CHAPTER 8

  The reporters were all over it. All day, every day. Especially “NBC News, St. Louis.” If it bleeds it leads. Mr. Eich – God bless him – was quoted saying, “It was obviously self-defense! I heard that man was an ex-con her mother brought into the house. There’s no telling what he was putting her through.”

  So, then it was “High School Girl’s Track Star kills Ex-con.”

  Then they interviewed the track team and stumbled on to “Vanilla Ice.” Race ambiguous but one thing was unambiguous: her behavior. “Yeah, Vanilla Ice was always cold-blooded and manipulative,” her fellow runners said. Unanimously.

  So, then it was “Track Star Vanilla Ice Charged with Murder.”

  Next, they interviewed students at her high school and wanted to interview her friends. Miscellaneous student: “She was a loner, ya know? Cold. Unapproachable. Now that you mentioned it, I don’t recall any friends.” Nope, not a single friend – on the track or off.

  So, then it was “Young Loner Vanilla Ice Kills Eureka Man.”

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  During trial prep, they focused on her “ice-cold attitude and demeanor.” Pre-meditated murder while “laying in wait,” they speculated. Her public defender said it was all over once they dubbed her the Ice Queen.

  So finally it was “Ice Queen Faces Death Sentence in Ice-pick Murder.”

  Yeah, Johnny evolved from “ex-con” to “man” to unmentioned while she devolved from “track star” to “vanilla ice” to “ice queen.” Nice word play, reporters! Jury tampering much?

  Eighteen years-old and being tried as an adult, her lawyer said they needed to cop a plea. To take the death penalty off the table. Then, it would be . Sorry, it was just the ice-cold reality.

  Momma won’t come to visit, but brought Chloe for the 40 minute visits (if Chloe knows anything, it’s how to pester like a little sister). Momma always stayed outside playing to the cameras. A drama queen holding her own private court. She liked that.

  Momma really should be paid by the prosecution for what’s she says. Quotable quote: “A young temptress who lured a good man into her bed. Killed him when he rejected her.”

  Becky thought, lured? Temptress? Didn’t know momma had the vocabulary in her. Must not know “Murderess.”

  Chloe was inconsolable but Becky managed to get her to focus saying, “ I need you to go to my room and get $100 from my stash. It’s in the pages of my Bible – yeah, hidden in the last book momma would open. Go see that juvenile delinquent Rocky – yes, he’s three trailers down – and buy that bump key he’s always bragging about. Put it under your zippered scrunchie next time you visit.”

  Becky has considered many plans. For she has all day every day. All night, too. Because the objective remained.

  Escape! Because she already has too many “roommates” and no “lease” – not even a lease on life.

  18 AND LIFE

  Skid Row

  Eighteen and life, you got it

  Eighteen and life, you know

  Your crime is time and it's eighteen and life to go