My mute bride

Steven was still reeling when Jolly jumped in and gave him a knuckle on the head.

“What gives?!” Steven held his head in pain.

“We heard everything,” Jolly snapped, pissed off. “This is the sort of thing you do when we’re away, huh?!”

“What have I done?!”

“You’re still not admitting it?!” At that, Jolly turned to Sandra. “Don’t be afraid, dear. I’m his older sister, and I’ll definitely do you justice.”

“What justice?” Steven was still lost.

“What justice do you think?!” Jolly turned grim as soon as she turned to her cousin. “Be it that you brought her home, but I can’t believe you don’t want to be responsible for what you’ve done. Are you even a man?! It’s still so early in the day, and you’re already shooing her away without at least letting her put on some clothes?! I bet your parents will break your leg if they hear about this.”

“What? Responsible? Hold on-

“Hold on, my foot!”

Marilyn held Jolly back. “Alright, cut it out. It’s all about free love now. It’s no big deal that Steven’s in a relationship. What’s your name, dear? Are you Steven’s classmate?”

Clearly, Marilyn was more interested in the young woman Steven had brought home. After all, she watched the young man grow into who he was today. Finally, this rascal had learned to get himself a girl, and Marilyn adored her the more she looked at this young woman.

Meanwhile, Sandra frowned. “You guys have made a mistake. We just met yesterday.”

“You guys just met, and you’ve already moved in? Is it love at first sight?”

“What? No!”

“It’s okay, we’re a pretty open family. What’s wrong with love at first sight? How romantic. Isn’t this what they always portray in the movies?” Marilyn winked at Sandra. “You still haven’t told me your name, dear.”

After some hesitation, Sandra introduced. herself. “I’m Sandra Huges,” she said.

“What a beautiful name.”

“Beautiful, my a*s. You guys have really been mistaken, Aunt Marilyn!” Steven kept trying to make things straight. “She stayed over because

“That’s enough!” Jolly interjected unapologetically. “You’d better shut up! We don’t want to talk to an irresponsible guy like you. Shame on you! Come, Sandra. Let’s get you a change of clothes.”

Marilyn, too, urged Sandra to follow Jolly. “Go on. She’s my daughter, and you two are about the same size. Let her get you something to change into. We can talk later.”

Steven was rendered speechless as he looked at the two women escorting the ‘victim’ upstairs to get changed while totally disregarding him. Alas, he couldn’t clear himself off the charge no matter what he did now.

Just then, Richard came in with a bag of sweet potatoes, and he greeted Steven as he entered. “Steven, you’re here?! Didn’t Marilyn and Jolly ask you to help me bring the things in? Come on, help me out.”

“Uncle Richard!” Steven wailed. “You have to believe me!”

“What is it?” Richard was stumped. Meanwhile, up on the second floor, Jolly took a brand new set of clothing out of her closet and handed it to Sandra. “There you go. Go on, get changed.”

“No, a jacket will do,” said Sandra as she waved her hand before grabbing the jacket and wearing it over her camisole sweater. “Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Jolly felt bad and apologetic. “I’m sorry about my cousin, but I can assure you this is certainly the first time he’s ever brought a girl home.”

“No, I think you guys have really taken this the wrong way.”

“Sandra.” Marilyn sized the young girl up with a smile. “How old are you? Are you from Riverdale? Are you still studying, or have you started working?”

Marilyn’s words stumped Sandra for a split second, and she suddenly remembered last night. Right now, there was nowhere else she could go.

“I just graduated and recently moved to Riverdale, ma’am. I’m currently looking for a job…”

Down on the couch in the living room, Richard comforted Steven as he said, “What’s there to worry about if you’ve done nothing? She wouldn’t frame you for something like this, would she? How could you have thought about bringing her home if you don’t even have this bit of decency, am I right?”

“I don’t know what she’s like, though. I just met her for the first time yesterday. How could I have brought her home if I hadn’t witnessed her being bullied and even passed out from it?”

“They’re coming down.” Richard looked up and found his wife and daughter escorting an unfamiliar young woman downstairs. She looked pretty much like a girl next door and not some evildoer.

“Have you guys made it clear yet?” Steven was desperate to clear his name. “I’ve already told Uncle Richard everything. I’ve done nothing wrong, and Uncle Richard can attest to it.”

“Attest to what?!” Jolly hit the roof. “How can my dad attest to your words? Did he witness what happened last night? Don’t give me your bullsh*t, Steven!”

“Jolly, how can you say that about your cousin? He isn’t like that. Marilyn’s voice was much gentler in comparison.

Steven looked gratefully at Marilyn, thinking she was backing him. “Thank you, Aunt Marilyn. Indeed, you know me well.”

Lo and behold, Marily held her nephew’s hand and entreated, “Steven, since your mom’s not here, I have to look into your issues now that you’re in Riverdale. I won’t stop you from dating, but that doesn’t mean you can bully a girl. I won’t tell your mom about this just yet, but I hope you can willingly confess.”

“Confess?” Steven was stupefied. “Confess about what?”

“You’d better reflect on what you’ve done!” Jolly glared daggers at him.

“1-“Steven suddenly realized something. “What did you tell my cousin and aunt?!”

“I dare you to hit her!” Jolly stood in between Steven and Sandra. “I’m warning you, Steven. Don’t you dare lay a finger on Sandra while I’m here.”

“What did she tell you guys?!”

“How do you still have the nerve to ask?!”

“Whatever she’s told us, I hereby announce that Sandra will be staying with us from today on,” Marilyn said resolutely, giving no chance for anyone to refute.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Steven was rendered gobsmacked. “Move out if you have a problem with it,” Jolly retorted. “Sandra will be staying with us for a long time.”

The person in question was hiding behind Jolly right then, not daring to look Steven in the eye at all.

She confessed that she had lied a little to be able to stay. But once the issue was over and things had quieted down, she would sincerely apologize to this family and ask for their forgiveness.

Steven knew nothing he said could make a difference anymore, seeing that this was now a for-sure. He just asked, ‘At the very least, you should tell me my crime if you’re going to punish me. Even if I did something to her last night, is it necessary for her to stay with us?!”

“You’re finally admitting what you did last night, huh?! It’s too late now.” Jolly reprimanded. “This girl even aborted twice in school because of you. How dare you have the audacity to do something like this?!”

“Ab- Steven’s temples throbbed and drifted his gaze toward Sandra, enunciating, “What did I make you do?!”