Her Mother’s Grave

Chapter Thirty-Six

JOSIE – TEN YEARS OLD

Josie stood frozen in place until finally a hand pushed her closer to the judge’s desk, and her feet shuffled forward until she was nearly touching its edge.

“Young lady,” he said, “I’m going to ask you some questions now, and I want you to answer them as truthfully as possible, do you understand?”

Josie nodded. She felt her mother’s eyes on her like a white-hot laser beam. Her mother had been smiling for the benefit of the other grown-ups, but Josie had seen the glint in her eye; they both knew that no matter what she told the judge, Josie was going home with her mother. Josie also knew that what she said right now could either make things better for herself, or much worse.

So, she lied.

With each lie that poured from her lips, Lisette’s frame crumpled a little bit more beside her. Guilt was a sour taste in the back of Josie’s throat, so she looked away from her gram, instead focusing on her mother’s face, which shone brighter with satisfaction with each one of Josie’s denials.

As expected, the judge said Josie was to return home with her mother, but that Lisette should have visitation rights. Before they left the judge’s chambers, Lisette grabbed Josie up in a bear hug, and Josie felt her gram’s lips against her ear once more. “I’m not done, Josie. I’ll get you away from her. I promise.”

When Lisette let go, Josie smiled bravely at her, holding back the tears and digging the point of the plastic fairy godmother’s hat deep into her palm. “It’s okay, Gram,” she told Lisette. “I’ll be fine.”

Another lie.