Chapter 5 - THE BLACK SUITCASE
The mother dropped her hand.
She stepped forward and grabbed the lapel of the maroon cardigan.
She twisted the thick wool into a tight knot within her fist.
She pulled.
The grandmother stumbled forward, her heavy shoes dragging against the marble.
The mother did not slow down.
She dragged the older woman out of the kitchen, hauling her past the dining table and into the entryway.
The old woman clawed at the mother’s blue sleeve, her fingernails scratching uselessly against the denim.
The mother’s face remained entirely blank.
They reached the front door.
Sitting next to the wooden console table was a large, hard-shell black suitcase.
The mother let go of the cardigan with her left hand.
She grabbed the plastic handle of the suitcase.
She heaved the heavy luggage into the air.
She swung it violently toward the front door.
The suitcase crashed into the heavy oak door, knocking it wide open.
It tumbled out onto the concrete porch, the plastic wheels clattering loudly against the steps.
The grandmother gasped, her hands flying up to cover her mouth.
The mother turned back to her.
She placed both hands flat against the old woman’s shoulders.
She shoved.
The grandmother staggered backward, her heels catching on the elevated metal threshold of the doorframe.
She tripped, flailing her arms wildly before catching her balance on the exterior brick wall.
She stood on the concrete porch, the cold wind instantly whipping her grey hair around her face.
The mother stepped back into the house.
She grabbed the heavy brass handle of the front door.
She pulled it shut.
The heavy wood slammed into the frame with a final, deafening thud.
The mother reached up and twisted the deadbolt.
Click.
The brass lock slid deep into the doorframe.
The seal was unbroken.
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The house was completely closed.
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