happily never after

by BlackNeko20

francine is a disgruntled housewife, now a widow after arthur's death from a lasting illness. the community thinks francine was a devoted wife during arthur's final days, but are they dead wrong? chapters go back and forth between past and present. rated t for violence and language.

1. Chapter 1

Happily Never After

theme 126-in memorandum

theme from darkangelsnapelover's infinite theme list challenge. pm her if you're interested and she'll doc-x you the list.

Chapter 1-Present Day

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to remember the late Arthur Read. He was sick, ladies and gentlemen, very, very sick, but his loving wife, Francine, was by his side throughout his struggle. He's in a better place now, and I want to ease the sadness he left behind by bowing our heads in prayer-"

"Mom, what are you thinking about?" Poppy asked. Francine looked down to her daughter. A soft smile faded from her lips. Francine shook her head, "I wasn't thinking of anything, dear." "I don't know how you could smile with Dad being gone-"

"Hush about him. It's been six months. You're fine," Francine hissed. Poppy knew that tone. Francine used it on her brother, Michael, the day before. She slapped his face for starting to cry. Michael was 7; Poppy was 11. He didn't know any better. Poppy did but she thought her mom was being mean. The kids loved their father. They were sad he was gone. But Francine wasn't sad even though she said she missed him. She still said she loved him too.

The doorbell rang. Michael ran to get it. The family dog followed. He was faster. He darted between Michael's feet and tripped him. Michael slid on the hardwood floor into the nearest couch leg. He hurt himself. He started to scream. Francine seemed oblivious, but Poppy helped her brother. Francine walked slowly to answer the door.

"Ma'am, are you Mrs. Arthur Read?" a man asked. Francine looked him over. He was in uniform. Francine looked down and saw his badge. She went slightly pale before nodding. "You need to come with us." "My children-" she protested.

Behind the officer, a woman in a suit stepped forward. The women exchanged glances. It was Jenna. She was a social worker now. Francine remembered their last encounter. It was the day before graduation. Francine laughed at Jenna for losing out on an athletic scholarship because she was injured. Francine missed out on hers because she was pregnant with Poppy. She had to leave college to raise her. Jenna got her degree. Now she was using that degree to take Francine's children to a better place.

"You're under arrest for murder, Francine," the officer said. Francine nodded, turning around. Michael had a bloody nose. Poppy's shirt was bloodstained from helping him. They watched the silver cuffs slide over Francine's wrists. They wept.

Francine never shed a tear.