The Visitor

A strange visitor calls on Amanda

 

The Visitor

 

 

 

            “How is my favorite cousin holding up in here?”

            Amanda heard the familiar voice, but was having a hard time concentrating on it due to the constant harsh ringing in her ears. Her vision was still somewhat blurred due to the thorough cleaning that had removed the blood from them.

            “I’m holding my own, but I’m having some trouble staying awake right now.”

            “That’s okay. I’ve got some news that may help brighten your day a bit.”

            “I’m alive. That makes the day bright enough.”

            “Well, then, this will make the day even brighter.”

            Amanda was finally beginning to realize this was the cousin who had married into their family several years ago. No blood relation, he still treated all the family as if they were his own flesh and blood. It was a part of the family “code” as he was fond a calling it. He took care of the perceived injustices and insults that were at times thrown her way, or toward her mother.

            In school, he had been expelled more than once for punching one of the socialites who slighted her and in latter years he had offered to “take care” of more than one person for her. Rumors in the family held him to be a part of the mob; some said the Mafia, while others just called him a small time thug. No matter what they called him, they knew he meant business and he was true to his word. He would stand up for family no matter what.

            As he detailed his plans to Amanda, she was scarcely able to conceive the idea that now he was trying to settle an old score from their high school days, and his plan was working and falling together like clockwork.