One Mistake

After Mrs. Caldwell, Evelyn’s mother–in–law, faked being bedridden for the ninth time this year and tore up their marriage certificate again, she finally felt drained.

She looked down at the torn certificate in her hands. The bright red cover was still stained with the chicken soup her mother–in–law had just thrown at her.

Every time Olivia Caldwell, our Mrs. Caldwell, lost her temper, the marriage certificate was the first to suffer.

“What are you staring at?” Olivia barked from the hospital bed, her voice shrill. “If it weren’t for you, you damn jinx, would I be stuck on this goddamn bed?”

Evelyn quietly picked up the shredded pieces from the floor, her finger sliced open by the sharp paper edge.

She said nothing, just gently wiped the oil splatter from her white dress.

“Don’t play the victim!” Olivia grabbed the water cup from her nightstand and hurled it at her. “Get out! I can’t stand the sight of you!”

The cup grazed Evelyn’s ear and shattered against the wall.

She slowly backed out of the room, gently closed the door, and leaned against the hallway wall, taking a deep breath.