Chapter 16: Burn Him At The Stake

Bossier is awoken by Lynn's screaming. She jumps up and rushes over and stands in front of her.

 "Get out of my way bitch!" Letha yells staring Bossier down.

 "I'm not moving until you leave." Bossier defies looking Letha in her eyes.

 Seconds later Kathy comes into the doorway. She is wearing black pajamas. Her hair is inside a black bonnet. She looks at the bucket and belt before looking over at Lynn who's in the fetal position against the wall.

 "I heard Lynn's screaming from the kitchen, is everything okay?" Kathy asks concerned looking at Lynn.

 "Everything will be as soon as Mother leaves." Bossier says protectively not taking her eyes off Letha.

 Letha grabs the bucket and looks at Bossier.

 "One of these days neither of you will be here to protect either of them." Letha says calmly with a smile.

 "Don't count on it." Bossier says before Letha leaves pushing Kathy aside.

 Kathy looks at her mother momentarily before walking into the bedroom and sitting on Lynn's bed.

 "Don't worry Lynn, Grandmother will take care of this soon enough." Kathy whispers optimistically.

 "I sure hope so. I don't know how much more of this I can take." Lynn sniffles looking at Kathy.

 "If you need me, I'll be downstairs in my room." Kathy says in a motherly tone before hugging her.

 "If I was old enough, I'd get the four of us away from here." Kathy says sadly separating from Lynn.

 "You've done more than your fair share for all of us. If you're tired that's perfectly fine. You deserve to rest." Bossier says seriously looking at Kathy who stands up.

 "Thank you for the permission. I love you guys so much and I'm so glad we're sisters. I'll see you all in the morning." Kathy says before leaving and closing the door.

 Bossier looks at Lynn worriedly. Lynn instantly goes and embraces Bossier sobbing which Bossier returns.

 "Thank you for coming to my rescue. If you hadn’t, I think she would have killed me." Lynn says clutching Bossier's red nightgown.

 "You're my baby sister, it's my job." Bossier says affectionately before they separate.

 "Let's get some shuteye. We have a big day ahead of us." Bossier says before going back to her bed.

Lynn gets back under her comforter and goes back to sleep.

 Later that morning at nine o'clock Kathy is standing in the hallway bathroom looking at her reflection. She is wearing a long sleeve navy blue sweater dress. On her feet are a pair of knee length black leather boots. Her hair is styled in two large Afro puffs with a swoop on her forehead. Her face is lightly made up with powder, black eyeshadow, black eyeliner and nude lipstick. Resting in her ears are diamond studs. Satisfied with her attire Kathy grabs a strapless clutch and her keys. She heads upstairs to the foyer where Bossier and Lynn are waiting for her.

 Bossier is wearing a long sleeve olive green sweater, black bell bottom jeans and a pair of black tennis shoes. Her hair is now combed back and flips out at the end. Lynn is wearing a long sleeve blue jean dress with beige suede go-go boots. Her hair is styled in two thick pigtails with a fringe. Kathy smiles at them and they head out the door. When they get in Kathy's car she looks over at them seriously.

 "No matter what happens today Mother and Mr. Vernon will be dealt with." Kathy says determinedly before starting the engine.

 Bossier and Lynn nod their heads in agreement before Kathy pulls away from the curb. Unbeknownst to them Galleria was watching from the living room window.

 Tiffany is sitting in the parking lot of St. Victoria Hospital. She is wearing a black jean outfit with a white muscle shirt and a pair of black and white tennis shoes. Her hair is styled in a low ponytail. In her ears are white mod style earrings. Her face is only made up in only in black lipstick. Her fingernails are coffin shaped and painted gray. She exits her mother's car and heads inside to reception. She sees the desk is vacant and signs in and heads to the elevator.

 When she reaches Shirley's floor she exits and heads to her room. When she arrives she knocks lightly on the door.

 "Come in." Shirley says and Tiffany goes inside.

 Upon coming around the corner Tiffany sees her mother sitting upright with her hands in her lap. This brings a huge relief to Tiffany who walks over to her bedside and sits down.

 "Good morning Mama." Tiffany says warmly crossing her legs.

 "Good morning baby how are you?" Shirley asks sweetly with a smile.

 "Relieved to know that you're sitting in a reassuring position. I also want to apologize for not coming yesterday. I told Kathy I would be here but I just wasn't in the best of moods." Tiffany explains and Shirley nods her head.

 "There's no need to apologize. You're here now and that's what's important. So what's going with you? How's your grades? How are things going at home?" Shirley asks curiously.

 "I'm passing all of my classes so there's no need to fret none. As for home everything is going smoothly. I'm keeping the house clean like always and cooking. I wonder if Pop will ever get along without me." Tiffany says making Shirley laugh.

 "Your father really is something else. He's always going to need to be looked after." Shirley says fondly looking down at her lap.

 "Yeah, he will. Our homecoming dance is tonight and I'm going with the captain of the football team." Tiffany says coolly and Shirley clasps her hands together in excitement.

 "Look at you. You snagged one of the most popular boys in school. How are you feeling about that?" Shirley asks lowering her hands.

 "Nothing to be honest with you. I don't think he asked me out because he liked me. I'm not saying I feel unattractive but I don't think he did it for that reason." Tiffany says piquing Shirley's curiosity.

 "Why do you think he asked you to the dance?" Shirley asks curiously.

 "For shock value. He's one of the most popular boys in our school. He's expected to take someone of equal popularity to such a social event. But I think he also wants to expand the scope of his reputation. My main reason for doing it is to revitalize my social interaction with the opposite gender." Tiffany explains and Shirley nods her head understandingly.

 "I'm glad to see you're trying to acclimate yourself. Just make sure that you don't forget to have fun." Shirley says sweetly pointing at her.

 "I won't." Tiffany says and a comfortable silence passes between them.

 "Listen Tiffany just in case things don't go as planned I've willed you my car, jewelry and finances." Shirley says seriously looking Tiffany in her eyes.

 Tiffany looks at her trying to keep her tears at bay.

 "Mama don't talk like that. You'll be home soon enough and things will return to normal. The only extra bill we'll have is this one." Tiffany says optimistically leaning forward.

 "My fate is whatever God intends. And whatever it is you have to accept it." Shirley says and Tiffany takes hold of Shirley's hands.

 "I never mentioned this before but I need you now more than ever. I'm blossoming into a young adult and only a mother can teach a daughter how to be a woman." Tiffany says and Shirley squeezes her hands.

 "You have developed so beautifully in my absence. Plus, you have your best friend Kathy by your side. You need each other more than you know right now. All I've done these past three years is come and go out of this very hospital. Piling on more financial and emotional strain for you and your father. For that I am truly sorry. I'm sorry for becoming sick and burdensome." Shirley sobs as tears escape her eyes.

 "No need to apologize for any of that. You were just dealt a bad hand. Even so you persevered and raised me and loved Pop. You're an incomparable champion in my eyes." Tiffany says in a shaky voice as tears run down her cheeks.

 "Tonight is your night. Make it memorable." Shirley says kindly

 "Don't you worry Mama I will." Tiffany says as Shirley releases her daughters hands.

 "Now all I want is for your father to come and visit me." Shirley says laying back into her bed.

 "When I get home I'll let him know." Tiffany says wiping her eyes.

 "Okay. Well, I'm sure you want to go and get things prepared for tonight. So go ahead and go on home. Make sure you take pictures. I want to see my baby girl dressed up." Shirley says as Tiffany stands to her feet.

 "You know I will." Tiffany chuckles before leaning down and kissing Shirley's left temple.

 Before Tiffany lifts her head Shirley kisses her left temple also.

 "I love you Mama." Tiffany says affectionately lifting her head.

 "I love you too Tiffany." Shirley says and Tiffany squeezes her shoulder before leaving.

 Shirley leans back into her bed smiling happily.

 "Lord all I ask is that I live long enough to see my daughter in her homecoming dress." Shirley says looking up at the ceiling.

 Kathy and her sisters are at Lilly's Café sitting on the patio. They're sitting at a brown wooden table with six chairs. Kathy has a ham and cheese bagel sandwich with a bottle of apple juice. Bossier has buttermilk pancakes with a glass of orange juice. Lynn has an egg omelet with a glass of cranberry juice. Moments later Savannah walks onto the patio.

 She is wearing a silk white skirt suit with brown leaves. On her feet is a pair of white pointed toe stilettos.

Her hair is styled in a centered part with the rest curling outward. Her face is made up with powder, brown eyeshadow, brown eyeliner and red lipstick. In her left hand is a white leather purse with two brown leather straps. She looks out on the patio and notices the three teens. She walks onto the patio and approaches their table.

 "Good morning ladies I'm Attorney Savannah Lancaster. My husband Mr. Lancaster told me that one of you needed legal counsel." Savannah explains looking between them.

 "Good morning Mrs. Lancaster I'm Kathy St. James. I'm the one who asked Mr. Lancaster about a lawyer for my youngest sister Lynn." Kathy explains glancing over at Lynn.

 Savannah looks over at Lynn extending her right hand. Lynn stands up and shakes it.

 "It's nice to meet you ma'am." Lynn says before sitting back down.

 As Savannah gets comfortable Ida walks up to the table. She is wearing a white long sleeve dress with a full-length blonde mink coat. Around her waist is a lion-colored belt. On her feet are a pair of three-inch beige leather high heel boots. Her hair is styled in a regal left side part. Her face is made up with soft powder, gold eyeshadow, white eyeliner and red nude lipstick. In her ears diamond studs and around her neck is a small diamond. Shielding her hands are wrist length white leather gloves. In her left hand is a gold strap purse.

 As Savannah gets comfortable Ida walks up to the table. She is wearing a white pants suit with a champagne button shirt, a waist length blonde mink coat. On her feet are a pair of three inch gold pointed toe stilettos. Her hair is styled in a regal left side part. Her face is made up of soft powder, gold eyeshadow, white eyeliner and red nude lipstick. In her ears diamond studs and around her neck is a small diamond. Shielding her hands are wrist length white leather gloves. In her left hand is a white leather purse with two gold straps.

 "Good morning my sweet darlings." Ida says greeting her granddaughters.

 "Good morning Grandmother." the three teens say happily in unison before looking at Savannah surprised.

 "Good morning Savannah. I wasn't expecting you to be here." Ida says as she sits down next to her.

 "I apologize for blindsiding you. It's just when my husband told me one of his students needed help, I had to take the case." Savannah explains determinedly before looking at the girls.

 "Well, it's greatly appreciated." Ida says appreciatively before sitting her purse in her lap.

 "So, Lynn, would you mind explaining to me exactly what's going on?" Savannah asks curiously taking out a notepad and black ink from her purse.

 Lynn exhales shakily looking at Savannah. Kathy and Bossier instantly take hold of her hands.

 "My mother's husband has been touching me ever since I was six years old. It started off with him climbing into my bed. Then it turned into me waking up from bad dreams and I would wake up with his lips on mine. Eventually it moved into him, fondling my breasts and inserting his fingers inside of my vagina." Lynn explains angrily as tears escape her eyes.

 Savannah writes down everything verbatim.

 "So, was anyone else in the household molested by him?" Savannah asks curiously sniffling.

 "Not that I'm aware of." Lynn says sniffling.

 "I'm so sorry Lynn. I wish I would have known." Ida laments regretfully getting Lynn's attention.

 "No need to feel bad or apologize. You've been so good to me. He will be the one crucified once everything is all said and done." Lynn responds seriously squeezing Kathy and Bossier's hands

 "Does your mother know what he's done to you?" Savannah asks curiously ready to write again.

 "I-I'm not sure. I'd like to believe she's unaware." Lynn says hopefully.

 "I know this isn't my place to say this but I don't believe that. I think she knows he's been harming her and has been turning a blind eye to his activity." Bossier says and Savannah nods her head understandingly.

 "So, Lynn are you ready to move forward with legal action?" Savannah asks curiously.

 "Yes ma'am I am." Lynn says seriously and Savannah smiles.

 "Have you gone to the doctor?" Savannah asks curiously.

 "Yes ma'am I went on Tuesday morning at seven and Dr. Lewis was my physician." Lynn explains and Savannah writes down that information.

 When she finishes, she puts her notepad and pen inside her purse.

 "Thank you, Lynn, that's all I need for now. I'll be in touch with the next course of action. Don't worry, I'll make sure to burn him at the stake." Savannah says sternly before getting up and looks at Ida who takes hold of her left hand.

 "I'll call you later." Ida says before Savannah leans down and kisses her left cheek.

 "Okay, I'll be looking for it." Savannah says before looking over at the St. James sisters.

 "It was a pleasure meeting you all. I'll be seeing you soon." Savannah says before leaving.

 "So how are things going at home?" Ida asks concerned looking between them.

 "Earlier this morning Mother came into our room and started beating Lynn. She's trying to figure out who spoke to you. But none of us gave Lynn up." Bossier explains and Ida nods her head proudly.

 "That daughter of mine. Don't worry, I'm heading over there right now." Ida says seriously before standing to her feet.

 "I love you girls. Be careful." Ida says before walking off.

 "I know I'm doing the right thing but lousiness wants to creep in." Lynn says sadly getting her sisters attention.

 "That's a part of being a lawyer." Bossier says encouragingly squeezing Lynn's hands.

 The trio then resumes eating their breakfast.

 Letha, Vernon and Galleria are at the dining room table. Vernon prepared sausage patties, scrambled eggs, grits, biscuits and bacon. Letha is wearing a purple short-sleeved dress and black flat shoes. On her left wrist is a black leather watch. Her hair is pulled back into a large bun. She is wearing powder, black eyeshadow and red lipstick. In her ears are black hoop earrings. Vernon is wearing a white polo shirt, gray slacks and white dress shoes.

 Galleria is wearing a white blouse, pink pants and white flat shoes. Her hair is pulled back into a high ponytail.

 "I wonder which one of those girls spoke to my mother." Letha ponders angrily before sipping some orange juice.

"I think it was Kathy. You know how close they are." Galleria deduces and Letha sets her glass down.

 "I think so too. She's done when I find out." Letha says venomously looking over at Galleria.

 Ida is sitting outside Letha's house in her car. She looks at the dwelling furiously before grabbing her purse and getting out of her car. As she walks onto the sidewalk Kathy pulls up behind her car. They get out and go stand beside her. Soon the foursome head upstairs. Kathy unlocks the front door and they all go inside. After Kathy locks the door, they head to the dining room. Letha looks over at Ida while Lynn looks at Vernon disgusted and furious.