Chapter 6 - Retribution

Weird incidents happened to the families of the girls who testified against Monica. Several cars, trucks and tractors exploded late at night while parked. Dogs and cats disappeared or had their throats slit. Fires erupted in barns or next to houses. Monica presented substantiated alibies for each occurrence. Nothing could be proved, but suspicion pointed to Monica. The Tennessee Bureau of Identification (TBI) followed her to no avail. Hector's uncle, a deputy sheriff, monitored her movement. Nothing!

Monica and her family emerged as model citizens. They donated money, non-perishable food and furniture to the county's thrift store. Monica completed her one-hundred hours of community service with vigor. She picked up trash along Highway 45W between Humboldt and Trenton. It took less than a month of after school and weekends to accomplish the task.

Monica slithered from side to side in the main hallway of Peabody High. Her steps proceeded slow and deliberate. Her gaze focused on each student for less than a second. Most of the students turned their backs toward her. A couple in her core group huddled with her daily but did not speak. She sat at the last desk of the third row in calculus. In class she remained quiet unless called on by a teacher. She avoided volunteering answers or solutions However, her assignments were completed on time. Monica maintained an 'A' average.

Maybe it was my imagination, but I perceived her glares pierced into the back of my head. Amber and Beth affirmed her sneers and gawks focused on me. However, when I observed her, she shifted her concentration to her hands. Several students claimed she emitted a low growl.

Twice Monica signed out the pass to go to the girls' restroom. Upon her return, she reeked of stale smoke and intense cologne. Several girls covered their noses with their hands and imitated a cough. One boy said, "It stinks in here!" The class mumbled a giggle.

Monica and her family moved to Jackson, and she attended Northside High School. She maintained a low profile and did not form any friendships with other students. She acquired employment at a soft ice-cream and hamburger café.

Two months later Monica, her mom, and dad moved to Shelby County. She enrolled in St Mary's Episcopal School. The destruction of property diminished and the killing of pets in the community stopped. Many in the vicinity declared it proved Monica cronies were guilty of the offences.

Henry moped about Amber. Every time someone mentioned her name his breathing struggled, and his voice deepened. Tears surged as his muscles tightened. His cheeks turn grey and his eyes swelled. A frown dominated his face.

Henry waved a piece of paper toward me and said. "This is a petition from students. It informs the governor Amber was wrongly accused." Henry pleaded his case with everyone he knew. He knocked on doors of people unknown to him to sign the petition.

"What is the other paper?"

"An appeal signed by the abused students notifying the governor Monica inflicted pain on them."

"There is another request from community leaders to free Amber. The first paper has one hundred student signatures The next sign by the abused students contains twenty-six signatures and signed and notarized statements which attests Monica was the abuser. The last is a request from the Judge who pronounced Amber guilty did not possess the correct facts. Ministers, Mayors, business owners, and political leaders in the governor's political party requesting Ambers release."

Evidently several political supporters called the governor backing Amber's plea. A week later the governor signed a document exonerating Amber and clearing her of all charges. Her mother and father retrieved her from prison.

Amber arrived home. She maintained her study schedule while in prison. Henry attempted to talk to her, but she ignored him.

I confronted her at Momma McGhee's Café and General Store.

"Are you stupid and uncaring?"

Ralph groaned. It extended into a growl.

"A fellow student gave his heart to get you out of prison, you treat him like a cock roach. You squashed him. The hours he spent convincing students and community leaders to sign petitions for your release almost put him in the hospital. He went without sleep for days. You are home because of his work. Shame on you."

"I didn't know."

"Of course, you didn't. He convinced the judge who sent you to prison and the governor of Tennessee that Monica lied."

"Why would he do that?"

"Yes, why. Why would any boy his age defend a girl he scarcely knows."

"He likes me."

"Are you that stupid? It is way more than like."

Do you think he loves me?"

"What I know is his eyes sparkle when he gazes at you. His voice trembles when he attempts to speak to you. When you ignore him, he stares at hands, feet, and trudges away. His jaw drops and his smile plummets to a frown. I observed your shoulders stiffen and you turn away from him every time he attempted to talk with you. He is my friend, but he has never looked at me or any other girl the way he looks at you"

"Oh my God! I'm selfish. Shame on me. Where is he?"

"You're right. What are going to do? He works in his uncle's produce and strawberry stand after school and on Saturday."

She grabbed her purse and scampered for the door.

"Treat him nice, and he will make you proud."

"Thank you."

"Thank him."

Amber discovered Henry at the produce stand. She plopped out of her Daddy's truck, sauntered over to Henry, put her arms around him and planted a kiss on his lips. He rendered a wide smile.

The next day, Henry and Amber sat in The Methodist Church holding hands. They displayed broad smiles and rosy cheeks. They sang with gusto.

The State's Attorney General for Crocket and Gibson Counties issue an investigative order on Monica. She was found guilty on one charge. Which the community service absolved. However, he opened twenty-five other charges that remained dormant.

The TBI visited Monica's parents. Her mother told them she was at St Mary's Episcopal School. They drove to the school. The director shared. "She neglected to show for class. The TBI agents called Memphis Police and Shelby County Sheriff's Department directed them to Monica's parents. The Landlord was cleaning the house and said, "The three of them claimed to be moving to Mississippi."

Mississippi authorities found no sign of them. TBI agents informed State Police and local authorities in Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky and Illinois.

After Sunday evening service, Hector was taking Amber and Henry home. While backing out of Amber's parents drive, Henry noticed a car headed for the barn next to the house where Monica and her parents lived prior to moving to Memphis. The driver dismounted and pushed open the door to the outbuilding. Hector turned off his lights drove down a field behind the storehouse. The noise from the pumphouse concealed the moans of the truck.

The three of us snuck to the rear of the barn. Their words invaded our ears. Monica asked, "Are we really going to Tupelo? Did you know it's the birthplace of Elvis Presley?"

"Yes Darling. Orwell, our liaison for the Protective Witness Program will bestow our new documents – driver's license, birth certificates, Social Security cards and Marriage License with our new names."

Monica's mother said, "Our lives at Mc Ghee's Corner might have been permanent if you hadn't played junior Mafia. Are you attempting to get us killed? Hopefully, the publicity will not reach the ears of your Dad's former employers."

"Sorry Mom. I'm stupid."

"Yes, you are."

Her dad replied, "We do not need to go over this again. I don't want you two to hate each other the remainder of your lives. Fortunately, Amber will not be traumatized the rest of her life. That boy, Henry McGhee, help straightened up Monica's mess. It is over. Our government contact informed the judge and governor of our situation. He squelched the news media coverage outside Memphis, and the alert to law enforcement agencies.

Henry said, "That's why our uncle quit looking. She gets a free pass. Is that acceptable?"

Hector said, "Hell no!"

Amber said, "Thank God Henry got me out of that mess." Her lungs swelled.

A month later Memphis news media reported Monica was taken into custody in Meridian, Mississippi. After the statement, news reports ended. The old men's coffee group ceased commenting about Monica. No one forgot but other items grabbed priority. The price of cotton rose, and frozen strawberries declined. Trenton Peabody was predicted to beat Humboldt in football with Hector McGhee leading the Golden Tide team.

I said, "We cannot share this information with anyone."

The guys agreed with me.

Henry said, "It is not our responsibility to broadcast everything we know."

Hector said, "It's over. Not a word, even to each other."

The community forgot about Monica and her parents until Horace, Hector and Henry discovered a portion of the truth.