Puppets of the Pop-ups

tarted a campaign of stealthy acquisition. Small things at first, a few

ing but told myself

A silver locket my grandmother gave

were smug whenever she was nea

ueen! Monetize

ice things if they won

ce, looking for a used bookshelf, and I saw it,

locket, downsizing for a minimal

s, David's cufflinks, even one of Kevin's old gaming console

t: need funds for a personal emergenc

my voice shaking with anger and hurt. "You're se

have the grace

, shrugging. "I needed the money. You wouldn't give

owed with approval: *"Yasss! Reclaimin

sputtered. "That's ca

then, drawn by t

he asked, his eyes

ling our belongings online!" I cried, holdi

she's accusing me of horrible things! I just needed a little extra mo

anipulative suggestion: *"Play the victim! He's

se? Well, why didn't you say s

is wallet. "Here," he said, handing her a cou

dy. You always understand." She shot me a triumpha

om! Daddy's little girl alway

id had not only undermined m

aring at the ceiling. David was al

g, don't you?" I whisp

ans

r, David. This isn'

le

too, through his fear and his desperate need for a quiet life. I realized t

ded to get away, to let David experience Jessie's

oney for Kevin. We had been planning to help Kevin with a down p

quietly, a future plan. Jessie c

n, twisted and weaponized. *"They're hiding assets! It's all

private hopes and turning them

oad trip I'd been postponing, visit my

vid about the money we

d her. My priority now was to protect wha

erhaps a week alone with his "empo