Resolution

The sound of the soft sound of bare feet pattering on the wooden floor stopped just around the corner as the young, curly haired girl, still in her floral night gown, peeked timidly into the kitchen.

"Mommy, can I have some cereal?" she asked, twirling her small fingers in her tangled hair.

"Not now, sweetie. Mommy's on the phone." Her voice quivered as she shielded the overflowing ashtray from the child.

"Is it Daddy? When is he coming back home?"

"Today. Now grab you a pear and go play outside, ok?"

A snaggle toothed smile broke across the little girl's face as she bounced in place with excitement. Standing on her tiptoes, she grabbed a fresh, red pear from the countertop and skipped towards the front door with a joyful tune upon her lips.

"Remember, stay in the yard!" her mother called out as the screen door closed with a loud rattle.

"Sorry about that, sheriff. She's out playing now." The mother resumed her phone call as she snuffed out the unfinished cigarette. "As I was asking, are you sure he's ok? I mean, you've kept him under lock and key for, what, two weeks now? Uh huh, I see. So he's innocent...or at least what you're saying is that there isn't enough evidence against him to call him guilty? Uh huh, uh huh...not crazy, that's terrific news. Tonight?! He's coming home tonight?! Oh, yeah, that's wonderful. If you'll excuse me, sheriff, I have to tend to Holly. Thank you for the update- and the good news. Goodbye."

She could barely muster the composure to finish the call before hanging up, fumbling the phone into the ashtray, the contact scattering the product of many anxious, sleepless hours across the floor beneath her. Trembling hands gently reached up to cradle a thin, sorrowful face as tears began to slowly run down her freckled, sun-touched skin.

"What am I going to do?" she sobbed. "None of this was supposed to happen. Not like this..."

The mother reached for the family picture on the kitchen windowsill, caressing the frame containing her along with a convicted husband, now freed, a daughter, sorely missed, and her youngest daughter, dancing outside of the window in the first flowers of spring.

Her grip strengthened as she clutched the picture tightly. "Not my family. You will not burden us anymore."

Her reddened eyes narrowed with resolve as she stared out of the kitchen window. A twitch of anger flashed across her face as she looked back at the picture, caressing the faces with her thin, long fingers. "Not my family. Come on, pull it together!"

The moment of seeded wrath began to break as her mind turned towards other matters. After all, her husband was coming home tonight. She should support him in his decision, even though she fought him about it beforehand. But, where to begin, she wondered. His favorite dessert, chocolate cake, oh, and company should be a good start to make amends. She grabbed the phone off of the floor, swept up the ashes, and began hunting for the right ingredients before making a call.

"Yes, Father? Hi, it's Frank's wife, Melissa. I believe he was in contact with you before they took him in? Yes, he's coming back home tonight and I was wondering if you could be here when he returns...we need to talk."

Many long hours crawled by as she furiously prepared the wrecked interior for Frank's return. But what could've taken half the time to do was frequently visited by worry as Melissa often hurried to find where Holly was at. However, the reassurance of her well-being passed as swiftly as a thought as Melissa checked again and again only to see the little girl spending most of her time with her imaginary friend. Melissa disapproved of this recent fancy of Holly's, but who could blame her? After her sister's unexpected death, she was much lonelier now.

Footsteps thudded on the front porch as the squeak of the door alerted Melissa to Frank's arrival. The priest was with him, just as requested. Frank's injuries had healed well since he had been gone, but a great weight still hung from his somber face.

"You were right!" Melissa broke, casting herself upon her husband. "I'm so sorry for everything."

Frank's mournful eyes looked upon his wife. Though outwardly distant, his arms embraced her, holding her tightly in her surrender.

"Shall we sit down and discuss what needs to happen next?" the priest gently, but solemnly suggested as the couple nodded in agreement.

The chocolate cake was rich and dark, but sat completely untouched in front of the two men as everyone sat in deep deliberation at the round table for some time.

"The sheriff and his crew will come tomorrow to perform one last look before we can follow through." Frank said. "They'll be present for the exorcism to make sure we aren't trying to sweep anything under the rug."

"And Holly?" the priest remarked underneath folded hands.

"She can't know what we are doing. If she suspects anything; I fear we may lose her trust as her parents." Melissa replied as she watched for her daughter through the window. "In fact, she might be at the old barn now. I told her to stay away from there...it's not safe there anymore."

"I'll go and fetch her." Frank stood up, rubbing his wife's shoulders, "Tomorrow night, after she's gone to sleep, we'll gather everyone for the exorcism."

"Very well, then." the priest said as he made his way to the door, "I'll gather the required materials for the ritual. Frank, I'm glad you're ok."

"Thanks, Father. I wish I could say that everything is ok, but after it's all said and done, maybe I'll at least be able to sleep again." The priest nodded at the couple with a caring smile before leaving.

"I need a smoke." Frank looked around after the priest left, but his usual hiding spots were emptied.

"Sorry, I-" Melissa began, but was suddenly startled by her husband swiping the cake plate onto the floor in a fit of rage.

"Oh! So you chain smoke now?! I thought I smelled it on you!" he accused.

"Frank, I'm sorry, I-" she reached for him apologetically.

Frank stabbed his finger at her, halting her approach. "Sorry?! No. You're regretful. If you would've stepped up and dealt with your issues years ago, none of this-" he paused, catching a lump in his throat, "I'm going to get what's left of our family and finish this."

Frank stormed out of the house to fetch the little girl as Melissa slowly slid to the floor. She wept not because of what he had said, for it was true. This was her doing. He was right, it had to end in order for their family to have a future.

"Tauren...forgive me." she tearfully whispered.