So Long Ago
Ch.8- Of Pain and Power
Author's Note: Wow, the reviews are awesome. I really appreciate the remarks and encouragement. Keep it up!
"Sara," Detective Mann greeted. Sara nodded to him. "Um, Sara…why don't you have a seat." He gestured toward a chair. Sara obeyed and sunk into the soft cushions. Mr. Kendal also sat.
"Actually, Mr. Kendal," Detective Mann said, "Would you mind letting us talk in private?"
Mr. Kendal blushed. "Of course," he said, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
The Detective looked sympathetically at Sara. "To be honest Sara, I think we've had too many of these meetings." Sara privately agreed, but didn't say anything.
"Sara, you're intelligent, and I'm sure you would rather me get to the point, because obviously, well, I'm here for a reason." He looked around nervously. "I'm really sorry to have to tell you this Sara, but…your father was killed earlier today…and you're mother confessed to the crime."
It took several moments for Sara to absorb this. She could almost laugh at the situation before her. It was so absurd…so wrong. Maybe, if she had listened to her mothers woes, and hadn't been so stubborn, this wouldn't have happened.
Sara refused to believe her mother was capable of killing someone, especially her father. After years of letting him take advantage of her, why crack now?
"Sara." Detective Mann penetrated her perplexed thoughts. "You're mother told us that you're father became violent after she expressed wishes to leave him. She stabbed him numerous times to protest herself. Did you know she wanted to leave?"
Sara's heart fell to the floor. Tears began to accumulate. She nodded.
"sfdfns." she tried to mutter.
"What was that?"
Sara took a deep breath and looked at the Detective. "Self defense. It was self defense."
Detective Mann sighed. "It…would have been self defense if she had stopped at self defense. Stabbing someone even after they're not a threat is murder. I'm sorry Sara.
"Now, I'm personally investigating this, and…maybe we'll find something to help your mom."
Sara kept her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor.
"If you can, we need to stop by your house so you can get your things. Afterwards, someone from child services will take you…somewhere."
'Somewhere' turned out to be a group foster home in the center of town. For now, while a trial was being held, Sara would stay here with minimal possessions. The building separated age and gender, each having a different hallway. There was a common recreation area as well as kitchen and dinning hall.
Sara was placed in a room with a girl named Cindy Ford. She was able to explain to Sara the do's and don'ts better than the adults and gave her easy directions to her school.
School was horrific the next day. She tried to ignore the stares and the conversations she knew were going on. She walked wittingly down the hall, trying her best not to show her emotion.
"Sara." Ryan poked his head out of a classroom-Ms. Lamont's classroom. He motioned her inside, where she was relieved to find just him and Katie. Sara plopped down on a chair and sighed deeply.
"How are you?" Ryan asked compassionately. Sara shrugged.
"I guess it hasn't really hit me that my dad was murdered brutally by my mother, who is probably going to jail, leaving me to live with strangers." Sara stated blandly.
"Well, maybe it's better that it hasn't set in yet." Katie suggested.
"What are you talking about?" Sara snapped. "You don't know how it is."
"Actually, Sara," Katie said quietly, I think we know better than anyone how it is." Sara froze.
"I'm sorry guys." She mumbled.
"No worries." Ryan reassured her, "As far as we're concerned, you can nag at us all day long."
"Yah, we'll still be here with you through it all" Katie added. Sara gave a small smile.
She realized the power of friendship was what she needed right now and that she had it.