Secrets and Curtains

By Richard Sichelski

Ms. Betty decides to move on from her past mistakes and the town she has called home her entire life. She picked a nice quiet suburb to start over again, somewhere where no one knows her. She erased the sins of the family from the earth to start anew.

Unfortunately nothing is ever dead and buried as people from the past keep coming into contact with Betty.

Do they remember who she is, will continue her streak of trying to eliminate her bloodline off the face of the earth. Perhaps this will be the end of Ms. Betty as the past comes tracking her down to make her pay for her sins and the sins of her family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669841494

Richard Sichelski

Rick is a published author of Lies Behind the Family. When he is not writing he enjoys spending time with family and friends. Rick is dedicated to his social service field and strives to help as many people as possible in this life. Originally from Chicago then to the burbs he currently resides in Indiana. Other hobbies include painting, being a good person to all, gardening, decorating and being a true family man.

Book preview

Secrets and Curtains

a novel by:

Richard Sichelski

Copyright © 2022 by Richard Sichelski.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 08/03/2022

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

To my nieces and nephews, my you never forget where you come

from and always chase your dreams wherever they may lead.

Chapter 1

Six friends stand on a porch talking and watching as their new neighbor is having her things unpacked. The elderly woman is instructing the men on where to put her belongings. They watch as she walks up the stairs and then turns to them and waves just the way old ladies do. Then under her breathe whispers to herself Fucking yuppies, staring at me like they want to know me.

Maggie is the first friend to speak as she watches the old woman go into the house, Did you guys hear about that woman and what happened to her? LC laughs, that old lady who can barely walk has some great stories behind her?

Grace says Yes, my brother was there when it all happened. The whole town was pretty much destroyed because of it. That lady was one of the few that survived. Her whole family was killed.

Rex rolls his eyes That story is not real. Why the hell would someone do that and why would I care if it did happen. She probably hates fags so I will never have anything to say to her. They all laugh and make fun of Rex about everything always revolving around him. He flips all of them off and tells them, I am not going to the house with a welcome basket either with all of you ass-kissers.

Jane says Well, as fun as this was, watching some old lady move in, I have to get home. The kids will be home from school and we are going to Sam’s parents for dinner tonight. Lucy looks at her watch and twists it Yeah, I should go and get ready for work and leave before Cindy gets home. She is still mad at me for the clothes accident. Everyone burst into laughter as they remembered the day when they had too many margaritas. Then Lucy went home and just started throwing laundry in the machine, not reading what was washable and what needed to go to the cleaners. Cindy came home to find many of her suits ruined and flipped her lid screaming and carrying on all over the place.

As the friends went to their own homes and waved good bye to each other, someone was watching them. Miss Betty was staring out her window shaking her head, Those poor fools. They live their lives but nothing ever works out and everything falls apart eventually.

As the block begins to fill with children coming home from school, practices along with their parents coming in from a long hard day of work, the sun is slowly going down and it is the sign that Fall is coming quickly. Everyone is hurrying home to share their stories of the day with their families around the dinner table. The block is very quiet, with middle class houses and families in most; trees line the streets along with the remaining flowers of the season. Porch lights flicker on as neighbors give that all so common friendly wave when they walk into their homes. As the houses begin to fill up with the individuals who live in them, suburbia is like a painted picture hanging on a living room wall. One house stands out from this picture-perfect block. It is the house that just went off the market and is being occupied by an elderly woman who used to live in the country; the one that had so many horrible things happen to her. Miss Betty begins unpacking the trinkets and nick knacks from her old house. She goes over to a box that is marked family pictures. She slowly opens up the box and starts to tear up. Slowly sitting in a nearby chair she pulls out the pictures, one at a time, running her fingers over each one. She begins to speak out loud to herself, I never meant to hurt all of you. I could not let the lie keep going. Once two of my grandchildren met, I knew what had to be done. I will forever keep you close in my heart and pray for forgiveness.

She goes and lines up the picture on the fire place mantel wiping tears away from her eyes. A boy stands outside across the street with his dog staring into the old lady’ window. As he watches her unloading the pictures, his dog begins growling and his fur is raised. Troy shakes his head and says let’s go, it’s almost dinner time. They both go walking back to their house for dinner.

As the sun finally hides, the street lights come on and you can see the television sets on, in the different houses, as families gather together to watch. Miss Betty walks to the front door and goes onto her porch. She has already set up a little wicker rocking chair for herself. As she settles into the chair, the front door from next door swings open and slams shut. Jackson comes storming out of the house and heading for his car. Miss Betty watches this with some interest as she sees an older man follow him out the door. Tyrone grabs his son by the arm, Where do you think you are going? he asks his son with the hint of anger in his voice. Jackson responds in a nasty tone, For a ride I need to clear my head after being told my dreams will never come true. Is that alright with you? Tyrone lets go of his arm That is not what your mother meant at all. She was just saying maybe you need to have a backup plan to being a musician and that college would be just that.

Jackson takes a deep breath as the door swings open again. Grace comes out on to the porch and smiles at her son, Sweetie, I know you are mad at me right now but I was just trying to make you understand my side. I was like you at your age thinking I could go and become a famous movie star. My dreams changed and I am happy with that. My life turned out the way I wanted it to. I have my husband and three adorable children. Do you understand at least a little bit of why I want you to have that backup plan? As Jackson begins to relax, he smiles up at his mother, I do mom and I am sorry I went a little crazy. It is just that I don’t think either of you understand how important this is to me. I want nothing more than to be able to put my words to music and have people listen to them.

Grace goes to Tyrone and grabs his hand, Jackson there is nothing more your father and I would like to see then you succeed at your dreams. We will do anything possible to make those dreams come true but having that alternative is nice too.

As the family begins to calm down, they hear the cough of a person nearby. Grace looks up to the new neighbor, her face turns red. Grace looks up at the porch, Hello my name is Grace. This is my husband Tyrone and our son Jackson. I am so sorry that you had to hear our little heated conversation. Welcome to the block, I promise you that it is not always like this but I am sure you know how it is with teenage….. Grace stops herself short of finishing that sentence as her son and husband stare at her. Miss Betty puts a smile on her face and tilts her head, Oh my dear I do know what it is like to have had teenagers. A long time ago now though, I am afraid. The kids these days are so much more different than when I was raising children. Also, this place is much different from the small country farm town in which my family grew up in. Grace forces a smile as she looks at the old lady with interest. Jackson breaks the silence, Well, nice meeting you. Let me know if you need any help with boxes or furniture, I am always willing to give a helpful hand. He smiles at Miss Betty and quickly walks into the house. Tyrone puts his hand on Grace’s back and looks at her, Well, I guess we should get back inside and start the ritual of bedtime my love. As they both turn to walk away and back into their home, Miss Betty begins to speak, What a polite son the two of you have raised together. You must be so proud with the way he turned out. Both parents turned back and expressed their gratitude for the comment. As they walked in, the old lady slowly lost the polite smile on her face as she began to think: That must be what it is like to live in a normal family where you love the man you are married to no matter what. Your kids respect and know you; there is no deep-down secret. Love is really an amazing thing when it is right. Maybe I can start new here with a second family, obviously not my own, but maybe one of these fine houses would take in an old lady. I can spoil them as if they were my own and see them grow in love and happiness.

Miss Betty slowly gets up from her seat and goes into her house. She begins to lock the door and stops herself thinking this place is safe for me. The lights begin to go off in the different rooms of the house. Jackson watches as she puts her house to sleep wondering if she is truly what everyone has been speculating. Just as he is about to close his blinds, he catches the glimpse of a black SUV pulling up across the street. He stops to see who it is. A tall man with blonde hair and a dark tan gets out of the driver side door, followed by a very pale, jet black-haired woman. The couple stands in front of Miss Betty’s house staring into the uncovered windows. Jackson looks to see where the old lady is in her house and finds her in the kitchen in the back of the house getting a glass of water. As he goes to look back at the couple standing in the front yard, he sees the woman taking pictures of the house, car and other items. Just as they were finishing taking pictures, Will was coming down the block on his evening run. He stops just before the couple and asks if he can help them with something. The startled couple jump and turn to see who was talking to them. The woman shoves the camera into her pocket and starts running for the SUV, followed quickly by the man. Will yells for them to stop but the car speeds off leaving Will standing in the street confused and Jackson shocked in this bedroom. As Will begins to look around, Jackson quickly shuts his blinds and crawls into bed. Will shakes it off and continues on with his run. Miss Betty goes to the front window to see what all the commotion was about. Looking out, she sees nothing but a quiet street with the perfect houses all lined up and quiet for the evening. She re-thinks locking the front door after the noises she heard and then slowly makes her way up the stairs. As she begins to get ready to sleep, she lights a candle next to her bed. Behind the candle is a picture of a woman back in the 50’s, smiling and so full of life. It is a picture of her sister-in-law Lily. This was before Betty’s son killed her out of rage, confusion and fear. Miss Betty stares down at the picture and speaks, My dear, you should be here with me. Living this new life with me in this quiet little suburb. After all, it is what you had always wanted. As she crawls into bed, she kisses the picture good night and rolls over to fall asleep. The candle behind her begins to flicker, a ghostly face appears in the picture; it is Lily. It is an older version of Lily watching her dear friend sleeping. She watches with fear in her eyes, fear for the future, for the past, for everything involving Betty.

Chapter 2

As the weekend begins, the early morning hours of silence are broken with lawn mowers and children playing outside. The neighborhood is coming alive and everyone is preparing their houses for the Fall. As Miss Betty gets out of bed, she looks out the window to see that two men are in their backyard having breakfast. She watches this with some disgust as the two men smile and laugh with each other. They are both in opened robes and boxer briefs. The pair is in good shape, one is more muscular than the other one. As she begins to grow bored with watching them, an older woman comes out of the house in a running suit. The one man jumps up from his seat and pulls out a chair for her, helping her sit down. The three then pick up a conversation and share their breakfast as a happy family. This turn of events makes her sad seeing that even a homosexual son can treat his mother nice and take care of her as she gets older. The woman in the jogging suit catches Betty’s eye. Something about those eyes and smile seem so familiar to her. She watches for a little longer, wondering what it is that strikes her, when the doorbell rings. She reaches for her robe and heads to the stairs making her way to the front door.

Jane is on the other side of the door awkwardly waiting for the old woman to answer it. Jane wanders off in thought could someone who seems so fragile and old really be responsible for that small town disaster. I personally don’t think this is the same woman. Why wouldn’t she stay there and help them rebuild the town and the college? After all, she played a big part in it for many of years, and donated so much money to the school. Why am I even worrying about this? She is quickly pulled from her thoughts when the door opens and Miss Betty is standing there smiling at her. Jane smiles and begins to speak, Hi. I am Jane, and I just wanted to bring you this basket of muffins as a welcome to the neighborhood. I was very close to the family who used to live here and just love this house. If you need anything, I am just right up the street five houses. Betty takes the basket from her hands, That is so sweet of you my dear, would you like to come inside and sit for a spell? Jane looks at her blankly, Well, yes, I guess I have a few free minutes to spare Jane looks around the room and says I cannot believe how much you have unpacked already. When we moved in it took me months to figure it all out. Where is this going to go and who does this even belong to. In my house, it is my husband Sam, our son Troy, the dog and I. She takes a breath, realizing she hasn’t stopped talking since she came in. She told her friends she didn’t want to come alone but thought it was rude to wait so long when someone moved in to welcome them. Betty looks at her, Oh dear, are you done talking now? You mustn’t be a chatter box just revealing everything about yourself so quickly to a stranger or is it the fact that I make you uncomfortable? Jane, unconfused; Why would you make me uncomfortable? I mean….. Betty smiles and says, Sweetie, let’s stop the bullshit and ask me what you came over here to ask me. I have seen and dealt with girls like you all my life. The perfect house, kids, husband, friends and so on and so on. Jane is shocked and said, I only came over here to welcome you and to be polite. It is not my fault that you are not happy, or whatever it is that you feel you need to be nasty to me about. Betty is embarrassed, I am very sorry, that was rude of me, I am just not very trustworthy after my last place of residence turned against me and told lies about me. Please accept my apology. Jane looks over at the mantle and gasps, I am sorry they did that to you, that must have been an awful time for you. I mean I could never imagine how it feels losing so many of your family and everything else. Betty follows her eyes, Yes it was Jane, and as you can see clearly with your own eyes, that is my little memorial to all the loves I lost in that horrible time. All accept my sister-in-law, Lily; her picture is next to my bed. I like to think of her as my guardian angel now keeping the demon of my husband far away from me. Jane gives her a sympathy smile and twists her wristwatch, Well, I must be going now, Troy is going to want his snack and go for a swim. Again, welcome to the neighborhood." Miss Betty walks her out of the house and waves from the porch as Jane is walking back to her house. Passing Jane, in a speeding black Mustang, is Maggie. Jane waves as Maggie flips her off and Jane mumbles bitch under her breath. Miss Betty shakes her head and walks back into the house.

As Maggie comes to a stop in Jane and Sam’s driveway, Troy looks up and waves and Sam comes running out of the house, jumping several stairs to reach Troy before Maggie could. Jane reaches the driveway as Maggie gets out of the car. At 6’0, Maggie is not like the rest of the suburban woman of this block and she is proud of that. Standing taller than most of them, and a body that screams ‘no child is ever coming out of me,’ her blonde curly hair falls over her shoulders and her tan body makes the white suit she is wearing glow. She gives her ex-husband a half smile and then turns to Jane with hatred in her eyes. Everyone on this block knows Maggie very well as Sam’s ex and the backstabbing news reporter who would do anything to get a story on the front page, or even more important, to her national news. She is a heartless, determined woman, who prefers now to be alone and just to be a thorn in the sides of those she feel have crossed her.

Jane speaks first, Maggie what a pleasant surprise. The block hasn’t had a visit from you in some time now. What do we owe this pleasure? I am assuming it is not to see your sister or anyone of us. Maggie cuts her off, Please just shut your mouth, Jane! I am not here to talk to you or care what it is you have to say. Sam on the other hand, I am very disappointed in you. How could you not tell me that the old crow just moved in? The famous Miss Betty, possibly the only mass murderer to walk away free from all charges. I mean fuck, that is better than anything you ever could have given me when we were married and that is including the lame-ass sex! Sam looks at her with disgust, Jesus Maggie, do you not see that my son is right here, watch your mouth. Furthermore, what happens on this block, and who moves in or out, is none of your business.

Jane walks over to her husband and son and holds their shoulders. The three adults just staring at each other and Troy just staring over at the house they are speaking of. Some of the neighbors came out during the yelling to see what the great Maggie was causing havoc about now. Susan happened to be one of those neighbors. Once she realized who they were talking about her heart fell to her stomach. A million memories flooded her mind and she looked up at the house that Will owned, and in that moment realized what she had to do. The yelling across the street continued and Jackson had removed Troy from the situation to take him swimming so that he didn’t have to witness the adults arguing. After about a half hour of the whole block listening to Maggie scream and carry on, they all turned their backs on her and made her feel like a leper. She jumped back into her car and sped down the block, right past Miss Betty’s house.

Miss Betty had watched this all play out from her window while twisting a rosary in her hand. She begins to think I hate reporters so much. Why can’t they just leave the past alone. They keep expecting me to do some big reveal and confess to killing my whole family. I am going to have to have a sit down with this Maggie lady and set her straight before she starts to cause trouble for me. She goes back to unpacking some more things around the house and enjoying the warm fall breeze running through the house, while it still lasts.

Back at Will and Rex’s house, Susan is wandering around biting her nails in front of the picture window. She is lost in thought and didn’t even realize her son had entered the room and called her name three times already. Mom what the hell are you doing? Will asks, staring at her pacing in the living room. I have been calling your name and you act like you can’t hear me. Now, what is up with you? Susan turns to face her son and smiles that sweet smile she has used on men for years now. I was just thinking about the new neighbor and all the commotion caused by Ms. Maggie during her visit to the block. Wait a minute, Maggie was here? What did she say to you? Sweetheart, relax, she was here to see her actual husband not you. Lord Honey, let that rest, you two dated back in college and you have no desire or lust for her now, you have Rex. Exactly mom, I don’t need her coming around and upsetting Rex like she does. I cannot believe that bitch came back here. I wonder what she wanted from Sam this time. They both just stared at each other for a few moments wondering why Rex gets so upset about Maggie when we all know Will is gay and only wants to date men. Anyway mom, we are going to look for some more decorations for the front yard. Rex wants to have the scariest house on the block this year and show Tyrone that he can be butch and into scary shit, I guess. Do you want to come with us and get out for a little bit on this gorgeous day? No thank you sweetheart, I think am going to enjoy the day on the porch with a nice book and watch everyone else put up their decorations. You know this is one of the perks of being old and living with your son, you do not have to decorate anymore. She gives that sweet smile again as Rex walks into the room with his man bag, and matching outfit, ready to tackle the stores. Will just rolls his eyes and Susan giggles. Well, you boys have fun on your mission and come back with lots of goodies to put up out there!

She watches as they leave the house and get in their BMW and drive off down the road. Feeling safe that they are gone for a few hours, she races upstairs to her bedroom and pulls out a box hidden under the floorboards. Susan slowly opens the box; her hands are trembling as she moves. Her body appears to be more fragile and weaker but it’s not because of her age.