Had he seen what happened? Heard the insults?
A few houses down, nestled in the woodland at the far end of Arthur Road was Hazel’s two-story abode. It was beautiful. A nice wraparound porch, white siding, dormer windows, and brown shingles covered in solar panels. Towering behind it was a wind turbine that was used to create electricity for the home whenever they had a power outage. She didn’t want to know how others fared without such things.
The driveway veered around to the right and came up to the huge home with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a long glass greenhouse outside.
It had been her aunt’s pride and joy for many years. When she wasn’t working at the theater she usually had her hands in soil. Even in the winter months, she was found tending to her plants, and vegetables. It’s meditation, she said. Everyone needs to spend some time in nature. Miriam couldn’t agree more. Most kids her age spent their time gawking at a smartphone. Not her. Her mother hadn’t even bought her one. It was a distraction. A waste of time.
She was far too controlling.
As Miriam came up the driveway, Hazel’s dog Jasper, a huge golden retriever, came barreling out, all full of beans and moxie. “Hey, Jasper.” She swung herself off the bike, and let it drop on the ground before getting down and embracing the huge mass of fur. “Whoa, slow down.”
“Jasper. C’mon. Give her some space, you crazy dog.” Hazel stepped out of the house, wiping her hands on a towel. She was the spitting image of her mother. Twins. Though she’d purposely dyed her hair and kept it short to avoid being mistaken for Martha.
Miriam shrugged off her backpack. “Brought you some eggs.”
“Come on in, sweetheart.”
She glanced back toward the road, expecting to see the Stricklands, but it was empty. Hazel noticed. “You didn’t have any trouble, did you?” she asked, holding the storm door open.
“Oh, you know how they are.”
Did Hazel know about the death of the three brothers?
Inside it was warm and inviting. Runners covered rosewood flooring, lush green plants were dotted in every corner of the house, and the smell of baked goods dominated.
“Lilly and Kelly in?” Miriam asked.
“Out with their father. You want a drink?”
“Sure,” she said. She unzipped her backpack and took out the eggs. “You know you really should think about having your own chicken coop.”
“Too much hassle. Besides, that’s what family is for,” Hazel said with a wink as she collected a canned soft drink and handed it to her. Miriam rubbed Jasper’s jowls and buried her face in his fur as he sat beside her, waiting for one of the homemade cookies that Hazel had set before her.
“Come on, Jasper. Leave her alone. You’ve had your fill for the day.”
Hazel tossed a dish towel over her shoulder. “How’s your mother?”
“Good,” she said with her mouth full. “She’s a little high strung these days, but that’s not any different than usual.” She got up with her can and walked over to the window. “Have the police been around here?”
“They’ve dropped by. Just to let us know they are patrolling. There’s been an increase since that break-in at the grocery store. I gather that was your brothers?”
Miriam shot a glance her way. “At her request.”
Hazel shook her head. “She’ll be the death of you all.” Hazel had always been against the feuding. Although Miriam’s parents had instilled an us-against-them mentality in their kids, her mother had failed to do that with her own sister. Hazel was all about change. Being a better person. Trying to break the mold so that everyone could live in peace. Miriam respected that but she had to wonder if she was being a little short-sighted.
“Have you thought more about coming up to the farm? There’s plenty of room.”
“I appreciate that honey, but we’ll be fine here.”
“We can’t protect you down here.”
“That’s your mother speaking, Miriam. Not you. Remember what I told you. A fear mindset perpetuates fear even if it isn’t true. Don’t allow her to shape your mind. Think for yourself. Never stop asking questions. And never assume you know all the answers. You’re your own person. Make wise choices.”
She nodded. “I know.”
Hazel grinned. “You do, do you?” She laughed. “So any word on Colby?”
“No. I don’t think he’s coming.”
“He’s smart not to. Learn from him, Miriam. I wish all your brothers were like Colby.”
“You know about the Strickland three?” Miriam asked.
“Is that what they’re calling them?” She gave a despondent look and turned to dry a few dishes. “I’ve heard.”
“I expect there will be some backlash.”
Miriam chewed on a cookie.
“How about we don’t discuss it? Okay? While you’re here we don’t need to.”
Miriam nodded. As she took her plate over to the sink, Hazel caught sight of the Ruger LCR she’d stashed inside the backpack. “What’s that?”
“What?”
Hazel pointed.
“Protection.”
“From who?”
“I think you know,” Miriam replied.
Hazel placed both hands on her shoulders. “You go swinging that around, you’re liable to end up in jail or dead. Neither of which would make me happy. Come on, Miriam. I taught you better than this.”
“What? I’m old enough. It’s just a gun. I’m not a child.”
“No, you’re not. But if you want to live to be old enough to see your grandchildren, you’d do best by not getting caught up in your mother’s asinine world. And that means staying clear of trouble.”
Hazel set the
