The Testimony

Samantha on top of the table, she walked between the plates and threw his phone into the bowl. She then turned and clapped, “Yeah!”

  “Good girl.” Greg said, “Now, come to Uncle Grey!”

  “Sweet muffin,” Chloe said, “Come to mommy.”

  “No, mammy!” Samantha said, she giggled and ran back to Greg. He held her with his left arm then stood to his feet, with his right hand still holding on to the firearm.

  “Now, all of you should throw your cell phones into the bowl.” He ordered.

  Chloe turned to Jerome, “No! No!” She cried, “What is happening, Greg?”

  “Just do what I say and no one will be hurt, okay?” Greg added politely. “Please!”

  “Is this some kind of a joke?” Jerome said.

  Greg took his finger off the trigger and pulled back the hammer to full cock.

  “Oh my God!” Chloe screamed as she quickly held her mouth tight with her hands.

  “Do what Uncle Grey says, mammy!” Samantha said, ignorantly, “You have another gun?”

  “No, Sam!” He said, “Just this one!”

  “Do what he says kids.” Jerome instructed his children. “Honey?” He turned to his wife. Jerome gently took out his phone from his pocket and threw it into the bowl, and so did Tiffany and Jacob. As Chloe made an attempt to pick her phone which was lying next to her plate, it began to ring. Greg turned the gun towards her, she gently took it from the table and flung it into the bowl. The sound faded as bubbles rose and popped.

  “Now, that wasn’t so hard.” Greg said, “Was it?”

  “Not hard!” Samantha said as she threw her hands up, “Easy!”

  “Yeah, girl!” Greg said, “Easy…Easy!” He then stared at Jerome.

  The cat walked on the table towards Greg and began lifting its paws to touch the gun.

  “Uncle Grey?” Samantha said, “Kitty wants to be carried too!” She used her leg to push it away, the cat then jumped off the table and went upstairs. “Kitty scared!” She giggled, “Little kitty scared!”

  “Yeah, Samantha.” Greg said, “Little kitties are always scared when faced with real danger.”

  “Baby,” Chloe said, “Come to mommy!” She sobbed. “Please, don’t take my baby!”

  “Look, man!” Jerome pleaded, “She’s just a little girl. She won’t survive out there without her mother. Give her back, please!”

  “Oh my God!” Tiffany said as she wept, “Is he taking Sam away? Mommy! Daddy! No!”

  “Please, Greg!” Chloe appealed as she wiped her tears.

  “No one is taking your daughter anywhere!” He said, “So calm down, okay?”

  “No one taking daughter anywhere!” Samantha mumbled, “Mammy, why you crying?”

  “Now, let’s go open our gift box,” Greg said. “Shall we?”