Snapshot by Angie Stanton

Author:Angie Stanton [Stanton, Angie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Vanguard Management, Inc.
Published: 2012-06-15T07:00:00+00:00

* * *

Marti reflected over how uncomfortable the funeral had been as her best friend, Kristi, drove her home. She balanced a foil-covered, tater-tot casserole on her lap, a gift from a lady in Grandma’s book club. Cookies would have been nicer.

She had somehow managed to get her mother to the funeral this morning, but despite Marti’s best efforts, she couldn’t keep the strung out woman from delivering an embarrassing eulogy.

Tami sobbed and blithered as she confessed her pain and regret for being such a disappointment. When it came to Marti’s mother, Marti’s heart held vast emptiness. The woman had never shown an ounce of interest or love toward her. Thankfully her mother disappeared immediately after the funeral, but that left Marti on her own to face the throngs of Grandma’s friends and coworkers who attended the luncheon in the church basement.

“Such a tragedy, such a loss, you poor dear,” they all said. All eyes looked upon her with pity and everyone had questions about what Marti would do next. Even Kristi wasn’t immune. At least Kristi had the guts to come right out and ask.

“What are you going to do?” She glanced at Marti as she drove, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the radio.

“Nothing has to change. I’ll keep living at Grandma’s.”

“But how will you pay for things?” Kristi’s forehead creased in concern.

“I know Grandma had life insurance, so that should cover the rent for a while. I’ll get a job to cover the other stuff.” She didn’t understand how it worked, but it couldn’t be that hard to figure out.

Marti thought about how her drug addled mother emptied out Grandma’s checking account to fund her addiction. A wave of anger washed over her. She fought the urge to call the police, but knew it wouldn’t do much other than to get her mom arrested. Marti would never see that money again; it had been injected into her mother’s veins.

“Will they let you do that?” Kristi’s expression resembled the women’s faces at the church luncheon.

“I don’t know why not. As long as the bills get paid, it shouldn’t matter.” The tinfoil crinkled as Marti shifted in her seat.

“But you’re underage. There’s probably some law against you living by yourself. I mean, if there wasn’t, more kids would move away from home.”

“I’m not living with my mother! I don’t even know if she has a place. Last I heard, she lived in some crappy motel.”

“I wish you could move in with me.” Kristi chewed at her lip. “I could ask again.”

“No. Your dad’s been out of work for almost a year. I understand. Don’t worry. I’ve got it figured out.” And despite the nagging voice of doubt somewhere in the back of her mind, she’d keep believing it.

Kristi pulled into the apartment parking lot. Marti spotted Grandma’s car with the trunk popped open.

“Oh shit. No!” Marti slid the casserole onto the seat and jumped out before Kristi could fully stop the car. She rushed

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.