My Mother’s Favorite Lesson Killed Me

"Ethan, here."

Mom pulled a hundred dollars from her purse and held it out.

He looked confused but took it anyway.

"Now that your sister's gone, we'll have fewer expenses around here. This hundred's for you to spend however you want—treat your friends to dinner, whatever you like."

Mom! How can you say that?!

Ethan might not have been affectionate with me, but he'd still slip me pocket money when no one was looking. He'd buy me little cakes.

I quickly turned to look at him.

Sure enough, the weight of guilt hit him so hard his legs gave out. He dropped to the floor.

He was only eleven. Faced with a mother like this, all he could do was scream and cry to make himself heard.

"I want my sister! I want her back! Give her back to me!"

He screamed until his voice went raw, and Mom locked him in his room.

Chloe started to say something, but the moment she saw Dad, she retreated to her room instead.

"The kids are really upset," Dad said. "Maybe we should bring Lily back?"

Mom pursed her lips.

"I'm teaching them a lesson. Ethan's how old, and he's already making decisions on his own—treating classmates to meals without asking? You can tell what a kid'll be like at three. Who knows what he'll pull when he's older."

She waved her hand. "Fine. Let them cry for a few more days, then I'll say I'm bringing Lily home."

The next morning, both Ethan and Chloe stayed locked in their rooms. Mom didn't seem to care.

She went to the farmers' market like it was any other day.

When she passed an old, rundown apartment building, I felt a jolt of recognition.

"Mom, I'm right behind it! Mom!"

She kept walking without a glance.

"Woof! Woof woof woof!"

A German Shepherd barked relentlessly at something in the distance.

Mom shot it a disgusted look and stepped around it.

An old man hurried over, tugging the leash. "Rex! What's gotten into you? You've been acting strange since last night—what are you barking at?"

The dog's eyes were fixed on me. He let out a soft whine.

I reached out and pretended to pat his head.

I knew. It was probably my blood that had unsettled him.

I'm sorry.

Mom finished her shopping and went home. She'd barely started in the kitchen when someone knocked.

"Police."

"Are you Bernice Fox? We're investigating a homicide that may involve you. Please come with us."