And You Call Yourself A Christian by E. N. Joy Page B

air.
    Unique’s sister led Lorain over to the couch. “You can have a seat.”
    Lorain accepted the offer and sat on the worn but pretty decent sofa.
    Picking up the remote from the table and handing it to Lorain, the young woman about five or six years Unique’s senior sat down as well. “The kids been watching Nickelodeon all day. It keeps them off my nerves. But you can turn to something you’d like if you want to.”
    â€œNo, thank you.” Lorain kindly shook her head as Sponge Bob’s theme music filled the air.
    â€œOh, I can’t take that song no more,” Renee spat, turning to one of the local channels. Placing the remote on the table, she sat and waited for Lorain to speak.
    Gathering the exact words she needed to tell this woman that her nephews were dead, Lorain remained silent. Like Nicholas, she didn’t want to say the wrong thing.
    Before Lorain could speak, Unique’s sister did. “You know, I think that’s cool what you and Unique did for each other.”
    â€œPardon me?” Lorain didn’t know what she was talking about.
    â€œYou know with the twins and all, her having them for you and you raising them and all that other stuff. Because when that child first told me she was pregnant, I was about to tell her that she had to pack her stuff and keep it moving. There’s no way we had room in this place for two more. So how are those babies anyway? The boys just love ’em. They can’t stop talking about their aunties. As far as they are concerned, them girls are their sisters.”
    â€œThe twins?” Lorain remembered that her mother was watching them. She’d forgotten to call her and let her know what was going on. She was surprised her mother hadn’t called her first. But then again, Lorain had told her she might be late and not to worry. Lorain figured her mother probably didn’t want to interrupt her and Nicholas’s moment; the moment that never happened. Lorain figured she’d go ahead and call Eleanor now, but she couldn’t do it in front of Unique’s sister, especially with her not knowing yet. “My mother has the twins. Do you mind if I step out and call to check on them?” Lorain stood.
    â€œNo, I don’t mind at all.” Unique’s sister wondered why Lorain felt it necessary to have to leave the house just to talk on the phone, but she didn’t want to be nosy and question her.
    Lorain excused herself and went on the porch and dialed her mother’s phone number.
    â€œLorain, I was just about to call you,” Eleanor said after picking up on the first ring. “Did you see it? It’s on right now! Did you see it on the news? About Unique and her boys?”
    â€œIt’s on the news?” Lorain asked.
    â€œYes. Dear God, how’s Unique doing?” Eleanor asked. “Have you talked to her? My God, baby, how are you doing? Here I am thinking I’m letting you be to enjoy your engagement, and you’ve been dealing with this. I can’t believe what I’m seeing on this television.”
    â€œTelevision?” Lorain mumbled to herself. “Mom, let me call you back, please. I promise I’ll call you right back.” Lorain hung up the phone and darted back into the house. She found Unique’s sister standing with her hands over her mouth staring at the television.
    â€œDid you know? Is that why you’re here?” Unique’s sister stared at Lorain waiting for an answer. “I was wondering why you showed up at the house so late.” She turned her attention back to the television. “They, they just said Unique’s boys are dead. See, watch.” She nervously fumbled with the remote and pressed a button that would rewind live television like it was a movie in a DVD player.
    Lorain watched as a reporter covered the story. “Police say they had no idea children were even in the car; nobody did. Apparently