White Smoke

by Tiffany D. Jackson

You’ll learn soon enough: my house, my rules. Everything that is yours is now mine. And you will obey my rules until the day you leave. That’s right, you won’t be staying here long. I’ll make very sure of that. Oh, and look. You brought me a little friend.

Change is good. Change is necessary. Change is needed.

“Congratulations again on winning the GWYP Residency. We are so happy to have you here in Cedarville!”

Shame bubbles up, twisting my stomach in knots. Mom told me when Piper came home from first grade that day and found her grandmother unresponsive in her recliner, Piper sat by her feet and watched TV for five hours, until Alec came home. Maybe Piper really is just acting out after all she’s gone through.

The Local 83 has reached a $2.5 million dollar settlement with the city of Cedarville. . . . The union was represented by Kings, Rothman & Russo Law firm.

“Truth is, the ground is spoiled here, always has been.” He looks at me. “And you can’t grow where you’re not wanted.”