“I always told him,” she says, “how important dental hygiene is. I told him he had to brush every night, and when he didn’t, there would be a punishment. There’s always a punishment when you break the rules.” What? What is she saying? “Evelyn…” “If you don’t take care of your teeth,” she continues, “then you lose the privilege to have teeth.” “Evelyn?” “Andy knew that. He knew that was my rule.” She lifts her eyes. “When I pulled out one of his baby teeth with pliers, I thought he understood.” I stare at her, too afraid to speak. Too afraid of the next words that will leave her mouth. And when
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