anyone, but the son of an aristocrat. Although her memory from that time on the dock from so long ago was that of a simple boy and not a nightmare spoiled rich kid.

Her dreadful past is slowly catching up to her due to others trying to make her life dismal. She herself cannot comprehend what is happening to her, but the past she has hidden within her mind is trying to unleash itself like torment sent from hell. Only Rose can unleash the horrors of her past life, but she can't find the way.

With the love of her close knit Irish family, friends and mostly Sam she has no idea of this small army that has banded together to help her move forward. Finding that true love and trust in others will be a long road.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098355005

Book preview

45

Chapter 1

They say love at first sight, and lasting, is far and few, but it does exist.

How long ago it was that first experience of her heart fluttering wildly for the first time ever. Although it was long ago some believe the heart maintains more of the memory than the mind.

Rose had begun her teen years the summer of 1978 when life still moved somewhat slowly in the world. It was a simple time and children knew the rules and still understood the word respect; or at least the McGinn children understood. Families still had meals together, people played board games and children knew how to use their imaginations. Her life was simple, her dreams big and she lived in what she thought was a protected world with her parents and five brothers.

The heat was blistering that July 4th morning and Rose could feel it radiating from the large stone and brick that built the antique shop more than one hundred years earlier. She chose to stay outside of the shop while her mother and aunt shopped for various items. The young thirteen-year-old was bored and unlike her brothers she had to shop with her mother instead of frolicking in the ocean on that hot day. When she was younger her mother allowed her to stay with her brothers at the ocean, but now she was told that she was a young lady and she was to learn to be with the older women of the family at certain times. After shopping they would stop and have a cup of tea together and her mother insisted that Rose learn how to be a well-groomed young woman and not act like a tom boy and cavort like one.

Since getting her monthly calling in early spring, as her mother called it, her mother treated her a little differently. Rose was always a beautiful child and she’d blossomed into a young lady with long slender legs. Her face was lovely with features that excelled far beyond most young girls. Her large doe eyes mesmerized a person and you couldn’t help but fall in love with her kindness and joyful personality. Although she was petite she was already more mature than most girls her age back home; many thought she was at least fifteen because of her intelligence and her mature attitude.

As Rose stood burning from the heat, she closed her eyes and felt a slight breeze, but not enough to cool her. It was quiet at the shops on the side street. Casually she peered at the sailboats across the street along the four docks. Two local women walked by and she smiled at them and they said hello. The delicate smells coming from the restaurants that were preparing for the lunch crowd in a few hours were lovely she thought. Her eyes were observing the expensively owned boats swaying in the small breeze and she just knew the water would be flapping up against the sides of the boats making that splashing sound in the silence of the lazy late morning. The docks were quiet because most people that lived there and the visitors were in town getting ready for the parade and the barbeque at the park. Rose knew not to wander off or her mother would be disappointed that she hadn’t listened. She wanted a peek at the sail boats and hopefully embrace a cooler breeze and overcome her boredom, but she had no idea that this particular summer vacation would be her last and it would be many years before she would once again see Williams Port.

She embraced the slow summer days of childhood. Looking down at her favorite book she had no desire to read and couldn’t concentrate due to the heat; her neck was sweaty and she pulled her blue ribbon off of her wrist and tied her hair back. Peering into the shop she wanted to see where her mother was and thought that if she were in the back of the shop she could make her way down at least one pier and look at the boats and possibly get the fresh breeze she was longing for; it was far better than holding up the hot brick wall.

Each summer her family traveled from Tennessee to New York. From New York they caravanned in three cars with her aunts and uncles and many cousins to go camping. Her mother’s favorite town to visit in New England was William’s Port. Rose always thought it reminded her family of their former home in Ireland, which they had left only a few years earlier.

Her mother and Aunt Lucy would spend hours looking at the shops from early in the morning until it was time for the big Fourth of July parade. They looked for bargains to decorate their homes, gifts for Christmas and for birthdays. Her mother was thrifty, but she had to be with a large family.

The coast was clear! Rose skipped across the street, dash between the parked cars to the first pier on her left. She strolled past the boats one by one as if she were in a museum; boats that would take not only her father’s income, but that of her five brothers once they were all working. At the end of each dock she walked back quickly to see if her mother had finished shopping. After the third dock she walked back across the street to the antique shop just as her mother appeared in the doorway. It was a relief she hadn’t seen her on the dock because her mother didn’t tolerate the children being disobedient and Rose never wanted to disappoint her parents.

Her mother’s face was beaming as she carried a box with an old cast iron fireplace set. Rose darling, be a dear for mother and put these in the car. Auntie and I are goin into the fabric shop. Although their father had recently purchased the 1978 Chevy Suburban, her mother insisted on calling it a car while her father called it a lorry. Carefully she took the long box with the poker sticking out at one end and walked it a few yards up the street to the suburban. The box was heavy, but she managed to unlock the back of the SUV and placed it into the spacious back end. Walking back to the fabric shop all she could think of was that parade with the band playing, the throwing of the candies, and then she spotted her mother waiting and handed her the keys. Thank you dear. Rose, she turned, Yes mother.

Do ya like this material for some drapes in the bedroom?

Which bedroom Mother?

Your father’s and mine.

Rose reached out and touched the soft ivory colored material, Why yes, I do Mother. It’s lovely and I’m bettin that father will like it too. Her mother smiled. It was a known fact that her mother would be in the shop for a rather long time because she made everything in their home; the drapes, curtains, their clothes and whatever else she could make. Her father made furniture for their home and they both were frugal about everything they bought. Most of Roses clothes were either handmade or second hand. But all in all, their home didn’t look like that of people that bought used and refinished furniture and did their own decorating. Her mother had her own great sense of style and wisdom beyond that of others and, she like Rose’s father, were both quite educated; Rose was proud of her parents.

There was one more dock that hadn’t been explored. The warm air was blowing lightly across her face and she could smell the scent of the ocean across the street. She slipped off her flip-flops and pranced across the street to the last pier. It felt good to be free and she began to twirl down the middle of the dock doing spin cycles, arms outstretched and slowly she soared gracefully making her way down the wooden planks of the dock like a perfect ballerina. Rose had no idea she was being watched by someone, but she was too busy enjoying the moment of freedom. Reaching behind her head she grasped the end of her blue ribbon that tied her hair back and pulled it off; it suddenly blew out of her hand! She stopped twirling to chase it, giggling and running after it she stopped dead in her tracks looking up at a boy standing with the blue ribbon in his hand. She felt a prick on her foot, Oh that hurt! She gasped.

Suddenly, he spoke, Are you alright, he said with a grin across his face. Standing frozen in her tracks she saw a tall boy and stumbled slightly from her injury and smiled, Hello, how do you do. Her blue sun dress was softly blowing in the ocean breeze along with her wavy dark brown hair and their eyes were focused on one another. Rose’s heart skipped a beat for the first time in her young life when her eyes met his. He was taken aback by her as well and spoke again immediately, I believe you dropped your ribbon. His voice was deeper than boys her age and he had a British accent, his hair was a light brown and his eyes were a brilliant hazel color like Rose’s. His smile was pleasing and seemed honest and genuine. Did you lose your ribbon? She stood staring at the boy as if she was the only person on a deserted island and he’d suddenly appeared and then she limped towards him, Yes…I did, she stammered showing her embarrassment for staring. Do you have a boat? the boy asked. No, we don’t own a boat, but we have a dog. The boy laughed out loud, You can come on my boat if you’d like.

What’s your name, she asked.

"Sam, I’m Samuel Bennett. You know you’re limping?

Yes, I believe I’ve gotten a splitter in me foot.

I have a first aid kit on the boat. Stay there and I’ll be right back. He ran onto the sail boat and disappeared beneath it. Retrieving a small first aid kit he returned to the deck and jumped onto the dock where Rose stood motionless. He took her hand in his and his heart began to beat quickly as he led her to the edge of the dock. Here, come sit and I’ll help you.

Rose sat next to him on the edge of the dock and he reached for her foot and she slightly pulled away from him as he reached again for her foot and placed it into his lap giving her a look to assure her he wasn’t a pervert and grinned at her. He found a pair of tweezers in the kit. This might hurt a little.

Its okay, go ahead, she said.

Sam squeezed the small splitter on the side of her foot so that it stuck up into the air and pulled it out with the tweezers. Then he applied iodine on her foot as she waved her hand towards the foot Ooh, it burns. He blew on the iodine and then gently covered it with a Band-Aid. Once again, he was persistent asking, Ask your parents if you can come on my boat. She knew she couldn’t go with him. He spoke again, Ask your parents.

Thank you, but mother would say no. Besides, I don’t know you.

The boy looked at her strangely and pointed at her, You’re British, and yes, you know me. I just introduced myself to you; you’re lovely, he laughed at her again.

Thank you, but I’m Irish. I’m so sorry, but my parents are very strict. My goodness Sam Bennett you are persistent, she said blushing. She stretched her right hand out to Sam. He took her hand and she shook his, How do you do, he said back to her looking into her eyes the entire time and grinning at this funny sweet girl. She pulled her hand from his and she felt something she’d never known before. It was as if lightening had struck her. Sam also had a strange look on his face as well.

Well you see, now we’ve been properly introduced. Rose grinned at the good looking and well-mannered boy. He kept his gaze on her eyes. Do you live in Williams Port, he asked.

No, no we don’t. We’re here on holiday; we’re camping. We camp in this area every summer.

You should ask your parents if you can go sailing with me. We’ll only be out an hour or so.

I’d love to, but my mother’s expecting me to join the rest of the family for the parade and then we’re going to the park. Are you going to the parade, asking and hoping the boy would be there.

No, I don’t go any more. I’ve seen a lot of the parades in Williams Port.

Rose perked up, Oh, so you live in Williams Port?

No, we don’t. We stay at the Inn and my parents own some real estate here. I was going to take the boat out and if you’re mum would let you come along we could have a picnic on the boat and I would promise to have you back in an hour. Your parents can see the boat from the shore.

That sounds wonderful, but they won’t let me their rather protective of me. As I said before you are persistent Sam Bennett.

Well, here’s your ribbon then, he said handing it to Rose.

You keep it. It can be a souvenir of me and our somewhat friendship. I have more ribbons, Rose said delightfully placing the ribbon back into his hand. She could feel his fingers slowly closing around her hand. I probably should get going. Mother will be looking for me.

Sam didn’t want this newly found friend to leave; he was mesmerized. Please stay and talk with me for just a little while.

No, I really can’t.

Just for five minutes; please, he begged and then hesitated, You know I don’t see too many girls because I attend an all-boys school in England. So, I don’t want to embarrass you, but I believe you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.

Alright then I’ll stay Sam Bennett, Rose said grinning at the boy. You have five minutes, she asserted and sat back down next to him and watched him wrap the ribbon around his hand. Out of being nervous and not knowing quite what to say he pointed out some of the boats he liked and who owned them. He was just as shy as Rose, but he seemed confident with her. He reminded her of her brothers a little. He reached down and put his hand in hers. You don’t mind if I hold your hand do you?

No, it’s quite all right, she replied, but knew her parents wouldn’t approve.

Well, I’m quite taken by you and I want to know how interesting you are.

Rose smiled at him bashfully, I believe you’ve already commented on my looks, but thank you.

They talked about school. Sam spent his summers at their home in Boston and at Williams Port. He told her that he had a younger sister and she would be at the parade. He asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Rose told Sam she wasn’t sure, but she loved studying and he told her he was going to be a doctor and save lives.

Well, it appears you’ll be a great doctor Sam Bennett, she giggled and pointed to her foot.

As he laughed at her comment he then saw her book sitting on the other side of her, What are you reading?

Rose held the book up, "Oh this, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It’s brilliant, but I’ve read it so much that it’s now ripped and I’ve taped it together; see, right here, she pointed at the binding of the book and the piece of masking tape holding it together towards the bottom. Maybe one day I’ll be able to buy a first edition."

So, you like to read?

Yes, I love to read. I love stories that take me to different places and adventures. I like learning about everything. I’m going to attend college and make something of me self.

Sam looked at her smirking, I believe you will. He adored her smarts and her confidence. He reached in his pocket and pulled out sun flower seeds, Here, take some. I like to put them in my mouth and spit out the shell and eat the nut.

Rose laughed at the boy and she accidently dropped several into the water, Look Sam Bennett, see the ripples they make. They’re touching and altering the water. Just as we’ve met today we’re changing how things are.

Sam laughed at her and thought she was charming. You were really wonderful dancing down the dock. Why you glided so beautifully that you reminded me of the waves when they glide to the shore so perfectly.

If you think I can twirl like the waves on the shore so perfectly, you should’ve seen my brother chasing me to catch me along the beach at home in Ireland, she sighed, Oh, how I miss him. After more than five minutes of talking it dawned on Rose that she hadn’t told him her name. Oh my, where are my manners Sam Bennett. I didn’t tell you my name. About that time she felt the grasp of a hand on her arm, What are you doin here darlin? You don’t belong here, and you were to wait for me. Rose stood up, I’m so sorry mother, but I was hot and thought I would take a walk along the dock to catch a breeze. Please forgive me, she said and suddenly, Oh dear, where are my manners once again. Mother, this is Samuel Bennett; he’s going to be a doctor. Her mother looked at the smiling young teen and immediately recognized him, It’s a pleasure to meet you and I’m so sorry, but we must be going.

Rose excitedly asked, But mother, Sam asked if I could have a picnic on his sail boat. We would be only an hour and where you could watch.

No darling, now come along we have to go, her mother said raising her eyebrows and her eyes motioning for Rose to come along. Well then, I guess I’ll be going. It was a pleasure to meet you Sam Bennett, she smiled and waved at Sam, turned, and followed her mother straight away. She glanced back as she walked after her mother, Sam was watching her walk away still grasping her blue ribbon he quietly said to himself, I don’t know your name, but I’ll never forget you. He looked rather sad to see her go, and she gave him one last look and a smile. Rose whispered to herself, I’ll miss you.

Her mother walked with her off of the dock and she stopped. She placed her hands on Rose’s shoulders and looked her squarely in the eyes. Darlin, please understand that we simply don’t belong in that part of Williams Port. Rose was puzzled and asked, But why not, she sadly said.

Her mother looked to one side and then the other, Well Rose, those people are very rich and they don’t associate with people like us.

People like us, asking surprisingly.

Yes, common people. We are considered just common people. But let me tell you something my darling daughter, they are not better than we are. It’s just that they are very wealthy, and they are well-known and their status in life is not to be involved with people that are not within that same status. He was a lovely boy Rose. She grinned at her mother then nodded acknowledging her explanation, but she still couldn’t get it out of her head how incredibly sweet Sam was and how he flattered her.

Sam was curious and walked up the dock. Just as Rose’s mother finished speaking to her on the sidewalk he saw them walk to a Chevy Suburban and get in.

She later saw him at the parade in town and waived at him when her mother wasn’t looking. He returned the wave with a big smile all the whilst she was thinking that he must have decided to be there instead of sailing; she was hoping it was for her and after that year Sam went to the parade every year hoping his dream girl from the dock would be at the parade. Although her mother said his status was different than theirs, he didn’t seem like anything else, but a bloody young lad. She knew she would never forget him, and although it was so long ago, she did not.

Chapter 2

Eighteen years later it was a frigid early morning in February, and although the sun was shining it was to be one the darkest days of Roses’ life. As usual, she would awaken to prepare breakfast for her children, but the moment her feet hit the hard cement floor her mind inevitably would recall her surroundings with the cold steel bars that enclosed her, but not her thoughts. She was still reminded of why she was there in the first place and for hours with no end in sight and no human kindness as well.

Today was different though, today was her arraignment hearing to decide her future whether she stayed in jail and also whether she was going to be tried as a murderer or might possibly be set free. She didn’t touch her breakfast which was nothing more than a piece of dry burnt toast and a cup of watered-down coffee. Her heart that had been broken so many times was racing as she wondered if her brother could pull-off some magic with the court and freedom would once again be found and she would be in the arms of her children.

Her sister-in-law had brought a brush and a headband to fix her hair for this day. It was important to Rose to look her best for the judge and for her big brother John. There were a few hours before the court hearing, but she decided to get ready straight away. She walked over to the sink, pulled back her hair with the headband, washed her face with only cold water at the small stainless steel sink and brushed her teeth. The water was frightfully cold, but today she didn’t mind because after two weeks she finally had something to look forward to. Then she pulled her hair down slowly examining the aluminum mirror on the wall that distorted her features. To pass time, she actually enjoyed the mirror and was humored by the silly faces she could make in it and brushed her long wavy brown hair and pulled the headband up across her head. She sat down on the cement slab that the mattress laid on top of and tried to read her book for another forty-five minutes. After all, there was nothing else to do and worrying wasn’t going to make the clock tick faster, but her thoughts strayed from her book to thinking about her husband and when she’d first met him that led her to a lifetime of misery.

It was hot that late June day when the local church had one of their many socials at the park and more than half of the town showed up including the McGinn’s. Her mother packed a large picnic basket filled with potato crisp, wild garlic pesto with a fresh loaf of baked bread, rolls sliced with ham or beef, cheese and lettuce all tucked inside, fresh fruit cut and placed in a bowl and her mother’s lovely chocolate covered berries.

As the McGinn’s approached the picnic area her older brother Sean leaned towards Rose and told her she was to stay away from Jesse Parsons. She’d asked why and her brother said he had a reputation of being forward to the local girls. Due to her innocence Rose wasn’t quite sure what her older brother meant by forward, but Sean didn’t want to explain sex to his little sister. He wasn’t sure she knew how sex even worked, but he wanted her to stay away from Jesse.

Rose saw many of her schoolmates at the park. She found Maria and her mother Isa and they joined her family. The minister of the church went around to all the families and greeted each one of them. Rose liked meeting everyone in the community and everyone loved her father and mother; they were well respected by the town for their service to others.

Later that day Rose stood by the picnic pavilion watching everyone play games, feed the ducks in the pond while the women sat and talked amongst themselves about their families and the children’s activities and so on. As she stood there a young man was approaching her. He was tall with dishwater blonde hair, beautiful eyes that she later discovered came from his beautiful mother. As the young man came closer he smiled at her. At first she thought he was extremely good looking and smiled back at him and then she looked to the right of herself and thought perhaps he was looking at one of the other girls. But no, he was looking at her and walking right towards her and began to speak with his southern drawl, Hey there, he said.

Shyly she looked at him, Hello, how do you do.

The blonde haired blue-eyed young man said, I’m fine, thank you miss.

She secretly thought he was funny because to her she hadn’t asked him how he was, but did a proper introduction. I’m Rose, Rose McGinn.

I know who you are. Everyone knows the McGinn’s.

Oh, so you know my brothers, do ya?

About that time Sean came running up to his sister. Rose, mother wants to see you!

Okay, well it was nice meeting you…ah, she paused pointing at him because she didn’t know his name.

Jesse, Jesse Parsons.

Rose had met the infamous boy her brother told her to avoid. Well Jesse, I must run. Me mother is looking for me. Goodbye. As she turned to leave Jesse said, I’m hopin to see you again.

Sean leaned into Jesse so his sister wouldn’t hear him, You may want to think twice about seeing me little sister again. Do ya understand Jesse? Sean turned to walk away and looked back at Jesse and gave him a spiteful look.

A few weeks later her family went to Williams Port on holiday where she’d met Sam Bennett and when she returned she later met her future hell.

Later in the cell she heard people coming, it was two officers approaching, and they opened the cell door and handcuffed her and led her to a police car. As the steel door of the building opened the sunlight was quite intense as she walked out of the jail, and what little ice that was left over in the parking lot created a glare that bounced effortlessly off the patrol car. She squinted to avoid the shimmer and anxiously she looked around the police parking lot for her brother Sean. She was hoping he would be allowed to escort her to the courthouse; he was nowhere in sight, Where’s me brother Sean, she asked. The officer pushed her head down as she entered the patrol car and responded abruptly, Sean will be at the courthouse. Now get in and shut up, he said and then muttered to himself, Jesus Christ, the little murdering whore. She then saw a few photographers from local newspapers flashing photos of her being placed into the car and yelling questions at her, Did you do it? Now she knew how famous people felt with cameras flashing in their faces and asking personal question all the time; it must be an exhausting life she thought to herself. She didn’t think of herself as being anything, and definitely not famous or glamorous, and she had no desire to obtain fifteen minutes of fame. ‘Why were they taking her picture?’ She asked herself this question while being placed inside the warm car and suspected it was because her case was a big deal in a small town where nothing eventful happens. Without a coat and with only an orange jumpsuit on she should’ve felt cold, but somehow her mind was more concerned about the events that were waiting to unfold inside the courthouse in the center of town.

As the car pulled away from the back of the police station she could hear the crunching of the ice under its tires. The car made a right onto a side street that then led out to the main street of town. The ride to the courthouse was not a long distance, but the officer that drove made it seem longer because he drove below the speed limit; she thought perhaps it was to humiliate her in front of the towns’ people. The two police officers were talking about their children and their everyday lives, then onto sports and the upcoming college basketball, but never once saying a word to Rose.

Driving through the small town seemed eternal, people stopped along the street and glared through the windows of the patrol car as it drove slowly and endlessly towards the building that held the people that loathed her. Many of the towns’ people despised her and all the while she kept her head held high because she knew that she was innocent. While in the car, her mind embraced the scenery of the mountain tops lined with beautiful majestic trees of all kinds. They gave Rose a sense of peace with its tranquility and composure.

Her thoughts drifted back to the night her brother Sean knocked on their door. It was around five-thirty in the morning she heard the pounding of the door of their white-washed, pocket-sized home that was more like a shack. She opened the creaking door slowly expecting to see her husband standing there drunk and not being able to find his keys. ‘Another night of putting him to bed drunken and smelling of other women,’ thinking to herself. There stood her brother in his police uniform. Panic ran through her as her chest tightened and her breathing became erratic thinking that something had happened to one of her brothers. Sean was upset and his face was pale.

Sean had been the first patrol car on the scene. He recognized Jesse’s 1979 Oldsmobile through the thickness of dried thistles and the trees. With the snow on the ground and the full moon he spotted it straight away. As Sean ran down the hill deeper into the furrow he saw that his brother-in-law’s car had crashed into a tree. He immediately called for an ambulance and as he approached the car, there slumped over in the driver’s seat was Jesse with the smell of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. Jesse’s blonde hair was full of blood; it had run down along the left side of his face. Sean felt for a pulse, but he felt nothing. He gently leaned Jesse back against the seat to try and revive him, Sean called for a backup car, and when the EMS arrived they placed him on a backboard and continued to resuscitate him. He was taken to the hospital and Sean followed the ambulance back to the emergency room. After forty-five minutes he was told Jesse was pronounced dead. He headed straight away for Rose’s home before filing his report and knew that he was the one to deliver the tragic news. She would never forget opening that damn door of her home and seeing her brother. She knew something had happened because of the time of night and Sean was in his uniform. He looked more somber then she’d ever seen before in her life as he looked into her eyes, Rose darlin…, he paused, his hands shaking as he reached for Rose’s hand, Jesse’s dead. Looking up into her brother’s eyes she stood in shock and felt a lack of sensation as she turned and looked behind her at the small bedroom her children shared hoping they hadn’t heard their uncle’s tragic words. It took almost a full minute for the news to sink in because her sleepy mind hadn’t fully absorbed the enormity of Sean’s words stumbling out of his mouth in slow motion, What…what are you saying Sean? Did I hear you right, Jesse’s dead? What, what happened, she began to cry. Sean wrapped his arms around his little sister and pulled her tightly into his uniform. Sean quietly said, He didn’t wear his seatbelt Rose. Looking back at all the events of that night Rose often wondered if she was crying out of love for Jesse or were they tears of relief. When she’d stopped crying and dried her eyes her two children had emerged from their room inside the small home. Slowly she turned trying to fight back the tears and told them the sorrowing news about their father. After the initial shock of Jesse’s death, and dealing with her teenage twins, she asked her son to stay with his sister and for Sean to drive her to Jesse’s parent’s home to tell them about his death.

Are you sure Rose you want to go?

Yes Sean, they’re my in-laws.

Jesse’s father didn’t like her, he hated the McGinn family, but she felt it was out of jealousy. All those years of walking on ice around Jesse’s father, and his appalling way of treating her; it was no wonder Sean was concerned since it was their oldest son’s death. Jesse’s father wouldn’t want anything to do with her now, and he would keep his wife away from her as well.

The patrol car pulled into their driveway and Sean stepped out of the car and told Rose he would be right back. She opened the car door and followed Sean to the porch, What are you doin Sis?

They’re still me family Sean, and I need to be there for his mother. He nodded at his sister and knocked at the door. Jesse’s father opened the door and saw Sean in his uniform with Rose standing next to him with her tear filled eyes. His expression conveyed that he knew something was wrong. May we come in Mr. Parsons, he said sadly. Lilly Parsons had entered the living room from upstairs, What’s going on Rose? Sean stepped forward and lowered his head, I’m terribly sorry, but your son’s been killed in an auto accident. They appeared to be in shock at first exactly as Rose had felt, and then his mother began crying and dropped to the floor of the living room.

Jesse’s father walked over to where his wife sat on the floor weeping. In his illiterate way he looked down at his wife and as usual commanded her, Common mother, git up off of that cold floor. It’s gonna be okay.

Jesse’s father was not the most affectionate or comforting man. Rose walked over and knelt down and began to comfort Jesse’s mother. Let me help you Mother Parson’s.

Jesse’s father lunged at her like lightning and began screaming, You get away from us! You never loved our son….git out! Sean stepped in between them.

Mr. Parsons, this appears to be an accident, and Jesse wasn’t wearin his seatbelt sir. Our office will perform a complete investigation into the matter.

He lunged at Sean screaming, Fuck you and your whole family. I will check this thing out myself. Now you and that sister of yours git outta my house!

Sean immediately grabbed Rose’s arm and led her to the door and out to his car. Rose sat and cried in the car then she heard something outside of the car and saw Jesse’s younger brother coming out of the front door, Wait Sean! Jimmy was sweating and panting in the middle of February, but Sean and Rose hadn’t noticed.

Sean peered out the passenger’s window past Rose. Hey Jimmy, you heard? Jimmy nodded. I’m real sorry about your brother.

Thank you Sean. Rose, are you and the kids okay?

Wiping tears from her face, Yes, Jimmy. Thank you for asking.

Look Rose, I’m real sorry about my father he shouldn’t treat you that way, Jimmy took a deep breath looking up above the roof of the patrol car into the dark star-lit sky, and then exhaled slowly, Rose, it was an accident.

Rose lifted her head and looked at her brother-in-law and gave a small comforting smile to him, I know Jimmy. She placed her hand on top of his hand for reassurance.

Thank you Jimmy I’m going to take Rose home to the kids now. He pulled out of the driveway and headed down the street. Jimmy stood there watching them drive into the distance as he lowered his head towards the drive. He turned and went back into the house, his mother had returned to her bedroom, but his father was waiting for him.

Jimmy, he said in a coarse tone.

Jimmy turned towards his father’s voice and found him drinking from a whiskey bottle. What is it Dad, he said bleakly.

Y’all listen ta me boy, and you listen good. I want ya ta go on back to your base after your brother’s funeral and don’t you have nothin more to do with that wife of his.

But Dad, Rose is a good person and she has always been good to you and momma so why don’t you lay-off of her old man….

Don’t you forget boy this is my house and my rules! You do as I say or don’t come back here. Do ya understand boy?!

Jimmy looked his father in the eyes cunningly, Yeah Dad, I get it. Then he thought to himself, ‘but you’re going to get yours too.’

The morning after the accident Rose went to the funeral home to select a casket for her husband and take his best Sunday suit along. She walked slowly through their showroom of caskets made of various woods with polished brass fixtures, shinny metal ones, and copper with wood trimmings. Rose selected a wooden casket that was beautiful and thought of Jesse and his youth growing up near the mountains that he loved with the trees and the water falls that all fenced-in their small town. After she made her decision she asked the funeral director if she could see her husband one time before he was cleaned up and dressed. The funeral director took her back to his work room where he embalmed the dead, and cleaned them. He opened the cold storage and pulled her husband’s body out with a sheet around it. He pulled back the sheet to Jesse’s neckline and there lay Jesse quiet and undisturbed. His head showed the signs of his injuries along with bruises on his face. She reached under the sheet along the side and pulled his hand out and gently held it. Tears fell as she stroked his face, I’m so sorry for you Jesse, she said quietly. Rose wasn’t sorry for Jesse’s death, but for the fact he never had a clear view of what life was about, and he was such a miserable person. The children miss you, and they’re so upset my darlin. Please don’t worry I’ll take good care of them for you. She kissed his forehead and tucked his hand back under the sheet to his side. The funeral director covered him and pushed him back into the cold storage.

The next two days Rose was exhausted and felt as though she was walking inside a cloud with what felt like a haze around her head as she made funeral arrangements. Neighbors and friends dropped by with casseroles, lasagna, cakes, pies, roasted meats, beef stew, spaghetti, fried chicken, platters of vegetables, salads, flowers and condolences. Most of the food was taken to her brother Danny’s home to be placed in their large refrigerator since everyone would be meeting there after the funeral. Her decision to have the gathering after Jesse’s funeral at Danny’s house was because her home was so small and she was so ashamed of how shabby it looked.

So often during those two days she wanted to cry, but Rose kept busy to avoid the melt-down; she needed to be strong for her children. It had become a nightmare trying to do everything and reach Jesse’s family to give them the details of the funeral arrangements, but inevitably someone would answer their phone and hang up on her when they heard her voice. She knew it was Jesse’s father, and she sent Sean over to make sure they were aware of all the arrangements for their son.

The day after Jesse’s death his father was making arrangements of his own. He went to where they had towed his son’s car and if there were three things that Jesse and his father knew, it was cars, alcohol and women. His father practically looked over Jesse’s car with a magnifying glass. Suddenly, he saw something that was out of place; blue paint. Jesse’s brown car had bright blue paint on the driver’s side with a scratch that ran from the driver’s door to the front headlight. His father began to think of who would have a blue car that would have been associated with his son or his daughter-in-law. He stood there for a while thinking and then got into his car and went to the diner that Rose worked at.

There it was, a blue car sitting in the parking lot with a large scrape down the passenger’s side of the car. He shook his head, I knew it, I knew it. That little Irish bitch has killed my son.

It was later that morning hours after Jesse’s accident that his father walked into the district attorney’s office. He told Parker Daily he was sure that his son was murdered. The prosecutor told him he would set up an interview with a couple of detectives to take down his story. During the next day-and-a-half the police department assigned Jesse’s accident to two detectives and told them to keep their findings under wraps. According to Jesse’s father there was blue paint embedded on the crumpled left side that wasn’t there before the accident. His father was certain that it was a deliberate hit on his son.

I know this here was planned, he said to the lead detective and the county prosecutor.

What was planned Mr. Parsons, the prosecutor asked quietly, and wasn’t so sure his story would be believable with the smell of alcohol creeping from his body and breath.

Jesse’s father clasped his hands together to gather his thoughts. It was apparent he had opened a door that should’ve stayed closed, but didn’t quite know the right wording. Well, y’all see, that wife of his had it out for my boy.

What do you mean sir?

Again he hesitated, Well, she was awful to our boy, just plain old awful; she drove him to drinkin she did. And I heard her yellin at him on many occasions about him bein awful. I think I even heard her say she wanted him dead at one time or another. He looked across the table, Are you boys writin this stuff down? His head moved towards their direction with both eyes scouring their papers to see what was written.

We don’t have to sir because we’re recording your statement. Detective White rolled his eyes towards Detective Harold. Are you telling us you believe his wife did this?

Why, yes sir I do. What the hell do y’alls think I’m talkin about....haven’t y’alls been listenin?

The prosecutor shook his head in bewilderment. Mr. Parsons, what sort of evidence do you have that links your daughter-in-law to do something like this? I mean really, Mr. Parsons my wife probably has said many times in our marriage when she was angry she wanted to kill me, but she would never do that. Common, it’s just a statement said out of anger. He grinned a little and then hesitated briefly, and took a deep breath, Sir, you need to be more specific with us.

Jesse’s father stared at the floor below his chair, Well, I believe she had a friend do it for her.

And what friend would that be sir?

She works at that diner with all those wet backs that work in that kitchen. Why as pretty as she is she probably could’ve charmed them into it, and one of them owns a blue car.

How do you know that one of them has a blue car?

I went there this mornin and I saw the car. The car has the brown color of my boy’s car on it. When mother and I go in there to eat she’s always chattin it up with them there boys she works with, and who knows, she’s probably given it to em too, he paused for a moment and stared again at the floor. How the hell do y’alls think she got my Jesse? My boy told me the whole sorted thing about how she run into him and led him somewhere to do it with him. She’s a troublemaker that one. Her family always thinkin they’re better than us, but we know they ain’t no better than us.

Mr. Parsons, I don’t mean to sound uncaring or whatever sir, but where is all this coming from, and what evidence would we have to prove this theory you seem to have concocted? You see Mr. Parsons’ your daughter-in-law yelling at her husband is not enough to arrest someone.

Mr. Daily, as soon as the sun come up this mornin I went to where my boy’s car was towed. I looked it over and found paint from another car on it. Then I remembered one of them wet backs she works with owns himself a car the same color as the paint on my boy’s car! So, I go over yonder to that diner and see his car all fucked up and I start thinkin.

The prosecutor looked at the detective and placed his hand up to his chin. Alright Mr. Parsons, we’ll investigate the matter, but if we tell you that there is no evidence will you let the whole thing go?

Well, he paused, If y’alls say you’re gonna investigate this here thing, well okay.

The police investigated what Jesse’s father had reported to them and found two of the kitchen workers at the diner owned blue vehicles. One car matched the paint from Jesse’s car and appeared to be damaged. The young man was taken into the station for questioning