Page 52 of Nick

“He died thirty years ago, and his wife had to move across town somewhere. They had six kids. She had to work to support the entire family. They lived a miserable life in a little shack near the tracks. Those kids would run all over those tracks while their mother worked two jobs.”

“That’s so sad,” I wondered how she knew what the kids did, and thought she must had seen them.

“Well, she shouldn’t have become pregnant. I never felt sorry for her. She spread her legs and destroyed my life. She became pregnant, and he had to marry her. I went to college and had my wedding planned for two years. She was only seventeen and in high school. My life was over.”

She dabbed at her eyes. “I’m sorry you suffered through that. But I believe you were lucky to be rid of a man who would have sex with a high school girl.” Who was this woman telling us her life story? She reminded me of someone I had a conflict with about ten years ago. I looked at my sisters, and they were watching her closely. I wondered if they thought something was strange like I did.

And then it clicked. “Well, we need to get back to work. It was so nice meeting you. Do come and visit us again when you have a chance.” I wanted to get rid of her because it was time for Julia’s grandparents to bring her to me. I didn’t want Julia anywhere around the woman. I looked at Dana, please come inside, and we’ll talk more about our business plan.

“Thank you, I believe I will.”

As soon as we were inside, I turned to my sisters. “Did either of you recognize her?”

“She seems familiar. I can’t remember where I saw her before,” Amber said, looking out the window. The woman had walked to the other side, looking at the water. She was laughing out loud like a crazy person.

“Let me remind you. Laticia Roma. She has hassled a woman and her children for more than thirty years. She claimed the woman stole her life. Now I remember how the husband died. He was run over by someone driving a fast Van going up on the sidewalk as he was walking his dog. Leaving behind his wife and their six children.”

“I’m wondering if that old lady killed her ex-fiancé.” We know she has been torturing that family. Do you think she’s still doing it?”

“I’ll bet you she is. I also will bet she’s involved in this fire. She must have hired someone to start the fire. I wonder if she hired someone to run down her ex-fiancé. I will go through the files and see what happened to that man. I bet you he is the same man.”

“I’m calling George right now and see what he can dig up,” Amber said, talking about her captain in the homicide department.

“Wow, I wonder if she wants to burn the pier down,” Dana said.

We raised our heads and looked at her. I forgot she was here. “I bet she hates this pier because it has memories. We better keep an eye on her.”

I stood outside when it was time for Julia to get here. We were leaving as soon as she arrived; I wasn’t letting her around any crazy woman. I smiled when I saw her running down the pier.” I walked to meet her. I wanted to say hello to her grandparents.

“Mommy, I missed you.”

“I missed you too, sweetie. Hello, Loraine, hi Al. Thank you for picking up Julia from school.”

“We love walking to her school. What happened on the pier?”

“There was a small fire. It’s all taken care of, and only a small part of the restaurant was damaged.”

“I’m so glad no one was injured. That woman standing over there lives on our street.”

I knew who she meant, so I didn’t need to turn my head. “I don’t know how to say this in a kindly way, but don’t become friends with her. She’s a little strange.”

“I told Loraine to stay away from that woman. She is very strange. She’s crazy.”

“Al, that isn’t nice.”

“She’s also evil,” I said, agreeing with Al. “We are running some background checks on her now.”

“Who is here with you? Let’s go inside. I have a story to tell you.” I had no choice but to follow Al into the shop.

“I’ll get you some of my raisin walnut bread to take home while you are here,” I looked down at Julia. How about you, sweetie? Would you like some milk and raisin bread?”

“Yes, I would love some.” She yawned.

“Are you tired?”

“Only a little. “I bent and kissed her. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Mommy.”

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