which was why I had chosen that moment to do my shopping. I thought of my eighthundred-plus Facebook friends and how they would turn my page into an epic memorial to me.
Shannon said something about her babies, but it was muffled by her quivering sobs.
“ Your grandkids don’ t want nothin’ to do with you! You can’ t even take care of your OWN kids!”
If I had waited until later, I’ d have had to fight for parking and risk being hit by a grocery cart in the ankle or the door of my Lexus. I don’ t want to die. I have the best life ever.“... always tryin’ to get the last word!” Then,“ Kid, you better stay put or I swear to Christ I’ ll shoot you before I shoot her.”
More muted conversation. Where the hell were the cops? My ear was sweating, and my wrist ached from the death grip I had on my phone. I strained to hear what the two were saying now.
“... No, Shannon, YOU started this when you chose your meth over them. Lookit you, all strung out; you look like a fuckin’ Halloween decoration.” So glad I don’ t know what that’ s like. Shannon mumbled something.
28
“ No! You were NEVER pretty! Have you looked in the mirror lately? Like your face caught fire and someone tried to put it out with a fork!”
“ You know what, Rob?” Shannon’ s voice was a shrill whine now.“ YOU made me this way! You got me started again!”“ You blamin’ ME?”“ Yeah! All you ever do is compare me to your mother!”“ But my mother ain’ t a WHORE!”“ I-” Shut up, Shannon! I begged against the pounding in my ears.
“ Ma’ am?” said the voice on the other line.“ The police are outside the store now. You’ re still behind the metal shelf, right?”“ Yes,” I whispered.“ Okay, I want you to stay there and don’ t move at all until one of the officers comes to get you. Try to crouch down as low to the floor as you can. Can you do that for me?”“ Okay.”“ You’ re doing really good. Just hang in there another few minutes.” I’ m going to be a hero.