Halversham (17 page)

***

Andy was woken up in the middle of the night by a persistent hand shaking his shoulders. He blinked in the cold dark room, trying to orientate himself to the unfamiliar shapes around him, and remembered the unfortunate beating.

“What are you doing here?” Corrine asked, her face appearing upside down from behind the couch.

Andy blinked a few more times and sat up. “What time is it?” he asked, ignoring Corrine’s question.

“It’s two in the morning.”

Andy went to Aunt Magda’s room and found her sleeping alone, her body curled toward the wall. Andy pulled the door but left it slightly ajar.

“Did you just get home?”

“Yes. Why were you sleeping on the couch and why is your bag in my room?”

“Come with me,” he said and they went back to the hall. “Uncle Matt caught me handing Aunt Magda the money from this morning. I told him it was from my father. Then he came up with some nonsense about how he needed money to buy farming equipment. But it was a hundred and thirty-eight dollars so he went crazy and beat her up believing she had hid the rest of it.”

Much to Andy’s surprise, Corrine laughed.

“You were dumb enough to hand it over in front of him?”

“No, it was still early. I didn’t think he’d come home yet. It was pouring when he burst through the door, and he was drunk.”

Corrine shrugged and turned away. “Well, it’s nothing new. He beats her all the time.”

“It's really bad, Corrine. She may need a week or more to recover fully. I’m going to stay here and look after her, but I work for Milton now. The old man won’t respond kindly if I ask for days off so soon after starting,” Andy said. “I need your help.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Stay home and look after her when I’m not around.”

“No way!”

“Shhh... She’s your mother and she needs help. I threatened your father with a cleaver and it looks like he won’t be coming back tonight. But if he returns tomorrow when I’m not around, I need your help to protect her.”

Corrine snorted. “You want me to protect her? Where was she when I needed her protection?”

Andy rose from the couch in anger, ready to curse, but halted when he remembered Corrine’s past.

“Look, your vengeance is of no use. You have the chance to turn your life around now for something better. With my father’s help, we just might be able to get you out of Halversham to start over in the city. But when are you going to stop being so bitter?” Corrine remained silent. “You’re happy he beat her up, aren’t you? He could be a monster and you’d still like him more than her.”

“I hate both of them, Andy. I think I told you that before,” she shot back. “Neither of them is innocent or good. Now, I’m not going to stay here and do your bidding just because you have a soft heart. You care so much about her, then quit your stupid job and stay here and look after her yourself. As for me going to the city, what are the chances your father will even consider it, Andy? Everybody knows he abandoned his sister the moment he escaped this shitty town. He didn’t come back until your mother intervened, did he? So don’t preach from your high horse.”

With that, Corrine stormed off into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Andy woke up at eight to make coffee. He soft-boiled an egg, heated chicken soup, and arranged everything on a tray before checking up on Aunt Magda. Just as he had suspected, Uncle Matt had not returned. Andy didn’t want to rouse his aunt, but he didn’t want her to go hungry either. Finally, he reached out and tapped her on the shoulder.

“Aunt Magda, wake up.” She stirred and turned to face him, struggling to open her eyes. The bruises on her face and hands were a dark purple now. “I have your breakfast here.”

“I’m not hungry, Andy. I’m tired. I just want to sleep.”

“I know. Have something to eat and then you can go back to sleep. Here, I brought some soup and egg.”

She lifted her head, and Andy propped the pillows behind her. He fed her the soup first, and although she couldn’t open her mouth wide, she managed to finish half the bowl. Next he gave her the egg, and she finished that too, but the coffee was difficult. Instead of letting her sip from the cup, he poured it into an empty bowl and spoon fed it to her until she couldn’t drink anymore.

“I’m going to sleep now,” she said and curled up again. Andy was sorry for her, but there was nothing more he could do. He brought the tray back to the kitchen and washed everything. The bowl of stew Aunt Magda had heartily served him just before he handed her the money last night still stood on the table. Andy threw it away, cleaned the kitchen, did the laundry, and took out the trash before getting ready for Mr. Milton’s.

He felt sick to his stomach about leaving Aunt Magda alone, but he had no choice. If only Corrine would have a change of heart and stay behind to look after her mother, his hands wouldn’t be shaking so much. But it was unlikely, given her disdain for Aunt Magda.

He stopped by Dorrie’s to pick up more dog food and made a brief stop to give Brutus some treats before climbing up the steps.

Up at Milton’s place, Andy brought the lawn mower out, checked the fuel, and started it. He spent the morning mowing Milton’s lawn, his mind drawn back to Corrine. She had practically accused his father of abandoning them. And it wasn’t a lie. In fact, it was typical of him. Although he had always provided financially, he was never really present in anyone’s life physically. Maybe it was time Andy talked to him.

Two hours later, Andy headed in for a drink of water. Although he had skipped breakfast, he had no appetite for lunch. He had bought some sandwiches at Dorrie’s, but the bag sat untouched on Mr. Milton’s kitchen counter. How could he eat when Aunt Magda was all beaten up because of him? He could have kicked himself for the bad timing and the lame explanation. If only he had been more careful, they might have avoided everything that ensued.

And then there was Uncle Matt, the monster. There was no way Andy was going to let the man roam around freely as if everything was fine. Andy and his father had kept from interfering in Aunt Magda’s affairs long enough, and it was time they did something. In another day or two, when Aunt Magda was feeling better, his father promised to convince her to go to the police while her bruises still showed. But more needed to be done.

Andy was contemplating running back to the house to check up on her when the old man came down with his jug and sat in the kitchen. Andy swallowed to calm his nerves, staring at the peculiar lumps all over the man’s face one moment and averting his eyes the next. He didn’t want to be rude, but he wasn’t sure which action constituted rudeness in this instance.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Mr. Milton asked, pointing at Andy’s sandwich.

“I’m not hungry.”

Mr. Milton nodded. After a long minute of silence, he said, “I first met your mother when she came to feed the dogs at the foot of the hill.” Andy tried to search the man’s eyes for a reason for the unexpected conversation, but nothing was revealed in the two slits. “I’d watch her sometimes but usually just went about my business. There were a lot of trees around this house then, and I’d tend to them myself. One day I was on a ladder sawing the branch of a maple tree when I lost my footing and fell. Your mother heard me scream while feeding the dogs down there and rushed up to help. She helped me up, made coffee, and called for help for my sprained ankle.” Milton shook his head at the memory. “She wasn’t put off by how I looked, you know,” he said, rubbing his bulbous jaw absently.

“Where are those dogs now?” Andy asked when the man didn’t say anything else.

The old man rose abruptly and glared at Andy. “I’m not paying you for idle chat, I’m paying you to work. Right now, I want you to get out there and mow my lawn,” he said and shuffled to the water filter to fill his jug. Andy was taken aback by the sudden change of mood, but he remained cool. “How much longer do you need?” the old man barked.

“I should be done before I leave today. Otherwise, I’ll need another day.”

“Well, you can clean my attic once you’re done out there,” he said, pointing his chin to the back door.

“Attic?”

“Yeah. It’s been a while since anybody went up there and I’m guessing it’s filthy. I’m sure it’ll keep you busy.”

Or keep him from snooping around the ground floor, where the trapdoor to the basement was. “Sure,” Andy said at last. There’d be time enough to find the answers.

Just before the clock struck four, Andy locked Mr. Milton’s back door and ran down the stairs, whistling for Brutus. He had to feed the dog but he was also anxious to get back to Aunt Magda’s. By the time he was pouring the contents of the canned food into Brutus’s bowl, his stomach was in a knot. What if Uncle Matt had come home to find Aunt Magda alone and shaken her for money she didn’t have? Andy patted Brutus one last time before sprinting off.

Fifteen minutes later, he was on Aunt Magda’s doorstep, pulling the door open frantically. He entered the kitchen and hurried to Aunt Magda’s room to find her curled up just the way he had left her that morning. He stepped in and was reassured when her chest rose and fell steadily. Andy tiptoed back into the kitchen where a large pot sat on the stove. He lifted the lid—there was warm porridge in it, a good portion of it gone. Andy went to Corrine’s room to dump his backpack, but to his surprise, it was locked. Andy knocked and after a few moments the knob finally turned, Corrine’s face appearing as she pulled the door open.

“You stayed,” Andy said.

“Yeah. I stayed.” She didn’t look happy. Corrine left him standing in the doorway and plopped on her bed.

“Thanks for helping out. I appreciate it.”

“I only did it as a favor to you. So don’t go thinking I care about her. I don’t.” Andy smiled. He closed the door behind him and crossed the room to sit in a chair. “What’s so funny?” she asked, frowning.

“Nothing. I just think it’s sweet that you cooked for her,” he said. Corrine rolled her eyes. “Did she eat?”

“Yeah.”

“Did your father come back?” She shook her head. “Guess he won’t be back for a while.”

***

Andy waited until Corrine had gone to take a shower, then called his father from the yard. He had no idea how his dad would react but he had to ask for Corrine’s sake. Besides, Aunt Magda said he should give his dad a chance. Andy kept her in mind as he dialed. Adrenaline pumped through him in anticipation of a war of words.

“Andy? Is everything all right?”

“Yes, everything’s fine. Well… sort of. There’s something I need to tell you. Actually, I need your help.”

“What is it?”

“Corrine’s in trouble. I mean, she’s gotten in a lot of trouble. She got pregnant three years ago but she had a miscarriage,” he said, not wasting any time.

“Why didn’t your Aunt Magda tell me this?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she wanted to keep it a secret. But that’s why Corrine dropped out of school. She’s kind of stressed out about staying in Halversham and she’s been asking for my help and yours.”

“Was she raped?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. She wouldn’t talk about it. I mean, there’s so much going on here. If you saw Corrine, you’d know she’s about to lose it. She’s acting crazy, but I know she’s not. I don’t know what’s going on exactly. And I don’t have the time to explain the details, but…”

“Slow down, son. I know what it’s like to live in Halversham. Now, what do you want me to do?”

“Would you consider having her come live with us in the city?”

Paul paused for a minute. “I… I don’t know. How do her parents feel about that?”

“That’s the other thing. If you’re okay with it, you’ll have to talk them into letting her come live with us.”

Andy’s father sighed audibly. “Andy…”

“Dad, she has no chance of pulling her life together if we don’t help her out. If we leave her here, she’s going to become Crazy Corrine for sure.”

“Isn’t there some other way we can help? Like pay for a psychiatrist or something?”

“You think she can recover while living with Uncle Matt?”

His father sighed again. He didn’t say anything for a long time while Andy waited, chewing his lips.

“Alright. I suppose I’ve stayed out of my sister’s life long enough. I’ll talk to them when I come back, but I don’t make any promises, son. This will only work if her parents agree to it, and I will not take her under my care against their wishes. Do you understand?”

“I understand. Thanks, Dad.” It was more than he had expected from his father—at least there hadn’t been a full-on battle.

“Good. How’s Aunt Magda?”

“She’s getting better. I took pictures like you told me to.”

“Keep them safe. I’ll deal with it later. Did he come back?”

“Nope.”

“Good. Looks like you rattled him.” Andy shrugged, though of course his father couldn’t see. “Alright, I’ve got to get back to work. Talk to you soon.”

***

Four days after Uncle Matt assaulted Aunt Magda, she finally felt better and started cooking again. Corrine retreated to her secret lair after taking care of her mother for two days. Her father had not returned since the incident. Maybe they were finally rid of the monster who had tortured them so long.

Paul had called Andy and spoken to Aunt Magda several times in the last four days, but she was still frail, so Paul had postponed his plan to persuade her into filing a complaint against her husband. Now that she was stronger, he intended to talk to her about it tonight. All Andy had to do was stand by his phone and be ready to hand it to her when his father called. Nevertheless, his stomach was in a knot as he climbed the stairs to Mr. Milton’s that morning. The sun was rising high and it was uncharacteristically warm. He opened the back gate and let himself in.

Mr. Milton was waiting in the kitchen. Although he’d been working for the man for a week now, Andy still got a jolt whenever he saw that face. The old man, however, was unperturbed. “So, you’ve cleaned every place I asked you to. There’s only one more place I want you to clean, and that’s the store room. You can start today but I doubt you’ll finish it. Throw away whatever junk you wouldn’t keep.”

“That’s okay. I’ll do what I can now and continue tomorrow.”

“No,” he said, startling Andy. “No, you don’t have to come for the next two days. I have something important I need to do here, and you should take a couple of days off since the county fair’s starting on Friday.” This struck Andy as odd—couldn’t he still clean the place even if the old man had to work? Besides, if it was the store room he’d be cleaning, he wouldn’t even be in Milton’s way. “Do you hear me?” the old man boomed.

“Yes.”

Milton headed up the stairs and locked himself in his office. And Andy situated himself in the store room after doing the laundry. This place was even worse than the attic. While the attic was dusty and had a few old, heavy boxes, the store room was larger and full of forgotten knick-knacks, tools, and broken stuff crowding the carpeted floor and wooden shelves. Andy stood with hands on his hips, staring at the room. Almost the entire floor was covered with junk except for a small section in the far corner to his right. He peeled off two black garbage bags and set to work, separating the junk into useless and useful piles. Indeed, the room would take more than a day to clean.

Andy was sifting through a pile of papers when the doorbell chimed. His head jerked up at the unfamiliar sound—he was on high alert. A second later, he tiptoed to the hallway, crept along, and saw the shadow of a man through the curtained windows as Mr. Milton rattled down the stairs and opened the front door.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Mr. Milton whispered coarsely from the threshold and pulled the door close to his back to conceal the man outside. “I told you to come tomorrow.”

“Like I told you at the gate, you’re going to want to see this one before the others,” the man said.

“Did you say Russian?”

“Yes. Exotic.”

“How old?”

“Old enough.”

“How much?”

“I’m open to negotiation. She’s in my truck right now if you want to take a look.”

“I can’t. There’s someone here. You’re going to have to come back tomorrow.”

“Fine. Just know I have other bidders,” the man said, turning to leave.

“Wait.” Mr. Milton stepped out and closed the door behind him, muffling their conversation. Andy watched as their heads bobbed animatedly through the window, his stomach churning violently. What on earth was going on here?