Joshua - Part four....

EPISODE FOUR:

“We didn’t know he would shoot himself.  We are truly sorry for your loss... when we got to the house, his wife was barely alive but the paramedics were able to revive her although she is still in critical condition. I am still surprised that you had no idea who you were dealing with...” The police officer kept talking about things she already knew. The most amazing thing was happening to her right in that moment. She was holding him, in her arms. Her little Joshua. He was four and half now, but the image of the tiny baby she had held that first day would forever be fresh in her mind.

The dreadful day had passed like the ticking of a time bomb, each moment leading to now had taken its absolute time. For countless times she had screamed into the empty air, cursing at the heavens and the heartlessness of the ones who took her child from her. But now she held him, exhausted from the long day. He slept so peacefully wrapped in her jacket. His silent breaths were slow and deep. Tomorrow he would wake up and look into her eyes with those big brown eyes of his. He would tuck his hand into hers, as her son and she, his mother.

“Madam?” the voice pierced through her thoughts, reminding her that she was in a police station giving her statement. “I asked is there anything else you would like to add?”
 “Yes, actually.” She reached into her shirt and pulled out wires and a tape in her back pocket, placing them on the counter between them. “I recorded our entire conversation today. He confessed to everything in there. Also, I would check the bar area in his house for documents. I’m sure that’s where he kept everything. May I leave now? I want to lay him down.”
“It’s been a long day. You may leave now, but we will be in touch for any further questions.”

“So what happened, Mom?” the young voice enquired.
“And then it’s time for you to sleep”. She smoothened out the crease with her hands on his bed side, his eager brown eyes looking to hers. Pleading.
“No puppy eyes, you have to sleep. Enough stories for the night.”
 “I know. I know... just tell me what happened in the end. Did the guy rise from the dead as a zombie and come eat the boy up? Or did the boy go crazy and start seeing him as ghost? What happened Mom? Tell me!!” Joshua whined.
 “You’re too spoiled, you child! Stop scaring yourself with zombie stories. My door will be closed so you can’t get in and the zombie will get you while I sleep nicely in my bed.”
He shrank back under his sheets, “Ok, fine. You win.”
Angie kissed his forehead. “I don’t know why you make me tell you that story over and over again. You can read it on your own.”
“Because it’s the best fiction novel ever and you’re the best storyteller I know. I like your voice.”
She turned and smiled at him, “Good night Joshua.”
 “Good night Mom.”

THE END.