MELODY PIANISSIMA'S STORY
CHAPTER 9: 1925: ARSENIC, DEATHS, AND THROWN OUT
Wendell was at it again. He continued to pour arsenic in the tea, thinking it was for Melody, but it was for Nana. He put the container away and Shivers took the tea to her. When the butler walked in, the light haired woman was sitting there with the old woman.
"Thank you Shivers." The old woman took the tea and sat there.
The butler turned around and walked out, leaving them alone.
"How are you feeling today?" Nana asked, sitting the tea on the small end table.
"I feel slightly bad, but other than that I'm fine." The light haired woman responded as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "What about you?"
"I'm doing okay, but lately I've been feeling under the weather." She told the young woman. "Don't worry about me; I'm going to be just fine."
The light haired woman smiled and the old woman smiled back.
"Your birthday is in three days, so do you have any idea on what you want to do?" Nana asked, rocking in her rocking chair.
"I'm not even sure, but I know I would like to have some time to play the piano and teach Leila." She replied.
"Well whatever you do, it will be a good day." Nana told her as she picked up her cup of tea.
Melody nodded. "You're right."
The old woman drank the cup of tea and sat the cup down on the end table.
"I'm glad you're here, Nana. I don't know where I'd be right now if you weren't here." She told the old woman.
"You are a bright young woman, you know? If Wendell does anything to you ever again just knee him." Nana told her.
Melody nodded again and Nana began to throw up. The old woman tried to stand up and the light haired woman held her up the best she could, but it wasn't enough. Nana collapsed and Melody struggled to pull her away from the sick on the hardwood floor.
"NEVILLE! UNCLE GRIMMLY!" Melody cried out in distress.
The men rushed inside the room and saw the light haired woman crying and holding the old woman up. Mr. Whirlinda rushed to the scene and stood there. Both sons of the old woman checked her for a pulse, but they never could find one.
"She's dead." Uncle Grimmly spoke up, sadden by the loss.
Mr. Whirlinda turned around and left the room. Biff rushed inside the room when he heard Melody crying. The brothers lifted Nana up and gently placed her on her bed. The light haired woman cried hysterically as her husband picked her up. The buffed man carried her out and both sons of the old woman sighed. When Mr. Whirlinda walked back in, Shivers and the doctor followed in with a coffin. The butler and the man in the fancy red long sleeved jacket lifted the old woman's lifeless body up and placed her in the velvet coffin. Neville and Grimmly stood back and watched Mr. Whirlinda and Shivers take the coffin out of the room.
"Was Nana sick for a long time?" The doctor asked, glancing at stuff around the room.
"She's been under the weather since October of last year." Neville answered. "Headache, weak, vomiting, coughing, cramping muscles, and fever. I believe that's it."
"It sounds like she had the flu." The doctor told them. "Has anyone else been feeling like that?"
"Melody has mentioned she has felt bad, but she never went into detail." Neville replied sadly.
"Hmm, well just keep an eye on her." The doctor instructed as the bald man handed him the money.
Both men nodded and the doctor walked out.
Neville and Grimmly sighed and headed down towards the family graveyard.
Melody laid on the bed crying and Biff sat on the edge rubbing her back.
Leila walked in and looked at Melody. "Why's mommy crying?"
The light haired woman sat up and the little girl crawled upon the bed and sat on her mother's lap.
"It's because Nana is no longer here." The buffed man explained as he rubbed his wife's back.
"Where she go?" The shorthaired girl with pigtails asked as she hugged onto her mother.
"She died." Melody sobbed, hugging the child back.
Leila said nothing as her mother moved her to her father's lap.
"I'll be back…" The light haired woman sighed, wiping her eyes as she stood up.
Melody left the bedroom and Leila slid off Biff's lap and followed after her.
When Melody walked in the kitchen, she caught Wendell putting something in the tea. The light haired woman cleared her throat, catching him off guard.
"What are you doing?" She asked as she approached him.
The black haired man put the container away and turned to face her. "Nothing you need to know." He snapped.
"Have you been pouring arsenic in the tea Nana drank?" The light haired woman asked angrily. "You killed Nana didn't you?"
Wendell moved closer to Melody and she backed up. "If you as much as breathe a word of this, I will take the most precious thing away from you."
"You have no idea what is precious to me." Melody growled.
"Leila Rose Pianissima-Atlas." He smirked. "It would be an awful shame if something happened to cause your daughter's demise."
"You lay a hand on her and you'll wish you never met me." She growled angrily at him.
"I'd watch what you say if you know what's good for you." Wendell snapped.
Melody scowled and he backed away and walked out, leaving her there upset. She stood there and sobbed as quietly as she could, but she couldn't stay quiet. When Lydia walked in the kitchen, she turned her attention to Melody.
"What's wrong?" The shorthaired woman asked in concern.
"Wendell killed Nana!" She blurted out. "He poisoned her and threatened to harm Leila if I told!"
Wendell walked in looked at them. "I did what?"
"Did you poison Nana?" The thirty-three year old woman sighed, crossing her arms.
"No I did not." He lied. "What she saw me putting in the tea was sugar. I keep a container of sugar in my room because I eat it by itself."
"I think you are just in shock, Mel." Lydia sighed, turning to leave the room. "Nana was sick, it was only time."
The light haired woman sighed and watched her mother figure leave. The black haired man approached her and put his arm around her.
"Don't say anything, just walk." Wendell ordered.
Melody felt her heart drop as he escorted her out. As they walked down the hall to the foyer, Leila saw and she ran to her.
"Bring the kid." The man ordered, moving his arm.
The light haired woman picked up her child and he moved his arm back around her. After he escorted her and the child outside, Melody spoke up.
"What are you going to do to us?" She asked worriedly. "Please just leave Leila out of whatever you're about to do."
"Fine, leave her here." Wendell snapped, moving his arm again. "Next time she comes with us."
Melody opened the mansion door and sat her daughter down and closed the door. The black haired man grabbed her by the upper arm and forced her to follow. The light haired woman didn't struggle for her daughter sake because if she did, he'd hurt her. Wendell pulled Melody into the nearby woods and shoved her on the cold ground.
"You know, if I wanted to kill you I could do it whenever I wanted." He spoke as he walked behind her.
"I know." She replied as she picked herself up off the cold ground.
Wendell walked around to face her. "You don't ever seem to listen to me when I tell you not to tell."
The light haired woman gulped.
"When will you ever learn?" He asked, slapping her across the face.
Melody held the left side of her face and didn't answer.
"Answer me!" He bellowed in her face, shoving her to the dirt.
"I'm not the one who needs to learn." She snapped. "I'll tell Biff."
"Tell him and I'll definitely hurt your little one." The black haired man pulled out his knife and forced her completely on her back.
"Touch Leila and I'll break your hand!" She threatened as she pushed him off her.
Melody's sleeve slid up and Wendell took the knife and sliced her forearm. The young woman got to her feet holding her right arm and the man put his knife away and approached her. As soon as she was about to run, he grabbed her by her upper arm and forced her up against the tree. He placed his hands around her throat and she began to struggle within his grasp as he choked her. Just as she was about to pass out he let go, letting her fall to the cold ground gasping for air.
"Consider that a warning." Wendell growled, stepping in front of her.
The woman sat there trying to catch her breath as he walked away. She was definitely more scared of him now that he had cut her. When she managed to catch her breath, she stood up still lightly shaken and headed back to the mansion holding her bleeding forearm. She couldn't wait to get back inside to make sure little Leila was okay. As soon as she got inside, her daughter ran to her unharmed and she picked her up and sighed in relief and headed to the bathroom.
Melody entered the bathroom and sat Leila down. "You can't tell anyone about my arm, okay?"
"I won't." The child replied worriedly.
The light haired woman got out the gauze and sat it down. She picked up the washcloth and wet it down with warm water and cleaned the cut.
"Don't cry mommy, I'll make it better." The little one told her as she moved closer to put her arms around her.
Melody winced in pain as she dried it off and wrapped it. Leila backed up some and watched her mother pull her sleeve down and wipe her eyes.
"Let's go." The young woman sniffled, picking the child up.
The little girl with short pigtails held onto her mother as they exited the bathroom.
Down at the family graveyard all the adults were standing around Nana's grave. Shivers and Mr. Whirlinda had just finished filling in the hole. Both sons of the old woman stayed behind and Lydia embraced her husband.
"Where's Melody?" The shorthaired woman asked, releasing her husband.
"I don't know." Uncle Grimmly replied.
"Last time I seen her, she was in the kitchen with Wendell." Lydia sighed.
"You left her alone with him?" Neville exclaimed hysterically. "I got to go!"
Shivers, Mr. Whirlinda, Grimmly, and Lydia watched as Neville hurried inside the mansion. He hurried down the hall, but when he passed the study he heard faint sobbing. He backed up and opened the door and saw Melody holding Leila, sobbing.
"Mel?" He spoke as he walked inside the room. "Are you okay?"
"I can't talk about it." She sobbed as she hugged her child. "No matter what happens it will always be my fault."
"What are you talking about?" The man of forty-one asked in concern as he closed the study door.
"Everything that happens in this place is my fault!" The light haired woman shrieked, letting the child with short pigtails down. "If I had never come here to live, then—"
"Then what?" Neville asked. "Then Biff wouldn't be as happy as he is now and without a doubt, Leila would not exist."
"I know…"Melody sighed. "But you all are in danger and I can't do a darn thing about it…"
"If it's about Wendell, then something can be done." He told her, picking up Leila. "Tell me what happened."
"If I tell you, then you have to swear not to freak out and call Wendell in here." She looked up at him and stood up.
"Alright, I swear." He agreed.
"Wendell poisoned Nana…and he's been poisoning me, but I don't know how long it's been going on. He also threatened to hurt Leila if I told." The light haired woman took Leila from him and held her close. "Neville, you have to get him out of here before he does anymore killing."
"I can't call the police, there's not enough evidence to get him arrested." The man sighed and sat down on the rocking chair. "I can honestly say I won't let Wendell harm anyone else if I can help it."
"Just keep what I told you between us." Melody told him as she opened the door.
"I will." Neville replied as he watched her leave the room with the child.
Melody walked in the music room carrying Leila. When she walked in with her child, the twins and Sue Pea were sitting on the chairs against the wall.
"Melody, will you play us a something on the piano?" Henry asked as she sat Leila down on the empty chair beside him.
"Sure." The light haired woman replied, sitting down at the piano. "Did you kids have anything in mind?"
"Fϋr Elise!" Leila shrieked happily.
"Sound good to you three?" The light haired woman asked, getting ready to play.
The three children nodded and she began to play. After several hours of playing, Lydia and Uncle Grimmly walked in.
"It's time for bed." The baldheaded man motioned for his daughter to come with him.
"The same goes for you two." The shorthaired woman took the twins by the hands and led them out.
The light haired child with short pigtails slid off the chair and walked to her mother. Melody picked up Leila and stood up and headed to her child's room. The light haired woman walked inside the room and sat the light haired child on the bed. The child looked into her mother's yellow eyes as she pulled off her black shoes. The little girl raised her arms and her mother pulled her maroon colored dress with long sleeves over her head. Melody laid the dress on the rocking chair and handed Leila her light pink nightgown. As the little one pulled it over her head, her mother took her piggy tails down and brushed her hair. Leila crawled to the head of the bed and laid down on her stomach next to the teddy bear her parents had given her. Melody pulled the blanket up to her daughter's shoulders and kissed her on the forehead. The light haired woman walked to the door and turned off the light and walked out, closing the door behind her.
Biff had just finished putting on the clothes he wore to bed when Melody walked in.
"It's been a long day." The light haired woman sighed as she removed her long sleeved velvet dress.
"Mel, what happen to your arm?" He asked in concern as he watched her slip on just a long shirt with short sleeves.
"It's nothing." She lied, holding her forearm against her chest. "I uh cut it on glass up in the attic."
"Melody…did Wendell do this to you?" The buffed man asked, pulling her arm away from her.
The light haired woman looked down and said nothing as he unwrapped the gauze.
"Oh Melody…" He sighed. "How did you not lose so much blood?"
The light haired woman shrugged.
"I'm just glad it isn't deep." He sighed. "I can even see the fresh bruises around your neck…"
Biff put his arms around her and pulled her close.
"Biff, Wendell threatened to hurt Leila if I told you." She sighed as she looked up into his green eyes. "Can you please not do anything to give away I told you?"
"Fine, but if he lays a hand on our daughter I will make him pay." The buffed man assured his wife.
Melody nodded and Biff led her to the bed. Both of them got into bed and kissed each other goodnight. The light haired woman snuggled up to her husband and continued to think about their child.
It was eight in the morning when Melody had gotten up out of bed. She walked around to the other side of the bed to the white wardrobe closet and opened it. She pulled out one of the dresses Lydia had bought her and pulled it on over her head. As she looked at the long pale blue dress that exposed her chest in the mirror, she noticed a note lying there on the pillow. She turned around and walked to the bed and picked it up.
Melody, my love, I have went to town to search for a great present for you and Leila. I will be back later on today.
~ Love Biff
The young woman laid the note on the small end table beside the lamp. She picked up the hairbrush and fixed her long hair and walked out.
Lydia sat in the rocking chair with Chauncey in the twins' room, watching the four children play. Henry and Leila played with the alphabet blocks. Orville and Sue Pea built a tower with Lincoln logs.
"Mommy, I want to go outside and play." The four-year-old boy in the purple vest spoke as he stood up.
"You can go out in the garden, but stay away from the fountain." The mother told him as she rocked Chauncey.
Henry helped Leila up and they walked out. Orville and Sue Pea got up and followed after them.
Melody walked in the music room and sat down at the piano and started playing one of the piano sonatas. As she was playing Wendell walked in and over to her and forced her away from the piano. The light haired woman gasped as he got on top of her.
"Get off of me!" She cried angrily as he held her down.
"I don't know how many times I've said this, but I'm seriously sick and tired of you." He fussed as he straddled her.
"And I'm sick and tired of you attacking me. You know, you probably would've had a chance if you wouldn't have come onto me so strong." Melody explained calmly. "I already found my soul mate, so you're going to have to find your own."
Wendell got off her and got to his feet. "I want you and I'm not going to stop until I make you mine."
"I'll never be yours." The light haired woman snapped as she got to her feet. "You just can't seem to take the hint."
"You are going to regret this!" The black haired man shouted as he stormed out.
Melody sat back down at the piano and sighed as she went back to playing.
Henry pulled Leila outside to the big oak tree and looked up. The little boy started climbing and the little girl with short pigtails watched. Sue Pea and Orville walked outside and looked up at him. Henry crawled on the lowest limb and leaned backwards, using his legs to keep him from falling. He reached for the girl with short pigtails and she grabbed hands with him.
"Can you lift her up?" He asked, gripping her hand.
"I don't think this is a good idea." Sue Pea answered as she and Orville gave Leila a boost.
Henry pulled Leila up and sat upright with a smile. "We'll be careful."
The light haired girl with short pigtails smiled and nodded.
"Just don't fall…I don't want to lose anyone else." Sue Pea sighed.
The twins and the girl with pigtails watched as she walked back inside.
Sue Pea walked in the music room and approached Melody as she finished up Moonlight Sonata.
"How are you today?" Melody asked, turning around as she tucked her long hair behind her ear.
"I'm going to go take a nap before we eat at seven." Sue Pea told her.
The woman with beautiful long hair motioned the seven-year-old child to come to her and she did.
"Do you fear Wendell?" Melody asked in concern.
Sue Pea looked her in the eyes and nodded. "Just a little bit."
"Has he ever laid a hand on you?" She asked in concern.
"No; but the adults in the house talk about what's been going on. Henry and Orville even know about the issue. I did hear the adults talking about tossing him out that way you'll be safe." Sue Pea answered.
"Thanks; now go have you the best nap ever." The light haired woman smiled as she hugged the child. "I love you."
"I love you too, mama." The child with braids replied as she backed away from her.
Melody smiled as she watched Sue Pea leave the music room.
Sue Pea walked up the steps and inside her light pink room and laid down. "I promise I won't wet the bed."
The child drifted off to sleep, clutching her light brown teddy bear and snuggled up inside her knitted blanket.
While Melody was playing the piano, Wendell walked in and forced her off the bench by the piano and got on top of her.
"GET OFF ME!" She shrieked.
The black haired man covered her mouth and leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear. "Your body is mine."
"I'll never be yours!" Melody cried, trying to force him off.
When he pinned her down, she knew she this was it.
Outside in the oak tree Henry and Leila continued to sit. When the twins and their friend heard loud pleas for help, they got down and ran inside. The twins and Leila ran inside the music room and gasped. The shorthaired girl with pigtails ran back out to get help and the twins ran full speed and shoved Wendell off her. Henry and Orville sat on Wendell and beat him up. Melody got up crying and her attacker stood up, making the twins get off. She used all the strength she had left and punched Wendell in the face. "That's for trying to force me to do it!"
"What's going on in here?" Neville exclaimed angrily as he and Leila walked inside the room.
"Wendell tried to violate me!" The light haired woman answered hysterically.
The shorthaired girl with pigtails ran to her mother and she picked her up. Wendell wiped his bloody nose and scowled at her.
"What does violate mean?" Henry whispered to his brother.
Orville shrugged and they looked back up at their father.
"Get out!" Neville bellowed at Wendell. "I'm tired of you touching Melody!"
"Shivers!" The father called angrily. "Pack Wendell's things and put it on the steps outside!"
The Whirlindas heard Neville yelling and they hurried inside the music room. The twins moved aside and the two adults stood by her.
"I will get her." The black haired man chuckled. "When I do, it will be lights out for Melody Pianissima."
"You're a bully!" Leila screamed at the man as she held onto her mother.
"You're just as dead as your mother!" He hollered at the child as Mr. Whirlinda and Neville escorted him out.
Ms. Whirlinda hugged Melody and the child. The light haired woman buried her face into the woman's shoulder and sobbed.
"It's going to be okay now, he can't harm you anymore." The curly haired woman assured her as she rubbed her back.
The young woman took a step back and tucked her long hair behind her right ear. "What makes you so sure he's not going to come back and murder me?"
"He's not a loud back here, so don't worry so much." Ms. Whirlinda answered as she turned to leave.
The twins stood by the mother and daughter and watched the curly haired blonde woman leave the room.
Suppertime arrived and Uncle Grimmly walked inside Sue Pea's bedroom to wake her up to go eat. He noticed something off about his daughter as he approached her.
"Sue Pea, it's time to get up." He spoke, reaching for her hand.
When he grabbed her hand he began to tear up. When he let go of her cold hand he picked her up and carried her lifeless body into the hallway. All he could do is hold his daughter's body in his arms and weep. Biff approached him and his heart dropped.
"All she did was go take a nap…" Grimmly sobbed, looking up at the buff man.
"This is going to kill Melody…" Biff sighed, staring at the child's lifeless body. "She called Mel her mommy."
"Go tell Neville and call a doctor." The bald man sighed and went back to sobbing.
The buffed man turned around and headed back down to the first floor.
Neville stood in the hallway in front of the dining room talking to Melody.
"I'm sorry about earlier." He apologized. "I should've thrown him out sooner."
The light haired girl looked down at the light brown hard wood floor and sighed. "He was going to –"
"Neville, call a doctor and have him bring a casket for Sue Pea…" Biff interrupted as he approached them.
"Oh no!" The orange haired man hurried down to the study.
"What happened to Sue Pea?" Melody looked up at him in concern.
"After you tell me what happened today." The buffed man told her.
"You'll get angry." The young woman replied in a whisper. "Can you just tell me what happened to Sue Pea?"
Biff sighed. "She died."
Melody held her breath to keep from bursting into tears.
"Are you okay, Mel?" He asked, tilting her head up to look at him.
"I'm trying not to cry…" She sniffled. "Sue Pea's death is the second horrible thing that has happened today."
"What happened today that occurred before her death?" Biff asked as he wiped her tears.
"Wendell was thrown out of the house for his attempt to do what you do with me except with force." She told him as tears strolled down her face.
Biff looked at her confused and she sighed.
"It's what we did to make a baby?" She looked at him, trying to drop him a hint.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Melody. I wish I would've been here to protect you." He pulled her close and she burst out crying into his chest.
Neville walked back out of the study and passed the couple and walked inside the kitchen. Moments later Shivers and him walked out and down the hall.
"It's going to be okay." Biff assured his wife as he watched both men disappear out of sight.
"Is she okay?" Lydia interrupted as she exited the dining room. "I heard what happened earlier."
"Yes, but she's also upset because Sue Pea died." He explained to the shorthaired woman.
Lydia went silent and walked away.
When there was a knock at the door, Ms. Whirlinda walked passed them to answer it. Biff lifted Melody up and went to the door as well. The curly haired woman opened the door and the doctor walked in wheeling the small casket inside. The buffed man let his wife down and lifted one end of the casket up. Both the doctor and Biff carried the wooden box up the steps, leaving both women at the door.
"Sue Pea called me mama before she went to take a nap." The light haired woman sniffled as she looked at the curly haired woman. "I feel horrible."
"She was a great kid." Ms. Whirlinda replied.
"Mommy, what's wrong?" Leila asked in concern as the twins held her hands.
"Sue Pea is…dead." Melody spoke almost in a whisper as she looked at the hard wood floor.
The little girl with short pigtails began to cry and the twins released her hands. The beautiful longhaired woman approached her daughter and picked her up to console her.
"Why Sue Pea die?" Orville asked over Leila's muffled cry.
"I'm not really sure, but I think Wendell killed her." Melody replied, trying to calm her child.
"Wendell couldn't have done it, Mel." Ms. Whirlinda cut in.
The light haired woman turned to face her.
"He was in the kitchen with Shivers when I walked in." She told her.
"She died on her own, didn't she?" Henry spoke up in concern.
"We don't know that for sure." Melody answered, turning to look at him.
"Move aside!" The doctor called from the top of the steps.
The twins moved out of the way and the doctor and the buffed man slowly made their way down with the casket. Leila stopped crying into her mother's neck and looked up as they walked around the corner down the hall. Melody let her child down and sighed.
"Uncle Grimmly?" Melody watched the bald man descend the stairs and slowly walk passed them.
"You guys go on out to the graveyard." Ms. Whirlinda told them. "I'll stay behind and walk with Grimmly."
Melody nodded and escorted the children out.
Out in the graveyard stood the others as the doctor and Biff lowered the casket down into the hole. There wasn't one person who wasn't sobbing.
Ms. Whirlinda made her way down to the grave with Uncle Grimmly sobbing.
"How could my daughter just die like that?" Grimmly blubbered, making the others turn their attention to him. "She was all I had left!"
Nobody said anything.
"Her eighth birthday would've been August ninth…" His voice trailed off and he sobbed louder. "She was my baby girl…"
Shivers and Mr. Whirlinda started filling in the hole. Neville hugged his older brother as he cried. After the hole was filled and everyone had finally stopped crying, they went inside the mansion.
The rest of the night was quiet, no laughter, no smiles, and no happiness.
The next day arrived and all was well. It was Melody's twenty-fifth birthday, but there wasn't as much bliss as there usually was. Biff had taken her out for her special day, leaving Leila with the others in the house. Later on that night when they returned and everyone had already gone to bed, they shared a passionate night together.
NOTE: If you see any of the mistakes I missed while going over this story, PM me.