all camera heavy in my pocket. The plan felt flimsy, reckless. But the alter

rted the moment Rob

said, his voice loud and demanding. "

ned. "I told you, Da

David pushed past him. "This is

erned. "Please, let's not fig

vid snarled at her. "T

m just going to go say hi to Mom," I said, my voice shaking. I didn't wai

l smell hung in the air. Susan was in her hospital bed, her e

ed, my back to the door. I unplugged the lamp, plugged in the camera, and then plug

d. Her skin was cool. "We're going to figu

in my chest. David and Robert were still a

I said, grabbing his a

in the car and drove off in silence. A few blocks away, I took out my

usan's room appeared. The connection was clear.

de-by-side on our couch. It felt like a terrible violatio

, check Susan' s vitals, and leave. Then, around nine o'clock, the d

to Olivia and wrapped his arms around her from behind, bu

and turned in his arms, kissing him fully on the mouth. Th

" David whispered, his

ot w

oming in here, making demands. And his wife, that snooping b

ing his cheek. "Don't think

ill form in the bed. "Look at her. Useless. Just lyin

pet name for h

gled cry of rage escaping his lips. "

caged animal. I couldn't move. I c

hands on her stomach, a

tly. "I have some news

er, captivated

a theatrical whisper. "But I can't keep it a secret fro

ng went silent. Robert stared at her, his mouth hanging open. Then, a slow, idi

phone in my hand, his face a mask of

looked at me,

, his voice dangerously quiet. "W

-