The Undertaking of Adam Novak

by Sofie Hern

  “Yes.”

  Levy tells her what to do next.

  She knows that he’ll be upset when he learns that she has no money but she just wants help getting to Mexico and then she’ll put the contents of the vial to good use. She ends the call and quickly walks to the front door.

  She stops in the dining room as Colin walks in and he looks down at the suitcase.

  “Going somewhere?”

  “Just… a vacation. It’s been a… rough holiday season,” she says with a smile.

  Colin locks the door behind him and walks toward her.

  “Where are you going?”

  She backs away slowly and swallows hard. “I... don’t know. Houston, maybe? Visit Julia?”

  Colin puts his keys on the small table in the dining room and hangs his head.

  “Where have you been?” she asks, changing the subject.

  He looks at her intensely and puts his hands in his pockets. “Nowhere, just out.”

  Irene puts her head down and goes around him. “Well, I should get going,” she says and grabs her suitcase.

  “Oh wait, mom… I have something for you.”

  Irene stops in front of the door with her hand on the knob and Colin goes up to his room. She hopes for money. She could really use a few thousand dollars. She looks at the clock above the kitchen door, 12:21 p.m. If she leaves now she could be at Levy’s hideout by six.

  She lets go of the suitcase and goes back to the family room after she realizes that she’s forgotten the vial. She puts it in her pocket and goes back to the door to find Colin standing in front of it, smiling.

  “So… what’s my surprise?” she asks with a nervous laugh.

  Colin isn’t laughing though.

  “Everything okay?” she asks.

  He smiles again. “Let's talk,” he says, pulling her by the hand, leading her to the family room.

  42

  COLIN

  When Colin learned about his sister’s suicide, he was devastated. His guilt was eating at him because he thought he should have taken her away from their mother. But he felt at ease knowing that Adam was there. After Adam moved out, Colin wanted to bring his sister with him to Colorado, but he kept putting it off and then she died.

  After going through his sister’s laptop days after she died, he was convinced that his mother had something to do with her death. When he became suspicious of his mother, he knew that he had to be ready for anything so he purchased a .45 off a street dealer near Mariposa Road. He kept that gun hidden in his sock drawer during the day and slept with it at night. He does not trust his mother, but he didn’t want to return to Colorado until she got what she deserves.

  –

  He’s holding the gun in one hand and the other on his hip. His eyes burn with tears that he can’t stop.

  His mom sits on the sofa, shocked.

  “Honey, we—”

  “Sit the fuck down!” he demands and sees the fear in her eyes, which is exactly what he wants to see. He remains at the threshold, then slowly walks away.

  “Don't you fucking move!” he orders and his mom nods.

  He pulls the small table from the foyer and places it in front of the front door. Walks to the kitchen and brings out one chair at a time and piles them on top of the small table, covering the door, then goes back to the family room where he paces the floor. One hand is on the gun at a low level and with the other, he rubs the back of his neck.

  “Why did you do it, mom?” he asks without looking at her.

  “I don't know what you're talking about, honey. I—”

  “Shut up!” he screams as the tears fall. “Shut the fuck up!” he yells again, right in her face and spit comes out. He steps away from her and continues to pace. “You know exactly what the fuck I'm talking about,” he says, pacing back and forth. “So why did you do it? Huh? Why… why did you kill my sister?”

  His mom moves to the edge of the sofa.

  “Don't you fucking move!” he says, pointing the gun at her. “Tell me why?” He continues to cry and hates himself because tears show weakness and he doesn’t want to appear weak to the monster in front of him.

  His mom sinks into the sofa and smiles. “Are you going to shoot me, baby?”

  He shrugs. “I might… so tell me… why?”

  She takes a deep breath. “Because she made me do it,” she says and reaches over to the coffee table for a cigarette. She lights it and sits back down with one leg crossed over the other.

  “She was in love with Adam. Did you know that?”

  “Bullshit!”

  Irene shrugs. “Think what you want. How did you find out anyway?” She shakes cigarette ash on the floor.

  Colin walks to the fireplace and places his arm on the mantle for support. The gun is still in his other hand, but he’s not pointing it. “The neighbors recorded you dumping the evidence,” he says without looking at her. “We, uh… we saw the footage and the evidence in the bag.”

  He isn’t exactly sure what he’s doing, but he can’t wait for the authorities to decide when the fuck to proceed. He looks at her and thinks she looks pale.

  “Who?” she asks nervously.

  “Adam and me… we—”

  “Adam? Adam knows?”

  “Yeah.”

  Irene gets to her feet.

  “Sit the fuck down!” he orders and she stops. Colin is enjoying her nervousness and he’s no longer shaking.

  His mom isn’t sitting, but she’s not moving either.

  “Adam is a bad man, Colin. He... he abused your sister for years and you too, which is why I sent you away. I did it for him. He told me to kill her.” His mom is out of breath.

  “Shut up! Shut the fuck up!” Colin points the gun at her once again and she takes a step forward.

  “Ask him. He’ll tell you.”

  “Sit down!”

  “You have to believe me. I am your mother!”

  He shakes his head. “Stop with the bullshit!”

  She studies him for a moment.

  He’s starting to shake again. Perspiration trickles down his face, which is mixed with tears.

  “Fine,” says his mom and approaches him. “I did it. I did it because I hated her,” she tells him with a smile and Colin starts to cry.

  “Shut... up,” he whispers as tears roll into his mouth. “Shut up!”

  His mom takes a few more steps toward him, but Colin stands his ground.

  “Ever since you were born, I hated you both.”

  Colin is shaking uncontrollably and his mom smiles. “Did you know that you were conceived by a rapist?” she goes on and starts walking around.

  “You both were a pain in the ass. Had it not been for Adam, I would have killed you both long ago.”

  Somehow, her confession doesn’t surprise him. His mom comfortably walks around the family room, picks up a second cigarette from the table and lights it.

  “She was taking Adam’s love away from me and I could not let that happen.” She takes a drag from the cigarette, blows a cloud of smoke and then puts it out.

  She crosses her arms over her chest and starts to pace once again, no longer looking at Colin.

  “Don’t worry, she was asleep when I did it. Yeah, she might have suffered a little, but,” she shrugs. “So what?”

  “Shut… up!” Tears, sweat, and snot cover his face “Shut the fuck up!” he tells her and approaches her.

  “Here, give me the gun, Colin. You’re shaking like crazy.”

  43

  ADAM

  When we turn into the driveway, I see Colin's car parked behind Irene’s. Thomas and I tried calling him to give him the good news, but he didn’t answer. The police cruiser pulls up behind us. We step out of the car to a warm, bright sun. I can’t wait to ask Irene why.

  Thomas and I wait for the detective in charge to arrive. “You alright, man?” asks Thomas, who stands next to me against his car.

  “I’m good,” I tell him and then there’s a gunshot.


  “Shots fired… Shots fired!” yell the officers behind us.

  “Take cover!” screams Thomas and we run behind his car, taking cover.

  “We need backup and an ambulance. Shots fired!” the officers continue to talk to dispatch, giving the address.

  “Come out with your hands up!” Another officer yells.

  Thomas and I remain crouched down behind the car and I’m concerned for Colin because I now know what Irene is capable of. My heart is pounding and my hands shake as I hold the phone, calling him with no luck and then there’s a second gunshot.

  “Shots fired! Everybody, get down!”

  I feel my blood rushing in my ears. Thomas and I remain hunched down and I cover my ears.

  Backup arrives and officers spill out of their cruisers, taking cover behind their doors.

  “Come out with your hands up!” But nobody comes out.

  “The house is surrounded, come out with your hands up!” officers continue to yell.

  –

  The standoff continues for ten long minutes and then the SWAT team arrives. The back doors of the BearCat swing open and a group of officers run out and wait for instructions.

  I fear the worst as I straighten. I think Thomas might pull me back down, but instead, he stands by my side.

  Six SWAT officers cautiously walk up the porch steps.

  “Open up!” one of the officers screams, waits and repeats.

  I can’t take this anymore. I’m scared for Colin and to some degree, for Irene as well.

  I am startled by the sound of the front door, breaking open as officers rush inside.

  “Police… police… come out with your hands up!” I can hear the officers yelling inside the house.

  After what feels like hours, the officers emerge.

  “All clear!” one officer calls and everyone moves in.

  –

  I walk into a chaotic scene. The familiar feeling of moving in slow motion overtakes me and everything goes silent. I slowly walk toward the family room where the kids and I spent so many wonderful times together.

  I step in and see her. She’s on the floor between the sofa and the coffee table. Her eyes are wide open, staring at nothing and a bullet hole in her nose. I look to the fireplace where Colin lies with the gun in his hand. My heart stops when I see him with a gunshot hole on his temple.

  Jordyn is gone… Tianna… Aaron… mom… dad… Colin… it’s all too much. I step back slowly, unable to take my eyes off of him. I keep moving back until I trip over a broken chair and stumble back. I am shaking. I can’t speak. I can’t move, and everything around me fades until there’s nothing but darkness.

  44

  ADAM

  I feel my head become cool and I open my eyes to find Rita standing over me.

  “Hey,” she says sadly.

  I look around and find myself in my room at home and I’m relieved that it was all a bad dream and I sigh with relief.

  “What happened?” I ask.

  “He’s awake,” she says and Charles and Thomas came into view.

  “How are you feeling?” asks Thomas with his hands in his pockets.

  So it wasn’t a dream. I shake my head and cover my eyes with my hands.

  “Please give him some time,” Rita tells them, turning to go, but I take her by the hand.

  “Stay.”

  She turns to me and sits on the edge of the bed, looking down at her hands.

  “I'm so sorry, Adam.”

  I sit up slowly and join her. Her hands are on her lap. I take one and hold it and take a deep breath.

  “Everyone is leaving me,” I say with tears in my eyes, echoing Aaron’s words from before. “And it's all my fault.”

  She turns to me and says, “None of this is your fault, Adam… you can’t do this to yourself.” And starts to cry.

  I look away and shake my head. “I should have known it was her.”

  “She was evil, plain and simple… not your fault.”

  I know she’s trying to make me feel better, but I don’t. “I curse the day I met her.”

  “But then you would not have met Jordyn and Colin.”

  I sigh.

  “I wish I could help you, Adam,” she says, looking at me.

  I let go of her hand and stretch out across the bed. The clock on the nightstand says 4:15 p.m.

  “I thought you had something at your in-laws?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Thomas called me and said you where not doing so good,” she says and stands.

  “I'm good. I… have a lot that I need to do.”

  She leaves the room, but appears a second later. “Call me if you need anything.”

  “Sure,” I say without looking at her.

  –

  I sit alone for a moment with a heavy heart, then call Jaycob to tell him everything that happened.

  “That really sucks,” he says.

  Although I know he’s devastated, he makes it sound like he doesn’t care so I call Howard to ask him to keep a close eye on him.

  “I’m here for you, bro,” says Howard when I tell him the horrible news.

  “Thanks. Thanks so much.” And the call ends.

  Now I’ll never know why Irene killed Tianna and Jordyn. I go to the living room to find Charles and Thomas sitting down.

  “How do you feel?” asks Thomas.

  “I don't know. Lost?”

  They both shake their heads.

  “Thanks for all your help Thomas… I appreciate it.”

  He nods and they stand to leave.

  “It’s been a hell of a day,” says Charles, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Get some rest.”

  “I’ll call you with any updates,” says Thomas and I nod.

  I walk them to the door and they walk out. I close it with my back against it and then slide down to the floor bury my face in my hands and weep.

  45

  ADAM

  I was restless through the night and couldn’t sleep. I waited for Rita’s text for hours and it finally came at 1:15 a.m.

  –Sorry I could not text sooner. I hope you’re holding up okay. Talk to you tomorrow.

  I didn’t reply because clearly it was a goodnight text.

  Images of the day flash through my mind and when I think I would fall asleep, those images startled me awake.

  I was glad when Howard called and we talked for a while. Per his request, I gave him the details of the horrible day and he was disgusted by Irene. He told me that Jaycob seemed to be doing better, that they had gone running during the evening and he was eating again.

  –

  I take a deep breath and get out of bed at five-thirty. I walk across the hall, into the bathroom where I brush my teeth and then go back to my room to change into sweats and a sweater. On the way out, I grab a beanie and put it on then look to Aaron’s closed door and approach.

  I place my hand on the knob, but don’t turn it. I move my palm over the smooth finish of the door and look down, shaking my head. I step away, too afraid to open it. Afraid of breaking down again. I turn and go to the living room, grab my keys and walk outside.

  –

  The morning is cold and foggy, but it doesn’t bother me. It will help me stay alert. I walk one block and then start to run on the familiar streets, thinking about so many things.

  I am torn between staying here for Rita or moving to LA with Jaycob which makes me angry. I know I should not even consider the other choice because Jaycob is my brother and he needs me. Rita has a hold on me, however, and I don’t like this at all. I need to be cautious to avoid another bad situation like with Tianna.

  I am surprised at how quickly I become tired. After just a mile I stop and walk back home. Maybe my problem is that I’m trying too hard to keep my mind busy which isn’t working.

  As I walk back, I start to count my losses: mom, dad, Tianna, Jordyn, Aaron, and Colin. It’s so damn hard to believe that they are all gone—four of them within a
three-month span. If I were to tell a complete stranger about my losses and the circumstances, they’d run off, screaming in disbelief.

  –

  I return home. Except it no longer feels like home. I recall the days I’d get home from school to find a hot bowl of soup on the table during the winter or a cool refreshing glass of lemonade in the summertime.

  I can clearly recall the smell of the house on Christmas morning, the fragrance of mom’s delicious pot roast spreading through the house on Sunday afternoon. Of the days I’d visit with Tianna, and Aaron would run out of his room to give me hug. The memories are suddenly too painful. I start thinking about selling the house. There’s nothing here for me, only painful reminders of those whom I would no longer come home to.

  –

  I put my keys on the table and go to my room to get clean clothes and then take a hot shower. I feel filthy and hope the shower washes away what is left from the horrible events of the previous day.

  After the wonderful hot shower, I get changed into jeans and a T-shirt. I trim my stubble and go to my room to put on my boots. I gather my stuff, put everything back in the duffle bag and leave it on the bed, ready to go. I have a few things to do before heading back to LA.

  –

  By 8:30, I’m out the door. My plan is to drive to the cemetery and take flowers to my folks, Tianna and Jordyn. I drive in rush hour and for some reason I miss LA.

  As I drive, I pass by the diner, the one Aaron liked to eat at and make a U-turn ahead. I pull into the parking lot, get out of the truck and walk to the diner. The morning is clear and warm. The surrounding trees are bare as they sleep for winter.

  –

  I step inside and the smell of coffee and syrup hit my nose. I request to sit at the booth where Aaron, Jaycob and I had our last meal here. I sit down and notice that someone left the morning paper on the table. I pick it up and browse while I wait for the waitress who approaches moments later. She puts a mug on the table and fills it with coffee.

  “Good morning,” she says cheerfully. “What can I get you?”