Another Mother

protective of me. She was a partn

at home to Christine. She shouldered all the emotional labor and practical matters,

ep bond with Mom. They often had screamin

, Annabelle n

stuffed into that ottoman clashed

, combined with the impossible glimpse of two of

his?" I asked, keeping my tone flat.

The house was still suffocated by an oppressiv

ghtly. "No, Kelly. I... I can't imagine. Annabelle

ending to acce

piece of furniture in our living room. The audacity of the

ous; it was about some bottomles

ying to keep my voice steady. "Any weird

friends these days. She kept to herself mostly

d deeply, a heavy, exhausted sound. Her shoulders slumped. She lo

olve w

ther, drowning

uspecting her? The t

l brought on by the "Other Mo

a causes disorientation and memory laps

oss the table to squeeze her hand. Her finger

mile. "Thank you, Kelly.

eps heavy as she headed toward her bedroom. At

deep as ink pools, before returning to their te

rangeness sent another wav

m, surrounded by old photo album

. Now, the messy room reflected his inner

's old hard drives. I thought maybe... maybe some o

aid, even though my stomach churned. Thinking of thos

mes, and an old home video bega

ous little girl, was trying to open her presents early. Cedr

each other. Dad, Erich, was always so charming and full of energy, ev

g down my cheek. "How happy we were back th

stared at the screen, hi

ing out the candles, her face smeared with cake. We were all cheering. Those famil

subtle shi

unease rising on the back o

e video and frow

whispered. "W

Dad. He always had th

re there. But the camera... it's positioned too high, too steady. And the way it

my chest. My eyes scanned

owed in intense concentration. He r

ered, his voice tight. "

s in the frame, so w

on a frame where the

could faintly be seen. It looked human, but stretched and warped. The face wa

ceral terror su

mouth and whispered, "Who i

creen, then at me, then back at the sc

" he choked out. "That's not