Bloodhound Books

SATURDAY
Oh God. Here you go again, hanging over me, invading my sleep with your morning breath. As my eyes flicker open, you linger over me for a long moment, nuzzling my neck and furtively assessing my reaction. I feel your arms tremble.

When you get no response, you slide off with a disgusted grunt. Even though I’m still half-asleep, I sense the guilt-seeking rays emanating from your half-turned back. I roll over and away.

But you just can’t let me be, can you? The pointed buzzing of an electric toothbrush, the pedantic click of a wardrobe door, a coat-hanger’s righteous jangle – your busy-busy faffing is just enough to break my spell. I am conscious, and there’s no escaping it. No escaping you.

Today, I think. Let it be today that I find a way.

‘Come on!’ you say. ‘We should have left by now!’

And I think: Next week.

Did he love her? He loved parts of her. But the question isn’t whether or not he loved her. The question is… did he kill her?

It’s the only reason the human race isn’t extinct, because people with no purpose breed,” he says nonchalantly.

If they can’t handle me at my worst, they don’t deserve me at my best,” he says raising his chin.

“Adam, I need you to understand, I am here as your lawyer, not your wife.”

“Eleanor. Just stop. You’re being ridiculous.” I shake my head.

“Am I? You couldn’t even keep an eye on your own mother… and look what happened to her.”

“Your son is a liar, a cheater, and possibly a murderer. Your coddling and over-the-top mothering has gotten Adam into this mess. The best thing you could do as a mother is to take note from mine and kill yourself.”

I may have not been the most honest person. Not to Adam, not to Anne, not to Matthew, not to Sheriff Stevens, not with any of them, but I’ll be honest with myself. Timing is everything and I timed everything out perfectly.

Before Sheriff Stevens can speak, I interrupt. “There’s no need.”

“Why?” they both ask in unison giving each other a puzzled look.

“I’m his lawyer

I composed myself in the bathroom prior. I’m no longer here as Adam’s wife. I’m his lawyer. I’m Sarah Morgan