Chapter 8
I’d long since suspected something was up with that so–called premonition Marge had gotten from the pastor. Sure enough, I got
the answer I wanted. After that, I left the church and headed straight to my home with Chuck.
Valerie was there. She was curled up on the couch and watching a show. When she saw me return, she threw an apple core at my
feet. “My, my, my. Look at what the cat dragged in. Have you returned to continue licking Chucky’s boots because no one wanted
to take you in?”
I ignored her and headed to the study, where Chuck was working. He looked up in surprise. When he saw it was me, he went back
to being his usual nasty self.
The gentle tone he’d taken with me on the phone was nowhere to be found as he said, “Have you finally decided to come home after going rogue? I’ll forgive you this time, but don’t do it again.”
I smiled without saying anything and showed him a video on my phone. It had two voices in it–one belonging to a woman and
the other to a man.
The woman said, “When someone comes to the church tomorrow and asks you for some advice, tell her that whatever problems
she’s facing are caused by her daughter–in–law. Remember to tell her that her son is the one who’ll suffer the consequences. You
don’t have to make things clear. Keep it vague.”
The man nodded and took the thick stack of cash she held out. Then, the woman left and disappeared off–screen.
Chuck clutched the phone tightly as he watched the video. Then, he returned it to me and strode to the living room, his gaze
sharp. “Were you behind what happened at the church, Valerie? You’re dead meat if I find out you orchestrated everything.”
Valerie seemed to realize something had gone wrong. She threw her phone aside and approached Chuck. “What are you talking
about, Chucky? I don’t understand. What do you mean that I’m behind something? I didn’t do anything. Are you talking about the
clothes on the floor that day?”
Chuck shoved her onto the couch and leaned down to grab her by the collar. “You know I’m not talking about that.”
She still wanted to defend herself, but she started stammering. “D–Don’t act like this, Chucky. You’re scaring me.”
She started weeping, but Chuck wouldn’t fall for it anymore. He slapped her hard and snarled, “You’re still putting on an act to lie
to me! I’d like to see how long you can keep this up!”
I watched as things played out. Honestly, I couldn’t understand why Chuck had believed something that superstitious so easily
when he was supposed to be a man of science. Perhaps the more one learned of something, the more one feared it.
Chuck released Valerie and came to me. She trembled violently on the couch. Chuck said, “Lend me your phone, Steph.”
He held out a hand, and I gave him my phone. He played the video and showed it to Valerie. Meanwhile, I was dazed. I couldn’t
remember the last time Chuck had called me by my nickname.
