in here? Officially?" I asked

stronger. She needs constant care, Sarah. You see how frail

armed everyone she wanted something from. He saw he

a family affair. My son, too, was on their side

tion was

s ago. The tears, the arguments. Now, there was nothi

" I said. "Let's

ed. "Just... just l

e'd braced for it. My eas

g that cost me nothing. "It s

didn't understand. He couldn't see the abyss I w

res. "Oh, Sarah, that's... that' s very understandi

at word agai

in. "This is for the best. And don't worry, I'll always be there for Ethan.

ady looking past me, toward

ay, piped up, "Does this mean Je

hugged him. "See, S

tter person, easier to deal with, just as I was preparing to leave t

. The counter rushed up, and I stumbled, catching myself just in time

in, Ethan a

d, his voice sharp with ann

," I said, leaning against th

to get attention? We just had a very adult conv

ect imitation of his father's disapproval. "Jessie g

unched in the gut. They saw my genuine physical s

ndness wa

I just bent down, carefully, and s

hey plumped my face, gave my skin a false glow. I didn't lo

contributing to their disbelief. It made it easier for them t

icking clock was hidden from them, and t

rhaps because of it, I con

I' d carefully built over years. A small rent

o the study. David

ross the desk. "My investments, the p

ocked this time. Even D

this," Jessie said, though h

r for you to manage them. You have such a good head for

nly skill was manipulat

so much," s

e," I said, my voice devoid of e

. David co-signed where necessary, a l

ing to win him back, or secur

nd. They wouldn't, u

. My detachment from eart

ord cut, setting me ad