Free Trespass by Marla Madison Page B

Lucian was never formally diagnosed because of the family’s religious beliefs. I knew what it was because I was a pediatrician before I retired. Cherubism is genetic and causes a loss of bone in the mandible, which the body replaces with excessive amounts of fibrous tissue, distorting the appearance of the face. Usually the condition fades as the child grows. It’s very rare.”
    TJ had never heard of it but was pretty sure a “mandible” was a jawbone. “So what does he look like?”
    Billie Jean frowned. “Not nearly as bad as he imagines he does. His jaw is rather extended, and his cheeks are full as a result, giving him an inflated, broad-cheeked appearance. But I haven’t had a real close look at him in some time. If his condition has stabilized, it is possible reconstructive surgery could help, but without a specialist’s examination it’s hard to tell.”
    TJ’s thoughts shifted to JR and she took a moment to be grateful for her son’s perfect health.
    “His speech isn’t impaired,” Billie Jean continued. “He doesn’t talk a lot, though. Many of the neighbors pay him to help with their yards. I hire him for a few days in the spring and fall. Norman did too, but not very often.”
    They spent some time going through the other faces, with Billie Jean identifying everyone from the neighborhood who had attended the church service or the luncheon. TJ paid particular attention to women who, according to Billie Jean, had taken up with Norman back in the day.
    TJ closed her laptop. “Any thoughts on who might have wanted to get rid of Norman?”
    Billie Jean paled. “No, he was a good man. Everyone liked him. I don’t think you’re going to find anything else. The explosion must have been an accident.”
    “Just thinkin’ maybe some of the husbands might have had a problem with his hittin’ on their wives.”
    “As I mentioned earlier, the women from the neighborhood who spent time with Norman were all going through difficult times in their marriages. Some of them had spouses who were chronic cheaters. If any of the husbands had a problem with Norman they would have expressed it long before this, and their reactions would have been a lot less extreme than blowing up his house with him in it.”

Chapter 15
    I awaken in a dark room with my limbs frozen in place. I’m not in my bed; where am I? Once again, I’m in my kitchen, but this time I’m standing next to the refrigerator. I see Clyde’s cage draped with its night cover, the rest of the room in shadows. There is no full moon tonight.
    I’m trying to program myself not to feel the fear. I won’t panic. I watch, waiting for what will happen next if I don’t try to force myself to wake up. I inhale and exhale until my breathing steadies.
    Then it happens, shattering my efforts to remain calm. Fear overtakes me as slowly I feel my body begin to rise from the floor. Two feet. Ten. I reach nearly the height of the cathedral ceiling, looking down at the room. What’s happening to me? Am I dying? I become engulfed with terror and begin to moan. But who will hear me? I have no one to help me stop this deathlike ascent to nowhere. I cry out to an empty room.
     
    Iawakened, gasping. I got out of bed, my nightgown clinging to my sweating body. This had been the worst episode ever. I trembled, remembering the feeling of my body rising from the floor. Could it be what Jorge was talking about? My spirit leaving my body? If so, there was nothing exciting about it. It felt even more terrifying than the feeling of someone clutching me in my bed. I needed to feel grounded again.
     
    Groggy from the sleeping pill I took much later than desirable, I answered the phone the next morning when it rang, awakening me from a sound sleep. It was after nine a.m.
    “Gemma? It’s Carter. I need to talk to you. Can you come in to the office today?”
    I fought to recall what time I was meeting TJ. “I have an appointment this afternoon, but I can come in this