The Mother-in-Law

by Kiersten Modglin

To feel another human’s touch is a very intimate thing, I’ve found. It’s why we shy away from touching knees with strangers when we’re in close proximity to them. It’s why holding hands is such a big deal. Because touch, more than a kiss and more than sex, is the single thing that connects us as

No one else saw it and, to this day, I’m not entirely sure I did either, but in that moment, as she spoke the words, I could’ve sworn I saw Malcolm glance her way for just a second. In his eyes, I could see only fear.

It took two more weeks for Malcolm to finally pass away, but when he did, it shattered everything I thought I knew about my family.

Loss, even when it’s expected, rocks your center of gravity for a while.”

How was I going to tell my husband I was pretty sure his mother had tried to kill our child?

Still, a question echoed in my head, taunting me. What do I really know about this family?

In the battle of me and Coralee, he’d chosen her. She’d won. We both knew it. But the game wasn’t over. It was just beginning.