Justice for All

Granny sees officers shuffling around when she glances into the hall. The noise has become so thunderous that she's finding it difficult to read. There is no sense in trying with all of this going on. Tossing her novel aside, she surveys the few remaining objects in her room. I might as well pack up the rest of my thing.

Her mind wanders back to a happier time as she pulls a knick-knack off the shelf. Each one has a special history behind it. Smiling, she says, "I remember the day he gave it to me."

Her son's little face beams with pride as he hands her the precious gift. "I made it at school for you, mama."He proudly replies. "The teacher told me to tell you that it took me nearly two months."

"I can see that you put a lot of hard work into it."

"I did mama, I did."

Matilda glances at the porcelain angel, smiles, and says, "it's beautiful."

"It's my most valued treasure because it came from the heart." She then thinks back to some of the fun times she and her son shared. Wiping a tear from her cheek, Matilda says. "He's gone way too soon." Sniffling, she adds, "Don't worry, boy. I'm going to take care of the one who killed you and Troy."

She recalls her and Nancy's conversation as she pulls another knick-knack down.

"He filed for custody today." Nancy cries. Looking up from her phone, she adds, "He said I'll have them for two weeks in the summer and every other holiday."

"Does your attorney know about this?"

"I can't afford a lawyer, not at two-fifty a pop. Heck, I can hardly keep a roof over our heads and clothes on our backs." She recalls how tight things have been this year. They had to do without electricity several times because she couldn't pay the bill. "Maybe the boys would be better off with him," she sobs.

"Why on earth would you say such a thing?"

"He can give them everything I only wish I could."

"Money isn't everything, dear."

"No, but it helps a lot." Noticing the disapproval in Granny's eyes, she sniffles and says, "I don't want to lose them, Granny, believe me, I don't, but I don't want my babies to suffer because of me. I don't know what to do, Granny, I don't know what to do," she sobs.

"You realize you're entitled to half of the marital assets once the divorce goes through."

"I would if Ron and his mom hadn't talked me into signing a prenup."

"You signed a prenup?"

Nancy sighs. "I had to."

"Did they force you?"

"In a way. See, Harrit his mama said it was the only way she'd allow me to marry her son. He was underage, and we needed her consent. Jack found a way around it. So, she threatened to cut him from the will. Being the pampered SOB he is, Jack said the only way he'd marry me was if I signed. During their family vacation, his mom convinced him that I'm only after one thing, the family's wealth." That's why I took the life insurance policy out on him. I figure I deserve to get a little something when he croaks."

"I never did ask you how you managed to pull that off with him finding out?"

"That part was easy." Nancy laughs. "His younger brother, Danny, was willing to pose as him. Guess Jack talked his mama into cutting Danny out of the will, and he wanted revenge."

The clatter from the hall brings Matilda back to the present day. She glances at her cane, smiles, and says, "Don't worry, child, Granny will take care of him for you, too."

***

Granny is waiting in the bushes outlining the Shamrock Motel. Her loaded ice cane gun in hand. I'm going to make you suffer to the end the way my family did. Her mind wanders back to his trial.

___

"Explain to us what happened the evening of July twelfth," his lawyer prompts.

He tearfully glances toward the jury. He wipes the tears from his face and begins, "I was driving home from my pharmacy when I noticed a big puddle of water in the road. I tried to slow down but discovered that I didn't have any brakes."

"Defense exhibit one, your honor." The lawyer hands the judge a picture of the flooded roadway.

"Explain to the court what you did next."

"I tried to use my emergency brake."

"Defense 2, your honor." The attorney hands the judge a document explaining the faulty brakes. " What happened next?"

"My car slid sideways, causing me to veer into an oncoming vehicle." He turns towards the judge. "I didn't mean to kill anyone, your honor, I didn't, I didn't. I'd give anything if I could bring them back." He covers his face with his hands.

"Give us a minute, your honor?"

"I'm fine." He sniffles. He looks toward the jury as he wipes tears from his face. " I wish it would've been me who died and not them."

"The police gave you a blood alcohol test, correct?"

"I tried to tell them I just had the Tdap vaccine, but they didn't listen."

"Defense 3 shows the effects Tdap vaccines have on blood alcohol tests. I have no further questions, your honor."

"That little stunt might have worked with the jury, but it didn't work on me," granny thinks, watching him step out of his room. Tightening the grip on her weapon, Granny raises it above her head. I've been looking forward to this for a very long time. She nervously adjusts the grip on her cane. Getting revenge is what drove me to get better. The only reason I pushed myself so hard. Granny wipes the sweat from her forehead across her sleeve. The sun went down hours ago, but it remains sultry outside. That's it, you damn lush, stumble my way, she thinks, adjusting her stance.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Granny turns to find a tall, rounded figure behind her.

"Hands in the air. Do it now," the voice says.