Trespassers

To my husband

And to my parents

Finally!

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us …

—Matthew 6:9-13

PROLOGUE

May 1983

The moment her mother’s car pulled out of the driveway, her step-father Carl thundered into twelve-year-old Melanie’s bedroom where she lay on her bed reading. She jumped in surprise.

You think you’re so smart, don’t you?

She frowned. No.

You were the one, damn it. It was your fault!

Melanie bit her lip, uncertain how to react to her stepfather’s vague accusations, if at all.

Her Siamese cat Yoda jumped down from the windowsill and sat down to wash his face. Melanie smiled slightly at the sight of his eyes closed, his right paw curved and rubbing around his ear as he balanced on three legs. He was just so adorable when he did that. But then he was adorable all the time.

Carl reached out and snatched the cat up with one freckled hand, resting him along his forearm, his fingers by Yoda’s head. Before Melanie had time to react, he grabbed her wrist with his other hand and yanked her to her feet, her book falling to the floor. He would teach his wife’s brat a lesson she wouldn’t soon forget.

Carl! Stop it! Melanie yelled, her free hand attacking his grip. She tried to grab the doorframe, but she was no match against his strength and stumbled clumsily behind him as he hurried into the hall and down the stairs.

He released her when they entered the galley kitchen, which seemed even smaller with the two of them breathing in each other’s faces. She rubbed her wrist, red from the strong grip of his pale fingers, and watched him uneasily. He removed a cigar box from the cabinet above the refrigerator. Lifting the lid, he stared at the perfectly polished gun. All his life, ever since his own father had killed his uncle almost twenty years ago, he’d admired the power of firearms. Even a small caliber like this one could settle the score in a nice convenient way. He held it up to her and smiled. What do you think? Pretty fucking nice, huh?

Melanie stared at the gun and suddenly knew what all this was about. Her mother had broken her promise. Her mother had told him Melanie’s secret. And now he was going to kill her.

Carl moved towards her, laughing as Melanie flinched and backed away. He didn’t touch her, though, only moved past her and out onto the screened-in porch. Better get your ass out here, girlie, so you can say adios to your damn cat.

Suddenly pale, Melanie moved to the porch, her dark eyes large. What are you going to do? She raised her voice, moving closer to him. Leave him alone.

He shook his head. Nope. Not after you told your mother that fucking lie. He tucked the gun into the waistband of his jeans.

She raised her chin slightly. I didn’t lie. Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her.

I know the signs of a bitch in heat. You wanted it and you know it. And then when I give in to you, you go off and tell her some lie and she gets pissed at me. So now I’m going to kill this fleabag as a lesson. I can’t stand a liar.

He turned to unhook the screen door and Melanie grabbed his arm, the one holding Yoda, and began to pull. Please, Carl, I’ll do anything, she promised, her pale face wrinkled as she squinted up at him. Just give him to me. Please? Please don’t hurt him.

He spun around and raised his hand to backhand her, annoyed. Melanie flinched, ducking her head and raising her arms to protect herself. Yoda opened his mouth wide and bit down on Carl’s hand, his back claws digging into the fleshy arm and stomach.

Shit! He punched the cat in the head and then as the cat’s back legs began to kick against him, he wrapped his hand around the cat’s neck and squeezed, shaking the animal. He punched the cat again, who finally went limp, its breathing labored. Irritated, he swiped at the beads of sweat breaking out across his forehead and turned, flipping the latch with one finger. Pushing the screen door open, he lumbered down the cement steps. Melanie stumbled behind him, tears blinding her, her head pounding.

Stop it! she cried. Please. I promise I won’t lie anymore. Just give him to me! She pounded her small fists on his back. Suddenly he swung around and Melanie reached out for Yoda, her fingers touching his soft fur. Yoda! she cried, tears wetting her cheeks.

Carl wrapped his empty fingers around Melanie’s small neck. Her eyes bulged, but she stared at him boldly, looking up at him with fear and anger and hate. He watched in fascination as tears dripped along the soft curve of her cheeks. A few fell onto his wrist where it jutted out beneath her chin. Releasing her, he lifted his wrist to his mouth and licked the salty tears from his skin. She hiccupped, breaking him from his spell. He squinted at her. You little slut, he whispered. But how he liked feeling her silky skin pressed against him late at night when his frigid wife locked him out of their bedroom and drank herself to sleep. Just thinking of her tight body made him hurt. Tonight, he promised himself. I’ll teach her a lesson now so that tonight she’ll welcome me with open arms.

She shook her head slightly as another hiccup escaped and more tears fell.

Hit me again, he said, his voice deep, deeper than usual, and calm, and I’ll bury you. Alive. Right here in the back yard. He raised his pale eyebrows as though punctuating his threat.

She gasped, instantly dropping her eyes to stare at Yoda. Her lips began to tremble. Please, Carl, she whispered, Please don’t hurt him. If only she could hold Yoda one last time. If only her mother was here to save them. Because surely if Yoda died, she would die. He was her best friend; she told him everything. She loved him more than she loved herself.

Carl shoved her out of his way and chuckled softly as she stumbled, off balance. No, you can’t hold the fucker. Now or ever.

Melanie gasped in surprise. How had he known exactly what she was thinking? Behind her a car pulled up in the driveway beside the house and suddenly Melanie screamed, Mama! Mama!

Shut up! he ordered, pointing the gun at her and backing away, moving closer to the fence lining the back edge of the property. It’s too late for anyone to save your useless cat. Even your bitch of a mother! He dropped the cat in the corner of the fenced-in yard and removed the gun from the waistband of his jeans. Say your prayers, kitty-cat.

Annie hurried into the backyard, alarmed by her daughter’s voice. Melanie hadn’t called her that in a very long time. She stopped as soon as she spotted the gun clutched in Carl’s beefy hand. She paused, her hand pressing against her chest as she tried to slow her breathing. What’s going on? she asked, stepping closer to them. She stopped a few feet behind her daughter. What did you do, Melanie?

He tilted his head to one side. This is about telling the truth, Annie. I won’t have anyone lying about me, especially your brat there. Now you go on inside and get yourself a drink. He smiled slightly. Hell, get us both one.

Melanie pointed to where Yoda lay in the grass. He’s going to kill him, Mama. Her voice was high, shrieking, out of control as fresh tears fell from her dark eyes.

What? She looked in the direction Melanie pointed and, spotting the cat, strode past her daughter.

Carl cocked the gun. Don’t go near him, Annie, unless you want to take the chance of my aim being off.

You don’t have any bullets in that thing.

Oh? He raised one eyebrow. Are you sure? He pointed the gun at Melanie. No one moved. Annie said a quick prayer, the words jumbling in her mind, tripping over her fear, never reaching her mouth. Reveling in the power he held over them, Carl smiled and moved to point the gun at his wife. Melanie took a step closer, a tiny cry escaping past trembling lips, but he didn’t notice, again remembering the moment when his father had shot his uncle in front of him. He’d certainly respected his old man after that.

Annie stretched her arm behind her and held out her hand. It’s okay, Melanie. Carl’s only playing a game, aren’t you, Carl? You’re just playing a joke on us, right? She fought to keep her voice smooth, even, respectful. She said the words slowly, allowing them to form in the back of her throat, roll over her tongue, and slip carefully from her dry lips.

Carl frowned and moved to point the gun at Yoda, who was struggling to get to his feet. What a disappointment his wife had turned out to be. You always make the mistake of underestimating me.

Melanie whimpered, pressing her hands over her ears as she sank to her knees.

When, he asked, will you learn? Had she learned nothing about him these past years they’d been married? He shook his head slightly and then fired the gun. The force of the bullet lifted the cat up and dropped him a few feet away, closer to the fence.

The shot echoed in their ears. Annie cringed at the blood that had splattered in all directions. She moved over to her daughter who sat on her knees with her hands pressed against her ears and her forehead buried in the tall grass.

Yoda, Melanie cried. I’m sorry, Yoda. I’m sorry. I love you. I love you so much, she repeated over and over, her voice breaking. She wiped her runny nose with the back of her hand. How could she live without him?

Annie knelt beside her daughter, wrapping her arms around the trembling child, and cried with her. Why hadn’t she stayed in bed this morning? It wasn’t fair that she had to deal with this crap. She glanced up to see Carl carrying the dead gray cat, limp and dripping blood, over to the metal trashcan. He lifted the lid and dropped the cat inside. The clang of metal hitting metal as he replaced the lid seemed very loud in the silence of the gunshot.

Melanie jerked her head up. No! she screamed and, shoving her mother’s cool, soothing hands from her, jumped up and ran over to the trashcan.

Carl shook his head and stuffed the gun into the waistband of his jeans. He walked towards the back steps, humming a song he made up as he went along.

Melanie lifted the lid and flung it behind her. She reached in and pulled the cat out. Pressing his still warm body to her, she petted him, kissing the top of his head. Oh, Yoda, she whispered, her voice soft with the pain she didn’t know how to express. Did he know? Did he know how much he meant to her? Did he know how sorry she was that she couldn’t have saved him? But she would get Carl back. And he would be sorry. She rocked back and forth, cradling Yoda in her arms and pressing her lips against the place between his ears where she’d planted millions of kisses over the past six years. Her stepfather would be very sorry. She would make sure of it.

Annie jumped up and caught Carl’s swinging hand. How could you do that?

He tilted his head and stared at her, his eyes flicking past her to momentarily focus on Melanie, who was crooning incoherently. His lips hardened. Someone has to teach her the difference between right and wrong.

I told you I’d handle it.

Yeah, well, shit, Annie, she’s twelve years old. I thought it was time to take action, rather than just say the damn words. I don’t need your little brat telling lies about me.

As you keep pointing out, she is my child and not yours so … She stopped, noticing too late his clenched jaw.

So what? he asked, his tone light despite the anger she saw in his face.

Taking a deep breath, she finished quietly, So let me handle her.

Carl slammed his fist into her stomach and she doubled over, falling to the ground in a heap. Don’t you ever insinuate I’m not an equal in this fucking family. Do you hear me? Never! He stormed up the steps and into the house, the screen door slamming behind him.

Annie lifted her head, searching for her daughter. Melanie was sitting by the trashcan, blood smeared on her hands and her clothes, Yoda cradled in her lap as she petted him from his head to the tip of his tail. Annie grunted as she attempted to get to her feet. They needed to bury Yoda, now, as soon as possible. She bit her lip and dropped back onto the grass. She closed her eyes and listened as Melanie’s voice floated on the breeze.

Don’t worry, Yoda. When I get to heaven, we’ll be together again.

Annie licked her lips. God, she needed a drink. Why couldn’t Melanie stay out of Carl’s way? Benjie was a perfect child. There was never any trouble with him. But Melanie … damn her for getting Carl riled up! There’d be no peace now. Forcing herself to her feet with a groan, she stumbled to the porch steps. She wrapped her arms around her sore stomach. First, she had to search for a shoebox and find a shovel to dig the grave. Second, she had to perform a funeral. And third, she had to fix herself a drink. A very strong drink. Or maybe that should be first? Yeah, a drink first, she thought, stepping into the coolness of the porch. And then she’d deal with her troublesome daughter.

CHAPTER 1

October 1997

Melanie awoke with a start, her feet tangled in sheets damp from her sweat. She ran her fingers through her hair. Turning her hands over, palms facing up, she studied the scars slashed across both wrists. Why had she bothered to save me? she wondered aloud. Things would’ve been better had her mother just let her die. Tomorrow she’d be twenty-six and yet she still mourned Yoda, her childhood pet. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Two-thirty. If she hurried, she could stop by her mother’s house before work and ask her why she hadn’t just let her die fourteen years ago. This time, she promised herself, she wouldn’t let her mother’s cruel, drunken remarks get under her skin. She wouldn’t.

Jesus Christ, you’re not out of bed yet? Rick asked, entering the bedroom. You gonna sleep the fucking day away or what? He pulled the top dresser drawer open and rummaged through the clothes.

Melanie glared at her boyfriend before reaching for a discarded shirt on the floor by the bed. You know I have trouble sleeping.

He slammed the drawer closed and opened the one below. Shoving her arms through the sleeves, she yanked the shirt on quickly. What are you looking for?

He ignored her, slamming that drawer closed and opening the third one.

You’re messing everything up. I had everything folded, you know. He slammed the drawer shut and stooped down to open the bottom drawer. So you’ll just have to fold it all again. If you put things where they belong, I wouldn’t have to go through this.

Well, what exactly are you looking for? She got up and walked over to stand behind him.

My lucky shirt, that’s what the hell I’m looking for. Now where is it?

She walked over to a pile of clothes heaped on the floor and pulled a black shirt from it. You mean this shirt?

He looked over and, recognizing his favorite shirt, jumped up and snatched it from her. Yes! Why the hell isn’t it clean?

Because I haven’t had time to do laundry, obviously.

He reached out and smacked her across the face. A red handprint formed almost instantly. Don’t you get smart with me. I need this shirt. How do you expect me to win tonight? You know I’ve got a big match against Hardings.

Melanie pressed her hand against her stinging cheek. Fighting back tears, she moved away from him. You’re good enough to beat him without that shirt.

He sighed and reached out to her. Pulling her close, he pushed her hand aside and studied the cheek he’d slapped. Yeah, baby, but, that was before. And tonight we’re playing for some big money. If I win, I can get that Harley I’ve been wanting. And you know how much I want that bike, don’t you?

She stared at him silently, cautious.

He began to stroke the back of her neck. You know that, right? We talked about you and me riding somewhere cool, anywhere we wanted, once I got that bike. He leaned closer. Remember?

She started to relax, allowing herself to be soothed by his gentle caress and silky voice. I remember. You’ve been dreaming about your own bike for months.

Longer than that. He pulled back. So you’ll wash it today? He held the shirt out to her.

I can’t. I’ve got to go to work.

He frowned. Skip it.

She pulled away, moving out of his immediate reach. I can’t. You know I can’t.

Why the hell not? Its not like you’re doing brain surgery. You’re just a waitress.

She cringed, but didn’t defend herself. I can get it started in the wash, if you can put it in the dryer. But we can’t afford for me to lose my job, Rick. Especially when you’re playing for such high stakes. What’ll we do if you lose? We can’t afford to lose that kind of money—

Damn it, Melanie. I let you move in on the condition that you do my fucking laundry and keep this place clean. Not to nag me to death. He balled the shirt up and threw it at her. He didn’t bother to see that she’d caught it; instead, he turned immediately to walk out of the room, but tripped over the open dresser drawer. Shit! he yelled, kicking the drawer angrily.

She hurried into the bathroom, the lucky black shirt still clutched in her hand, and locked the door before he decided to take out the rest of his frustrations on her. Pressing her ear against the door, she listened as his ranting continued, his words becoming muffled as he moved through the apartment. She turned to look in the mirror and inspect the damage he’d done when he’d slapped her. She touched her cheek lightly with her fingertips and winced. There’d be a slight bruise, nothing major. She could probably hide it with a bit of makeup. A loud crash reverberated through the apartment. Quickly, she turned on the shower. A long hot shower would be best, she thought. Maybe then his temper tantrum would be spent. She held the shirt up in front of her. It was a simple cotton shirt that buttoned up, nothing spectacular about it. He’d been wearing it when she’d met him and, as a matter of fact, if she remembered correctly, he’d lost his game that night. No, the luck he associated with this shirt had nothing to do with his pool game and everything to do with how he looked in it. Certainly that was why she’d initially been attracted to him. With his black hair, black shirt, and Florida tan, she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off him all night. She dropped the shirt on the bathroom floor and began to undress. She was almost happy that she’d gotten behind on the laundry. Almost, she thought, touching her cheek as she stepped into the shower. Almost.

Forty-five minutes later, Melanie walked quickly along Second Street. Just after she crossed the railroad tracks, she paused on the sidewalk and stared up at her mother’s house. Long ago, when they’d first moved to Florida from New Jersey, it had been a pretty house, but it was hard to imagine describing it like that now. The yellow peeling paint and the sagging porch just proved such neglect had been going on for a long time. Had there ever been flowers blooming in the flowerbeds that bordered the house? She couldn’t remember.

What was she doing here anyway? She was being foolish to think she could just walk in and ask her mother about her painful childhood. No doubt her mother was already quite drunk and even if she wasn’t, they didn’t have the type of nurturing relationship necessary to dredge up, let alone discuss, such painful memories. And even if Melanie could find it within herself to bring them up anyway, her mother would just blame her for everything that had happened. She was the bad child, the one that had ruined her mother’s few chances at finding happiness. Melanie turned away from the house. What was the point in seeing her? She glanced back, her eyes sweeping past the overgrown hedges, the peeling yellow paint, and the old newspapers littering the front porch. She sighed heavily. She was already here so she might as well go in. With a last glance along the street she’d just walked, she strode quickly up the sidewalk.

Her mother sat on the floral couch, feet propped on the coffee table, The Price is Right on television. So look who’s come for a visit.

Melanie closed the front door behind her and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkened room. Nice slippers.

Annie raised one foot high to study her fluffy bright pink slipper. A birthday gift from my son. She dropped her foot back onto the