The Birthday Present

Ray and Cora both tried to plead with her. Veronica slapped her daughter again, then slapped Cora. Cora hit her back and the two women began to fight. Veronica hit Cora in the head with the phone's receiver. As the two women fought, Ray ran into the kitchen and came back with a carving knife.

Veronica had Cora pinned on the floor, hitting her over and over again with the phone. Without hesitation, Ray plunged the knife into her mother's back, pulled it out, and plunged it back in again. Veronica stopped in her tracks and slumped over, dead.

Cora stood up and looked at Ray. “I can't believe you did that.”

“She was hurting you.”

“She's dead. Your mother is dead.”

“I don't care. I hated her.”

“Yes, but that was the old problem. Look at the new problem we are facing.”

“What are we going to do? Are you going to tell on me?”

“No. of course not. We have to dispose of the body.”

“How?”

“I'll call Beau. He will know what to do.”

“Good idea.”

“Just start cleaning up this mess,” Cora said, gesturing towards the blood on the floor. She went to call her husband, briefing him on the story, leaving out the part about them being naked on the couch. She told him to bring lots of thick, black garbage bags, heavy duty tape and a shovel.

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Beau drove them out to a secluded spot in the woods. Veronica's body was wrapped up in the trunk. He took the body out, laid it down, and began shoveling a hole. Cora and Ray stood to the side. “He really loves you, “ Ray stated. “He would probably do anything for you.” She paused, then continued. “You know, I would too.”

When Beau was finished digging, he threw Veronica's body into the shallow ditch. Sweating profusely, he said, “That's it.”

Cora looked at him and said, “Honey, I'm ready for my birthday present.”

“Now? You want your present now, Cora?”

“You said anytime.”

Beau shrugged and said, “You're right. I said anytime.“ He handed Cora the shovel.

Ray looked confused. “What birthday pre-” Before she could finish, Cora swung the shovel and it made a loud cracking noise as it met Ray's head. The girl's body fell on top of her mother's in the makeshift grave. Immediately Cora began shoveling dirt in.

Beau looked at his wife and smiled. “Happy birthday,” he said.