Chapter 5: Sherry’s Vow

The media was full of news about Mom and Dad’s impending divorce. Mom’s best friend, Sherry Lane, was on a business trip in Jacksonville. When she saw the trending topic, she rushed right over. The apartment filled with the smell of cinnamon rolls and Sherry’s voice, sharp and bright as ever. She wore her Braves cap indoors, like she was ready to take on the world.

“How did Alex Foster promise me?” she demanded.

“Men with a ‘white whale’ can never be trusted. They look decent but act worse than animals.”

“No man in this world is reliable. I’m so mad. Where’s Alex Foster? I’ll have him running scared all the way to Tybee Island.”

Mom puffed out her cheeks and flipped the bird in agreement.

They both cracked up, laughter shaking the walls, even if it was just to keep from crying.

Aunt Sherry suddenly held her head in her hands, then tugged at Mom’s sleeve like she’d figured something out. She started cussing. “That witch hurt you?”

Aunt Sherry grew up in a house where her dad abused her mom, so she avoided men like the plague. When Dad was chasing Mom, she was the hardest to win over. Dad, after losing his memory, really shattered both my and Aunt Sherry’s trust.

I ran over, climbed onto the couch, and squeezed out a few tears. “Auntie, Dad lied to me. He treats Mom bad. He bullies her.”

“What? Lily, tell me everything.”

She was practically fuming. Mom gestured wildly, as if to say, “Actually, it’s not like that. Baby, you misunderstood...”

I snuggled into Aunt Sherry’s arms, accusing Dad. “Dad’s a creep.”

Mom’s delicate body shook, trying to stop us, but Aunt Sherry was strong and tucked me under her Braves cap, her arms as solid as the oak out front. Then she scooped Mom up and locked her in the bedroom.

She grabbed the house keys, muttering about "men and their tiny brains." “Lily Foster, you don’t have to be afraid. Even if the President himself shows up, if anyone dares to mess with you, I’ll handle it.”

She squatted down, signaling for me to go on, her eyes blazing.

I said, “He whipped Mom. Once I saw red marks on her arm. She said it was an accident, that she’d bumped into something. Also, Dad hit her in the room—stuff inside crashed, Mom cried a lot, probably begging Dad to let her go. Dad said no, she made a mistake and had to be punished.”

Aunt Sherry was furious. Just then, the phone in the living room rang. Grandma called.

Her voice was cold and sharp, slicing through the speaker. “Samantha’s back. Why are you still hanging around? Yesterday at the hospital, you heard what Alex said. Don’t think about getting a dime. All the family’s here. Hurry up and bring that burden over—Mr. Lewis is here. According to the going rate for a nanny, they’ll figure your payment. If you don’t come, you won’t get a cent. Let’s go.”

Aunt Sherry drove Mom and me over together. She threw her jacket on, keys jangling in her hand, and muttered, “We’ll show ‘em, honey.”