Black Lily Petals

  Chapter 17 | Acid

  Whatever hit me, I liked it. A rush took over me that I could not control nor understand. The thought of seeing Jason in misery made my heart race of enjoyment. My teeth would clatter of intense shaking from excitement. I felt like a child at Disneyland for the first time. It was a pleasure, like watching the waves on a beach. Or like drinking a cold drink on a Caribbean island. It was something that when I was seventeen; I would not dare feel, because I would have been too afraid—I was such a child then.

  “So, if someone were to drink this, would they instantly die?” I asked my only neighbor Tracy about a cup of hydrochloric acid I had.

  “Yes most likely,” her eyes narrowed. “Why?”

  “Well, I don’t want my baby to get it. I have a seven month old and I’m caring for a five-year old. You know children are so curious.”

  “Oh yeah,” she laughed and patted down her floral gown. “I understand.”

  “Come on, Savanna,” I grabbed her hand and ran across the street with the acid. “Thanks Tracy!” I waved goodbye as I spotted Jason pulling into the garage. My plan was now in action.

  “Okay, remember what I told you to say,” I whispered to Savanna.

  “I remember,” she said in her angel-like voice.

  I was not planning to feed Jason the acid. I was not that much of a lunatic. However, I wanted him to suffer. And suffering was what he was going to do.

  He rushed into the house turning on a basketball game. I watched him kick off his shoes and run his hands through his hair…so clueless. I watched his every movement from the kitchen; waiting for the perfect moment to start my devious plan. Lily, are you crazy? Do not do it! You’ll go to prison, I thought. Girl, you better do it, before he does it first to you. I sighed and handed Savanna a cup. Are you crazy? What if she pills it on herself? You're a terrible mother! Do it! Do it! Don't do it! Throw it on his face! Murder the bastard! Give him kisses! Do it! Do it!

  “Go, go, go,” I whispered so low that Savanna could barely hear me. “Don’t spill any on you.”

  She nodded and held the cup with her small hands. At a fast pace, she began walking toward Jason.

  “Uncle! Uncle! Look what I found!” With little effort, the cup tilted onto Jason’s thigh.

  “AHH!” he jumped up screaming like a baby and ran over to me. “Call 911! Call 911!”

  I ran over to the phone and pretended to dial 911. “Okay Jason, I will.”

  Jason fell to the ground as his pants and skin burned through. Good job, Lilly. I’m proud of you. What you did was very good. I smiled in happiness as Jason pouted in pain as he splashed water on his thigh.

  “Put the cup down, Savanna!” I acted as if I were on the phone with the operator. I smiled every time he cried out for help. That rush went through me like…like…like acid. I smiled again, this time nearly laughing aloud.

  Five minutes later, Jason ended up calling the paramedics himself, realizing I never called. They came in no time and rushed him off to the emergency room.

  An hour later, I walked into the kitchen where a few cops observed the home. I could feel them breathing down my spine. I acted as if I were dusting picture frames, until Mike approached me.

  “Lilly…” his thought changed, “…Jason will be fine. Good thing she only spilled a little on his leg.”

  “Thank you, Mike,” I said. “When he gets home, I will take good care of him.”

  “Yeah, I just don’t understand where your niece got the acid from?” Mike’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not like you guys are doing chemistry here.”

  “Well, children find things everywhere. I wonder where she found it as well.”

  “I’m going to be frank with you, I know what you’re up to,” he said. “And I won’t let you get away with it.”

  “What are you talking about?” I laughed. “I’m not doing anything.”

  “Lily, don’t play dumb with me.”

  “I’m not acting dumb.”

  “Is Kristen still coming over twice a week for counseling?” Mike said.

  “Uh, nope. I haven’t seen her since I was pregnant,” I said.

  “Um…did she quit?”

  “I have no idea, Mike.”

  “How are you and Jason getting along?”

  “As good as they come,” I lied.

  “Really?”

  “Our love is real.”

  “Well, I guess we’ll be going now. Jason should be home in no time,” Mike sighed and walked away.

  I winked and turned to face the mirror on the wall. It was me there, but darker. And I don’t mean darker in complexion—just everything seemed darker, my eyes, my hair, my lips, everything. I rubbed my forehead on my right side where what it looked like loose skin was hanging. With the little nails I had, I scratched up the skin and it continued to peel off. I held the fresh oval shaped skin in my palm in eerie. My eyes narrowed as I looked closer into the mirror and it did not leave a mark on my forehead—it did not even hurt to peel it off. I pulled on another piece of skin, this time the left side of my forehead. The skin was smooth and black on the opposite side—

  “Lily?” Mike interrupted me.

  “What?” I snapped.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Um, yeah of course.”