A Cruel and Violent Storm by Don M Esquibel

Author:Don M Esquibel [Esquibel, Don M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-04T22:00:00+00:00

Hours later I sit at the kitchen table, heart heavy with what I know I must do. To my left sit my mother and father, to the right, Uncle Will and Aunt Virginia. Directly across from me is Richard, who, for once, does not look at me in challenge or mockery. That alone speaks volumes to the situation. Others fill out the room, sitting on stools or else propped up on countertops. But all eyes are drawn towards the table. Here a decision will be made.

“How is she doing?” My father asks in deep concern.

“As well as can be expected,” I say. Indeed, the courage and dignity she’s shown today is incredible. Had she not told me the truth, I might once again wonder how she came to be so strong. As it is, I know too well.

“I still can’t believe what happened,” Aunt Virginia says, her voice pained. “I mean...he’s our brother.” She looks first to my Aunt Claire, whose face remains cold and unyielding. But it’s her eyes that give her away—the way they swell at the mention of her brother. My mother, by contrast, cannot hide how troubled she is by the whole ordeal.

“He’s always been a fuck up,” my Uncle Will says bluntly. Even now, there’s no sympathy in his voice. No forgiveness. Only a bitterness he’s always harbored in regards to Mitch. “Always something with him: ‘I need bail; I got fired; can I borrow a few dollars’ Claire and I paid his way through two different rehabs, and never saw even a penny’s repayment. And that itself wouldn’t bother me if the man could just stay clean. But no. Without fail, he’d start doing that shit again. Hell, he’s still a damn junkie! Even with all we’re dealing with, he still finds a way to get his fix.” He makes a noise of disgust. “Huffing paint thinners and lighter fluid, I ask you!”

That was the defense that was used. Mitch claimed to be so high after inhaling those toxic fumes that he wasn’t in his right mind. That it was all a big mistake. It’s for the best that I wasn’t present while they questioned him. I doubt I could have heard his desperate pleas without launching myself at him and finishing the job I started in the barn.

“He’s had his issues,” my father agrees. “But what he tried to do with that girl...that’s something else entirely.” The room ripples with nodding heads and echoed sentiments. Even Uncle Will inclines his head in agreement. None of us saw this coming.

“It’s a shame, alright,” Richard says. “As if what he did wasn’t bad enough. Now we have to decide what to do about it.”

Silence follows his words. Not that what he’s said comes as a surprise. We all know why we’re here. But to know what needs to be done and actually doing it are very different things. Nobody seems eager to start things off, myself included. For Lauren though, I do so.

“Family or not, high or not, nothing excuses his actions last night,” I say.

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