“His wife has always been sickly.”

The second officer moved behind her, pulling a pair of metal handcuffs from his belt.

“You’re under arrest for domestic assault and breaking and entering,” the first officer said.

My mother’s face finally changed, her eyes narrowing into thin, dark slits.

The officer grabbed her right wrist and pulled it behind her back.

The metal cuffs clicked shut with a sharp, heavy sound.

She did not struggle, but she kept her gaze locked directly on me.

“You think this is over, Jake?” she asked.

A cold, mocking smile spread slowly across her lips.

“You are so stupid,” she whispered, leaning toward me as the officer pulled her toward the cruiser.

“The pills are not the worst thing I have done,” she said.

My heart stopped.

“What pills?” I asked, stepping toward her. “What did you do to her pills?”

She didn’t answer, only letting out another quiet laugh as they guided her into the back seat.

The heavy car door slammed shut, cutting off her voice.

I stood on the pavement, the smell of gasoline and ozone thick in the air.