The Family Life

Jean supported an angry, but completely drunk, William. William carried a half-empty bottle of Tequila while he stumbled along the road.

Moments earlier, he argued with his wife about how much money she wasted on clothes and beauty products. She called Jean to help him sober up, actually considering the help of the Catholic Christians. The second Jean arrived, she locked the door on William and told them to go away.

Both men dressed casually. The night was young and the stars glittered in the sky. Everyone was inside their homes, preparing dinner or getting ready to sleep. Crickets chirped as fireflies slowly began glowing in the grass. It was a mild end for another day in September.

William heaved but did not throw up.

"C'mon William. We're going to Grandma's. She'll show you how to clean up. My old man used to go to her all the time when my mom kicked him out."

"Motherf*cking b*tch. Who brings the money in the house? Who gets yelled at by his boss? Who gets embarrassed that his kids are sh*t? Me! F*cking me!!" William yelled.

"It's okay, William. The Lord is here for us and grants us his Grace. He tests us in hard times and our faith prevails beyond all hardships."

Under the streetlights, they walked unhindered. The urban roads stayed untravelled as people took a break from their jobs and tiring days. William continued swearing relentlessly.

But soon, he heard a familiar voice.

"B*tch*ss, dickless c*nt. You can't feed your family so you mooched off a Chink. How's it feel, kissing the *ss of an Asian?"

"Shut the f*ck up, Veronica! You don't know Jean, b*tch! He's always there for me! You haven't done shit for months!" William slurred.

"Sure, faggot. You'd love to suck his limp and tiny dick because you can't even f*ck me."

"I told you to shut up! I'll f*cking smash your skull in if you keep talking!"

"I bet your balls shrunk so much that you grew a vagina! You're hoping Jean f*cks you with his Catholic c*ck!"

"AHHHH!! YOU B*TCH, I'LL KILL YOU!!"

Unbeknownst to William, he finally arrived with Jean at Grandma's. She hobbled out to welcome them in. Jean spoke to Grandma over William's shouting and she stared sympathetically.

In a blind fit of unadulterated rage, William pushed Jean to the side. He stomped over to Grandma, whose short and small figure reminded him of Veronica.

"DIEEEEE!!!" William screamed into the night.

He swung the bottle in his hand, smashing it into pieces. A brittle snap cracked the air before Grandma slumped over. William raised his broken bottle and began stabbing her throat.

"Try and f*cking say I'm gay and useless one more time, B*TCH!!" William screamed.

Jean tackled William from behind. It was easy to restrain the drunkard, especially after he wasted most of his energy killing the old woman.

"Calm down, William. You just killed Grandma! It's not Veronica! HEY!! ALBERT!! JAKE!! NATHAN!! SOMEONE, HELP!!! WILLIAM'S GONE MAD!! Stop struggling! It's not Veronica you killed! You killed Grandma!"

Soon, the police were called. Jake came over first, being a cop off-duty and more alert. He helped restrain William until his arrest. Jean was brought along as a witness to the crime, as were the neighbors who heard William's screams in the night.

Two gruelling month later, William was decided guilty of first-degree murder by the court and sentenced to life without parole. With Jean's testimony, the neighbors, and William admitting guilt, it was inevitable.

The news had a field day. "Black man murders old white woman!" "Drunken murderer gets life!" "Disgusting father no longer able to abuse his family!" "Neighborhood menace finally behind bars forever!"

Veronica accused William of domestic abuse, which was settled in a separate plea deal. Their children depended on Jean, who stayed for their support.

Jean helped arrange the funeral for his Grandma ceremoniously. With time, his investments paid off, so money wasn't a problem. He paid his parents to move to a better part in town and retire. His brother moved out a month ago to live with his girlfriend. Jean even paid for his Grandpa's medical bills after finding out his Grandpa's children refused to pay yet still visited him.

Jean was alone at home. Yet, Jean got what he finally wanted: death. A death orchestrated by playing with the mind of a gullible and inebriated man.

"God has a plan for all of us," said Grandma's voice beside Jean.

"God is my shield, Grandma," he replied, sitting on the couch.

A book laid in front of him about practical jokes and performances. Jean stared at the chapter labeled "Ventriloquism". He smiled genuinely for the first time in years.

"All of man is impressionable. That is why first impressions matter the most."

First, Jean would visit and encourage William in a no-contact meeting in prison. William turned to faith and repented for his actions. He lived clean and appreciable for all the little wonders of the world. It would do good for Jean's facade by converting William completely to Catholicism.

Then, Jean would visit Veronica and her children. Comforting her family was the last thing his Grandma advised him to do, so his presence wouldn't be suspicious. It helped disguise Jean's plot to poison the entire family with just a gallon of bleach and ammonia.

After all, who wouldn't be a little "suicidal" after such a horrific murder like Grandma's? Guilt and social oppression was enough to pressure ignorant children to play with chemicals for a "practical joke" and the blame was entirely avoided by Jean in one action.

Jean flicked off the lights.

"Thank you, God, for giving me life. I can witness the death that I wished for from the bottom of my heart," Jean whispered to himself, in the middle of the night, and in the darkness of his home.