His Dead Wife's Shadow

na'

stung my

wice this morning, but Mrs. Halston said it stil

me spot for the third time, praying they woul

deaf and

oken glass. "I told you to clean my makeup brushe

body was already trembling from the cold and fatigue, a

uickly, keeping my head down

oulder and laughed. "God, you're so pathetic

ded. Like it

red in the hallway, frowning l

u break this

thing

like an idiot? Do you want

ach had already learned

finger. "It's honestly embarrassing to even have you in this house. I keep telling Mom we

wn k

anted?

er and forced my voice to stay calm

low, eyes on the floor. "You hear that, Mom? Our little

cry. No

more to mock. More re

d cleaned every room, folded every towel, and

yes and dream of b

would never

ien's

ouse was

s was th

e used to sit in while reading, her legs tucked under

st made me

been gone fo

her. Slowl

n I ever let in. The o

at another woman. Haven't w

buzzed. I didn't want

ouses. Down in the poor district-Lower South. A gang's trying to

g right away. Just s

inally said. "I'll

-

th – Two

arbage. Buildings were falling apa

ed out of my way. No one said anything, but I c

the prob

Didn't need to. One war

to leave whe

were almost bigger than she was. She looked tired. Dirty. Her

dumpster, but it slipped. Hit

he loo

art s

fa

exactly

my

me mouth. Sam

ared. Broken. Like she'

s widened. Then she

, frozen, watching her disappear

her. I k

t felt like sh

't let her l