Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Six months later

Kathy got real serious and turned to Tom, “You know I hate to say I was wrong, but I think I spoke too harshly about Susan previously. I’m sorry I fought you so hard on moving in with her in the beginning. We’re all getting along; she’s so wonderful with Kylie, and everything I was worried about before has just not materialized. Our living arrangement is working out beautifully! Would you forgive me?”

Tom’s look conveyed that he could relate, and his hug reassured Kathy that he wasn’t in the slightest upset about it. “Yep, totally agree with you. This whole situation turned out a lot better than I thought it would too. The main suspicions I had are gone. But do you have this little voice in your head saying, ‘When is the other shoe going to drop?’ like I do?”

“Yeah,” Kathy nodded in agreement, “I do. I’m very proud of Susan; her turnaround has been remarkable, but still.” She let out a big sigh. “The bonus is that you got your sister back, and Kylie has gained an aunt who she clearly adores. Maybe we should just focus on the fact that we are very fortunate in that respect.”

“You’re right. I will do my best to tell that voice to shut up,” Tom said with a smile. Kathy laughed and kissed him on the forehead.

“Good!” Tom pulled her down for a deeper kiss that was suggestive of things to come. Right then, a loud, high-pitched cry came across the monitor. Kylie, with her perfect timing, interrupted what decidedly wanted to head in a different direction. “I’ll take care of her, but you remember this when we go to bed tonight,” Kathy said with a wicked smile. She turned and started walking towards the room, just then Susan came running down the hall, yelling, “Get out of my way!” almost knocking her down. Kathy steadied herself with her right hand on the wall.

“Susan, are you ok, what’s the matter?” she yelled back. Susan didn’t stop. Kathy yelled for Tom to intervene because Kylie was still screaming. She required her attention first. As soon as she stepped into the room, she could see Kylie was pinned up against the crib’s slats, desperately arching her back to get free but not succeeding. ‘Poor baby,’ Kathy thought, ‘this explains your screaming! You were probably terrified.’ Kathy picked up Kylie and realized the wood had left a deep red impression on her face. Kathy rubbed it gently to soothe her. As she calmed down, Kathy’s thoughts turned to Susan. ‘What the hell was going on with her?’

Kathy went looking for Susan, but thankfully Tom had already reached her. He had heard the commotion too and sprung into action as soon as Kathy yelled. He was comforting her. She was sobbing, visibly shaken, and her fingers were twitching uncontrollably.

“You gave me such a fright, Susan!” Kathy said, concerned. “Are you ok?” 

Between sobs, she said, “I didn’t mean to hurt Kylie!”

TO BE CONTINUED ON FRIDAY…

Hello Readers – Now it’s your turn! Please cast your vote in the comments below for the type of ending you would like to see. Try to have your choice noted by 5PM CST.
Here are your ending possibilities this week:

Sad
Unexpected
Happy

I look forward to writing how the story will end! Here’s hoping you enjoy it! 🙂