I need a distraction. I walk into the kitchen and open my laptop. There’s a tab on the online newspaper I like labeled Accidents and Disasters. I go there when I can’t sleep. A man died from a box jellyfish in Australia. The most venomous marine creature known to man, each tentacle has enough toxin to kill sixty people. One minute, you’re snorkeling with your mates and the next, dead. Not a gidday. He’s one of forty people who die this way each year.

Death by jellyfish makes me giggle.

I’m a bit slaphappy, I know. It’s not funny. None of this is funny. I cover my mouth, shake with laughter until it stops, turning into something darker.

I stand up and kick the side of the couch. My hands clench into fists. I hate being out of control, hate it. I grab the knife from the table and slide it into the butcher-block holder on the kitchen counter.

This will be the last time I will be out of control. Ever.

18

9:00 a.m.

David hovers above me. “Jane. Wake up.”

I open one eye. I’ve clearly dozed off but I’m not in my bed. I’m in the living room, on the couch. He’s dressed in a business suit, as always. No tie. I’m not sure whether he’s coming or going.

I sit up slowly. Disoriented.

“I brought you coffee.” David points to the steaming cup on the coffee table, next to the letter accusing Betsy. I try not to let my stomach tighten with anger again. It’s too early in the morning.

“Thanks.”

“Did you talk to her?” He’s hoping I handled the dirty work so he can skedaddle off to his new life.

“No. I called her but she was with Bo. It was weird.”

“What do you mean weird? Who is Bo?”

“I don’t know. I got a bad feeling. Like what Hoffman warned me about.” I take a sip of coffee.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I’m going to go wake her up. It’s her last day of school, Seniors’ Day, where they all get special shit, right? What is she doing still asleep?”

I shrug. Take a sip of coffee. “She does whatever she wants these days.” And you’ve created this, dear. David prided himself on being the disciplinarian, but clearly he has dropped the ball. He’s juggling so much these days.

David stomps downstairs and I hear his fist banging on Betsy’s door.

“It’s graduation day! The day we’ve all been waiting for!!” David yells. “Upstairs. This minute.” David is commanding when he wants to be. A glimpse of the old days, the happy days. The normal family days. Firm dad. Loving mom. Two beautiful girls.