Chapter 18

"What!?" asked all three girls, in a simultaneous manner that evoked extreme surprise.

"C'mon Mom," said Lee, "You're pulling our legs, this makes no sense."

"Yeah!" said May in her typical adenoidal voice, "Aunt Katie's been dead since before we were born!"

Kate, who had since descended the stairs to the sidewalk, turned towards Tabby with an expression of surprise and anger.

"Wait, what!?" asked Katie, "You were telling people I was dead!? What the fuck Tabitha!"

"Well you are dead to me, so the shoe fits!" said Tabby.

"Well, the feelings mutual," said Kate, "It's only fitting for the no good floosie that split our entire family apart!"

Without warning, Tabby suddenly lunged towards Kate, growling angrily as she did so. In an instant, Tabby took hold of Kate's hair using her left hand, violently pulling it downward as she proceeded to use her right hand to repeatedly bludgeon Kate's head. Kate responded with a flurry of wild punches, delivering several violent body blows to Tabby as she did so.

"Jesus Christ!" yelled Lee as she dashed towards Tabby in an attempt to separate the two women; Marie immediately followed her sisters lead. After a few moments of struggling, Lee was eventually able to gain control of Tabby, pulling her away from Kate in a full nelson as Marie gained control of the still screaming Kate.

May watched with concern as the two girls released the still fuming sisters. After a few seconds, the two women managed to calm down slightly. As Tabby continued to stare angrily into Kate's eyes, she uttered a few words in a calm timbre.

"Girls," said Tabby, "Go back to the trailer. I'll be back in a little bit for the show."

"But mom," said Marie, "What abou..."

"THE TRAILER...NOW!" yelled Tabby at the top of her lungs, as she pointed towards the street corner.

The three Kanker girls remained completely still, staring at their mother with expressions of confusion, as well as sadness. After a few moments, Marie and May slowly turned, and began making their way down the street in silence.

Lee, currently standing in the vicinity of Tabby, began to follow her sisters lead; however, as she began to take her first step, Tabby gently took hold of her arm, stopping her in her tracks. As Lee continued to stare forward, the older red headed woman leaned her lips towards her ear.

"I know this seems nuts, but trust me I know what I'm doing," said Tabby, "I know you know more than what you are letting on. We'll be back soon."

Tabby pulled away, gazing into her eldest daughters eyes with a genuine expression. Lee delivered an affirmative nod, after which she continued on her way, discretely jogging in an effort to catch up with her sisters.

Tabby observed as her daughters rounded the corner, after which she turned her attention back towards Kate, igniting a cigarette as she did so.

"So," said Tabby, "Are you surprised to see me?"

"As a matter of fact I am," said Kate, "I'm actually surprised you were able to find me, but before I ask you how the hell you managed to know I was here, answer me this...was that who I think it was?"

Tabby remained silent, staring towards the ground while taking a puff of her cigarette. Kate responded by grabbing hold of Tabby's arm, shaking it as she did so.

"Answer me now!" yelled Kate, "Was that, or was that not who I think it was!?"

"Get your damn druggie hands off of me," yelled Tabby as she swatted Kate's hand away, "It is, ...but it's not like it's any of your fucking business."

"But how?" asked Kate, "How did you manage to..."

Tabby gazed back towards the ground, flicking the ashes off of her cigarette as she did so. Kate, taking notice of Tabby's melancholy demeanor, placed her hand over her mouth in shock.

"Oh my God," said Kate, "You didn't..."

"I did what I had to do," said Tabby, "I'm a family oriented person, unlike you."

"What the fuck Tabitha!" yelled Kate, "Are you out of your mind! You could have went to prison! How the hell did you possibly explain..."

"I didn't you nutjob!" yelled Tabby, suddenly whipping around to face Kate once again, "That's why I went through hell and high water to find you! What do you think I actually came here for a reunion? As much as I hate to admit it, you're the only person that can help me at this point, and you damn well know I'm not asking for me!"

At that point, Tabby took notice that several individuals had appeared on the surrounding stoops; all were of various ethnic backgrounds, and appeared to be homeless as well. The freckle faced woman lowered her voice, addressing Kate once again.

"One things for sure," said Tabby, "These people don't need to know our business."

Tabby took another draw of her cigarette as she pointed towards the abandoned house.

"Go in the house and get all your dope, and anything you need to shoot it up," said Tabby, "Make sure you ration, because we're going for a long ride. I'm taking my daughters and their friend on a road trip, spending some time with the people I love and care about, and if it means waiting three weeks to get ya home to have you do what I need ya to do, so be it. As much as I can't stand drugs, I don't need you withdrawing and throwing your guts up all over the place."

"For your information, I have never shot up," said Kate, "Even the thought of it is disgusting. I snorted when I used dope. I've been going to rehab, and while I had a few relapses, they eventually started me on methadone tablets. Gives the same high and relieves the withdrawal, but on the plus side is legal."

Kate giggled sarcastically.

"Just traded one poison for another," said Kate, "I'm still a fucking junkie, just addicted to pills instead of smack. Not like you care..."

"You're right, I don't give a shit what you put in that disgusting body of yours," said Tabby, "But guess what, even if I did we don't have time to talk about it, I got a show to see in around an hour."

Tabby tossed her cigarette butt on the ground, after which she leaned into Kate's face with an angry glare.

"Here's the deal," said Tabby, "I got no problem feeding ya, but let me one thing clear. I'm using Daddy's old fishing trailer as a camper, and you will NEVER show your face outside of the upstairs bedroom unless I give you permission."

"Whatever," said Kate, "What about the three nieces that thought I was dead? I guess I'm not allowed to get to know my own family. I mean, it's such a shame that they had to deal with being raised by you."

Tabby grabbed Kate's shirt collar.

"Especially them," said Tabby, "You stay away from my daughters, especially when you are as high as a kite. Look at you now, you can barely keep your eyes open, and when they are they're as red as a baboons ass. They have no reason to see that!"

Tabby released her grip on Kate, turning away from her and igniting another cigarette in the process.

"You should have been more careful and not lost those stupid sunglasses back when you were sixteen," said Tabby, "They would have finally came into some good use."

Tabby giggled sarcastically as Kate seemed to adopt a disheartened expression. Within seconds, the thin woman regained her angry composure, and proceeded to stomp up the stairs towards the front door.

"Fine," said Kate, "But I'm doing it for the family, not for you. Two weeks is all you get, and after that we're through."

"Don't take too long in there," said Tabby as she puffed her cigarette, "You're wasting my time."

At that point, Kate opened the door, entered the building, and proceeded to slam the door shut with an audible thud. As she did so, Tabby turned towards the street corner, puffing her cigarette as a small tear began to trickle down her left cheek.