Publish Novella 5 July 2023
EPISODE 1 – GARDEN OF HATREDEve’s bundle of joy is becoming a suspicious body of terror as she tries to prevent the portentous outcome of warring siblings.
Eve’s bundle of joy is becoming a suspicious body of terror as she tries to prevent the portentous outcome of warring siblings.
This fictional behavioral health mystery underscores challenges in one single-parent household.
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Multiplying
When Eve Anderson gave birth to her first son in Cottonwood Minnesota, she had a superficial knowledge of the Bible. So after a nurse pressed her to name him in the maternity ward, she instinctively blurted out “Caine.” Misspelling notwithstanding, it identifies the first human child through procreation. Later the ignominious legacy of this namesake will unfold.
There is no Adam in this Eve’s life. This pregnancy was a pre-wedlock accident. Even before the historic overturning of federally protected abortions in the year 2022, she decided to be the best single mother possible. For two years, Eve is juggling a job and reading Bible passages to an infant while nursing.
In her online dating profile, she indicates that she is looking for a real man who wants to become a father. To her delight, a someone named Brandon Kirkland shows an interest. Undeterred by her toddler, he woos her with his desire for a large family. Their dates become frequent and more serious. Eve marries Brandon and on Caine’s first day of kindergarten, Eve discovers she is pregnant with her second child.
The attachment Caine has for his mother does not extend to his sibling. To distance her children from portentous rivalry, Eve does not name her new offspring Abel. Instead, she calls him Armand.
As the boys grow older, Caine’s hatred for Armand manifests—despite Eve’s efforts to distribute her love equally.
Unfortunately, Eve’s marriage doesn’t survive the family discord. Without warning, Brandon doesn’t return home. By the time Caine is 14 and Armand is 8 years old, the single mother encourages Caine to care for Armand after school.
“I’m only one person. You need to step up and help out. Keep the house clean and watch your little brother.”
But often when Eve comes home, there is an excuse for how Armand receives a new injury. Either he fell, curiously touched a hot lightbulb, or got scratched while playing with stray cats.
Obligated by law, the school teacher reports the injuries to Child Protection Services. However, the investigation does not yield probable cause of abuse. The investigator notes “suspicious bruising, possibly by rambunctious play.”
Bible Lesson
Not trusting so many excuses, Eve sits Caine down and reads an important passage from the American Standard Bible. It’s at Genesis 4:7.
“If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door: and unto thee shall be its desire, but do thou rule over it.” She then asks, “Do you understand this?
“No,” he replies.
She clarifies, “God is tellin’ Cain to control his feelin’s of hatred for his brother. Do you think Cain listened?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
While endeavoring to teach a lesson, the mother focuses on the next verse. “Do you see here that Cain kills his brother and then suffers punishment?”
With the tender voice of an innocent child, her oldest son asks, “Are you warning me not to kill Armand?”
She congratulates his comprehension, stressing the moral lesson. “Definitely. The thought should never cross your mind. But this Bible story shows how hatred results in bad outcomes for everyone.”
“It makes sense. Thanks Momma.”
“Know that I love you both equally. He is not a replacement for you. Do you understand?”
“Yeah Momma.”
Extenuating Circumstances
This Bible lesson results in a truce for many months, until Eve returns home from work to witness the most fearful event of her life. Crime scene tape blocks the entrance to her apartment while police officers question Caine.
Eve shouts, “What’s happening? Where are my babies?”
A female police officer asks, “Ma’am, do you live here?”
“Yes, that’s my mother!” Caine replies. “Momma, I didn’t do it!”
The officer invites Eve, ”Please, let’s step outside and talk.”
Eve asks, “Where’s Armand?”
Away from the earshot of her son, the officer breaks the news that Armand is no longer living. “His cause of death is not apparent yet. But Caine phoned emergency services. The dispatched police arrived moments before you did. We are still sorting things out.”
“Why didn’t anyone phone me?”
“That's one of many questions that deserves an answer. Perhaps the dispatcher was trying to calm your son down during the commotion. As I mentioned, this is a very fluid situation.”
“Can I see my… son… Armand?”
“Eventually. We’re still processing the scene and trying to preserve any evidence.”
“What evidence? How did he die?”
“You have as many questions as I do at the moment. Neither of us has the benefit of answers. If it’s alright, I’d like to question your son, Caine, in your presence, as the only witness.”
“Yes, of course,” Eve responds, wanting gain as much information as possible.
Mounting Suspicions
In the informal interview, the female officer addresses the minor child. “Caine, your mother has agreed to let us speak together. Can you tell us what happened?”
“Armand and me were watching television. He said he wanted to play a new video game that I had in my bedroom. I left to get it and when I came back, he was lying on the floor.”
“What did you do next?”
“I called 911.”
The officer expresses empathy. “That must have been traumatic for you. We found some burns and bruises on your brother. Do you have any idea how that might have happened?”
“I wasn’t in the room. Maybe he tripped over the lamp.”
She tries to establish a motive for malice by asking, “Were you and your brother on good terms? Have there been any arguments recently or in the past?”
“I loved my brother! It’s sad that this happened.”
With the child not offering a confession, the officer concludes the interview. “Okay. That’s all the questions for now. Is there anything else you’d like to add, Ms Kirkland?”
The mother reacts, “This is just so devastating and confusing.”
“Yes, I agree. Let me give you a moment with your son while I confer with the other officers.”
Based on preliminary evidence, the implausible account of events, and the lack of sibling emotion, the police are suspicious of sociopathic foul play. They call in a detective who concurs. So they decide to do what must seem like the unthinkable to a grieving mother.
They arrest the juvenile Caine on suspicion of murder. It’s either that or place him into foster care, where he might endanger other children.
Eve objects vehemently, but cannot persuade officers to release Caine. Instead they give her the phone number to a public defender. Next, she sees a gurney roll up to her with a small body securely strapped to it. An officer peels back the white sheet for her to confirm the identity of Armand.
This powerless mother’s heart sinks to her stomach, over the loss of one son, the arrest of another, and the many evidence bags that officers remove from the premises. She drops to her knees weeping with the business card creasing within her tight fists like the pattern of veins on her forehead. But the situation has yet to reach the final depth of despair.
Continue…
Return twice weekly for miniseries. Any relation to actual persons or events is coincidental. Login provides the most immersive experience. About 3200 total words.
