A Family's Tragedy

A family's Tragedy

Shelly is sitting in the Alabama Room sipping on a cup of hot tea. It was a long trip to St. Louis. A long 14 hour drive and she was tired. John her husband asks.

"Hey darling would you like your medicine." No not right now, I just want to rest".

Shelly is 60 and stands five-feet four-inches, 110 pounds. She is a petit lady with a soft voice. When she speaks the listener automatically knows she is a charming lady. She has her bleached blond hair done every month. The style is back in the 1960s age. A large amount of hair spray to hold it firm all day. Shelly is consistently business minded concerning saving a dollar. She knows how to obtain the best deals. She has a severe disability from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Her left elbow joint has completely degenerated. Her hands have severe deformity, and she has limited movement using them. Her Spine has fused together in the upper vertebras, and she has a 12-inch steel rod implanted supporting her back. She still works and continues to live a happy life.

John is always looking after Shelly. John is 60 and stands five-feet six inches 150 pounds. He has sandy gray hair with a medium build. An avid golfer, he enjoys playing in between working six days a week and taking care of his Arthritic wife. In his younger days he played college football as a fullback. He has sold cars for 30 years. He knows all the tricks of the trade. John's demeanor is laidback easy going. It would take much irritation to enrage him. He is a Christian man who has strong faith in the lord. He attends church every Sunday and strives to live according to his religion.

It is in the afternoon about 3:00 p.m. and the Silver's hear a knock at the door. Shelly gets up and looks through the peep hole in the front door. It is Jake and Martha Carley.

Jake is a high strung man from the back woods. He is 68 and stands six-foot four-inches and weighs 260 pounds. He has the rough facial features with black hair, a mustache, and dark complexion. He works construction as a Brick Mason and builds stock cars as a hobby. He is well known in his community as a helpful neighbor. Jake is somewhat of a hypocrite. He attends church on most Sundays except when there is a stock car race going on. He drinks heavy and on most evenings will see him a little tipsy.

Martha is a large lady about 300 pounds. She has short brown hair and brown eyes. She looks to be somewhat aged for 54 and seems to be controlling of her son Derrick. She is five-feet tall. Martha attends church every Sunday. She is a housewife who stays at home and helps her husband Jake with his hobby. She loves to sew and make curtains and cloths. She is very controlling of her granddaughter Lisa. Her intentions may be to have Lisa marry someone with high statuette and wealth.

Shelly is wondering why they have arrived. She opens the door.

"Hey Jake and Martha How are you?"

Jake and Martha stare's at Shelly with a disturbed look.

"Where is John?" asks Jake.

'Well, he is in the kitchen." "Ya'll come on in".

"No, we want John out here right now" replies Jake

"What is wrong Jake, asks Shelly"

"Just get John out here right now"

John walks to the front door and observes the Carley's standing on the front porch.

"What's going on Darling" Asks John to Shelly looking kind of puzzled.

Jake Immediately looks at John.

"Get out here.

"What's the problem Jake?"

"Why in the hell did you let that rag head go to St. Louis with my granddaughter" asks Jake.

"What are you talking about Jake, asks John

"You know what the hell I'm talking about"

Shelly looks at Jake and can smell alcohol on his breath. She knows that he has violent tendencies when he drinks. Martha looks drunk and her face has a red tone. Shelly enters the porch area with John beside her.

"Jake, You and Martha need to leave"

"Look here bitch you shut your mouth. Replies Jake"

John immediately steps in front of Shelly and again reiterates for Jake to leave.

"Get in your car and get off my property Jake. Ya'll are both drunk. How dare you come to our home like this?"

All of a sudden Martha pushes Shelly from the porch to the ground. It is a good four feet from the porch to the ground. John runs down the porch stairs and tends to Shelly. She is lying on the ground moaning. He helps her up and about that instant, Martha hits Shelly in the face with her fist. John cannot believe what she did. Jake hits John and knocks him to the ground. Jake jumps on top of John and starts hitting him with his fist over and over. John looks over at Shelly while trying to block Jakes aggression. Shelly seems to be unconscious. After a brief struggle with Jake, John manages to wrestle away from under jakes heavy body weight on top of him and runs into the house. Jake screams at him.

"Run you fucking coward"

John immediately runs to the bedroom and retrieves his 38 caliber pistol. He returns outside and observes Jake and Martha walking to the car. Jake is getting in the passenger's side of the 2001 Pontiac. Martha is standing beside the driver's side. John runs over to Jake and points the 38 at him. Jake has opened the car door and is sitting in the seat.

"You get the hell off my property Jake and don't come back'

Jake immediately moves to exit the car. At that point John's gun is discharged. When Jake moved to get back out of the car, the door window hits the barrel of the pistol causing it to discharge. The bullet shoots through the door window and enters Jakes head above his left eyebrow. He slumps back in the seat.

"Oh my god, Oh my God" John screams as he has realized what has happened.

"Jake,