Puppets of the Pop-ups

tchen with warmth, but tonight, it felt cold. My daughter, Jessie, barely twen

real job for a month, a marke

still clearing his th

her voice too formal, "I'v

ight appeared, visible only to me. It was l

arents are exploiting you!

ssive. I blinked, trying to make i

ed working, I've been paying ren

we appreciate it,

her chin lifting

his water. I jus

e full amount I've paid since I st

d above her, this one

money! You deserve compe

I'd been saving that money for her, every penny, in a separate

had it long enough. It's mine. I read online that it's common

multiplying now

gaslight you! Do

ground! Thi

or years of emot

David said, his voice placating. "We'

essie scoffed. The pop-

g to keep my voice even, though a tremor ran through

look I'd never seen on her face before. "I bet. You probab

of a plumbing apprenticeship, working hard

d her suspicion, a pa

ything! They've always fav

ave of nausea. "Kevin has nothing to do with t

"I want it by the end of the week. O

. *"Yes! Threaten t

sn't about money anymore, not really. It was about this... this poison that had infected m

e girl, the one who used to bring me dandelions and hug my legs, was gone,