Before She Dies (Slaughter Creek)

by Rita Herron

“I know that,” Norma said. But her motherly instinct warned her there was more. “But I’ve been reading about autism, about genetic disorders that cause developmental delays, about psychological problems that start at an early age. Maybe she has a chemical imbalance.”

  “Those tests are expensive and not covered by your insurance,” he said with a condescending smile. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting, maybe being paranoid?”

  Sometimes, yes. But she didn’t want to risk her daughter’s health.

  “Maybe I am just a worrying mother. And if my insurance doesn’t cover it, I’ll find a way to pay. But I still want you to recommend a specialist who can run a battery of tests.”

  Dr. Sanderson released an irritated sigh. “All right, let me make some phone calls.”

  She nodded, the nurse stepped in and whispered something low in his ear. A frown marred his face when he looked back up at her. “Excuse me just a moment.”

  He followed the nurse out of the room, and Amelia lifted her head slightly. “Bessie home.”

  Norma rubbed Amelia’s back. Bessie was Amelia’s imaginary friend. But sometimes Amelia talked as if she was Bessie.

  Amelia’s chart was lying on the table by the wall, and Norma inched over and opened the file. There were notations about Amelia’s vaccines, a patient number three, which she didn’t quite understand, then another section where the doctor had scribbled notes about Amelia’s development.

  So he had noticed something abnormal.

  “Potty,” Amelia said, kicking her legs. “Bessie potty.”

  Norma headed to the door knowing timing was crucial.

  But still she wanted to study Amelia’s file.

  “Potty, potty, potty, potty!” Amelia wailed.

  Norma opened the door. The bathroom was on the other side of the office space, but as she stepped into the hallway, she saw the doctor talking on the phone in a hushed voice, his back to her.

  “Listen to me,” he said, “Norma Nettleton is asking questions about one of the twins. We have to do something before she finds out what’s we’re doing at the clinic.”

  Norma’s chest clenched. What was he talking about?

  “Yes, but her daughter Amelia is exhibiting adverse signs.” His voice grew lower, almost ominous. “All right, just take care of it. My reputation is on the line.”

  The doctor pivoted, and Norma darted back into the exam room and closed the door.

  Amelia had always balked at coming to the clinic, but she’d assumed it was typical childhood fears.

  The image of Grace Granger and Joe Swoony in the waiting room taunted her. They had been treated by the same doctors, and all three of them obviously had developmental problems.

  Amelia grunted, making odd noises in her throat.

  “We’re going home, baby,” Norma whispered, rocking Amelia in her arms.

  She grabbed Amelia’s file and tucked it in her purse.

  The door opened, and the doctor strode in, his brows furrowed. “Now, where were we?”

  “I …I’m sorry, something came up. I have to leave.” She threw her purse over her shoulder, then rushed past him out the door.

  In the waiting room, children were building with blocks in the corner. But Joe Swoony was rolling on the floor making guttural sounds. Grace Granger was beating her face as she rocked back and forth, her gaze latched on the wall.

  Norma ran outside, cradling Amelia close to her. “Shh, darling,” she whispered as she strapped her in her car seat.

  A minute later, she drove toward home. Sadie was napping at her mother’s, so she dashed back to her house and tucked Amelia in her crib to rest.

  Amelia fussed and cried, screaming as if there were monsters in the room. But finally after patting her for half an hour, she fell asleep.

  Her nerves on edge, Norma made herself a cup of tea, took the medical file to the table and began to read.

  “The Nettleton woman was asking questions today at the clinic.”

  “What kinds of questions?”

  “About her daughter’s condition. And – ” he paused, a mountain of tension in the space. “She stole Amelia’s file.”

  “Fuck. I told you no paper trail.”

  “But the notes are necessary to track the patients’ reactions and responses,” he said.

  “So is stopping the Nettleton woman from nosing around anymore.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. She’ll take whatever she knows with her to her grave.”

  Chapter Four

  Ben was frantic to talk to Norma. He had been foolish not to confess the truth about his family’s genetic disorder the day she’d told him about her pregnancy.

  But it was because he loved her so damn much. Her and the girls.

  He hadn’t shown it though. He’d deserted her when she needed him most because the guilt and shame ate at his soul.

  He was flawed. Flawed to the point that it had hurt his own baby. That tore at him the most.

  He phoned the house, but Norma didn’t answer so he left a message asking her to take the kids to her parents so the two of them could talk. They needed time to discuss the secret he’d kept, to hash over the details of what he’d learned from the doctors about testing, Amelia’s treatment and her prognosis if she’d inherited the disorder.

  The drive from Nashville took forever, the traffic crawling by. Ice from the recent snowstorm made the roads hazardous, the gray skies threatening more snow. The temperature had dropped to the teens with the wind chill making it feel twenty below.

  His heart thumped wildly the closer he drew to Slaughter Creek, his anxiety mounting. Norma would be furious at him for not divulging the truth about his background.

  A truth she deserved to know.

  But at least now he’d spoken with specialists, he had information to offer her.

  And hope that Amelia might one day grow up and have a normal life.

  Emotions threatened to overcome him, but he pushed them aside. By God, he’d been a wreck for three years.

  No more.

  He was going to take charge and take care of his daughter.

  Night descended as he passed through the town of Slaughter Creek, the storm clouds obliterating the stars. He hit a pothole, gears grinding as he wound around the mountain to the little bungalow Norma had found for them. It was a small wooden frame house with two bedrooms, but she’d added homey touches like needlepoint pillows, crocheted doilies and the wedding ring quilt her mother had given them as a wedding present.

  He had meant the vows they’d spoken on their wedding day, but their problems had become insurmountable to him and he’d lost faith.

  He swiped a hand over his forehead. He had so much to make up for.

  If Norma could forgive him and she allowed him to move back home, he’d build her the sewing room she’d always wanted and add a front porch so she could sit in the rocking chair and watch the girls run and play in the yard.

  A relieved breath gushed from his chest. Yes. Everything was going to be all right.

  He chugged up the inclined part of the drive, noting the grass needed cutting, the weeds pulling. He’d take care of the yard this weekend, and they’d look for a swing set for the girls, one of those with the little glider where the girls could sit together.

  He’d also take the twins on a picnic by the creek, and they’d go fishing.

  That is, if the weather turned warmer like the weatherman predicted.

  Norma’s little car was in the drive by the house, so he parked by it, grabbed the roses he’d bought and hurried up to the house.

  He’d been gone long enough that he knocked before barging in.

  What if he’d already lost Norma and his daughters?

  Norma paced the living room, her stomach tied in knots. She had listened to Ben’s message a dozen times.

  Had he decided he wanted a divorce?

  Her heart raced. How could she deal with losing h
im for good?

  She glanced at the file, her anxiety mounting. Maybe once she told him about the file, he’d change his mind.

  But why would he? She had no real proof that the doctors had done anything to Amelia. Just her suspicions and the troubling notations in the file that were too complicated for her to understand.

  And what if she was wrong?

  For God’s sake, the doctors had treated the twins free for two years. Everyone in Slaughter Creek thought they were saints.

  And she’d thought that, too. Until today…

  The sound of footsteps outside jarred her even though she’d heard Ben’s truck rolling up the drive and his door slamming. Tears blurred her eyes as she remembered the day he’d left her and the girls.

  He hadn’t wanted the twins here today either.

  Because he wanted to discuss a divorce?

  She braced herself. Even if he did, she had to ask for his help and tell him what she suspected.

  He might not love her anymore, but he was an honorable man, and he’d do the right thing. He would help her.

  He had to.

  Their daughter’s life might depend on it.

  She glanced through the window and saw him standing at the door, his face haggard. He’d lost weight and his cheeks looked sunken and hollow as if he hadn’t been sleeping either.

  Still, he was so handsome that her heart fluttered. She loved him.

  Did Ben know that? Did he care?

  He rapped on the door, and she called for him to come in. His footsteps pounded as he entered.

  “Norma…” He paused, his dark gaze meeting hers.

  For the briefest of seconds, she thought she saw the familiar flame of desire burning in his eyes. The hunger for her that she’d thought would never die.

  “I got your message,” she said, her voice strained.

  Ben heaved a breath. “I’m sorry, Norma, so damn sorry I ran out on you and the girls.”

  Norma’s chest constricted, hurt and pain suffusing her. She ached to go to him and beg him to stay. But pride kept her in place.

  He balled his hands into fists at his side, flexing them over and over again, a nervous habit he’d always had. “I should have told you the truth all along,” he said gruffly.

  Oh, Jesus, did he have another woman on the side? Was he in love with her?

  Her legs wobbled, and she sank onto the sofa, her palms sweating. “Ben, please… “ Please what? Love me again? Don’t leave me?

  “Just listen,” he said, his voice cracking.

  She nodded, her throat too thick with emotions to do anything else.

  He crossed the room to her, knelt in front of her, then clasped her hands in his. “I was a coward, Norma, I…should have told you from the beginning.”

  Norma rallied for courage. If he said he’d never loved her, that their marriage was a mistake, she’d let him go. Somehow she’d take care of their daughters.

  “But I…was afraid of losing you,” Ben said, his voice choked.

  Confused, Norma swallowed back the tears that had threatened all day. “Why would you be afraid of losing me?” She couldn’t help it. She’d missed him so much she reached up and pressed a hand against his cheek.

  His skin felt warm, his cheek coarse with beard stubble. God, she wanted to kiss him so badly she had to bite her lip to hold back.

  “Because of me…my family,” he said in a low voice.

  “What are you talking about?” Norma asked softly.

  Turmoil darkened his eyes. “My family, my sister…she had a genetic disorder, Norma. The doctors, they didn’t even know what to call it twenty years ago, how to treat her, but…she was never normal.”

  Norma frowned, past conversations echoing in her head. Ben had never wanted to talk about his family. She’d known his father was a drunk, that his mother had slept around.

  But he’d never mentioned a sister.

  Ben cleared his throat. “The minute you told me you were pregnant, I was afraid I might pass that disorder on to one of our children.”

  The memory of Ben’s reaction taunted her. She’d wanted him to be surprised, happy, but he’d been upset.

  Now his reaction made sense.

  Dear God, had Amelia inherited this disorder? Was that what he was trying to tell her?

  “I should have told you,” he said, his voice filled with regret. “But I was too afraid, so I waited and watched and prayed our girls would be okay. When Amelia started having those nightmares, started screaming for no reason, I thought she must have inherited the disorder, and I…blamed myself.”

  “Ben,” Norma said, glancing back at that file. “Did you talk to the doctors about this when the girls were born?”

  He shook his head. “No. But I’ve done some research this week. I went to see some specialists today, and they’ve made great strides in treating patients – ”

  Norma cupped his face between her hands, unable to stand the guilt in his voice. “What if it’s not your fault?”

  “Of course it is, but there’s hope now – ”

  “That’s not what I mean,” Norma said firmly. “I don’t think Amelia’s problems have to do with you.”

  Ben frowned, a look of denial in his eyes. “I didn’t want to believe it either, but I had to face the truth, Norma, and so do you.”

  “Listen to me,” Norma said firmly. “Today I carried Amelia to the doctor. I asked him about running a battery of tests to see if she had a chemical imbalance or a psychological disorder.”

  ‘That’s good,” Ben said. “We’ll see a specialist.”

  “That’s exactly what I told him. But he tried to dissuade me, then I heard him talking to someone on the phone about me. He sounded upset that I was asking questions.”

  Ben gripped her hands, his eyes narrowed. “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m not sure I do either, but he specifically mentioned Amelia. He said she was exhibiting adverse reactions, whatever that means. “ She paused to catch her breath. “Amelia isn’t the only child being treated there who has problems, Ben.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I noticed a little girl named Grace and a boy named Joe. They received vaccinations about the same time and have been treated by the same doctors. Both Joe and Grace are acting out just like Amelia.”

  Shock twisted his features. “You think the doctors did something to make the kids sick?”

  “I don’t know, but they didn’t want me asking questions.”

  A tense moment passed between them. “If you think something’s wrong, we’ll ask the sheriff to launch an investigation.”

  Norma clung to him. “That’s what I was thinking.” She soaked up his features. His handsome strong jaw. Those eyes that could be so serious and brooding one moment, then turn dark and sexy the next.

  “I’m so glad you came today, Ben. I …need you.”

  He tilted her chin up with his hand. “I need you, too, Norma.” He paused, guilt lining his face. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

  “You are now, Ben. That’s all that matters.”

  He looked so tormented that she pressed her lips to his. Ben reacted immediately. He drew her into his arms and kissed her, then pulled her against the vie of his thighs.

  Passion exploded between them, their hands racing over each other, tearing at each other’s clothes. She tossed her shirt and jeans on the floor in a puddle, his followed, the two of them falling to the couch as they touched and tasted each other.

  Norma’s skin was on fire, love, need and hunger driving them together. The rest of their clothes flew off, then Ben cupped her face between his hands as he crawled above her.

  “I love you, Norma, I’m so sorry I left.”

  “Shh, it doesn’t matter. You came back.”

  “I’ll never leave you or the girls again,” Ben said gruffly.

  Norma looked into his eyes and knew he was sincere, underst
ood that he’d left because of guilt and fear, not because he didn’t love them.

  They had to talk to the sheriff about what was happening in Slaughter Creek, but it was too late tonight to do anything.

  They’d go first thing in the morning.

  At the moment, she wanted to hold her husband, to feel his body meld with hers. So she pulled him closer, parted her thighs and welcomed him inside her.

  Chapter Five

  Ben had craved Norma for so long that even after making love to her all night, he wanted her again. Morning sunlight seeped through the windows, and he rolled her to the side, tucked her in his arms, and held her tight.

  He never wanted to let her go.

  Norma traced a finger across his chest, making his skin tingle.

  “If you keep that up, we’re never going to get out of bed,” he murmured.

  Norma laughed softly, a musical sound he hadn’t heard enough of the past two years.

  “I’d like that,” Norma whispered, her voice laden with sexual innuendo. “But we have to talk to the sheriff today.”

  The pleasure in her voice faded, the worry back.

  He tilted her face up to look at him. “You’re right. If you think they’re doing something unethical at the clinic, they have to be stopped.”

  They kissed again, reluctantly breaking apart. Hurriedly he threw on his clothes and made coffee while Norma dressed and phoned her parents to ask them to watch the girls for the morning.

  Norma poured a cup of coffee to go then shoved a folder into his hands. “Come on, I’ll drive. You can read the file on the way and see if you can make sense of it.”

  They grabbed coats and hurried out to her car. Ben buckled his seat belt as Norma sped down the winding road. The dark clouds dumped snow and sleet, the visibility increasingly difficult.

  He flipped open the folder and studied the doctor’s notations while Norma dodged the patches of black ice and maneuvered the switchbacks on the mountain.

  The memory of Amelia’s screams taunted Norma as she slowed on the slick, icy road. Her poor little girl.