me. Now, yesterday may have been about you, tomorrow may be about you, and heck, tonight, may even be your night. But today? Itâs all mine, so cut the chatter and letâs just get through it.â Estherâs voice was shrill with frustration.
Phyllis and Tamela looked at each other, and both nodded in agreement as they put their arms around Esther.
âYou know how we are.... I got you, girl,â they spoke over each other, before they broke out in a laugh.
Tony said, âCan we move away from the drama now? A brother has things to do.â
Roger watched with a face of despair as they organized and packed. His mouth opened in disbelief at the amount of things being brought out of the house: beds, dressers, couches, tables, pots and pans, stereo equipment, televisions, a microwave . . . all bought by Esther. As the day continued, he sat under the tree and watched as the last item was packed onto the truck.
âWeâre finished.â Esther took her key off her key chain and handed it to him. âYouâll hear from my attorney soon.â She climbed into the truck.
Phyllis called out to Esther as she rushed past. âHold up, sis. I forgot something.â
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She entered the living room and found Roger standing forlorn in the empty house. She hurried, jogging down his hallway. âSorry, I forgot something.â
Roger rolled his eyes spewing sarcasm. âWhat could yâall have possibly forgotten?â
He followed Phyllis and watched her go into the bathroom. The room was bare and Roger looked on in astonishment as Phyllis bent down and released the toilet paper from its holder. She stood with a triumphant look on her face as she strutted past him with the toilet paper in her hand. Standing on the porch, Phyllis raised the roll of toilet paper as a trophy of war. Car horns blew, and the small crowd hooted and barked.
Rogerâs face was thunderous as he nailed Esther with eyes of pure hatred. They transmitted plans for revenge and future suffering . . .
In her sleep, Esther called out in agitation. Sweat stained her nightgown, and her bedcovers twisted around her feet. She flailed her arms at unknown assailants before her body settled into rest.
â Is she still asleep?â The Leader asked.
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âYesssss . . . sheâs remembering her time with the loser. You were so good that night, Leader. You brought chaos so close to the church,â Imp One simpered.
âThe parking lot is a first step. I wanted to plunge right into the heart of their service and destroy all I saw. For now, at that church, the parking lot is close enough. Soon, I may get closer,â The Leader said.
âYou are brilliant, you are evil personified. That happened to Esther over two years ago, but still her nights are haunted by past pain. You rule, Mighty One, you rule,â Imp One cheered in his best lackey voice.
âI see your point, insignificant toad. I thought enticing Roger to get a serpentâs tattoo was a good move. It speaks to him even today. That chapter is not closed.â
âYou see, Old Bold One? You are a master strategist. Look at her. She tosses and turns, yet, she professes He who reigns in heaven is her peace. These humans are such pretenders. She is broken, she is broken, she isââ
The Leaderâs tail curled above their heads. âShut up, infidel. That constant repeating is making me itch to destroy something. It could easily be you.â
âI am bad, so sorry, Leader. Should I wake her now or send more visions of shame and blame?â
âNo, we have played enough for tonight. Let her wake up and believe that all is well in her world. What I have planned for her, she will need her sleep.â
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Esther woke with tears spattered on her pillow. The past needed to stay there. Roger was history. Perspiration beaded her face, and the silk scarf she tied around her head earlier lay haphazardly on her
Mercedes Keyes, Lawrence James