Jeremy

By M. Susan Thuillard

Jeremy is a troubled child who grows into a serial killer. Explore his bizarre world with him, his delusions, and the extraordinary ending to this spellbinding novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665533539

M. Susan Thuillard

M. Susan Thuillard is a native to Indiana. Although she has lived in many parts of the nation, home is where she was born and raised. Susan has 9 children and over 30 grandchildren. She is most interested in golf, fishing, hunting, gardening, and good family-centered values. From a variety of experiences all over the North American Continent, Susan has gathered information and impressions that have become important details in her many books.

Book preview

Worries

42389.png

How’s Jeremy? Jean Brown asked her daughter Anna. Is he doing any better in school?

I don’t know, Anna sighed. The teacher conference went okay. His grades are good enough, but he isn’t participating in sports or any games with the other kids. He keeps to himself during recess, although if he thinks someone is watching, he keeps himself near other boys, evidently. She sipped at her coffee. Mrs. Williams is worried about his ‘perfect’ behavior, but neither one of us can put our finger on anything truly wrong.

How about here at home?

He just seems angry all the time, and secretive. I don’t know what to talk to him about. He even seems like he’s afraid of me. It all started when Jack left. Jeremy told me there was blood under the desk. It was tomato sauce from the spaghetti we had earlier in the week. Jack always let the dog eat off his plate on the floor. I guess that’s what it was from.

Why on earth would he think it was blood?

I don’t know. Another sigh escaped her as she contemplated her son and his moods. I just don’t know. She felt like crying, but didn’t. She realized she often felt like crying when she was at home.

You need to get him some help, maybe. You, know, some mental help. Her mother offered. Maybe for both of you.

Hmmm, Anna answered. The neighbor came over and asked if we’d seen her dog. I guess she ran away or something.

What’s that got to do with anything?

She accused Jeremy of doing away with it because she saw him throw stones at it a few times. It was a yappy little thing and nobody liked it but her.

Do you think he did it?

Did what?

Killed the dog.

Jeremy? He’s gentle and quiet. I can’t see that happening.

Yes; yet he talks about blood on the floor like it’s cookie crumbs. And you said he acts like he’s afraid of you, sometimes.

Anna looked up at her mother. True. A deep silence fell between them.

He’s always been quiet and kept to himself, except with Jack. I think Jack and I were only together because we both love Jeremy.

You need to tell him.

I can’t, Mom. He’s too young to know the whole truth of that. I simply said that Jack is gone for good. Another pregnant pause. It didn’t help that Jack left his hat on the desk and it was such a natural thing, I never noticed it until Jeremy pointed it out.

Well, something is wrong with Jeremy and maybe his closeness to Jack wasn’t such a good thing.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Oh, I don’t know. I’m just looking for excuses, I guess. It’s easier to blame the guy who isn’t here than to think something is wrong with our boy.

Hmmm, Anna acknowledged. He says he remembers his father.

Charlie?

Well, yes, Charlie. He is his father.

How old was he when Charlie died?

Barely three, but he thinks he was five.

What could he remember?

I don’t know. He was there, at the accident. There was so much blood.

Anna, suicide is not an accident.

Anna looked up, tears spilling down her cheeks. I know, she whispered. If I don’t think of it as an accident, it drives me crazy. I couldn’t stop him; his blood was all over both of us.

I remember, Jean said solemnly. Do you think Jeremy saw you and Jack fighting and now has the two things mixed up?

I don’t know what he saw, what he heard, or what he thinks. He is a stranger in my son’s body.

Anna, get some help, for both of you.

Maybe. She paused, with a big sigh. Maybe I will.

41564.png

Jeremy lay on his bed, looking out the window at the gray sky. I hate clouds, he thought. They make me feel tired. I hate a lot of things, but most of all I hate girls.

Hey, Mom’s a girl, Buddy. Said the voice.

Jeremy sat upright. Dad? He looked around the room. Is that you? No one was there. He laid back on his bed and looked back out the window. Tears filled his eyes and spilled over onto the pillow. He didn’t wipe them away, just stared out the window at the gathering night until sleep claimed him.

The dream seemed so real. He could never be sure it was a dream. Both Dad and Jack were there, telling him how to ‘be a man’. He didn’t understand most of what they told him. But, one thing he did understand…that women were not to be trusted. Women were the reason men had to be strong and take care of each other. Girls become women, the voice said. Mom is a woman, and you know what that means.

Jeremy woke up sometime before his alarm clock went off. He was still laying on top of his bed, his arms beneath his head. He got up and went to the bathroom. He started the shower while he went back to the bedroom for fresh clothes. Another day of school, of time to learn more and not think of other things. After he showered, he went downstairs to have some breakfast. He walked quickly past the desk in the dining room and avoided the island. Mom had left him a note again. She went to work really early. He sighed, poured himself some cereal and sat at the table to eat.

Do you want me to go to school with you today? The voice asked.

"No!" He spoke aloud as he looked around the kitchen. There was Dad, leaning against the refrigerator. You, you can’t go.

I could, Jack answered. He was sitting on the counter near the sink.

Get down from there! Mom wouldn’t like it!

Jack smiled at him. Mom won’t know unless you tell her.

Jeremy jumped up, spilling his cereal across the table. With a sob, he sopped up the spilled milk and threw the bowl and all in the sink, then he ran for the front door, grabbing his backpack off the stairs as he went by. It wasn’t time for the bus yet, so he stood on the sidewalk, waiting. He glanced back at the house. The house is haunted now, he thought. He choked on a sob, willing himself not to cry. Only babies cry. You said you would never cry again. Be a man like Dad and Jack said. Take care of things so the world can get back to normal. He kicked at a stone and watched it skitter across the street. What is normal? He asked the street.

41566.png

The trip to the amusement park was uneventful. They went on rides, played games, and ate too much junk food. Jeremy gave away the prizes he won to a little boy at the gate, who was leaving at the same time, but had nothing in his hands. There was a girl, too, but Jeremy ignored her.

Don’t you want your stuff, Son? Anna asked. It’s your birthday.

So, I decided to give away presents, today, he said almost as though he was talking to the sidewalk.

Do you like your new shoes? She tried again to have some kind of normal conversation with