Page 116 of Margot
“Sutton’s upset. I just need to see him get arrested. I need to see him taken away.” I couldn’t stop the tears from weighing down my voice. Every muscle inside of me was taut and stiff.
Sutton died down after a few moments and I thanked her quietly.
I needed this moment.
The closer we got to DuBois’ place, the more I squirmed in my seat. Suspense bubbled over inside of me splashing against my sides making me nauseous. I swear I thought we’d never come to a damn stop.
DuBois taught piano inside of his home the same way he did with me when I was little. The location as different but the torture was the same, I was sure of it.
Squad cars blocked the driveway so Lennox parked across the street. Every neighbor stood on their porch to see what the hell was going on. My eyes were peeled, looking directly at his house though.
A sign that read DuBois’ Piano Lessons hung from the porch. I wanted to burn that motherfucker to ashes. “Do you want to watch from the car?” Lennox asked.
“No. Fuck that. He took my childhood. I want to be front and fucking center.” Before he could say another word, I was out of the car and speeding across the street.
“Margot!” Lennox rushed after me. His long legs ate up space faster than I anticipated. He snagged my elbow just before I approached the line of cop cars at DuBois’ driveway.
The door to his squat house was wide open and several policemen were standing in the foyer. I shielded my eyes from the sun so that I could see better. My breath caught in my chest when they finally brought him out in cuffs. He was so much older than I remembered.
He was frail and bald and his glasses slid down on his nose as they jostled him around. His hands were locked behind his back and his mouth was moving. I couldn’t hear him though. My heart thumped like it was surrounded by sludge as I watched his trek to the squad car.
“Ma’am, you’ll have to step back please.” I blinked at the officer who had his fist wrapped around DuBois’ bicep and took a step back.
For the first time in a decade, my eyes locked with the man who destroyed me every day for years. “Sutton?” He nearly gasped when he realized who was standing in front of him. He only had half the equation though.
“Don’t you fucking speak. You don’t get to say that name. You’re an animal and I hope to god that you burn in hell for everything you’ve done.” My face was on fire and my words were like arrows set ablaze that hit DuBois square in the chest.
The officer shoved his head down and pushed him into the squad car then slammed the door.
…
Lennox and I spent the rest of the day at the hospital with Monica and Cordelia once DuBois was arrested. The bond was set at one million dollars, which meant in order for him to get out, he’d have to pay one hundred thousand and he didn’t have that lying around. He’d have to sit in jail until he came up with the money or he went to trial.
Good.
I hoped he stayed in there until he rotted.
It took hours for the nurses to complete Cordelia’s exam but when they were done, I got her some ice cream and talked to her. I told her that I went through the same thing only I wasn’t as lucky as she was because her mom actually cared. I told her to never forget how much her mother loved her and protected her. I also told her she could call Sutton whenever she wanted to talk.
Monica thanked me for everything and we promised to see each other before DuBois went on trial. I didn’t tell her she’d probably see Sutton, but she was smart. She’d figure it out.
By the time Lennox and I got home, I was exhausted. I’d never cried that much before in my damn life. My feet seemed to drag on the floor as I walked to the piano. Tired did no justice to describe the way I felt.
My body fell to the bench and my fingers touched the keys, caressing them like fond memories. “You’re going to play?” Lennox asked. He stood behind me and swept my hair to one side. His strong hands worked out the tension in my neck and shoulders and I played.
“I have to,” I whispered as I played a song that I made up as I went along.
“What is that?” He asked, curiosity in his tone.
“I don’t know. I just have to play it.”
“An original?”
“Yeah…” My fingers moved up and down the keys as if I’d played that song a million times before. Goosebumps rose on my forearms and my lips trembled with emotion. Every note was intense and purposeful.
I realized I no longer felt Lennox’s hands on me but I still played. I played until tears rolled down my face and my knuckles were tired and aching. When I was done, I let my hands fall on the keys hitting sour notes without a care.
“That was beautiful, baby.”
