I jammed the phone into my pocket just as the police knocked down the door.

              "Nice Entrance," I comment, giving them a thumbs up.  A tall, bald man scowls at me. I put my hands down.  

              "Come with me," another buff man with dark hair growls.  He leads me into the kitchen and motions for me to sit down at the island.  I do, and he pulls out a clipboard.

              "Did your mother have any drug or alcohol in her system within 24 hours of finding her body?"

              "Not that I know of. Why?"

             "Did she use tobacco?"

             "No."

            "Was there anyone who strongly disliked her?"

             "Where is my father?"

           "Was there anyone who strongly disliked her?"

            I sigh. "No. "

            "Did anyone show any dislike to her?"

           "Me."

           "Why?"

             "She yelled at me, and swore."

            "I don't see how you could be mad about her using vulgar words when you use them yourself." 

              "But I wouldn't murder her."

            "No one said she was murdered."

            "Isn't it obvious?"   

            "What about your father? Any Disputes?"

             "Of course not! They loved each other..."

              "Did she like herself?"

             "I believe so... If you're thinking suicide, Uh-uh," then, I added, "Where's my father?" 

            "Not in his office. One of his colleges said that he went out to lunch."

             I check my watch. "It's 4:04! Lunch was 4 hours ago!"

            "He probably had a meeting."

            Then it occurred to me. "Where am I going to stay? "

           "You're Father. But if he doesn't show up, with your grandmother. Let's go. She's probably here already."

          That was a relief. I got to stay with by grandmother. As long as I had money, I'd be cool. She was so laid back that it was nice. You could do whatever you wanted with her in charge, because all she did was go to the already-planned events by her nursing home and eat.  She was in the living room when we got there. The bald man was putting CAUTION CRIME SCENE tape up, and Several investigators were around the body. News reporters swarmed the area, and another policeman was shooing them away. A reporter with a blonde ponytail got sneaked passed to me.

         "Amelia, What exactly did you see when you got home from school?"

         "My Dead Mother! It's not like you would care!"

          My grandmother grabbed my arm, and, with a scowl to the reporter, walked me to my room. "Anything you need?" I nod and grab my wallet and a backpack from my closet. I fill it with PJ's, underclothes, shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, and socks. I stick my wallet in my purse.

           "I have to go to the bathroom." Grandma gestures me out. Once there, I stick the phone in my purse with only so much as a glance and set to gathering my toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and just about any other toiletry that was necessary for the next few days. When I return, Grandma is opening the window. "Grandma?..." I start.

             She smiles. "You first." I give her a strange look. "It's better than going past the police. Don't worry. I wrote a note." I hesitantly throw my two backpacks out and hoist myself up. Then, I cautiously slip to the ground.

              The pluses of having a first floor window.