***All characters in this story are 18 years of age or older***
Previously:
Suddenly the house phone rang and Cynthia rushed to get it. We heard her say, "Hello. Yes this is the St. James household. Oh no. Oh no. We'll be right there. Mom, there's been a terrible car crash. Dad has been taken to the Roger Williams Medical Center."
Part 05:
With that, my Mom seemed to take control of the situation. She said, "I'll turn off the oven and stove. Everyone get in my car. I don't think any of you should drive. Everyone take your keys and phones. Ann you sit in the front with me. The three of you get in the back. Mary, make sure the house is locked."
I waited for Mary to lock the door and I followed her into the back seat. Cynthia was on the other side behind her mom and I was behind mine. Ann, Cynthia and Mary were all trying to figure out what happened and what was wrong with Bill. Mom put an end to the guesswork and commotion by saying, "We're not going to know anything until we get to the hospital so just try to stay calm. We'll be there in a few minutes." Mary was holding my hand so tightly it almost hurt.
We got to the hospital and everyone jumped out of the car. Mom told me to park the car and meet us inside the Emergency Room entrance. Fortunately, there was plenty of free parking. I walked in a few minutes after them and saw them all standing near a couple of uniformed police officers. As I got closer, I saw Ann Cynthia and Mary hugging each other and crying while Mom listened to one of the officers. She saw me and shook her head left to right. Bill St. John was dead.
I walked up next to Mary. She saw me, grabbed me, hugged me and starting crying on my shoulder. I held her tightly and wished I could take her pain away from her. I realized I was crying too. When you love someone, you feel their pain.
The officers left and mom moved closer to Ann and Cynthia. Ann said she wanted to see Bill. Mom told her, "Ann, I spoke to the Police and you do not want to see him in the condition he is in. This is not how you want to remember Bill. We should leave."
Ann said, "Don't I have to do something?"
Mom answered, "They're going to do tests for the presence of alcohol and hold onto his body for evidence. Apparently, a passenger in another car that was not involved in the accident gave them a video of Bill's erratic driving. I'm sorry Ann but Bill hit five other cars and so far there are seven other deaths with others still in critical condition."
All of that was too much for Mary and she collapsed. I picked her up in my arms and headed for the car. Everyone else followed. We got to the car and took our previous seats. Mary faced me and hugged me tight. I held on to her. Cynthia started to cry and I held out my right hand to her. She snuggled up to Mary and I put my arm around them both.
Ann looked at Mom and said, "I'm so grateful that you and Michael are here." Mom reached out and held Ann's hand and they both shed tears. What a day.
Mom drove us back to the St. James' house. We all managed to get out of the car but Mary held tight to me. I didn't mind. We made it into the house without me having to carry her.
Mom said, "I'll finish cooking dinner in case anyone gets hungry."
Ann added, "Let me help you Jenn. I need to keep busy."
Mom hugged her, kissed her cheek and said, "Don't worry. We will get through this. I promise." Ann hugged Mom and I wasn't sure she was going to let go, but she did and they went into the kitchen.
Cynthia looked at us and said, "I guess I'll leave you two alone."
I stopped her immediately and replied, "Sorry but you're staying here with us."
Cynthia snapped back with, "What if I have to pee?"
I answered, "Then Mary is going in with you and I'm waiting outside the door."
Cynthia looked at Mary and said, "Looks like this one's a keeper. Besides, where else are you going to find a ten inch cock?"
Mary looked at her with a devil-like grin and said, "If you're nice to me maybe I'll let you try him out."
I said, "Hey, I'm standing right here. Don't I get a say in any of this?" Both girls answered, "No."
Back in the kitchen, Mom asked Ann if she knew what kind of insurance they have. Ann wasn't sure. Mom asked her if they had an Umbrella Policy, which provides coverage over the primary insurance policy. Ann didn't know that either. Mom asked if Ann had an attorney. Again, Ann had no idea. Mom told Ann that she would call our family attorney and set up an appointment for her.
Ann asked, "Why do I need an attorney?"
Mom answered, "Ann, your husband was a drunk driver who killed at least seven people. His estate, that's houses, cars, valuables, and savings, will be up for grabs by the victims' attorneys."
Ann said, "Oh my God. What am I going to do Jenn?"
Mom said, "Don't worry. We'll figure it out."
Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Mom yelled out, "Don't answer it. I'll see who it is." She looked out the window and said, "There are several TV news trucks outside. From this moment on, no one says anything to anyone outside of the people in this house. Ann is going to talk to our attorney tomorrow and she will speak for the family."
Cynthia asked, "Your attorney is a she?"
Mom said, "Actually it's three women who are partners. I think that maybe this is not a good place for the family now. The problem is wherever we go, those news trucks will follow. We need to leave in the middle of the night. Hopefully, they will be gone. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, pack a weeks' worth of clothing and anything else you need. Ann, you need all your financial documents and important papers. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hungry. Let's eat."