A Serpent in My Bed

eech of

ghts burning

, no

kne

o

was of them. M

cause of me. B

vo

? You

snappe

room curtains. The

Jess

igned concern, h

ing in your sl

ss

te. My be

brought in

t. This room. T

onday before

we

re she destro

pright, hear

it?" My voice

ed smile. "Monday, silly. Big marke

o

uldn'

r my phone on

mber

ar. La

as

my lips, raw a

"Hey, you okay? You look

d. M

looded back, s

ming with an envy I'd

y. Our warm, noisy home. Our family rest

ighed once, after seeing a picture of the diamond e

in-law, already pregnan

on the ring, a hunger in it

money at the restau

ng, had just laughe

the calculati

e her plan

happy to have her. Mom, with her famous turkey and stuffing. Dad, his bl

nksgivin

ng everyone. Es

full. Laughed a little

d he'd come to her room. Tha

. All

morning, walked into the chaos. Jessica's tea

nt Emily int

ittle girl, d

announced she was pregnant wi

ugh our small town,

ped her roommate

me, to stop the whisp

e sums. Our family savings, meant for

ssure spiked. H

ressed and overworked, crashed his de

d her "settlement" money. N

d

he girl who betra

g was relentless.

of it all

raffic. Not see

e tires

.. now I

it all

talking, her voi

ering. You know, since my family's so far aw

ading. The same look s

had sealed my

n me, so potent it

hings would

I wouldn't

, Jessica

last