‘Besides, I have plans that involve the neighbor’s dog. The animal keeps wandering onto the property and shitting on the lawn. Plus, I figured that would give me some relief and help me let go of the urge to kill you.’ I thought to myself.

“Yes, I’m serious. Go grab us a couple of waters and apples, and I’ll go get the gates set up.”

This man was pushing his luck. I’d already reined myself in once today. Twice may become a problem. I stomped away from him and aimed for the house. My hands were balled into fists as I pictured grabbing a knife and slitting his throat when I returned to the barn.

My anger turned to my brother with each step I took toward the house. How exactly had Abel managed to get out of working with the hay again? Oh yes, that’s right, he was pretending to be stupid and was sitting in summer school. I wished I could be as skilled as he was with emotional manipulation. I didn’t have it in me. It took great effort to hold the proper emotional reaction in place for long periods, but Abel could—the fucker. So now he was able to relax and not be here, doing this farm shit. I would have to find a way to pay him back for that.

Mother was in full baking mode when I stepped into the kitchen and was humming to the radio. I made sure that the door didn’t make a sound as I closed it behind me and stared at the back of the woman that gave birth to me. I was supposed to feel love and respect, or a bond with her at the very least. I felt none of that. To me, she was nothing more than a husk of annoyance.

The dress she was wearing was standard country wife, summer dress attire for the area. The little yellow flowers and her hair pinned up gave the impression of the perfect little housewife, but I knew better. She’d been fucking my father’s best friend for years. They practically flaunted it under his nose at parties if you paid attention. Paying attention to details was what I did best.

Making sure I stayed out of her visual range, I wandered to the fridge and grabbed a couple of water bottles. I purposely let the door slam back into place and smirked as my mother jumped and screamed. She spun around, and I made the best oops face I could. The I’m sorry face was the hardest for me to pull off, but she seemed to believe the act as she gave a nervous little giggle and then smiled.

“Cain, you scared the bejesus out of me.” The woman fanned herself as she sighed. “Where’s your father at? Dinner will be done in an hour.”