Green Center Fiction

It was common knowledge in the town that Mr. Hue, stepfather to the four young children, was a cruel man. Seldom a day went by, when one of the children would not show up for school, or church, and the others would report that the absent child lay sick in bed. The next day the missing child would routinely be seen with a new bruise on his or her face, or arm, or neck.

The four children, two boys, and two girls belonged to Melanie Hue, formerly Melanie Aaorons. Mrs. Hue had taken ill after her second year of marriage to Mr. Hue, and after a two- month stay in the hospital, returned home only to be sequestered in the top floor bedroom of her three- story house. Mr. Aarons, father of the four children, died inexplicably, in his sleep, only six months after the birth of his youngest daughter, Millie. A darling girl of only five, Millie truly loved her mother with all her heart. With the same rigor in which she loved her mother, Millie truly hated her stepfather. Perhaps, due to her age and size, she bore the least of his punishments, but she still suffered by his hand. The brunt of Mr. Hue’s rage fell upon the two oldest children. The oldest was Mark at thirteen, a tall and lanky boy with his father’s smooth face and dark eyes. Mark took it upon himself to defend his siblings and his own frame from the many lashings, and assaults brought upon them by Mr. Hue.

The town doctor, Felix Mann, had seen firsthand the handy work of Mr. Hue. He was summoned to the house one evening at the request of the second oldest child, Rochelle. Upon entering the home Dr. Mann was brought into the parlor by Rochelle. On the chesterfield, just inside the door lay the crumpled body of Mark Aarons.

“ Turn on the light, would you Rochelle?” asked the doctor only to be taken aback by what the light of the lamp revealed. The right side of the boys face was swollen and bleeding, and his eyes were swollen shut, their color that of plums. He had been hit so hard that his cheekbone had cut through the skin on his face.
The boy lie conscious, thankfully.

“What has happened to you Mark? Who did this to you?” Gasped the doctor, his eyes misty and his face flushed with rage.

“It was either me or her”, answered Mark.

After tending to the boy’s wounds Dr. Mann pressed Rochelle for information. “Who or what has done this to your brother? What has happened here?”

Rochelle grew ashen, and stepped back in fear. “I, I found him this way doctor. I think he got in a fight.”

“Where is your fath….stepfather?” Asked Dr. Mann.
“He’s not here Doctor. I think he’s at his club tonight.” The girl avoided his gaze and looked only at the floor.
“How old are you Rochelle?”
“I am eleven Doctor.” Still averting his eyes.
“Is your mother home?” His voice softening in volume.
“Yes, but she is….not well as you know. She stays in her room all day.” Rochelle’s eyes finally met the doctor's.
With some resignation Dr. Mann told Rochelle to watch over her brother, and not to let him sleep until midnight. “Have Mr. Hue call me and give your mother my best” said the doctor as he left Rochelle standing in the front doorway.
*

Earlier that evening Rochelle had been late coming home from school. Instead of going home she decided to go with two of her friends to a Bible study meeting at the church. She wasn’t so interested in The Bible as she was more wanting to spend time outside of the house, but she did quite enjoy the stories that were told at the meeting. After leaving the church Rochelle was met by her younger brother Stephen who had come bounding down the street. Stephen looked pale and frightened as he ran to meet her at the steps of the church.

“Please Rochelle! You have to come home! Mr. Hue, he’s all upset and and he told me to find you and tell you to come home and and he’s awful mad and I’m scared.” Stephen was gasping for breath as he spoke. Without saying a word Rochelle took Stephen by the hand and quickly walked to the house, to Mr. Hue.

Mr. Hue met her just inside the front door. Closing the door behind her, Hue gripped Rochelle by both shoulders and shoved her hard against a cloakroom door.“You little bitch! Where the fuck have you been? When I tell you to come home after school you better goddamn come home after school!” His mouth, only an inch from her small face reeked of gin. She felt her head being slammed against the cloakroom door behind her as he screamed. In the next moment, Mark burst in the front door and pushed his way between Hue and Rochelle.

“Get off her Hue! You no good coward!” shouted Mark grabbing at Hue’s arms. After squirming away from the front hall Rochelle ran upstairs leaving her brother behind with Mr. Hue.

*

Dr. Mann returned to the house the next morning with the Chief of Police Mr. Kilroy. Rochelle met them at the front door. Her red hair had been freshly curled. She wore an apron over her plaid skirt and white sweater. As she opened the door Dr. Mann was taken aback by how much the child had begun to resemble her mother, the same round fleshy face and small nose peppered with light freckles.

“Good morning Rochelle, is Mr. Hue Home?” Asked Chief Kilroy.

“Yes sir, he’s upstairs” answered Rochelle sheepishly.
“Oh I see, could you get him please?” Continued the Chief.
“I’ll get him for you” chirped Millie who had appeared behind Rochelle.
“Okay Millie” answered Kilroy and watched the little girl dart up the stairs. “How is Mark?” Asked Dr. Mann, peering quizzically into the house.
“Mark’s awake, but I don’t think he’s going to school today.” said Rochelle.
“That’s fine Rochelle. He’s lucky he didn’t need stitches for that cut of his. Can you take me to see him please?” As the doctor spoke Mr. Hue came down the stairs wearing only a undershirt and khakis with no socks. His eyes were bloodshot and he had not shaved. Millie instinctively stepped aside as he approached the front door, his frame towering over her and their company.

“Hullo Mr. Hue.” started the Chief. “ The doctor here tells me he saw Mark last night and he was pretty well beat up. You happen to know what went on?”
“ The boy got into a fight. Won’t say with who. Whoever it was they got the best of him though.” Replied Hue, a defiant smirk on his face.
“ Come on doctor” chimed Rochelle. “ I’ll take you to Mark.”
As Rochelle led Mann by the hand he couldn’t help but notice how she cowered in the presence of her stepfather.
“Mr. Hue, can I speak to you out front?” Asked Chief Kilroy sternly. “Yeah, but make it quick Chief, I’ve gotta be somewhere this mornin” And the two men made their way to the front porch.
“What’s on your mind Chief?”
“Well Mr. Hue, we seem to have a problem.”
“Problem?” squawked Hue, feigning ignorance.
“Dr. Mann believes that you may have something to do with that boy being hurt last night and……”
“Chief you’ve got a lot of nerve!” Interrupted Hue
. “You got any proof?”
“Now, Mr. Hue.”
“Don’t Mr. Hue me! I worked for you for years. You can call me by my first name. This ain’t no interrogation!”
“Look Hue, we’ve got a real problem here. Your kids, they seem to get hurt an awful lot. Just last week Stephen had a black eye, his third this year according to his teacher. And I’ve heard the oldest girl, Rochelle is it? I heard she’s showed up for school with a fat lip or two, and she tries to hide bruises on her arms and neck from people.”
“Where you hearin this?”
“It’s a small town. People talk and I can’t help but hear things.”
“Well until you’ve got some proof as to what you say…” started Hue. “Look Chief, these kids they’re a real handful. And since their mama’s been sick I’m the only one here that can take care of them. Thankfully, I married into money so I don’t have to work no more, and I can be here most of the time. But I can’t be here all the time Chief ! A man has to get out now and then right? And it ain’t unheard of for these kids to rough each other up a little while I’m gone.”
“Mr. Hue, from what the doctor told me that boy nearly had his head bashed in last night! Now when I hear about children being beaten like that I have to respond.”
“Oh.” Said Hue, drably.
“Now you’re right, I don’t have any proof concerning what happened to that boy. But I think everyone involved would feel better if you would hand your guns over to me until this is all straightened out. You can either hand your guns over to me or I can get a court order. I believe you may be a threat to these children, and frankly Mr. Hue, a threat to the whole neighborhood. ” Chief Kilroy leaned back on his heels and pushed his hands into his front pockets.
“Well Chief I’d like to help ya, but I sold all my guns last fall.” Snorted Hue.
“Sold ‘em? To who?”
“Oh, I can’t say I recall the mans name. He wasn’t local. Just passing through town on business if I remember right. Met him one night at the club. He paid me cash, so there’s no bill of sale. Took ‘em all, even my old service pistol.”
“Well Hue, would you mind if I had a look around?” Just for my own benefit.”
“Only if you have a warrant Chief. “Do you have a warrant?”
“No.”

*

Dr. Mann sat on the edge of the boy’s bed, and gently examined the injuries, which had befallen the teenager. He assured Mark that the swelling would go down, and he would soon be able to open his eyes again. He instructed the boy to apply the antibiotic to the cut on his cheek, and showed him how to change the bandage.

“Do you have a headache Mark?”
“No sir, but my cheek and eyes sure hurt.”
“I’m sure they do. Take these pills for the pain, but no more than four a day. You will need to stay home from school the rest of the week.”
“Yes sir” Replied Mark quietly.
“Please Mark, call me Dr. Mann, or just Doctor. Now get some rest.”

After leaving the room Dr. Mann met Rochelle and her brother Stephen on their way downstairs. Rochelle had taken off the apron, and both she and Stephen carried their schoolbooks under their right arms. The boy wore a red white striped tee-shirt, and a dark blue pair of jeans. He had dark brown hair, like his brother, and was looking at the floor as he walked toward the stairwell.

“Hello Stephen.” Called Dr. Mann. “Off to school I see.”
“Yes sir” mumbled Stephen, brushing quickly past the doctor and scurrying downstairs.
Rochelle stopped and asked the doctor “Is Mark sleeping?”
“No, but I told him to stay home the rest of the week.”
“Is there someone who can be here for him?”
“Mr. Hue will be here.” murmured Rochelle
.“Oh I see. Rochelle, I think you and I both know what happened here last night. Mr. Hue shouldn’t be taking care of your brother, I believe him to be a danger to you and your brothers and sisters.”
“Mark got in a fight with some boys.” Said Rochelle, her words and body trembling.
Dr. Mann said in a kindly tone, “Rochelle, you can tell me the truth. Who did your brother fight with yesterday?”
“Rochelle!” Screamed the voice of Mr. Hue from downstairs. “Your brother is waiting for you, get down here and get to school!”
“I have to go Dr. Mann. Maybe Mrs. Kurdley next door will check on Mark today, until I get out of school. I’ll ask her right now. Goodbye Dr. Mann. “ Rochelle scampered downstairs and out the door.

That afternoon, as Rochelle and Stephen returned from school, the street in front of the house lay clogged with police cars, their lights spinning and flashing. After seeing this Rochelle ran towards their yard, leaving Stephen behind, where she was met by the neighbor Mrs. Kurdley, a kind widow who reminded Rochelle of the Queen of England.

“Where is Mr. Hue? Is Mark okay?” Cried Rochelle while grasping Mrs. Kurdleys outstretched hands. “Everyone is fine child.” Cooed Mrs. Kurdley. “Millie just got home from preschool, and is inside with your brother and father.”
“He’s not my father.” Chided Rochelle hotly. “Why are all these police here?”
At that moment, Police Chief Kilroy approached, a look of concern about his face.“Hello Rochelle” Began the Chief, patting her gently on the head. “We’ve come to look for your fathers guns, you see, and he’s sort of …well…he doesn’t want to let us in.”
“He doesn’t have any guns, he sold them.” Pleaded Rochelle. “You’re going to make him angry!”
“I know you’re upset Rochelle.” Said Kilroy softly. “But we’re doing this for your own safety. For you and your brothers, and little sister.”

Rochelle was distracted by her little brother, who had come up behind her and grabbed her arm. In exactly the next moment several policemen approached the front door, and began to ram against it with their shoulders. Before Rochelle could call out the men violently crushed inside the doorway all at once amid a wash of howls, and a muffled squeal, nearly concealed in the uproar. After the men broke the door down a continuous file of police ran through the busted entrance, guns drawn and held high in the air amidst a wave of shouting and profanity.

Rochelle ran through the front gate and up the walk to the remains of her front door. Underneath the huge wooden door lay her little sister Millie. She could hear the men running through the halls and rooms, upstairs and downstairs, shouting commands to each other in an increasingly chaotic manner. The Chief of Police, and Mrs. Kurdley were right behind Rochelle. Mrs. Kurdley gasped at the sight of the child beneath the doorway. When the Chief finally lifted the door from the body of the child it was quite evident she had been gravely hurt. Millie lay on her back. She wore her new dress that she and Rochelle had picked out together the week before from the children’s store uptown. A little yellow duck was sown above her heart on a blue and white checkered pattern, lace was sown on the sleeves and hem matching the lace around her tiny stocking feet still inside her black buckled- shoes. Underneath the girls blonde curls seeped a growing pool of dark, red blood. Rochelle quickly turned away, and crushed her face into the waiting frame of Mrs. Kurdley.

The police were there for several hours, searching each room corner to corner and had even, quietly searched Mrs. Hues’ bedroom, but spent considerably less time there then in the others. After searching until well after dark the police had still found no guns, and in all the commotion, Mr. Hue had managed to flee through the kitchen and out the back door. Mr. Hue would never be seen in the house or the town ever again.

After the coroner had come to take the body of young Millie away it was decided that the children would be put in the temporary custody of the Chief of Police. Since the Chief had a teenage son of his own, and little room for three more children in he his home, the Chief decided to move in the with the children and their mother, until more reasonable accommodations could be arranged.

A glaze of shock and disbelief lay over the children for several days. The funeral for Millie was a sparsely attended and acknowledged affair. In their state of shock the children didn’t even seem to notice the lack of the traditional, post-burial dinner.