Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: See (07/22/10)
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TITLE: Three Blind Mice | Previous Challenge Entry
By Philippa Geaney
07/29/10 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Not cruelty, neglect or even poverty
Just blinding continual indifference
Towards him and her and me.
Vasti Chasser
Vasti Chasser sat opposite her lawyer, listening and blowing little whorls of cigarette smoke toward the ceiling. Cultivated indifference was her trademark so when her manicured hand began an involuntarily trembling, she occupied it by tapping a nail on the table.
Three blind mice/Three blind mice
See how they run/See how they run.
Blast Vasti stilled the rhythm then splayed her fingers and began a tapping cacophony. That childish rhyme had been in her heard since waking and as it perfectly described her present life, she must refuse it.
She forced her attention on the lawyer.
'Unlawful restraint with intent. Unlawful administration of a barbiturate with …'
'Yes yes, I know all that!' She waved at him. 'What I want to know is how are you going to fix it?'
'The plea of remorse may be a stretch,' he offered calmly. 'Miss Chasser, you and your siblings John and Jeanette are charged with the attempted murder of your cousin, Charlotte Gray'. To 'fix' it is inappropriate.
'I'm not dumb Mr … Mr Whoever You Are.' Vasti levelled this slight at his professional pride but as it seemed to miss the mark she continued. 'Nor blind! But what I am not seeing is your plan to get me out.'
This whole case bothered the lawyer. Like his friend Charlotte he was a committed Christian and while he agreed that forgiveness was imperative, Charlotte's insistence on active forgiveness by paying the legal fees and seeking the lightest sentences possible, was more than the extra mile.
Lord Help, Vasti is not physically blind but she lacks insight and the jury will notice that immediately.
'Our best defence,' Miss Chasser 'is that your cousin is not pressing charges and is seeking judicial leniency.'
Vasti froze. 'What do you mean?' Her voice was tight.
'It means Charlotte is hoping that since she did not die, you three can plea assault rather than attempted murder.'
Vasti lifted her cigarette; inhaled, exhaled and closed her eyes against the smoke. Images from the day, that dreadful day, when Aunt Charlie's will was read, began flickering onto the screen of her mind. She saw the solicitor behind his desk reading aloud Aunt's fateful words. 'I, Charlotte Ethel Grey do leave my entire estate to my niece Charlotte Louise Grey. To my sister's children, Vasti, Jeanette and John Chasser, I hereby absolve of the considerable debts owed to my Estate'.
Devious old girl. Vasti mused sourly.
John had seethed with fury. Vasti pictured him as he was at the reading; sitting there with his back rigid and his neck engorged with veins, as though strangling a violent outburst. What was not seen was that their future was foretold there and then in the clenching and unclenching of his fists.
Vasti's lawyer, whose name was Glen Cranny, reached into his file for something but she payed no attention. The melody Three Blind Mice was playing in her mind again.
We've been so blind. Charlotte always said nothing random ever happened to those who loved God. And she'd always loved God.
We were three blind mice determined to destroy Charlotte. First with the spiked drink that rendered her helpless; then with the overdose poured through a thin plastic feeding tube into her stomach. Charlotte's death would have been our fortune.
But Marcus her boyfriend and policeman had arrived and caught us. And called an ambulance.
'Ms Chasser?' Glen passed Vasti an unsealed envelope containing a letter.
It read:
Vasti dear,
I'm not going to pretend that what has happened is okay because as we know, it is not. Quite apart from my stormy emotions though, I know that God loves you and wants me to do everything I can to help. He's just like that.
Do you remember as children we often sang the words 'oh taste, and see that the Lord is good' (Ps 34:8 NKJV)? I remember you said that God would be just like your father, and so you already knew He wasn't much good.
No so Vasti. I've been praying and feel I am to tell you that the three of you are like little blind mice searching for something good. Something satisfying. Open your eyes to Him Vasti. You'll see.
If this means anything to you Vasti, speak to Glen and he will introduce you to Jesus.
My fondest affection
Charlotte.
(748 words minus reference)
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I could see this as a book. Perhaps with Charlotte and the police detective teaming up to investigate crime and help people find Jesus.
You are most gifted. Blessings, Ruth