Goodbye Earl(85)

“Like the Foxberrys are an ideal Christian family? Oh, please! No one in that family is a Christian,” Ada said.

“At this point y’all are right outside the police station?” Rosemarie asked.

“Yep,” Kasey continued. “She said Caro wouldn’t get one penny of Trey’s money and they’d decided that a long time ago. She called Caro ‘gold-digging trash looking for a payday’ and said that was the only reason she married Trey anyway,” Kasey ended.

“Are you s—” Ada stopped herself.

“That bitch,” Rosemarie said softly.

“What did you say? What did you do? The whole time you were just standing there listening to her say all this? How?” Ada asked. She stepped over to the cherry bowl and got one out, started chewing on that instead of her thumb.

“Because I was exhausted from the cop’s questions, and the less said, the better. I don’t give a shit what she thinks about me. She can look as hard as she wants for someone to blame this on, but she knows in her heart that Trey did this to himself by being who he was. Exactly who she raised him to be,” Kasey said.

“Go back to her saying you’re a lesbian right quick, because honestly, I’m jealous she didn’t mention me. How am I the only one sitting here with an actual girlfriend, but no one accused me of being a lesbian? Please make it make sense,” Rosemarie said. She finished her water and got up slowly.

“Are you okay? You look a little tired, Roses, and I know that’s not a thing we’re supposed to say to people, but—” Ada said.

“I’m fine. I just haven’t eaten anything decent,” Rosemarie said, digging in the cherry bowl for a couple. She could probably do some fruit. She steadied herself against the counter and ate one.

“When was your last scan? I’m sorry I can’t remember. I write them down when you tell me, though. In my calendar at home,” Ada said, touching Rosemarie’s shoulder.

“Around Christmas. Ada, I’m fine, but thank you. I just need food,” Rosemarie said.

“Welp, so yeah. There you have it. Trey’s mom for sure thinks Caro and I are secret lovers. Sorry you missed out, Roses. Feel free to join us, though. Lesbian throuple. Or a rectouple, if you want in, Ada. RACKtouple,” Kasey said.

“You’re not freaking out about the police questioning you?” Ada asked. “I’m freaking out.” She looked at the clock on the oven. She was due at the police station in twenty minutes, and later, Rosemarie would go. No one was forcing them to go in, but Mrs. Foxberry had told the cops to ask them some questions and they were going willingly. All they would tell them was that Caroline had been keeping the abuse a secret and they knew Trey was an asshole—that was it. How could they possibly know anything else?

“Not really,” Kasey said. “It’ll look like he fell and hit his head and drowned. We didn’t try anything too fancy and that’s good. Accidents happen. Life’s a bitch.”

“That’s New York City talking,” Rosemarie said. She reached for another cherry.

“I couldn’t have dealt with it if we’d done some gruesome thing. If we’d, like, chopped him up or something. It was downright peaceful until he pulled my hair and…the rock. He saw glowing turtles, then thought he was going to get laid by his wife’s best friend. We showed him mercy. I know! I know I may have to deal with the trauma of all this some more later down the road. But I’ve dealt with worse. I mean, no, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in prison, but y’all, my mom died right there and I saw her. I held her body as it cooled and her murderer got away with it. I couldn’t let that happen again. No fucking way. I’m different now,” Kasey said, pointing to the spot on the kitchen floor. Rosemarie and Ada turned to look at it. Kasey ate the last cherry. She hopped down off the counter and put the bowl in the sink.

“So the cops already talked to Caroline and they’ll hear from all of us too. Do you know who else they’re talking to?” Ada asked.

“If Trey’s mom has it her way, everyone in Goldie,” Kasey said.

“Good. The more people talk, the more crooked leads they’ll have, honestly,” Rosemarie said. “And what about Devon? Where’s your engagement ring? What’s happening?” she asked Kasey.

“I took it off to do some yard work on Friday and didn’t want it on for…everything. It’s safe! On the dresser!” Kasey said, pointing down the hallway.

“And what about Devon?” Ada asked her again.

“I love Devon and I miss Devon and Devon is driving me crazy, but I can handle Devon,” Kasey said.



They stood in a circle, held hands, and prayed. Ada left for the station. When she was gone, Rosemarie and Kasey put on the American Beauty album and sat on the back porch sharing half a joint that Rosemarie had gotten from her dad.

*



Roses, I’m flying to Goldie on

Friday morning.



You mean to Adora Springs.

Goldie doesn’t have an airport,

Esme. :P



Yes. To Adora Springs.



Okay! Ilu. Call me later?



I will. Love you too.





Silas was standing outside of the police station.