Theodore (Xavier's Hatchlings #2) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,33

difference between right and wrong is the only way to make sure they grow into good adults. But there are times when talking is not enough.”

“I’ve spanked Pem here once or twice. That was all it took. And afterwards, I cried more than she did.” Pem took her hand into hers and kissed the back of it. “The first time was when she told me she hated her father. I’ve never condoned the way Patrick treated her, but no one should hate their parent. I’ve since changed my mind in that regard. It is difficult to love someone when they treat you like Patrick did Pem. Or, for that matter, the way he treated his father and I. He was a difficult child and grew into a more difficult adult. I want you all to know I never raised them to be like that.”

“Of course, you didn’t.” Each of them had a cup of tea in front of them that MaryBeth didn’t remember being given. Taking a sip of the wonderful smelling brew, she was shocked when it filled to the top again. She looked at Cindi. “I’ll leave you that cup. Once you fill it with something warm, not only will it stay at the same temperature, but it will refill when you need another cup. I’ve been drinking that particular brew for decades, and I simply love it.”

They spoke about this and that for the rest of the hour before everyone was to show up. MaryBeth was called away, having been she had a phone call. As soon as she picked up the old-fashioned phone, she knew that it was Austin. He was terribly upset and sobbing.

“She’s gone.” MaryBeth asked him what he’d said. “Caroline is gone. She left me. She’s gone, Momma. Gone.”

~*~

Theo moved into the hallway to give MaryBeth some privacy. He went to find Winnie to ask her for her help. He had a feeling that something more than just Caroline being gone was bothering Austin. Even from across the room, he could hear the anguish of the man, his pain.

“I can get you there. Why are you going? If she’s left him, there is little that we can do to get her back. Grief is like that.” He told Winnie what he thought was going on. “Oh. I never— Let me have a quick look.”

When she disappeared then returned, he opened his mouth to ask her what was going on. The next second, less he’d bet, he was standing in a house that he didn’t know. He knew where he was. Theo could hear Austin sobbing into the phone just up the stairs.

Whatever he had expected, it wasn’t Austin sitting on the floor in a very feminine bathroom. The phone was pushed against his ear, and he was holding a large gray bath towel to his face. There in the tub next to him was Caroline. She’d cut her wrist and killed herself. She hadn’t left him. Caroline had left him behind.

“What are you doing here?” He took the phone away from Austin and told MaryBeth that he was there. After assuring her that he’d call her later, he put the cell phone in his back pocket. “She’s left me, Theo. My wife is dead, and she left me.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Austin, let’s get you up from here. I’ll call the police.” Austin said he wasn’t ready for them to come yet. “I know. But you’re not going to end your life too. Come on, buddy. Help me get you up.”

After getting him into his bedroom, Theo called the police. Telling him as best he could where to come, he finally had to find something with their address on it before he could guide them to the correct home.

“Are you sure she’s dead?” He told them he thought she’d been gone for a few hours. “Don’t touch anything, Mr. Manning. Someone is on their way. We’ll also have the ambulance there. Don’t touch anything.”

“I haven’t. I don’t know if Austin did or not. He called me to come here when he found her.” The officer asked him if he thought he’d killed her. “No. I believe, from the way he’s talking, that he’d not known she was going to kill herself. He’s upset that she left him behind.”

“I’ll send someone out there. Mr. Manning, we’ve all been made aware of what happened while they were gone. People in town, they’re coming out of the woodwork to accuse the kids of one thing or