25 of 131

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 5

been beaten. Her rose-colored dress, filthy and bloody, had been torn in such a way as to attract attention to the darker row of embroidered roses which circled her tiny neck. George gently laid his right hand on her left shoulder, and spoke as softly as he could, "Zana, sweetie, it's Uncle George; Zana? No response. Before he had time to say anything else, he was startled by the crying of a baby which was coming from inside the house. Zana shook a little, and then wrapped both her arms around herself, hugging tightly, as if she were hanging on for dear life. She just stood there kind of crumpled over, staring into nothing. George stepped past Zana, and through the doorway to check on the baby, who seemed to be fine once he replaced the pacifier that had dropped from her mouth into her lap. George couldn't resist picking her up from her carry-all. She was so precious, and reminded George of Zana when she was a baby. "Hey little sweetie," George was bouncing her lightly while whispering baby talk, "don't you worry about nothin' honey; Unkie Georgie's gonna take care of everything." George's thoughts went back to Zana: "My God what has happened?"

George had always managed everything, but for the first time in his life, he had no idea what to do. He knew he had to do something, but what? George's thoughts were abruptly suspended when he heard a small voice say in a big way "put my baby sister down!" Zeke. George figured he had to be ten or more; it had been at least that long since the birth announcement had arrived with a new-born picture, and "baby Zeke" written under it. George turned just in time to see Zeke bring from behind his back a plank, three to four inches thick, and about three feet long, reiterating with some added vibrato, "I said 'put my baby sister down!'" Had circumstances not been of such a serious nature, George probably would have laughed. Instead, George put the baby down exactly as he had found her. "Zeke," George said as calmly as possible, "I want to help; I know your mother very well; I also know your father; your grandfather and I have been friends..." "I don't want to hear about Grandfather!" Zeke angrily interrupted, "he is not my grandfather, and he never will be!" With each word Zeke became louder and angrier. George was caught off guard by Zeke's response, but he wasn't completely surprised. George know the child's history; so did most, if not all of Sheridan. What George didn't know was how the hell he was going to deal with the

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Novel excerpts: Mystery?
We want to hear your view. Write now!